Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 71 Betting (Part 1)

Inside Shijiabao.

Grandpa Shi stared in disbelief at the perfectly smooth black bear skin before him: "You mean, Miss Pei fought and killed a black bear all by herself?"

Shi Yan nodded: "Yes, if Grandfather doesn't believe me, he can call Miss Pei Yun over and ask her carefully."

Doing so is actually quite rude.

Old Master Shi was so shocked that he disregarded etiquette and invited Pei Yun over.

Pei Yun was slender and beautiful. Her fair skin had darkened slightly from daily martial arts practice. Her speech and actions were decisive and efficient.

When delivering the bear paw to the county government, he mentioned it four times. He mentioned it three times in front of General Meng and his son from the Beiping Army. Pei Yun was already mentally prepared when she entered Shijiabao.

Pei Yun did not exaggerate or embellish; she simply and plainly recounted the events of that day when Pei Qinghe went into the mountains to fight the black bear.

The experienced old master Shi could naturally tell the truth from the falsehood, and he couldn't help but gasp, praising Pei Liu's unparalleled bravery.

Imagining the girl's valiant figure fighting the black bear, Shi Yan felt a surge of warmth and inexplicable excitement. After Pei Yun took her leave, Shi Yan said to Old Master Shi, "Sixth Miss Pei will be no ordinary person in the future. Grandfather, I want to go to Pei Family Village again."

I went there before to build good karma.

This time, going again is a real investment and a bet.

Old Master Shi glanced at his beloved grandson, whose eyes were shining brightly: "You'd better think this through. The Shi family has a reputation for benevolence and kindness in Youzhou. Sending some grain to the Pei family is no big deal. Even if something happens to the Pei family, it won't affect the Shi family. If you bet heavily on Miss Pei, you might lose everything."

Do you really think the Shi family is doing good deeds? All their efforts are for the sake of getting something in return. If not now, then later.

Shi Yan looked up and met the gaze of Grandfather Shi: "Grandfather, I trust my judgment and intuition."

“Sixth Miss Pei is destined for great things. Now is the time when the Pei family is at its weakest and most in need of assistance. Investing now is a wise move to recognize a hero. When Sixth Miss Pei rises to prominence, our Shi family will reap countless benefits.”

Old Master Shi chuckled and said, "What if you're wrong about it, or you're wrong about it too?"

Shi Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled: "I believe I won't misjudge people."

The grandfather and grandson stared at each other for a long time.

After pondering for a long time, Old Master Shi said, "You should get engaged first, then go to Pei Family Village."

Shi Yan refused without hesitation: "I have no plans to get married at the moment."

Old Master Shi's brow twitched, and his expression darkened: "Our Shi family has had only one son for three generations. Your father died young, and now you are the only heir left. Getting married and having children to carry on the family line is your most important task right now. Nothing is more important than this."

“You value Miss Pei the Sixth and want to place a heavy bet in Pei Family Village. I won’t stop you. However, you must first get engaged, and the marriage should be held after the New Year, so that you can marry your cousin from the Wang family.”

Shi Yan replied briefly, "I have no plans to get married for the time being."

Old Master Shi was furious. He slammed his cane down heavily, making a loud thud: "The Wang family is a prominent family in Youzhou. They own more than a dozen silk shops and employ hundreds of embroiderers. They are a perfect match for our Shi family. Mengyi is your cousin from your maternal uncle's side. She is beautiful and has a good figure. She has been good at accounting and managing the household since she was a child."

"What could you possibly want from such a wonderful girl? Go and propose marriage right now!"

Shi Yan said, "I didn't say my cousin was bad. I have no plans to get married for the time being."

Grandpa Shi was furious and raised his cane to strike: "You scoundrel! Don't think I can't see through your little scheme! Let me tell you, you'd better give up on that idea as soon as possible." The cane was raised high and then gently brought down.

This was their only son, and from a young age he would ride on their head, pulling their hair and beard. The grandfather, afraid his grandson wouldn't do it, would happily offer his head. They spoiled him like the apple of their eye, how could they bear to really hit him?

Shi Yan didn't move an inch and endured several blows.

Even so, Old Master Shi was still furious. He threw down his cane and cursed, "You scoundrel! I've taught you before that no matter when or where, you must take care of your own health first. If I make a move, can't you dodge or run away? I don't know my own strength when I'm angry. What if I hurt you?"

Shi Yan said sincerely, "I was disobedient and disrespectful to my grandfather. It is only right that my grandfather disciplined me. How could I shirk my responsibility?"

Then he stepped forward, helped the fuming old man Shi to sit down, poured a cup of warm tea from the teapot, and handed it to him.

After drinking a cup of tea and being coaxed, Old Master Shi's anger subsided considerably.

However, Old Master Shi insisted on his own opinion and refused to budge.

Shi Yan didn't confront or argue directly. While giving perfunctory answers, he prepared a large amount of supplies, took dozens of people, and went to Peijia Village again.

This is the time to harvest winter wheat.

In the reclaimed wasteland of Peijia Village, sparse wheat stalks were adorned with slightly shriveled ears of wheat. Dozens of strong men wielded sickles, diligently harvesting the winter wheat.

Shi Yan looked at the group of strong men from afar, seemingly lost in thought: "These are all from the Beiping Army."

Dong Dalang, a trusted follower, peeked out and then whispered a reminder: "Not all of them. The twenty or so over there are thin and weak; they're probably not soldiers, but rather refugees."

The taxes and corvée labor imposed by the court were too heavy, and frequent battles raged on the northern border, resulting in a considerable number of refugees fleeing into the Yanshan Mountains. Some became outlaws and bandits, while others went down the mountain to seek refuge with wealthy families. The Shi family owned vast tracts of fertile land that needed cultivating, and thus took in many refugees.

Having been around his master for so long, Dong Dalang was used to seeing refugees and recognized them at a glance.

Shi Yan nodded slightly: "Sixth Miss Pei has lofty ambitions."

The soldiers working hard in the fields had already noticed Shi Yan and his group.
The Shi family's grain transport wagons were all specially made, large and sturdy. One after another, there were more than thirty wagons. Such a display and a grand procession could not be ignored by anyone with eyes.

"Where did all these carriages come from!"

"Could the truck be loaded with grain? Where did this wealthy family come from?!"

"No wonder when the Sixth Young Master brought the grain, Miss Pei said she didn't lack any. She's found a sucker. Look, there's a pretty boy too. Is Miss Pei trying to have her cake and eat it too?"

"Pah! Shut your dog mouth! If the Sixth Young Master hears you, he'll beat you to death."

"Sixth Miss Pei killed a black bear with just one knife! Do you want to experience Sixth Miss's prowess?"

Boos erupted, and the talkative soldier gave an embarrassed smile and immediately shut up.

Pei Qinghe, who was training in the martial arts field, received the news and immediately called on all the women of the Pei family to go out of the village to welcome the young master of the wealthy family, Shi.

Meng Liulang, who had been there for two days, showed his displeasure on his handsome face.

When he arrived with his entourage two days ago, there wasn't such a grand welcome.

(End of this chapter)