Chapter 170: Preparing For Battle
The Lu Family selected Lu Dongqing, first because Lu Dongqing’s age was suitable, and second, because Lu Dongqing had a gentle temperament.
The Pei Family Army rose strongly, and Sixth Sister Pei intimidated Youzhou. The Shi Family was the first to place their bet, and the Wang Family quickly followed by forming a good relationship with the Pei Family Army. A great clan like Madam Lu’s naturally could not miss the opportunity to place a bet.
Lu Dongqing was somewhat helpless and said in a low voice, “Grandfather, Sixth Sister already has Steward Shi by her side. I…”
“As long as Sixth Sister is not married, you still have a chance.” Imperial Physician Lu slowly interrupted Lu Dongqing. “It’s not only the Shi Family that has grain. There are other grain merchants in Youzhou, and the magnates all have the habit of stockpiling grain. What Sixth Sister wants is grain, but it’s not necessarily the Shi Family. The Lu Family Medicine, however, is one of a kind.”
Lu Dongqing was young after all and could not help muttering, “The Shi Family has been supplying military rations to the Pei Family Army. Our Lu Family’s medicine was sold to the Pei Family Army to earn silver.”
Not to mention, the Lu Family also sold medicine to the Fanyang Army, Guangning Army, and Liaoxi Army.
Betting on all sides, without spending a single coin of silver, they wanted him to compete for supremacy with Shi Yan. Not to mention Shi Yan’s own capability and skills, just based on family background, he had lost thoroughly.
Imperial Physician Lu did not like hearing this and glanced over with his turbid old eyes. “What did you just say?”
Lu Dongqing pursed his lips and lowered his head. “Grandson has noted Grandfather’s words.”
Only then did Imperial Physician Lu withdraw his gaze and say indifferently, “The Fanyang Army is already stirring. It won’t be long before there is a great battle. Where there is battle, there are wounded soldiers, and our Lu Family Medicine will become increasingly important.”
“The Shi Family has bet everything. Shi Yan early on abandoned the family business to go to Sixth Sister Pei’s side and can no longer turn back. Sixth Sister has lofty ambitions and is ambitious, so she will certainly try her utmost to co-opt us. The best method is a marriage alliance.”
The Shi Family no longer had any possibility of withdrawing.
The wavering Lu Family still had bargaining chips.
Lu Dongqing understood the implication in his grandfather’s words and did not make a sound. After seeing off Imperial Physician Lu, Lu Dongqing was dazed alone in the house.
Lu Dongqing, full of worries, when he saw Sixth Sister Pei, did not “get closer” as Imperial Physician Lu had instructed, but instead kept his distance, maintaining six feet even when speaking.
Pei Qinghe was busy training troops and had no time to pay attention to the youthful thoughts of Lu Shiyilang.
All the grain in Quanzhou County had been recovered, with no significant loss. Yongnu County suffered some losses. The military bandits who fled from Yongnu County robbed several small villages.
These military bandits fled everywhere, robbing and killing once before running. By the time the messengers arrived, the military bandits had already vanished without a trace.
Pei Yan was furious and said to Pei Qinghe, “I’ll lead men to chase and kill them, slaughtering them all clean.”
Pei Qinghe asked with a cold face, “Do you know where they are hiding? If you chase them and they hide in the mountains, will you chase or not?”
Pei Yan felt extremely suffocated. “Are we just going to watch the common people suffer!”
Pei Qinghe’s face showed no expression. “No need to wait too long. A small jingguan has been piled up outside Quanzhou County. The Fanyang Army will not swallow this humiliation lying down and will soon come with their full army.”
“Wait. There will be times when you kill until your hands go soft.”
A few short sentences extinguished Pei Yan’s anger. Pei Yan’s voice lowered. “When are we going back?”
“Wait a few more days. Once Gu Lian’s condition stabilizes, we’ll go back.”
Imperial Physician Lu’s medical skill was superb, and with his miraculous hands bringing the dying back to life, one prescription saved Gu Lian’s life. Gu Lian visibly improved, staying awake longer each day.
