Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 236 Marriage
An hour later, the brothers Yang Hu and Yang Huai left the military tent.

The two brothers looked at each other and saw themselves drenched in sweat in each other's eyes.

"I am completely convinced." Yang Hu sighed in a low voice: "Compared with Pei's army, our Guangning army is simply a pile of mud."

Yang Huai offered a dry consolation: "It's not that bad. We're still much stronger than the Fanyang Army and the Liaoxi Army."

"The Fanyang Army surrendered to the rebels, and the Liaoxi Army carved out its own territory, each insatiably greedy, with no regard for the people. The Guangning Army, in the end, still upheld the bottom line of the military."

Yang Huai spoke more and more fluently: "Otherwise, General Pei would not have taken the initiative to lead troops to help us, providing manpower and food to help us defend Guangning Army and drive away the Xiongnu barbarians."

“When we surrendered, General Pei accepted us without hesitation. Try replacing them with the Fanyang Army or the Liaoxi Army? General Pei wouldn’t want them at all.”

Yang Hu's spirits lifted: "What you said makes sense. From now on, we will be just like the Pei family army, strictly enforce military discipline, and diligently train a truly elite force."

The two brothers looked at each other and smiled.

Two days later, the Pei family army set off. Yang Hu led a group of generals to see them off for ten miles.

Pei Qinghe smiled and cupped his hands to Yang Hu: "General Yang, please go back! Focus on training your troops. I will come to Guangning Army again when I have some free time."

Next, it's time to inspect the results of his training as the commander-in-chief.

Yang Hu knew what was going on and replied with a smile, "Give me six months, and I will definitely make the Guangning Army a completely new force."

Pei Qinghe smiled and led his army away.

Yang Hu rode back to the city, leaving behind some seriously wounded who were unable to move, while taking the rest back to the Guangning Army camp. The newly revised thirty military regulations were distributed to the captains.

Within three days, the captain would first recite the military discipline, and then each soldier would have to pass the test one by one. Those who could recite it quickly would be rewarded, while those who could not would be penalized with a deduction from their pay.

Three days later, the first group of people who knew military discipline served up a fragrant bowl of braised pork.

This tactic proved highly effective, even more so than shouting until one's voice became hoarse. A surge of enthusiasm for studying and reciting military discipline swept through the Guangning army. Evening reading and literacy activities also proceeded smoothly.

The daytime training was also much more intense than the usual battles.

The soldiers of the Guangning Army, accustomed to a leisurely lifestyle, were initially full of complaints. However, with ample portions of mixed grain steamed buns at each meal, they managed to get back into training despite their grumbling.

Yang Hu no longer ate special meals; he and Yang Huai and others lined up for meals every day and ate the same food as the soldiers.

Doing all this is no easy task.

Especially when you reach the position of a commander-in-chief, possessing absolute prestige and power in the military camp, you must also set aside all greed and desire, eating, living, and training alongside the ordinary soldiers. It's incredibly difficult!

Yang Hu gritted his teeth and endured it for a month.

In September, Pei's army delivered a batch of military rations, as well as a new batch of military uniforms and shoes.

Pei Zhi was the one who came to deliver the supplies.

In front of everyone, Yang Hu, with an upright demeanor, bowed and thanked the Pei family army for their kindness and generosity.

Pei Zhi raised an eyebrow and said, "General Pei said that this batch of military rations was saved from the rations of the Pei family army, and a batch will be sent every month from now on. The military uniforms were also specially made. Please ask General Yang to distribute the uniforms as soon as possible."

Yang Hu was filled with gratitude and bowed again in thanks.

Bags of military rations were delivered to the warehouse, bringing peace of mind to the soldiers of the Guangning Army. When they lined up to receive their brand-new uniforms, some were so excited they almost cried: "We haven't received new uniforms for two years. Our old uniforms were almost worn out."

Pei Zhi glanced at Yang Hu, seemingly casually. Yang Hu, though thick-skinned, was somewhat embarrassed. He coughed forcefully and addressed all the soldiers who had received their new uniforms: "General Pei sent not only military rations but also uniforms. We all remember General Pei's kindness."

Needless to say!
Their own general is completely in awe of General Pei, so what else could they possibly be dissatisfied with?
Soldiers join the army just to make a living. They'll risk their lives for whoever feeds and clothes them.

Pei Zhi also brought a letter for Yang Huai: "Pei Yan's injury has healed, but she should not travel long distances. This time I came to deliver the grain, next time it should be her turn. This is a letter she asked me to give to you."

Pei Yan also has a tender side.

Yang Huai was flattered and overwhelmed. He accepted the letter, opened it eagerly, and his lips twitched as he glanced at it.

Pei Zhi felt a burning curiosity, like a cat's claws scratching at her, but she couldn't peek out.

Yang Hu, without so many reservations, shamelessly leaned closer and asked, "What did you write? Why is your mouth twitching so much?"

Yang Huai shoved the letter into his pocket and glanced at it sideways: "If you want to read a letter, have Pei Zhi write one for you."

One sentence made their faces turn red with embarrassment.

Yang Huai grinned and slowly walked away with his hands behind his back.

Yang Hu moved closer to Pei Zhi, rubbed his hands together, and stammered, "Pei Zhi, I..."

Pei Zhi looked over with her bright, watery eyes. Yang Hu's mind went blank; he forgot what he wanted to say.

Pei Zhibai glared at him: "Why aren't you saying anything? You used to be quite talkative when you met me."

Recalling his initial lecherous behavior, Yang Hu felt somewhat ashamed and said in a low voice, "Back then, I was like a peacock displaying its feathers, shamelessly following you around every day. Even after being beaten up by you several times, I didn't repent."

Pei Zhi's smile faltered: "What do you mean by that? You've changed your mind now? You no longer have any feelings for me?"

"Of course not." Yang Hu was sweating profusely. "You've always been the only one in my heart. It's just that now that I'm the commander of the Guangning Army, I can't marry into the Pei family. How can I have the face to keep bothering you?"

Pei Zhi raised an eyebrow arrogantly: "General Pei has changed the Pei family rules. From now on, Pei family women can either marry into another family or marry outside the family."

Yang Hu's eyes lit up, unable to contain himself, and he grabbed Pei Zhi's hand.

Pei Zhi reflexively raised her hand and slapped Yang Hu across the face. She regretted it as soon as she hit him; she hadn't held back, and a bright finger mark had already appeared on Yang Hu's left cheek.

"Sorry……"

"You haven't hit me in a long time." Yang Hu covered his left cheek, looking smug and nostalgic. "This is the feeling."

Pei Zhi chuckled: "I've never seen anyone like you, actually asking for a beating. Before I came, the general told me not to act rashly. I was wrong just now, I apologize to you."

He reached out and pulled Yang Hu's hand down, examining his face closely. He then took out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve, applied a tiny bit of medicine, and smeared it on Yang Hu's face: "This is the best wound medicine from the Lu family. Apply a little, and it will heal quickly. Does it still hurt?"

Yang Hu was overjoyed and chuckled softly, "It doesn't hurt at all, it feels great."

Pei Zhi smiled, then a hint of grievance crept in: "In recent years, my aunts and sisters-in-law have all been taking in sons-in-law, and my cousins ​​Qinghe, Yun, and Yan are all planning to do the same. Now they've changed the family rules just for me. My cousins ​​are all laughing at me behind my back!"

Yang Hu grasped Pei Zhi's hand and solemnly said, "As long as you're willing to marry me, I'll make sure you live a life as good as if you were a live-in son-in-law. You can beat me every day if you want."

……

(End of this chapter)