In a chaotic world of infrastructure development, a woman's path to survival after being reborn

After obtaining the map, Zhao Zexuan did not linger and left with his soldiers, while the internal conflicts within the Pei family had only just begun.

"Father, how could you hand over the map so easily? Don't you know how important the map is?" Pei Dalang said reproachfully.

Hearing this, Old Master Pei glanced at his foolish eldest son and said, "Then when do you think would be appropriate?"

Pei Dalang sensed something was off about the tone of those words, but his reason was ultimately overtaken by his unwillingness. He said with some dissatisfaction, "Giving it away so quickly? What if he doesn't keep his promise? After all, what happened to my little sister really slapped him in the face. Is it appropriate for us to actively seek his protection?"

Hearing this, Old Master Pei nodded and asked, "If you think it's not appropriate to find him, then who do you think is appropriate?"

“I don’t know who my son should look for, but I think we’ll find someone eventually. There will be plenty of opportunities after we go down the mountain!” Pei Dalang muttered.

Originally, he wanted to control his anger, but he couldn't. Old Master Pei picked up the teacup in front of him and threw it at Pei Dalang, but unfortunately, he missed.

Seeing that Pei Dalang dared to dodge, Old Master Pei became even more furious and roared in a low voice, "You unfilial son, kneel down!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Dalang paused, then knelt down, but he felt he hadn't said anything wrong.

Old Master Pei could see Pei Dalang's dissatisfaction, and snorted coldly, "You say there are more opportunities down the mountain, but you have to get down the mountain safely first. I'm afraid you'll die on the way before you even leave the area of ​​this mountain, you fool."

Upon hearing this, Pei Dalang said somewhat uncertainly, "How could that be? We have so many guards, who would dare to come near?"

Feeling somewhat weary, Old Master Pei hadn't expected his eldest son to be not only naive but also foolish, unable to understand such a simple matter.

Looking around and seeing that everyone there was family, Old Master Pei simply said, "Compared to the refugees down the mountain, the guards in our house are nothing. Besides, are you 100% sure that the guards in our house would be willing to risk their lives to protect you now?"

Pei Dalang wanted to say, "How dare they not save us!" But after thinking about it carefully, he didn't say it. He used to be sure of the guards' loyalty, but now he wasn't.

No one responded, which didn't surprise Old Master Pei. He continued, "I sent people down the mountain to inquire about the situation. There's no order down there anymore. Starving refugees have no sense of reason. Let me ask you, what would you do if you encountered these refugees? Would you threaten them, reveal your identity, or choose to compromise?"

Each sentence was used to make Pei Dalang so embarrassed that he couldn't lift his head. Of course, Pei Dalang wasn't the only one who couldn't lift his head; other members of the Pei family were as well.

“I know that it’s not just Dalang who has designs on my trading of the map; the rest of you do too. Don’t you think this map is extremely valuable and shouldn’t be given away so easily?” Old Master Pei said, staring intently at each member of the Pei family.

Pei Dalang and the others lowered their heads and remained silent, not daring to say anything more.

Seeing that no one spoke, Old Master Pei did not feel dejected. He continued, "I know this map better than any of you, as it embodies the hard work of generations of my Pei family. But this map is an inanimate object, while people are alive. As long as my Pei family members are alive, there is still hope."

"You don't understand what I'm saying now, but you'll all understand after we go down the mountain," Old Master Pei sighed.

"Get up, everyone disperse, check your luggage. From now on, we are just ordinary members of this group. Behave yourselves. Anyone who causes trouble will be kicked out of the Pei family." The last sentence was spoken by Old Master Pei to Pei Dalang, and it was also a warning to all members of the Pei family.

……

No sooner had Zhao Zexuan left with the map than news of what had happened at the Pei family reached his ears. Upon hearing the soldier's report, Zhao Zexuan simply said "I know" and dismissed the soldier.

Mo Nan had been following Zhao Zexuan closely, so he was naturally aware of the deal with the Pei family. Therefore, he asked curiously, "General, is the map that Old Master Pei gave us genuine?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan tightened his grip on the map and said, "It should be true. Old Master Pei is very shrewd. He wouldn't dare to, and wouldn't, fool us with something so important. However, we can't completely trust it either."

Mo Nan naturally understood this, and said, "The Pei family is quite pragmatic; they know that life is not easy down the mountain these days."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan raised an eyebrow and said, "It's not the Pei family who knows what's good for them, but Old Master Pei. He has a much longer-term vision than anyone else in the Pei family."

Upon hearing this, Mo Nan was somewhat confused. Weren't Old Master Pei and the Pei family all the same concept? How could there be a distinction between the two?

Before Mo Nan could ask again, Zhao Zexuan inquired, "Have you obtained those carriages and horses?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Nan said seriously, "We've got them all, and I guarantee there will be more than we need. They're waiting at the foot of the mountain right now."

Zhao Zexuan nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Have someone send the carriages and horses up in two days, and the convoy will depart in two days."

“Alright, I will give the order right away,” Mo Nan said.

***

After settling things at the camp, it was already late at night. Zhao Zexuan returned to his lodgings and entered the tent. Seeing that Su Li was sleeping soundly, he didn't disturb her. He reached out and touched Su Li's forehead to make sure she didn't have a fever before lying down next to her and tucking the newly acquired map under his pillow.

Su Li has a habit of sleeping with something in her arms. She herself is unaware of this habit, but Zhao Zexuan, who has been sleeping with her for quite some time, has figured it out. Sure enough, not long after she lay down, Su Li leaned against him.

At first, he wasn't used to it, but now he's completely adapted. He's no longer surprised by Su Li's approach. He adjusts himself into a comfortable position and continues to sleep.

The next morning, Su Li woke up first. When she opened her eyes, she was shocked to find herself in Zhao Zexuan's arms.

Su Li carefully withdrew her hands and feet, pretending nothing had happened, and stepped back a little. Just as she was about to get up, she heard Zhao Zexuan wake up.

It was a little awkward to be staring at each other so early in the morning. Su Li suddenly didn't know what to say. Just as she was thinking about whether to start a conversation, she heard Zhao Zexuan say, "Good morning."

Stunned, Su Li replied with a "Good morning" after hearing this, and then the two fell silent again.

Perhaps feeling a little guilty about what had just happened, Su Li only wanted to end this awkward situation as soon as possible, so she got up and went out. However, before she could make a move, Zhao Zexuan spoke first, telling her not to leave.

"What's wrong?" Su Li asked.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zexuan sat up, took out a roll from under his pillow, placed it in front of Su Li, and said, "I'll show you something."