Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 213 Face
The new stables were not yet completed when the year was drawing to a close.

Those who came to Peijia Village to deliver New Year's gifts included county magistrates from various counties, Prefect Tang of Yan County, the Shi family, the Wang family, and so on. The flow of people was continuous and endless.

Pei Qinghe accepted it without hesitation, without any need for reciprocation.

The Pei family army protected the people of the region, saved the heads of county magistrates and prefects, and ensured the safety of wealthy families. These gifts over the years are well-deserved by the Pei family army.

Shi Yan couldn't help but privately remind him, "These gifts over the years were given to the general; they should go into the general's private treasury."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly at Shi Yan: "The entire Pei family army is mine, there's no need to set up a private treasury."

Shi Yan had suggested setting up a private treasury more than once. Each time, Pei Qinghe had decisively rejected the suggestion. Shi Yan felt no regret, only admiration.

Which person in a position of power isn't greedy?
Wealth, beauty, power, fame—each one is intoxicating.

Pei Qinghe was neither lustful nor greedy. He lived a simple and frugal life, and didn't even receive military pay; his pockets were emptier than his face.

"Actually, I'm not as good as you think," Pei Qinghe said with a soft laugh. "The Pei family army has only been established for a few years and its foundation is still shallow. It's not time for extravagance and waste yet. What I want now is to ensure that those who follow me are well-fed and clothed, and to make the Pei family army stronger day by day so that it can protect more people and allow them to live peaceful lives."

Shi Yan gazed at Pei Qinghe, his heart pounding with emotion: "I will follow the General forever!"

His feelings for her went beyond romantic love; they also stemmed from the admiration and respect a strong person holds for another. He knew she had lofty ambitions, and he wanted to always stand behind her, like a firefly chasing the moonlight.

Pei Qinghe chuckled softly and moved closer to him.

Shi Yan hugged her tightly.

They were so busy that they had no time for romance, only occasionally taking a moment to be affectionate during breaks from work.

This moment of solitude was quickly interrupted: "Reporting to the general, the Guangning army has sent someone to deliver New Year's gifts."

The person who came to deliver the New Year's gift was none other than Pei Yan's fiancé, Yang Huai.

Yang Huai was quite a character. At first, he was reluctant to become a live-in son-in-law and often wore a sour face. However, in just over half a year, he adapted well and even enjoyed it.

"Congratulations, General, on taking Beiping County." Yang Huai smiled and cupped his hands in congratulations: "Our general sent me to deliver New Year's gifts and to congratulate you on gaining another county under your command."

Pei's army's capture of Beiping Commandery was a coveted prize, making the other three armies in Youzhou envious. The Fanyang army, defeated by Pei Qinghe, dared not provoke them. The Guangning army had an alliance with Pei's army and enjoyed good relations; General Yang even sent someone to congratulate them. The Liaoxi army, however, was truly green with envy.

Yang Huai brought General Yang's message: "My uncle instructed me to tell you that you should be wary of the Liaoxi army."

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed: "Please convey my thanks to General Yang for reminding me."

Yang Huai coughed and said shamelessly, "There's another matter. My uncle heard that the Pei family army sent a caravan to the border and bought a large number of warhorses. Our Guangning army is also short of horses."

"Next spring, my uncle also plans to send a merchant caravan out of the pass, hoping to travel with the Pei family's caravan so that they can look out for each other. I wonder if the general would agree?"

Before Pei Qinghe could speak, Pei Yan glared at her with her large, round eyes and spat, "What 'same route'? How are we supposed to help each other? Why should you benefit from the trade routes we've worked so hard to establish? Have you no shame?!"

Yang Huai felt guilty and had no choice but to endure the scolding, continuing to smile obsequiously: "The Guangning Army is really short of warhorses. We're not greedy; we'll be satisfied with just buying a few hundred. We'll also send troops and men, along with cotton cloth and tea, so we won't take advantage of the Pei family army."

Pei Yan was about to glare and curse again when Pei Qinghe glanced over.

Pei Yan immediately shut up.

Pei Qinghe looked at Yang Huai again. Yang Huai was flexible and yielding, bending even lower, his eyes showing no resentment, only a burning longing for his warhorse.

“It is indeed inconvenient to buy horses together,” Pei Qinghe said slowly. “This trade route was paved with the lives of the Pei family army and the Zhan family, and it cannot be revealed to others.”

"However, the Guangning Army and the Pei Family Army are of the same ilk and are not outsiders. How about this, the Guangning Army can prepare the supplies and send them over together. I will have someone take them to the border to exchange for horses. How many we can exchange for, and how many we can bring back safely, is hard to say right now. It all depends on General Yang's luck."

Yang Huai was overjoyed and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, General Pei!"

Pei Yan snorted angrily.

Yang Huai's heart skipped a beat, but he could only pretend not to hear and respectfully withdrew.

"Qinghe, why are you paying attention to him?" Pei Yan couldn't hold back her anger any longer. "Just refuse him directly. Who doesn't need horses? These warhorses were obtained with great difficulty and at the cost of lives. Why should they get them?"

Pei Qinghe smiled and soothed the fuming Pei Yan: "We're not giving them a single one of our more than eight hundred horses this year. Whether we can successfully exchange them for horses next year when we go to the border is still uncertain. Let's agree for now, just to give General Yang face."

We also have to give Yang Huai, our future brother-in-law, some face.

Pei Yan wasn't stupid. She didn't usually like to use her brain, but now it all clicked: "That old fox, General Yang! No wonder he was so eager to have Yang Huai marry into the Pei family, making it seem like I got some huge advantage. And I even had to change their horses!"

"The more I think about it, the more I feel cheated. I might as well just break off the engagement!"

Pei Qinghe was both amused and exasperated, and rolled her eyes at him: "Don't be ridiculous! Since we've formed an alliance with the Guangning Army, it's only right that we do them a favor."

"You are not allowed to utter the words 'announce the engagement' lightly. And you are absolutely forbidden from bullying Yang Huai in private!"

Pei Yan agreed readily to his request, but then turned around and dragged her fiancé to the training ground.

The group of male and female soldiers watching could attest that Pei Yan did not bully her fiancé in private; she openly and honestly gave him a good beating.

Yang Huai had anticipated being beaten and was mentally prepared. He was even secretly relieved. Pei Yan avoided hitting his head and face, and after the beating, his handsome face was completely unharmed.

Saving him face shows that you care about him.

Yang Huai's cousin, Yang Hu, also came with him to deliver New Year's gifts.

Yang Hu remained persistent, his eyes fixed on the charming and beautiful Pei Zhi.

Feeling annoyed by the stares, Pei Zhi suddenly stepped forward with a smile and challenged Yang Hu to a martial arts duel. Yang Hu, momentarily stunned by Pei Zhi's smile, readily agreed.

Yang Huai grinned and sat cross-legged, looking at his cousin who had been beaten black and blue and was completely humiliated. He couldn't help but laugh. Comparison is always the best policy, and this contrast brought a surge of happiness.

Yang Hu forced himself not to beg for mercy in public, but when he went back inside to apply medicine, he screamed in agony.

Yang Huai was also applying medicine to himself, without looking up: "I told you before, don't come along. Pei Zhi doesn't like you at all."

Yang Hu was very stubborn: "She doesn't hit others, she only hits me, which shows that she still cares about me."

Yang Huai: "..."

(End of this chapter)