Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 256 Alliance (Part Two)

Shi Yan was extremely efficient; three days later, two thousand shi of military rations were ready.

Pei Qinghe led the troops ahead, followed by a winding grain transport convoy.

Looking at the long grain transport team, Song Xue was somewhat incredulous: "So much military rations, all for the Pingyang Army?"

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "It's not a gift, it's a betrothal present for you."

Song Xue's fair face flushed slightly, and her eyes began to sparkle again: "General, you are truly generous."

Pei Feng, standing to the side: "..."

Pei Feng couldn't help but turn to Pei Xuan and whisper, "Is this for me to get married? I don't feel important at all."

Pei Xuan laughed heartily: "You've been ignoring Miss Song and refusing to talk to her before. Why are you being so sour now?"

Pei Feng was so choked up that he immediately shut his mouth.

Fortunately, the domineering Pei Yan, like a hungry wolf guarding its food, easily pushed Song Xue aside. Song Xue had no choice but to back down slightly.

Pei Xuan was very quick-witted and made way for Song Xue and Pei Feng to ride side by side.

A warm spring breeze caressed her face, carrying the unique scent of fresh grass that was invigorating. Song Xue turned to Pei Feng and smiled, her smile as radiant as the morning sun: "Pei Feng, how's your horsemanship?"

Pei Feng raised an eyebrow: "We'll know once we compare them."

Pei Qinghe smiled, spurred her horse to give way, and let Pei Feng and Song Xue ride ahead and play.

As night fell, the five hundred elite soldiers set up camp, lit fires, and cooked their meals in an orderly and efficient manner. Their rations for the journey became increasingly plentiful. Each soldier received a bowl of hot water, into which a flatbread was placed. After a while, the flatbread softened in the hot water, turning into a steaming bowl of noodles.

"This is a new type of military ration developed by the mess hall. The rolled-out noodles are first boiled until mostly cooked, then folded and dried, and then deep-fried in hot oil. Then they are put into boxes. When you want to eat them, just soak them in hot water for a while. The noodles won't spoil for half a month." Pei Qinghe picked up a bite and put it in her mouth, quite satisfied: "It tastes good."

Of course, it couldn't compare to freshly made noodles. However, having such rations during a march was already quite a rare treat.

Pei Yan ate three bowls in a row, completely satisfied: "It tastes better than porridge."

Song Xue didn't have a big appetite; one bowl was enough for her. Sitting by the campfire, she sighed, "The Pei family army surpasses the Pingyang army in every way. Their military rations are also much better than the Pingyang army's."

When the Pingyang army marched, they ate coarse dry biscuits and drank cold water. Unlike the Pei family army, who ate stir-fried mixed grain noodles for lunch and noodles for dinner.

Wait, what is this?
Song Xue watched as Pei Feng and his men brought out several bamboo baskets, which were filled with oranges with fresh leaves. One orange was given to each person.

Pei Feng deliberately picked out a large one and stuffed it into Song Xue's hand: "These are all military rations and supplies prepared for us by Steward Shi. Today it's oranges, tomorrow it's radishes."

The oranges were sweet and sour, and very juicy. Song Xue was still a young girl, and of course she couldn't resist her craving; she ate the whole orange clean.

Pei Feng smiled and handed him another one: "I don't like oranges, so this one is for you too."

Holding the orange, Song Xue blinked her big eyes and smiled sweetly: "Will you always love me like this from now on?"

Pei Fengjun blushed, too embarrassed to meet Song Xue's gaze, his eyes darting around: "Once we're engaged, we'll be fiancés. Of course I have to treat you well."

Song Xue peeled the orange, broke off half, and brought it to Pei Feng's lips. Pei Feng hurriedly took it with his hand and put it in his mouth.

Pei Qinghe watched this scene and smiled silently.

The journey was certainly not without its challenges. From time to time, refugees would cause disturbances, but without Pei Qinghe's intervention, Pei Yan, Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng would take turns leading troops to drive away any approaching refugees. Several groups of bandits, initially dazzled by the massive grain transport convoy, immediately felt a chill when they saw the Pei-sign flag at the front of the convoy.

The Shi family stewards were constantly buying grain and transporting it back to the north, inevitably encountering bandits who would try to rob them. Then, the bandits would face the Pei family army's ruthless retaliation; not a single survivor would be spared, and the entire bandit stronghold would be slaughtered. This happened three times in a few years, each time ending in the same way.

To the bandits, this black banner with the character "Pei" was a death warrant.

"Hurry! We can't provoke the Pei family army; we can't steal this grain."

"Boss, so much grain..."

"If we don't seize this batch of grain, we can find other ways to survive. But if we start fighting, we won't live anymore. Enough with the nonsense, let's get going!"

……

Several days later, Pei Qinghe and his party arrived at the Pingyang military camp.

General Song led all the military officers in the army to come and greet them.

Back in Bohai Commandery, Pei Qinghe and General Song had met a few times but had not become close. Now, their relationship was vastly different, and they were exceptionally friendly when they met.

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "General Song, I've arrived with my troops first. The grain transport team will arrive in a few days."

Two thousand shi of military rations was enough to make General Song beam with joy, and the other generals were also secretly delighted. The Pingyang army was similar to the Guangning army, barely managing to get by by looting and conquering in the east and west.

With such a large batch of military rations arriving suddenly, coupled with the grain reserves in the military camp, there will be no shortage of military rations for at least six months.

Thinking deeper, General Song's beloved daughter is engaged to General Pei's cousin, and the two armies are allied. If the Pingyang army runs out of food or encounters an enemy, can the Pei family army simply stand by and do nothing?

The military officers each had their own agendas, but they generally supported the engagement between Song Xue and Pei Feng.

Leaving aside the benefits of the alliance between the two armies, just considering Pei Feng, such a handsome and outstanding young general, he is more than a match for Song Xue.

After Pei Qinghe and his party settled in the Pingyang army camp, Madam Song arrived. While exchanging pleasantries, she also sized up her future son-in-law.

Pei Feng straightened his back, his handsome face stiff with a forced smile.

Pei Qinghe suppressed a laugh and said to Madam Song, "Pei Feng is exceptionally intelligent, excelling in both academics and martial arts, and is also a brave commander. However, he has his shortcomings; he is somewhat clumsy with words and not very good at speaking. Please forgive him, Madam."

Madam Song was clearly very satisfied with her future son-in-law, and said with a smile, "A real man should stand tall and make achievements; empty words and flattery are not a real skill."

Pei Qinghe readily agreed, "What you say makes sense, Madam."

Madam Song smiled and said, "I've had a few dishes prepared. There are no outsiders here, just my children and grandchildren. Please do me the honor of joining us for dinner, General."

Pei Qinghe immediately agreed. The brocade and jewelry she had specially brought before setting off would come in handy today. Preparing a generous gift for Madam Song would also give Pei Feng a lot of face.

After a family dinner, Song Xue and Pei Feng's engagement was finalized.

A few days later, a long convoy of grain transport vehicles entered the Pingyang army camp. The grain sacks were full of high-quality military rations, far superior to those from the Pingyang military settlements.

General Song went to visit Pei Qinghe alone and expressed his sincere gratitude.

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "General Song, please sit down. I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately."

(End of this chapter)