Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 81 Helping Hand
Two days later, Pei Qinghe's handwritten letter reached General Meng's hands.

"The Wolf Fang Stronghold sent an inside agent to infiltrate Pei Family Village, planning to launch a coordinated attack from within and without. Pei Family Village turned the tables and lured the bandits in."

"Unfortunately, Pei Family Village has limited manpower and insufficient weapons, so the mission was not completed. More than thirty bandits escaped. We earnestly request the general to send troops to help wipe out Wolf Fang Village."

The letter also included a detailed topographical map of Langya Village.

General Meng twitched his lips and sent someone to summon his youngest son. When the tall, handsome Meng Liulang strode into the military tent, General Meng changed his mind for some reason: "Fine, I'll go myself."

Upon hearing the chest, Meng Liulang proudly declared, "Why should Father go to a mere Wolf Fang Stronghold? I can take three hundred men into the mountains and wipe out the bandits!"

General Meng glanced at his son and snorted, "What arrogance! Miss Pei wants to keep a low profile and will give you the credit for destroying Black Bear Stronghold. You don't really think you're that capable, do you?"

"This Scarface Wolf is a rare expert among the mountain bandits. He is ferocious and cunning, and usually hides deep in the mountains. If he hadn't been lured down the mountain, even Miss Pei would not have dared to venture into the mountains to suppress the bandits."

"I know your own limitations perfectly well. How dare you spout such nonsense in front of me!"

Meng Liulang's handsome face turned red from his father's scolding, but he was still unconvinced and dared not open his mouth to argue. He just stood there straight.

General Meng ignored him, summoned his eldest and second sons, and gave them instructions. The next morning, he set off with a large amount of supplies.

Pei Qinghe led the entire village, young and old, to welcome them.

General Meng, in his fifties, had a full beard and sharp eyes, exuding the air of a general. The young men accompanying General Meng were all in their early twenties, with upright postures and faces that bore a resemblance to Meng Liulang.

General Meng's sharp gaze fell on Pei Qinghe: "Truly, heroes emerge from among the young."

The beautiful and spirited fourteen-year-old girl before me possessed abilities far beyond training soldiers and killing bandits. She could also devise strategies for His Highness the Crown Prince, who was thousands of miles away, and help the Eastern Palace deal with the Prince of Wei.

Pei Qinghe smiled and replied, "General, your reputation is renowned, and I have long admired you. It is a blessing for the Pei family to have you come to Pei Family Village in person today."

"General, you have traveled a long way. Please come into the village and rest."

General Meng nodded slightly, dismounted, and his eldest son, Meng Dalang, personally led the horse for his father.

Actually, Meng Liulang had also come. However, with his father and brothers present today, Meng Liulang was much more obedient, following behind them. He wasn't even allowed to go inside the thatched cottage for tea and conversation, and instead stood resentfully outside.

Pei Yan, who was also waiting outside the thatched cottage, grinned.

Meng Liulang secretly glared at Pei Yan.

Meng Dalang frowned: "Sixth brother, you mustn't be rude."

Meng Dalang is twenty-eight years old this year. He has served in the army for more than ten years, is experienced in battle, and has a calm demeanor. Pei Yan chuckled softly, "Like father, like son. The eldest son is just like General Meng."

Meng Liulang glared at Pei Yan again. Who was he implying in his words?

Mao Hongling, who was guarding outside the thatched cottage, coughed lightly, signaling Pei Yan to restrain herself.

Inside the thatched hut, General Meng sat at the head of the table. Pei Qinghe poured tea for General Meng. In terms of age, official rank, and seniority, General Meng was certainly qualified.

General Meng drank a bowl of tea before saying, "Peijia Village has a lot of women and children, as well as a large amount of money and grain. I'm afraid there will be a lot of trouble in the future. The Beiping army is hundreds of miles away, and if something happens, they won't be able to come to our aid in time."

Pei Qinghe smiled and continued, "The general is right. The Pei family must rely on itself to establish itself here."

