Chapter 88: Good Official
County Magistrate Wang sat in the carriage with a face full of disappointment.
Secretary Li saw County Magistrate Wang looking dejected and didn’t dare say much. The wooden cart’s wheels creaked and groaned; everywhere they passed, all that met the eye were refugees diligently tilling the fields.
These refugees came from different backgrounds and origins, had abandoned their homes and families for various reasons and fled, and now all had become people of Pei Family Village. Their thin bodies had gradually grown strong from having enough to eat and daily labor and training; their faces were no longer numb and despairing, radiating astonishing spirit and vitality.
Secretary Li couldn’t hold back and said in a low voice, “Sixth Sister Pei is indeed powerful; she’s only been in Changping County for a little over a year, and she’s already gathered so many people.”
County Magistrate Wang had come over at some point: “First killed Black Bear, then Scarred Wolf, successively annihilated two mountain bandit stockades. With such powerful force, and enough to eat plus fields to till, the refugees naturally flock to join.”
His voice was calm, even carrying a hint of relief.
Secretary Li was somewhat surprised and asked cautiously, “Did Your Excellency the County Magistrate want to ask Sixth Sister Pei to take action to suppress the mountain bandits? Has Sixth Sister Pei agreed?”
County Magistrate Wang slowly leaned back: “Not at all.”
“Sixth Sister Pei is very shrewd and unwilling to put herself in danger by leading people into the mountains to suppress bandits. This county magistrate tried every way to persuade her, but she refused.”
“However, the purpose of this county magistrate’s visit has already been achieved. Now I can return to the county office with peace of mind.”
Secretary Li had served County Magistrate Wang for several years, yet sometimes still couldn’t figure out what County Magistrate Wang was thinking.
Like right now.
What exactly was the purpose?
County Magistrate Wang didn’t explain and leisurely returned to the county office to continue drinking and idling.
“Cousin Sister Qinghe, what exactly did County Magistrate Wang come to Pei Family Village for?” Pei Yan asked with a face full of curiosity, while Mao Hongling and Pei Yun were also full of doubts.
Pei Qinghe pulled out the deed and waved it in front of everyone: “The wasteland south of the village has also been given to us. Tomorrow we’ll go measure the land and prepare to reclaim the wasteland.”
“Also, County Magistrate Wang wants us to go into the mountains and annihilate all the mountain bandit stockades.”
Even the reckless Pei Yan jumped up in anger upon hearing this: “He’s afraid of dying himself, afraid of losing his official hat, so he comes to trick us into suppressing bandits for him. For a piece of wasteland, he wants the Pei Family to fight to the death. Bah! Thinks beautifully!”
Pei Qinghe smiled and praised, “Finally starting to use your brain. Don’t worry, I’ve already flatly refused.”
Mao Hongling softly picked up the thread: “County Magistrate Wang doesn’t seem like such a shallow and brainless person.”
A glint of amusement flashed in Pei Qinghe’s eyes: “Second Sister-in-law, if you’ve thought of something, feel free to say it.”
Under Pei Qinghe’s encouraging gaze, Mao Hongling gathered her thoughts and said slowly, “In my view, the true purpose of County Magistrate Wang’s visit today was to show weakness and goodwill to Pei Family Village, indicating an attitude of readiness to yield at any time.”
The amusement in Pei Qinghe’s eyes deepened: “Second Sister-in-law is exactly right. Although County Magistrate Wang drinks all day, he’s not muddled at all; his mind is very clear.”
Pei Yun sighed softly: “County Magistrate Wang clearly has the capability to govern as an official, yet he doesn’t use it properly. Every day besides drinking, he does no real work, and still has the face to call it ‘non-action governance’.”
Pei Qinghe said faintly: “In the Jiangnan counties hit by floods, the officials sent for disaster relief were all so greedy and shameless. Compared to them, County Magistrate Wang truly qualifies as a good official.”
This topic was heavy and helpless.
Everyone sighed to themselves.
