Chapter 92: Prestigious Name
The news of White Tiger Stockade’s annihilation spread rapidly like wildfire.
The mountain bandits of Clear Wind Stockade, Fierce Dragon Stockade, and Eagle Stockade were terrified out of their wits.
Black Bear’s destruction could be chalked up to rashness and underestimating the enemy. Scarred Wolf’s death was enough to prove Sixth Sister Pei’s formidable strength. This time, White Tiger Stockade had been safely hunkered down in their stronghold, yet Sixth Sister Pei led a group of women up the mountain and uprooted White Tiger Stockade with overwhelming force!
What did this mean?
Yan Mountains were no longer the mountain bandits’ domain. Sixth Sister Pei could lead people up the mountain at any time and wipe them out.
Eagle Stockade, the closest to White Tiger Stockade, was separated by just one hilltop. Eagle Stockade was the first to glimpse the firelight from White Tiger Stockade burning the corpses.
The Great Chieftain, whose nickname was White-headed Eagle with his head full of white hair, sent several mountain bandits to scout the movement. These mountain bandits hid outside White Tiger Stockade for several days, watching helplessly as hundreds of refugees stormed into the stockade with great momentum, then came down the mountain like diligent worker ants, carrying large quantities of money and grain.
Sixth Sister Pei led the group of women out of the stockade last. The mountain bandits crouched in the mountain forest, not daring to move.
Sixth Sister Pei glanced over from afar, suddenly sneered, drew her bow, and shot. The arrow was swift as lightning, arriving in an instant. One mountain bandit was hit in the chest, let out a miserable scream, and fell heavily from the tree, a pool of blood forming beneath him.
The remaining mountain bandits were utterly terrified, desperately shrinking their bodies amid the dense branches and leaves.
Pei Yan raised an eyebrow and sneered: “I’ll take people and wipe out those few.”
Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “No need. Let them watch.”
Then, bring the fear of Pei Family Village back to their stockade.
Those secretly sending people to spy on the movement were not just Eagle Stockade, but also people from Clear Wind Stockade and Fierce Dragon Stockade. The refugees of Pei Family Village had to transport large amounts of money, grain, and supplies, moving at less than half the speed they had come.
However, with Sixth Sister Pei personally overseeing, the refugees felt completely at ease. Knowing full well that mountain bandits were spying in secret, they weren’t the least bit afraid.
These mountain bandits only dared to watch from afar, not daring to get close. Sixth Sister Pei’s arrows were godlike; over the days descending the mountain, she shot and killed several mountain bandits.
Six mountain bandits from Eagle Stockade went out, but only three returned.
These three were all scared witless and eagerly described Sixth Sister Pei’s many terrifying traits: “Boss, this Sixth Sister Pei is simply the God of Slaughter. Whoever dares to get close, she lifts her bow and shoots them.”
“Most of the people in White Tiger Stockade were killed by her, and the rest were tied up as captives.”
“We absolutely must not provoke Pei Family Village from now on. Otherwise, we’ll be the ones getting our stockade annihilated.”
Eagle Stockade had the fewest people; not to mention compared to White Tiger Stockade, even the first to be wiped out, Black Bear Stockade, was stronger than Eagle Stockade.
“Boss, from now on, let’s just hide in the stockade and not come down casually…”
White-headed Eagle grew irritated listening, looked up, and slapped the alarmist mountain bandit across the face: “We’re mountain bandits—what do we eat and drink if we don’t rob and kill?”
“All of you, get back and stay put!”
The more than twenty women in Eagle Stockade, however, were full of hope, huddling together and whispering: “When will Sixth Sister Pei come to suppress Eagle Stockade?”
“The women from Black Bear Stockade and Wolf Fang Stockade are now living in Pei Family Village. Sixth Sister Pei treats them very well. I hear they can even take a son-in-law and have children.”
“I heard that Gu Lian from Black Bear Stockade is highly favored by Sixth Sister Pei and is now a leader.”
“If only someone could lead the way for Sixth Sister Pei.”
