Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 219 Retreat

Bohai Commandery.

Commander Gao strode into the imperial study, his eyes gleaming with excitement and joy, his voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty! The rebel army has retreated!"

Emperor Jian'an, whose eyes were dark and blue from lack of sleep, suddenly had a gleam of joy in his eyes: "What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly, say it again!"

Commander Gao repeated loudly, "The rebel army has retreated today. This battle is finally over."

Emperor Jian'an suddenly stood up, wanting to laugh, but for some reason tears welled up in his eyes.

Eunuch Xu, who was standing to the side, also wiped away tears.

The rebel army of 100,000 men came with overwhelming force and besieged Bohai County for over a year. For that entire year, Bohai County was constantly at war. Emperor Jian'an was constantly gripped by the fear of the city's fall and the country's demise, losing his appetite and unable to sleep. Even when Empress Zhang Jingwan entered the household and became pregnant, Emperor Jian'an did not truly smile.

Now, the clouds have finally parted and the moon is shining brightly.

The rebel army has retreated!

Bohai County is safe!

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! The rebel army has been defeated!" General Zhang's familiar voice rang out, brimming with joy.

Emperor Jian'an turned his head away, wiped away his tears, and then turned back to face him with a joyful expression: "The defense of Bohai Commandery is all thanks to the Grand General. I hereby bestow upon the Grand General the title of Duke of Anguo!"

General Zhang did not refuse politely, but smiled and bowed to express his gratitude.

Emperor Jian'an summoned Prime Minister Pang and ordered him to draft an imperial edict.

Prime Minister Pang smiled and reminded them, "The Bohai Army deserves great credit for repelling the rebels. The Beiping Army also made a great contribution in defending the city. And all the generals who came to the aid of the Emperor are loyal ministers and capable generals of the court. In particular, General Yang of the Guangning Army died on the battlefield and severely damaged that traitor Tao Wudi. His Majesty should reward the Guangning Army handsomely!"

Without hesitation, Emperor Jian'an laughed and said, "Reward them all!"

It was customary to reward the generals after a major battle. Even if the imperial court couldn't afford real money or provisions, it should at least promote the meritorious soldiers.

After convening his senior officials to discuss the matter, Emperor Jian'an quickly issued an imperial edict.

The Meng brothers were originally both fourth-rank military officers, but now they have been promoted to second-rank generals! General Yang unfortunately died in battle and was posthumously promoted to first-rank grand general. The commander of the Wuyi army, who also died in battle, was posthumously promoted to second-rank general.

The other military officers were promoted one to three ranks according to their battle achievements. Even the commander of the Chang Le Army who fled halfway was promoted.

Even the Pei family army, which had remained inactive, received the imperial decree of reward. Pei Qinghe was promoted one rank on the spot, becoming a third-rank military officer.

The imperial edict bestowing rewards was delivered to Pei Family Village. Pei Qinghe accepted the edict without any shame.

Mao Hongling chuckled softly, "It's quite a strange thing to receive rewards without even sending troops."

Pei Qinghe twitched the corner of her mouth: "Without military funds and supplies, we can only appease the generals with nominal positions. The Pei family army didn't send troops, but they also didn't take the opportunity to raise their own flag and rebel, so they didn't hold us back. That's already a merit."

This sounds absurd and laughable, yet it is remarkably true.

The truth is, the young Jian'an Emperor was unable to control the court or influence the overall situation. The capital had already fallen, and the people of the south no longer recognized the court. In the north, the so-called "loyal ministers and generals" harbored their own agendas and schemes. A civil war might break out at any moment.

Pei Yan was still in the Guangning army and hadn't returned yet. Pei Qinghe casually handed the imperial edict to Pei Xuan: "Put the imperial edict away safely."

Pei Xuan held the imperial edict and gave Pei Feng a smug smile.

Pei Feng has grown taller this year, now taller than Pei Xuan and looking like a teenager. However, he hasn't matured much and still constantly tries to compete with Pei Xuan.

Pei Feng, with a slightly immature but handsome face, waited until Pei Xuan left before complaining to Pei Qinghe, "Cousin Qinghe, Pei Xuan always bullies me."

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "How can I back you up? Do you expect her to give in to you in everything?" Pei Feng paused for a moment, then straightened his chest and said: "I don't need her to give in. When we go to the battlefield, I will dominate and make her completely submit."

He's young, but he talks big.

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "There will be plenty of battles to fight in the future. We'll see how you handle them then."

A round, chubby face came closer: "I want to lead troops into battle too."

Pei Qinghe smiled and gently rubbed Pei Yue's chubby face: "You should hone your skills first before studying military strategy."

In the blink of an eye, five years have passed. Pei Yue, who used to cry so much, is now ten years old. The boys and girls of the Pei family are all growing up day by day.

Pei Qinghe turned to Mao Hongling and sighed, "Looking at Pei Feng and Pei Yue, I feel like I'm getting old."

Mao Hongling was amused: "You're only eighteen, how can you be old? I'm seven years older than you, and I still think I'm in my prime!"

Just as they were laughing and talking, a fast horse galloped into Peijia Village, bringing bad news.

Pei Zhi returned with the message. She had been rushing all the way, her pretty face covered in dust, her brows furrowed with anxiety.

"General, something terrible has happened! The Xiongnu barbarians have entered the pass!"

"There are several thousand cavalrymen! They are looting and killing everywhere! The county towns with walls can hold on a little longer, but the small villages are suffering! Countless people have been slaughtered!"

"The Xiongnu barbarians split into two groups, one heading towards Liaoxi Commandery and the other towards Guangning Commandery. The entire Guangning army has been mobilized to defend Guangning Commandery!"

"My cousin Yan went to Guangning County with Yang Huai and asked me to come back and deliver a message."

Mao Hongling was terrified and turned to Pei Qinghe: "The Xiongnu barbarians are here, what should we do?"

Pei Qinghe remained calm: "Don't panic! The Xiongnu barbarians' attack was expected. In fact, they arrived later than I anticipated."

"We train every day for this moment."

Pei Qinghe's composure was highly infectious. Mao Hongling's frantically beating heart calmed down slightly. Pei Zhi, who had been restless from the long ride, also calmed down.

"Summon all the leaders to discuss countermeasures."

At Pei Qinghe's command, all the leaders gathered in the council hall in less than half an hour.

As was customary, the leaders were the first to express their opinions. Sun Cheng was the first to speak: "We must fight those Xiongnu barbarians! We should send troops immediately!"

Sun Cheng had not been in Pei's army for long, but he had repeatedly made meritorious contributions and established himself firmly on his own merits.

Pei Qinghe glanced at him approvingly: "Chief Sun is right. The Pei family army doesn't want to fight a civil war, so we haven't sent troops before. I've tolerated the Liaoxi army's repeated provocations. But we absolutely have to fight the Xiongnu barbarians!"

Tao Feng, a hot-blooded and impulsive man, immediately stood up and volunteered: "Please send me, General, to lead troops to Guangning County."

The other leaders all volunteered to fight.

No one flinched from battle; their eyes gleamed, and they were all eager for action. The Pei family army was invincible, never having suffered a defeat. Even against the Xiongnu barbarians, they had nothing to fear. The Xiongnu barbarians were human too; they would die just as easily if their heads were cut off.

Morale is soaring, and the army is ready to fight.

Pei Qinghe was very satisfied: "Everyone, please sit down. This time, I will personally lead the troops to support Guangning County. Second Sister-in-law will stay behind, along with ten battalions. The rest of you will come with me!"

(End of this chapter)