Chapter 152: Seek Refuge
Recalling the hardships and difficulties along the road, even the tough Captain Sun’s eyes reddened, and his voice gradually became hoarse: “These brothers have all followed me for many years. I didn’t want to go to Qinzhou, but they followed me without a word and became deserters. Along the way, we endured wind and slept outdoors, never having a full meal. They didn’t die on the road but died at the hands of the Bohai Navy.”
“I couldn’t even collect their bodies for them and could only flee in panic to Youzhou to seek refuge with Sixth Sister Pei.”
“Sixth Sister Pei is willing to take us in and even gave me face in front of everyone. I am endlessly grateful. From today on, this life of mine, Captain Sun’s, belongs to Sixth Sister Pei.”
Captain Sun knelt down with a resolute expression and kowtowed three times to Pei Qinghe.
Pei Qinghe did not stop him. After Captain Sun kowtowed and pledged his loyalty, she reached out to help him up: “From today on, you are a man of the Pei Family Army.”
“As long as I, Pei Qinghe, am here for one day, none of you will go hungry.”
“The current situation is chaotic, and war could break out at any moment. You are skilled at leading troops in battle, but after all, you have just arrived, and Feng Chang and the others are not yet convinced of you. First, lead one camp of hundred men, and let everyone see your capability in leading troops in battle.”
Fang Datou was a battalion commander with a hundred men under him. Feng Chang and the others were the same.
With Captain Sun’s arrival, being able to lead one camp of people right away was already an exception and preferential treatment.
Captain Sun knew what was what and cupped his hands in response: “I’ll skip the boastful words. In short, Sixth Sister Pei, just watch my performance from now on.”
Fang Datou had been waiting at a distance. After Captain Sun finished pledging his loyalty and came over, Fang Datou led Captain Sun’s group to settle in.
More than twenty people were assigned to three houses, with new beds and bedding. Lying on clean beds covered with soft bedding, the soldiers were so happy they nearly cried.
“Today feels just like a dream.”
“Isn’t it? When Boss said we were coming to seek refuge with Pei Family Village, I was full of doubts. Only today do I realize how wise Boss’s decision was.”
“Don’t call me Boss anymore.” Captain Sun’s voice rang out: “From now on, we are all in the Pei Family Army and only obey Sixth Sister Pei’s orders.”
The soldiers had all followed Captain Sun for many years and responded with a roar. One of them couldn’t help saying: “That silly Fang Datou is now a battalion commander and still highly regarded and trusted by Sixth Sister Pei. If we perform well from now on, can we also become commanders like him?”
As soon as these words were spoken, all the soldiers’ minds became active.
Fang Datou was a blockhead who was often bullied and mocked by everyone in the past. Three years ago, he lost his right arm and became a cripple. It was Captain Sun who pleaded, and only then did Sixth Sister Pei keep Fang Datou.
Who could have thought that in just three short years, Pei Family Village had become the Pei Family Army, and Sixth Sister Pei’s prestige had spread far and wide. Fang Datou had risen with the tide, looking all proper now. The soldiers watched with both envy and eagerness.
Captain Sun glared at the talkative one: “Datou has been following Sixth Sister Pei from the start and is loyal and devoted, deeply trusted by Sixth Sister Pei. Even Feng Chang and the others respect Datou a lot. Don’t rely on past friendship to mock him wantonly. If you damage Datou’s face, I won’t spare you.”
The talkative soldier shut his mouth awkwardly.
Captain Sun softened his tone again: “You’ve all seen the current state of the Pei Family Army—most are refugees. We’ve been in the barracks for so many years, and battle is a common occurrence for us. Are we really inferior to them? Train hard, show Sixth Sister Pei your capabilities and skills, and worry not about lacking prospects in the future?”
A few words stirred everyone’s blood to boil, and they fantasized for a long time before each going to sleep.
……
Pei Qinghe returned to her room in a cheerful mood,
Pei Yan often had the cheek to come borrow the bed, and she came again tonight.
Seeing Pei Qinghe so delighted, Pei Yan was somewhat puzzled: “Captain Sun only brought more than twenty men, at most adding more than twenty skinny horses and tattered weapons. Why be so happy about that? Pei Family Village now has people coming to seek refuge every day.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and rolled her eyes at Pei Yan: “Can’t you use your brain a little? The refugees seeking refuge with Pei Family Village are all sallow-faced and emaciated, nearly starved to death. They come for a bite to eat. I have to spend grain first to fatten them up for months before they barely look human. Then train them for a year or so before they can be barely usable.”
“Captain Sun’s group are all veteran soldiers who have fought in battles. Once they fully adapt and integrate into the Pei Family Army, they will be ready-made small leaders.”
“The Pei Family Army doesn’t lack idlers who eat without working; what it lacks are talents who know how to lead troops and fight.”
Pei Yan suddenly understood: “No wonder you deliberately elevated Captain Sun today! I saw Feng Chang and the others looking unconvinced. You’re not trying to provoke them to compete on purpose, are you?”
Pei Qinghe smiled leisurely: “You finally used your brain.”
“Exactly, I want to elevate Captain Sun. Let everyone see that those with capability can rise immediately in the Pei Family Army. No need to grind through years for seniority.”
“Appropriate competition is also beneficial for enhancing the army’s combat power.”
“When you take charge of a sector in the future, you must also learn to manage your subordinates. Let them compete, and balance them from the middle to control them.”
Pei Yan stretched lazily and yawned: “I’m sleepy, I’m going to sleep first.”
Pei Qinghe was both annoyed and amused, reaching out to pinch Pei Yan’s ear: “You’ve heard what I taught you. In the future, our territory will grow larger, and the people around me will have to go out for training one by one. First Pei Yun, then Gu Lian, and next if people from the county town come to seek refuge, I’ll have Second Sister-in-law and you go.”
Pei Yan didn’t mind her ear being pinched and painlessly rubbed her fluffy head over: “Second Sister-in-law goes first, and there’s Feng Chang. Pei Jia, Pei Yi, Fang Datou can all be sent out. The new Captain Sun is also good. I’ll just stay by your side forever, accompanying you in charging and killing enemies.”
Pei Qinghe was both annoyed and amused; the hand pinching her ear naturally slid over and stroked Pei Yan’s head: “Fine, I’ll keep you for two more years. I don’t know when you’ll wise up, stop relying on brute force and start using your brain—it’s really worrying me to death.”
Pei Yan only heard what she wanted to hear and grinned happily.
A day in Pei Family Village starts with eating breakfast.
Right at mao hour, everyone lined up on time to get food.
Captain Sun’s group did not attract too much attention. Refugees seeking refuge with Pei Family Village came continuously, with almost new faces every day.
Captain Sun’s limp was not severe; it wasn’t noticeable when standing, and only slightly so when walking. Everyone curiously glanced once and quickly looked away, eagerly eyeing the steaming bamboo baskets.
Grain was never abundant; the white flour in the mixed flour steamed buns was decreasing, with more coarse grain mixed in. To improve the taste, Bian Shulan added some sugar. The rough mixed flour steamed buns had a faint sweet flavor when eaten.
After breakfast, the children went to read, the farmers went farming, and the kitchen busied itself preparing for lunch. Pei Qinghe then led troops to the training ground for training.
Feng Chang subtly glanced at Captain Sun.
Captain Sun smiled mockingly to himself and returned the look without a change in expression.
