Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 147 Quanzhou
Magistrate Ji of Quanzhou County came from a prominent family in the south. However, now that he had come to the north to serve as magistrate, he could no longer rely on his family, who lived thousands of miles away.

After the Xiongnu barbarians were driven away by Pei Liu, Magistrate Ji decisively took action, sending people to Pei Family Village with generous gifts to ask for Pei Liu's protection.

The young master Ji who came today is the eldest son of Magistrate Ji. Young master Ji was well-versed in poetry and books from a young age. He passed the county-level imperial examination at the age of fourteen and the provincial-level imperial examination at the age of sixteen. He was known as the child prodigy Ji.

Unfortunately, the imperial court was gone, and King Qiao, who had seized the capital, was busy plundering wealthy families and occupying territories, so he had no time for the imperial examinations. Ji Junze, who was supposed to shine in the imperial examinations this year, had no choice but to stay obediently in Quanzhou County and was even sent by his own father to Peijia Village to deliver gifts.

Pei Qinghe always treated wealthy people who gave her gifts with courtesy, and she was especially amiable to the handsome Young Master Ji.

Even Pei Yan couldn't help but glance at Young Master Ji again.

Meng Liulang was tall and handsome, while Shi Yanqing was refined and approachable. This young master Ji was a scholar, exuding an air of scholarly elegance, and also possessing a touch of shyness. They were all so pleasing to the eye!
Wait a minute, quickly check if Steward Shi is feeling sour or has a sour taste in his mouth.

Pei Yan turned to look at Shi Yan.

Standing beside Pei Qinghe, Shi Yan smiled warmly at Young Master Ji. Upon entering the inner hall, they took their seats according to their status as host and guest, and Steward Shi personally poured tea for Young Master Ji.

Before arriving, Ji Junze had received instructions from his father, and dared not underestimate the famous Steward Shi of Youzhou. He accepted the teacup with both hands and said, "Steward Shi is too kind."

Shi Yan smiled and said, "I am three years older than Young Master Shi. If Young Master Shi does not mind, we can be equals and call each other brothers."

Ji Junze was clearly not good at external affairs, and compared to the shrewd and capable Steward Shi, he immediately appeared inexperienced and green. He hesitated for a moment before answering.

Pei Qinghe smiled and continued, "Did Magistrate Ji have any message for you?"

Ji Junze hurriedly took out a letter from his sleeve: "This is a letter written by my father. Please take a look, Sixth Miss."

Shi Yan took the letter and handed it to Pei Qinghe.

Pei Qinghe opened the letter, glanced at it, and quickly read through several pages.

After reading the letter, Pei Qinghe casually handed it to Shi Yan: "You should also take a look at Magistrate Ji's letter."

Pei Yan was displeased and glared at Shi Yan.

Shi Yan immediately handed the letter to Pei Yan: "Miss Yan, please read it first."

Pei Yan was finally satisfied. Actually, she didn't care what was written in the letter at all; she only cared about standing by her cousin Qinghe's side. Like a puppy guarding its food, she clung tightly to its bowl.

Pei Qinghe was both amused and exasperated, and gave Pei Yan a sidelong glance.

Pei Yan glanced at it casually, then pretended to understand, and handed the letter back to Shi Yan.

Shi Yan read it carefully: "Magistrate Ji wants to ask Miss Pei to send troops to Quanzhou County. Starting this year, all the taxes from Quanzhou County will be handed over to Miss Pei."

This is fantastic news.

This means that Quanzhou County will also be completely brought under the command of Pei's army.

There's no reason not to eat the fatty meat that's offered to you.

Pei Qinghe didn't rush to agree. Instead, she asked, "The Ji family is a powerful clan in the south. Why don't they join the Jiangnan rebels, but instead come to join our Pei family's army?"

Ji Junze looked somber: "I dare not hide it from you, Sixth Miss. There are more than a dozen rebel groups in Jiangnan, large and small. These bandits, under the banner of the rebels, rob and kill wealthy and powerful families. Last year, the Ji family was wiped out by a group of rebels, and all our money and grain were stolen."

