Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 295 Response
The Pei family women, led by the eldest, Li, lived a secluded life and kept a low profile. They were not well-informed about outside news.

The news brought by Meng Liulang shocked everyone.

Even the self-proclaimed loyal and righteous Lady Lu was filled with shock and anger: "Has His Majesty lost his mind?"

The Xiongnu barbarians invaded Youzhou, and Pei Qinghe led his troops in a fierce battle, suffering heavy casualties among his elite soldiers. Pei Qinghe himself was also wounded and has been recuperating. Instead of rewarding his general and rewarding his army, the emperor, as the Son of Heaven, sent out an imperial edict bestowing a marriage upon his general!

Has someone been kicked in the head by a donkey?!

Lu was filled with rage, her face flushed red, and she was about to rush out.

Fang and the others quickly stopped her, saying, "Sister-in-law, don't get agitated."

"Don't worry, Qinghe is not a pushover, she can definitely handle it."

Madam Lu angrily said, "What can we do? Either accept the imperial decree and enter the palace to become a Noble Consort, or defy the decree. You all know Qinghe's temper. If this happens, all our previous military achievements will be wasted! What will happen to the Pei family army? What will happen to Qinghe?"

"No! I must go to the palace to see the Emperor and ask him to withdraw the imperial edict. That Vice Minister Han has only been gone for a short time. If we send a fast horse to bring him back, there is still room for maneuver in this matter."

It was rare for Mr. Lu to be so clear-headed, and he spoke with reason and evidence.

Fang and the others exchanged bewildered glances, their outstretched arms unconsciously loosening their grip. Lu, like a wild beast about to break free of its cage, was poised to charge forward.

Left with no other choice, Lady Li called out to Pei Jia.

Pei Jia nodded and closed the door to the Pei family mansion. A dozen or so sturdy soldiers stood in neat rows, blocking the door completely.

Enraged, Madam Lu yelled at Madam Li, "Why are you stopping me? Are you going to just stand by and watch Qinghe be forced to become a traitor?"

Li's hair was gray, and she had almost lost all her teeth. She spoke slowly: "Even the Zhang family father and son couldn't stop the Emperor. How can you, an old woman with no troops and no power, possibly stop him?"

Madam Lu gritted her teeth: "I will go and remonstrate to the death! I will smash my head against the Emperor's head and beg him to withdraw the imperial edict!"

Li thought for a moment and said, "That's one way. Pei Jia, open the door and let her in."

Lu Shi: "..."

Pei Jia actually opened the door and stepped aside.

Everyone remained still, watching Lu Shi.

Caught in a dilemma, Lu turned away angrily.

Li sighed and said, "General Meng came specially to deliver the message. We thank General Meng in advance."

The group of elderly women bowed and expressed their gratitude in unison.

Having witnessed a lively spectacle, Meng Liulang quickly stepped aside, saying, "Please rise, everyone. To my shame, I went to ask Prime Minister Pang to intervene, but he refused. I will not stand idly by in this matter. I will go to the palace now to see the Emperor and persuade him to rescind his decree."

Madam Li sighed again: "I thank General Meng for his kindness on behalf of Qinghe. However, this is Qinghe's matter, and also a problem that the Pei family army has to deal with. We cannot involve the Beiping army."

"General Meng is not alone; he has a group of soldiers under his command. Don't act impulsively; consider the well-being of the Beiping army. Don't cause trouble; there are people in the court who are watching the general. If someone finds a pretext to cause trouble, it will be very bad."

In the past, Meng Liulang would have blurted out, "I am not afraid of the Zhang family."

Now, Meng Liulang has gone through several years of trials and tribulations, and has had many dealings with the Zhang family. He is quite wary of them and knows that Li is right. So he falls silent.

Madam Li said gently, "General, you led your cavalry to rescue the Pei family army. We, the entire Pei family, will always remember this kindness. Young General, please go back first! We old folks need to discuss how to proceed."

Meng Liulang had no choice but to nod.

Having stepped out of the Pei family mansion and walked quite a distance, Meng Liulang couldn't help but look back. The gates of the Pei family mansion were closed again. A heavy door separated the elders of the Pei family from the outside world.

For Pei Qinghe and for the Pei family army, more than twenty elderly women willingly came to Bohai County and have lived there for more than three years.

This forbearance and endurance are truly admirable.

……

"Send someone to keep an eye on Old Lady Pei," General Zhang secretly ordered. "Report any unusual activity immediately."

As long as they make any move, the Zhang family can find fault with them and accuse them of disrespecting the emperor.

However, after waiting and waiting, the old women of the Pei family remained completely silent. The gates of the Pei family mansion remained tightly shut, as if it were isolated from the world.

Zhang Yun couldn't help but frown: "Father, are we just going to do nothing and wait like this?"

General Zhang said coldly, "What do you want to do?"

Zhang Yun's mouth moved, then closed again.

"You're not even as composed as a bunch of old women," General Zhang said angrily. "At a time like this, whatever you say is wrong, whatever you do is wrong. The Empress and the Zhang family are the ones who are wronged, while we have the moral high ground."

"We'll step forward when Pei Qinghe defies the imperial decree and breaks with the emperor. By then, no one will be able to find fault with the Zhang family."

"To accomplish great things, one must have sufficient patience. If you can't even tolerate these small things, you'll never achieve greatness!"

Zhang Yun was thoroughly humiliated by his father's scolding and didn't dare to utter another word.

General Zhang let out a sigh of relief and ordered in a low voice, "Keep an eye on the Pei residence. Also, keep a close eye on Meng Liulang."

"With Meng Dalang gone, Meng Liulang is just a reckless brute, brave but reckless. We must seize this opportunity to swallow up the Beiping army."

……

Undercurrents were surging in Bohai County.

Liaoxi City, however, presents a completely different scene.

Nearly two months have passed since the great battle. Those who succumbed to their wounds have been buried, and those with minor injuries have mostly recovered. Grass has grown over the graves of General Li and his son. The people of Liaoxi City, who all support the Pei family army, have long forgotten about General Li and his son.

Pei Qinghe's injuries had mostly healed, and he personally raised the Pei family army's flag to recruit new soldiers.

On the first day of recruitment, people flocked to sign up, including quite a few women.

The female soldiers in the Pei family army patrolled the city daily, receiving military pay and rations just like ordinary soldiers. Those messy rumors and gossip couldn't harm them in the slightest.

The ordinary people in Liaoxi City were very curious about the female soldiers. After repeatedly asking them questions, they mustered up their courage and sent their daughters and granddaughters to the city.

Pei Qinghe recuperated in the military tent for two months. His skin had become fairer, and his cheeks fuller; the paleness and weakness he had shown when he was injured were nowhere to be seen. The general who appeared before the people was now full of energy and charismatic.

Pei Qinghe didn't need to say anything; he simply stood next to the Pei-character flag, which attracted a steady stream of people coming to recruit soldiers.

Yang Hu, Lü Feng, and the others watched with extreme envy.

Recruiting soldiers is usually the most troublesome thing. But for the Pei family army, it was effortless.

(End of this chapter)