Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 74 The Wealthy (Part Two)

Shi Yan wasn't being modest; he had only practiced archery for a few days. He drew his bow and shot from fifty paces away, barely managing to hit the edge of the target with one arrow, while the other two missed.

Seven-year-old Pei Xuan and Pei Feng are both stronger than him.

In comparison, Meng Liulang, who could easily draw his bow and hit nine out of ten arrows from a hundred paces away, could be called a divine archer.

Meng Liulang was already exceptionally handsome, and when he drew his bow and shot an arrow, his sharp gaze and imposing presence were captivating. The Pei women practicing archery nearby, regardless of age, all turned their gazes toward him.

Pei Qinghe glanced at them, and the women immediately turned their attention back to practicing archery.

Little did he know, Meng Liulang was also inwardly amazed.

In the military camp, the soldiers practiced formations and drills, brandishing swords and spears daily, and everyone practiced archery. Hitting the bullseye five out of ten was considered skillful. These Pei women before them were all incredibly accurate archers; even the least skilled could hit the bullseye six out of ten times.

Bows and arrows are deadly long-range weapons. With such a group of skilled archers, who would dare to be so reckless as to provoke Pei Family Village?
"Women are even more capable than men." Shi Yan exclaimed in admiration, "I have truly broadened my horizons today."

Pei Qinghe said, "A target is an inanimate object, it doesn't move. When it comes to fighting and risking one's life, nobody is going to stand there like an idiot and wait. Shooting at a target is nothing, it's just a way to practice your eyesight and accuracy."

He casually picked up a bow and arrow, and without any apparent effort, the arrows shot out like a string of pearls. Ten arrows densely packed around the bullseye.

Shi Yan watched Pei Qinghe's heroic archery skills and almost forgot to breathe.

This was also the first time Meng Liulang had witnessed Pei Qinghe's archery skills, and he was immediately impressed: "Miss Pei, what excellent archery skills!!"

Pei Yan couldn't hold back any longer and turned around: "What's so special about this? When we encountered bandits in the dead of night, hundreds of meters away, my cousin Qinghe killed one with a single gesture, her arrows never missing their mark."

Pei Qinghe glanced over, and Pei Yan chuckled, quickly pulling her neck back to continue practicing archery.

Shi Yan finally spoke up: "Sixth Miss Pei, what excellent archery skills you have!"

Pei Qinghe looked at Young Master Shi and smiled slightly: "It's good that I didn't disappoint Young Master Shi."

She rarely flaunted her wealth. Young Master Shi was, of course, an exception.

Not wanting to be left out, Meng Liulang coughed and said, "Shooting at the target is no fun. Why don't we go into the mountains and hunt some wild animals, and then we can all have a good meal tonight."

Pei Yan turned around excitedly again: "I'm going too."

Pei Qinghe glanced over again: "Have the injuries you sustained while hunting the black bear last time healed?"

Pei Yan grinned guiltily, "I'm fine now. I've learned my lesson. From now on, if I encounter a wild beast, I'll climb a tree and I'll never impulsively run around."

Pei Qinghe ignored her and ordered Pei Yun, Mao Hongling, and more than twenty others to go hunting in the mountains together.

The soldiers had all gone to harvest the winter wheat. Meng Liulang only brought two personal guards. The young master Shi had more than twenty guards around him. These guards included both household servants and martial arts experts hired at great expense. Their sole mission was to protect the young master's safety.

With such a display of power, Meng Liulang couldn't help but make a few sarcastic remarks: "Young Master Shi is indeed delicate and pampered."

Shi Yan smiled and said, "I don't have the skills of General Meng, so I have to bring more guards when I travel. I hope General Meng will forgive me."

Pei Qinghe smiled and continued, "Everyone has their strengths. Young Master Shi cannot practice martial arts due to his health, but he is shrewd and capable, and has run the Shi family grain shop with great success. He is warm-hearted and generous, and has made many friends. He can be called a young hero."

Shi Yan chuckled: "Sixth Miss Pei's praise is truly flattering."

