Chapter 96: Laba

In the second courtyard of the county office's rear living quarters, Pang Yu had just set down his bowl and chopsticks. Today was already the Laba Festival, and Pang Yu had come for his daily briefing as usual, so Yang Erming invited him to share the meal.

Mr. Sun looked up and said, "Pang Squad Leader, have another bowl of Laba Porridge."

Pang Yu quickly waved his hand and said, "My thanks to Mr. Sun, but this humble one ate at home. The flavor truly cannot compare to the congee here at His Honor's residence, but my stomach is nearly full. Had I known, I would have come to eat here first, Daren."

Yang Erming laughed, his overly youthful face brimming with sunshine. Because he was so young, his betrothed wife had not yet crossed the threshold, so his living quarters were relatively simple. Aside from two house servants and an old maidservant he had brought himself, there were only the runners and sweepers assigned by the office, about ten people in all. It was slightly desolate. Pang Yu's daily visits to report had become something Yang Erming quite looked forward to, because Pang Yu was eloquent and, being in charge of the Fast Squad, knew much about the goings-on in the marketplace. Every time he spoke, Yang Erming found it quite interesting.

"This 'Anti-Theft Preparedness Inspection' that Pang Squad Leader wrote, I have reviewed it together with Zhou County Deputy and Chief Clerk Xu. It is even more detailed than what we had previously planned. In particular, the contingency plan section truly ensures preparedness against unforeseen events, so we will not be caught off guard if the Roving Bandits suddenly arrive."

"Many thanks for His Honor's praise, but this subordinate still has a matter on which to request Daren's instructions."

"Pang Squad Leader, please speak."

"This subordinate has been thinking that this contingency plan alone is not enough to guarantee safety. We should conduct an evacuation drill across the entire territory of Tongcheng before the New Year."

A question mark appeared over Yang Erming's head. "A drill?"

"Precisely. That is, we pretend Roving Bandits are coming from Qianshan. When the mounted couriers deliver the warning, we see how the county office organizes the evacuation of the common people along the Official Road, how they enter the city in an orderly fashion, how to avoid road congestion, and how to select places of refuge."

Mr. Sun tilted his head to glance at Yang Erming. Seeing that Yang Erming looked somewhat bewildered, and fearing Yang Erming might agree, he immediately said to Pang Yu, "Pang Squad Leader, this is an ingenious idea. After such a drill, it could indeed prove useful. However, to conduct a drill across the entire county — if the slightest carelessness leads the common people to believe the Roving Bandits are truly coming, it will inevitably cause panic throughout the county, and even spread to neighboring prefectures and counties. Anqing Prefecture will certainly investigate. It would be a case of trying to be clever but ending up with a blunder, making it so no one can enjoy the New Year in peace."

Pang Yu knew this matter was difficult to carry out, because the county office's control over the grassroots was not strong at present, and the level of organization in the villages was very poor. Errors during the drill causing panic was a high-probability event, and at that point Yang Erming would certainly be held accountable. So Yang Erming's hesitation was reasonable.

Yang Erming furrowed his brow and thought for a moment, then said, "Could we conduct the drill in just one li?"

Mr. Sun still shook his head and said, "I still fear the spread of rumors. Once rumors start circulating in the countryside, who knows what they will turn into in the end. At that point, dispelling the rumors will be difficult, and I fear things will spiral out of control."

Pang Yu knew it was hopeless. He could only say to Yang Erming, "Then this subordinate will conduct drills within the Fast Squad and Zhuang Squad, making the plan as detailed as possible. As long as the runners know what to do, it can still be of some use."

Yang Erming instructed, "Pay particular attention to the direction of Qianshan. The Luzhou side should be fine. Pang Squad Leader, press on with this. In a few days, Pang Squad Leader will accompany me on a trip to Anqing."

Pang Yu knew this was to pay New Year's respects to the Anqing Prefectural Office. That Yang Erming wanted him to come along even for this kind of matter — although it partly meant having Pang Yu arrange the journey, it also demonstrated extreme trust.

Speaking of which, Pang Yu himself also needed to arrange his own New Year's visits. His primary targets for New Year's greetings were still the various officials and offices within the county office. He had to visit everyone; not a single one could be offended. Even leaders of institution-type units like Wang Instructor and Tan of the Yin-Yang Office had to be considered.

As for the Anqing Prefectural Office, at Pang Yu's level, he had little dealings with the other people in the Anqing Prefectural Office, so there was no real need to go throwing silver around recklessly. He could ignore the others in the Prefectural Office, but he absolutely had to go to Pi Yingju's place, because Pi Yingju knew him. Pi Yingju was the top man. Pang Yu was more inclined to lay down heavy gold at Pi Yingju's place and just maintain this one relationship.

