Chapter 68: Yin and Yang

"The common folk now each attend to their own livelihoods, and the city is as peaceful as ever — all thanks to Lord Yang's astute planning, and to every member of the Tongcheng county yamen who diligently performed their duties. Only thus could we have such a satisfactory conclusion. When this old man returns to Suzhou, I shall certainly report the situation here truthfully to Lord Zhang."

Outside Tongcheng's south gate, Mr. Ma was speaking politely to Yang Fangzao and the others. The group seeing him off was not large, for although Mr. Ma was from the Grand Coordinator's yamen, he was only a private advisor; in official terms, he was still merely a commoner. So while Yang Fangzao was courteous, it would not do to make a grand display — if word got out, it would only stir up more trouble.

"I have governed poorly, putting Mr. Ma to the trouble of traveling a thousand li — I am truly ashamed." Though Yang Fangzao's mouth spoke of shame, his expression was relaxed.

Two days ago, the Fast Squad had killed Wang Guohua, and immediately after, Old Zheng and Scribe Du were arrested and brought to trial. When the news spread, there was a brief murmur in the city, and then calm returned. On the gentry's side, under Fang Kongzhao's strategy of dividing and conquering, no great disturbance arose, and the matter of classifying the civil unrest was thus concluded. Even that Southern Military Courier Officer, finding no opening to act, had already left Tongcheng.

In the original course of history, because Wang Guohua was killed in the street during his escort by the household slave of a certain member of the gentry, and the number of commoners who witnessed it was great, the news quickly spread throughout the county. The populace was filled with suspicion toward the authorities and the gentry, and a larger uprising could have erupted in Tongcheng at any moment. To protect themselves, the gentry had no choice but to bring in Pan Keda's Chizhou troops to garrison the city. After these three hundred-odd soldiers arrived, they swiftly stabilized the situation, and in the chaotic years of the late Ming that followed, they solidified Tongcheng's defenses.

Now, because of Pang Yu's intervention, Old Zheng and Scribe Du were used to channel the people's anger, and no major unrest broke out in the city. Thus, Pan Keda's forces did not end up garrisoning Tongcheng.

Pang Yu, naturally, was entirely unaware of these changes. For him, this was a time to ride high. He had taken the top merit for quelling the unrest; both the County Magistrate and the County Vice-Magistrate now relied heavily on him; the Fast Squad was in the midst of expansion; the Household Office had been replaced by the closely connected Tang Weimin, ensuring ample funding for the Fast Squad; and he himself had also come into a large sum of dirty silver.

After quelling the unrest, although Pang Yu was still an utterly insignificant figure before men like Zhang Guowei and Mr. Ma, within Tongcheng he now had both power and money — no longer to be mentioned in the same breath as that Er Shazi of before.

"Pang Squad Leader led his men to capture and kill Wang Guohua, sweeping up the rebel ringleaders in one net." Mr. Ma turned to Pang Yu and said with a smile, "Last time Lord Zhang sent someone to Tongcheng with a message, he specifically inquired about Pang Squad Leader single-handedly and courageously wiping out the Yunji Temple matter. When this old man returns this time, I shall certainly report it to His Lordship in detail."

Pang Yu bowed and said, "To be remembered by Lord Zhang — this humble one is overwhelmed with trepidation. Lord Zhang oversees the Jiangnan Ten Prefectures; without a great talent like Mr. Ma at his side to assist in planning, he must have been even more overworked of late. I both wish for Mr. Ma to go and aid Lord Zhang, and yet fear Mr. Ma will overwork himself — this humble one's heart is truly torn."

After speaking, he stepped aside to reveal He Xianya behind him and said to Mr. Ma, "This is He Xianya, the one who captured and killed Wang Guohua. He is a mounted runner in my Fast Squad. Hearing that Mr. Ma was leaving today, he insisted on coming to see the sort of man who serves at Lord Zhang's side."

