Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 244 Provocation
Knowing Lu's temperament well, and fearing that Lu might say something unpleasant, Li immediately chimed in, "We old women don't understand these fighting and killing things. You are a general personally appointed by the Emperor, and you make all the decisions regarding the Pei family army."

The most effective way to deal with the Lu family is to use the phrase "personally bestowed by the Emperor".

As expected, Madam Lu remained silent.

Fang said with a smile, "When the emperor was about to issue an edict to appoint Qinghe as a general, a lot of people in the court jumped out to oppose it. Fortunately, the Meng brothers and Prime Minister Pang supported him."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "When I have some free time, I will visit the Meng and Pang families to express my gratitude."

Pei Qinghe, commanding a large army, wielded increasing authority. Even the elders felt a growing sense of unease. They quickly changed the subject, speaking of their longing and sorrow after their separation.

Pei Yan's loud voice was a real mood killer: "Since the elders can't bear to part with us, they shouldn't stay in Bohai County. They should come back with us this time."

Madam Lu reacted vehemently: "No! Our Pei family are loyal subjects, not traitors! Wherever the Emperor is, we will be there."

The joy of a long-awaited reunion was suddenly torn apart by a rift.

On one side were the young people led by Pei Qinghe.

On the other side were the stubborn and inflexible Lu family and others.

Everyone has their own opinions and their own path to follow.

The suffocating silence was broken by Pei Qinghe: "We need to stay in Bohai County for a while before going back. We'll discuss this matter later."

Li quickly gave Lu a wink, signaling her to stop talking nonsense. Fang then smiled and asked her granddaughters and grandsons, "How are Xiao Wan'er and Xiao Wang'er doing now? Have they grown taller and bigger?"

The sweet-talking Pei Xuan chimed in, "Xiao Wan'er is second to none in both academics and martial arts. Xiao Wang'er is also smart and growing taller quickly."

Pei Feng said, "Xiao Yu'er and Xiao Gou'er are both very clever. In a few years, they will both be able to take up arms and fight."

The atmosphere became harmonious again.

With so many people and so much to say, it was best to leave it at that and not say more. Pei Qinghe had someone prepare a meal, and everyone sat together and ate dinner in a lively atmosphere.

After dinner, Pei Qinghe personally escorted Li Shi, Lu Shi, and the others back home.

The plaque at the Pei residence was brand new, clearly having been recently replaced.

"Qinghe, you have won battle after battle, and your reputation is growing." Madam Li chuckled softly, "The Emperor personally wrote the plaque and exonerated the Pei family. The Pei family's charge of treason has finally been cleared."

So what if the verdict is overturned?

Can someone who died unjustly come back to life?
Pei Qinghe didn't want to upset her elders, so she smiled and nodded in agreement: "His Majesty has treated our Pei family very well."

After being pulled away by Fang, Li spoke without much restraint: "The Emperor isn't stupid. He's just using empty titles to fool us old women, not providing military funds and provisions. Appointing you as a general is the same thing."

"Qinghe, don't be fooled by these empty titles. We can't stay in Bohai County. After the prince's full moon celebration, we'll lead the troops back."

"With the Pei family army in hand, no one can do anything to you."

Pei Qinghe couldn't help but laugh: "Great-aunt is the true backbone of the Pei family."

Madam Li smiled and said, "Back then, I went with your grandmother to keep the Zhang family and the Emperor at ease. With your intelligence, you must have figured it out long ago."

"Qinghe, just keep moving forward. No matter how far you go, we will support you!"

Pei Qinghe's nose suddenly felt sore.

The heavy burden on her shoulders felt like a thousand pounds. She couldn't afford to slacken for a moment. At that moment, Li's words flowed into her heart like a warm current.

Pei Qinghe stepped forward and embraced the hunched and petite Li Shi. Li Shi gently patted Pei Qinghe's back, as if coaxing a young child: "Qinghe, you're a good girl."

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with tears, and she softly hummed in agreement.

"What did your great-aunt say to you?" After a busy day, it was nearly midnight when Pei Qinghe finally bathed and changed, and lay down on the bed. Pei Yan asked, yawning.

Pei Qinghe chuckled lightly: "I'll tell you when I have time later."

As soon as she finished speaking, Pei Yan fell fast asleep.

Pei Qinghe smiled gently, closed her eyes, and quickly fell asleep.

……

The next morning, Eunuch Shen came again to convey the Emperor's decree, summoning General Pei and General Yang to the palace for an audience. Several other military officers who had arrived earlier also entered the palace together.

Among them was General Xie of the Chang Le Army.

The Chang Le army deserted that day, causing havoc on many civilians during their rout. However, the current army is largely the same. Emperor Jian'an did not blame them; instead, he issued an edict praising them and bestowing upon them official titles. General Xie's rank was the same as Pei Qinghe's.

General Xie was in his thirties, a burly man with a full beard, exuding the air of a heroic military commander. But his speech was a different story, carrying a hint of sarcasm: "All of us military commanders combined don't match General Pei's reputation. In the north today, who doesn't know General Pei!"

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "General Xie is so envious, why don't you go and fight the Xiongnu barbarians yourself?"

General Xie: "..."

Is it because he doesn't want to fight?

He had few warhorses, a pile of tattered weapons and armor, and his soldiers were skilled looters but cowards in battle. He couldn't even defeat a rebel army; if he encountered the Xiongnu barbarians, they'd probably be dead beyond repair.

When the news of Pei's army's defeat of the Xiongnu barbarians reached his ears, his first reaction was not joy or relief, but anger.

Everyone here is utterly worthless, so how can the Pei family army, which has only been established for a few years, possibly be able to defeat the Xiongnu barbarians? The commander, Pei Qinghe, is still a teenage girl.

The faces of all the military generals were slapped hard.

General Xie, feeling resentful and unwilling, hesitated for a moment before suddenly saying with ill intent, "I've heard that the Pei family army has many female soldiers. No wonder their fighting strength is so outstanding!"

The other generals also wore unsettling smiles.

The army was a male-dominated world, with the few women mostly serving as military prostitutes. They allowed their soldiers to plunder, kill, and rape in order to boost morale and vent their bloodlust after battle. Did all the female soldiers in the Pei family army actually fight in battle?
Even the carefree Pei Yan could hear the insult in those words, and she flew into a rage, drawing her sword with a clang: "Today I'll show you the power of a female soldier!"

General Xie sneered, "These are the female soldiers General Pei brought out? They're so unruly! This is the imperial palace; how can they draw their swords so casually! Do you want to be charged with disrespecting the emperor?"

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "General Xie is right. Pei Yan, put the sword away."

Pei Yan glared at General Xie and sheathed her sword.

General Xie continued to smugly sneer.

Then Pei Qinghe said, "If you want to learn from him, you should ask General Xie for guidance openly and honestly in the training ground. Just go to the training ground after the Emperor's audience is over."

Then, he turned to General Xie and smiled: "General Xie, a man of seven feet tall, surely you wouldn't be afraid to fight!"

General Xie, unable to withstand such provocation, sneered and said, "Don't cry if you lose."

(End of this chapter)