Chapter 388
Chapter 388
Sponsored Content
As the Pang Family was a noble family in Jingzhou, Pang Tong return to the family’s resident home . The place is only a little less luxurious than the governor’s home .
“Second Master, you have returned . ” A servant of the Pang Family greeted .
“Where is my brother?”
“The Young Master should be in the study . ” The servant replied as he lowered his head . He was an elderly who had been with the Pang Family for ages . Naturally, he also had literary skills and was one of the more respected people in Jingzhou . Even the high ranked military officers showed him respect . Yet, this man showed a lot of respect Pang Tong as he knew that Pang Tong would be the one to take over Pang Family .
“Do you want me to inform the Young Master?”
Sponsored Content
“No need! I will go and greet him myself!” Pang Tong replied and immediately went towards the study . He found his brother reading in the study .
Pang Tong’s elder brother was not his real brother but his cousin . He was Pang Degong1’s son, Shanmin (山民) . The names of the people in the Three Kingdoms are usually two characters long . Only barbarians such as Hu Che Er (胡车儿) had three character names . The only other three character names is only when they include two character surnames2 . However, Pang Degong boldly gave his son such a name . 3
Pang Shanmin was just like his name . He was simple and honest like a mountain (山) .
“Shiyuan, you have returned . ” Pang Shanmin put down the scroll he was reading . The two of them had participated in the meeting with Liu Biao earlier but Liu Biao had Pang Tong stay behind to discuss about the matter of provisions .
“Have Liu Jingzhou4 consented?”
“N . ” Pang Tong nodded . “Liu Jingzhou has promised us two hundred thousand provisions . A hundred thousand would be sent first while the rest would be given after we push back the Fake King Liu Mang . ” Pang Ton replied in joy . With Liu Biao’s backing, Liu Bei would be able to expand his army without worrying about provisions .
Sponsored Content
As Hu Che Er was a Qiang, there were other ways to recruit soldiers . The Qiang people could join Liu Bei’s Army and they were more skilled in horseback archery and were considered elites . Now that provisions were no longer a problem, they would be able to easily recruit these people .
“In that case, Lord Liu’s Army would no longer have hardships . ” Pang Shanmin worshipped virtue and benevolence like his father . On top of that, Liu Bei’s reputation was good because of his brother . Pang Shanmin . Right now, he was merely waiting for Pang Tong to introduce him to Liu Bei .
“No harships?” Pang Tong did not agree to his brother’s view . This is because Pang Tong was worried about Liu Biao’s envoy .
Pang Tong could tell that Liu Biao did not want to go to war with Liu Mang . What Liu Mang wanted was provisions . If Liu Biao’s envoy managed to come to an agreement with Liu Mang in a discussion, all of his efforts would be wasted . This was why Pang Tong wanted to make this envoy disappear . The one that might know about the envoy would be his brother .
“Brother . I have not seen Brother Qishan for a long time . If he well?” Based on the information he got from spies, the envoy this time would be his brother’s good friend, Tang Yun, Tang Qishan . However, that was all the information he got . He did not know when the envoy would leave, which route the envoy would take and whether the envoy would go to Liu Mang or Lu Bu . Only Liu Biao and Kuai Yue were privy to that information . If there was anybody else that would know, it would be his brother .
Qishan and his brother were very close . They were close enough to notify each other when they need to go on a long journey .
“Brother Qishan?” Pang Shanmin wondered why his little brother thought of Tang Qishan . Tang Qishan was a very elegant person who spoke in a noble manner . Although Tang Qishan was close to Pang Shanmin, his relationship with Pang Tong could not be described as good . The reason for this is because Tang Qishan and Pang Tong were at two extremes . While Tang Qishan was elegant and had a noble bearing, Pang Tong was fat and short . When they go out together, people usually thought that Pang Tong was Tang Qishan’s servant . Even if Pang Tong wears luxurious clothing, people would think that Tang Qishan generously gave his servant such clothes .
Sponsored Content
Although Tang Qishan had not directly offended Pang Tong, Pang Tong still felt resentful . This was why Pang Tong would deliberately avoid Tang Qishan . All the more reason to feel suspicious when Pang Tong is asking about Tang Qishan .
“Shiyuan . I thought you hated Qishan?” Pang Shanmin asked .
Pang Tong had no longer kept in touch with Tang Qishan . To prevent his brother from suspecting something, he laughed and replied, “Brother . I might be returning to Yuzhou once Liu Jingzhou prepares the provision for Lord Xuande . I do not even know when would be the next time I could see you all so I thought of seeing both Elder Brother and Brother Qishan . ” At the end of the day, Tang Qishan could still be considered as one of Pang Tong’s childhood friend . In ancient times, there were no such things as phone calls or convenient transportation . Once separated over long distances, the next meeting could even be ten years later . If there were any with medical problems, that meeting could be extended indefinitely . This was why the people of that era treasured friendship .
Pang Shanmin felt happy to see his little brother wanted to meet his friend to part on more pleasant terms . “I am sure Qishan would be very happy to see you so concerned!” Truly, Pang Tong was extremely concerned about Tang Qishan .
“Unfortunately, Qishan had already been sent to Yangzhou on a diplomatic mission under Liu Jingzhou’s orders . ”
“Hm?” Pang Tong’s eyes shone after he heard his brother’s words . As expected, the envoy was Tang Yun Tang Qishan . Without batting an eyelid, he feigned regret and replied, “Is that so? I initially wanted to invite him out to go hunting but I missed that opportunity . I do not even know when would be the next time we would meet . Perhaps it is no longer possible in this life . ” Pang Tong’s lonely expression made his brother feel heartbroken . His little brother was part of Liu Bei’s Army while Tang Yun was Liu Biao’s . If the two Lords were to go to war against each other, their separation would become permanent . “Qishan is going to Luokou…” Unable to hold it in, Pang Shanmin accidentally spoke of Qishan’s route before he realized his mistake and kept quiet . He then looked at his little brother warily as though afraid that his little brother had heard too much .
However, as though Pang Tong had entered his own world, he began talking about the past while even shedding tears . Pang Shanmin felt relieved seeing his little brother that way . Although Pang Tong was his own little brother, Pang Shanmin still had his principles . As one of Liu Biao’s officials, he cannot divulge Liu Biao’s secrets . On top of that, Tang Yun was his good friend . Kuai Yue had personally warned him not to tell anyone as he was afraid of people with aspirations . If Tang Yun and Pang Shanmin were not good friends, even Pang Shanmin would not know of this .
“Yes . Shiyuan need not be like this . Qishan would return quickly! I am sure you would be able to meet him . ” Pang Shanmin consoled his little brother never expecting that those tears were crocodile tears .
As a person from Jingzhou, Pang Tong knew of the place . The route used could be considered a shortcut and one could directly get to Xinye . It seems that Liu Biao was serious about having a discussion with Liu Mang before the war . Unfortunately, Pang Tong would not allow Liu Biao to make peace so easily . After some more courtesy with his elder brother, Pang Tong excused himself by saying he was tried .
After returning to his room, Pang Tong called for He Feng and Cao Zhi, two men specialized in doing things not fit to be seen by others .
_______________
I should probably have said this earlier but Pang Degong could be something like “Master Pang De” . But I wasn’t sure so I used Wikipedia and found Pang Degong as a name . I don’t really understand since Pang Degong and Liu Xuande are also ‘3 characters’ . Couldn’t make sense of this statement even after seeking advice . I don’t know why they stopped saying Liu Biao . Probably to get an extra character in .