Mr. Ma carefully sized up He Xianya. He did not look like a stout warrior at all; most likely, he was merely Pang Yu's trusted man, taking credit for someone else's deed.

Zhou County Deputy also said, "Lord Yang himself suggested that Mr. Ma linger a few more days in Tongcheng, so that I might accompany Your Excellency to tour the nearby scenic spots. Yet you are in such a hurry to return to Suzhou — it must be that our Tongcheng is a remote place, no match for Suzhou's prosperity."

Mr. Ma shook his head and laughed. "Lord Zhou, please do not use such words to corner this humble commoner. That the Tongcheng county yamen was able to bring this disturbance to a peaceful conclusion is already a joy to all. However, there are still some loose ends that will require everyone's time and effort. Ma must also return to report, and dares not impose upon you all any longer."

After another round of pleasantries, Mr. Ma left the roadside pavilion and bid farewell to each person in turn.

Everyone present had expressed their regard to Mr. Ma. After all, he was from the Grand Coordinator's yamen and Zhang Guowei's trusted man; to have an opportunity to build even a slight connection was already a great stroke of fortune. Pang Yu, naturally, was no exception, though he only gave two hundred taels — neither too much nor too little among the yamen crowd.

Tang Weimin was also among those seeing him off. As far as Pang Yu knew, Tang Weimin had also given Mr. Ma a sum of gift money; exactly how much, he did not know. But that Tang Weimin, having just paid Scribe Zhao five hundred taels in Ding Shou Yin, still had money to give gift money made Pang Yu look at him with new respect. Though when he recalled that Yuan Granary Inspector had skimmed two or three hundred taels in just a few years, Pang Yu let the matter drop.

Mr. Ma was still traveling by horse. Just as the two servant boys attending him were helping him mount, the sound of hoofbeats came from behind.

Pang Yu turned to look — it was Ruan Dacheng riding out from the south gate on horseback. What surprised Pang Yu was that Ruan Dacheng's riding skill, as he urged his horse forward, was clearly quite good.

The assembled officials looked at one another. It was obvious Ruan Dacheng had not arrived at this moment by coincidence, but how he had gotten word of it, no one knew.

Ruan Dacheng first greeted the two officials. Yang Fangzao and Zhou County Deputy merely nodded in acknowledgment; the two, with tacit understanding, neither of them engaged Ruan Dacheng in conversation.

Ruan Dacheng then greeted Pang Yu as well. Seeing Ruan Dacheng, Pang Yu felt somewhat embarrassed — after all, he had accepted Ruan Dacheng's three-hundred-tael silver note. He had included Ruan Dacheng in the Detailed Report, and it was not exactly a fabrication, for Ruan Dacheng had indeed donated one thousand three hundred taels of silver to Wang Gongbi as Mobilization Silver, which was a contribution to quelling the unrest.

But when the final draft was made, Mr. Ma had struck it out. Every other gentry name was kept exactly as Pang Yu had written it, without a single character changed — including two Xiucai who had in fact contributed nothing at all, yet at Fang Kongzhao's request, had their names listed near the end. Only Ruan Dacheng, who had actually contributed, was deleted.

Pang Yu was helpless to do anything about it, for not a single person in the yamen spoke up for Ruan Dacheng. It seemed everyone neither wished to get close to him nor wanted to offend him; the best course was simply to have no connection with him whatsoever.

"So it is Mr. Ma. As it happens, Ruan is also on his way to Anqing to pay a visit to Wang Circuit Intendant. I could travel the same road as Mr. Ma."

Mr. Ma had not expected Ruan Dacheng to have gotten word from somewhere. He was naturally unwilling to travel with Ruan Dacheng, for Ruan Dacheng was a confirmed member of the Eunuch Faction from the imperially decreed Reverse Case, while Zhang Guowei was a student of Mace Qianyi. In governing Yingtian, Zhang relied on the support of the Donglin faction and absolutely dared not be associated with Ruan Dacheng.

