Chapter 100: Public And Private
Women do not enter barracks as a rule. Only because of close dealings with the Beiping Army and an invitation from General Meng did Pei Qinghe go to the Beiping Army. Facing the Liaoxi Army camp before her, Pei Qinghe had no intention of peering inside at all.
The Liaoxi Army’s General Li is greedy and loves money. Not only does he skim rations and drink soldiers’ blood, he also privately sells weapons and armor. If you can pay silver, he even dares to sell warhorses.
In her previous life, the Xiongnu great army invaded the border, and the Liaoxi Army was utterly defeated and dispersed. This General Li led the remnants and defeated soldiers, looting everywhere, and even the Shi Family was not spared.
Right now, they still needed to buy weapons from the Liaoxi Army. Once the weapons were bought enough, she had to remind Shi Yan about it.
Shi Yan rode in a carriage carrying gold and silver into the barracks.
Pei Qinghe led the crowd to rest in place. Pei Yan puffed out her cheeks chewing hard dry biscuits, muttering in her mouth: “These days on the road, we haven’t had a single good meal.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and said: “Once the main business is done, after returning to the village, we’ll slaughter pigs and sheep.”
Mao Hongling ate elegantly, slowly with cool water, occasionally glancing at Pei Qinghe. She seemed to want to say something but did not speak.
Pei Qinghe pretended not to know.
This wait lasted until nightfall.
Dong Erlang rode out on horseback to deliver a message: “General Li is keeping the Young Master in the barracks for one night; he can only leave the barracks tomorrow morning. Sixth Sister, please find a place nearby again and set up tents to rest.”
Pei Qinghe nodded.
The next day, waiting until nearly noon, the carriage finally left the barracks. Shi Yan stuck his head out the carriage window, his speech somewhat slurred: “Please Sixth Sister come up to the carriage to talk.”
Pei Qinghe nimbly got on the carriage, not rushing to open the wooden crates first, but sizing up Shi Yan whose face was red and eyes were straining to stay open: “How much wine did you drink last night?”
Shi Yan brushed it off lightly: “Not much. General Li was in high spirits, and I accompanied him.”
To buy weapons from the Liaoxi Army, they inevitably had to humble themselves and say all good words, accompanying General Li in drinking all night was a minor matter, not worth mentioning.
Pei Qinghe had an idea in her heart and said softly: “You’ve worked hard.”
Shi Yan smiled: “The Liaoxi Army has been buying military rations from the Shi Family for years, and I’m acquainted with General Li. Accompanying him in drinking isn’t the first time. At most, drunk for one or two days, no big deal.”
“This time, the gold and silver I brought bought five hundred long sabers, two hundred spears, and another fifty sets of bow and arrow. I don’t know much about the quality of weapons, and it wasn’t convenient to pick and choose inspecting goods in the barracks. A total of fifteen crates, just enough for three carriages. Here are three crates; you open them and take a look.”
Still that same phrase; saying thanks was too distant and too light. Better not to say it.
Pei Qinghe glanced at Shi Yan, then reached out to open the wooden crate.
This crate contained long sabers; the second crate held bow and arrow; the flat long crate held spears. All brand new, gleaming with cold light.
Pei Qinghe’s eyes suddenly lit up, the corners of her mouth curved up, and she fondly stroked the sword hilt: “These are weapons supervised and made by the Ministry of War; not divine weapons, but enough to use on the battlefield.”
After stroking the sword hilt, she went to touch the bow and arrow and spears, her gaze extremely gentle.
Shi Yan looked away and cleared his throat: “General Li specially instructed that this matter must absolutely not be publicized. The Capital City is at war, very chaotic. There won’t be more weapons sent in the short term. This deal can only be done this once.”
Pei Qinghe smiled happily: “Having this one deal is already enough.”
“These weapons, plus the original weapons in Pei Family Village, are enough to equip one thousand men. Next spring, when I lead people into the mountains for bandit suppression, and seize some more from the various mountain strongholds, I can pull together a force of over one thousand men. In chaotic times, that’s enough for self-preservation.”
