Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 450 Inspection (Part Two)

While Shi Yan was making great strides in the Ministry of Revenue, Meng Bing was also keeping busy.

He grew up in a military camp in Beiping and was proficient in everything from training soldiers to fighting and logistics. His understanding of the Xiongnu barbarians was also far deeper than that of others.

He had repeatedly reminded Shi Yan to be prepared for war at any time. The Xiongnu barbarians suffered a major defeat last year, and the possibility of them launching a large-scale invasion this year was extremely low. However, small-scale cavalry raids were inevitable.

Having been accustomed to being robbers and thieves, when they lack food and clothing, can they resist the urge to rob?

In short, if they don't come, fine; but if they do, we must send out troops decisively and strike them hard.

At present, the northern regions do not have the strength to actively advance into the grasslands. However, the Beiping Army, Liaoxi Army, Guangning Army, and even Fanyang Army, which have already gained morale, are not afraid to fight against the Xiongnu barbarians.

Meng Bing summoned several skilled craftsmen, who spent several months creating an extremely large sand table.

This sand table occupied most of the empty room. The terrain of Youzhou, mountains and rivers, from large cities and military camps to small streams, were all on full display.

After the sand table was completed, Meng Bing summoned everyone from the Ministry of War to repeatedly simulate battles using it. The Ministry of War had even fewer people than the Ministry of Revenue, totaling only eight.

During Emperor Jian'an's reign, military affairs were controlled by General Zhang and his son. Only the Meng brothers could rival them. These seven senior officials in the Ministry of War were all familiar with Meng Bing and had no complaints. Meng Bing's leadership of the Ministry of War was much smoother and less troublesome than Shi Yan's.

"Minister Meng, General Meng of the Beiping Army has sent a letter." A guard entered the room carrying the letter.

Meng Bing, who was focused on looking at the sand table, turned her head, took the letter, and her expression immediately became more serious after reading it.

Yan County was temporarily designated as the capital, and the so-called imperial palace was a converted building. The six ministries were also converted. The government offices were located close together, making it convenient to find someone to talk to.

Meng Bing took the letter and went to the Ministry of Revenue to find Shi Yan: "The Emperor has only been gone a few days, and the Beiping Army has already sent a letter. When the scouts were patrolling the border, they encountered some scattered Xiongnu cavalry. They fought twice, and both sides suffered casualties."

Shi Yan reacted extremely quickly: "Are the Xiongnu going to send troops again?"

Meng Bing nodded slightly and handed the letter to Shi Yan: "This is Liu Lang's letter. You'll understand once you take a look."

In his letter, Meng Liulang wrote that the Xiongnu barbarians were constantly harassing the border of Youzhou and were ready to make a move. The Beiping army was going to send out more outposts.

Meng Liulang was arrogant and had a bad temper, but he was a born fierce general with an extremely keen intuition about warfare.

Shi Yan said, "The Ministry of Revenue has been preparing food and supplies. If the Beiping army needs reinforcements, the Pei family army can be mobilized at any time. The Ministry of Revenue can supply the military needs."

Soldiers risk their lives to defend their country, and there must be no mistakes in ensuring the supply of provisions and military supplies in the rear.

Meng Bing's brows relaxed, and she smiled: "Now that you mention it, I feel much more at ease. By the way, we need to send someone to deliver a message to the Emperor."

Shi Yan nodded: "We should also tell Prime Minister Pang about this, so that he can be prepared."

The two went together to see Prime Minister Pang.

Prime Minister Pang blurted out, "Since war is imminent, we should ask the Emperor to stop his inspection tour and return immediately to prepare to lead the army to fight the Xiongnu barbarians."

“That’s not necessary,” Meng Bing explained patiently. “The Beiping Army has recruited new soldiers to replenish its strength, and now it has nearly 10,000 men. As long as the Xiongnu do not launch a large-scale invasion, but only send small groups of cavalry, the Beiping Army will be able to handle them. The Guangning Army, Liaoxi Army, and Fanyang Army can also send reinforcements. There is no need for the Emperor to personally lead the expedition!”

Yes! The northern lands have a plethora of fierce generals; why should the emperor personally lead the expedition?