"Mr. Ruan, please do as you wish. This official road is for everyone to travel; Ma certainly cannot prevent Mr. Ruan from using the official road. Please, Mr. Ruan, go ahead."

Ruan Dacheng paid no mind to the rejection in Mr. Ma's words and continued, "The journey to Anqing takes two days. Along the way, Ruan could also tell Mr. Ma some old tales of Tongcheng."

A perfectly good farewell was thrown into awkwardness by Ruan Dacheng's appearance. Unable to linger any longer, Mr. Ma could only clasp his hands in parting to everyone, then mount his horse and head south down the official road.

Yang Fangzao and the others hurriedly dispersed. Ruan Dacheng turned back to Pang Yu and said, "Pang Squad Leader, do not forget our arrangement. When Ruan returns, come to my Zhongjiang Society for a gathering."

With that, he clamped his legs to his horse's flanks and, with a single household servant, followed after Mr. Ma.

Tang Weimin watched Ruan Dacheng's retreating figure and shook his head. "Fang Kongzhao also wishes to be restored to office, but he at least has a scholar's integrity. This Ruan Dacheng... truly disgraces the Shi Lin of Tongcheng."

Pang Yu understood what Tang Weimin meant. In fact, Fang Kongzhao and the others had also gone to Anqing Prefecture, and might later go on to Suzhou to maneuver, so as to fully exploit the effects of quelling this Tongcheng uprising and pave the way for their own restoration to office.

But these were all normal practices in officialdom. Fang Kongzhao had always enjoyed a good reputation; in everyone's eyes, it was all reasonable, and Fang Kongzhao had indeed contributed greatly to quelling the unrest, so no one found it improper.

Ruan Dacheng's biggest problem was that hat of Eunuch Faction membership. No one was willing to have anything to do with him, yet he seemed to lack this self-awareness, always thrusting himself into every situation, as if fearing he might be left out — which naturally made him even more disliked.

The two walked together toward the city. As they walked, Tang Weimin said, "His inviting you to the Zhongjiang Society — I fear he has some scheme. Pang Xiaodi, you must be careful."

Pang Yu said, puzzled, "What could he scheme from me? I'm only a squad leader — in the end, still just a yamen runner."

"It is precisely Pang Xiaodi's reputation for quelling unrest. He sees the realm descending into chaos and has long wished to use military discourse as a path back to office, so he forms societies to build his name. In that Zhongjiang Society of his, besides himself, there is also Pan Cilu. Pan Cilu's father is Pan Ruzhen — also a Eunuch Faction man."

"How come there are so many Eunuch Faction people."

Tang Weimin laughed. "Pan Cilu is also Fang Yizhi's father-in-law, yet Fang Yizhi is a member of the Restoration Society. So that Zhongjiang Society was a pot of glue to begin with. Once you stir yourself into it, getting out won't be easy — you won't be able to wash your hands clean."

Pang Yu smiled noncommittally. He was just a yamen runner; he couldn't get mixed up in the affairs of scholars — at most, he'd just join the excitement. Before he could speak, Tang Weimin suddenly pulled him into a lane entrance.

"Lord Tang, what are you doing? The yamen is to the north."

Without explaining, Tang Weimin followed the lane deeper in, smiling as he walked up to a courtyard gate and pushed it open, walking straight in.

Full of doubt, Pang Yu followed him in. This was the outer courtyard of the residence, somewhat more spacious than that of an ordinary household, but even the outer courtyard was arranged with a fish pond and rockery, giving it a serene and elegant feel.

Tang Weimin looked at Pang Yu and said, "Pang Xiongdi, it's not that I want to criticize you."

Pang Yu said, puzzled, "What about me?"

