Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 252 Song Xue (Part 1)

No one knows what the father and daughter actually said.

Not long after giving birth, the Empress suddenly claimed to be ill and stayed in the palace to recuperate, refusing to see outsiders.

All the military officers resigned and left. Even General Xie, who was still recovering from a broken wrist, left in his carriage.

The Bohai Army dared to openly attack the Pei family's army. How could they dare to stay in Bohai County for long?

This trip to Bohai was a huge shock to all the military generals.

Pei Qinghe's domineering and sharp demeanor, and the Pei family army's bravery and prowess, left a deep impression on everyone's hearts.

General Xie, with his severed wrist, groaned and moaned as the carriage jolted him along. His guards whispered indignantly, "The general has suffered greatly this time; he will surely avenge himself in the future."

General Xie spat all over his personal guards' faces and heads: "What revenge? What hatred? Do you think our Chang Le Army can afford to provoke the Pei family army? That evil star Pei Qinghe, we should stay as far away from him as possible in the future!"

Their general was so frightened that his personal guards dared not utter another word.

After leaving Bohai City, General Song made a special trip to the site where Pei's army had been attacked, and stayed there for a long time. Then he rode back to the Pingyang military camp at full speed.

General Song's family originally lived in Jiangnan. When the battle was being fought in the capital, General Song specially brought his wife and children over.

General Song's sons are all married and have families. He also has a young daughter who is only fourteen years old and whose given name is Xue.

Song Xue was intelligent and beautiful from a young age, well-versed in military strategy, but her martial arts skills were mediocre and unremarkable. She enjoyed studying and developing weapons and drew many weapon blueprints.

General Song was always proud of his daughter. Upon returning to the military camp, the first thing he did was summon his wife and daughter and tell them about the planned marriage alliance with the Pei family.

Madam Song gave her husband a deep look: "You think so highly of the Pei family army?"

"To be precise, I have high hopes for General Pei." General Song's eyes flashed with admiration: "That day on the training ground, General Pei defeated General Xie with ease and broke his wrist in front of everyone. This display of power shocked both the Zhang father and son."

"On the first day after Pei's army left, they were attacked by bandits at night. What was the result? General Pei slaughtered them, leaving a river of blood."

"Everyone knows the background of those bandits. Although the Bohai Army has many men, their combat strength is mediocre and their discipline is terrible. If it weren't for the Emperor in their hands, how could everyone possibly bow down to the Zhang family? The Zhang family is ambitious and narrow-minded. They can't even tolerate a hero like General Pei. They are unlikely to amount to anything in the future."

"We should take this opportunity to befriend the Pei family army; a marriage alliance is the best way."

Madam Song, reluctant to part with her youngest daughter, whispered, "Otherwise, we could choose a handsome nephew from among our nephews and send him to Pei Family Village. If General Pei takes a liking to him and wants to take him as his son-in-law, wouldn't that be even better?"

General Song glanced at Madam Song: "This is unacceptable! Not to mention that there is a Chief Steward Shi in the Pei family army, the Emperor also has feelings for General Pei. The Song family cannot get involved in this mess. It would be more appropriate to arrange a marriage with Pei Feng."

Turning his head, he smiled gently at his daughter and said, "Xue'er, Pei Feng is the eldest male in the Pei family and General Pei's cousin. He is exceptionally skilled and handsome. Your father wants to form a marriage alliance with the Pei family because he has truly chosen Pei Feng as his son-in-law."

“He’s only thirteen this year, a year younger than you. I’m thinking of writing to General Pei first to arrange your marriage. There’s no rush to get married; we can wait a few years. That way, you can stay at home for a few more years.”

As expected of a daughter of a military family, Song Xue was not shy at all when it came to her marriage: "Is Pei Feng really as good as Father says?"

General Song laughed: "This is a major life event for you, so I'll definitely keep my eyes open and pick a good one for you. Don't worry!"

Then, he sighed, "Logically speaking, the man should take the initiative in proposing marriage. It is indeed a bit beneath the woman to bring up the engagement. However, the Pei family army is too powerful; they even managed to defeat the Xiongnu barbarians. There are countless families who want to form a marriage alliance with the Pei family. We can't care about being reserved anymore." "I'll write a letter right away."

Madam Song remained silent.

Song Xue unexpectedly said, "Father, there's no need to write a letter. I'll go to Pei Family Village."

General Song: "..."

General Song and his wife were both stunned.

"The Pei family army has risen to prominence in just the last few years." Song Xue's dark eyes shone brightly, like twinkling stars. "I want to see General Pei in person."

General Song was both amused and exasperated: "Don't be ridiculous. The world is in such chaos, and you, a young woman, are traveling hundreds of miles..."

“General Pei is also a woman!” Song Xue argued vehemently. “She single-handedly built the Pei family army, wiping out mountain bandits, killing outlaws, and fighting the Xiongnu barbarians. Everyone respects her. I’ve heard that there are many female soldiers in the Pei family army, and it’s not uncommon for women to be leaders. Why can’t I, Song Xue, lead troops on the road?”

General Song smiled helplessly: "You silly girl, there's only one Pei Qinghe in the world. Do you think everyone has General Pei's abilities?"

Song Xue insisted, "Since Father Fan intends for me to marry into the Pei family, I must first see what Pei Family Village is like and get to know the Pei family members beforehand. I also need to meet Pei Feng first. Otherwise, I will never marry him."

General Song felt a headache coming on. After hesitating for a moment, he sighed and called his eldest son over, instructing him, "You must gather two hundred men and send your sister to Pei Family Village. I will write a letter and prepare a gift; you must take them with you."

……

half a month later.

Inside the training ground of Peijia Village, a dozen or so Xiongnu barbarians with curly hair, deep-set eyes, and high noses held curved swords, their eyes fierce, like a pack of unruly, hungry wolves.

These captured Xiongnu barbarians had thin iron chains on their feet, allowing them limited movement. One of the daily training exercises for the Pei family army was to take turns sparring with the Xiongnu barbarians.

At first, the Xiongnu barbarians were unwilling. But when they had been starving for five days and were on their last breath, they were thrown a steamed bun and became much more obedient.

After returning from Bohai County, Pei Qinghe spent every day training his troops in the training ground. These dozen or so Xiongnu barbarians would receive a steamed bun for defeating a Pei family soldier. As a result, they were full of energy.

"Pei Feng, you go!"

Pei Feng responded and stepped forward, sword in hand.

When Pei Qinghe trained his troops, he showed no mercy to his relatives; the closer the member of the Pei family, the more ruthlessly they were disciplined. Pei Feng had been training his troops since he was seven years old, and after six years, he was already used to it.

Thirteen-year-old Pei Feng was handsome and had a cold demeanor. With a single stroke of his sword, the female soldiers gasped in amazement and cheered.

Pei Qinghe listened and smiled.

“General,” the chubby young boy Pei Yue arrived, bowing respectfully as he reported, “A group of people has come to the outskirts of Pei Family Village, claiming to be the children of General Song, and have come to present gifts to the General.”

General Song?
Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed, but she didn't rush to get up. Instead, she instructed, "Please invite the Song siblings to the training ground."

(End of this chapter)