Pei Qinghe’s gaze swept over everyone, and she said gravely, “The capital city is in turmoil, and the world is about to descend into great chaos. Although we’re far from the capital city, we may not entirely escape it. Everyone, prepare yourselves mentally; we might have to take up knives and fight to the death at any time.”
Struggling to survive in chaotic times has never been a simple matter.
Everyone’s expressions were resolute as they nodded one after another.
……
In these times, message transmission was actually very inconvenient.
Previously, General Meng had sent messages constantly, but now General Meng was leading a large army to the capital city for “removing the treacherous officials from the king’s side”; Pei Qinghe had lost her source of news, and what her scouts brought back were all sorts of true and false matters hard to distinguish.
For example, after General Meng led troops into Jizhou, he joined forces with the Bohai Navy. The two armies headed straight for the capital city to rescue the Crown Prince.
Another example: wherever the over ten thousand elite soldiers passed, the various counties and commanderies dared not disturb them and all sent military rations. The army encountered almost no obstruction.
Yet another example: in Qingzhou, a group of refugees took advantage of the chaos to riot, stormed into the county town, killed the county magistrate, and occupied the county office. Some magnates were also stirring.
In Jiangnan, hit by floods with over a hundred thousand starved to death and plague rampant, several rebel armies had emerged. The largest rebel army’s leader was surnamed Qiao, who claimed to be the King descended to earth.
When Pei Qinghe heard this news, an astonishing light flashed in her eyes: “King Qiao! What a majestic title!”
In her previous life, this King Qiao was formidable; he gathered several hundred thousand refugees, led the rebel army to kill into the capital city, and both Prince Wei and the Crown Prince died at his hands.
Unfortunately, King Qiao didn’t enjoy his glory for long; he was soon surrounded by armies reinforcing the emperor from all places, fled the capital city in disorder, and afterward led over a hundred thousand people fleeing everywhere like leeches sucking blood, becoming the largest band of bandits.
Pei Yan’s eyes shone even brighter: “Cousin Sister Qinghe should also raise a flag, called King Pei……ow!”
The back of her head was smacked hard, and Pei Yan grimaced in pain.
Pei Qinghe withdrew her hand: “Keep talking nonsense, and go do horse stance!”
Pei Yan rubbed the back of her head and obediently shut her mouth.
The usually steady Pei Yun hurried over: “Cousin Sister Qinghe, Young Master Shi sent an urgent letter via messenger.”
Pei Qinghe immediately said, “Bring the messenger here.”
Pei Family Village had rapidly grown and strengthened, and Young Master Shi’s contributions were indispensable. Shi Yan was shrewd in his actions, knew the situation, and understood limits. This was the first time he had sent a messenger with a letter; something must have happened.
Dong Erlang, who came to deliver the letter, had red eyes and respectfully presented the letter.
Pei Qinghe didn’t rush to open it and asked directly, “What happened to Young Master Shi?”
Dong Erlang wiped his eyes with his sleeve: “Young Master is fine; it’s the Shi Family Grain Store that’s in trouble. Two thousand shi of grain that was bought was robbed by White Tiger Stockade on the way.”
“Eight of the clerks and servants responsible for delivering the grain were killed, and all the survivors are injured; my brother was also beaten into serious condition.”
“It was truly fortunate. At the time, I happened to go with Young Master to inspect elsewhere; if I’d gone with the grain delivery team, nine times out of ten it would have been our Young Master who got injured.”
A cold glint flashed in Pei Qinghe’s eyes: “White Tiger Stockade is tired of living.”
She swiftly opened the letter and read it through.
With such a major incident, Young Master Shi was extremely angry; the hastily written personal letter had somewhat sloppy handwriting. The content was simple, just what Dong Erlang had said.
Nothing else.
No need for more words.
Pei Family Village now had over a thousand people, all eating grain sent by Young Master Shi. Now that the Shi Family was in trouble, it was time for the Pei Family to step up.
Pei Qinghe said to Dong Erlang, “Go back and tell Young Master Shi that within a month, I will send the head of White Tiger Stockade’s Great Chieftain to the Shi Family!”
