Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 105 Yanshan
The number of bandits captured from various mountain strongholds in Peijia Village is close to four or five hundred. Among them, some must have been to Eagle Stronghold.

Pei Qinghe personally interrogated several bandits who had been to Eagle Village.

The bandits were already terrified of Pei Qinghe. Pei Qinghe answered all their questions without the slightest hesitation, and completely betrayed Eagle Village.

One of the bandits, with a black mole on his face, pleaded hopefully, "Sixth Miss, we used to do evil deeds, but now we know we were wrong. Sixth Miss, could you give us a chance to go into the mountains together and wipe out Eagle Stronghold?"

The other bandits also joined in the plea.

In chaotic times, the strong reign supreme.

They went into the mountains to become bandits simply to make a living. Their leader was killed; why can't they find a new leader?

Pei Qinghe's gaze swept across the faces of the bandits one by one: "Alright, I'll give you a chance. If you make a contribution in attacking Eagle Stronghold, you will become villagers of Pei Family Village from now on."

The bandits were overjoyed and replied repeatedly, "Sixth Miss, just you wait and see! We'll lead the charge and we'll definitely take down Eagle Village."

Pei Qinghe simply selected a group of eager bandits from the four or five hundred prisoners, hoping to redeem themselves through meritorious service, and formed them into three teams. When attacking Eagle Stronghold, the three teams of bandits charged first, while he personally brought up the rear.

The attack on the stronghold resulted in the heaviest casualties. Of the more than one hundred bandits, it was like entering a meat grinder; by the time the gates were breached, less than 30% remained.

Pei Qinghe raised his long sword and led hundreds of men into Eagle Stronghold.

As thick black smoke billowed over Eagle Stronghold, all six bandit groups in the Yanshan Mountains were wiped out. The endless Yanshan Mountains became Pei Liu's territory.

The number of refugees seeking refuge in Peijia Village surged like a spring.

In just two years, Pei Qinghe led his clan to establish themselves, and their fame resounded throughout Youzhou.

Merchants vied to curry favor with Pei Family Village. Of course, there were exceptions.

For example, the wealthy salt merchant Zhan family, relying on their salt smuggling fleet, didn't take Pei Liu's daughter seriously. Even after Pei Liu's daughter spread the word, they still brazenly passed through Pei Family Village without offering any gifts or paying any visit.

Pei Qinghe was too lazy to deal with the Zhan family, and instructed Pei Yun: "Go to the Peng family and Yue family to buy salt, there's no need to go to the Zhan family again."

Pei Yun nodded in agreement.

Just then, Pei Yan rushed over: "Cousin Qinghe! Magistrate Wang has sent someone with a message: the Emperor has passed away!"

……

Emperor Xiaowen lived for more than half a year longer than in his previous life, but he still died in the end.

When the emperor died, the whole country mourned.

In Changping County, the people wept as they dressed in white. Magistrate Wang, hearing the cries coming from outside the county government office, raised his wine cup and drank it down in one gulp.

As Li Shiye poured wine for the magistrate, he said tremblingly, "We are currently in a period of national mourning. The fact that the magistrate is drinking must not be allowed to spread."

Magistrate Wang drank another cup: "What's there to be afraid of? The Crown Prince is dead, the Emperor is dead, and the rebel army has already stormed the capital. Who knows how many more days the Prince of Wei will be able to sit on the throne? At a time like this, who cares about me, the magistrate of Changping County?"

"I'll enjoy myself one day at a time."

"If anything really goes wrong, I'll resign and leave. Someone capable will clean up the mess."

Master Li paused in pouring the wine, glancing cautiously at Magistrate Wang, who was shaking his head: "Does Your Excellency mean to leave the county office to Miss Pei?"

Magistrate Wang glanced at them impatiently: "Who else could it be given to? In just two years, the Pei family has risen to fame. There are now three thousand refugees in Pei Family Village, half of whom are capable of fighting. And the women of the Pei family are all as fierce as tigers. Who in Youzhou doesn't know the reputation of the Sixth Miss Pei?"

“Other counties are far away, but our Changping County is right under Miss Pei’s nose. When she wants to eat, she just has to open her mouth. Who can stop her?” Master Li was rebuffed and said with a sheepish smile, “I’m just indignant on behalf of the magistrate. The magistrate is the official in charge, but now he has to be subservient to her and speak and act according to Miss Pei’s wishes.”

Magistrate Wang sneered: "What's the use of saying all this nonsense? Those rebel armies in Jiangnan have occupied more than ten counties. Everyone in the county government has had their heads chopped off."

"The reason I can still sit comfortably in the county office, drinking fine wine, is because I am sensible and discerning. You have served me for over ten years, and I will definitely take you with me when I leave."

"Sixth Miss Pei is not the kind of person who kills indiscriminately. As long as we behave ourselves, we can always get away unscathed."

This is true.

Master Li roused himself and continued pouring wine, serving Magistrate Wang until he was completely drunk.

Who would have thought that a major incident would occur that very night?

"Your Excellency, it's terrible! A battle report has come from Guangning County: the Xiongnu cavalry are advancing into the pass to raid our territory!"

Dizzy and disoriented, Magistrate Wang vomited, and the sour, foul smell filled the air.

Li, the clerk, pinched his nose and continued to shake the delirious Magistrate Wang: "The Guangning army clashed with the Xiongnu cavalry and suffered a great defeat. The Xiongnu cavalry split into several groups and looted everywhere. One group of cavalry is heading towards our Changping County."

Magistrate Wang shivered and sobered up completely.

"Quickly, go to Pei Family Village and deliver a message. Ask Miss Pei Liu to immediately lead men to guard the county town."

……

Ta-da-da!
The sound of horses' hooves shattered the peace of Peijia Village.

Pei Xuan had been eyeing the horse for a long time, and today she finally mounted it. She pulled on the reins and squeezed the horse's flanks with her legs. The horse neighed and galloped away.

Not to be outdone, Pei Feng spurred his horse and gave chase.

Several older children were also riding horses, their movements were actually a bit clumsy, but they were all full of spirit.

Pei Qinghe stood with his hands behind his back, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The true main force of the Pei family army has always been the women of the Pei family. These young boys in front of us are the future and hope of the Pei family.

Pei Yan rubbed her hands together, eager to try it out: "I'll go for a ride too, and show them what real horsemanship is."

Pei Qinghe smiled and glared at Pei Yan: "You should tone it down. Pei Xuan and Pei Feng are still young, they need to practice riding horses slowly."

Fourteen-year-old Pei Yan had dark skin, a strong and muscular build, and powerful arms. Apart from her thick braid, she didn't look like a girl at all.

Pei Qinghe turned 18 last month. Dressed in simple clothes, carrying a bow and arrow and a long sword, her face was tanned to a light wheat color, and her dark eyes were bright and spirited.

In fact, the women of the Pei family had all undergone considerable changes. Exposed to the sun and rain, practicing martial arts daily, and frequently venturing into the mountains to suppress bandits, they were all like sharp blades tempered by fire. They were no longer delicate and fair-skinned.

Pei Xuan rode her horse around once and rushed to Pei Qinghe first: "Cousin Qinghe, Master Li has arrived in a hurry with his men. I don't know what happened, but I think he was almost crying."

Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow, signaling Pei Xuan to dismount, then mounted her horse and went forward to greet her.

Li, the clerk, had lost his usual affected elegance and looked panicked: "Sixth Miss, something terrible has happened! A group of Xiongnu cavalry is heading towards our Changping County."

(End of this chapter)