Chapter 388 (1/2)

As the Pang Family was a n.o.ble 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?”

“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).

“s.h.i.+yuan, you have returned.” Pang Shanmin put down the scroll he was reading. The two of them had partic.i.p.ated 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.

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 hards.h.i.+ps.” Pang Shanmin wors.h.i.+pped 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 hars.h.i.+ps?” 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.