Chapter 73: Magnates
Meng Liulang pretended to casually stroll to the New Village.
From far away, he saw Sixth Sister Pei chatting happily with Young Master Shi, both smiling warmly.
Meng Liulang felt deeply indignant in his heart. He remembered the time for the winter wheat harvest and had specially brought people to Pei Family Village, conveniently also bringing a batch of grain. Why was Sixth Sister Pei so attentive and warm toward Young Master Shi?
“Sixth Young Master, the grain we brought is just enough for these few days. The grain Young Master Shi sent is enough for Pei Family’s rations for a year.” The annoying voice of his personal soldier rang in his ear: “Not to mention Sixth Sister Pei, even our general would have to greet such magnates with a smile.”
Meng Liulang glared at him furiously: “Shut your dog mouth.”
The personal soldier chuckled: “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll shut up right now.”
Meng Liulang wanted to stroll over, but the personal soldier reached out and grabbed his sleeve. Meng Liulang glared again. The personal soldier stayed silent and didn’t let go.
This personal soldier was originally General Meng’s man and had been by Meng Liulang’s side for two years. Whatever outrageous thing Meng Liulang did would reach General Meng’s ears within half a day.
Meng Liulang couldn’t and didn’t dare go too far, and said angrily: “Let go, speak.”
The personal soldier was very obedient, letting go first before saying in a low voice: “Before Sixth Young Master came, the general specially instructed not to stir up trouble casually and to respect Sixth Sister Pei. Sixth Sister Pei is currently hosting an honored guest, so Sixth Young Master should avoid for now.”
“A mere merchant, what honored guest.” Meng Liulang’s words were sharp: “If Pei Family hadn’t fallen on hard times, Shi Family would have to submit a card and wait in line just to pay a visit.”
The personal soldier agreed: “Yes. In the past, even if Sixth Young Master went to Pei Family, he’d have to submit a card and wait in line.”
Meng Liulang: “…”
“Times are different now! To feed such a big family, plus the refugees they’ve taken in, if they aren’t fed full, how could they stay willingly.” The personal soldier was very familiar with his own Sixth Young Master’s temper and softened his tone: “What Pei Family needs most right now is grain. With magnates like Shi Family investing, Sixth Sister Pei naturally has to greet them warmly.”
“Too realistic.” Meng Liulang muttered.
The personal soldier sighed: “High principles can’t be exchanged for grain.”
Meng Liulang was finally persuaded to go back.
By evening, Sixth Sister Pei sent someone to invite Meng Liulang for dinner. Meng Liulang’s mood improved slightly, he straightened his clothes, and went unhurriedly.
Pei Family Village had over two hundred old and young, plus the refugee bricklayers doing work and the refugees taken in, as well as Shi Yan’s group and Meng Liulang’s group of soldiers, totaling four hundred people.
Madam Fang and the others cooking today put in extra effort. In five steaming large iron pots, cabbage stewed meat and stewed noodles emitted an intoxicating aroma. Mixed flour steamed buns dipped in meat broth were deliciously fragrant.
The soldiers were used to squatting together to eat in the barracks, boasting while eating, nothing unusual. The handsome-faced Meng Liulang buried his head and ate heartily; Young Master Shi was not delicate either, similarly holding a rice bowl and squatting beside Pei Qinghe.
Pei Qinghe had a good appetite, eating three steamed buns in a row.
Meng Liulang was even more like a glutton, eating five steamed buns and two bowls of meat and vegetables. Occasionally glancing at Shi Yan, who ate more delicately and gracefully than a woman, he felt some disdain in his heart.
Shi Yan said to Pei Qinghe: “I’ve been weak since childhood, so I eat in moderation, chewing slowly.”
Pei Qinghe chuckled lightly: “Young Master Shi’s appetite isn’t even half of mine; you’re easy to feed.”
Meng Liulang withdrew his hand holding the steamed bun and set down his bowl.
Pei Qinghe finally noticed Young General Meng’s unhappy handsome face: “Has Young General Meng eaten his fill already? I remember you ate six last night.”
