Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 247 Fear
An hour later, in the Zhang family study.

Zhang Yun's face was grim, and he gritted his teeth and muttered, "I never expected General Xie to lose so badly!"

General Zhang glared coldly at Zhang Yun: "Pei Qinghe killed a Xiongnu general on the battlefield, inflicting a great defeat on the Xiongnu barbarians, and his name resounds throughout the north! General Xie, that coward, couldn't even defeat the rebel army and deserted. How could he possibly be a match for Pei Qinghe!"

Zhang Yun was also helpless: "Of all the military generals, only General Xie is the easiest to persuade and instigate. I also sent envoys to persuade the other generals, but they are all unwilling to make a move easily."

These are all generals who have led troops for decades. For them to win against Pei Qinghe would be an unfair victory. Losing would be even more humiliating. Only General Xie, with his shallow mind, became arrogant and blinded by a few words of praise, and jumped out.

As a result, it became a stepping stone, allowing Pei Qinghe to display his prowess in front of a group of military generals.

"Father witnessed Pei Qinghe's skill firsthand at the training ground today. Is he really that powerful?"

"Yes," General Zhang exhaled deeply, "she's far more formidable than we anticipated! Even if I were in her shoes, I wouldn't be a match for her!"

"Luckily she didn't challenge me in public, otherwise I would have lost face today."

For a military general, martial arts duels were as commonplace as debates among civil officials. Since Pei Qinghe had challenged him, General Zhang had no reason and could not back down.

Fortunately, after Pei Qinghe revealed her strength, sheathed her long sword. At that moment, General Zhang was not the only one who breathed a sigh of relief.

A ruthless glint flashed in Zhang Yun's eyes, and he said in a low voice, "Why don't we take advantage of Pei Qinghe's departure and arrange for the 'bandits' to launch a surprise attack?"

"Absolutely not!" General Zhang frowned, his gaze turning cold. "Pei Qinghe has five hundred elite soldiers. Unless a large army is mobilized, there's no way to stop her. Even if the ambush succeeds and Pei Qinghe is killed, it will immediately provoke a furious retaliation from the Pei family army. Bohai County has only been peaceful for a few days and cannot withstand a major battle."

"The other generals will also fall apart and become disloyal. The North cannot withstand such chaos."

"Remember, we are loyal ministers and generals of the court, not traitors and rebels. We must not act in secret."

We must set a good example.

Zhang Yun reluctantly nodded in agreement.

General Zhang's eyes flashed, and he said calmly, "His Majesty values ​​Pei Qinghe very much."

Zhang Yun sneered: "I felt something was off when His Majesty insisted on appointing Pei Qinghe as a general. Back when Pei was exiled, His Majesty was ordered to see her off. For someone to remember Pei Qinghe for so many years after only one meeting shows how cunning and scheming Pei Qinghe is."

General Zhang suddenly looked at his son.

Zhang Yun felt a chill run down his spine: "Why is Father looking at me like that?"

General Zhang pondered for a moment: "After the New Year, you will be twenty-five, the eldest son of the Zhang family, the emperor's brother-in-law, and also a third-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue. You are handsome and talented. You are indeed worthy to be General Pei's husband."

Zhang Yun's pupils dilated violently, as if struck by lightning, his entire body charred and smoking: "Father, what are you joking about! I already have a wife and children!"

He married at the age of sixteen. His wife, Madam Lu, was from a prestigious family; she was gentle, skilled, beautiful, and dignified. They had two sons and a daughter. The couple were loving and harmonious. Even though he had many concubines, the one he respected and loved most was still his wife.

"Madam Lu is virtuous," General Zhang said calmly. "In order to strengthen the Zhang family, she will certainly be willing to give up her position as the principal wife."

Zhang Yun was practically fuming, his eyes blazing with fury: "I refuse! Pei Qinghe is ruthless and vicious, I could never marry her! Since Father values ​​her so much, he might as well ask her to be his second wife."

Zhang Yun said this purely out of anger, mocking his own father.

To everyone's surprise, General Zhang began to seriously consider the matter: "Your mother has been dead for many years, and I have never remarried, so the position of mistress of the house has remained vacant. Unfortunately, I am already quite old and far too young for General Pei. If I were to come and ask for your hand in marriage, I fear I would be ridiculed and mocked by everyone, and General Pei would not agree."

Zhang Yun: "..."

Zhang Yun's temples throbbed, and his lips twitched.

General Zhang gave Zhang Yun a cold look: "The Pei family army has occupied Yan County and Beiping County, and now even the Guangning Army has submitted to Pei Qinghe. Half of Youzhou has already fallen into Pei Qinghe's hands. Pei Qinghe claims that the Pei family army has 6,000 elite soldiers, but the actual strength is at least twice that. Think about yourself, at Pei Qinghe's age, do you have such ability?" "Marry Pei Qinghe, and you can bring the Pei family army under your control and take over Yan County, Beiping County, and Guangning County."

"Even the Emperor is scheming to gain advantages from both the military and the civilian population. If I were ten years younger, would I need to urge you to fawn over me?"

"Use your brain and think about it carefully."

Zhang Yun racked his brains all night, thinking about it constantly.

The following morning, Zhang Yun silently took a bath, changed into brand new clothes, and used powder to cover the dark circles under his eyes. He prepared generous gifts and, carrying a visiting card, went to the mansion where General Pei had settled.

"Oh, so Young Master Zhang has come to pay his respects to General Pei today!"

"What a coincidence."

Five people came to pay their respects with visiting cards. They were all sons and nephews of military officers, all around twenty years old, and none of them were married.

One of the quick-tongued ones grinned and said, "Young Master Zhang has a wife and children, what brings him to pay a visit to General Pei?"

Zhang Yun's smile was slightly stiff: "General Pei is a heroic figure who drove out the Xiongnu barbarians. I admire him greatly and have come to pay my respects. It has nothing to do with my wife and children."

Hahahaha!

Everyone smiled knowingly.

The Zhang family was powerful, and Zhang Yun, the emperor's brother-in-law, controlled the Ministry of Revenue's finances; no one dared to offend him. A group of talented young men surrounded Zhang Yun, chatting and laughing, while waiting for General Pei to receive them.

The door opened.

Zhang Yun perked up, struck his best pose, and looked over with a smile on his lips.

Then a tall, dark-skinned, strong, and powerful young woman came out and said, "You can all leave now! The general doesn't have time to see you."

It was Pei Yan, the fourth most important figure in the Pei family army.

The young talents all looked at Zhang Yun.

Zhang Yun stood ramrod straight and said slowly, "Go and tell the general that Zhang Yun has come to pay a visit!"

"I told you I'm busy, didn't you hear me?" Pei Yan ignored who the person was and impatiently shooed them away: "Get out of here!"

Zhang Yun had never suffered such humiliation before. He was so angry that his nose almost twisted out of shape. He pointed at someone and said, "Do you know who I am?"

The fist was right in front of him the next moment.

Zhang Yun was startled and hastily retreated. Pei Yan sneered and threw another punch. Zhang Yun had no choice but to retreat again.

Pei Yan waved her fist at the other young men: "My fists don't discriminate. If anyone doesn't leave, I won't be polite."

The young talents came to curry favor, not to fight. Besides, they were no match for Pei Yan. They all slunk away.

Zhang Yun was furious and left with a harsh remark: "If you're so capable, don't ever come begging to the Zhang family again."

……

(End of this chapter)