Chapter 51: Good Relationship
There’s no reason not to eat the fat meat that’s delivered right to one’s mouth.
Pei Qinghe accepted the gift list and solemnly stood up to give thanks: “Young Master Shi has sent such a generous gift. On behalf of the Pei Family old and young, I thank Young Master Shi. If there is any place in the future where the Pei Family can be of use, Young Master Shi need only speak up.”
That’s what was said, but what should be mentioned must be mentioned, and not a single word about things that cannot be mentioned. Equivalent exchange is the essence of a “good relationship.”
Shi Yan was well aware of the reasoning behind it and smiled as he replied: “The Shi Family has operated grain stores for generations and has some reputation within Youzhou. I came to Pei Family Village today out of admiration for Sixth Sister Pei’s character and conduct, with absolutely no intention of seeking favors in return for kindness.”
“This grain is not a heavy gift for the Shi Family. Sixth Sister Pei need not take it to heart.”
Shi Yan stated his attitude. What he valued was Sixth Sister Pei, and the person he wanted to invest in was also Pei Qinghe herself, having nothing to do with the entire Pei Family.
They were all smart people; there was no need to speak too directly—one hint was enough to understand.
Pei Qinghe looked at Young Master Shi and said meaningfully: “In five or ten years, when Young Master Shi looks back on today, he absolutely will not regret it.”
Shi Yan smiled happily: “No need to wait for the future. Sitting across from Sixth Sister Pei today has already made this trip worthwhile.”
Pei Qinghe laughed: “Young Master Shi is generous and forthright, treating people with sincerity—this is the first time I have seen such in my life. To become acquainted with Young Master Shi is my good fortune, Pei Qinghe’s fortune.”
Pei Yan quietly shook her arm, shaking off a ground full of goosebumps.
After a long time of commercial mutual flattery, Young Master Shi took the initiative to suggest that his retainers transport the grain into the village.
The Pei Family womenfolk were not idle either; aside from the elderly and weak, all mobilized. Those with strength carried grain on their backs alone, while those with less strength carried one bag of grain between two people.
Young Master Shi looked at the thatched hut where the grain was stored and tactfully made a suggestion: “The thatched hut is drafty and leaky to light; it’s fine on sunny days, but if heavy rain comes, the grain will get damp and moldy. It would be best to build a few sturdy and spacious granaries, specially for storing grain.”
“There is already ready timber for building granaries.” Pei Qinghe said: “Some time ago, people from the Beiping Army eliminated mountain bandits and stayed in Pei Family Village for several days, chopping a lot of wood and piling it at the village head to dry.”
“Not only build granaries, but also construct new houses.”
“Silver is not lacking; it’s reliable artisans who are hard to find.”
The hint was so obvious, and the understanding Young Master Shi indeed picked up the thread: “There are quite a few skilled artisans in the Shi Family Fortified Village. After I return, I will send them over right away.”
Pei Qinghe immediately smiled and said: “I will pay them at market rates, provide food and lodging, three full meals a day.”
One matter to one account. The grain is a gift; for the artisans’ labor, the silver that should be paid will not be short a single coin.
A glint of amusement flashed in Shi Yan’s eyes, and he nodded.
The five hundred shi of grain took a full half day to move.
Young Master Shi naturally did not need to lift a hand; accompanied by Sixth Sister Pei, he leisurely toured the entire Pei Family Village. Upon seeing over a hundred splendid warhorses, the previously relaxed Shi Yan was suddenly moved: “These are all top-quality fine horses! One alone is worth a hundred taels of silver, and they are hard to come by even at that price.”
“General Meng is truly generous, actually sending so many good horses!”
Among the four garrisons in Youzhou, none were not short of warhorses. How could General Meng bear to send over a hundred warhorses to the Pei Family womenfolk?
Where exactly did these horses come from?
Pei Qinghe smiled without speaking.
Shi Yan immediately tactfully changed the topic and asked no further.
In the evening, Shi Yan did not stay for dinner; he took his retainers and the now-empty wooden carts and bid farewell.