Pei Yan thought to herself, "Is this the treatment of the wealthy?" She had never seen her cousin Qinghe praise someone like this before! Look at General Meng's sour face, he's so petty.

Pei Yun and Mao Hongling exchanged a glance, each suppressing their laughter, and continued to watch the spectacle.

Meng Liulang was furious at Pei Qinghe's flattery of the young master, his teeth itching with anger. With his pride, he certainly wouldn't stoop to such a tasteless act as questioning him to his face. During the ensuing hunt, General Meng displayed exceptional archery skills, reaping a rich harvest. Pei Yan, Pei Yun, and the others also had a considerable haul.

Pei Qinghe didn't make much of a move, staying by Young Master Shi's side the whole time, occasionally smiling and whispering.

Shi Yan smiled apologetically, "If I go into the mountains, I won't be able to hunt, and I'll become a burden."

Pei Qinghe smiled and replied, "There are plenty of people who know how to shoot arrows and hunt. Young Master Shi's abilities and ambitions do not lie in these areas, so there is no need to be modest."

In short, the treatment of the wealthy dog ​​owners is something to be envied.

That evening, a bonfire was lit in Peijia Village, and the aroma of roasted meat wafted for miles.

Meng Liulang had probably eaten too much roasted meat; he felt bloated and constipated, and couldn't sleep well that night, tossing and turning. Listening to his personal guards snoring, Meng Liulang was annoyed and kicked one of them, saying, "With such loud snoring, how can I sleep?"

The bodyguard, Xiao Mo, wasn't annoyed. He turned over and continued snoring.

Two days later, the Dong brothers returned.

"Young master, everything has been taken care of with Magistrate Wang." Dong Dalang reported in a low voice: "The refugees gathered here in Peijia Village are all considered tenants."

Dong Erlang brought back a large quantity of bricks and stones, and construction of the wall could begin that very day.

Shi Yan nodded slightly, but did not overstep his bounds. He called over the dozen or so craftsmen he had brought and instructed them to obey Pei Liu's orders.

After finishing these tasks, Young Master Shi took his leave.

Pei Qinghe personally escorted him for five miles before returning.

After the winter wheat harvest was finished, Meng Liulang, feeling resentful, bid farewell to Pei Liuguniang. Pei Qinghe handed Meng Liulang a letter: "Please have General Meng forward this letter to General Meng."

Holding the thick letter, Meng Liulang couldn't help but add, "You write to my father every month."

Pei Qinghe smiled: "Exactly."

Meng Liulang waited a while, but received no further reply, and was somewhat disgruntled. He rode quickly back to the Beiping army camp, personally handed the letter to General Meng, and once again asked, "Why does Pei Qinghe write to Father every month?"

General Meng said succinctly: "Don't ask about things you shouldn't know."

Meng Liulang was disappointed again.

That night, Meng Liulang couldn't sleep again: "Xiao Mo, why do you think Miss Pei keeps writing to my father?"

Xiao Mo yawned: "Is there even a need to think about it? For the women of the Pei family to establish themselves securely in Changping County, they need to find a powerful backer. Writing to the general is to maintain good relations."

Meng Liulang murmured, "It's not just that. Every time she writes a letter, my father will quickly send a letter to the Crown Prince's Palace. In the past six months, there have been many more letters from the Crown Prince's Palace than before. I always feel that there is some connection between them."

"I also overheard my brothers gossiping in private, saying that His Highness the Crown Prince has been eliminating the Prince of Wei's supporters one after another, and the Prince of Wei's faction is now far less powerful than before..."

Whew~ Whew~~
The only response to Meng Liulang was a series of loud snores.

General Meng picked up his pen and wrote a letter by candlelight, which was full of empty words such as greetings.

Pei Qinghe's letter was placed in an envelope and sent out of the military camp, quickly transported by horse to the Eastern Palace.

The twelfth lunar month is cold and snow is falling everywhere; the new year is just around the corner.

(End of this chapter)