"When my father heard the bad news, he fell seriously ill. He would grit his teeth with hatred whenever he mentioned the Jiangnan rebels."

“Father will never bow down to that traitor Qiao. The Pei family army, led by the Sixth Miss, is disciplined and kills bandits and barbarians, but never harms the common people. The entire Quanzhou County is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Pei family army.” He then solemnly cupped his hands again: “Father, as the county magistrate, must remain in the county office to appease the people and cannot leave his post. I have come on his behalf. Please, Sixth Miss, go to Quanzhou County.”

Pei Qinghe pondered for a moment: "Sending troops to be stationed here permanently is no small matter. I need to discuss this with everyone before making a decision."

"Young Master Ji, please stay in Pei Family Village for a few days, so that we may do our best to be your hosts."

Shi Yan volunteered: "I'll take care of settling in."

Shi Yan was experienced and tactful. Dealing with the young and inexperienced Young Master Ji was a piece of cake for him.

Pei Qinghe nodded happily.

……

Two hours later, everyone gathered in the council hall.

Pei Qinghe cut to the chase, saying directly, "Quanzhou County has sent a pledge of allegiance, asking me to send troops there. Who among you is willing to go to Quanzhou County?"

Feng Chang wanted to volunteer, but Gu Lian spoke up first: "Sixth Miss, let me lead the troops! After I go, I will recruit the people to train soldiers to protect ourselves, just like Miss Yun, and organize the repair of the city walls and gates."

Mao Hongling was worried about her puppy and didn't want to stay away for long. Pei Yan only wanted to stay with Pei Qinghe.

Of the remaining candidates, Pei Jia and Pei Yi weren't ruthless enough, and Fang Datou wasn't clever or resourceful enough. Gu Lian was indeed the right choice.

Pei Qinghe agreed: "Alright, you can go to Quanzhou County. However, I can only give you two hundred men. After you get to Quanzhou County, you can recruit four hundred men for training. With six hundred men guarding the county town, even if the Xiongnu barbarians come, we can hold out for seven or eight days."

Gu Lian said with a shameless grin, "Can I recruit six hundred men? I'll figure out the extra two hundred men's rations myself."

Pei Qinghe glanced at Gu Lian indifferently: "Do you want to kill a wealthy family, or rob the county government office?"

Gu Lian's strengths are her boldness and ruthlessness, but her weaknesses are that she is too bold and too ruthless.

Gu Lian felt a chill run down her spine under Pei Qinghe's gaze and lowered her head, not daring to meet her eyes: "Sixth Miss, please calm down."

Pei Qinghe's cold voice rang in Gu Lian's ears: "The Pei family army's military regulations prohibit looting and killing civilians, and forbid the indiscriminate killing of innocent people. Even wealthy families must be persuaded to willingly contribute money and grain."

“No matter who breaks military regulations, I will not let her off the hook.”

Gu Lian broke out in a cold sweat and agreed without hesitation.

After the meeting ended and everyone left, Pei Qinghe kept Gu Lian behind: "Today I reprimanded you in front of everyone, causing you to lose face. Do you harbor any resentment?"

Gu Lian knelt down in fear: "My life was given to me by the Sixth Miss. My current status and dignity are also given to me by the Sixth Miss. Even if the Sixth Miss asked me to go through fire and water, I would not flinch."

Pei Qinghe looked at Gu Lian, her gaze seemingly traversing distant time and space, landing on another unforgettable, familiar face.

Once, someone swore an oath to the heavens, vowing to follow her faithfully forever. But later, this trusted confidant betrayed her, stabbing her in the back with a fatal arrow.

Human hearts are fickle. Even blood relatives cannot be completely of one mind, so how could she possibly trust Gu Lian completely?

Gu Lian felt a cold sweat break out on her back from the stare, but she didn't lower her head. She mustered her courage and met Pei Qinghe's gaze: "Words are weak and powerless. Loyalty isn't something that can be proven with words. Please wait and see, Sixth Miss. I, Gu Lian, will prove my loyalty."

(End of this chapter)