Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 227 Bloodbath (Part Two)
That's how cruel the battlefield is.

Pei Zhi and Pei Feng were injured one after another, and the Pei family army suffered heavy casualties.

However, they managed to halt the overwhelming attack of the Xiongnu barbarians, and the corpses of the Xiongnu barbarians thrown down from the city walls piled up into a small mountain. When the Xiongnu barbarians retreated and tried to take the corpses with them, Pei Qinghe waved his hand, and the Pei family army's archers immediately unleashed a volley of arrows.

Even the most ferocious Xiongnu barbarians were still human. No one wanted to die in vain. They quickly abandoned their fallen comrades and fled in panic.

Yang Hu had somehow climbed onto the city wall and looked at Pei Qinghe with admiration: "The Pei family army is indeed formidable!"

A few days ago, the Guangning army fought desperately and almost lost the position several times.

Today, Pei's army stormed the city walls, standing firm like a rock against the surging attack. From beginning to end, they dominated the Xiongnu barbarians, holding the upper hand.

Pei Family Army is a truly elite and valiant force!

Pei Qinghe was not arrogant. He said in a low voice, "The Guangning army has worn down the morale and fighting strength of the Xiongnu barbarians. Today, the Pei family army is a fresh force, and it is their first time on the city wall, which is why they achieved this result. If we fight again tomorrow, I'm afraid it won't be so easy."

"Moreover, many members of the Pei family army have died today, and many others have been injured."

Yang Hu sighed, "There are always deaths in war. I heard Pei Feng was also injured. How is he now?"

Pei Feng is Pei Qinghe's direct cousin and the eldest male member of the Pei family, holding a special and important position in the Pei family army.

To outsiders, Pei Feng should be the second-in-command in the Pei family army. In case Pei Qinghe were to suffer an accident on the battlefield, Pei Feng should be the one to take her place.

Pei Qinghe sighed, "Pei Feng has a leg injury and has already been taken to Lu Dongqing for treatment."

Pei Yan and Pei Xuan were both guarding Pei Feng. Pei Qinghe, as the commander-in-chief, had to stay on the city wall.

Yang Hu hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Let the Guangning Army guard the city tomorrow!"

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "Whether the Guangning Army can hold out or not, you know best in your heart."

Yang Hu was speechless.

"With a formidable enemy at hand, the Guangning Army and the Pei family army should unite as one to defend against them." Pei Qinghe looked at Yang Hu, his voice clear and powerful: "There's no need for formalities. The Pei family army will not back down because of casualties. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come in the first place."

"Now that I have led my troops here, I will fight to the death!"

Yang Hu felt both ashamed and moved. At such a moment, words seemed inadequate. He cupped his hands and bowed solemnly, saying, "Then I will trouble General Pei."

After retreating from the city wall, Yang Hu couldn't help but look up at it.

Pei Qinghe stood atop the city wall, the afterglow of the setting sun seemingly casting a halo around her.

Invincible and incredibly powerful.

With mixed feelings, Yang Hu went to his cousin Yang Huai's side and sighed softly, "Cousin, I have never admired anyone so much in my life."

"In this world, there really is someone like Pei Qinghe, who seems to be a god of war descended to earth and has never been defeated. He has a large number of elite soldiers and fierce generals under his command, each of whom is fearless of death."

"The moment she said she would fight to the death, I even had an impulse to kneel down before her."

"I am, after all, a commander of an army, and I shouldn't have any thoughts of submitting to another commander. But I have a strong intuition. Heroes emerge in times of chaos, and the one who can end this chaos is General Pei!"

Yang Huai was also stunned by Yang Hu: "What do you want to do?"

Yang Hu and Yang Huai stared at each other for a moment.

Yang Hu wasn't exceptionally skilled in martial arts, but he was well-versed in military strategy, quick-witted, and adept at strategizing. Yang Huai, on the other hand, excelled in both physical combat and military command. The two were cousins ​​who grew up together, often teasing and joking with each other, but in reality, they were very close. Otherwise, Yang Huai wouldn't have risked his life to support Yang Hu as commander-in-chief, even accepting the perilous mission of ambushing the Xiongnu barbarians.

