Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 73 The Wealthy Family (Part 1)

Meng Liulang casually strolled to the new village.

From afar, one could see Miss Pei and Young Master Shi chatting and laughing happily.

Meng Liulang was filled with resentment. He remembered the time for harvesting winter wheat and had specially brought people to Pei Family Village, along with a batch of grain. Why was Miss Pei so attentive and warm to Young Master Shi?

"Sixth Young Master, the grain we brought is enough for these few days. The grain sent by Young Master Shi is enough for the Pei family's food supply for a year." The annoying voice of the guard rang in his ears: "Don't even mention Sixth Miss Pei, even our general would have to greet such a wealthy family with a smile."

Meng Liulang glared at him angrily: "Shut your dog mouth."

The guard chuckled, "Yes, yes, I'll shut up now."

Meng Liulang tried to stroll over, but the guard reached out and grabbed his sleeve. Meng Liulang glared at him again. The guard remained silent and didn't let go.

This bodyguard was originally one of General Meng's men, having joined Meng Liulang's side two years ago. Whatever outrageous thing Meng Liulang did, news of it reached General Meng's ears within half a day.

Meng Liulang could not and dared not go too far, and angrily said, "Let go and speak."

The guards were very obedient. They first let go of his hand, then spoke in a low voice: "Before the Sixth Young Master came, the General specifically instructed him not to cause trouble and to respect Miss Pei. Now Miss Pei is entertaining distinguished guests, so the Sixth Young Master should avoid her for a while."

“A mere merchant, what kind of distinguished guest is he?” Meng Liulang said sarcastically. “If the Pei family hadn’t suffered a misfortune, the Shi family would have had to send out invitations and wait in line to pay their respects.”

The guard chimed in, "Yes. In the past, even if it were the Sixth Young Master going to the Pei family, he would have to submit a letter and wait in line."

Meng Liulang: "..."

“Things are different now! We have to feed such a large family, as well as the refugees we’ve taken in. If we don’t feed them properly, how can they stay here in peace?” The guard knew his sixth young master’s temperament well and softened his tone: “What the Pei family needs most right now is food. When a large family like the Pei family comes to place an order, the sixth young lady of the Pei family should certainly treat them with great hospitality.”

"That's too realistic," Meng Liulang muttered.

One of the guards remarked, "Pride and integrity can't buy you food."

Meng Liulang was finally persuaded to go back.

As evening approached, Miss Pei sent someone to invite Meng Liulang to dinner. Meng Liulang was in a slightly better mood, tidied his clothes, and went there at a leisurely pace.

The village of Peijia had more than two hundred people, young and old, plus the migrants recruited by the bricklayers, as well as Shi Yan's group and Meng Liulang's group of soldiers, making a total of four hundred people.

Today, the Fang family and others in charge of the cooking put in extra effort. Five large, steaming iron pots were filled with an intoxicating aroma of stewed cabbage, pork, and glass noodles. The mixed-grain steamed buns, dipped in the broth, were incredibly delicious.

The soldiers ate in the barracks squatting together, chatting and laughing as they ate, without any discomfort. The handsome Meng Liulang buried his head in his food, while the young master Shi was not spoiled either, squatting beside Pei Qinghe with his own rice bowl in hand.

Pei Qinghe had a big appetite and ate three steamed buns in a row.

Meng Liulang was a complete glutton, eating five steamed buns and two bowls of meat and vegetables. He occasionally glanced at Shi Yan, who ate with a more refined and elegant manner than a woman, and felt quite disdainful.

Shi Yan said to Pei Qinghe, "I have been weak since I was a child, so I have to eat in moderation and chew slowly."

Pei Qinghe chuckled lightly: "Young Master Shi's appetite is less than half that of me, so he's quite easy to feed."

Meng Liulang withdrew his hand from the steamed bun and put the bowl down.

Pei Qinghe finally noticed General Meng's less-than-pleasant face: "General Meng, are you full already? I remember you ate six last night." Meng Liulang replied with a straight face: "I'm not a glutton."

