Chapter 105: Yan Mountains
The captives from various mountain strongholds in Pei Family Village, mountain bandits, already numbered nearly four or five hundred. Among them, there must be some who had been to Eagle Stockade.
Pei Qinghe personally interrogated several mountain bandits who had been to Eagle Stockade.
The mountain bandits had long been scared out of their wits by Pei Qinghe. Whatever Pei Qinghe asked, they answered without the slightest hesitation, completely selling out Eagle Stockade.
One of them, a mountain bandit with a black mole on his face, pleaded with a face full of hope: “Sixth Sister, we did evil in the past, but now we know we were wrong. Sixth Sister, can you give us a chance to join you in suppressing Eagle Stockade?”
The other mountain bandits also chimed in with pleas.
In chaotic times, the strongest is respected.
They had gone into the mountains to become mountain bandits in the first place just to seek a way to survive. The boss was killed—why couldn’t they just switch to a new boss?
Pei Qinghe’s gaze swept over the faces of the mountain bandits one by one: “Good, I’ll give you a chance. If you establish merit in attacking Eagle Stockade, from then on, you will be villagers of Pei Family Village.”
The mountain bandits beamed with joy and responded repeatedly: “Sixth Sister, just wait and see! We’ll lead the way and charge ahead, and we’re sure to take Eagle Stockade.”
Pei Qinghe simply selected a group of eager captives from the four or five hundred who wanted to atone for their crimes, forming them into three teams. When attacking Eagle Stockade, the three teams of mountain bandits would charge first. She would personally bring up the rear to oversee.
The assault on the stockade suffered the heaviest casualties. Over a hundred mountain bandits entered like into a meat grinder, and by the time the stockade gate was breached, less than three-tenths remained.
Pei Qinghe raised her long saber and led hundreds of people charging into Eagle Stockade.
When thick black smoke rose over Eagle Stockade, all six bandit groups in the Yan Mountain Range had their strongholds wiped out. The endless Yan Mountains had thoroughly become Sixth Sister Pei’s territory.
Refugees seeking refuge in Pei Family Village poured in like a spring.
In just two short years, Pei Qinghe led her clansmen to establish a foothold, her prestige resounding throughout Youzhou.
Merchants vied to show goodwill to Pei Family Village. Of course, there were exceptions.
For instance, the great salt merchant Zhan Family, relying on their smuggling salt caravans, did not take Sixth Sister Pei seriously. Even after Sixth Sister Pei put out the word, they still brazenly passed through Pei Family Village without sending gifts or paying a visit.
Pei Qinghe couldn’t be bothered with the Zhan Family and instructed Pei Yun: “Go buy salt from the Peng Family and Yue Family; no need to go to the Zhan Family anymore.”
Pei Yun nodded in acknowledgment.
At that moment, Pei Yan hurriedly ran over: “Cousin Sister Qinghe! County Magistrate Wang sent someone with a letter—the Son of Heaven has passed away!”
……
Emperor Xiaowen had held on for more than half a year longer than in his previous life, but in the end, he still died.
The Son of Heaven passed away, and the realm was in great mourning.
In Changping County Town, the common people cried as they changed into white clothes. County Magistrate Wang listened to the cries coming from outside the county office and raised his wine cup, downing the fine wine in it in one gulp.
Secretary Li poured wine for the county magistrate while trembling with fear: “This is a period of national mourning. The matter of County Magistrate drinking wine must not be spread.”
County Magistrate Wang drank another cup: “What is there to fear? The Crown Prince is dead, the Emperor is dead, and the rebel army has charged toward the Capital City. Prince Wei doesn’t even know how many days he can sit on the dragon throne. At a time like this, who would care about me, the county magistrate of Changping County?”
“I’ll enjoy myself day by day.”
“If something really happens, I’ll just hand over my official seal and leave. There will naturally be capable people to clean up the mess.”
Secretary Li paused in pouring wine and carefully glanced at the swaying County Magistrate Wang: “Does County Magistrate mean to leave the county office to Sixth Sister Pei?”
