Chapter 97: Red Robe

"To save my Li Lang I left my home, who knew the imperial roll would bear the Zhuangyuan's name, bear the Zhuangyuan's name, don the red robe, cap adorned with palace flowers, oh so fine and fresh! I too have feasted at the Qionglin Banquet, I too have spurred my horse down the Imperial Street, every voice praising my Pan An looks…"

On the twenty-third of the twelfth month in the West Garden, the dan actor of the Ruan Family Troupe, clad in a great red Zhuangyuan costume, sang with practiced poise upon the wooden stage, right at the "Who Knew the Imperial Roll Would Bear the Zhuangyuan's Name" aria from Female Prince Consort.

Over two hundred Guards and Auxiliaries of the Zhuang Squad sat quietly below the stage. Market towns in the Ming Dynasty often had plays, but those were all makeshift troupes. This was the first time any of them had seen a scholar-official household's troupe — the singing style, costumes, props, and orchestra were beyond anything they had ever imagined, and many sat drooling without even realizing it.

When the aria ended, Pang Yu shot a glance, and Pang Ding shouted "Bravo!" and led the applause. The Guards in the audience all joined in, and the atmosphere in the West Garden instantly turned lively.

Ruan Dacheng's face glowed. Though he did not know exactly what the Zhuang Squad's applause meant, he knew it was certainly praise. He had written many Southern Tunes dramas before, but always watched them with fellow scholar-officials. Praise it was, but scholar-officials always had to maintain some refinement, and rarely showed such passionate enthusiasm.

Pang Yu raised his wine cup to Ruan Dacheng and said, "Most of the Zhuang Squad will be defending Tongcheng through the Spring Festival. This performance of Female Prince Consort will let them have a good New Year. On behalf of the Zhuang Squad's soldiers, I thank Ruan Xiansheng for his noble generosity."

Ruan Dacheng let out two hearty laughs and downed his cup in one bold, unrestrained gulp.

Though this old man of the Eunuch Faction had some self-serving motives, he had given the most support to the Zhuang Squad and was by nature quite open-handed. Pang Yu was genuinely grateful to him from the heart.

Last time when rumors of Roving Bandits spread, Ruan Dacheng had dropped the Huangmei opera and fled straight to Zongyang in a puff of smoke. The two bandit scares this year had effectively given Tongcheng's wealthy households two practice drills. They had all basically settled on the Zongyang route, because the road to Zongyang was not a main thoroughfare and led toward the riverbank, so there was no danger of encountering Roving Bandits.

Many of Tongcheng's gentry originally came from Zongyang and had secondary estates there, or relatives and friends who could receive them. Zongyang was crisscrossed by ponds and rivers; apart from the Official Road, the terrain elsewhere was unsuited for mounted bandit operations. The surrounding area was rich in produce — rice paddies and an abundance of fish and shrimp — so there was no worry about going hungry. Even if by some chance the bandits attacked there, they could board boats from Zongyang and enter the Great River, making it the ideal refuge in chaotic times.

Even wealthier families, sensing danger closing in after the Civil Unrest, had already relocated early to Nanjing.

The great households had the means to conduct their own drills, but ordinary commoners lacked the ability to relocate. Until they saw the Roving Bandits with their own eyes, they could only stay at home, watching and waiting with their hearts in their throats.

Today was the premiere of Female Prince Consort, and Ruan Dacheng, acting as producer and director, had poured considerable effort into it. Feeling the lively atmosphere now, he was naturally rather proud.

Pang Yu leaned over and said, "Ruan Xiansheng, what do you think of this: on the third day of the New Year, I will invite the Ruan Family Troupe to perform Female Prince Consort outside Bai Shun Tang, and during the Lantern Festival invite the troupe to perform Spring Lantern Riddles — it would suit the occasion perfectly, and Bai Shun Tang could draw a crowd."

Ruan Dacheng shook his head. "Those people on the streets wouldn't understand a thing. Making them listen to opera is like playing the lute to a cow. I would rather just invite some acquainted gentry and leave it at that."

"Ruan Xiansheng has a point. Those people certainly would not understand Spring Lantern Riddles. But as for Female Prince Consort, since it is a new theatrical form, if Ruan Xiansheng rashly invites the gentry to hear it and they take it for a vulgar street tune, it might damage Ruan Xiansheng's reputation. We tried it today with the Zhuang Squad and it went well, but the Zhuang Squad mostly comes from the countryside. It would be best to test it again at Bai Shun Tang, see how the city folk react, and let the troupe rehearse until they are more polished — wouldn't that be more prudent?"

Ruan Dacheng still shook his head. "Better not go to Bai Shun Tang. Think about it, Pang Xiaoyou: outside Bai Shun Tang, the streets are thronged with passersby, and during the New Year the noise is unbearable. You would not hear the lyrics clearly, nor even the orchestra's melodies. At most, I will perform Spring Lantern Riddles here again for your Zhuang Squad. Let us say no more of the rest."

