Chapter Twelve: The Grain
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Creak, creak!
The wooden wheels of the carts strained as they rolled over the still relatively smooth official road, accompanied by the steady clatter of horse hooves.
After a long day’s march, exhausted and numb, the members of the Pei family—old and young alike—halted in unison and turned around. Before them appeared more than ten flatbed carts piled high with grain.
"The food has arrived!" Madam Lu exclaimed, her voice bursting with joy.
She was not the only one who lost control; the entire Pei family, famished after days of hunger, their eyes shining with hope, looked at Pei Qinghe with mounting eagerness.
The journey had been arduous these past few days, and everyone had silently endured it. But with only two dry biscuits and a meager sip of water each day, their hunger was barely sated—it was truly unbearable.
No matter how vast the heavens and earth, nothing compares to the importance of a meal.
This food was obtained by Pei Qinghe from the Prince of Zhangwu!
At this moment, Pei Qinghe’s stature in the eyes of her clan soared, towering higher than two zhang.
A few palace guards from the Eastern Palace dismounted and approached Pei Qinghe. The lead guard bowed slightly and said, “Miss Pei, the grain, cotton cloth, and medicinal herbs you requested have all been purchased.”
Buying the supplies was the easy part. The county town had grain shops, cloth stores, and apothecaries; within half a day, everything was acquired.
The real challenge was finding carts and drivers.
Flatbed carts were no problem—purchasing a dozen or so didn't cost much silver. But draft animals were scarce. Horses were out of the question; even the military stables lacked enough, and horses for sale were nearly nonexistent in the market. Oxen were precious and expensive.
Locals mostly used mules and donkeys to pull carts.
To buy over a dozen animals at once, find a driver skilled in managing the animals and carts, and most importantly, find someone willing to make a journey all the way to Youzhou—this was no small matter.
In these times, leaving the county was considered a long journey. Traveling over a thousand li each way, the round trip exceeding three thousand li, drivers all shook their heads. No amount of silver could persuade them.
After several refusals, the lead guard grew frustrated and forcibly recruited a thirty-year-old single man with no family. With a bright longsword and an additional ten taels of silver, the man reluctantly agreed to drive.
The search for a doctor was similar. Ultimately, by brandishing the longsword, they "persuaded" a young physician to accompany them.
These minor matters were hardly worth mentioning.
The lead guard spoke calmly to Miss Pei, assuring her that he had fulfilled his mission perfectly.
Pei Qinghe, choosing to ignore the unlucky-looking driver and the despondent young doctor, politely thanked the guard, “Thank you for your hard work, Guard Gao.”
Guard Gao replied, “I am merely following the orders of His Highness the Prince of Zhangwu to escort the Pei family to Youzhou. It is only right to obey Miss Pei’s commands. I do not deserve your thanks.”
The implication was clear.
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Escorting and ensuring the safety of the Pei family was already going above and beyond; any further requests should not be made.
Captain Sun approached and cheerfully struck up a conversation with Guard Gao.
In terms of rank, Captain Sun was an official of the eighth rank, while Guard Gao had no official rank. Yet, upon arrival, it was Captain Sun who showed deference to Guard Gao.
Guard Gao was a palace guard of the Eastern Palace, serving the Prince of Zhangwu. Despite the Eastern Palace being suppressed by the Wei King, it was not something a mere captain could provoke.
Guard Gao curled his lips coldly and remarked, “Captain Sun is indeed skilled at marching and making quick progress. We had to pursue for two days just to catch up.”
The sarcasm was unmistakable.
The Pei family’s old, weak, women, and children had outpaced the army’s march. Surely, Captain Sun had pushed them too hard.
Captain Sun smiled wryly and explained, “Guard Gao, you misunderstand. I had planned to march twenty li per day. It was the Pei family who voluntarily increased their pace.”
Guard Gao sneered, clearly not believing a word.
Captain Sun was at a loss for words and ceased his explanation.
Guard Gao was no fool; as they traveled together, he observed everything with his own eyes.
He soon had his eyes opened.
Elderly women cradled infants atop prisoner carts. The Pei family’s female members were divided into several groups, each led by someone. Miss Pei’s steps quickened and slowed, urging, reminding, and encouraging everyone forward.
Without adult men, the Pei clan showed no wailing or breakdowns—only silent, steadfast endurance. Their formation was rough and unrefined but bristled with stubborn, tenacious vitality.
Miss Pei held up the very sky for the Pei clan.
Guard Gao’s expression grew complex; he remained silent for a long time.
That night, at the courier inn, Guard Gao took the initiative to chat with Captain Sun, never mentioning the Pei family. Their tacit understanding was an unspoken apology.
Captain Sun naturally did not mind and even invited Guard Gao to share the evening meal.
Traveling together for months, it was inappropriate to keep relations so stiff.
Guard Gao agreed.
Captain Sun sent a clever soldier with a prominent black mole to the kitchen. Moments later, the soldier returned, carrying a large tray bearing four plates of meat and a small pot of wine.
“Miss Pei asked the cook to prepare some dishes and invited Captain Sun and Guard Gao to enjoy a small drink.”
Money truly works wonders.
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Five hundred taels of silver notes were exchanged for small silver ingots weighing five taels each, neatly arranged in a box. Miss Pei was generous, rewarding the cook with one silver ingot, who then energetically prepared several signature dishes.
The soldier with the black mole beamed as he placed the dishes and wine on the table. “Miss Pei also prepared two jars of wine for us.”
Soldiers were forbidden from drinking alcohol as a rule in the military camp. Yet on the road, such rules were often relaxed. Fifty people would share two jars of wine, each sipping a small bowl—enough to satisfy cravings without interfering with duties.
This Miss Pei was young but remarkably adept and tactful.
Captain Sun and Guard Gao exchanged a glance, both silently sighing.
Such a pity she was the daughter of a disgraced minister, condemned to exile in Youzhou. Truly regrettable!
Captain Sun and Guard Gao gladly toasted each other while the soldiers enjoyed the feast.
The courier inn was equipped with a stone mill. A donkey pulled the mill for an hour, grinding several sacks of flour.
More than twenty capable women, including Madam Wu, mixed and kneaded the dough, working until midnight. The steamed buns piled high like a small mountain.
Pei Qinghe ate five soft, warm buns in a row and drank a large bowl of hot vegetable soup, feeling her entire body warm and settled.
Pei Yun, Pei Yan, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng sat around her. They were all teenagers, at the age to exhaust their elders with their appetites. After days of long travel and exertion, they were all starving, heads down, devouring the food.
“Cousin, will we still have warm buns tomorrow?” Pei Feng asked, belching happily, his face filled with expectation.
A smile flickered in Pei Qinghe’s eyes as she nodded, “Of course.”
These dozen carts of grain would suffice to feed the more than three hundred members of the Pei family all the way to Youzhou. Well-fed and rested, they would have the strength to train.
Pei Yan and Pei Xuan cheered together. Pei Yun, the eldest, with a steadier temperament, hesitated and whispered, “Should we be frugal, so we don’t starve when we reach Youzhou?”
Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Don’t worry, I have a plan when we get to Youzhou.”
Strange.
Why did her cousin speak so confidently and familiarly about a distant, unknown place a thousand li away?
Pei Yun’s doubts remained unspoken when suddenly a sharp scream of alarm pierced the air.
…