Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 106 Offense and Defense
Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with a cold light, and she said in a deep voice, "Don't panic, explain clearly what happened."

How could I not panic?

With a mournful face, Master Li recounted the story of the Xiongnu cavalry entering the pass to raid for supplies. He emphasized the utter defeat of the Guangning army and the horrific scene of the Xiongnu cavalry burning, killing, and looting everywhere.

"...I heard that there were seven or eight thousand Xiongnu cavalry. After several rounds of charging, they broke the morale of the Guangning army. After the Guangning army was defeated, these Xiongnu cavalry split into several groups. One of them has already reached Anle County."

“Anle County is only three days’ journey from our Changping County. These cavalry have already stormed into Anle County. After a few days of turmoil, our Changping County will be next.”

"Changping County only has a few dozen city gate guards, which is no match for the Xiongnu. Now, the only ones who can save the people are the Pei family army."

Master Li bowed deeply, almost bending his waist to the ground: "Please, Miss Pei, take your men into the county town immediately."

Pei Yan was filled with excitement: "Cousin Qinghe, let's go now!"

Pei Qinghe remained calm, glancing over and asking, "If we leave, what will happen to Pei Family Village?"

Pei Yan was taken aback.

Pei Xuan, who was standing nearby, quickly chimed in: "The village was only built six months ago, and the walls were only really finished last month. The newly built warehouses are full of grain, cured meat, and gold and silver. We can bring people into the county town, but we can't bring these things."

“Pei Xuan is right, we can’t leave.” Nine-year-old Pei Feng was much more mature than Pei Yan: “This is the new home that the Pei family has spent two years building. It is the foundation of our Pei family. We can’t just abandon it like this. Let’s stay in Pei Family Village.”

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with a smile as she reached out and touched Pei Xuan's braids, then affectionately rubbed Pei Feng's handsome little face: "Reading every day and teaching you all the time has indeed been somewhat useful."

"Unlike some people, who can be taught a hundred or a thousand times but still don't use their brains when faced with a problem."

Pei Yan was used to being scolded, and without batting an eye, she replied with a grin, "I was just saying that casually, don't take it seriously. I'll do whatever you say."

Hearing this, Master Li became anxious and stepped forward: "Sixth Miss Pei, the magistrate has always treated you well! Now that Changping County is in trouble and tens of thousands of people are about to suffer, Sixth Miss Pei, you have a compassionate heart, you can't just ignore this!"

Pei Qinghe twitched the corners of her mouth, her words calm and almost cold: "I, Pei Qinghe, do not have the heart of a bodhisattva. Nor do I have such great power; I can only protect my own family. The magistrate of Changping County is surnamed Wang, not Pei."

Before arriving, Li, the clerk, had been instructed by Magistrate Wang to bring this important figure into the county town no matter what. He immediately chimed in, "The magistrate said that as long as Miss Pei leads the people to defend the county town, Changping County will belong to Miss Pei from now on. The magistrate will resign his post and leave the entire county government and county town intact to Miss Pei."

Pei Yan got excited again: "Oh my! Isn't this just like a pillow coming right out of my sleep?"

Pei Qinghe glared at him as he retorted to what he was about to say.

Pei Feng grabbed Pei Yan's wrist and said, "Cousin Yan, let's go horseback riding over there." He then dragged the inconvenient Pei Yan away.

Master Li continued to plead earnestly.

Pei Qinghe made a show of it before reluctantly agreeing: "Please go back first, Master Li. Defending the county is no small matter. I need to discuss it with everyone before making a decision."

Who doesn't know that Pei Qinghe is the patriarch of the Pei clan, whose word is law? Big or small matters, Pei Qinghe can decide with a single word. Now he's suddenly become humble and democratic.

Li Shiye thought to himself, but dared not show it on his face. He clung to the ground like a leech, saying, "I'll wait here for news from the Sixth Miss."

……

Half an hour later, the council hall was filled with people. Pei Yun, Pei Yan, Mao Hongling, Wu Xiuniang, and the young Pei Xuan and Pei Feng were all direct descendants of the Pei family. Pei Jia, Pei Yi, Fang Datou, Feng Chang, and Gu Lian were confidants whom Pei Qinghe had personally promoted. Several others who joined later were displaced people who had distinguished themselves in suppressing mountain bandits, as well as several men from Beiping who had married into the Pei family. They also participated in this important decision-making process.

Pei Qinghe explained the whole story in a few words and stated his position: "We must first defend Pei Family Village, and then help Magistrate Wang defend the county seat."

Mao Hongling, lacking courage, whispered, "We have quite a few men, but most of them are refugees who have only been trained for about half a year. They are barely considered new recruits who have seen blood. How can they be a match for the Xiongnu cavalry?"

Magistrate Wang's intelligence was lagging behind; Peijia Village now had over four thousand refugees. Of these, about a thousand were capable of fighting. Including the women of the Pei family, the main force numbered over twelve hundred. The remaining three thousand refugees could understand simple commands and, if unable to charge, could barely hold their own in defending the village when necessary.

Pei Yun clearly understood Pei Qinghe better, and said, "Pei Family Village must be defended, and Changping County must also be defended. Once Changping County is breached, our Pei Family Village will have no shield."

"Furthermore, since Magistrate Wang has offered to hand over Changping County to us, wouldn't it be a great pity not to take it?"

These words indeed hit the nail on the head regarding Pei Qinghe's thoughts.

Pei Qinghe smiled at Pei Yun, then said in a deep voice, "The Xiongnu have now entered Anle County and will be looting and killing for at least a few days. We still have time to make arrangements."

"We split our forces into two groups, one to guard the county town and the other to stay behind in Peijia Village."

The one who took over the county town was naturally Pei Qinghe.

The choice of who would stay behind in Peijia Village was obvious; it was between Pei Yun and Mao Hongling.

Mao Hongling was quite self-aware: "I lack courage. I'm fine guarding the village on ordinary days, but at times like this, it's better to let Pei Yun stay behind!"

Pei Yun didn't mince words: "Then I'll stay and stay in Pei Family Village."

Pei Qinghe nodded, glanced around, and pointed to a few people: "Pei Jia, Pei Yi, Fang Datou, the three of you stay in the village and obey Pei Yun's orders in everything."

"The rest of you, come with me to the county town."

Everyone bowed and agreed.

The population of Pei Family Village expanded rapidly and was constantly being reorganized. Pei Qinghe deliberately dispersed his fellow refugees, forming teams of ten, with the most skilled among them serving as team leaders. Ten teams formed a battalion, and all those qualified to lead a battalion were here.

There are now twelve battalions in total. Pei Qinghe took eight battalions with him, which is eight hundred people. Although only four battalions remain, there are still more than three thousand refugees, so Pei Family Village has an extremely sufficient manpower.

An hour later, Pei Qinghe led eight hundred men to appear before Master Li.

Master Li was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears, and he almost knelt down before Pei Qinghe.

Pei Family Village had only a little over a hundred horses, all of which came in handy this time. Pei Qinghe led the way, with Pei Yan and Mao Hongling flanking him. The women of the Pei family followed on horseback, their figures full of vigor and vitality.

Feng Chang, Gu Lian, and the others each led a battalion of men, marching forward at a brisk pace, not slowing down in the slightest.

When we arrived at the gate of Changping County, it was not yet completely dark.

Magistrate Wang personally came out to greet him, and dozens of city gate guards bowed their heads and obeyed his orders, welcoming Pei Qinghe into the city together.

(End of this chapter)