Pei Qinghe could not wait a few more days. The news of the Fanyang Army mobilizing their large army arrived swiftly.
The Fanyang Army was a regular army after all, with eight hundred warhorses. This time, all the warhorses were deployed, with eight hundred cavalry leading the way, followed by more than three thousand soldiers, advancing with overwhelming momentum.
Pei Qinghe summoned Jiang Huiniang. “Gu Lian needs to recover from injuries. You lead the troops in her place. After I leave, seal the city gate. No matter how the Fanyang Army provokes, do not open the city gate.”
Jiang Huiniang cupped her hands and accepted the order.
Gu Lian, lying on the bed, moved with effort, trying to struggle up. This pulled at her wound, causing heart-piercing pain, and the healing wound split open again.
Pei Qinghe’s face darkened, and she swept a sharp gaze over. “Lie there obediently for me. I invited Imperial Physician Lu to save your life. Even if you want to die, you have to ask if I agree.”
When Pei Qinghe got angry, Gu Lian immediately became obedient and quiet.
Pei Qinghe turned her head and said warmly to Lu Dongqing, “You stay here and take care of Gu Lian for a while. The Fanyang Army is coming, the Pei Family Army must fight, and all of Yan Prefecture will be unstable. You will be safer inside Quanzhou City.”
Lu Dongqing responded from six feet away, “I will strictly follow Sixth Sister’s instruction.”
……
Pei Qinghe led Pei Yan and the others back to Pei Family Village on fast horses and immediately summoned all the battalion commanders.
“The Pei Family Army’s last battle was over a year ago, the bitter fight defending Changping County Town against the Xiongnu barbarians. In this past year plus, the Pei Family Army has been expanding and training troops.” Pei Qinghe’s gaze swept over everyone’s faces, and she said in a deep voice, “How well we’ve trained will be seen in this battle against the Fanyang Army.”
“If we win, we stand firmly on our feet, and no one will dare provoke the Pei Family Army easily again. If we lose, we lose our foothold and can only hide in the deep mountains.”
“Survival or destruction, all in this one battle.”
The commanders listened with blood boiling and rose one after another to request battle.
Pei Qinghe’s gaze fell on Captain Sun’s face. “You have the most experience leading troops in battle. You lead men to go scout the Fanyang Army’s details.”
Captain Sun cupped his hands and accepted the order.
Pei Qinghe instructed again, “Do not engage in prolonged fighting. Scout the situation and return to report.”
“The Fanyang Army comes from afar. We have the geographical advantage, waiting at ease for the fatigued enemy, defend first then attack.”
In battles between two armies, the greatest taboo is letting hot blood rush to the head. Though Pei Qinghe was young, she was even more steady than this military general who had fought to the death for over ten years. Following such a leader put one’s heart at ease, without letting subordinates die in vain.
Captain Sun felt secretly invigorated in his heart and cupped his hands to accept the order again.
Pei Qinghe methodically deployed tactics, and the commanders each acknowledged.
Mao Hongling asked in a low voice, “Should we have Pei Yun lead troops back?”
“No need.” A gleam flashed in Pei Qinghe’s eyes. “Send her a message to hold Changping County. When the Fanyang Army retreats in defeat, lead troops to strike them head-on.”
Pei Qinghe’s tone was full of confident composure, extremely infectious.
Mao Hongling smiled embarrassedly. “I’ve never faced such a big battle, and I’m a bit panicked inside.”
Pei Yan rarely admitted honestly, “Actually, I’m a bit panicked too. Last time fighting the Xiongnu barbarians, they only had a few hundred men. This time, the Fanyang Army is coming with several thousand. I’ve never fought such a big battle. I don’t know if we can win.”
“Cousin Sister Qinghe, aren’t you afraid?”
Pei Qinghe tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Faced with life and death, who isn’t afraid. I’m afraid too.”
“But fear is useless. To survive, we can only fight to the death. Fight until the day we are truly strong enough to make everyone revere us.”