County Magistrate Wang impatiently glanced over: “Who else? In just two short years, the Pei Clan’s fame has risen like a phoenix, and Pei Family Village now has three thousand refugees, half of whom can wield a blade in battle. And the Pei Clan women are each fierce as tigers. Who in Youzhou does not know of Sixth Sister Pei’s reputation?”
“Other prefectures and counties are far away, but our Changping County is right under Sixth Sister Pei’s nose. Whenever she wants to take it, she just has to open her mouth. Who can stop her?”
Secretary Li was rebuffed and gave an embarrassed smile: “I’m just indignant for County Magistrate. You are the parental official, yet now you have to look at someone’s face and act accordingly.”
County Magistrate Wang smiled mockingly: “What’s the use of talking nonsense? Those few rebel armies in Jiangnan have taken over more than ten county towns. The people in the county offices all had their heads chopped off.”
“This county magistrate can still sit properly in the county office, drinking fine wine. That’s precisely because this county magistrate knows the times. You’ve followed me for over ten years; when I leave, I’ll certainly take you with me.”
“Sixth Sister Pei is not the type to kill indiscriminately. As long as we stay honest and low-key, we can always get out unscathed.”
That was true.
Secretary Li perked up and continued pouring wine, serving County Magistrate Wang until he was dead drunk.
Who would have thought that that very night, a major incident occurred.
“County Magistrate, bad news! War report from Guangning Prefecture—the Xiongnu cavalry have entered the pass to raid!”
County Magistrate Wang, shaken until dizzy, vomited with a wail, the sour stench spreading.
Secretary Li pinched his nose and continued shaking the disoriented County Magistrate Wang: “The Guangning Army clashed with the Xiongnu cavalry and suffered a great defeat. The Xiongnu cavalry split into several groups, plundering everywhere. One group of cavalry is heading toward our Changping County.”
County Magistrate Wang shuddered and sobered up completely.
“Quick, go send a message to Pei Family Village at once. Ask Sixth Sister Pei to immediately lead people to defend the county town.”
……
Clop clop clop!
Horse hooves shattered the peace of Pei Family Village.
Pei Xuan had been coveting it for a long time, and today she finally mounted a warhorse. She pulled the reins and clamped her legs around the horse’s belly. The warhorse neighed shrilly and galloped off with all four hooves pounding.
Pei Feng was not to be outdone and spurred his horse to chase after her.
Several older children also each rode horses, their movements somewhat clumsy, yet all of them were high-spirited.
Pei Qinghe stood with hands behind her back, the corners of her mouth slightly raised.
The true main force of the Pei Family Army had always been the Pei Clan women. These young boys before her were even more so the Pei Clan’s future and hope.
Pei Yan rubbed her fists: “I’ll go run a lap too and show them what real horsemanship is.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and rolled her eyes at Pei Yan: “Tone it down a bit. Pei Xuan and Pei Feng are still young; horse riding needs to be practiced gradually.”
Fourteen-year-old Pei Yan had dark skin, a sturdy build, and strong, solid arms. Apart from that thick braided pigtail, there was no trace of a young lady’s appearance anywhere on her.
Pei Qinghe had come of age with her hair-pinning ceremony last month. Dressed in cloth clothes, carrying a bow and arrow and long saber on her back, her face was tanned to a light wheat color, and her black eyes sparkled with spirit.
In fact, all the Pei Clan women had undergone significant changes. Exposed to sun and rain daily, practicing martial arts every day, and frequently going into the mountains to suppress bandits, they had become like sharp blades tempered in fierce fire. They had nothing to do with being delicate and fair-skinned.
Pei Xuan galloped a lap on horseback and was the first to rush to Pei Qinghe: “Cousin Sister Qinghe, Secretary Li came hurriedly with people. I don’t know what happened, but he looked like he was about to cry.”
Pei Qinghe’s brows twitched, and she gestured for Pei Xuan to dismount, then mounted her own horse and went forward to greet them.
Secretary Li had lost his usual pretentious elegance and looked panicked: “Six-, Sixth Sister, big trouble—a group of Xiongnu cavalry is heading toward our Changping County.”
