Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 50 Good Fortune (Part 1)

Peijia Village is nestled against the Yanshan Mountains, surrounded on three sides by barren fields, with the nearest village about seven or eight li away. There are almost no passersby on ordinary days.

Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow slightly: "Don't panic, take me to see."

Pei Yan nodded vigorously and turned to lead the way.

As they walked along the path to the east of the village, the group of visitors revealed themselves.

It was a convoy. Unlike ordinary wooden carts, these were all tall and wide. The mules pulling them were entirely black with glossy coats.

The caravan stretched as far as the eye could see. The guards escorting the caravan wore matching gray short jackets, each carrying a knife; they were all strong and had piercing eyes.

Pei Qinghe, with her extensive experience, recognized it at a glance: "This is a grain transport vehicle."

Pei Yan gasped, "How much grain must be transported! Who is so extravagant!"

A hint of a smile flashed in Pei Qinghe's eyes as she whispered, "If I'm not mistaken, it should be the grain transport convoy from the Shi family's grain shop."

"What are the Shi family's grain transport team doing in Pei family village?!" Pei Yan was completely bewildered. "They can't be here to deliver grain to us, can they?!"

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "We'll find out soon enough."

The convoy stopped some distance away, and a man who looked like a servant walked over and respectfully handed over a visiting card: "Young Master has come today to pay his respects to Miss Pei Liu."

As expected, it was Young Master Shi who arrived.

Pei Qinghe smiled as she accepted the visiting card and casually handed it to Pei Yan. Then she stepped forward to greet her.

Just based on those dozens of grain transport trucks, Young Master Shi is someone worth befriending.

Shi Yan alighted from the carriage first. The northern climate is cold, and even the most elegant young master of a wealthy family must dress warmly when traveling. Today, Young Master Shi was wearing a light blue cotton coat, making him appear slightly bulky.

Pei Qinghe practices martial arts every day, dressed in thin clothes, showing no fear of the cold wind, full of energy, and with bright eyes.

"Young Master Shi, it is truly impolite of me not to have been able to greet you properly." Pei Qinghe smiled and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

Shi Yan quickly returned the greeting with a smile: "I came without prior notice, which is rather presumptuous. I hope Miss Pei will not take offense."

Who would find it strange that such a wealthy family would do this?

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "Young Master Shi is too kind. The Pei family is new to this place, and there are only a few dozen thatched houses in the village. It is very simple. Young Master Shi does not look down on the Pei family's humble appearance and is willing to befriend us. I am very grateful."

Shi Yan said solemnly, "Sixth Miss Pei is too modest. I have heard about the Pei family's misfortune. Now, Sixth Miss Pei has established her family and led her clansmen to build Pei Family Village. When bandits came to attack, they were all driven back by Sixth Miss Pei. Her bravery is truly admirable."

As expected of the young master of the Shi family, who has traveled all over the country to manage a vast business, his magnanimity and composure are evident in just a few words.

The bandits of Black Bear Stronghold were wiped out. While others were confused about whose credit it was, Young Master Shi knew perfectly well.

Pei Qinghe neither confirmed nor denied it, and replied with a smile: "Young Master Shi is very perceptive, and I admire him greatly."

Shi Yan said earnestly, "Last time I ran into Miss Pei at the grain shop, I had the idea of ​​recruiting her and sent my servants to secretly investigate Pei Family Village. Unexpectedly, they encountered bandits coming down the mountain. The servants dared not approach and rushed back to deliver the message. By the time I found out, the bandits had already been wiped out and Black Bear Village had been burned to the ground."

"This is all thanks to the Beiping Army." Pei Qinghe said modestly, "Our Pei Family Village is mostly populated by the elderly, women and children. We can barely protect ourselves and have no ability to go into the mountains to suppress bandits and destroy villages."

"In this world, being able to protect oneself is already admirable." Shi Yan's eyes were clear, and he was particularly sincere when praising someone: "I have come today to make friends, and I hope that Miss Pei will not turn me away." "I would also appreciate it if Miss Pei would accept this small gift."

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "Young Master Shi has come from afar and made a special trip to visit us. How could I refuse such a generous gift? This gift is exactly what the Pei family needs, so I will accept it without hesitation. Please come into the village, Young Master Shi."

Shi Yan nodded happily and walked side by side with Pei Qinghe.

Pei Yan followed behind her cousin as if in a daydream, glancing back every now and then at the massive grain transport convoy. She pinched her arm hard, wincing in pain.

Once she was sure she wasn't dreaming, Pei Yan couldn't help but giggle.

What do you do when a windfall falls from the sky?
Of course, we should eat first and talk about it later.

In the past few days, Pei Qinghe took advantage of her spare time to lead her clansmen in repairing the thatched huts. The drafty and leaky conditions were greatly improved. The thatched huts were dusty and rather simple. Many women sat in front of the huts, doing needlework and mending. A dozen or so children ran and played. The sound of children reading aloud came from the thatched huts and drifted through Pei Family Village.

As soon as Shi Yan appeared, the women of Peijia Village became alert and stood up one after another.

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "This is Young Master Shi from the grain shop. He came to Pei Family Village today and delivered a large amount of grain. From now on, Young Master Shi will be a distinguished guest of our Pei Family Village."

Upon hearing this, the Pei family women, who had been wary, immediately relaxed their brows and looked at Young Master Shi with sudden friendliness and warmth.

Being overly polite is never a bad thing; this saying holds true everywhere.

Shi Yan smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to the crowd.

Pei Qinghe led Shi Yan into a spacious thatched hut. This hut, located in the middle of the village, had been deliberately left empty, cleaned and tidy, and reserved for guests.

Pei Qinghe gave a low order, and Pei Yan nodded and went out. A moment later, Li Shi, Wu Xiuniang, Mao Hongling, and others entered the thatched hut. Even Pei Xuan and Pei Feng, who were reading, were called in.

Pei Qinghe introduced them one by one: "The Pei family has more than 200 people, divided into eight teams according to age, and they are all team leaders."

Shi Yan had an excellent memory; after only one meeting, he memorized the names and appearances of everyone in front of him. He called out to each person correctly.

Shi Yan also called in two trusted confidants: "This is Dong Dalang, and this is Dong Erlang. These brothers have been running errands for me since they were young. If I need anything in the future, I will send them to deliver the message."

The Shi family, a powerful and wealthy clan, had servants who had been employed for generations. Dong Dalang was in his early twenties, with a slightly dark complexion, ordinary appearance, and small but shrewd and capable eyes.

Dong Erlang was a few years younger, taller, with a handsome face, a smiling eye, and a lively personality.

The two brothers bowed their heads in greeting. Dong Dalang bowed and stepped forward with a gift list in hand.

Pei Yan naturally reached out and took it, then handed it to Pei Qinghe.

The Pei family was a military family; Pei Boren and Pei Zhongde were prominent figures in the capital during their lifetimes. Many people came to visit them with gifts.

Things are different now. The Pei family suffered a calamity and was exiled, and all their servants were gone. Pei Yan took the initiative to take on the task of running errands, delivering messages, and presenting goods.

Pei Qinghe glanced at her fierce-looking cousin, a smile flashing in her eyes. She reached out and took the gift list, taking a closer look and thinking to herself that the young master Shi was indeed very generous.

Five hundred bushels of grain.

Such a large amount of grain could have saved hundreds or even thousands of lives during a famine. Even today, it is an encouraging figure.

(End of this chapter)