“This Young Master Shi is meticulous in his thoughts, and every word and action is thoughtful.” Madam Feng could not help but praise: “He is truly accomplished at such a young age.”
Grandmother Lu, who rarely praised anyone, also said: “He knows propriety and is tactful, eloquent and sensible, knows boundaries and when to advance or retreat—he is a fine young man.”
Pei Qinghe had been entertaining for half a day, and her throat was a bit dry. With a stretch of her hand, a cup of warm water was handed over: “Cousin Sister Qinghe, drink water.”
Pei Qinghe touched Pei Xuan’s head and praised her with a smile, then tilted her head back and drank it all down.
Madam Feng was still praising: “Young Master Shi sent so much grain but did not stay for dinner—this is not wanting us to expend effort on entertaining him. Such thoughtfulness is truly rare.”
Madam Lu was more direct: “Meng Liulang is handsome and brave, Young Master Shi is exceptionally intelligent—both are fine young men.”
The common affliction of middle-aged and elderly women: upon seeing young men of marriageable age, they start imagining matches.
Pei Qinghe unceremoniously punctured her mother and grandmother’s fantasies: “Meng Liulang is General Meng’s youngest son, deeply favored; General Meng definitely will not bear to have his youngest son marry into a family as a husband. Young Master Shi is the Shi Family’s only male heir, bearing the heavy responsibility of carrying on the family line, even less likely to become a son-in-law.”
“Neither of them is suitable, so stop overthinking it.”
Madam Lu drew in a sharp breath, her eyes widening round: “You plan to marry a man into the family as a husband in the future?!”
Pei Qinghe glanced at her overly shocked grandmother: “I have too much to do; no time for marriage. In five or eight years, if I change my mind, I will marry a man into the family.”
What bold words!
In the world, which fine man would be willing to marry into a family as a husband!
Madam Lu drew in another sharp breath. Seeing a string of harsh words about to come out, Pei Qinghe had no patience to listen and gave Pei Feng a look. Pei Feng immediately stepped forward, took Madam Lu’s wrist, and acted coquettishly: “Grandmother, I’m hungry.”
Madam Lu was dragged away by her treasured grandson.
Madam Feng looked at Pei Qinghe.
Pei Qinghe smiled and acted coquettishly: “Mother, I’m hungry too.”
Madam Feng indeed forgot to nag and busied herself preparing dinner for her daughter.
……
Six days later.
“Sixth Sister Pei, we are masons from Shi Family Fort.”
“We received the young master’s message and hurried over immediately.”
Over ten artisans with dark complexions, carrying various tools, appeared neatly outside Pei Family Village.
Calculating the time, Young Master Shi had just left Pei Family Village when he sent someone back to Shi Family Fortified Village with a message. In just a few short days, the artisans had arrived.
Pei Qinghe was very satisfied with Young Master Shi’s way of doing things and smiled as she welcomed the artisans into the village.
The lead artisan was surnamed Yang, single name Shan. Not tall, with a face full of honest simplicity: “How to build the houses, Sixth Sister Pei need only give instructions.”
Pei Qinghe fetched a charcoal pen and began sketching a draft on paper.
Over two hundred people, every household needs a house to live in.
Pei Jia and the others needed separate residences for them. And Gu Lian and the other women who came out from Black Bear Stockade—if she wanted them to truly submit wholeheartedly, she had to let them live stable lives.
In the future, she also planned to take in refugees, recruit hidden households, and establish the Pei Family Army.
Fortunately, the land around Pei Family Village was all wasteland, with quite a large area—perfect for planning ahead.
The charcoal pen moved flexibly on the paper, and soon, rows of neat houses appeared before their eyes.
Yang Shan looked at the sketch, shocked: “Sixth Sister Pei wants to build so many houses?”
Pei Qinghe nodded slightly: “These thatched huts now are crooked and leaky to wind and rain, not fit for long-term living. I want to rebuild Pei Family Village.”
