Chapter 70: Business

Inside the Xiangyang Gate on City Wall Street, a crowd of commoners had gathered before a courtyard, pointing and whispering at the wide-open gate. Outside stood several Runners, all wearing new Constable Uniforms with a red cloth patch sewn onto the upper arm, embroidered with the character 'Fast'. The commoners, seeing this attire, were all buzzing with discussion, knowing the Fast Squad had come to make another arrest.

Pang Yu himself wore the same Constable Uniform. He paused on the street for a moment to observe the commoners' reactions. It seemed they could already recognize the Fast Squad on official duty — this could be considered an initial success.

The mop-up work after the unrest was still very complicated. The Fast Squad had been recruiting constantly, and Pang Yu had no time to train these men, so he could only start with their image, especially to distinguish them from the Runner Squad and the Zhuang Squad, hence the added armband. According to Pang Yu's current requirements, one Team of Runners was to patrol the streets every morning, ensuring the commoners saw the Fast Squad daily, continuously reinforcing the impression of the Fast Squad's authority.

Pang Yu stepped through the broken-open main gate into the courtyard. Inside were three Runners. Jiang Fan stood holding his sword, while Ruan Jin and Xu Lengzi pinned a man to the ground. From a side room came the sound of women and children weeping.

After surveying the courtyard once, Pang Yu said, "Release Shopkeeper Liu."

The two men loosened their grip. Liu Ruogu remained sprawled on the ground for a moment before struggling to his feet. Bowing his head, he gave Pang Yu a deep bow. "Greetings, Pang Squad Leader."

Pang Yu tilted his head and sized up Liu Ruogu. The Shopkeeper of New River Pawnshop looked somewhat haggard. Just a short month ago, when Pang Yu had gone to see him and Yin Deng, he had been nervous and fearful, terrified of slipping up and exposing himself. Now, the situation seemed reversed.

"Will Shopkeeper Liu not invite me in to sit?"

Liu Ruogu turned aside and silently made a gesture of invitation. Pang Yu did not stand on ceremony and strode directly into the main hall. Jiang Fan and the other two followed him in, each taking a position in a corner.

Pang Yu still sat in the guest seat according to the Rules. After he was seated, Liu Ruogu brought over a plate of grapes from the side and said carefully to Pang Yu, "There is no hot water prepared at home, so I cannot brew tea for Pang Squad Leader."

"Shopkeeper Liu need not be so polite. Today is mainly for talking; Eating and Drinking are not pressing matters."

Liu Ruogu sat in the host's seat. "Has Pang Squad Leader come to arrest me?"

Pang Yu's eyes roamed around the room once before he said casually, "I wouldn't have guessed that Shopkeeper Liu, who manages such a large pawnshop, lives in such a small two-courtyard home."

"It is not that I cannot afford to buy a larger one, but it is truly inconvenient to buy big, lest the Dongjia grow suspicious."

Pang Yu laughed in spite of himself. "Brother Liu speaks the truth. Then you have been wronged following the Wu family. I feel that as long as it relies on ability, the more a subordinate earns, the more face he earns for the Dongjia. The Wu family is a bit too stingy."

Liu Ruogu raised his eyes and observed Pang Yu. Because of the previous Deed incident, Liu Ruogu already knew this man was extremely bold. That day, weak and alone, he had dared to come extort them. Now, with many men and great power, what could he be after today?

He thought for a moment, then said, "Pang Squad Leader is young and promising, naturally possessing magnanimity. But it is not that Old Master Wu of the Wu family is stingy. The old gentleman is advanced in years; those family businesses are all managed by the Second Master. Pang Squad Leader cannot catch the Wu family's Second Master, but could it be you wish to arrest me to take the blame for the Second Master?"

"The Civil Unrest was the doing of Huang Wending and his gang, so naturally it cannot implicate Shopkeeper Liu. But the Emperor's written comments ordered the local authorities to strictly investigate and determine the instigators. Wu Yingqi, Ye Can, and Fang Yingqian were all personally named by the imperial brush. In the confessions given by those people inside the South Prison, there are quite a few matters related to Shopkeeper Liu. Within the yamen, there are indeed some who wish to drag Shopkeeper Liu into this. Coming here today is to ask Brother Liu's own Opinion — whether you need my help."

