Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 196 Fierce Battle (Part Two)

The fierce battle between the rebel army and the Beiping army was being watched closely by the entire northern region.

In order to get the first-hand, accurate information, Pei Qinghe sent out the experienced Sun Cheng.

In battle, close proximity makes it easy to get caught up in the fighting. Sun Cheng cautiously maintained a distance of more than ten miles, waiting for the fleeing soldiers to break away.

Upon learning this, Pei Qinghe smiled at Mao Hongling, Pei Yan, and the others, saying, "Sun Cheng is indeed cautious and meticulous."

Pei Yan rarely admired anyone: "It's really a waste of his talents to be the head of a battalion."

Pei Qinghe smiled and nodded, "With his abilities, he can lead troops independently in the future, just like Pei Yun, Gu Lian, and Feng Chang."

Mao Hongling said softly, "The bravery of the Beiping army is truly unexpected."

After fighting for half a month, the Beiping army firmly held the city walls. The rebel army suffered heavy casualties. Such a record was enough to make the Beiping army proud of its opponents.

Pei Qinghe replied, "The Beiping Army was originally the strongest garrison in the north. The Meng brothers are equally shrewd and resourceful, and fierce and courageous. Our Pei family army has been training, and the Meng brothers haven't been idle these past two years either, constantly recruiting and training soldiers. It's not surprising that we've achieved such results."

“I wrote to General Yang that day, asking him to wait and see. After reading it for half a month, General Yang had completely given up the idea of ​​sending troops.”

The 60,000-strong Bohai army hasn't even made a move yet! Judging by this situation, it will be very difficult for the rebel army to break through the city gates of Bohai County.

Shi Yan, as the chief commander of the Pei family army, also came to attend the important meeting of the Pei family army today. He said, "Although I don't understand warfare, I can see that something is wrong."

"The total strength of the Beiping Army is only 10,000, far less than that of the Bohai Army. General Zhang has been holding back his troops. The Beiping Army has been winning battles and its strength has been greatly depleted. If this continues, the rebel army will not retreat, but the Beiping Army will be crippled."

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with sarcasm: "The Zhang family is scheming against the Beiping army. They are using others to do their dirty work and deliberately weakening the Beiping army's strength."

"Little did they know that the Beiping Army had won a series of great victories, boosting morale and raising its banner. As long as the Meng brothers were still alive, the Beiping Army's banner would not fall. In the future, it would be exceptionally easy for the Beiping Army to recruit soldiers."

Shi Yan seemed to understand: "So the Meng brothers aren't stupid. They're just trying to make a name for the Beiping Army."

“When General Meng was alive, he was already superior to General Zhang.” Pei Qinghe continued calmly, “Now the Meng brothers have upheld the reputation of the Beiping Army’s bravery. After this battle, the Beiping Army will become a renowned elite force.”

"The Zhang family, father and son, schemed and plotted, but in doing so, brought about the success of the Meng brothers and the Beiping Army."

Of course, the fact that they were able to hold out is also a testament to the Meng brothers' exceptional abilities. If they had been less capable, they might have already been beheaded by the attackers.

In front of Shi Yan, Pei Qinghe did not praise Meng Liulang. It was Shi Yan who, however, was full of praise for Meng Liulang's bravery.

Tao Feng and several other leaders were all former members of the Beiping Army. Hearing of the Beiping Army's display of might, they couldn't help but puff out their chests, feeling proud to be a part of it.

After everyone had left, Shi Yan deliberately stayed behind and chuckled softly, "So the Beiping army is really that powerful. No wonder you deliberately kept Meng Liulang there that day."

Pei Qinghe glanced at him with a smile: "Back then, the Pei family army was newly established and could not be considered an elite force. Five hundred disciplined, skilled, and brave soldiers from Beiping came to Pei Family Village, and of course I wanted to keep them all."

Shi Yan smiled and continued, "Meng Liulang is tall and heroic, with a handsome face. He is indeed the best candidate for a son-in-law."

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "Didn't you say you didn't mind? Why do you sound so sour?"

Shi Yan grinned: "I didn't have the right to care before. I had to pretend to be calm and confident. Now that General Pei cares about me, I dare to say a few sarcastic remarks."

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "You must have eight hundred schemes, all of which you've used on me."

Shi Yan, with a face as thick as a city wall, showed no embarrassment whatsoever: "Without a little scheming, how can I firmly grasp General Pei's heart?" Pei Qinghe chuckled repeatedly, amused.

Her delicate and spirited face was like a blooming flower.

A fiery light flashed in Shi Yan's eyes. He grasped Pei Qinghe's hand, slowly moved closer, and kissed her lips.

After a long time.

Shi Yan embraced Pei Qinghe, whispering in her ear, "You have no idea how fortunate I was that day. Luckily, Meng Liulang was too proud and left resolutely. It was at that moment that I made up my mind to turn against my grandfather and come to Pei Family Village."

As they spent more time together, Shi Yan's true nature and temperament gradually revealed themselves to her.

He was patient, composed, and adept at putting on a show. After more than two years, certain that no one could take away his position as a son-in-law, he became increasingly direct and unrestrained in private conversations.

Pei Qinghe chuckled lightly: "There's no need to emphasize it repeatedly. I'm not the kind of person who's always looking for something better while eating what's in their bowl."

Shi Yan said affectionately, "Then I'll fill your bowl to the brim, leaving no empty spaces."

Pei Qinghe was amused again.

"Cousin Qinghe!" Pei Yan's loud voice rang out before she pushed the door open and entered. Pei Qinghe reacted swiftly, immediately taking two steps back.

Shi Yan quickly adjusted his facial expression, appearing completely composed.

"What happened?" Pei Qinghe asked.

The careless Pei Yan didn't notice anything amiss and replied, "The prefect of Beiping has sent a messenger."

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed: "Send the messenger over."

Shi Yan was very sensible and quickly withdrew.

A moment later, the messenger from Beiping County was brought into the house.

The messenger was a staff member of Prefect Shen of Beiping County, surnamed Zheng.

Zheng, the advisor, was over fifty years old. He had a neat goatee, small but bright eyes, and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, General Pei. My name is Zheng, and I have come to deliver a message on the orders of Prefect Shen."

In the northern prefectures and counties, Emperor Jian'an was publicly acknowledged as the Son of Heaven. With a single imperial edict from Emperor Jian'an, Pei Qinghe became a legitimate, rank-holding military officer. The original sixth young lady, Pei, was replaced by the imposing and domineering General Pei.

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "Advisor Zheng, you may dispense with the formalities."

Zheng's advisor was amazed by the young and heroic appearance of this unique General Pei, and presented the letter from Prefect Shen with a respectful demeanor.

Pei Qinghe wasn't in a hurry to read the letter; instead, she smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Zheng's advisors.

Zheng's advisors adopted an extremely humble attitude, flattering and currying favor at every turn. Pei Qinghe immediately understood that they needed something from the Pei family army.

Sure enough, after a few pleasantries, Zheng's advisor said, "When General Pei quelled the mountain bandits four years ago, our prefect praised him. In just a few years, General Pei has built up the Pei Family Army, defeated the Xiongnu barbarians, and crushed the Fanyang army. The prefect has great respect for General Pei. This time, he specially ordered me to deliver two thousand shi of military rations, please accept them with a smile, General Pei."

Pei Qinghe glanced at Zheng's advisor: "I have not done anything to deserve such a generous gift. I have done nothing to serve Beiping County, so I am unworthy to accept such a generous gift."

(End of this chapter)