Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 75 Good and Evil
The Yanshan Mountains are covered in snow, a stunning sight to behold from both near and far.

For impoverished people suffering from hunger, every harsh winter is a tremendous calamity. Countless people freeze or starve to death during the long, cold winter.

Feng Chang put on a thick cotton-padded coat, drank a bowl of warm water to warm his stomach and body, rubbed his hands together, pushed open the door, and loudly called to the people behind him to shovel snow and clear the way.

After more than two months of seeking refuge in Peijia Village, the once emaciated refugees had all gained weight. They had enough to eat every day, warm clothes to wear, and a brazier to sleep on at night. Such good life was something even the gods wouldn't trade. And there was even more enviable good news!

Working together in the fields every day, three refugees caught the eye of a woman. Pei Liu, the sixth young lady, took it upon herself to arrange their wedding before the New Year.

What's wrong with a son-in-law living with his wife's family? Isn't it good to have a wife? The softer the steamed buns and rice, the better they taste!
The refugees were all envious and worked extra hard shoveling snow these past two days. If they were lucky enough to be chosen by a member of the Pei family, that would be even better.

Gu Lian also led a group of women out to shovel snow. A short while later, Pei Jia and the others also came out, and everyone worked together to clear the snow.

As for Pei Qinghe, an hour earlier, he had led Pei Yan and the others out of Pei Family Village and headed towards the mountains and forests.

The snow was deep; each step made a crunching sound, and the snow reached up to my calves. Taking a deep breath, I felt a chill run through my entire body.

"Cousin Qinghe, what are we doing out in this cold weather?" Pei Yan asked with a puzzled look. "We hunted a lot of wild animals the other day, enough to eat for almost half a month. Are we going hunting again today?"

Pei Yun was meticulous and much smarter, and she quietly took over the conversation: "Is it to recruit refugees?"

Pei Qinghe cast an approving glance: "Since you're just idling around anyway, why not come out for a stroll? Maybe you can pick up some people to take back with you."

Pei Yun said thoughtfully, "With such heavy snow, it wouldn't be surprising if people froze or starved to death. Those who want to find a way to survive might come down the mountain."

Pei Yan finally realized: "A few days ago, my cousin Qinghe sent Feng Chang and the others into the mountains to wander around. Could it be that she did this so that the refugees in the mountains could see the good life they were living after they came to Pei Family Village?"

Pei Qinghe sighed, "You've finally put your brain to work."

Pei Yan said proudly, "I'm usually too lazy to use my brain. Actually, in Pei Family Village, besides my cousin Qinghe, I'm the only one who can do it."

The group of women burst into laughter.

After the New Year, everyone had grown a year older. The pain of last year's confiscation of property, extermination of families, and exile gradually faded. Life became busy and fulfilling, filled with drills, reading, archery, and hunting. More importantly, Pei Qinghe showed them new hope and a bright future.

"There's someone ahead!"

Mao Hongling, acting as a sentry, blew a bamboo whistle to warn others.

Pei Qinghe gazed intently into the distance, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Everyone, wait where you are. I'll go take a look first."

Without hesitation, Pei Yan replied, "I'll go with you."

Pei Yun followed.

A group of refugees, their faces bluish-purple from the cold and their clothes tattered and barely covering their bodies, slowly moved forward, supporting each other. They had been hungry and had walked for an unknown amount of time in the snow; each one swayed and staggered, seemingly on the verge of collapsing.

Is Pei Family Village just ahead?

"Definitely. Feng Chang said that after going down the mountain, just keep heading south."

"If we seek refuge with Peijia Village, we'll have food, warm clothes, and shelter. This is our last chance to survive. Let's hold on for another half day; we'll be there soon."

"Wait, is someone coming?"

The refugees, cold, hungry, dizzy, and weak, were slow to react. They only realized someone was there when Pei Qinghe and his companions were more than twenty meters away.

Amidst the snow and ice, a gray-clad girl carrying a bow and arrows and wielding a long sword moved swiftly, her bright, sharp black eyes gleaming: "Stop!" "This is Pei Family Village territory. Who are you? Why are you here?"

We've finally arrived at Peijia Village.

Tears welled up in the parched eyes of the refugees. Someone knelt down first, and soon a whole group of them knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly: "We all know Feng Chang. He told us that we had nowhere else to go, so we came to Peijia Village."

"We are desperate, starving and freezing to death. Please take us in, young lady."

This group of refugees originally numbered over eighty. A heavy snowfall froze several to death, and a few more collapsed from hunger while descending the mountain. Only seventy-two remained, having persevered to reach this point.

Pei Qinghe did not allow them to enter the village immediately. As usual, they were first checked for infectious diseases and made to stay in the north of the village for three days.

Several thatched huts were built on the open space before the harsh winter, providing shelter from the wind and cold. When Feng Chang brought people to deliver food, the refugees who recognized him were so moved that they wept bitterly.

Feng Changwen comforted him, "The hard times are over. Now that we're in Peijia Village, we'll have enough to eat and wear every day."

The former Feng Chang was withered, thin, and weak. Now, his complexion is ruddy, and his voice is full of energy. His words are the most convincing.

The refugees drank hot soup and ate steamed buns made from mixed grains. They snuggled together and fell asleep by the warm brazier.

Less than three days later, another group of refugees arrived seeking refuge. This time there were even more people, more than a hundred.

Madam Feng was somewhat surprised and uneasy: "Qinghe and Feng Chang only have about twenty people, they can't cause any trouble. This time, the two groups of refugees together number almost two hundred. They are all young and strong men, they have eaten their fill and have strength, I'm afraid they will cause some trouble."

The Pei family consists of women, children, and a large amount of grain, making them easy targets for covetousness.

Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: "There are always some risks involved in recruiting refugees to expand the population. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Mr. Feng's concerns were not unfounded.

Of the nearly two hundred refugees who came seeking refuge, two, having eaten their fill and gained strength, instigated and encouraged several others who were equally bold. Under the cover of night, they sneaked into the village, but before they could even get close to the granary or sneak into the women's houses, they were shot through the legs with sharp arrows.

The continuous screams woke everyone up.

Pei Yan jumped down from the roof and spat fiercely: "You've only had a couple of days of full meals and you're already disgusted. You don't deserve to be human. Cousin Qinghe, just kill them all!"

Gu Lian gripped the wooden stick, her expression menacing: "Sixth Miss, leave these scoundrels to us."

Feng Chang was even more furious, holding a shovel in his hand: "I'll do it!"

The unmelted snow gleamed coldly in the blazing torches.

Pei Qinghe's gaze swept over the two uneasy people: "Gu Lian, you've been in Pei Family Village for almost half a year, and Feng Chang, you've been here for two or three months. I trust you. What happens to these newcomers has nothing to do with you, and I won't hold a grudge against you."

Gu Lian's hand trembled, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Feng Chang immediately knelt down and kowtowed three times.

Pei Qinghe stepped forward with a knife and cut off the legs of several wicked refugees: "Pei Yan, hang them under the tree north of the village."

"Let the refugees who come to seek refuge see the fate of the evildoers."

The villain, whose legs had been severed, was bound and hung from a tree, blood dripping incessantly, his wails echoing through the mountains and fields in the cold wind.

(End of this chapter)