Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 88 Good Official
Magistrate Wang got into the carriage with a disappointed look on his face.

Seeing Magistrate Wang's gloomy face, Li, the clerk, dared not say another word. The wooden cart creaked and groaned, and wherever it passed, all that could be seen were displaced people diligently tilling the land.

These refugees came from all walks of life, abandoning their homes and livelihoods for various reasons, and now they had all become residents of Peijia Village. Their thin bodies gradually grew stronger through good food and daily labor and exercise, and their faces were no longer numb and desperate, but instead radiated an astonishing vitality.

Li, the clerk, couldn't help but whisper, "Sixth Miss Pei is indeed remarkable. She has only been in Changping County for a little over a year, yet she has already gathered so many people."

Magistrate Wang joined in at some point: "First kill the black bear, then the scarred wolf, and you've wiped out two bandit strongholds in succession. With such powerful military force, plenty of food, and land to cultivate, it's no wonder that refugees flock to us."

The voice was calm, and even tinged with relief.

Li, the clerk, was somewhat surprised and cautiously asked, "The magistrate wants to ask Miss Pei to help suppress the bandits. Has Miss Pei agreed?"

Magistrate Wang slowly leaned back: "No, not at all."

"Sixth Miss Pei is very shrewd and refuses to risk her life by leading people into the mountains to suppress bandits. I, the magistrate, have tried to persuade her in every way, but she has refused."

"However, I have achieved my purpose. You can now return to the county office with peace of mind."

Li, the clerk, had served Magistrate Wang for many years, but sometimes he still couldn't figure out what Magistrate Wang was thinking.

For example, right now.

What exactly is their purpose in coming here?
Magistrate Wang offered no explanation, leisurely returned to the county office, and continued his carefree drinking.

"Cousin Qinghe, what exactly does Magistrate Wang want in Pei Family Village?" Pei Yan asked curiously, while Mao Hongling and Pei Yun were also full of doubts.

Pei Qinghe pulled out the land deed and waved it in front of everyone: "We've also been given the vacant land in the south of the village. We'll measure the land tomorrow and prepare to cultivate the wasteland."

"Furthermore, Magistrate Wang wants us to go into the mountains and wipe out all the bandit strongholds."

Even the impetuous Pei Yan was so angry upon hearing these words that he jumped up: "He's afraid of dying and losing his official position, so he tries to trick us into fighting bandits for him. He wants our Pei family to risk their lives for a piece of barren land. Bah! He's dreaming!"

Pei Qinghe smiled and praised, "Finally, you're starting to use your brain. Don't worry, I've already rejected you decisively."

Mao Hongling quietly picked up the conversation: "Magistrate Wang is not such a shallow and brainless person."

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with a smile: "Second sister-in-law, if you're thinking of anything, feel free to say it."

Under Pei Qinghe's encouraging gaze, Mao Hongling sorted out her thoughts and slowly said, "In my opinion, Magistrate Wang's real purpose in coming here today is to show weakness and goodwill to Pei Family Village, and to show his willingness to back down at any time."

Pei Qinghe's smile deepened: "Second sister-in-law is right. Although Magistrate Wang drinks all day long, he is not confused at all and his mind is very clear."

Pei Yun sighed softly, "Magistrate Wang clearly has the ability to be an official, but he doesn't use it for the right things. He does nothing but drink every day and has the nerve to call it 'governing by doing nothing'."

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "The officials who went to provide disaster relief in the counties and prefectures of Jiangnan that suffered from floods were so greedy and shameless. Compared to them, Magistrate Wang is indeed a good official."

This topic is heavy and frustrating.

Everyone sighed.

Pei Qinghe's gaze swept over the crowd, and he said in a deep voice, "The capital is in turmoil, and the world is about to descend into chaos. Although we are far from the capital, we may not be able to completely escape it. Everyone should be mentally prepared, because you never know when you might have to draw your sword and fight to the death."

Struggling to survive in chaotic times is never an easy task.

The crowd's expressions were resolute, and they all nodded.

……

In those days, the transmission of information was extremely inconvenient. In the past, General Meng would send messages at any time, but now that General Meng was leading a large army to the capital to "purge the court of corrupt officials," Pei Qinghe had no source of information. The things he sent out to gather were all things that were hard to distinguish between true and false.

For example, after General Meng led his troops into Ji Province, he joined forces with the Bohai Army. The two armies headed straight for the capital to rescue the Crown Prince.

For example, wherever more than 10,000 elite troops passed, no county or prefecture dared to disturb them, and they all sent them provisions. The army encountered almost no resistance.

For example, a group of refugees in Qingzhou took the opportunity to cause trouble, stormed into the county town, killed the county magistrate, and occupied the county government office. There were also wealthy and powerful families who were eager to make a move.

In the Jiangnan region, where floods, famine, and plague had killed hundreds of thousands, several rebel armies emerged. The leader of the largest rebel army was surnamed Qiao, and he claimed to be the reincarnation of the Heavenly King.

When Pei Qinghe heard this news, her eyes flashed with an astonished light: "King Qiao! What a prestigious title!"

In his past life, this King Qiao was quite something. He gathered hundreds of thousands of refugees, led the rebel army into the capital, and killed both the Prince of Wei and the Crown Prince.

Unfortunately, Qiao Tianwang's triumph was short-lived. He was soon surrounded by armies from all over the country who came to the emperor's aid, and fled the capital in a sorry state. Afterwards, Qiao Tianwang led hundreds of thousands of men on a nomadic journey, sucking blood from all sides like leeches, becoming the largest band of outlaws.

Pei Yan's eyes lit up even more: "Cousin Qinghe, let's raise a flag too, let's call it King Pei... Oh my!"

Pei Yan winced in pain as she was slapped hard on the back of the head.

Pei Qinghe withdrew her hand: "If you keep talking nonsense, go practice horse stance!"

Pei Yan scratched the back of her head and obediently shut her mouth.

Pei Yun, usually so composed, came over in a hurry: "Cousin Qinghe, Young Master Shi has sent someone with an urgent message."

Pei Qinghe immediately said, "Send the messenger over."

Pei Family Village's rapid growth and expansion owe much to Young Master Shi. Shi Yan is shrewd, perceptive, and knows how to maintain proper boundaries. This is the first time he's sent a message; something must have happened.

Dong Erlang, who came to deliver the letter, had red eyes and respectfully presented the letter.

Pei Qinghe didn't rush to open the letter, but immediately asked, "What happened to Young Master Shi?"

Dong Erlang wiped his eyes with his sleeve: "Young Master is fine, but the Shi family grain shop is in trouble. The two thousand shi of grain they bought were stolen by the White Tiger Village on their way to the store."

"Eight of the servants and helpers responsible for delivering the grain were killed, and all the survivors were wounded. The youngest brother was also seriously injured."

"It was fortunate, really. At the time, I was on an inspection tour with the young master. If I had gone with the grain delivery team, the young master would have been the one who got injured most of the time."

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with coldness: "White Tiger Stronghold is tired of living."

He quickly opened the letter and read it through.

Enraged by this major incident, Young Master Shi hastily wrote a letter, the handwriting somewhat messy. The letter's contents were simple, merely recounting what Dong Erlang had said.

There was nothing else.

No need to say more.

Pei Family Village has a population of over a thousand, all of whom rely on grain delivered by Young Master Shi. Now that the Shi family is in trouble, it is time for the Pei family to lend a helping hand.

Pei Qinghe said to Dong Erlang, "Go back and tell Young Master Shi that I will deliver the head of the White Tiger Stronghold's leader to the Shi family within a month!"

(End of this chapter)