Chapter 291: Endgame
Li Chi didn’t care at all how contemptuously the others looked at him.
The Guangning Army was still an independent army with its own banner. The Fanyang Army’s stance was awkward and its situation delicate. The Pingyang Army was merely connected through a marriage alliance. As for the Beiping Army, it was an army loyal to the Imperial Court.
The Liaoxi Army, however, had pulled down its banner and completely submitted to the Pei Family Army. This was also his unique advantage, allowing the latecomer to surpass the others.
“Most of those captured able-bodied men have run away. As for those who didn’t, after this battle, they are also completely devoted to the general.” Li Chi really knew how to talk: “Those still in the barracks now all sincerely want to join the Pei Family Army. Please give them a chance, General.”
Give me a chance too.
I want to get ahead too much.
Yang Hu really couldn’t stand it anymore and coughed once: “The general is still recovering from injuries. This matter can wait until the general has discussed it before deciding.”
Lu Feng immediately chimed in: “General Yang is right. Moreover, the Pei Family Army is famous for its strict military discipline, and its troop training is the strictest and most grueling. With the Liaoxi Army’s foundation as it is, can it maintain military discipline!”
This stab was both steady and accurate.
Li Chi forced a smile and glanced over: “Our Pei Family Army’s affairs are not for you to worry about. If I were you, I would now have someone write a letter back to persuade General Lu to surrender to the general as soon as possible. That way, if conflict arises later, I won’t have to lead the general’s troops to fight the Fanyang Army. After all, we were brothers who fought side by side. I don’t want to take your father and son’s heads!”
Lu Feng was also stabbed in the heart and immediately flew into a rage, abruptly standing up with his fist clenched.
Li Chi sneered, rolling up his sleeves. He had entered the barracks at twelve, starting as a big soldier, and killed his way to today with blade and spear. He wasn’t afraid to fight anyone.
Song Dalang anxiously tried to placate both sides.
Yang Hu was different; he took the opportunity to stir things up sarcastically, hoping Li Chi and Lu Feng would just start fighting. That way, the general could see that he, Yang Hu, was the most honest and obedient.
Pei Qinghe’s voice rang out coldly: “If you keep making trouble, all of you get out!”
The military tent instantly fell silent.
Li Chi quickly dropped his hands and let down his sleeves. Lu Feng awkwardly lowered his fist. Song Dalang and Yang Hu both shut their mouths.
Pei Qinghe kept a straight face, her cold gaze sweeping over everyone’s faces like a blade edge: “How to reorganize the army is a matter for later. Right now, cleaning up the aftermath, letting the wounded soldiers recover from injuries, and pacifying the common people are the top priorities.”
“You each discipline your own troops well. Whoever violates military discipline at this time will be severely punished without mercy.”
The crowd cupped their hands together in acknowledgment, then obediently withdrew.
Shi Yan, who had been waiting outside the military tent, came in carrying a bowl of herbal medicine. Pei Qinghe took the bowl and drank it all down. The herbal medicine left endless bitterness between her lips and teeth.
“They are all worthless things who are all talk and no action.” Pei Qinghe was angry inside and cursed lowly: “Especially Li Chi, shrewd and cunning, competing and grabbing, even dragging others down. He’s not a good thing!”
Shi Yan couldn’t help laughing: “Yesterday you were still praising Li Chi for maintaining stability in Liaoxi City. Why are you cursing him like this today?”
Pei Qinghe snorted lightly and recounted the earlier scene: “…Although we won a victory, it was a pyrrhic win, and now it’s a mess. Each army has suffered heavy battle damage and urgently needs to replenish troop strength. Li Chi is eagerly pledging loyalty, hoping to change banners under the Pei character flag and reestablish himself in Liaoxi. Fly the Pei family banner now, and he might betray us later.”
“Yang Hu doesn’t want to change military banners and doesn’t want to be overshadowed by Li Chi. He can’t stand the sight of Li Chi.”