General Meng looked at the composed and confident Miss Pei and sighed inwardly once again, "Heroes emerge from among the young": "Miss Pei is right. In this world, the most reliable person is always yourself." Of course, one should take advantage of any available support; only a fool wouldn't use a powerful backer. And when you can ask for something, don't be shy.

As expected, Miss Pei Liu showed a hint of regret and difficulty: "With the help of the Shi family, the Pei family is not short of food now, and can even recruit some refugees. The only thing we lack is weapons for self-defense."

The imperial court maintained strict control over ironware. Blacksmith shops in county towns could secretly forge iron arrowheads, but mass-producing weapons was absolutely impossible.

General Meng remained calm: "Every year, the military camp has discarded and damaged weapons that rust in the warehouse. I brought a batch with me this time."

Pei Qinghe's eyes lit up, and she quickly stood up, cupped her hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you, General."

General Meng smiled and said, "Sixth Miss Pei has been sending military merits to the Beiping Army one after another. I'm sending some tattered swords and spears, which are not worth mentioning. Oh, and there are more than ten sets of damaged soft armor. They're useless here, so I brought them along as well."

Without needing to pretend, Pei Qinghe's spirits lifted and her face lit up with joy upon hearing the word "armor."

General Meng looked at Miss Pei, whose eyes were sparkling, and smiled again.

General Meng led five hundred elite soldiers. All ten large iron pots in Pei Family Village were set up; pigs and sheep were slaughtered, meat was stewed, and soup was made. Seven or eight days' worth of rations also needed to be prepared. Madam Fang and the women were extremely busy.

Upon hearing that General Meng had personally come to Peijia Village, Magistrate Wang in the county government office sobered up considerably: "Quickly! Prepare the carriage! This magistrate is going to pay my respects to General Meng."

General Meng was a fourth-rank military officer under the Crown Prince, commanding five thousand elite soldiers. Magistrate Wang dared not be arrogant in the slightest and had come after a long and arduous journey.

"This humble official greets General Meng." Magistrate Wang showed no signs of alcohol today, and his eyes were open, giving him the air of a magistrate.

General Meng reached out and made a gesture of support: "Magistrate Wang, please rise."

Pei Qinghe bowed and said, "Qinghe greets Your Excellency, the County Magistrate."

Magistrate Wang laughed and said, "Please rise, Miss Pei." Then, in front of General Meng, he praised her, "Miss Pei, you are quite skilled! Last year, you sent me two bear paws, and I was fortunate enough to taste such a rare delicacy."

General Meng responded with a smile, speaking in the tone of an elder: "I have also tried the bear paw, and it is indeed delicious."

He then turned to Pei Qinghe and instructed, "If you hunt wild game in the mountains, send plenty to the county government."

Pei Qinghe smiled and replied, "The magistrate has shown compassion for the weak and has taken good care of the Pei family. Qinghe has always regarded the magistrate as an elder."

Magistrate Wang immediately smiled and said, "There are no outsiders here. Sixth Miss, you can just call me Uncle Wang."

Pei Qinghe obediently changed her address and also changed how she addressed General Meng.

Magistrate Wang stayed in Peijia Village for lunch and took a stroll around the village. He was quite impressed with Peijia Village, which was already mostly completed. The magistrate also strongly supported the construction of a wall around Peijia Village.

There are many wild beasts and even more bandits in the mountains and forests, so it is indeed necessary to build a wall.

When he left, Pei Qinghe saw him off all the way, and also gave him a truckload of wild game and two truckloads of fine wine.

After returning to the county office, Magistrate Wang, having eaten and drunk his fill, summoned his advisor, Li, and asked, "How much wasteland is there near Pei Family Village?"

Li, the clerk, was prepared and replied, "Sir, there are still more than 500 mu of wasteland, which are close to Pei Family Village."

Magistrate Wang waved his sleeve and said, "It shall be allocated to Pei Family Village as well."

(End of this chapter)