Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 197 Expansion
Zheng, burdened with heavy responsibilities, dared not beat around the bush lest he displease General Pei. He humbly said, “The Beiping army has been gone for more than two years. Now the military camp is empty, with only a dozen or so veterans guarding the air force camp. There is a war in Jizhou. The prefect is worried that the war will spread to Youzhou. He also pities the people of Beiping County, who have no one to rely on.”

"We earnestly request General Pei to send troops to garrison Beiping County and protect the people of Beiping County."

"From now on, half of the annual tax revenue of Beiping Prefecture will be given to the imperial court, and the other half will be given to General Pei to support him in raising his troops."

Pei Qinghe did not show any joy, nor did he immediately agree: "This matter is of utmost importance, and this general needs to consider it carefully."

Zheng's advisors readily agreed.

Pei Qinghe then opened Prefect Shen's letter. The contents of the letter were roughly the same as what Zheng's advisor had said, but there was an extra paragraph.

"...The Beiping Army and the Pei Family Army have a long history. I believe General Meng and his brother will not mind that the Pei Family Army has been stationed in Beiping County. I also ask General Pei to protect the people of Beiping County for the sake of General Meng and his brother."

The Beiping army has been gone for almost three years, and only today did Prefect Shen write to Pei's army seeking "protection," naturally because Prefect Shen had been observing the situation.

The Liaoxi Army raised its banner and declared itself independent, with General Li proclaiming himself King of Liaoxi—a clear case of treason. Even though the Liaoxi Army held the largest territory and the strongest forces, Prefect Shen was unwilling to become an accomplice of traitors so early on.

Emperor Jian'an was living well in Bohai Commandery, while Jingchao was still barely clinging to life. Perhaps Emperor Jian'an would one day work hard to recover lost territories and become a wise ruler, and Prefect Shen was unwilling to cut off his own official career.

The Fanyang army defected to the rebels and was then defeated by the Pei family army, so they can also be ruled out.

The Guangning Army would have been a better choice. However, the Guangning Army was much farther from Beiping County, separated by several counties, including Yan County.

The Pei family army had many advantages. On the surface, they were loyal to the imperial court, their troops were elite and powerful, and they also had connections with the Beiping army. The Meng brothers even voluntarily gave Pei Qinghe all the equipment from the Beiping army camp.

After much deliberation, the cautious Prefect Shen offered two thousand bushels of military rations as a pledge of loyalty, promising to give half of the annual tax revenue to the Pei family army.

The Pei family army has three thousand elite soldiers, and with the troops stationed in various counties, the total strength is nearly six thousand. This is already the limit that the tax revenue of Yan County can support. Continuing to recruit soldiers and expand means that wealthy households and government offices will be exploited without limit, and in the end, the burden will still be passed on to ordinary people.

In the past six months, Pei Qinghe has slowed down the pace of recruiting soldiers.

Now that Prefect Shen has offered himself up, with half of Beiping County's tax revenue, he could at least support several thousand more elite soldiers. Pei Qinghe couldn't possibly turn down such a lucrative offer.

Zheng's advisors were well aware of this. Therefore, although he was humble, he was actually quite confident.

Pei Qinghe ordered Zheng's staff to settle down and rest, and then sent messengers to Changping and other counties.

Yan County administers seven counties, each with a garrison of varying numbers of troops. Those dispatched to lead troops independently are all Pei Qinghe's trusted elite soldiers.

Changping County was the closest, and Pei Yun rushed back that very night after receiving the news. With a look of great joy on her face, she said to Pei Qinghe, "That's wonderful! Beiping County has taken the initiative to surrender, and the Pei family army's territory has immediately more than doubled."

Pei Qinghe's eyes gleamed: "Beiping County is even larger than Yan County. There's no reason not to take advantage of such a large piece of meat. However, this matter cannot be rushed, and we need to put some thought into the specifics."

“This was originally the territory of the Beiping Army. Even if the Beiping Army has now gone to Bohai County, they cannot take it without permission.”

Pei Yun also calmed down from her excitement and elation: "Your concerns are valid. However, the rebel army has besieged Bohai County, and the Beiping army is defending the city and fighting the rebels. How are we going to send a message to the Meng brothers?"

Pei Qinghe had already planned ahead: "I'll first send a message to Sun Cheng. Let him figure out a way. The rebel army has suffered repeated setbacks in their sieges, and many soldiers have deserted. Their so-called siege of Bohai County is just a bluff. There's always a way to get the message in." When the message reaches the Meng brothers isn't important. What's important is that Pei Qinghe makes his stance clear, and once the Meng brothers agree, they will take Beiping County.

Pei Yun suddenly whispered, "What if the Meng brothers refuse to agree?"

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "They can't turn back now. Rather than letting others benefit from it, it's better to give Beiping County to me so that I can owe them a favor. The Pei family army is disciplined and will not act recklessly or bully the people. They will treat prominent families well and will also defend Beiping County against foreign enemies."

"Although Meng Liulang is proud, he is not narrow-minded. Meng Dalang is even more intelligent. They will agree."

Pei Yun hummed in agreement, then glanced at Pei Qinghe: "Who do you plan to send to lead the troops to Beiping County?"

Pei Qinghe, as the commander-in-chief and the soul of the Pei family army, cannot leave Pei Family Village for long. Such a large territory as Beiping Prefecture requires the dispatch of truly reliable members of the Pei family.

Pei Qinghe and Pei Yun exchanged glances: "I plan to have my second sister-in-law take your place in Changping County, while you lead the troops to Beiping Prefecture. Are you willing?"

Pei Yun relaxed her brows and smiled slightly, "That's what I think too."

This domineering air of "I am the only one who can do it" made Pei Qinghe smile knowingly: "Second sister-in-law is steady and meticulous, good at maintaining the status quo, but lacks courage. Pei Yan is even more of a different story. She is good at charging into battle and killing people, but using her brain would be the death of her. After thinking it over, you are still the most suitable."

"I'm letting you know about this first, and then I'll speak to my second sister-in-law privately. You both know what's going on."

Pei Yun nodded.

After dinner, Pei Qinghe called Mao Hongling into the room alone.

Mao Hongling breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled softly, "I was thinking that this time it would be my turn to lead the troops. It's perfect that my cousin Yun is willing to go. She's decisive and ruthless, much better than me."

Everyone has a different temperament. Pei Yun is suited for conquering new territories, while Mao Hongling is suited for stationing troops. As for Pei Yan, she's best suited to stay by Pei Qinghe's side.

Pei Qinghe couldn't help but sigh, "The territory is getting bigger and bigger, but there are never enough people to use. I really hope that Pei Xuan and Pei Feng will grow up quickly."

Pei Xuan is sweet-faced but ruthless, Pei Feng is cold and sharp, and most importantly, they are both true members of the Pei family. They are Pei Qinghe's most loyal followers.

Mao Hongling chuckled softly, "The children are growing up one generation after another. In a couple of years, Pei Yue will be able to take up a sword and go into battle. And Pei Wan, Pei Yu, Pei Lang, and Pei Wang will all be grown up in five or eight years."

Pei Wan and Pei Wang are half-siblings, sharing the same mother but different fathers. Pei Yu's biological mother, Madam Xu, passed away early, and she grew up with Pei Qinghe. Pei Lang is the real name of Xiao Gou'er.

These children are all of Pei bloodline and hold Pei Qinghe in the highest esteem and admiration. They will become the main force of the Pei family army in the future.

Pei Qinghe laughed: "Second sister-in-law is right. The Pei family has successors and will continue to be passed down."

……

(End of this chapter)