Meng Liulang kept his handsome face stern: “I’m not a glutton.”
Shi Yan smiled and picked up the thread: “Those who practice martial arts eat a lot to have strength. My greatest regret in life is that I cannot practice martial arts. Young General Meng and Sixth Sister Pei are both martial arts geniuses, which really makes me envious.”
Meng Liulang finally gave him a proper look: “Young Master Shi has never practiced martial arts?”
Youzhou was bitterly cold, with fierce local customs and a strong martial tradition. Never having practiced martial arts was like being illiterate in large characters in the culturally prosperous Jiangnan.
Shi Yan’s regret was absolutely genuine: “Yes, I had a severe illness as a child, and my grandfather spent a fortune hiring a famous Youzhou doctor to nurse me for three years before barely raising me. I cannot practice martial arts, nor ride fast horses.”
Wasn’t this half-crippled!
Meng Liulang’s anger suddenly subsided, a hint of sympathy in his eyes: “A man who can’t ride horses, practice martial arts, wield a blade, or shoot arrows—life is too boring.”
Shi Yan sighed lightly: “So, what I love most in life is making friends with young heroes. Sixth Sister Pei’s archery is unmatched and her blade techniques superb; Young General Meng excels at riding and shooting and leading troops in battle. To befriend you two is the greatest fortune of my life, Shi Yan.”
“I know nothing about military strategy in the barracks. Would Young General Meng tell me some to broaden my horizons?”
Meng Liulang casually said a few things. Shi Yan frequently expressed amazement and praise, always scratching the right itch with his words. A flash of self-satisfaction appeared in Meng Liulang’s eyes, and unknowingly he said more.
Pei Qinghe secretly laughed in her heart. Young Master Shi was the same age as Meng Liulang, but in experience and handling affairs, he could outmatch him by ten li at least.
After dinner, Pei Family Village as usual began reading and studying.
Gu Lian and Feng Chang started from the simplest literacy. Pei Jia and a few others were recognizing characters. Children like Pei Feng and Pei Xuan were reading. Pei Yan and others were reading military books.
Pei Qinghe was also reading military books. The family-passed-down Pei Family military strategy included ways to train troops and lead troops, methods to observe heavenly timing, and strategies for camping and fortifying. Dozens of pages of military books condensed the wisdom and effort of several generations of Pei Family.
Shi Yan said in a low voice: “Sixth Sister Pei has the ambition of a swan.”
Dong Dalang was also a witty one, Zhang Kou responding: “Otherwise, why would the young master come?”
Dong Erlang smiled and chimed in: “Exactly. The young master has to manage thousands of mu of fields and thousands of tenant farmers, oversee dozens of grain stores. When busy, he doesn’t return home for one or two months. Yet he specially took a few days to come to Pei Family Village. It shows how much he values Sixth Sister Pei.”
Under the candlelight, Young Master Shi smiled faintly: “Stop with the cheeky talk. Do the errands I assigned you tomorrow.”
The next morning, the Dong Brothers rode horses to Changping County. Pei Family Village was about to undertake major construction, building houses and walls, so they needed to go to the county office in advance to make arrangements.
Dong Dalang prepared fine wine to send to the county office. Dong Erlang went to buy wood, bricks and tiles, and find artisans; all sorts of trifles, no need to detail.
When Pei Qinghe asked about the Dong Brothers’ whereabouts, Shi Yan casually smiled: “I sent them on an errand; they should be back in a couple of days.”
Without seeking credit for it.
Pei Qinghe took note in her heart and grew even warmer and closer to Young Master Shi: “We’re practicing archery today; does the young master want to watch?”
Shi Yan was eager: “I can’t practice martial arts, but I did practice archery for a few days. Today is perfect to seek advice from Sixth Sister Pei.”
Meng Liulang appeared out of nowhere: “I’ll guide you in practicing archery.”
Shi Yan smiled gladly: “If Young General Meng is willing to guide me, nothing could be better.”
