Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 145 Garrison (Part 1)

Magistrate Wang personally led a group of yamen runners and commoners to welcome them at the city gate.

The people, who had been full of expectations, were quite disappointed when they saw the slender young girl leading the group.

Why wasn't it Miss Pei who came?

Magistrate Wang was well aware of Pei Yun's capabilities. She was the second most important figure in the Pei family army, second only to Pei Qinghe. Pei Qinghe's decision to send her to garrison Changping County demonstrated his trust and high regard for her.

Magistrate Wang greeted them with a broad smile and great enthusiasm.

Seeing the county magistrate's enthusiasm, the people felt somewhat relieved. When they saw dozens of familiar faces, including Zhao Da, Zheng Xiaoying, and others, their spirits lifted again, and they waved their arms and shouted.

They were still calling for Miss Pei, the sixth young lady.

Pei Yun didn't mind, and took out a flag, ordering it to be hung on the city wall.

The dark flag fluttered in the wind, the character "Pei" waved above the city wall, and the long sword and bow on the flag flew together.

Magistrate Wang's eyes lit up, and he flattered, "Excellent! With the Pei banner, the Pei family army truly lives up to its name. No one will dare to invade Changping County again."

Pei Yun smiled slightly: "Your Excellency, please be careful with your words. My cousin Qinghe said that the Pei family is loyal and righteous and will not establish themselves independently. Raising the flag is only for self-preservation."

Magistrate Wang immediately changed his tune: "Yes, yes, yes, the Pei family army and the Liaoxi army are different and cannot be compared."

Magistrate Wang was indeed astute and perceptive as he was; no wonder his cousin Qinghe kept him around as a memorial archway.

Pei Yun quickly took over the city gate defenses and the county's security. Zhao Da and his gang, who used to bully the people in the streets and alleys, had now transformed into Pei's army, wearing uniform clothes and carrying long knives, looking quite respectable.

The people observed them anxiously for several days, and only after confirming that they were truly just patrolling and maintaining order, and not robbing or harassing young women, did they secretly breathe a sigh of relief. They couldn't help but joke about it amongst themselves.

"The biggest menace in the county is Zhao Da and his gang. Now that they've behaved themselves, we're living a very peaceful life."

"Sixth Miss is truly capable and resourceful. In just over half a year, she has trained Zhao Da and the others to be soldiers."

"And then there's that girl from the Zheng family, the one named Xiaoying. She used to be feisty and capable, and now she's a female soldier in the Pei family, wielding a knife and looking fierce."

The people in the county town who had been to Yan County were all quite knowledgeable. Such a change of dynasty was indeed unsettling for them. However, with the arrival of Miss Pei's people, their hearts were at ease.

Even the Xiongnu barbarians couldn't do anything to Miss Pei. With the Pei family army around, Changping County was safe and sound.

As for the chaos outside, they didn't see it for themselves. The panicked hearts of the people calmed down within a few days.

Pei Yun posted a notice recruiting young and strong civilians for training. If enemies attacked, these trained civilians could go to the city gate.

The process wasn't going very smoothly; not many people signed up.

Pei Yun sent Zhao Da, Zheng Xiaoying and others to spread the word: "This is not a conscription, you will only train for half a day each day, it will not interfere with your farm work."

"We only go up to the city gates when we're really short of manpower. When that happens, if you don't fight for your life, you'll die. Those who have trained have a greater chance of survival."

I talked until my throat was dry, but the effect was minimal. Very few people signed up.

Pei Yun sent a messenger back to Pei Family Village. Half a day later, Pei Qinghe's reply arrived: "Your idea is good, let's give it a try."

With Pei Qinghe's approval and support, Pei Yun was greatly encouraged and immediately issued a new announcement in the county town.

Those who participate in the drills each day can receive half a jin of grain, which they can take home on the same day.

The Shi family did not hoard goods to make a living through illegal means; however, with the imperial court engaged in wars on various fronts for the past two years, trade routes were unstable, and grain prices had been rising steadily. Compared to the year before last, grain prices had increased by about 30%.

Half a day of training yields half a pound of grain; what's the difference between that and a pie falling from the sky?

Two hundred catties of grain per day means that only four hundred people can be recruited.

In an instant, people flocked to the scene upon hearing the news. Pei Yun personally conducted the selection process. The elderly, the weak, the sick, and the young were all rejected; those who were healthy and of good character were given priority. ...

"Sister Yun is quick-witted; this trick has indeed proven quite effective."

A few days later, Pei Yun sent another letter back. Pei Qinghe smiled and gave the letter to Pei Yan.

Pei Yan glanced at it a few times, yawned, and casually passed it to Mao Hongling.

Mao Hongling read it carefully twice, then smiled and praised, "Pei Yun certainly has a lot of ideas. However, practicing like this is really consuming too much food."

Isn't it?

Food, food! With over ten thousand mouths to feed, it's like a bottomless pit; the daily consumption of grain is truly staggering. Peijia Village has cultivated over ten thousand acres of fertile land, but the grain produced is far from enough. They still need to buy and stockpile large quantities of grain.

In my past life, I worried about military provisions every day. Now, thanks to Shi Youyan, I can manage the finances and provisions.

Pei Qinghe smiled and turned to Shi Yan, asking, "From now on, give Pei Yun an extra two hundred catties of grain every day."

Shi Yan took out his abacus and fiddled with it for a while: "Two hundred catties a day, two thousand catties in ten days, six thousand catties a month. At least half a year of training, that's a total of eighteen thousand catties..."

Pei Qinghe felt a headache coming on and quickly interrupted Shi Yan: "Stop calculating. Just tell me if the warehouse can allocate any grain."

Shi Yan nodded.

Pei Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. I'm very relieved that you're handling this."

Being entrusted with important responsibilities and trusted is a good thing. However, Pei Qinghe trusted him too much. She put him in charge of all the finances, accounts, and the warehouse.

Shi Yan said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Aren't you afraid I'll tamper with the accounts and drain Peijia Village's coffers?"

Pei Qinghe smiled leisurely: "The Pei family had nothing when we arrived in Youzhou. Everything we have now was earned by me and my people through hard work and fighting."

"The foundation of Pei Family Village is not grain, nor weapons and warhorses, but me, Pei Qinghe, and my elite troops."

"With me here, no one can empty Pei Family Village."

Pei Qinghe didn't boast; her tone was ordinary. Yet, she seemed to radiate light.

Looking at her, Shi Yan felt as if a beautiful flower was blooming in his heart.

Pei Qinghe blinked and then laughed: "Besides, everyone in Pei Family Village is my trusted confidant. You alone, plus Dong Dalang and Dong Erlang at most, how much can the three of you move?"

"Just tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you."

Pei Qinghe could easily come up with sweet words to coax people.

But the shrewd and capable Steward Shi was very susceptible to this, and his eyes and brows relaxed: "Sixth Miss, aren't you afraid that I will become spoiled and arrogant because of your pampering?"

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "That's worth it."

Mao Hongling smiled, pursing her lips.

Pei Yan felt a pang of jealousy: "Qinghe is so good to Shi Yan."

Mao Hongling thought to herself that this silly girl was all height and strength but no brains, so she simply reached out and dragged Pei Yan away.

Pei Yan was still not happy: "We were talking properly, why did you drag me out here, Second Sister-in-law?"

Mao Hongling smiled and said, "I'm going to gather a group of people to go hunting in the mountains. Do you want to come?"

Pei Yan perked up immediately, putting the previous matter behind her: "I haven't eaten meat for days, and I'm really craving it. Let's go, let's go now."

(End of this chapter)