Liu Ruogu said calmly, "I have heard that Tongcheng's South Prison is overcrowded. Although there are many acquaintances inside, I was thinking the Fast Squad is already busy enough, so it's best not to add to Pang Squad Leader's troubles."

Pang Yu chuckled lightly. "It wouldn't be any trouble. There are over a hundred people anyway, one more makes no difference. But as I said last time, I owed Shopkeeper Liu a favor, and there will be repayment in the future. One good point about me is that my word is my bond. Regarding matters before today, Brother Wu need worry no longer."

"Thank you for Brother Pang's consideration." Liu Ruogu closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. He had been hiding outside for over a month, mainly worried about retaliation from Huang Wending's gang. He had finally waited until the Civil Unrest was quelled, only to return and be implicated by the Wu family's affairs. Now, with these words from Pang Yu, he could finally live peacefully in Tongcheng.

The woman in the side room was still weeping. Liu Ruogu had no intention of going to comfort her. He knew this matter was not over. Although he had not interacted much with Pang Yu, he knew that Pang Yu bringing men to his door was definitely not just to tell him he was repaying a favor. Pang Yu would certainly demand conditions.

He then probed cautiously towards Pang Yu, "I feel that Pang Squad Leader would not go to such trouble and mobilize so many men just for a single favor. If there are other matters, please, Pang Squad Leader, speak plainly."

Pang Yu nodded. "Let's not beat around the bush. Where did the Deeds from New River Pawnshop go?"

"This humble one..."

Pang Yu cut him off. "I advise Brother Liu to think carefully before answering. I went to see your New River Pawnshop. Large items perhaps could not be rescued in time, but those Deeds are just a pile of paper. Press them down, and they can be carried away in a single bundle. New River Pawnshop was only burned and looted on the third day of the Civil Unrest. The time in between was ample for you to remove the Deeds."

Liu Ruogu frowned in thought. Although Pang Yu had just said he need not worry about previous matters, that was clearly a condition. If Liu Ruogu could not satisfy him later, the previous condition could be withdrawn at any time.

Pang Yu continued, "You and I both know that at least half of those Deeds were Guiji under the names of gentry families. This time, the Dongjia of most Tongcheng pawnshops are leaving. Since there is no longer the Dongjia's Watch and Control, these Deeds can see the light of day again. Shopkeeper Liu cannot think that just by holding those Deeds, you can go to the Household Office and change the Register. If the Household Office does not grant you convenience, those Deeds are no different from waste paper."

"Naturally, they cannot, especially after Clerk Zhao was forced to resign by you people." Liu Ruogu said calmly. "That is why I returned to Tongcheng, to see if we can discuss a Method that benefits us both."

Pang Yu did not answer but instead asked, "Besides that New River Pawnshop, what other businesses has Shopkeeper Liu managed for Old Master Wu before?"

"Pawnshops are certainly connected to gambling dens. As for the business within a pawnshop, farmland comes second. When people are obsessed with Gambling in the dens, even a wife can be pawned. Most of New River's house Deeds likely came from this."

"I want the Deeds that can see the light of day. But I won't take them for nothing. You bring them and set a suitable price to sell them to me." After a moment of Strategic Patience, Pang Yu said, "This time, the three major pawnshops in Tongcheng are all closing. I figured there will always be people needing silver urgently, so I want to open one myself. I will find a way to raise the principal myself, and I will assign someone else to the Account Office. We'll start with the pawnshop and gambling den. Brother Liu will still be the Shopkeeper, and I'll give Brother Liu a ten percent Dingshen share."

Liu Ruogu looked at Pang Yu in surprise. A Dingshen share at this time was essentially a sweat equity share, usually only found in large trading firms. The Dongjia used this Dingshen share as bait to make skilled talents like Zhangguis and accountants serve diligently. Usually, one had to work a lifetime to receive some Dingshen shares, and many Dongjia went back on their word. The Wu family had done the same before. This time, the Wu family abandoning the pawnshop had actually caused Liu Ruogu heavy losses.

