Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 286 Reinforcements (Part 1)

"What? Pei Qinghe has defeated the Xiongnu barbarians again?"

Excited and thrilling shouts erupted from the imperial palace of Bohai County!
Emperor Jian'an could no longer sit still on the dragon throne. He suddenly stood up, his handsome face seemingly radiant: "Quickly present the battle report."

Meng Dalang responded loudly, and Meng Liulang immediately presented the battle report.

After reading the battle report, Emperor Jian'an was overjoyed and handed it to General Zhang.

In fact, General Zhang was well-informed and had received the battle report two days prior. He pretended to read it once, then congratulated the emperor with a beaming smile: "General Pei is a valiant general of our time. With General Pei here, we will surely be able to defend Liaoxi. Your Majesty need not worry any longer."

Emperor Jian'an smiled and said, "The General is right. I can finally feel a little more at ease."

"General Pei has made outstanding military achievements, and I must reward him handsomely."

"Prime Minister Pang, draft an imperial edict immediately. I wish to bestow honors upon General Pei."

Prime Minister Pang smiled and reminded him, "The war is not over yet, so it is too early to bestow rewards. Please wait a little longer, Your Majesty, until General Pei defeats the Xiongnu barbarians, then it will not be too late to reward General Pei generously."

General Zhang also fully demonstrated his magnanimity: "With General Pei's military achievements, it is by no means an exaggeration to confer upon him the rank of First-Rank General."

Emperor Jian'an relaxed his brows and smiled, "The Prime Minister and the General both have valid points."

Amidst the harmonious atmosphere, Meng Liulang's voice sounded slightly harsh: "Your Majesty, this battle is indeed not over yet. The Xiongnu barbarians still have so many elite cavalrymen, and they are attacking the city every day."

"This humble general is willing to lead troops to reinforce the area and drive the Xiongnu barbarians back to the grasslands as soon as possible."

General Zhang frowned, still objecting: "If General Pei can hold Liaoxi City, why should the court send reinforcements?"

Meng Liulang said coldly, "The Xiongnu barbarians suffered heavy casualties, and the Pei family army, which is mainly composed of infantry, suffered even more casualties. The Li family father and son of the Liaoxi army were also killed in action."

"The imperial court has soldiers and provisions, yet it sits idly by and does nothing. Doesn't this chill the hearts of the troops and people in the north?"

General Zhang said calmly, "The capital Luoyang has already fallen. Bohai County is the new capital, and we must not afford to make any further mistakes. For the safety of the Emperor and the capital, I am willing to bear the infamy!"

Over the past two months, the Meng brothers and General Zhang have had several arguments over the matter of sending reinforcements. Emperor Jian'an listened to General Zhang's advice and privately sent people to appease the Meng brothers on numerous occasions.

Meng Liulang had clearly reached his limit. Ignoring the frequent glances from Meng Dalang, he unleashed his full power, his mouth spewing fire like a dragon, heading straight for General Zhang: "General, you must be hoping that the Pei family army will be completely crippled! Then, no one will be able to threaten your position."

General Zhang frowned, but before he could speak, Zhang Yun sneered and retorted, "Meng Liulang, you've been making a fuss about sending troops. Do you want reinforcements, or do you want to take this opportunity to return to Youzhou?"

"Could it be that they're planning to go and never return, like the Liaoxi Army, occupying territory, becoming kings, and establishing their own kingdoms?"

Meng Dalang, who was usually mild-mannered, turned serious: "Everyone has seen the loyalty of our Beiping army. For Vice Minister Zhang to say such things is absurd and ridiculous."

Meng Liulang had long disliked Zhang Yun, so he clenched his fist and stepped forward, punching Zhang Yun in the handsome face.

Zhang Yun's nose immediately burst open, blood streaming down his face, and he awkwardly covered his face with his hands. General Zhang was furious, but before he could make a move, Gao Yong led a group of imperial guards and rushed over, separating Meng Liulang and Zhang Yun.

Emperor Jian'an was also taken aback. It was common for the Meng brothers and General Zhang and his son to quarrel and argue in court, but this was the first time they had actually come to blows.

This also shows that Meng Liulang's will to send troops to the rescue was strong and firm.

Emperor Jian'an immediately ordered the imperial physician to be summoned, and Zhang Yun was helped away. The court assembly could not continue. The civil and military officials watched the spectacle, exchanged knowing glances, and then withdrew.

No one knows exactly how Emperor Jian'an appeased his father-in-law and brother-in-law. Two days later, Meng Dalang led two thousand cavalrymen out of Bohai Commandery.

This was General Zhang's deliberate attempt to annoy the Meng brothers. Meng Liulang was brave and skilled in battle, yet he was left behind to defend the city, while Meng Dalang, who was less mobile, was tasked with leading the troops.

The Meng brothers had no choice. They finally managed to get the emperor to speak up, and the Zhang family was willing to allocate funds and provisions, so they had to compromise on the selection of the commander-in-chief.

Fortunately, Meng Dalang had no problem riding a horse, so he led the cavalry there and handed the battle over to Pei Qinghe to command.

The deployment of two thousand elite cavalrymen was quite a commotion. The armies in the north quickly received news that the imperial court had sent reinforcements.

General Song of the Pingyang Army said to his wife, "General Zhang is narrow-minded, greedy for power, and excessively ambitious. In court affairs, the Emperor's word is not enough; General Zhang's approval is required. If this continues, will the empire belong to the Xie family or the Zhang family?"

Madam Song, a woman of discernment, said in a low voice, "I think General Pei is the one who is truly capable of pacifying the North."

General Song's eyes flashed, and he lowered his voice: "Heroes emerge from among the young. General Pei's bravery and skill are unparalleled in my life."

"I took the initiative to arrange the marriage because I have faith in the Pei family army."

"This time, our Pingyang army dispatched a thousand cavalrymen to fight the Xiongnu barbarians, and they put in a lot of effort. General Pei knows this very well. From now on, our Pingyang army should work more closely with the Pei family army."

When it comes to betting, the sooner the better.

The Guangning army was the first to surrender to the Pei family army. Yang Huai was a son-in-law of the Pei family, and Yang Hu would also be a son-in-law of the Pei family in the future. They had a close relationship.

The Song family became the second to formally form an alliance with the Pei family through marriage. This alliance was not just empty talk; a thousand elite cavalrymen were dispatched.

Thinking of the fierce battle against the Xiongnu barbarians, General Song felt both proud and heartbroken: "Of the thousand cavalrymen we sent out, I wonder how many will return."

Madam Song was only concerned about her son's safety: "I wonder how many injuries my eldest son has suffered."

General Song said, "On the battlefield, everyone is risking their lives, so how can they not get injured? Once we get through this battle, Dalang will be able to lead troops independently."

……

It was ten days later that news reached Liaoxi City that the city gates had been sealed and that the imperial court had sent reinforcements. By then, Meng Dalang's two thousand cavalrymen had already entered Youzhou and would arrive in two or three days.

Tao Feng and several other soldiers who came from the Beiping Army were the most excited.

Pei Yun, Pei Yan, and the others also relaxed their brows.

Pei Qinghe's expression turned serious: "The Xiongnu barbarians must have received the news as well, and they will definitely launch a full-scale attack on the city. We must break through Liaoxi City before reinforcements arrive."

"From now on, be on full alert and defend the city."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sun Cheng rushed over to report: "General, the Xiongnu barbarians have driven a large number of people from Changli County to attack the city."

This is the worst tactic and the most likely to shake morale.

Pei Qinghe picked up his bow and arrows expressionlessly and went up to the city gate.

(End of this chapter)