Chapter 129: Heavy Burden
Shi Yan had been busy outside for over half a month, with large amounts of gold and silver flowing out like water, and the procured supplies being continuously delivered to Pei Family Village.
Salt, cloth, and medicinal materials were one thing, but the most shocking were the grain delivery convoys, one cart after another, dazzling the eyes.
The villagers working in the fields, seeing the endless grain delivery teams, felt reassured and at peace.
“No matter how chaotic it is outside, it won’t reach our Pei Family Village. The Xiongnu Barbarians have all been driven away by Sixth Sister Pei.”
“So much grain, it wouldn’t be finished even eating for a year.”
“Following Sixth Sister Pei brings days like this.”
Some muttered worriedly: “People keep coming to seek refuge, and the village is getting more and more crowded. Can Sixth Sister Pei support so many people?”
“Is this something for you to worry about? Since Sixth Sister Pei took us in, she naturally has the confidence and capability to feed us. We just need to follow Sixth Sister Pei’s orders.”
“Well said. Our lives are cheap; without Sixth Sister Pei, we would have starved to death in the mountains long ago. Whatever Sixth Sister Pei asks us to do, we do it.”
Pei Qinghe was in a very good mood today, smiling as she said to the meritorious Shi Yan: “You’ve worked hard these days.”
Previously, Wu Xiuniang managed the money and grain; she was loyal but limited in capability, so she often had to worry about it. Now with Shi Yan, the storeroom, account books, procurement, and everything were in perfect order; she didn’t need to worry at all. This was great!
Shi Yan looked at Sixth Sister Pei, whose brows were relaxed and lips curved in a smile, feeling his heart bloom like a flower: “I know nothing about warfare; all I can do is these things.”
Pei Qinghe laughed: “Why be modest and polite in front of me? Do you really want me to fawn over you with praise?”
After joking a bit, Shi Yan got to business: “The Shi Family sold us ten thousand shi of grain at eight-tenths of the grain price. I also went to two other grain merchants and bought five thousand shi of grain.”
“The Zhan Family wanted to sell salt at a high price, but I slashed it sharply. The cotton cloth supply from the Wang Family, the price was voluntarily reduced by one tenth.”
“Unfortunately, the Lu Family Medicine really couldn’t be priced down.”
This was unavoidable. Once war breaks out, Lu Family Medicine becomes even more precious. Not raising the price was already out of respect for Sixth Sister Pei’s face.
Pei Qinghe didn’t mind: “Anyway, the silver was all robbed. If it’s expensive, so be it.”
Shi Yan, however, said: “That won’t do. Living frugally is the way. Pei Family Village has five thousand people to feed and clothe.”
Pei Qinghe corrected: “It’s five thousand six hundred people.”
Shi Yan was also stunned: “In the half month I was away, six hundred more people?”
This rate of expansion was too astonishing.
Pei Qinghe patted Shi Yan’s shoulder: “At this speed, Pei Family Village will have more and more people. We still need to keep buying and stockpiling grain; sorry to trouble you.”
Taking on this heavy burden, Shi Yan remained composed: “Sixth Sister Pei, just focus on training troops; leave these trifles to me.”
Wu Xiuniang stood at the village head watching the lively scene for a long time, then returned to the thatched hut in front with a gratified look, saying softly to Madam Feng with a smile: “Young Master Shi is truly capable. In less than a month, he’s sorted all the accounts crystal clear. The procurement of supplies went smoothly too. With so much grain bought back, Pei Family Village’s people won’t go hungry.”
Madam Feng’s needle and thread were busy nonstop, she pursed her lips and smiled: “Qinghe has been missing just such a shrewd and capable person to manage internal affairs by her side.”
Madam Fang, who was sewing shoe soles, poked her head in: “After the new year, Qinghe will be sixteen. Are you planning to hold a happy event next year and take a son-in-law?”
