Chapter 126: Traveling Together
Pei Yun and Mao Hongling exchanged a glance, inwardly chuckling to themselves, and each paid their respects to Shi Yan.
Previously, Shi Yan had been a magnate who generously sent grain and supplies, and everyone respected and treated him politely. Now, with a shake of his form, he had become half one of their own, and everyone’s attitude visibly became much more intimate and casual.
Especially Pei Clan’s first son-in-law Fang Hai, who spoke with exceptional warmth: “I’m about ten years older than you and have lived in Pei Family Village for over two years. I’m familiar with everyone in the village. If you have any matters, just come find me.”
Shi Yan smiled and said, “Thank you, Brother Fang.”
That one “Brother Fang” made Fang Hai’s heart feel warm and his face beam with joy.
The world held sons-in-law in considerable disdain. Even in Pei Family Village, there were plenty of people who spoke sour and strange words.
After returning to the house, Fang Hai chuckled softly to Bian Shulan: “Shi Yan is quite good—shrewd and capable, yet not arrogant, and he speaks amiably too. I think he’s much better than that haughty Meng Liulang.”
Bian Shulan deeply agreed: “Meng Liulang is handsome, skilled in martial arts, and has a few hundred men under him. But he has high aspirations and is unwilling to be a son-in-law. Our Qinghe is someone who will accomplish great things, so Young Master Shi is more suitable.”
She paused, then chuckled softly again: “For Qinghe’s sake, Shi Yan even gave up being Young Master Shi and abandoned his vast family business. With such deep affection and sincerity, even if Qinghe’s heart is as cold as iron, it would be warmed.”
“However, with Qinghe’s temper, now is not the time to talk about this. Keep your mouth shut and don’t speak carelessly.”
Fang Hai nodded repeatedly.
Pei Yun went to Mao Hongling’s house and spoke softly: “By my calculations, Young Master Shi must have received news of the Pei Clan’s family division, fallen out with Old Master Shi, and come to Pei Family Village.”
Mao Hongling gratefully picked up the thread: “Only those on the same path can journey together. If Shi Yan has this intention, Qinghe won’t let him down in the future.”
Pei Yun clearly understood Pei Qinghe better and smiled as she said: “It’s really too early to say these things now. One matter at a time—Shi Yan coming to seek refuge with the Pei Clan at this critical moment will surely move Qinghe. But if Shi Yan wants to become a son-in-law, it’s still far off.”
……
After bustling about for several days, Shi Yan slept quite soundly and peacefully that night.
The next morning, everyone lined up to receive breakfast. Shi Yan stood right behind Pei Qinghe, enthusiastically and openly greeting and chatting with familiar faces.
Even Pei Qinghe couldn’t help but glance sideways: “How do you even know Zhai Sanlang and Zheng Xiaoying? They’ve only just arrived not long ago—you shouldn’t have met them!”
Shi Yan smiled: “Yang Shan sends me word of all the movements in Pei Family Village. Though I haven’t seen the newcomers, I can generally guess who they are.”
If he even knew about Zhai Sanlang and Zheng Xiaoying, then something like Young Master Meng Liu leading five hundred soldiers to arrive and then leave naturally couldn’t be hidden from him.
The honest and simple-minded mason Yang Shan chuckled.
Pei Qinghe was both exasperated and amused, giving Shi Yan a glare: “You have the most wits.”
Shi Yan accepted the praise without batting an eye: “I can’t practice martial arts or ride and shoot, so I can only put more effort into these little ways.”
Pei Qinghe smiled: “This is no little way. You have a photographic memory, know how to use people well, and are skilled at dealing with all sorts of people. These are your capabilities.”
Shi Yan looked moved: “So in Sixth Sister’s eyes, I’m somewhat useful after all.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “More than useful—you’re a great talent of our time. With your help, I’ll be like a tiger with wings.”
Amid the joking, they had reached the breakfast line.
Originally, Madam Fang had been in charge of the kitchen. After the family division, Bian Shulan took over. Preparing meals for several thousand people each day was no easy task. The dozens of people in the kitchen had to rise at the fourth watch every day and stay busy until dawn.
Today’s breakfast was hot porridge, pickles, and mixed flour steamed buns.
Shi Yan held his bowl and bun, squatting beside Pei Qinghe, eating with relish and smacking sounds, thoroughly enjoying it. After finishing, he said seriously: “There’s one thing I haven’t told you yet. Grandfather has cut ties with me, so the Pei Clan won’t send any more grain. We’ll have to spend silver to buy grain now.”
Before, the Shi Family had placed heavy bets in Pei Family Village, generously sending grain. Pei Qinghe had gathered several thousand refugees and raised over a thousand elite soldiers in just two short years—at least half of it was due to the Shi Family’s merit.
Now, with Old Master Shi even driving out his treasured grandson, there was naturally no grain to send.
Pei Qinghe had already mentally prepared last night and wasn’t panicked at all upon hearing this: “I’ve accumulated quite a family fortune from suppressing mountain bandits, all stored in the storeroom. Go today to check the account books and clear the storeroom, and see how much grain we can buy back.”
Shi Yan nodded in agreement.
Pei Qinghe called over Zhou Shi: “Cousin-in-law, from today on, the account books and storeroom are all handed over to Shi Yan.”
Zhou Shi, who had been overwhelmed for over ten days, was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. She immediately led Shi Yan to the storeroom: “Before, Madam Wu managed the account books and storeroom. After the division, all this fell on me. I couldn’t make heads or tails of the accounts—it’s given me worries that made my hair fall out in clumps.”
“Now with you here, it’s just too good.”
Zhou Shi placed a stack of account books on the table and handed over a string of keys: “Look at the account books first, then inventory the storeroom. Ask whatever you want.”
In his professional domain, Shi Yan was utterly serious. After sitting down, he reached out a hand to Dong Dalang, who immediately presented the red gold abacus.
Shi Yan flipped through an account book, his right hand rapidly clicking the abacus beads—like jade pearls falling on a plate, with crisp sounds. For any discrepancies in the accounts, he noted them down.
In less than a stick of incense, he moved to the second book.
Zhou Shi watched dumbfounded.
Dong Dalang and Dong Erlang were long accustomed to it. One served with ink and brush, swapping account books, while the other went to check the storeroom against the audited accounts. Zhou Shi wasn’t idle either—she brought over several people from the storeroom to listen to Dong Erlang’s directions.
In two days’ time, Shi Yan had audited all the account books and redone them. Income, expenses, and balances were listed by date—neat, clear, and easy to understand at a glance.
“I’ve made the general ledger first. The sub-ledgers for procurement of supplies will need to be redone one by one. Give me half a month, and I’ll sort out all the accounts.” Shi Yan placed the general ledger before Pei Qinghe: “Please review it, Sixth Sister.”
Every trade has its master. Pei Qinghe was skilled at leading troops, fighting battles, and killing without blinking, but account books gave her a headache. Under Shi Yan’s patient and detailed explanation, Pei Qinghe reviewed the general accounts, mainly to confirm one thing: “Will the silver in the storeroom be enough to buy grain, salt, and cloth for a year?”
Shi Yan replied: “At current prices, it’s enough to support a year. But the Imperial Court is constantly at war, and grain prices are rising fast. Youzhou is stable thanks to the Shi Family, but buying grain elsewhere, prices have already started doubling. There’s also the risk of refugees raiding and seizing grain on the road.”
“My suggestion is to spend all the stored silver, buying as much grain and various supplies as possible. Hoarding grain and supplies is far more worthwhile than hoarding silver.”
Pei Qinghe nodded: “Good, you handle these matters. If you’re short on silver, just tell me—I have my methods.”
