Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 435 Personal Guards (Part 3)

Didn't we just learn it tonight? How come we have to memorize it already?
Fei Lin secretly gasped and couldn't help but turn to look at Song Dalang. Song Dalang was also a little flustered, but he remained calm on the surface, his eyes fixed on the military book in his hand, quickly reciting and memorizing it.

Fei Lin immediately learned by example.

Pei Yue, whose name was called upon, stood up and began reciting. These two pages covered the methods of setting up camp, including how to choose a suitable location and how to establish a military stronghold. It was astonishing that the lazy and greedy little chubby boy could recite it word for word.

Pei Qinghe nodded reluctantly: "I've memorized it, but not very fluently. I'll keep it firmly in my mind, so I can use it when I go on expeditions with the army or lead troops alone in the future."

With a quick glance, he pointed to the next person: "Pei Wan, you carry it."

Pei Wan is twelve years old this year, one year younger than Pei Yue. This time, Pei Yan selected bodyguards with a minimum age of thirteen. Pei Wan also pleaded with Madam Feng on her behalf, and in the subsequent literary and martial arts competitions, she performed exceptionally well. She was indeed selected.

Pei Wan stood up and spoke, each word clear and distinct, as if she could recite it backwards.

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with a smile, and her voice softened accordingly: "You recited it well, which shows you paid attention in class tonight."

Pei Wan was delighted by the compliment, and her smile revealed a small dimple.

Fei Lin felt guilty and anxious, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. If he were called on, how could he possibly recite it? He couldn't even compare to the thirteen-year-old boy and twelve-year-old girl from the Pei family—it was too embarrassing!

Finished!

Song Dalang's advantage was that he was more composed than Fei Lin. Even though he was equally guilty and flustered inside, he could still keep his composure on the surface.

Pei Qinghe's gaze swept over Fei Lin, whose scalp tingled slightly; thankfully, he hadn't been called out by name. Pei Qinghe then glanced at Song Dalang, who also wasn't called out by name. Instead, she called out another guard.

Since time was limited in the evening, after ordering these three items, Pei Qinghe said, "Tonight's class is over. You can go back and rest. We'll continue tomorrow night."

Fei Lin breathed a long sigh of relief.

All the guards bowed and saw General Pei and Commander Pei off.

As soon as Pei Qinghe and Pei Yan left, the atmosphere immediately became lively and cheerful. Pei Yue put on the airs of an uncle and praised Pei Wan at length.

Pei Wan listened obediently, then smiled and said, "I would appreciate any guidance from Uncle during my morning practice tomorrow."

Pei Yue's smile froze: "That won't be necessary!"

Pei Wan's big eyes blinked, and she became even more obedient: "Uncle, don't you want to teach me?"

Pei Yue had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

The young men and women of the Pei family's direct line grinned. They'd all grown up together; everyone knew each other! In terms of seniority and age, Pei Yue was indeed a generation older and a year older. But in terms of actual skill, even two Pei Yues combined couldn't match Pei Wan.

Pei Wan possessed exceptional martial arts talent, earning her the nickname "Little Qinghe" in Pei Family Village. This nickname wasn't given lightly; she was proficient in all eighteen weapons. No one her age could defeat her.

Pei Yue was actually an outstanding young man, skilled in both literature and martial arts. Unfortunately, he was overshadowed by his niece, Pei Wan.

Fei Lin and Song Dalang returned to their room with mixed feelings, lying on their respective beds, staring blankly at the ceiling. After a while, Song Dalang broke the silence: "Usually, Pei Yue is just a gluttonous and lazy little fat boy. I never imagined he would be so intelligent." Fei Lin sighed: "Isn't that Pei Wan even more remarkable? Could it be that the Pei family is truly blessed by heaven, having so many outstanding young men besides the general?"

The older ones, Mao Hongling and Pei Yun, needless to say, are both capable of leading troops independently. One defeated a larger force and defended Bohai County. The other defended Pei Family Village and won a brilliant victory. The younger ones, Pei Yan and Pei Zhi, and the even younger Pei Xuan and Pei Feng, are all formidable individuals.

Looking at it now, Pei Yue is also a promising talent. Young Pei Wan already possesses the charm of Pei Qinghe in her youth. And then there are those clever and quick-witted children of Pei Family Village…

“The Mandate of Heaven rests with the Pei family!” Song Dalang sighed, expressing Fei Lin’s true feelings.

Fei Lin felt a pang of sympathy: "That's right. The Pei family is blessed with great fortune, producing many talented individuals. You and I, brothers, must keep our spirits up. We need to study hard, practice martial arts, and train diligently, lest we be outdone by the younger generation."

After saying that, he prepared to turn off the lights and go to sleep.

Song Dalang said, "You go to sleep first, I want to read some more military books."

Fei Lin scratched his head, gritted his teeth, washed his face with cold water, and took out his military treatise to study it carefully.

He studied it for half an hour. It was nearly midnight when Song Dalang finally put down the military treatise. Looking up, he couldn't help but chuckle.

Fei Lin had fallen asleep at some point, still clutching the military treatise in his hand, with drool dripping from the corner of his mouth.

"Cousin Qinghe, what do you think of Song Dalang and Fei Lin?" Pei Yan asked Pei Qinghe curiously from the other room.

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "They are both young generals from the north, with the pride of military families and some ability. Song Dalang is more composed, while Fei Lin is a bit more impulsive. However, they are both promising talents. With proper training and development for a few years, they will be able to lead troops independently."

Pei Yan exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't expect you to think so highly of them. I thought they were too bad at fighting!"

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "Personal skill is indeed important, but to become an outstanding military general, personal bravery alone is not enough. One must understand the big picture, be able to formulate strategies, know how to train troops, and have the right mindset and ambition. Both of them are promising talents."

"Let's train them properly for a while and let General Song and General Fei take a look. Perhaps, there will be unexpected benefits in the future."

Pei Yan can be a headache when she's rough around the edges, but she can also be incredibly perceptive at times: "You want to use this opportunity to make this a regular occurrence?"

“That’s right, that’s exactly what I’m thinking.” Pei Qinghe glanced approvingly at Pei Yan. “Of the twenty armies in the North, we actually control less than half. They’ve all come to Yan County to submit and bow down, but once the coronation ceremony is over, they’ll all return to their own camps and become warlords in their own territories. I really can’t do anything about them. We can’t just send troops into a civil war without a reason. It would be pointless and damage our reputation and prestige, which is really unacceptable.”

"We can't just leave it unattended. If it goes on for too long, it will cause problems."

"Therefore, I appointed Fei Lin as my personal guard. General Song is a smart man, and he immediately sent Song Dalang to my side as well. From now on, they will be my trusted personal guards, learning martial arts and studying with me, and fighting for me in battle."

"I want to leave my mark on them. After a few years, when General Song and General Fei are old and retired, I will let Song Dalang and Fei Lin return to their respective camps to lead troops. In this way, I can truly bring the Pingyang Army and the Taiyuan Army under my command."

Pei Yan clapped his hands and said excitedly, "The Imperial Guard is short of people. We can select from the sons and nephews of all the military generals in the North."

……

(End of this chapter)