"As ordered. Daren, what do you think of this: this subordinate will first send a mounted courier to the Prefectural City tomorrow to see whether Pi Daren is in the Prefectural City. Then Daren can delay the trip by a few days."

Yang Erming was taken aback, as if he did not grasp the meaning.

Mr. Sun quickly added, "In the event that Pi Daren has gone to Suzhou or Chizhou on official business, His Honor would naturally make the trip in vain. Pang Squad Leader's suggested method is more prudent."

Only upon hearing the word Suzhou did Yang Erming react. Pi Yingju also had to pay New Year's respects to people like Zhang Guowei, Wang Gongbi, and Li Youdang, and perhaps even some connections in the Capital. Although he could not travel that far himself, he would certainly send someone. In that kind of situation, people generally had to be dispatched to the Capital by the eleventh month.

"Then we shall do as Pang Squad Leader suggests."

After hearing this, Pang Yu stood up and took his leave. Yang Erming even politely stood up to see him off.

After Pang Yu had left, Yang Erming sat down and said to Mr. Sun, "Regarding Liu Xiucai's accusation that Pang Squad Leader opened gambling dens and forced virtuous women into prostitution, why does Mister not allow me to first set Pang Squad Leader's mind at ease? If this continues, I fear Pang Squad Leader will harbor resentment."

Mr. Sun smiled faintly. "His Honor truly values Pang Squad Leader greatly, unable to bear seeing him suffer any grievance."

Yang Erming straightened his Green Robe and said, "Ever since I received my orders and came to Tongcheng, Pang Squad Leader has been the most diligent, never delaying or perfunctorily handling matters, and has shown me great respect. I ought to value him."

"Daren speaks with reason, but there is a distinction between superior and subordinate. Daren should not treat a squad leader as an equal. In dealing with subordinates, one should combine grace with authority."

Yang Erming's expression changed, wanting to refute Mr. Sun, but Mr. Sun bowed again and continued, "This subordinate is not suggesting that Daren actually punish Pang Squad Leader. It is just that I see Pang Squad Leader has had things too smooth lately and fear he may become conceited. Daren need only give a slight warning tap."

"Mister's meaning is..."

"Regarding Liu Xiucai's accusation against Pang Squad Leader, Pang Squad Leader must have long known about it from the Punishment Office. Yet he has never once asked Daren about it these days. He certainly knows Daren will not truly punish him, but deep down he is still somewhat uneasy. This subordinate suggests that Daren neither punish Pang Squad Leader nor reply to Liu Xiucai."

Yang Erming hesitated for a moment and said, "But Pang Squad Leader has always treated me generously. To treat Pang Squad Leader this way seems improper... Moreover, that Liu Xiucai has threatened that if no action is taken, he will go to the Anqing Prefectural Office to file a complaint, and even write a memorial to send to the Communications Office. If we do not placate him early, I fear there will be lingering trouble."

Mr. Sun shook his head and said, "Daren is a full Presented Scholar; why fear a mere Xiucai? He can naturally write a memorial. However, a memorial must be examined in detail by the office and bear the office's seal before it can be submitted to the Communications Office. If the Tongcheng County Office does not apply its seal, he cannot submit that memorial anywhere. He brought up the Communications Office merely to borrow its weight to apply pressure. Even if he did submit it, there are over a million Xiucai in the realm; the Communications Office has no time to bother with him."

Mr. Sun observed Yang Erming's expression and then said, "A knife hanging over the neck inspires more fear, even if it is a false knife. Combining grace with authority — that is the way to manage subordinates."

Yang Erming sat beside the table, pondering in silence for a long while, then looked at Mr. Sun. "Then let it be as Mister says."

In the East Garden of the Ye Family Old Residence, a pale, blurry shadow shot out with a howl.

"Who the hell picked this pig? Surround it, quick! When you get close, tackle it!"

Yao Dongshan, wearing a suit of heavy armor, was shouting wildly, directing a Squad of men to surround and kill the fat pig. This Squad had only one Long Spear and two Javelins; everyone else could only use Short Blades. Moreover, the Javelins could only be thrown, not used as spears for stabbing. This increased the difficulty of the hunt.

Unexpectedly, this pig was extremely agile, using the rockeries, long trenches, and winding corridors in the garden to evade constantly. Yao Dongshan's Squad had already spent quite a long time but had only wounded the pig in Two Places, and not fatally.

Pang Yu sat high on the platform, watching this team with keen interest. The farmers in the Zhuang Squad all had some experience in slaughtering animals, generally the common animals found in farming villages. Farmers of this era naturally had no concept of animal protection; obtaining meat was more important than anything.