The Old Madam Pei who had divided the family lived in the thatched huts of the old village. With the stern and bad-tempered Madam Lu there, the old women didn’t dare openly discuss Pei Family Village. When Madam Lu wasn’t around, they couldn’t help whispering a few words.
Madam Feng smiled lightly: “Hard to say. Qinghe trains troops every day and is very busy; she probably doesn’t have that thought yet.”
Madam Feng was making clothes for Pei Qinghe; Madam Fang’s shoe soles would also be sent to her daughter-in-law Bian Shulan.
The other old women did the same. Even though the family was divided, Pei Qinghe was still supporting them. They couldn’t eat free rice; they had to make clothes and shoes to offset the cost.
The finished clothes, shoes, and socks went first to their own daughters-in-law, granddaughters, grandsons. Then to Pei Jia and others who trained bitterly every day. Training troops not only consumed weapons but also wore out clothes, shoes, and socks exceptionally. The old women of the Pei clan were busy every day without respite.
Seeing Madam Lu’s figure approaching, Madam Feng immediately stopped talking.
Madam Fang also quickly changed the topic.
No one dared mention Pei Qinghe in front of Madam Lu.
Madam Lu sat down with a gloomy face, expressionlessly sewing shoe soles. She accidentally pricked her finger, getting impatient and irritable from the pain, and put down her needle and thread. Suddenly, she blurted out: “Gu Lian and Feng Chang have already arrived at Bohai Commandery. Without seeing Pei Family Members, only gifts and a letter; who knows what reaction the new Son of Heaven will have.”
Madam Feng and Wu Xiuniang stayed silent; only Madam Fang responded: “We’ll know when we wait.”
Madam Lu was in a bad mood, glaring fiercely toward the new village as if Pei Qinghe were right there. Then she looked toward Bohai Commandery and let out a long sigh.
……
Feng Chang was also sighing.
Gu Lian grew impatient listening to Feng Chang’s constant sighing and gave him a glare: “Sighing all day is useless. With that time, better think of a method to get the letter presented.”
They had been in Bohai Commandery for four days already. Not to mention the new Son of Heaven, they couldn’t even enter the Zhang Mansion.
Officials loyal to the Eastern Palace were flocking to Bohai Commandery, including military generals bringing troops and magnates bringing large amounts of wealth.
The people waiting to be granted audience with the new Son of Heaven could line up five li long. The Pei Clan had made quite a reputation in Yan Prefecture, but here it counted for nothing. Not even regular army, barely classifiable as rebel army.
One day without presenting the gifts and letter, they had to wait one more day. Waiting like this, who knew how long it would take.
Feng Chang was getting anxious from the wait; Gu Lian was even more urgent and frustrated.
This was her first time taking on an errand. Only by completing it well could she truly catch Sixth Sister Pei’s eye.
“Let’s go to Zhang Mansion again to deliver a calling card.” Feng Chang said lowly: “Prepare a generous gift for Young Master Zhang.”
Gu Lian curled her lip: “The Zhang Family supports the new Son of Heaven with great momentum; who knows how many people seek to see Young Master Zhang every day. Our gift, Young Master Zhang probably won’t care for it.”
Feng Chang was just a private tutor before, with limited experience and no ideas: “Then what to do?”
Gu Lian seemed to think of something, her eyes suddenly lighting up: “I have a method.”
Feng Chang opened his mouth to ask, but Gu Lian wouldn’t say a word, only: “Wait a few days and you’ll know.”
Helpless, Feng Chang could only keep a close eye on Gu Lian’s movements.
Gu Lian didn’t go to Zhang Mansion to deliver a calling card; instead, she wandered in Bohai Commandery’s largest embroidery shop and most expensive jewelry pavilion. Bribing the clerks with silver, soon a clerk brought word: “Miss Zhang is coming to the embroidery shop.”
Gu Lian changed into brand-new clothes and skirt, put on a veil, and waited in the embroidery shop for a day and night, finally welcoming Zhang Jingwan, Miss Zhang.
……
