Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 296 Please leave
Li Chi looked delighted.

General Pei recruited soldiers locally, and the new recruits naturally became Pei's army. The Liaoxi Army is now also under Pei's command; they're all one family!
The recruitment process of Pei's army also opened Li Chi's eyes.

First, they would ask for names, hometowns, and family backgrounds, then inquire whether the person was literate or trained in martial arts. Those who could read and write would be given priority. Of course, very few people could read; most were illiterate commoners. But that didn't matter. Once inside the Pei family army camp, the first thing they would do was learn to read and memorize military regulations before starting daily drills.

"If you're a soldier, all you need is strength. Why do you need to read and write?" Li Chi couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Li Chi humbly sought advice, and Pei Qinghe generously offered guidance: "Reading enlightens the mind and helps one understand maps and battle reports by recognizing characters."

"Children of military families all study and practice martial arts from a young age. You should be well aware of the benefits of that."

Therefore, the Pei family army is known for its strict discipline, outstanding talent, and strong morale. New recruits are trained by veteran soldiers and quickly become elite troops.

Li Chi sincerely exclaimed, "General, you have great foresight. I have learned a great deal."

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "I will personally train these new recruits for six months. After they are trained, you will lead the troops."

Li Chi's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was finally put at ease. He solemnly bowed and accepted the order: "Please rest assured, General. Now that I, Li Chi, have joined the Pei family army, I will always be your man. If I betray you, may lightning strike me down and kill me alive."

Pei Qinghe looked over with bright, sharp eyes: "Since I dare to use you, I dare to trust you. Li Chi, from now on, guard Liaoxi City and don't let me down."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Li Chi once again bowed and accepted.

Song Dalang watched the spectacle from the sidelines.

Lu Feng looked on with envy, wishing he could also shout, "General, please accept me too!" He only regretted that his own father was out of his mind, still hesitating after receiving his letter and unwilling to join the Pei family army.

Yang Hu was also a little jealous, and coughed to say, "We follow the general in his campaigns, so the general cannot show favoritism."

Pei Qinghe glanced at Yang Hu with a smile: "If you want new recruits, wait until we get back to Guangning County. This is Liaoxi City, do you intend to recruit soldiers here?"

Of course, recruiting locally is the best option. Soldiers have a stronger sense of belonging and are more passionate and willing to fight for their families and hometown.

Yang Hu had been in the military for many years, so he must understand this principle; he was just trying to make his presence known and vie for favor.

"General!" Pei Xuan rushed over and stuffed a letter into Pei Qinghe's hand: "A letter has been sent from Bohai County."

Pei Qinghe hummed in agreement, casually opened the letter, glanced at it, and suddenly curled her lips into a cold smile.

Everyone felt a sense of foreboding.

Pei Yun asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

Pei Qinghe said casually, "It's nothing serious. It's just that the Emperor issued an imperial decree, ordering me to enter the palace and become a Noble Consort."

Everyone: "..."

A bolt of lightning struck from a clear sky! It crashed down with a deafening roar! Everyone was stunned and disoriented!

With a clang!
Pei Yan was the first to draw her long sword, furious: "I'm going to chop down that damned emperor!"

Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng all drew their weapons, their expressions filled with murderous intent: "Let's go together!"

Gu Lian, Feng Changsun, Cheng Tao, and other leaders were also filled with rage. The general had led them in a desperate battle, and the emperor had stabbed him in the back. Bah! That bastard!

Li Chi cupped his hands and pleaded for orders: "Please give the order, General, and I will lead the troops to Bohai Commandery immediately."

Yang Hu hesitated for a moment: "We absolutely cannot swallow this insult. General, let me go!"

Seeing the crowd's anger and murderous intent, Pei Qinghe laughed: "Put your weapons back. Why are you so agitated? The messenger who delivered the imperial edict hasn't arrived yet. He might run into bandits on the way and be wiped out."

If the imperial edict doesn't reach her, it's as if it never existed.

Everyone was cheered up.

This time, it was Lü Feng who spoke first: "General, we've been here for two months, it's time to return to Fanyang County." On the way back, they would pretend to be bandits, killing and robbing.

This was originally Fanyang Army's specialty.

Pei Qinghe turned to look at Lü Feng, and asked with a double entendre, "Young General Lü, you'd better think this through. Are you really planning to go back now?"

Lu Feng nodded emphatically: "I've made up my mind. I'll set off tomorrow."

While his own father hesitated, Lü Fengke did not waver in the slightest. He had already made up his mind about General Pei and secretly vowed to follow him to the end.

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "Very well. General Lü, go find Chief Steward Shi and bring enough military rations. Also, we won a battle and captured a lot of things, so General Lü, please take some with you as well."

Lü Feng's face lit up with joy, and he bowed to accept the order.

Song Dalang was a little envious and rubbed his hands together, wanting to say something as well.

Pei Qinghe looked over with a smile: "General Song has several hundred warhorses. If he were to deploy them, it would be too conspicuous. For things like murder, arson, and robbery, the Fanyang army is much more adept."

Everyone grinned.

Lu Feng's dark face flushed slightly: "That's all in the past. From now on, our Fanyang Army will definitely turn over a new leaf and restore military discipline."

Pei Qinghe teased, half-jokingly, "Everyone heard what you said today."

Lu Feng puffed out his chest and said loudly, "A real man keeps his word. I, Lu Feng, will do what I say. Once the Fanyang army is properly organized, I will come to serve you, General. At that time, please don't turn me away."

Pei Qinghe laughed: "It's too early to talk about these things now. You should go back first, discuss it with General Lü, and then make a decision."

Lü Feng solemnly agreed. He secretly resolved that no matter what it took, he would persuade his father.

……

The following day, Lü Feng led two thousand Fanyang soldiers out of Liaoxi City.

The soldiers had received three months' worth of pay, and their food sacks were bulging at their waists. Needless to say, they had to help General Pei solve his problems.

Lu Feng summoned his trusted subordinates and said to them, "Do you dare to kill an official of the imperial court?"

The military officers bared their teeth and looked fierce: "What's there to be afraid of? We haven't recognized any imperial court for a long time."

"That's right. General Lü surrendered to King Qiao a few years ago. We'll kill any corrupt officials sent by the imperial court without hesitation."

"Do we need to pretend to be bandits?"

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

They weren't very good at fighting; the Guangning Army and the Liaoxi Army were much better. But they were experts at killing and robbing. General Pei's decision to send them as bandits was truly a wise use of their talents.

Lü Feng grinned.

He dispatched an advance scout, riding the remaining hundred or so horses, to scout out Minister Han's route and set up an ambush along the official road that Minister Han and his entourage were bound to take a day in advance.

Han, who knew nothing of the imperial edict, proceeded under the protection of a hundred elite soldiers.

Han Shilang was already cautious enough, but he did not expect that two thousand "bandits" were waiting for him ahead.

The bandits swarmed in like locusts, a dark mass.

Before Han Shilang could even utter a few words, his head was chopped off with a single blow.

(End of this chapter)