The Zhuang Squad's daily training volume was relatively large. Pang Yu bought a lot of pork. Raw pork from the butcher was only about three-tenths of a tael of silver per catty. With the New Year approaching, the price had risen to four or five-tenths of a tael, which was still within Pang Yu's acceptable range. Of course, he also wanted to make full use of resources, letting the Zhuang Squad see blood more often, while also requiring everyone with armor to wear it, to get accustomed to being in an armored state.

It was also a competition. Pang Yu had prepared meat for everyone in the Zhuang Squad to take home for the Spring Festival. The faster they killed the pig, the more meat they got.

Pang Yu shouted, "Constable Yao, half an incense stick has burned! Are you going to let our Zhuang Squad have New Year's pig or not? If your Second Squadron can't do it, let someone else try."

Yao Dongshan, exasperated, said, "Don't rush me, Squad Leader! Old Yao will slaughter this pig demon right now."

At that moment, the pig reached the winding corridor. The watching Guards all scrambled to get out of the way. Because there were people around, Yao Dongshan and his men dared not throw their Javelins. The pig, trailing blood, sprinted wildly along the winding corridor, broke free of the Squad's encirclement, and darted to the edge of the long trench.

The pig made a sudden stop at the edge of the Trench, then turned to accelerate along the long trench. Seeing that time was about to drag on even longer, everyone in the Second Squadron was frantic with anxiety.

A Javelin suddenly came flying from diagonally ahead. With a hiss, the sharp Spearhead sank into the pig's neck. The pig let out a wretched squeal, knocked off balance by the ferocious Javelin, and tumbled on its back into the Trench. Yao Dongshan and the others behind him leaped into the Trench after it, hacking away wildly with their Short Blades. Wretched squeals came one after another.

Everyone crowded around the edge of the Trench. Inside, bloody water flew everywhere. The pig was now only making low grunts. These farmers were none of them butchers; when killing a pig, they just stabbed wildly with their Short Blades, adding considerably to the pig's suffering.

But no one felt much pity. The onlookers were all in high spirits.

"It's not dead yet! Constable Yao, how are you guys killing it?"

"As long as it's not dead, we can't put out the incense. Let's see how much meat you'll have left."

Yao Dongshan grew furious at hearing this. He pulled out the Javelin and stabbed it fiercely into the pig's head. The flying pig's whole body shuddered, and finally it stopped moving.

Yao Dongshan took his Short Blade and cut a circle around the pig's neck, hacking and pulling until he severed the pig's head. He was covered in blood, and now his blood was truly up. Carrying the Javelin in one hand and the pig's head in the other, he strode up from the Trench, raised the pig's head toward the few who had just spoken, and said, "Who the hell was talking? Get down here and see if it's dead or not."

The other Guards scattered in an uproar. Yao Dongshan tossed the Javelin in his hand to a subordinate beside him. "Zhou Erwa, that throw of yours was good, just a bit late. Next time, damn it, throw earlier."

Pang Yu waited until Yao Dongshan came before him, then put out the incense. Only a tiny stub of that incense stick remained. Pang Yu couldn't help but laugh. "Constable Yao, why did you have to cut off the pig's head? That wasted so much time."

Yao Dongshan turned his head to glare at those few men. "This subordinate can't stand being provoked. So we'll take less meat, fine. Next time, Old Yao will make them pay."

"There will be an opportunity soon." Pang Yu smiled and stood up. Addressing the Zhuang Squad in the garden, he said, "The Spring Festival is almost here. Pang originally did not want to grant leave. But several Constables came to me and said everyone wants to go home and reunite with their families. This Squad Leader sympathizes with you all, so leave can be granted. However, the Zhuang Squad exists to protect the peace of Tongcheng, every single day of the year. So not everyone can go home."

The Guards all listened quietly. According to Pang Yu's style, anything involving benefits was never handed out easily. They always had to win it through some kind of competition.

"The Zhuang Squad's six squadrons will compete in three events: group long-distance running, skills, and trench-pushing. The first-place squadron will be on holiday from Minor New Year until the fifteenth of the first month, returning to duty on the sixteenth, and their Spring Festival holiday silver will be doubled. The next three ranked teams will take turns for five days of leave after the fifteenth of the first month. The last two teams will have no leave, and their holiday silver will be halved."

A stir ran through the Guards. As expected, the first-place winner took everything. Minor New Year was the twenty-fourth of the twelfth month; from Minor New Year to the fifteenth of the first month covered all the most important days of the Spring Festival.

"Each team, go back and prepare. The competition begins on the twenty-first of the twelfth month. You still have time..."

Before Pang Yu could finish, Pang Ding hurried up and whispered in his ear, "Ruan Xiansheng has arrived."

Pang Yu looked down at the bloodstains and mud covering the ground of the East Garden and quickly said to Pang Ding, "Quickly lead him to the West Small Courtyard. I will be there at once."