Chapter 81: Lending A Hand
Two days later, Pei Qinghe’s handwritten letter arrived in General Meng’s hands.
“Wolf Fang Stockade sent internal agents to infiltrate Pei Family Village, planning an inside-outside pincer attack to rob and kill. Pei Family Village turned the scheme against them, luring the mountain bandits over.”
“Unfortunately, Pei Family Village had limited personnel and insufficient weapons, failing to achieve complete success. Over thirty mountain bandits escaped. I earnestly request that the general dispatch troops to assist in wiping out Wolf Fang Stockade.”
The letter was accompanied by a detailed topographic map of Wolf Fang Stockade.
General Meng twitched the corner of his mouth and sent someone to summon his youngest son. When Meng Liulang, tall and long-legged with a handsome face, entered the military tent with head held high and chest out, General Meng changed his mind for some reason: “Forget it, this general will go personally.”
Meng Liulang puffed out his chest upon hearing this and said proudly: “A mere Wolf Fang Stockade—why should Father go? I can take three hundred men into the mountains and flatten the mountain bandits!”
General Meng glanced at his son and snorted: “Such big talk! Sixth Sister Pei wanted to keep a low profile and gave you the merit for wiping out Black Bear Stockade. You don’t really think you have that much capability, do you!”
“This Scarred Wolf is a rare master among the mountain bandits, ferocious and cunning, usually hiding deep in the mountains. If he hadn’t been lured down, even Sixth Sister Pei wouldn’t dare rashly enter the mountains to suppress bandits.”
“Don’t I know how much you’re worth? And you dare spout off in front of me!”
Meng Liulang was scolded red-faced by his own father, still unconvinced in his heart but not daring to open his mouth to argue, so he just stood there stiffly.
General Meng ignored him and summoned his eldest and second sons, giving them instructions. The next morning early, he set off with a large amount of supplies.
Pei Qinghe led the Pei Family old and young to welcome them.
General Meng, in his fifties, had a full beard and sharp gaze, exuding the bearing of a general. The young men following at General Meng’s left and right were all in their twenties, with upright postures and faces somewhat resembling Meng Liulang’s.
General Meng’s blade-like gaze fell on Pei Qinghe: “Indeed, heroes emerge from youth.”
This clear and heroic fourteen-year-old girl had capabilities far beyond training troops and killing bandits. She could even plan strategies for the Crown Prince far away across a thousand li, helping the Eastern Palace deal with Prince Wei.
Pei Qinghe smiled and replied: “The general’s prestige is renowned; Qinghe has admired it for a long time. The general coming personally to Pei Family Village today is the fortune of the Pei Family old and young.”
“The general has traveled hard all the way; please enter the village to settle and rest.”
General Meng nodded slightly, dismounted, and his eldest son Meng Dalang personally held the reins for his father.
In fact, Meng Liulang had also come. However, with his father and brothers all present today, Meng Liulang was much more obedient. He followed behind his father and brothers. Even when entering the thatched hall for tea and talk, he had no share, suffocated and standing guard outside the thatched hall.
Pei Yan, likewise guarding outside the thatched hall, grinned.
Meng Liulang quietly glared at Pei Yan.
Meng Dalang frowned: “Sixth Brother, mind your manners.”
Meng Dalang was twenty-eight this year and had been in the barracks for over ten years, seasoned on the battlefield with a steady demeanor. Pei Yan chuckled softly: “Like father, like son; the eldest young master resembles General Meng greatly.”
Meng Liulang glared at Pei Yan again. Who was this implying, with all its subtext?
Mao Hongling, guarding outside the thatched hall, coughed lightly, signaling Pei Yan to restrain herself.
Inside the thatched hut, General Meng sat in the seat of honor. Pei Qinghe poured tea for General Meng. In terms of age, official position, and seniority, General Meng deserved it.
General Meng drank a bowl of plain tea before saying: “Pei Family Village is full of women and children, yet has a large amount of money and grain. I’m afraid there will be plenty of trouble later. The Beiping Army is hundreds of li away; if anything really happens, aid won’t arrive in time.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and picked up the thread: “The general is right. For the Pei Family to stand firm here, we must rely on ourselves.”