"Yesterday I made a special trip to Yimin Gate and discovered that Pang Xiaodi is still living above a shopfront. How can that be worthy of a man of such outstanding talent as Pang Xiongdi? This residence is right on Hong Family Lane; step outside and you're at Qingfeng Market — truly a quiet spot amidst the bustle. It was previously the outer residence of Liu Xiucai. After the unrest, he reportedly went to Anqing, so Tang acquired it. Let this be Tang's congratulations to Pang Xiaodi on your promotion to squad leader. I hope Pang Xiaodi will not disdain it."

Pang Yu tilted his head and looked around. It was indeed far better than that medicine shop of his. He did not stand on ceremony with Tang Weimin, but clasped his hands and said, "Then I thank Lord Tang. When Lord Tang formally assumes the post of Scribe, this humble one will also express his regard."

Tang Weimin handed over the deed and laughed heartily. "Thanks to Pang Xiaodi's good fortune, tomorrow your elder brother here will set out for the Circuit Inspector's yamen to handle the Ding Shou Yin. When I return, I shall celebrate together with Pang Xiaodi."

In the afternoon, Pang Yu sat alone in the Admonition Stone Pavilion of the Tongcheng county yamen. The water beneath Tangqian Bridge flowed with a gentle murmur. When Pang Yu quieted his mind to listen, he felt that this ordinarily clamorous vanity fair had taken on a touch of poetry.

Pang Yu was still staying at the county yamen tonight. The matter of the civil unrest had already been settled. He planned to bring his parents back tomorrow and move directly into that new residence.

The Main Hall was still bustling. A coroner emerged from the Punishment Office, carrying Wang Guohua's head in his hand. After the Punishment Office had finished its inspection and verification, the coroner would sew the head back onto the body, which would presumably be handed over to the family for burial.

Then, after a burst of commotion, Jiang Guoyong was dragged out of the Punishment Office by a group of people. Shouting and cursing loudly, he was hauled across Tangqian Bridge and out toward Ceremonial Gate. Wu Dazhuang's brother-in-law, Zhang Daiwen, was among them, kicking and beating Jiang Guoyong the whole way, putting on a show of righteous indignation.

After the Punishment Office's incident with Scribe Du, Yang Fangzao had given them a thorough scolding. The Punishment Office Scribe then began a rectification campaign. The result of the rectification was the discovery of yet another malefactor. Jiang Guoyong, who had offended everyone in the yamen, was pushed forward without question to serve as the substitute scapegoat. Not a single person in the entire yamen spoke up for him.

Today was the day the Punishment Office expelled him. Pang Yu observed that the people dragging Jiang Guoyong out were all those who had dared not come to the yamen for duty during the unrest, while Jiang Guoyong, who had come to work on time every day back then, was being driven out of the yamen by them.

At the other side, the entrance of the Household Office was bustling with people coming and going. Members of every office were seeking an audience with Tang Weimin, for indeed, every department had requests to make of the Household Office. Tang Weimin was now a man in high demand.

Pang Yu saw that Wang Dazhuang was also queuing outside, anxiously pacing back and forth.

He Xianya was inside the Military Office. From Pang Yu's angle, he could just see He Xianya's profile through the window. Though Pang Yu could not hear, he knew that He Xianya was discussing the matter of the regulation silver with the Military Office. Previously, a portion of the Military Office's regulation silver had been collected from the Fast Squad; now, Pang Yu naturally wished to change that, and had sent He Xianya to test the waters first.

"Pang Xiaoyou is staying at the yamen again today?"

Pang Yu turned his head to look — it was the Yin-Yang Official, Mr. Tan, arriving. The two had both been lodging in the yamen recently and saw each other often.

"Indeed, but in another two days I'll be returning home to stay." Pang Yu invited Mr. Tan to sit with him in the pavilion.

Mr. Tan studied Pang Yu carefully and said, "Since quelling the unrest, Pang Squad Leader's words and bearing have grown far steadier — a world of difference from before."