Shi Yan smiled and continued, "Martial artists need to eat a lot to have strength. My biggest regret in life is that I can't practice martial arts. General Meng and Miss Pei are both martial arts geniuses, which I really envy."

Meng Liulang finally gave him a proper look: "Young Master Shi has never practiced martial arts?"

Youzhou is bitterly cold, its people are fierce and have a strong martial spirit. To not have practiced martial arts is equivalent to being completely illiterate in the literary and scholarly land of Jiangnan.

Shi Yan's regret was not feigned: "Yes, I was seriously ill when I was a child. My grandfather spent a lot of money to hire a famous doctor from Youzhou to take care of me for three years before he could barely raise me. I cannot practice martial arts, nor am I suitable to ride a fast horse."

That's practically half a cripple!
Meng Liulang's mood suddenly calmed down, and a hint of sympathy appeared in his eyes: "It's too boring for a man to not be able to ride a horse, practice martial arts, wield a sword, or shoot arrows."

Shi Yan sighed softly: "Therefore, I have always enjoyed associating with young heroes. Miss Pei is unparalleled in archery and has superb swordsmanship, while General Meng is skilled in riding and archery and can lead troops into battle. It is my good fortune to be able to get to know the two of you."

"I know absolutely nothing about military strategy and tactics. Would General Meng be willing to explain it to me and broaden my horizons?"

Meng Liulang spoke casually. Shi Yan frequently exclaimed in amazement and praise, always hitting the nail on the head. A smug glint flashed in Meng Liulang's eyes, and he unknowingly rambled on.

Pei Qinghe chuckled inwardly. Young Master Shi was the same age as Meng Liulang, and his experience and way of handling things far surpassed Meng Liulang's.

After dinner, Peijiacun began his reading and studying as usual.

Gu Lian and Feng Changdu started teaching them basic literacy. Pei Jia and the others were also learning to read. Pei Feng, Pei Xuan, and the other children were reading books. Pei Yan and the others were reading military texts.

Pei Qinghe was also reading a military treatise. The Pei family's military strategy, passed down through generations, contained methods for training and leading troops, techniques for observing celestial phenomena, and strategies for establishing camps. These dozens of pages of military text encapsulated the wisdom and effort of several generations of the Pei family.

Shi Yan said in a low voice, "Sixth Miss Pei has lofty ambitions."

Dong Dalang was a clever fellow, and he immediately replied, "Otherwise, why would the young master come?"

Dong Erlang chuckled and chimed in, "Isn't that right? The young master has to manage thousands of acres of fertile land and thousands of tenant farmers, as well as dozens of grain shops. When he's busy, he doesn't go home for one or two months. Even so, he still specially took a few days to come to Pei Family Village. It's clear how much he values ​​Miss Pei the Sixth."

Under the candlelight, Young Master Shi smiled slightly: "Stop joking around. I'll assign you tasks, and you can get to them tomorrow."

The next morning, the Dong brothers rode to Changping County. Peijia Village was about to undergo a major construction project, building houses and erecting walls, so they needed to make arrangements at the county government office in advance.

Dong Dalang prepared fine wine and sent it to the county government office. Dong Erlang went to buy timber, bricks, and tiles and find craftsmen; there are many other trivial matters that need not be described in detail.

When Pei Qinghe asked about the whereabouts of the Dong brothers, Shi Yan casually replied with a smile, "I sent them to do some errands, and they should be back in a couple of days."

He did not use this to claim credit.

Pei Qinghe knew what was going on, and became even more gentle and friendly towards Young Master Shi: "We're practicing archery today, would you like to come and watch?"

Shi Yan said with great interest, "I can't practice martial arts, but I have practiced archery for a few days. Today I'd like to ask Miss Pei for some pointers."

Meng Liulang suddenly appeared out of nowhere: "I'll teach you how to shoot arrows."

Shi Yan smiled and said, "It would be wonderful if General Meng could offer his guidance."

(End of this chapter)