Chapter 147: Quanzhou
County Magistrate Ji of Quanzhou County comes from a great southern clan. However, since he came to the Northern Lands to serve as county magistrate, his family far away thousands of miles off could no longer be relied upon.
After the Xiongnu Barbarians were driven off by Sixth Sister Pei, County Magistrate Ji promptly took action, sending people to Pei Family Village with generous gifts to seek protection from Sixth Sister Pei.
Young Master Ji who came today is the eldest son of County Magistrate Ji. Young Master Ji has read extensively since childhood, passed the xiucai examination at fourteen, the juren examination at sixteen, and has the reputation of Ji Child Prodigy.
Unfortunately, the Imperial Court is gone. That King Qiao who occupied the Capital City is busy looting magnates and seizing territory, with no time to care about imperial examinations. Ji Junze, who was originally supposed to shine in this year’s imperial examinations, could only stay obediently in Quanzhou County and was sent by his own father to Pei Family Village to deliver gifts.
Pei Qinghe has always treated magnates who bring gifts with courtesy, and she was especially amiable toward the handsome Young Master Ji.
Even Pei Yan couldn’t help but glance at Young Master Ji a few more times.
Meng Liulang is tall and handsome, Shi Yan is refined and approachable. This Young Master Ji is a scholar, with an air of bookish elegance infused with scholarly fragrance, and a bit shy and bashful. He’s just too pleasing to the eye, too good-looking!
Wait, quickly check on Steward Shi to see if he’s feeling sour or jealous.
Pei Yan turned her head to look at Shi Yan.
Shi Yan, standing at Pei Qinghe’s side, had smiling eyes and was very warm toward Young Master Ji. Once they entered the inner hall and guests and hosts were seated, Steward Shi even personally poured tea for Young Master Ji.
Before coming, Ji Junze had received his father’s instructions and did not dare to underestimate this famous Steward Shi of Youzhou in the slightest. He received the tea bowl with both hands: “Steward Shi is too courteous.”
Shi Yan smiled and said: “I am three years older than Young Master Ji. If Young Master Ji doesn’t mind, let us treat each other as peers, brothers in friendship.”
Ji Junze clearly wasn’t very skilled in social affairs, and compared to the smooth and adept Steward Shi, he immediately appeared green and immature. He was stunned for a moment before Zhang Kou responded.
Pei Qinghe smiled and took over the conversation: “Did County Magistrate Ji have any message for you to bring?”
Ji Junze hurriedly took a letter from his sleeve: “This is a handwritten letter from my father. Please read it, Sixth Sister.”
Shi Yan smoothly took the letter and passed it to Pei Qinghe’s hand.
Pei Qinghe opened the letter, her gaze sweeping over it, quickly reading through the few pages of letter paper.
After Pei Qinghe finished reading the letter, she casually handed it to Shi Yan: “You take a look at County Magistrate Ji’s letter too.”
Pei Yan was displeased and glared at Shi Yan.
Shi Yan immediately gave the letter to Pei Yan: “Miss Yan, you read it first.”
Only then was Pei Yan satisfied. In truth, she didn’t care at all what was written in the letter; she only cared about standing by Cousin Sister Qinghe’s side. Like a pup guarding its food, tightly hugging its own food basin.
Pei Qinghe was amused and exasperated, giving Pei Yan a glance.
Pei Yan skimmed through it carelessly, putting on a show of understanding with an “I get it” expression, then stuffed the letter back to Shi Yan.
Shi Yan read it carefully once: “County Magistrate Ji wants to ask Sixth Sister to send troops to Quanzhou County. Starting this year, all taxes from Quanzhou County will be handed over to Sixth Sister Pei.”
This was a great boon.
This meant that Quanzhou County would also be fully brought under the Pei Family Army.
There was no reason to refuse fat meat delivered to the door.
Pei Qinghe didn’t rush to agree outright and asked: “The Ji family is a great southern clan. Why not seek refuge with the Jiangnan Rebel Army, but instead come to us Pei Family Army?”
Ji Junze’s expression darkened: “I dare not hide it from Sixth Sister. There are over a dozen large and small Jiangnan Rebel Armies. These bandit mobs fly the rebel army banner to loot and kill influential families and wealthy households. Last year, the Ji family was wiped out by one rebel army group, and all the money and grain were robbed.”
