Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 37 Containment
Pei Qinghe did not agree immediately.

She stared intently at Fang Datou.

Fang Datou was a simple-minded and straightforward guy, with no ulterior motives. Facing Pei Qinghe's bright and sharp gaze, he showed no panic, only anticipation and enthusiasm.

"Why don't you go back to your hometown?" Pei Qinghe asked.

Fang Datou scratched his head with his left hand: "There's no one left in my family anymore. I left home at thirteen, joined the army at fifteen, and I'm twenty-six this year. I've been away from home for over ten years, and I've almost forgotten where my hometown is."

"Besides, I've lost my right arm, so I can't work in the fields or do heavy labor. Going back would just mean starving to death. I can't bear the hardship of traveling for months. I don't want to go back."

"Sixth Miss is capable and talented, I admire her very much. I want to follow Sixth Miss. I know that Sixth Miss will not let me go hungry."

They don't try to hide it at all.

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "I can let you stay. However, there are some things to say first. You must abide by the rules of the Pei family. You must change all the bad habits you had in the military camp. You must obey my orders in everything."

Upon hearing the first sentence, Fang Datou was overjoyed and nodded frantically.

Captain Sun also breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Sixth Miss."

What can a cripple with a missing right arm do? The reason why Miss Pei took in Fang Datou was mostly because of his reputation.

Pei Qinghe smiled and replied, "We are deeply grateful for Captain Sun's kindness along the way. This is nothing at all."

"Tomorrow, Commandant Sun will be setting off back to the capital. The journey is long and the future is uncertain; perhaps we will have the opportunity to meet again in the future."

What could a captain in the Fierce Tiger Guard possibly have in common with the exiled Pei family in Changping County, Yan Commandery, Youzhou?
Lieutenant Sun didn't take it seriously and casually laughed, "If that day ever comes, it will surely be because I have encountered a calamity and come to seek the protection of the Sixth Miss. At that time, I would be grateful if the Sixth Miss would take me in, considering that we have traveled together and shared life and death."

At this moment, Commander Sun had no idea that two years later, he would flee to Youzhou in a sorry state, like a stray dog, to seek refuge with the renowned Pei family army.

These are all things to be discussed later, so let's leave them aside for now.

When the soldiers learned that Fang Datou was going to stay, some were surprised, some were reluctant to see him go, and a few made sarcastic remarks: "This is the middle of nowhere, a wasteland. The Pei family only has two carts of grain left, which will last for ten days or half a month before they go hungry. At that time, the Pei family will not be able to feed themselves, let alone take care of you."

"This place is so poor, you can't even beg for food. You should go back! Or you could settle down near the military camp. We might be able to help you out."

Without a second thought, Fang Datou retorted, "Shut your stinking mouth. With Sixth Miss's abilities, she'll surely find a way to fill everyone's stomachs."

What can be done?
Can wasteland be turned into food?
……

"Qinghe, what should we do now?"

There are about thirty dilapidated thatched huts, with about eight or nine people living in each hut.

Mao Hongling, Pei Yun, and the others gathered around Pei Qinghe, all with worried expressions. Wu Xiuniang was the first to speak.

"There are only two cartloads of grain left. If we go and find some wild vegetables to mix with the grain, it should be enough to last for about half a month."

Mao Hongling quietly took over the conversation: "Clearing wasteland is not an easy task. We have no farming tools or seeds. We have to spend money to buy them. We've spent most of our money on this trip, and we only have fifty taels left. That should be enough to buy some farming tools and seeds. However, it will be at least half a year before we clear the wasteland and grow crops."

Pei Yan suggested, "We have mules, donkeys, and horses. If we get really hungry, we can slaughter one to fill our stomachs. With so many animals, we should be able to last for half a year... Uh, I was just saying, don't glare at me!"

Filling one's stomach is the most important thing, and also the biggest problem at hand.

Everyone stared expectantly at Pei Qinghe.

Pei Qinghe said confidently, "Don't worry, I have a plan. I won't let anyone go hungry."

He glanced at Pei Yan first: "Keep the mules and donkeys for plowing the fields, and the warhorses will be very useful in the future. Not a single one can be moved."

Pei Yan shrank back and gave an awkward smile.

"Tomorrow, I'll first see Commandant Sun and Guard Gao off, and then I'll go to the county town to buy farming tools and seeds. If I can buy grain, I'll buy some more to bring back." Pei Qinghe arranged methodically: "Second Sister-in-law and Pei Yan will come with me." Mao Hongling and Pei Yan nodded in agreement.

"My aunt led the elders to clean up the inside and outside of the thatched house and found some dry grass to spread on the ground."

"Sister Yun, take your men and wander around the area within ten miles to get a feel for the surrounding environment. It would be best if you could bring back some game or wild animals."

Wu Xiuniang and Pei Yun each accepted their orders.

Pei Xuan and Pei Feng also had a task: "You two are to look after all the children and keep them from running around."

The autumn night was chilly, and cold air kept blowing into the simple thatched hut. Fortunately, everyone huddled together, so they weren't afraid of the cold.

……

Ta-da-da!
Howling!
The horses galloped through the brisk autumn wind, neighing intermittently.

Pei Qinghe rode his horse and escorted him for ten miles.

"Thank you for seeing me off, Sixth Miss." Captain Sun cupped his hands in farewell: "I don't know when we will meet again after this parting. Please take good care of yourself, Sixth Miss."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "I'll say it again: if Lieutenant Sun can't stay in the military camp any longer, he can come to Changping County to find me."

The guard, Gao, solemnly cupped his hands and said, "If anything happens in the future, Miss Six, you can send someone to deliver a message to me. I will certainly do my best to help."

This promise was extremely sincere for Guard Gao.

Pei Qinghe gave the guard a deep look and readily accepted the favor: "Alright. Thank you, Guard Gao."

The group bowed to each other in farewell once more.

Commander Sun and his men rode away amidst billowing dust.

Suddenly, a man's crying sounded behind me. The crying was very loud, and he even hiccuped.

Pei Qinghe turned her head and glanced over.

Fang Datou, sobbing and hiccuping, wiped his eyes awkwardly with his sleeve: "I'm just a little reluctant to part with them... hiccup..."

Pei Yan grinned and said, "If you can't bear to leave them, why don't you ride off and chase after them now!"

That big, clumsy guy, with a missing right arm, couldn't do heavy work, and ate a lot—he was just a useless burden. If Pei Qinghe hadn't agreed, who would want him to stay!
Fang Datou immediately stopped crying: "I'm not going anywhere, I'll stay here from now on."

"Sixth Miss, I will also change my surname to Pei. From now on, I will be called Pei Bing."

Everyone: "..."

Pei Qinghe's lips twitched slightly: "No need. Fang Datou is fine."

"Let's go, come with me to the county town."

Fang Datou felt pleased to receive the compliment. Lacking a right arm, it was inconvenient for him to hold the reins with his left hand, so he shared a horse with Pei Jia.

To enter the city, a person had to pay ten coins. Horses also had to pay to enter the city.

At times like these, money must be spent wisely. Pei Qinghe told everyone and the horses to wait outside the city gate, and only took Pei Yun and Pei Yan into the city.

The three girls attracted everyone's attention as soon as they entered the city gate.

(End of this chapter)