“Lu Feng has already secretly sent a letter back to the Fanyang Army, but unfortunately, how to proceed next is not for him to decide; General Lu has to make the call. So these past few days, Lu Feng has been the most anxious and restless.”
“As for the Song family, they naturally hope for the Pei Family Army’s rising power. In the future, they can borrow our Pei Family Army’s momentum to firmly hold Pingyang Commandery.”
“Everyone has their own selfish calculations. When together, they don’t see eye to eye, each one full of barbs—how could they not make trouble?”
Shi Yan chuckled lowly: “No matter how many calculations they have, in front of the general, they still have to bow their heads and obey orders.”
Pei Qinghe laughed in spite of herself: “You sure know how to talk. Say more; I love hearing it.”
“Everything I said is the truth,” Shi Yan laughed. “They were arguing fiercely, and I heard quite a bit outside the military tent. No matter how they argued, it was all about hoping for higher status in the Pei Family Army and greater favor from the general. As soon as you spoke, they all quieted down.”
Only Pei Qinghe could make these unruly military generals sincerely submit and bow their heads.
Pei Qinghe’s anger had already subsided. She smiled and sighed, “I need to recover quickly, clean up the mess, and rally morale and hearts.”
These matters could only be handled by her.
Pei Yun managed the internal affairs of the Pei Family Army without issue. But her prestige externally was insufficient, and she couldn’t control people like Li Chi, Yang Hu, and Lu Feng.
Unfortunately, when it came to recovering from injuries, being impatient wouldn’t help.
Lu Dongqing, whose medical skill was the most superb, came every day to examine Pei Qinghe. Under Pei Qinghe’s questioning and urging, Lu Dongqing opened his mouth and replied, “The general lost too much blood that day and was unconscious for several days before waking. She must rest peacefully for at least two months.”
Pei Qinghe frowned. “I don’t have that much time.”
Lu Dongqing said indifferently, “Then I have no method. I’m just a doctor, not an immortal.”
Pei Qinghe: “…”
Shi Yan held back his laughter, saw off Military Doctor Lu, and then gently comforted Pei Qinghe. Pei Qinghe said irritably, “With Lu Dongqing’s bad temper, Imperial Physician Lu still delusionally hopes for a marriage alliance with our Pei Clan! Who would want him!”
Pei Qinghe had a face full of disdain. Shi Yan grinned, “Anyway, as long as the general doesn’t fancy him, that’s fine.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and rolled her eyes at him.
This petty man never forgot to taste dry vinegar at any time.
Half a month later, Pei Qinghe could get out of bed and walk slowly. The Imperial Court’s rewards had also arrived.
Beyond Pei Qinghe’s expectations, Emperor Jian’an ignored General Zhang’s obstruction and gave her the rewards she deserved.
Following General Situ and General Zhang, Pei Qinghe became the third first-rank great general formally appointed by the Imperial Court.
The one who came to deliver the imperial decree was Emperor Jian’an’s confidant, Eunuch Shen.
“Congratulations to Great General Pei!” Eunuch Shen nodded and bowed, smiling obsequiously. “The great general led troops to defeat the Xiongnu barbarians, defended Liaoxi City, and established illustrious military merit. She is undeniably a first-rank great general.”
“To be honest with the great general, this imperial decree had quite some twists. General Zhang has always held an opposing attitude, but the emperor ignored it and insisted on issuing the decree.”
So what?
With just an empty name that was lightly bestowed, they wanted her to bow her head in loyalty? Best if they could take both her and her army at once?
Pei Qinghe tugged at the corner of her mouth, smiling ambiguously. “Eunuch Shen, if you have something to say, just speak plainly!”
The domineering aura and killing intent forged and tempered from countless killings on the battlefield slightly revealed itself, already making Eunuch Shen’s heart chill with fear.
Eunuch Shen strongly resisted the urge to wipe the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and said with a forced smile, “The great general is the smartest person in the world. The emperor’s intention is surely clear to the great general, so this servant need not say more.”