……
Ten days later, Pei Qinghe led the crowd out of the mountain forest, with Pei Family Village coming into view in the distance. The Pei Clan women were in high spirits, their brows relaxed. The group of refugees were also excitedly whispering among themselves.
“We’re finally back in the village.”
“This time we gained a lot. Following Sixth Sister, we won’t go hungry.”
“Sixth Sister just lifted a hand and wiped out the largest White Tiger Stockade. With only three stockades left, they should burn incense and pray Buddha that Sixth Sister doesn’t miss them!”
The last sentence was said with chest puffed out and face full of pride.
No matter how chaotic the world, the chaos wouldn’t reach Pei Family Village. With Sixth Sister Pei there, they had food to eat, clothes to wear, houses to live in, and fields to farm.
Pei Yun led everyone out to welcome them. The refugees, exhausted from carrying money and grain all the way, somehow found the strength, and many persisted in continuing to carry their loads.
This clean and decisive great victory completely won the refugees’ loyalty.
Pei Yun hurried forward, her nerves taut for a month finally relaxing: “Qinghe cousin sister, you’ve finally returned.”
From Pei Qinghe leading people up the mountain, to achieving great victory, and then returning with massive spoils, it was exactly one month.
During this month, Pei Yun had taken on the clan leader’s duties, not daring to slack for a day. Her eyes were bruised; she hadn’t slept well for many nights in a row.
Pei Qinghe reached out and patted Pei Yun’s shoulder, saying softly: “You’ve worked hard.”
Pei Yun sighed softly: “Only now do I realize the heavy responsibility the Pei Clan Leader bears. The truly hardworking one is you.”
Pei Yan sidled over, chuckling: “We’re family—what’s with the polite talk? Is there anything good to eat? I haven’t had a proper meal in so many days; I’m starving.”
Pei Yun smiled faintly: “It’s all prepared long ago. Hurry back to the village, everyone eat your fill.”
Today they steamed white steamed buns, with plenty of fragrant braised pork.
The large haul of money and grain from suppressing White Tiger Stockade was sent into the newly built storeroom. Wu Xiuniang didn’t even finish her meal before heading to the storeroom, leading a few people to tally and account, her grinning mouth never closing.
After Pei Qinghe ate and drank her fill, she returned to her room to bathe, changed into clean clothes, gathered more than twenty people, and took a wooden box out of Pei Family Village again.
Pei Qinghe had just left when County Magistrate Wang personally arrived right after.
With Pei Qinghe away, Pei Yun came out to greet County Magistrate Wang. In the past, Pei Yun had often gone to the county office to deliver wine and build relations, quite familiar with Secretary Li.
Now, Secretary Li showed no arrogance at all, bowing and smiling obsequiously to Pei Yun, extremely respectful: “Sixth Sister Pei annihilated White Tiger Stockade, removing a great scourge for Changping County’s common people. The County Magistrate has come personally to reward Sixth Sister Pei.”
Pei Yun smiled and replied: “White Tiger Stockade robbed the Shi Family’s grain. Qinghe cousin sister then led people up the mountain and uprooted White Tiger Stockade. Unfortunately, she just took Luo Hu’s head to the Shi Family. Otherwise, shall I send someone to call her back?”
“No need, no need!” County Magistrate Wang said amiably, extremely kind and gentle: “Sixth Sister Pei has important business; this county magistrate won’t disturb her further. Sixth Sister Pei has merit in bandit suppression; this county magistrate will return to the county office and write a memorial to request rewards for her.”
Pei Yun said according to Pei Qinghe’s instruction: “The Pei Clan is of a criminal minister and shouldn’t seek such limelight. It was the County Magistrate who sent people up the mountain for bandit suppression. When reporting to the Imperial Court, the County Magistrate mustn’t be too modest.”
County Magistrate Wang perked up, turned to instruct Secretary Li: “Quickly bring the deed.” Then, beaming at Pei Yun: “This plot of wasteland, about a thousand mu, is just a bit far from Pei Family Village. Please pass it on to Sixth Sister Pei.”