That Pang Yu would offer a Dingshen share upon first meeting naturally surprised and delighted Liu Ruogu.

"This Dingshen share cannot be transferred, but Brother Liu can receive dividends." Pang Yu said seriously. "I am confident in Brother Liu's Skill. Whatever the pawnshop and gambling den did before, we will do the same in the future. The more we earn, the more dividends Brother Liu gets. In these Two Days, Brother Liu should first think about how to make this pawnshop even better."

Liu Ruogu hastily agreed, "Pang Squad Leader, rest assured. This humble one will certainly devote his heart and not betray the Squad Leader's high regard."

Pang Yu waved his hand. He had been thinking about how to make the stolen dirty silver continue to earn money. Currently, there was no investment market, and investing in business-type ventures earned money too slowly. He also could not accept silver just lying dormant in a cellar. After much thought, pawnshops and gambling dens still had higher profits, and they conveniently fell under the Fast Squad's jurisdiction. But he could not manage it himself, so a talent like Liu Ruogu was very important.

"For rural business, the pawnshop will accept depending on the situation. Don't drive people to death over some farmland." Pang Yu said, Standing Up. "Wealth is all in the cities and towns. Tongcheng has only two places: the county seat and Zongyang. We'll open the one in the county seat first. Tomorrow, Shopkeeper Liu can go look at storefronts. Those previous pawnshops had bad reputations; let's not buy those old shops."

"Pang Squad Leader means we will also open a pawnshop in Zongyang?"

Pang Yu nodded. "If we're going to do it, naturally we should do it on a larger scale."

With that, he strode out. Liu Ruogu followed him into the courtyard. Just as he was unsure whether to see Pang Yu out, Pang Yu said loudly, "I ask Shopkeeper Liu to see me out, to set your neighbors' hearts at ease."

Liu Ruogu hurriedly escorted Pang Yu out the courtyard gate. When Pang Yu emerged onto City Wall Street outside, the surrounding commoners who had come to watch the excitement were still there. Seeing the two men come out, they all focused their attention on them.

Pang Yu Turned Around, cupped his hands towards Liu Ruogu, and said loudly, "Today was a misunderstanding. Since Brother Liu has confessed all the hidden details of the Wu family, it can be considered redeeming himself through meritorious service. If Tongcheng had more upright men like Brother Liu, our Fast Squad would have a much easier time."

Liu Ruogu had not expected Pang Yu to say this. Saying it this way did indeed clear Liu Ruogu of suspicion; at least the authorities would not arrest him now. But a buzz arose from the surrounding crowd, most people's expressions showing Disdain, because in the moral system of this time, betraying one's Dongjia was a serious moral failing.

Liu Ruogu immediately Realized that Pang Yu was cutting off his retreat, but at this moment, where was the room for explanation? He could only grit his teeth, cup his hands, and say not a single word.

Pang Yu, smiling broadly, waved his hand. The Runners, gripping their Waist Sabers and wooden staves, clustered around Pang Yu and departed. Half the Fast Squad carried sabers and half carried staves. The staves had also been replaced with light, convenient white waxwood poles. The sole exception was that Xu Lengzi.

Facing this group of Runners, the commoners automatically parted to make a Path.

Pang Yu was very satisfied with this reaction. Fear was necessary for respect. The Fast Squad was Tongcheng's organ of violence; it needed some deterrent force.

After walking out of City Wall Street, Pang Yu called Jiang Fan over. Because of his good performance, he had already been made a small Team Leader.

"Get ready. Go back and draw some travel silver from Pang Ding. Tomorrow, go to Anqing Prefecture."

"Yes, sir. What matter does the sir wish this humble one to handle in Anqing Prefecture?"

Pang Yu let out a long breath. "I have received word that the New Magistrate is about to arrive. You will stay in Anqing Prefecture recently and gather information on this New Magistrate's situation. The most critical thing is the time of his arrival."

"Understood."