4: Mobilization
Yongning County had pitifully few gold and silver mines, but there were still some—just buried deep. If needed, some money could be extracted. But this wasn’t the urgent matter; what truly made Pei Zhu feel he had struck gold was something else entirely.
Petroleum.
This was literally oil. Pei Zhu had overheard a history professor mention it during a lecture. Ancient texts, like the Youyang Zazu, even recorded details about petroleum: “In Gaonu County there is petroleum, viscous and floating like lacquer; collected by cart and used in lamps, it burns brightly.”
But in this era, petroleum extraction was extremely limited, mostly relying on natural seepage. If Yongning County’s petroleum was also naturally seeping, it would be relatively easy to obtain; if buried deep underground, it would be much harder.
Without delay, Pei Zhu summoned Wei Ping and ordered him to take people to personally inspect near the Yanshan Mountains.
Meanwhile, other work couldn’t stop. Pei Zhu had almost no available manpower. Zheng Xingcheng’s group clearly refused to help, and even if they did, there was the risk of sabotage. After careful consideration, Pei Zhu had no choice but to have Wang Chuo supervise.
With so few people available, once the Hu forces were repelled, Pei Zhu knew he would need to train and develop his own team properly.
They left quickly. Zheng Xingcheng overheard, turning to Zhang Rusheng with a sneer: “Running off like that—are they planning to desert?”
“Looks like it. They’ve emptied the government offices but haven’t fortified the city properly; all they’ve made are some wooden structures. What good will that do? If the Hu bring ladders, they’ll storm in—how will they handle it?”
The two observed from the sidelines, confident in their plan: when the crisis hit, they could just retreat to Youzhou.
Everyone in the county office knew Pei Zhu was requesting troops from Youzhou, but they also knew that such help was too distant to be practical. Besides Pei Zhu, Zheng Xingcheng had informed the Youzhou officials of the situation, emphasizing that Pei Zhu was disregarding the larger picture and insisting on confronting the Hu. At a time when the two nations were negotiating peace, letting things escalate recklessly was unforgivable.
Even once the matter was resolved, Zheng Xingcheng guessed Youzhou would send someone to check up, leaving Pei Zhu in an even worse position.
Meanwhile, Pei Zhu, upon discovering petroleum, was overjoyed.
“Truly, heaven never closes all doors!” he shouted, regaining his usual confidence and optimism.
Wei Ping peered into the cave with a lantern, seeing black oil gushing from within. He had never seen this before and found it strange. Even stranger, the cave was extremely secluded—rarely visited, even by locals like Wei Ping. How did Pei Zhu seem so familiar with it?
But Pei Zhu had no time to explain—he grabbed a makeshift scoop and wooden buckets and began collecting the oil.
Wei Ping motioned for a few others to follow. Of course, no one wanted to just watch while the county magistrate worked. Curious, Wei Ping even dipped his hand in to smell it, just as he was about to taste it—but Pei Zhu stopped him.
“What are you doing? You can’t eat this—it’s deadly!”
Wei Ping quickly wiped his hand on a rock and asked, “If we can’t eat it, what use is it?”
Pei Zhu smiled mysteriously. “You’ll see later.”
The group quickly collected dozens of barrels of petroleum. Pei Zhu first transported some back, leaving the rest to continue extraction, aiming for a hundred barrels before stopping.
When Pei Zhu returned, the busy activity outside the city gates hadn’t ceased.
Wang Chuo, though taciturn, had diligently watched over the work. Once Pei Zhu came back, Wang Chuo stepped back.
Compared with their initial anxiety, Pei Zhu returned full of energy. Wang Chuo discreetly glanced at the wooden barrels on the ox cart. Though covered, he could still detect hints of their contents. Experienced as he was, he immediately guessed what it was.
He was just curious—how did a newly appointed county magistrate know where to find petroleum?
Curiosity aside, Wang Chuo asked no questions. If Pei Zhu had not initiated conversation, he would have thought the man mute.
With petroleum in hand, Pei Zhu had confidence. He immediately ordered people to spread the word.
The villagers of Shangying Village were present, and Pei Zhu tasked them as messengers. They were to inform all households outside the city to move their grain, livestock, and farming tools into the city immediately. The Hu forces would arrive tomorrow at the earliest, the day after at the latest. Those who wished could come inside for shelter and wait out the Hu’s return; those unwilling had to find a safe place to hide.
The village chief, Luo, nearly lost his balance upon hearing this. Their fear of the Hu ran deep—they had never been forewarned before and only knew to hide when the Hu were nearly at the village. Often many villagers died. Their lives felt cheap, always the ones to die.
Now, with a benevolent magistrate warning them and offering refuge, it was like receiving aid in the snow. The villagers would remember this kindness.
Without delay, Luo sent a few fast runners to deliver messages, while the others helped prepare the city defenses. Since they could now enter the city, the defenses needed to be strong—otherwise, if the gates were breached, both the villagers and the magistrate would bear responsibility.
Wang Chuo followed Pei Zhu wherever he went—not out of obligation, but because he had no attachment to life or death, and he couldn’t explain why he felt a spark of curiosity for this young magistrate.
Once Pei Zhu spread the news, he expected trouble.
Sure enough, Zheng Xingcheng stormed over shortly after, angry and ready to scold.
