Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 591 Borrowing Food

Although he lost in the brutal power struggles of the court, Panda had a good reputation and no major flaws. Although he left the center of power, he still managed to secure a lucrative post. For over three years, he served as the Military Commissioner of Tianjin, in charge of distributing grain and salaries. He amassed a fortune, built a large mansion, and took seven beautiful concubines, living a carefree life. However, as an ambitious and politically driven official, Panda still felt deep regret at losing his chance to climb the ranks. In the quiet of the night, he couldn't help but sigh deeply, gazing towards the capital.

There was no official business at the yamen today, so he was resting in the backyard, enjoying the company of his concubines. Just as he was feeling extremely comfortable, the gatekeeper rushed in, shouting, "Something terrible has happened!"

Panda was dozing off, feeling comfortable from being massaged by his two concubines. The scent of cosmetics filled his nostrils, and he gradually became interested. He was about to go back to his room and have a more intimate conversation with his two concubines when the shouting interrupted him, and all his interest vanished.

He sternly shouted, "You dog servant, how many times have I told you not to make a scene when the master is resting? I will not see anyone, no matter who comes!"

As one of the most powerful figures in Tianjin, holding all the military and civilian government offices in his hands, he certainly had the confidence to say that. If there were any truly powerful figures he couldn't afford to offend, they wouldn't have come to this wretched place, Tianjin.

Seeing that the master was angry, the gatekeeper lowered his voice and reported, "It's not that I wanted to disturb your rest, sir, but a large group of soldiers have come to the gate and surrounded the yamen, saying they want to see you, sir. They don't seem to have good intentions..."

Panda sneered, "Are they those beggar soldiers from the Three Guards of Tianjin? It's only mid-year, and they're already asking for rations? Seems a bit early..."

"They weren't from Tianjin. Judging from their self-introductions, they seemed to be from Guangdong. The leader claimed to be a general, or at least a nobleman, something like an earl."

Panda's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. Although he didn't care much for military generals like the commander-in-chief, those who could be granted titles either had connections in the court or were favored by the emperor, and he couldn't afford to offend them easily.

He asked, "Have you explained your purpose for coming?"

The gatekeeper thought for a moment and replied, "From what I overheard them talking, it seems they've come to borrow grain and provisions..."

Borrowing provisions and pay? Panda was taken aback at first, then sneered. Provisions and pay were all allocated according to the number of soldiers; there was no reason to borrow them. It seemed this guy was a greenhorn who didn't understand the rules, and he wondered how he had managed to get that title.

He breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand: "If you don't want to see me, just say I'm not here." Whether the rations and pay were paid in full and when they were paid were his leverage to blackmail the military officers of Tianjin, and also his source of income from illicit gains. How could he possibly lend money to a foreign army for no reason?

The gatekeeper hesitated, "What about those soldiers at the gate..."

"Do they dare to trespass on the military affairs office?" Panda said disdainfully. "The Ming Dynasty has neither such soldiers nor such generals."

At the entrance of the yamen (government office).

Upon hearing the doorman relay Panda's words, Liu Ye was not angry. He simply said, "It's alright, Lord Pan doesn't need to wait inside." He didn't expose the doorman's lie: if Panda wasn't home, the doorman would have said so already. How could he go in to ask for permission and then come out to say that Panda wasn't there? It was clearly an excuse for not wanting to see him.

The gatekeeper's face changed color, and he quickly stopped him: "Sir, you can't go in. This is the military governor's office; you can't just trespass..."

Lin San casually picked up the gatekeeper and tossed it aside, saying disdainfully, "A mere military garrison office, yet you speak of it as if it were a dragon's den or a tiger's lair. There is no place in this world that our general cannot enter."

There were guards at the entrance of the military commissioner's office. Seeing this, they stepped forward with their weapons to block the way, shouting, "You audacious madmen, stop your insolence! How dare you enter this important place as you please?"

A group of guards rushed forward, without even drawing their weapons, simply punching the soldiers to the ground. Liu Ye entered the yamen without any hindrance and went straight to the backyard.

Panda heard the commotion in the front yard and was puzzled when Liu Ye led a large group of soldiers in. The two concubines were terrified when they saw so many fierce-looking men.

Panda's face was ashen. He ordered his two concubines to return to their rooms in a low voice, and then asked, "Who goes there and why are you trespassing on my military governor's office?"

Liu smiled and said, "Lord Pan, don't be so confrontational. Your aloofness isn't very friendly. Those who know you understand this is the Military Commissioner's office; those who don't might think it's the inner palace of the imperial court!"

Panda sneered: "There's no need to label me. I've seen plenty of these despicable tricks when I was a censor. They're not respectable."

Liu Ye slapped his forehead: "I almost forgot that Lord Pan is a censor who makes a living by his words."

"Enough with the nonsense, get to the point quickly. Once you've said your piece, please leave. I won't see you off!"

Liu Ye asked in surprise, "Didn't we just tell the gatekeeper that we are pursuing the Tartars and passing through Tianjin, and we need to prepare provisions? Didn't he report this to Lord Pan? Such a lackey is unacceptable and will ruin Lord Pan's plans. Perhaps I should punish him on Lord Pan's behalf."

Before Panda could react, he gave Lin San a wink. Lin San understood, turned around and went out. Soon after, a scream came from the front yard, and then there was no more sound.

Panda, initially believing Liu Ye had ordered his men to kill the gatekeeper, was now enraged. Even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner! Trembling, he pointed at Liu Ye, gritting his teeth, and said, "You arrogant brute! In broad daylight, how dare you lay such a cruel hand on my servant…!"

In truth, Lin San hadn't killed anyone; he'd only knocked the doorman unconscious. But Liu Ye didn't explain, only smilingly saying, "It seems Lord Pan doesn't know my style. That's right, I'm a crude, arrogant, and domineering martial artist, straightforward and direct, and I've offended quite a few people. Let me count who I've offended..."

He solemnly counted on his fingers: "When I was a salt worker, I didn't know the rules and imprisoned the magistrate of Lingao County; after being recruited as a soldier, I had misunderstandings with Chengmai County and Changhua County, the magistrate of Chengmai was tied up and the magistrate of Changhua lost a leg; it seems that in a moment of impulse, I even bombed Guangzhou City with cannons, forcing the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Wang Zunde, to resign... Who else was there? I can't remember right now, Mr. Yan, can you help me recall!"

Yan Guang smiled and said, "General, have you forgotten Chang Kun, the eunuch who guards Nanjing?"

Liu Ye clapped his hands: "Right, look at my memory. Chang Kun wanted to get rid of me and wouldn't let me into the city. I have a short temper, so I fought with the Shenji Battalion he brought. Later, he hid in the Jinyiwei Thousand Household Office in Nanjing. I lost control of my emotions and set fire to the house and people..."

Panda kept a straight face and appeared unmoved on the surface, but in reality, his heart was in turmoil and cold sweat was dripping down his forehead.