Lying on the bed, unable to move, Yang Huai frowned deeply and asked again, "Yang Hu, what exactly do you want to do?"

Yang Hu coughed and said, "It's too early to talk about these things now. I'm just feeling very emotional and have a lot to say that I want to share with you. Just listen and don't take it to heart."

"You focus on recovering. I'm going to Pei Family Army to check on Pei Feng."

After saying that, he got up and left.

Yang Huai was both amused and exasperated. He watched Yang Hu's figure disappear into the distance, and began to ponder the matter.

The Guangning Army, having fought for Emperor Jian'an, suffered the death of its commander and the loss of 40% of its forces. In return, they received only a perfunctory imperial edict posthumously conferring upon them the title of First-Rank Grand General. No post-war compensation or rewards were provided. Meanwhile, the Xiongnu barbarians launched a raid, while the Bohai Commandery remained completely silent.

After fighting for more than a year, Bohai Commandery finally saw the rebel army retreat and needed a chance to catch its breath and recuperate. However, for the Guangning Army, Emperor Jian'an's indifferent actions were truly disheartening.

Is such an emperor truly worthy of the Guangning Army's loyalty and devotion?

Should the Guangning Army seek another wise ruler?
……

The wounded soldiers' camp of Pei's army was packed with people.

After hurriedly stitching up Pei Feng's wound, Lu Dongqing didn't even have time to catch her breath before busying herself with treating the other injured people.

Once Pei Yan confirmed that Pei Feng's injuries were not serious, she got up to find Pei Qinghe.

Pei Xuan stood guard beside Pei Feng, her eyes red.

She and Pei Feng were only a year apart in age, and they had been competing with each other since childhood, always striving to be the best. They bickered, sulked, and fought every day, yet their relationship was the closest. When Pei Feng was injured, she felt more heartbroken than anyone else.

Pei Feng was awakened by the pain, his handsome face pale and his forehead covered in cold sweat. Pei Xuan wiped Pei Feng's forehead with a handkerchief: "It's okay to cry out if it hurts, it's not shameful."

Pei Feng then let out a sound of surprise.

Pei Xuan brought over a bowl of meat porridge, scooped up a spoonful to cool it slightly, and brought it to Pei Feng's lips. Pei Feng opened his mouth and ate slowly.

After eating a bowl of porridge, Pei Feng was covered in cold sweat again. Pei Xuan carefully wiped away his sweat and then specially brewed a bowl of pain-relieving and calming medicine, which she then fed to Pei Feng.

Pei Feng's mind quickly became hazy, and before falling asleep, he muttered to himself, "I admit defeat this time. Once I'm healed, we'll settle things once more."

Pei Xuan couldn't help but roll her eyes. The tender and caring sibling relationship had officially been worn away.

Pei Qinghe toured the wounded soldiers' camp, comforting all the wounded soldiers, before finally coming to Pei Feng's side: "Pei Xuan, you go to sleep first. I'll stay with Pei Feng."

Pei Xuan said softly, "No one is made of iron. Qinghe, you are also made of flesh and blood. Standing at the forefront, enduring the fighting of the Xiongnu barbarians all day long, you are the one who is most tired. Tomorrow you will lead the troops to defend the city. Everyone is watching you and pointing fingers at you. Go to sleep. I will guard this place."

In the candlelight, Pei Xuan's dark eyes were filled with heartache and concern.

Pei Qinghe felt a slight pang of emotion and reached out to touch Pei Xuan's head: "Xiao Xuan has really grown up. She's brave and capable in battle, and she even cares about her cousin."

Pei Xuan smiled sweetly at the compliment and urged Pei Qinghe to go and rest.

Pei Qinghe laughed: "Okay, I'll listen to you. I'm going to sleep now, we'll get up early to fight tomorrow!"

(End of this chapter)