These scholar-officials looked down on commoners. Ruan Dacheng's troupe was not run commercially and did not aim to make money. If he was unwilling, Pang Yu had no way to force it.

In truth, Ruan Dacheng also looked down on yamen runners. Scholar-official troupes generally did not perform for commoners; word getting out would invite ridicule from the Shi Lin. Today was indeed a show of face for Pang Yu, and since it was an internal performance at the Ye Residence, he was not too worried about other gentry finding out.

But he had not expected the Zhuang Squad to watch opera with such fervor and yet such discipline, completely unlike the yamen runners and soldiers he had seen in the past. That was why he was willing to perform Spring Lantern Riddles once for the Zhuang Squad.

That Ruan Dacheng agreed to perform twice for the Zhuang Squad genuinely gladdened Pang Yu's heart. Though the Zhuang Squad's daily training could not be called harsh, it was still fairly grueling, and during the festival most of them could not go home. The Guards would harbor considerable resentment. Today, handing out holiday pay and bonuses, then letting them watch an opera, would greatly ease that resentment.

"Pang Xiaoyou said just now that the Zhuang Squad does not go home for the festival and must keep guarding Tongcheng the whole time?"

Pang Yu pointed at Wang Zenglu, who sat drooling in the front row, and said, "This Team Leader Wang's Third Squadron won first place in the competition. Only these thirty-five men get to go home for the New Year. They will leave after watching today's play. Everyone else must remain at their posts on city defense as usual."

Ruan Dacheng nodded. "When I came last time, this Zhuang Squad was already taking on quite a respectable form. Pang Squad Leader has had his work cut out for him. Today, let this old man express a small token of regard for them. Though I will soon leave for Nanjing, Tongcheng is after all my native soil. Knowing this Zhuang Squad is here, I am much more at ease."

"May I ask if Ruan Xiansheng has set a departure date? When the time comes, please permit me to see Ruan Xiansheng off properly."

Ruan Dacheng sighed. "Truth be told, I should have left for Nanjing long ago. My family has already bought a courtyard in the South City's Treasury Department in Nanjing, waiting for me to go and redecorate it. It is just this new play I could not set aside. By the start of the second month, I must go to Nanjing no matter what."

Pang Yu was not familiar with Ruan Dacheng's family. Ruan Dacheng's family generally lived in Huaining; all he knew was that he had a daughter and indeed seemed to have no son — which was why some had spread the slander that he wrote "Without a son, one's body is light; with an official post, all affairs are fulfilled."

The Ruan Family had properties in Zongyang, Tongcheng, and Anqing. Pang Yu did not know the exact extent, but seeing that Ruan Dacheng could maintain an opera troupe, he knew the man ranked among the great magnates. For Ruan Dacheng to remain so widely connected in the Shi Lin after so long out of politics would have been impossible without substantial family wealth. If he wanted to rise again in politics, he would also need economic power as his backing.

"There are still many things I do not understand. In the future, I will have to go to Nanjing to consult you in person, Xiansheng."

"What difficulty is there? Whenever Pang Xiaoyou wishes to come to Nanjing, I shall certainly do the honors as host. I used to live in Huaining and would come to Tongcheng whenever I pleased." Ruan Dacheng's beard and hair bristled. "If those Roving Bandits dare come to my Tongcheng, I will travel day and night back to Tongcheng, don armor and take up the halberd for the court, and together with Pang Xiaoyou annihilate them before breakfast!"

……

"Clink."

Three wine cups touched, and Pang Yu, Jiao Guozha, and He Xianya threw back their heads and drained them.

From outside the courtyard came wave after wave of firecracker sounds. Today was already the seventh day of the New Year, the most relaxed time for everyone in the Ming Dynasty. The court and the county yamen were closed, commoners did not need to till the fields, and every household was gathered in reunion.

Jiao Guozha set down his cup and slapped the table. "Excellent! Now Tongcheng belongs to us three brothers. I say, we should have called Zhou Yueru here today too. It was thanks to that whack of her stick that Second Brother's mind was opened. Your elder brother here has been in the gambling trade for years and never seen a gambling den as fine as Bai Shun Tang. Once inside, you never want to leave. I'd happily live in there, haha! Today we all rely on Second Brother. Come, let us three brothers drink another cup."

Pang Yu also raised his cup and said, "To Elder Brother. And let me also borrow Elder Brother's wine to welcome Third Brother back. Third Brother traveled back and forth over a thousand li to Suzhou to pay New Year's visits on my behalf — you have worked hard."

He Xianya hurriedly demurred with a few modest words. Jiao Guozha looked at He Xianya with a touch of envy. This Third Brother, entrusted by Pang Yu, had gone to Suzhou to pay New Year's visits. Pang Yu naturally was not qualified to pay New Year's visits to Zhang Guowei or Li Youdang, only to Mr. Ma. This Mr. Ma was Zhang Guowei's Advisor. Pang Yu did not know whether he would ever need him, but simply wanted to maintain the connection.