He knew Pei Zhu was in charge of the county office and suppressed half his fury when facing him, though his tone remained harsh. “County Magistrate, you are so devoted to your people, spreading news so quickly and letting the villagers into the city. It seems past lessons have been completely ignored—I truly admire you.”
Pei Zhu smiled faintly. “You flatter me.”
Zheng Xingcheng’s fists clenched tighter.
He knew mocking further would be meaningless—Pei Zhu excelled at feigning ignorance. Yet he couldn’t eject the villagers now; doing so would look terrible. Reluctantly, he added, “County Magistrate, by running around for the villagers outside, do you not fear hurting the hearts of those inside the city?”
Pei Zhu was puzzled.
Zheng Xingcheng continued coldly, “If you keep the gates closed, the Hu would take the grain from outside and return. Now that they didn’t, they will surely sweep through the county. How innocent the city’s people are!”
Pei Zhu’s expression darkened. “Nonsense.”
“Whether it’s nonsense, you’ll see yourself. You’ve offended people; don’t expect them to serve you willingly in the future.”
Relying on the villagers—what could that achieve?
Zheng Xingcheng sneered one last time before leaving, eager to see Pei Zhu lose everyone’s support.
Although Pei Zhu showed no reaction, he remembered Zheng Xingcheng’s words. He wandered the city, unsurprisingly met with cold reception.
When he had first emerged, curiosity had drawn some citizens. Now, after announcing he would admit the outside villagers, subtle hostility arose.
No one wanted to risk themselves for others. They could live safely, but because the magistrate wanted to protect the villagers, they now faced the Hu. Who would willingly risk death?
Villagers could hide elsewhere, why must they come into the city? Were they not innocent? By favoring the outside villagers, the magistrate placed the city’s residents in danger—hardly good governance.
Pei Zhu approached a small stall, picking up a clay figurine. “How much for this?”
“Eight wen,” the vendor replied coldly.
Pei Zhu returned it awkwardly, realizing Zheng Xingcheng was right.
He felt a bit hurt, as if being rejected, but understood it was human nature. These were ordinary people, wanting only to avoid danger. They needed a turning point, a victory.
No rush—he would show them that no one was unbeatable. The county office’s decision was correct.
He could not let Zheng Xingcheng affect his resolve.
Beside him, Wang Chuo marveled at Pei Zhu’s transformation—from despair to unwavering belief—how could someone be so optimistic?
By evening, villagers from the outskirts began moving into the city. Knowing they were unwelcome, they huddled together quietly for warmth without disturbing anyone.
Seeing their plight, Pei Zhu ordered Zhang Rusheng to open the granary and provide some rice porridge to fill their stomachs.
Zheng Xingcheng and others privately complained, sarcastically calling Pei Zhu a “saint,” but Pei Zhu remained steadfast.
The next morning, Pei Zhu staged a dramatic display. He had Wei Ping prepare a coffin, and he carried it to the city gate, drawing the attention of all villagers inside and outside.
The crowd quickly gathered.
Zheng Xingcheng, jostled by the crowd, gritted his teeth, shouting at Pei Zhu on the wall: “Why does he have to make such a scene every day!”
Zhang Rusheng looked confused, unable to see who was performing.
Pei Zhu patted the heavy coffin, feeling brilliant. In ancient times, General Zuo carried a coffin to the western front—now he, Pei Zhu, would guard the city with a coffin!
Standing under the banner, he shouted to the thousands of Yongning County residents:
“Everyone, the Hu’s thousand cavalry will soon march south! As county magistrate, can I cower behind while others face them? The Hu are merely flesh and blood, not iron walls. Today, I shall take the lead at the city gate, slay the Hu myself, and raise the banner! If the Hu wish to take the gate, they must first trample over my body and coffin!”
The words were unprecedented. The villagers could not articulate their feelings, only a surge of battle fervor.
Pei Zhu continued, emphasizing the importance of pre-battle mobilization:
“Whether I live or die today matters little. Even in death, my sacrifice will prove that Yongning County’s people are not cowards, that the Hu are not invincible, and that the Han cannot be humiliated!
“Know this—today’s battle is not for others, but for yourselves, for your families, and for future generations. Defend Yongning County, defend your homes; it is our duty!”
His powerful speech moved the villagers to tears. They knew the magistrate’s actions were for them.
Even the city residents, previously resentful of Pei Zhu, were touched. Never had they seen a magistrate willing to face life and death alongside the people—such resolve!
Could their lives be more precious than the magistrate’s? If he stood at the gate to face the enemy, why fear death?
“Well said! If the Hu want to enter, they must trample over my body!” shouted someone.
More voices joined: “I will defend too! I am not afraid of death and I am strong!”
“I am fatter than the magistrate—if he can do it, why can’t I?”
One voice after another, the morale at the city gate surged. Wang Chuo gazed intently at the young magistrate on the gate.
Only Zheng Xingcheng ground his teeth—how could someone act so impressively!
Meanwhile, the Hu, already beyond the border, searched several familiar areas but found no food, livestock, or even bedding.
Damn it, have the people of Yongning County all died?
Frustrated, the Hu leader waved his hand: “To Yongning County’s city!”
He couldn’t believe the county would be without food.