“From now on, as long as I Pei Qinghe am here for one day, the Shi Family will be safe for one day. Whoever dares to touch the Shi Family, I’ll take their life even if I have to go to heaven or earth.”
Huh? Why is no one chiming in with agreement?
Pei Qinghe turned her head and saw Shi Yan had already fallen asleep, his head slightly tilted, emitting faint snoring sounds.
Who knows how much wine General Li poured into him last night.
Pei Qinghe lightly and soundlessly got off the carriage, gesturing to Dong Erlang. Dong Erlang nimbly came over to serve his own master.
Hearing that so many weapons had been bought, Pei Yan’s eyes gleamed with gold light, and Mao Hongling was also full of joy. Powerful military force was the capital for self-preservation and self-reliance.
“If only there were a large batch of warhorses too.” Human hearts are never satisfied; seeing weapons obtained, Pei Yan began to aim even higher.
Mao Hongling chided Pei Yan: “There aren’t enough warhorses in the barracks; buying horses is not an easy matter.”
Pei Qinghe raised her brow with a smile: “Now we have weapons; warhorses will come later too. The good days are all ahead!”
Shi Yan slept another full day before completely sobering up. After that, they hurried along the road straight to Pei Family Village. Along the way, they encountered two bands of bandits, all driven off by Pei Qinghe leading people.
Shi Yan smiled and praised: “I often travel far; no matter how many family guards I bring, I have to stay vigilant. Traveling with Sixth Sister, there’s no such worry. Eating and sleeping each day, exceptionally secure. The first time I saw Sixth Sister, I wanted to recruit her. See, I have an eye for heroes.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
A thousand piercing things, ten thousand piercing things, but flattery is impenetrable. Young Master Shi was also an expert in this way, a master at flattery.
Pei Qinghe smiled back: “Young Master Shi is young yet travels everywhere doing business, dealing with all sorts of people, shrewd and capable, the likes of which I’ve never seen in my life. If one day Young Master Shi is willing to come to Pei Family Village, I’ll definitely reserve the position of military advisor for Young Master Shi.”
Shi Yan chuckled: “Military advisor is beyond me; I know nothing about leading troops in battle, at most I’m just a big steward.”
Pei Qinghe half-jokingly half-seriously: “Right now I don’t have the face for it. Wait a few years, when the Pei Family Army is renowned in the Northern Lands, then I’ll formally invite Young Master Shi to join.”
Amidst the chatting and laughing, Pei Family Village was right before them.
Five li away, someone was on guard. Seeing Pei Qinghe’s group, they immediately blew the bamboo whistle. One bamboo whistle after another, soon spreading throughout the entire Pei Family Village. A crowd came out to welcome them.
Shi Yan did not stay long; after eating a sumptuous lunch, he took his leave: “I’ve been away from home for over half a month; I need to go back early.”
Pei Qinghe rode on horseback to see him off for ten li.
The carriage went far away; Shi Yan stuck his head out, waving goodbye to Pei Qinghe.
The carriage went farther and farther; Pei Qinghe’s figure turned into a black dot. Only then did Shi Yan withdraw his gaze.
Over a dozen wooden crates were moved into the storeroom.
When opened, the cold gleam from the weapons dazzled everyone’s eyes; all were beaming with joy.
Pei Yun roughly calculated in her heart, excited: “So many weapons, enough for everyone to have a long saber.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and mm-hmmed: “For daily training, still use wooden sabers and spears. After the new year, distribute the weapons, and I’ll lead them into the mountains for bandit suppression.”
Suppressing mountain bandits is great! Destroy one mountain stronghold, and you can seize a large amount of money, grain, and supplies, rescue a batch of women. It can also attract more refugees.
Pei Yun rubbed her fists: “I want to go too. I’ve guarded the village twice; next time it’s someone else’s turn.”
