Chapter 612: Perspectives

Chapter 612: Chapter 612: Perspectives

One day later, the Judicial Department, together with the other two analysis departments, produced the "Analysis and Simulation of Bai Changqing’s Recent Activities," and this document, a full inch thick, was placed before Wang Jian.

After reading it through twice, Wang Jian finally nodded, satisfied with the official report. He then made a stamped copy, stored the original in the Document Library, and took the stamped copy himself to the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office in the Imperial City, presenting it directly to Jiang Cheng.

Unlike his treatment by Shen Hao, Wang Jian received no special consideration in the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office; he was not even qualified to wait in the teahouse, having to settle for a side room near the back door. Were it not for the directive Shen Hao had given him, he would not have been allowed even in the side room.

After meeting Jiang Cheng, he handed over the document, answered a few brief inquiries, and was then dismissed. Jiang Cheng would not exchange a single extra word with him, much less reveal his thoughts on the report.

Wang Jian was already accustomed to Jiang Cheng’s attitude and felt no resentment—his own rank was too low to catch Jiang Cheng’s eye, which was only natural. The chance to be seen directly was satisfaction enough; for this opportunity, he had to thank Lord Shen.

Wang Jian left the Governor’s Office, while Jiang Cheng paced back and forth in the public office, turning over the newly submitted report in his mind.

After calculating a while, Jiang Cheng did not have this new report stamped and filed into the Document Library, but instead put it straight into his Storage Bag. He then declined all subsequent affairs and went directly out of the Governor’s Office to report to Pang Ban.

Even when explaining it was urgent official business, he was stopped and made to wait in the teahouse for half an hour. The guard explained, "Lord Commander is handling important matters. Unless it is a matter of utmost urgency, please wait."

Hearing this, Jiang Cheng naturally did not deem his own matter to be one of utmost urgency. What he did not expect, however, was that on receiving permission to go to Pang Ban’s public office, he saw a man in a dark green civil official’s robe—and he recognized him: Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Wen Mingju.

Wen Mingju greeted Jiang Cheng with neither hesitation nor evasion, offering a proper bow and greeting. However, with Jiang Cheng needing to see Pang Ban, the two did not exchange many words: a bow apiece and they parted.

Why was Wen Mingju at the Commander’s Office? And by the look of it, Pang Ban had been receiving him before?

Pondering this, Jiang Cheng knocked and was summoned into Pang Ban’s public office.

Upon entering, he saw Pang Ban standing before a three-foot map, occasionally gesturing at distances with his hand, entirely focused. Though the map bore no names, its terrain was familiar enough for Jiang Cheng to recognize it as a layout of the Barbarian Territory—and much more detailed than any stored by the Xuanqing Guard.

"Have a look at this map—the newest and most complete," Pang Ban said with a smile, beckoning Jiang Cheng over while turning to pick up his teacup for a sip. Pointing to a small red dot in the upper right, circled and extensively annotated, he continued: "Here, Jianchuan, is said to be the most difficult spot at present.

According to news from the front-lines, Jianchuan has already cost nearly forty thousand lives thus far. The Barbarian Race seems to have made this their primary breakthrough point, not only assembling their main force here but repeatedly sending small groups to infiltrate. On several occasions, they have nearly broken through Jianchuan’s defensive line.

Tsk, tsk—Zuo Yuliang deserves credit. With such a long supply line and Jianchuan’s indefensible terrain, to hold out without retreating is no small feat."

From his tone, Jiang Cheng could tell Pang Ban did not agree with Zuo Yuliang’s overall strategy.

This did not surprise Jiang Cheng. He had long experience in the military, and so did Pang Ban. Though neither man could be called a famed strategist or leading general, both understood the art of war. Zuo Yuliang’s policy of lengthening the battle line rather than yielding ground appeared resolute, but it was, in fact, a venture fraught with peril.

Even based on Shen Hao’s intelligence about thirty thousand troops concentrating at Xiaochuan and then seemingly disappearing into the Ten Thousand Miles Bamboo Sea—indicating Zuo Yuliang might be plotting something else—it was still risky. The primary taboo in military command is to court needless danger.

Pang Ban continued, "Now, Zuo Yuliang’s main force has already advanced south from Zhuo Huo Pass to Wu Lake, so the line is a bit shorter, but supply remains a problem. I can’t make sense of this move. Can you? Anything occur to you?"

"This subordinate believes Grand Marshal Zuo may have another stratagem in reserve. Earlier, Shen Hao reported more than thirty thousand troops apparently entered the Ten Thousand Miles Bamboo Sea..."

Pang Ban waved his hand to interrupt, shaking his head. "I read that report, too. It’s based on matters previously investigated by Xu Hong. Apparently, Ministry of War personnel found a route, and after exploring several times decided it was feasible, so they deployed this risky ploy. But to stake everything on such a gambit... That’s unstable!"

Jiang Cheng, sensing the moment, said nothing more.

After a pause, Pang Ban finally asked Jiang Cheng his business today.

Jiang Cheng then produced the report previously submitted by Wang Jian, handing it to Pang Ban. "My lord, this is the latest simulation from Black Water. I found it rather interesting; please have a look."

"Oh?" Pang Ban glanced at Jiang Cheng, growing curious as to what could merit such a description.

Jiang Cheng stood respectfully at the side.

Pang Ban quickly leafed through the document, reading ten lines at a glance but missing not a word. Soon he finished, closed the report, and set it aside, tapping the cover lightly with his finger.

"Heh, you’re right—this is indeed interesting."

"Do you accept Black Water’s simulation, my lord?" Jiang Cheng was only acknowledging the logic of the report; the actual scenario was uncertain, so bringing it to Pang Ban was both normal procedure and a way of seeking his opinion. If anyone in the Xuanqing Guard understood the realities of the Temple Hall, it was Pang Ban.

"Yes," Pang Ban answered without hesitation, openly agreeing with the simulation regarding Bai Changqing’s projected behavior. "Bai Changqing is a clever man, especially sharp in his reading of the greater situation. He’s also one of the few civil officials who knows how to yield to current circumstances. Yet a man like that—choosing to distance himself from Ye Lansheng and those others, even at risk of sullying himself—what exactly is he so afraid of?"

"The Black Water team doesn’t know for now—saying they lack enough relevant intelligence for analysis. Maybe once the Ministry of Revenue initiates policies for fiscal austerity, there will be grounds for further deduction."

Pang Ban pointed at the report on the desk, saying, "This Black Water set up by Shen Hao works well, and results are already evident—they’ve solved quite a few cases. But there are still constraints. They can’t just focus on what’s immediately in front of them. Many lessons from past wars with the Barbarians can’t be applied this time, because the situation has changed too much."

"What do you mean, my lord?" Jiang Cheng was not quite clear.

"Fiscal austerity may be the responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue—but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the true architects."