General Meng looked at the calm and composed Sixth Sister Pei and inwardly sighed once more that heroes emerge from youth: “Sixth Sister Pei is absolutely right; in this world, the most reliable thing is always oneself.”
Of course, borrow momentum when it should be borrowed; not using a backer is foolish. When it can be demanded, don’t be polite.
Sure enough, Sixth Sister Pei showed a hint of hesitation and difficulty: “With the Shi Family’s assistance, the Pei Family now doesn’t lack grain and can even recruit some refugees. We’re just short on weapons for self-defense.”
The Imperial Court strictly controls ironware. The blacksmith shops in the county town can secretly make some iron arrowheads, but mass-forging weapons is absolutely impossible.
General Meng’s expression remained unchanged: “The barracks have damaged weapons eliminated every year, rusting away in the warehouse. This general brought a batch this time.”
Pei Qinghe’s eyes lit up; she hurriedly stood and bowed with folded hands in thanks: “Many thanks, General.”
General Meng smiled: “Sixth Sister Pei has successively sent military merit to the Beiping Army; this general sending some broken blades and spears is nothing worth mentioning. Oh, right—there are also over ten sets of damaged soft armor that were just sitting useless, so I brought them along as well.”
No need to pretend; upon hearing the word “armor,” Pei Qinghe perked up with joy beaming on her face.
General Meng looked at Sixth Sister Pei with her eyes sparkling bright and smiled again.
General Meng had brought five hundred elite soldiers. All ten large iron pots in Pei Family Village were set up, slaughtering pigs and sheep, stewing meat and boiling soup. They also needed to prepare seven or eight days of dry rations. Madam Fang led the women, busy without touching the ground.
County Magistrate Wang in the county office, upon hearing that General Meng had come personally to Pei Family Village, sobered up from his drunkenness by half: “Quick! Prepare the carriage! This magistrate is going to pay respects to General Meng.”
General Meng was under the Eastern Palace, a fourth-rank military general of the Imperial Court with five thousand elite soldiers under him. County Magistrate Wang didn’t dare act superior at all and rushed over, bumpy all the way.
“This official has seen General Meng.” County Magistrate Wang had no trace of alcohol on him today; his eyes were open, showing some demeanor of a parental official.
General Meng reached out and made a virtual supporting gesture: “County Magistrate Wang, please rise.”
Pei Qinghe bowed with folded hands: “Qinghe has seen the county magistrate.”
County Magistrate Wang smiled: “Sixth Sister Pei, please rise.” Then, in front of General Meng, he praised: “Sixth Sister Pei has fine skills! Last year you sent two bear paws; this official benefited and tasted a rare delicacy of the world.”
General Meng laughed in an elder’s tone: “This general also tasted bear paw; it was indeed delicious.”
He then turned to instruct Pei Qinghe: “Hunt more wild game from the mountains and send some to the county office.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and agreed: “The county magistrate pities the weak and has cared greatly for the Pei Family. Qinghe has always regarded you as an elder.”
County Magistrate Wang immediately smiled: “No outsiders here; Sixth Sister can call me Uncle Wang.”
Pei Qinghe obediently changed her address and conveniently adjusted the one for General Meng as well.
County Magistrate Wang stayed in Pei Family Village for lunch, toured around inside and outside the village, and was quite approving of Pei Family Village, which was mostly built. The county magistrate greatly approved of Pei Family Village building a wall.
There were many fierce beasts in the mountain forest, and even more mountain bandits; a wall was indeed needed.
On departure, Pei Qinghe saw him off all the way and conveniently sent a cart of wild game and two carts of fine wine.
After the sated County Magistrate Wang returned to the county office, he summoned Secretary Li: “How much wasteland is left near Pei Family Village?”
Secretary Li was fully prepared and answered immediately: “Replying to Your Lordship, there are over five hundred mu of wasteland left, adjacent to Pei Family Village.”
County Magistrate Wang flicked his robe sleeve: “Assign it all to Pei Family Village.”
