Chapter 37: Containment
Pei Qinghe did not immediately agree.
She stared fixedly at Fang Datou.
Fang Datou was a straightforward and honest fellow with no ulterior motives. Facing Pei Qinghe’s bright and sharp gaze, he showed no panic, only eager anticipation on his face.
“Why don’t you return to your hometown?” Pei Qinghe asked.
Fang Datou scratched his head with his left hand: “My family has long been gone. I left home at thirteen to make my way in the world, enlisted at fifteen, and now I’m twenty-six. It’s been over ten years since I left, and I’ve nearly forgotten where my hometown even is.”
“Besides, without my right arm, I can’t farm or do heavy labor. Going back would just mean starving to death. I also can’t endure months of arduous travel. I don’t want to go back.”
“Sixth Sister has capability and skill; I admire her greatly. I just want to follow Sixth Sister. I know Sixth Sister won’t let me go hungry.”
He didn’t hide it at all.
Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “I can keep you. But some things must be said upfront. You must follow Pei Clan rules. All your bad habits from the barracks must be changed. You must obey my orders in everything.”
Upon hearing the first sentence, Fang Datou was overjoyed and nodded frantically.
Captain Sun breathed a sigh of relief: “Thank you, Sixth Sister.”
A disabled man with a severed right arm—what could he do? Sixth Sister Pei taking in Fang Datou was mostly for his sake.
Pei Qinghe smiled and replied: “Captain Sun has taken care of us all the way; the Pei Family old and young are deeply grateful. This is a small matter, nothing at all.”
“Tomorrow Captain Sun will set off back to the Capital City. The road is long and far; who knows, we may meet again someday.”
What connection could a captain in the Tiger Guards have with the exiled Pei Clan far away in Changping County, Yan Prefecture, Youzhou?
Captain Sun didn’t take it seriously and laughed casually: “If that day comes, it will surely be because I’ve met with calamity and come seeking Sixth Sister’s protection. At that time, please take me in for the sake of our shared journey and trials.”
At this time, Captain Sun never imagined that two years later, he would flee to Youzhou in dire straits like a homeless dog to seek refuge with the renowned Pei Family Army.
These were matters for later, set aside for now.
The big soldiers learned that Fang Datou was staying; some were surprised, some reluctant, and a few made snide remarks: “This is a barren wilderness, all wasteland. The Pei Family only has two carts of grain left, enough to last ten days or half a month before starving. When that happens, the Pei Family members won’t even be able to feed themselves, let alone look after you.”
“In this poor place, there’s nowhere even to beg for food. Better go back! Otherwise, settle near the barracks. We can still look after you somewhat.”
Fang Datou shot back without thinking: “Shut your stinking mouth. Sixth Sister is so capable; she definitely has a method to fill everyone’s stomachs.”
What method could there be?
Could wasteland produce grain?
……
“Qinghe, what should we do from now on?”
About thirty dilapidated thatched huts, with eight or nine people in each hut.
Mao Hongling, Pei Yun, and others gathered around Pei Qinghe, all with worried looks on their faces. The first to speak was Wu Xiuniang.
“We have two carts of grain left in total. Foraging some wild vegetables to mix in, we can barely last half a month.”
Mao Hongling softly continued: “Land reclamation is no easy task; we have no farm tools or seeds. All that will cost silver to buy. We’ve spent most of our silver on the road, with only fifty taels left. That’s enough to buy some farm tools and seeds. But waiting for the wasteland to be cleared and crops to grow will take at least half a year.”
Pei Yan suggested: “We have mules, donkeys, and horses. If we’re really starving, we can slaughter one for food. With so much livestock, we could hold out for half a year… uh, I was just saying it casually, don’t glare at me!”
Filling stomachs was the top priority. It was also the biggest immediate problem.
Everyone looked at Pei Qinghe expectantly.
Pei Qinghe appeared completely confident: “Don’t worry, I have a plan; I won’t let anyone go hungry.”
She first glanced at Pei Yan: “Keep the mules and donkeys for farming; the warhorses will have great use later—not one can be touched.”
Pei Yan shrank back her neck and grinned sheepishly.
“Tomorrow, I’ll first see off Captain Sun and Guard Gao, then go to the county town to buy farm tools and seeds. If grain is available, buy some grain too.” Pei Qinghe arranged methodically: “Second Sister-in-law and Pei Yan, come with me.”
Mao Hongling and Pei Yan nodded in agreement.
“Cousin Aunt, lead the elders to clean inside and outside the thatched huts, and gather some dry grass to spread on the ground.”
“Cousin Sister Yun, take people to scout within ten li around, get familiar with the surroundings. Best if you can bring back some prey or wild game.”
Wu Xiuniang and Pei Yun each accepted their orders.
Pei Xuan and Pei Feng also had tasks: “You two, watch all the children; don’t let them run around.”
The autumn night brought chilly gusts of wind, and cold drafts seeped into the simple thatched huts from time to time. Fortunately, with everyone snuggling together, they didn’t feel the chill.
……
Clop clop clop!
Neigh!
The fine horse galloped through the whistling autumn wind, neighing from time to time.
Pei Qinghe rode ten li to see them off.
“Thank you, Sixth Sister, for seeing us off.” Captain Sun cupped his hands in farewell: “We part today, unsure when we shall meet again. Sixth Sister, take good care.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “I’ll say it again: if Captain Sun can’t stay in the barracks in the future, you can come find me here in Changping County.”
Guard Gao solemnly cupped his hands: “If there’s anything in the future, Sixth Sister, send a message to me. I will certainly help with whatever I can.”
This promise was also full of sincerity from Guard Gao.
Pei Qinghe gave Guard Gao a deep look and straightforwardly accepted the favor: “Good. Thank you, Guard Gao.”
Everyone cupped their hands in farewell once more.
Captain Sun and the others rode off amid billowing dust.
Suddenly, a man’s sobbing came from behind. The crying was loud and included a hiccup.
Pei Qinghe turned her head and glanced over.
Fang Datou, crying so hard he was hiccuping, awkwardly wiped his eyes with his sleeve: “I’m just a bit reluctant to part with them… hic…”
Pei Yan grinned broadly: “If you’re reluctant, chase after them on horseback now!”
Such a big fellow, missing his right arm, unable to do heavy work, yet eats a lot—a pure glutton and burden. If Pei Qinghe hadn’t agreed, who would want him to stay!
Fang Datou stopped crying immediately: “I’m not going anywhere; I’ll stay here from now on.”
“Sixth Sister, I’ll change my surname to Pei too. From now on, call me Pei Bing.”
Everyone: “……”
Pei Qinghe twitched the corner of her mouth slightly: “No need. Fang Datou is fine.”
“Let’s go, to the county town with me.”
Having been praised, Fang Datou felt delighted inside. Without his right arm, holding the reins with his left was inconvenient, so he rode double with Pei Jia on one horse.
Entering the city gate cost ten wen per person. Horses entering the city also had a fee.
At such a time, silver must be spent wisely. Pei Qinghe had everyone and the horses wait outside the city gate, taking only Pei Yun and Pei Yan inside.
As soon as the three young women entered the city gate, they drew everyone’s attention.