Pang Yu shook his head with a smile. "Steadiness isn't much fun. The joy of roaming through life at play is greater. But some things are beyond one's control — whatever deeds you've done, that's the kind of person you become. Truth be told, sometimes I rather envy you, Sir Tan, studying your own learning every day and making no enemies."

Mr. Tan waved a hand. "What learning — it's merely a bowl of rice to stay alive."

Pang Yu suddenly turned his head to look at Mr. Tan, his expression full of interest. "Sir Tan, could you offer this humble one a little guidance in the learning of yin and yang?"

Mr. Tan was silent a moment, then said, "Then let us speak of what is easy to grasp. In terms of the heavens' seasons, sunrise is yang and sunset is yin. In terms of the lay of the land, the north face of a mountain is yin and the south face is yang. In terms of the household, the husband is yang and the wife and concubines are yin. All things under heaven fall within the principle of yin and yang. As young Brother Pang said that day, every benefit you raise gives birth to a corresponding flaw — gain and loss are also yin and yang."

Pang Yu looked at the Admonition Stone — "Your salaries, your stipends, are the very fat and blood of the people; the lowly folk are easy to abuse, but Heaven above is hard to deceive" — tilted his head, and asked, "What if we reckon by the yamen, then? What counts as yin, and what as yang?"

Mr. Tan lowered his voice. "Reckoned by the yamen, the Main Hall is yang and the rear hall is yin. In the Main Hall, everything is handled impartially by public law. Enter through the back door into the rear hall, and matters are handled according to silver and personal favor. The greatest yamen of all is the court. At court, the Grand Secretaries and Ministers are yang, the Remonstrance Officials and Censors are yin. The Emperor hopes they will balance yin and yang against each other, so that no single faction dominates."

Pang Yu laughed in spite of himself. "Then speaking of a single person alone — how does one distinguish yin and yang?"

Mr. Tan paused briefly, then said, "The ten thousand things bear yin on their backs and embrace yang in their arms — how could man be an exception? It is only that a person's yin and yang are not easy to discern, because the human heart cannot be seen. Yang is benefiting others; yin is benefiting oneself. Yang is displayed upon the mouth, while yin is concealed within one's actions. Before others, righteous and awe-inspiring; behind the scenes, buzzing and scurrying after petty gain. In this rolling world of red dust and the vast universe, burdened by the needs of food and clothing, entangled by children, trapped by fame and reputation — it is easy to drift with the current and hard to stay clear-headed alone. Easy to speak the words, hard to carry them out in practice. True and false, yin and yang, nearly impossible to tell apart. One may go a whole lifetime without ever truly knowing another's heart. Unless heaven crumbles and earth splits, unless it is a moment of life and death, even the person himself can hardly see the truth or falsehood of his own original heart. The yin and yang of man are the hardest of all to clarify — yet they are not nonexistent."

"What Sir Tan says does hold some truth. Those eminent monks who have attained the Path — for decades they purge their hearts of desire, the real purpose being to eliminate the yin within the human heart."

Mr. Tan, however, shook his head. "With yang alone, one naturally cannot attain the Path either. What the eminent monks seek to penetrate is Chan. They cannot merely eliminate yin. Ideally, they penetrate until there is neither yin nor yang, returning to primordial chaos — only then is it considered awakening. It is the great officials, with their Four Books and Five Classics, who aim to purge yin and preserve yang, to become sages like Confucius, utterly flawless and without a single defect. As for how effective that is — opinions differ. But in my humble view, if a person truly became pure yang, he would no longer be human. We ordinary mortals cannot compare with eminent monks, nor with the various great officials. We always have both yang and yin. To achieve a harmony of yin and yang, with gentle winds and fair skies — that is the proper path."

Pang Yu looked at the crowd before Tang Weimin's door, nodded, and smiled. "Then this merit of mine in quelling the unrest — how should one reckon its yin and yang?"

Mr. Tan stood up and said with a faint smile, "That is something only young Brother Pang himself can reckon clearly."