Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 291 The Endgame (Part 1)

Li Chi didn't care about the disdainful looks from the crowd.

The Guangning Army remained an independent force with its own banner, the Fanyang Army held an awkward and delicate position, and the Pingyang Army was merely an alliance formed through marriage. The Beiping Army, however, was loyal to the imperial court.

The Liaoxi Army, however, removed its banner and came under the complete command of the Pei family army. This was his unique advantage, allowing him to surpass his predecessors.

"Most of those conscripted soldiers have run away. Those who didn't, after this battle, will be completely loyal to the general." Li Chi was truly eloquent. "Those still in the camp are all eager to join the Pei family army. Please give them a chance, General."

Give me a chance too.

I'm so eager to improve myself.

Yang Hu couldn't bear to watch any longer and coughed, saying, "The general is still recovering from his injuries. It's not too late to discuss this matter after the general has finished talking about it."

Lü Feng chimed in, "General Yang is right. Besides, the Pei family army is known for its strict discipline and rigorous training. With the Liaoxi army's foundation, how could they possibly maintain such discipline?"

That stab was both steady and precise.

Li Chi glanced at him with a forced smile: "You don't need to worry about the affairs of our Pei family army. If I were you, I would send someone to write back now to persuade General Lü to surrender to the general as soon as possible. That way, I won't have to take orders from the general to fight the Fanyang army if there are any disputes in the future. After all, we fought side by side as brothers, and I don't want to take your and your son's heads!"

Lu Feng was also struck in the heart, and immediately became furious and embarrassed. He suddenly stood up and clenched his fist.

Li Chi sneered and rolled up his sleeves. He joined the army at the age of twelve, starting as a common soldier, and fought his way up to where he is today, unafraid to fight anyone.

Song Dalang was so anxious that he spoke to both sides.

Yang Hu, however, was different. He seized the opportunity to instigate conflict, hoping that Li Chi and Lü Feng would fight. He wanted to show the general that he, Yang Hu, was the most honest and obedient one.

Pei Qinghe's voice rang out coldly: "If you make any more noise, get out!"

The military tent fell silent instantly.

Li Chi quickly lowered his hand and put down his sleeve. Lü Feng awkwardly lowered his fist. Song Dalang and Yang Hu both shut their mouths.

Pei Qinghe's face was grim, and her cold gaze swept across everyone's faces like a blade: "How to reorganize the army is a matter for later. Right now, cleaning up the mess, letting the wounded soldiers recover, and comforting the people are the most important things."

"You all need to keep your own men in check. Anyone who violates military discipline at this time will be severely punished."

Everyone bowed in agreement, then obediently took their leave and got out of there.

Shi Yan, who had been waiting outside the military tent, brought in a bowl of medicine. Pei Qinghe took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp. The medicine left an endless bitter taste on her lips and teeth.

"They're all a bunch of arrogant and incompetent scoundrels." Pei Qinghe muttered angrily, "Especially Li Chi, he's shrewd and cunning, always fighting and grabbing, and trying to put others down. He's no good at all!"

Shi Yan couldn't help but laugh: "Yesterday you praised Li Chi for maintaining stability in Liaoxi City. Why are you scolding him like this today?"

Pei Qinghe snorted and recounted what had just happened: "...Although we won the battle, it was a fierce victory, and we are now in a state of disarray. All the armies have suffered heavy losses and urgently need to replenish their forces. Li Chi is eager to show his loyalty because he hopes to use the Pei banner to change his identity and regain his footing in Liaoxi. He's pulling up the Pei family banner first, and he might turn against us later."

Yang Hu didn't want to change the military flag, nor did he want to be overshadowed by Li Chi. He disliked Li Chi in every way.

“Lu Feng has secretly sent a message back to the Fanyang army. Unfortunately, the decision on what to do next is not up to him but up to General Lu. Therefore, Lu Feng has been extremely worried and anxious these past few days.”

"The Song family naturally hopes that our Pei family army will become powerful. In the future, they can use the momentum of our Pei family army to firmly occupy Pingyang County."

“Everyone has their own selfish motives. When they get together, they don’t see eye to eye, and everyone is full of barbs. That’s how trouble it gets, isn’t it?” Shi Yan chuckled softly. “No matter how many motives they have, they have to bow down and obey orders in front of the general.”

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "You're so good at talking, say more, I love to hear it."

“I’m telling the truth,” Shi Yan said with a smile. “They were arguing so loudly that I heard a lot of it outside the military tent. All they were arguing about was hoping to gain a higher status in the Pei family army and be more valued by the general. As soon as you spoke, they all quieted down.”

Only Pei Qinghe could make these arrogant military generals submit and bow their heads.

Pei Qinghe had calmed down and sighed with a smile: "I need to recover as soon as possible, clean up the mess, and win back the morale of the troops."

These things can only be done by her.

Pei Yun has no problem managing the internal affairs of the Pei family army. However, she lacks external prestige and cannot subdue people like Li Chi, Yang Hu, and Lü Feng.

Unfortunately, there's no use being impatient when it comes to recovering from an injury.

Lu Dongqing, the most skilled physician, came to examine Pei Qinghe every day. Under Pei Qinghe's questioning and urging, Lu Dongqing replied, "The general lost too much blood that day and was unconscious for several days before waking up. He needs to rest and recuperate for at least two months."

Pei Qinghe frowned: "I don't have that much time."

Lu Dongqing said calmly, "Then there's nothing I can do. I'm just a doctor, not a god."

Pei Qinghe: "..."

Shi Yan suppressed a laugh, saw off Physician Lu, and then kindly comforted Pei Qinghe. Pei Qinghe said irritably, "With Lu Dongqing's foul temper, Physician Lu still dares to dream of a marriage alliance with our Pei family! Who would want him!"

Pei Qinghe looked disgusted, while Shi Yan grinned and said, "Anyway, it's fine if the general doesn't like him."

Pei Qinghe smiled and rolled her eyes at her.

This petty person never misses a chance to be jealous.

Half a month later, Pei Qinghe was able to get out of bed and walk slowly. The imperial court's rewards also arrived.

To Pei Qinghe's surprise, Emperor Jian'an ignored General Zhang's obstruction and gave her the reward she deserved.

Following General Zhang, Pei Qinghe became the third first-rank general officially appointed by the imperial court.

The one who came to deliver the imperial decree was Eunuch Shen, a trusted confidant of Emperor Jian'an.

"Congratulations, General Pei!" Eunuch Shen bowed and scraped, his smile extremely obsequious: "General, you led your troops to defeat the Xiongnu barbarians, defended Liaoxi City, and made outstanding contributions. You are truly a first-rank general."

"To be honest, General, this imperial edict has been quite complicated. General Zhang has always been opposed to it, but the Emperor ignored him and insisted on issuing the edict."

So?

A mere empty title, and you expect her to bow down and pledge allegiance? You'd better take her and her army too!
Pei Qinghe twitched the corners of her mouth, a half-smile playing on her lips: "Eunuch Shen, please speak plainly!"

The domineering and murderous aura forged and tempered by countless battles and killings was so subtle that it chilled Eunuch Shen to the bone.

Eunuch Shen suppressed the urge to wipe his forehead with his sleeve and said with a forced smile, "The General is the most intelligent man in the world. He certainly understands the Emperor's intentions, so there is no need for this servant to say more."

(End of this chapter)