After they set down their cups, Jiao Guozha gave a dry cough and said, "Second Brother, your elder brother has been thinking. Right now you manage the Zhuang Squad and the Fast Squad, plus the gambling den, the grain shop, and a whole heap of other matters. Your elder brother ought to lend a hand. I've been thinking, that mounted patrol that Jiang Fan runs — I'm the one who really understands it."

He Xianya, hearing this, buried his head and devoted himself single-mindedly to a pork knuckle.

Pang Yu smiled and said, "Jiang Fan indeed cannot compare to Elder Brother, but he does his work diligently. If I replace him rashly, I will struggle to keep everyone's respect. Elder Brother, better help me manage the Capture Squad."

"That Capture Squad — aren't you managing it all yourself, Second Brother? What am I managing?" Jiao Guozha said with some displeasure. "I hear the mounted patrol is expanding to thirty men after the New Year. The annual wages and food silver alone come to over seven hundred taels, not even counting the so-called bonuses and fodder silver. Why let such a good post go cheap to an outsider? Better we brothers divide it among ourselves. Besides, that Jiang Fan hasn't even shown his face all New Year — that's showing no regard for you, Second Brother."

Pang Yu still smiled and said, "It was I who arranged for Team Leader Jiang to lead the mounted patrol to scout for Roving Bandit intelligence. They went as far as the Huang region and only returned yesterday, reporting no bandit alerts there. With him out there rushing about, we can enjoy a peaceful New Year."

Jiao Guozha froze for a moment, then shot a glance at He Xianya. He could tell now that Pang Yu was protecting Jiang Fan, and displeasure immediately showed on his face.

Then Jiao Guozha switched back to a smiling face and said, "That hardly counts as a merit. In the depths of New Year, what Roving Bandits would brave the freezing cold to come out? Bandits have to celebrate the New Year too, hahaha!"

……

In Gushi County, Henan Provincial Administration Commission, wails and screams shook the heavens, and thick smoke from burning houses billowed straight into the sky.

On the West Gate Tower, a red banner stood planted atop the wall, drooping in the windless air. A powerfully built man sat high on the battlements, his yellow face marked by several blade scars, the one slashing across his forehead the most striking of all.

"Sworn Father, beyond Gushi lies the territory of Nanzhili. In recent days, the various teams have scouted it clearly: Jiangbei is brimming with gathered wealth and goods, with thousands upon thousands of fine Junxiu sons and daughters, mostly with no troops garrisoned. The dog officials have all gone out to pay New Year's visits, and every city is without anyone in charge. For our Western Camp, it will be like taking something from a pouch."

Another young man in red picked up the thread: "Sworn Father's use of troops is divinely unfathomable. He foresaw long ago that those dog officials would go out during the New Year season and deliberately chose this period to strike into Nanzhili. Naturally, nothing can stand in our way."

The yellow-faced, blue-clad man turned his head to look at the burning Gushi County seat, then said with a Cold Expression, "That dog emperor wants this old man's life. This old man will dig up his ancestral graves first. Are the Spies all in place along the route?"

"A hundred li from here is Huoqiu. The Second Squad's Post Commander has already sent men to infiltrate the city to coordinate — three Team leaders in total, over ten veteran brothers, and seven from the Child Army. After Huoqiu comes Yingzhou, where Post Commander Peng Laodao has infiltrated with two Team leaders, twenty veteran brothers, and ten from the Child Army. Then Shouzhou and Fengyang, to dig up the dog emperor's ancestral graves. After Fengyang, following the Direction set by Sworn Father, we march toward Anqing. Two Post Commander have already been dispatched with teams to infiltrate ahead to Luzhou, Shucheng, Lujiang, Tongcheng…"

The yellow-faced man raised a hand to cut him off, his eyes fixed on the vast land to the east. "Are the men and horses of the various Post Commander all assembled?"

"All assembled."

At that moment, a north wind rose, and the drooping red banner unfurled, revealing five large embroidered gold characters on the flag: "Eight Great Kings of the Western Camp."

The yellow-faced man gave his orders with a Cold Expression: "Kewang, take the Horse Soldiers and advance at speed. The vanguard rides two horses per man. You must control the Official Road and prevent anyone from riding ahead to deliver warning. In raiding Nanzhili, speed is everything — feint and strike, keep them guessing, so those dog soldiers and officers cannot even taste the dust of this old man's rear guard. Nanzhili is a land of plenty; its wealth and women are ours for the taking. Pass the word: the main force is to move on Huoqiu County immediately! This old man wants a good round of looting, a good round of burning, a good round of killing!"

Several subordinates received the order and departed. Moments later, thousands upon thousands of cavalry clad in red turned onto the Official Road and surged eastward toward Nanzhili. (Note 1)

……

Note 1: In records of the time, descriptions of the Roving Bandits frequently include terms like "red-armored bandits" and "wearing red robes"; some entire units were "red-clad riders on horseback."