“Father fell gravely ill upon hearing the bad news. Whenever he mentions the Jiangnan Rebel Army, he hates them with gritted teeth.”
“Father absolutely refuses to bow to Thief Qiao. The Pei Family Army led by Sixth Sister has strict military regulations, kills mountain bandits and Xiongnu Barbarians, but never harms common people. Everyone in our Quanzhou County hopes the Pei Family Army will come soon.”
With that, he solemnly cupped his hands again: “Father, as county magistrate, must stay at the county office to stabilize popular support and cannot leave his post without authorization. I come on Father’s behalf. Please go to Quanzhou County, Sixth Sister.”
Pei Qinghe thought for a moment: “Sending troops to garrison long-term is no small matter. I must deliberate with everyone before making a decision.”
“Young Master Ji, please stay a few days in Pei Family Village, and allow us to fulfill our host’s hospitality.”
Shi Yan volunteered: “I’ll arrange the accommodations.”
Shi Yan was experienced, smooth, and thorough in his actions. Dealing with the young and inexperienced Young Master Ji was a piece of cake.
Pei Qinghe nodded gladly.
……
Two hours later, everyone gathered in the council hall.
Pei Qinghe got straight to the point: “Quanzhou County has sent a pledge of allegiance, asking me to send troops there. Who among you is willing to go to Quanzhou County?”
Feng Chang wanted to volunteer, but Gu Lian spoke first: “Sixth Sister, let me lead troops there! After I go, just like Miss Yun, I’ll recruit common people to train troops for self-defense, and organize repairs to the city walls and city gate.”
Mao Hongling was concerned about Little Doggy and unwilling to be away long-term. Pei Yan would only follow Pei Qinghe.
Of the rest, Pei Jia and Pei Yi lack sufficient ruthlessness, Fang Datou lacks sufficient smarts and flexibility. Gu Lian was indeed a suitable choice.
Pei Qinghe thus approved: “Alright, you go to Quanzhou County. However, I can only give you two hundred men. After you arrive in Quanzhou County, you can recruit four hundred more for training. With six hundred guarding the county town, even if Xiongnu Barbarians come, you can hold for seven or eight days.”
Gu Lian said cheekily: “Can I recruit six hundred? For the extra two hundred men’s military rations, I’ll figure out a way myself.”
Pei Qinghe gave Gu Lian a faint glance: “Do you plan to kill magnates, or rob the county office?”
Gu Lian’s strength is her boldness and ruthlessness, her weakness is being too bold and striking too hard.
Gu Lian felt a chill in her heart from the look, lowered her head, not daring to meet Pei Qinghe’s eyes: “Sixth Sister, please calm your anger.”
Pei Qinghe’s cold voice rang in Gu Lian’s ear: “The Pei Family Army’s military regulations forbid robbing or killing common people, no killing the innocent indiscriminately. Even magnates must be persuaded as much as possible to willingly offer money and grain.”
“No matter who violates military regulations, I will not spare her.”
Cold sweat broke out on Gu Lian’s back, and she immediately agreed without hesitation.
After the deliberation ended, everyone left, and Pei Qinghe kept Gu Lian alone: “Today I reprimanded you in front of everyone, making you lose face. Do you harbor any resentment?”
Gu Lian knelt down in fear: “This life of mine was given by Sixth Sister. My current status and dignity were also given by Sixth Sister. Even if Sixth Sister asked me to ascend a mountain of blades or descend a sea of fire, I wouldn’t furrow my brow.”
Pei Qinghe looked at Gu Lian, her gaze as if traversing distant time and space, falling on another familiar face etched deeply in her heart.
Once, someone swore a venomous oath to heaven, to follow and be loyal to her forever. But later, this confidant betrayed her, shooting a fatal arrow from behind.
People’s hearts change easily. Even blood relatives cannot be completely united, how could she fully trust Gu Lian?
Gu Lian was chilled to the spine by the look but did not lower her head, mustering courage to meet Pei Qinghe’s eyes: “Words are light and powerless. Loyalty isn’t proven by mouth alone. Please watch and wait patiently, Sixth Sister; I, Gu Lian, will prove my own loyalty.”