Meng Liulang is brave and skilled in battle, Yang Hu is resourceful and wise, Li Chi is good at defending, and the newly appointed commander of the Fanyang army, Pei Xuan, has not yet led troops into battle on his own. In the past, he was also a fierce general who charged into battle and led troops to kill the enemy in the Pei family army.

Prime Minister Pang said, "This matter must be reported to the Emperor immediately for a decision."

Meng Bing and Shi Yan both agreed. The messenger was dispatched at full speed. Three days later, the letter arrived in Pei Qinghe's hands, who was in the Fanyang military camp.

Pei Xuan and Lü Erlang also read the letter and eagerly volunteered to lead the troops.

Pei Qinghe pondered for a moment and said, "Lu Sheng will stay and guard the camp, while Pei Xuan will lead three thousand elite troops to support the Beiping army."

Pei Xuan was overjoyed at the prospect of battle; her eyes lit up, and she bowed to accept the order.

Lu Erlang was reluctant to part with her, but he could not disobey the military order, so he accepted it with a bow. Back in his tent, he reached out and hugged Pei Xuan: "Xuan-mei, I want to go to Beiping County with you."

Lu Erlang was a full head taller than Pei Xuan. At this moment, he rested his head on Pei Xuan's shoulder, who was slightly petite, like a large wolfhound, which was quite amusing.

Pei Xuan chuckled softly, gently stroking Lü Erlang's arm, and whispered, "Someone always has to stay behind in the military camp. I don't trust anyone but you."

Lu Erlang finally calmed down after being appeased.

Pei Xuan went to see Pei Qinghe again.

Pei Qinghe chuckled and teased, "Have you appeased them?"

Pei Xuan blinked and smiled, "Second Brother Lü is reluctant to part with me, not because he wants to compete with me for military power or merits."

Staying in the military camp is certainly not as good as leading troops into battle and conquering all sides. The former stabilizes the rear, while the latter brings glory and fame.

Pei Xuan has a sweet and adorable appearance, but she is actually the most intelligent and resourceful. Lu Erlang has been completely under her control from the very beginning, and he is quite content with it.

Pei Qinghe made a few jokes before getting to the point: "The Fanyang army has eight thousand soldiers now, two thousand of whom are veterans brought by the Pei family army. You leave five hundred veterans in the camp, take one thousand five hundred veterans, and then select one thousand five hundred Fanyang soldiers."

There are some things that I can't say outright.

For example, we could take the opportunity to remove the troublemakers from the Fanyang army and use them on the battlefield to weaken them. Those who survive and are tempered by the killings of the battlefield will be easier to manage.

The quick-witted Pei Xuan understood immediately and nodded solemnly in agreement.

Pei Qinghe added, "I plan to stay here at Fanyang Army for a while to help you improve the military discipline and appearance. You can focus on leading your troops to Beiping County."

Pei Xuan quickly mustered his troops, and with provisions and supplies, the three thousand-strong army marched out of the camp and headed towards the Beiping army.

Soon, Yang Hu, the general of Guangning, sent a messenger to deliver a message, requesting permission to send troops to support the Beiping army.

After receiving Pei Qinghe's permission, Yang Hu also led three thousand soldiers and set off, with Pei Zhi accompanying him.

The Liaoxi army had no time to spare for other matters. A month earlier, a group of Xiongnu cavalry had raided into Liaoxi Commandery. Li Chi led his troops to fight them, but the Xiongnu cavalry refused to engage him directly, relying on their superior strength and horsemanship to flee. Li Chi, skilled in defending cities, grew increasingly emboldened and led his troops in pursuit, resulting in a continuous melee.

Pei Qinghe stayed in the Fanyang military camp for half a month, met with the prefect and a group of county magistrates of Fanyang County, and inspected the fields several times.

During this period, he dealt with a county magistrate who was ineffective in his administration, killed a powerful local tyrant, and wiped out a gang of bandits.

In mid-August, Pei Qinghe set off again. On his way to Pingyang Army, he received a battle report from Beiping Army.

A group of more than two thousand Xiongnu cavalrymen was completely wiped out by the Beiping army.

(End of this chapter)