Chapter 66: Descending The Mountains
The speaking man was not tall in stature and was almost as thin as a stick of dry firewood. At the prime age of just over twenty, his head already had white hair.
Hiding long-term in the mountain forest, enduring hunger and cold, without salt to eat. These refugees were all skinny and had white hair. If things continued like this, they could starve to death or be bitten to death by wild beasts at any moment. It was better to risk it all and seek a way to survive.
Seeking refuge with mountain bandits, they didn’t have the courage for that. Pei Family Village, full of women, was a good destination.
“Women are soft-hearted. If we go to seek refuge, kowtow a few times and shed a few tears, it will work.” The skinny man had been mulling this over in his mind for who knows how long and spoke incessantly: “Worst case, even if they refuse to take us in, they won’t kill us. We go down the mountain, and at most we come back. Let’s give it a try! There’s no loss anyway.”
The refugees looked at each other. The Bearded Man gritted his teeth and agreed: “Good, we’ll listen to you this time.”
One responded, and the other refugees quickly nodded one after another.
They were all but starved to death. As long as Pei Family Village was willing to take them in and give them food, they were willing to work like oxen and horses.
Having made this decision, taking the bear meat felt much more justified. Several refugees carried or shouldered the bloody bear meat back to their dwelling.
This group of refugees totaled more than twenty people. No women, children, or elderly—just men—living in a mountain cave.
Heavy rain for two consecutive days, everyone starving all along. Today they split into three teams to forage for food. One team picked some sour wild fruits, while another unlucky team encountered a venomous snake and two were bitten to death.
No one grieved painfully for their dead companions. They died today; tomorrow it might be one’s own turn. Living one day at a time.
The numb expressions of the refugees changed only upon seeing the bear meat. They rinsed it casually with river water, chopped it into small pieces with a battered cleaver, and roasted it over the fire. Half-raw, they shoved it into their mouths; their hungry stomachs were like bottomless pits.
Several hundred pounds of bear meat was enough to fill the bellies of more than twenty people. With food in their stomachs, their hearts didn’t panic, their hands didn’t shake, and they had the strength to discuss proper matters.
The skinny man stood up and loudly announced they were going to seek refuge in Pei Family Village.
Long-term starvation made all the refugees gaunt and their minds numb. The skinny man had studied for a few years and knew many characters; his mind was the sharpest and he was essentially the leader of this group of refugees.
“Everyone eat your fill, then sleep. Tomorrow we go down the mountain.”
……
In Pei Family Village at this time, there was jubilation.
Pei Qinghe led people into the mountains for hunting and brought back a pile of wild game. This meant everyone could have a good meal tonight, eating meat until full.
Wu Xiuniang worked nimbly, leading over ten women to prepare the wild game. Skinning, gutting, cleaning, then stewing into meat broth, red-braising, or pickling before grilling over fire. The thick, overpowering aroma of meat wafted through the village.
The children cheered and jumped, crowding around the stoves and refusing to leave, sneaking bites now and then. Madam Fang, who was cooking, laughed and cursed while secretly stuffing meat to her granddaughter Xiao Wan’er: “Eat quickly.”
Xiao Wan’er couldn’t bear to finish it in one bite. She bit off half and offered the other half from her mouth to Bian Shulan: “Mom, you eat too.”
Bian Shulan’s belly hadn’t yet swelled, but smelling the meat made her stomach churn uncomfortably. Unwilling to disappoint her daughter, she smilingly took the meat and ate it. As a result, in no time she vomited it all up clean.
Zhao Hai hurriedly ran over to support his wife.
Madam Fang watched this scene and still felt upset inside. But the deed was done, and Pei Qinghe had staunchly backed Bian Shulan; even if she couldn’t stand it, she had to endure.
Madam Li, with only a few teeth left, couldn’t chew meat and instead dipped soft steamed buns in meat broth, eating with relish.
Madam Lu, the toughest-mouthed from head to toe, ate a big bowl of meat with oil dripping from her mouth and stuffed the newly soled shoe sole to her own granddaughter, while complaining: “A pair of shoes doesn’t last half a month. Look at you—not at all like a proper young lady.”
As long as Madam Lu didn’t make trouble, Pei Qinghe didn’t quibble over words and smilingly took the shoe sole: “Grandmother still dotes on me.”
Madam Lu pursed her lips: “The whole family, old and young, relies on you for meals. What else can I do but yield?”
Pei Qinghe grinned and gave a look to Pei Feng and Pei Yue. The two cousin brothers immediately came over and pulled Madam Lu’s hands from both sides.
Madam Lu changed faces instantly, full of kindly affection as she pulled her two precious grandsons to eat meat.
Pei Yan nearby rolled her eyes dramatically: “I just can’t stand Grandmother’s favoritism.”
In Madam Lu’s eyes, Pei Feng and Pei Yue were the apples of her eye, but when it came to her granddaughter, she was harsh and picky, displeased with everything. Pei Qinghe was too powerful for Madam Lu to provoke easily, so the tomboyish Pei Yan became a thorn in Madam Lu’s side, getting scolded every few days.
Pei Qinghe smiled: “Grandmother favors Pei Feng and Pei Yue; I favor you—isn’t that enough?”
One sentence made Pei Yan delighted and content.
Pei Qinghe glanced at Pei Yan’s left arm: “This time you were lucky; the injury isn’t serious. Next time, no more recklessness. No matter when, always protect your own life first.”
When Pei Qinghe put on a stern face, Pei Yan didn’t dare utter a word and nodded obediently.
Pei Yun came over smilingly: “Qinghe, the bear paws and bear skin are all cleaned up.”
Pei Qinghe nodded slightly: “These four bear paws—send two to the Beiping Army for General Meng, and two more to County Magistrate Wang.”
“As for the bear skin, send it to Young Master Shi.”
Pei Yun was somewhat reluctant: “Bear paws are one thing. This intact bear skin is rare; with winter cold coming, it would be great for you to keep for warmth. The Shi Family are influential families and wealthy households; they don’t lack this.”
“What does the Shi Family lack?” Pei Qinghe countered: “Have you thought about why the Shi Family proactively sent grain and befriended us?”
Pei Yun was meticulous, steady, and thoughtful; her only flaw was insufficient worldly experience and scheming. With Pei Qinghe’s hint, Pei Yun understood: “You want Young Master Shi to see your capability, so he’ll continue investing in the Pei Clan.”
Pei Qinghe raised her brows with a smile and patted Pei Yun’s shoulder: “I don’t trust anyone else with this. Cousin Sister Yun, you make the trip.”
Pei Yun cupped her hands and accepted the order.
Early next morning, Pei Yun led a team on horseback out of Pei Family Village.
Pei Qinghe, as usual, led people in martial arts practice and training.
On the wide, level training ground, ten arrow targets were set up.
Everyone formed several ranks, stood firm, pulled bows, and shot arrows.
Pei Qinghe specially ordered a batch of iron arrowheads from the blacksmith, with wooden shafts as arrow bodies. Though not as good as fine iron arrows, they were quite lethal. Women naturally had less strength than men; practicing archery was the best way for self-defense. Pei Qinghe urged everyone to practice archery daily.
At the sound of the bamboo whistle, arrows flew out in unison.
Eight of the ten arrows hit the arrow targets; the other two fell to the ground.
Pei Qinghe’s expression darkened slightly.
The two women who missed were ashamed: “Qinghe, we’re useless…”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
No one could clearly see Pei Qinghe’s movements; only the bowstring rang out three times. Three arrows flew like shooting stars into the mountain forest.
Thuds of landing and cries of agony startled a flock of birds into flight.
