Chapter 101: Cold-blooded
Two months passed in the blink of an eye.
Several major events occurred during these two months.
Rebel Army broke out in the Jiangnan area, with counties and prefectures falling one after another. The Rebel Army grew like a snowball, getting bigger and bigger. Wherever they went, the Imperial Court officials in the government offices were the first to suffer, followed by the influential families and wealthy households.
Some magnates, seeing the Rebel Army approaching and realizing their own lives were at stake, simply took the initiative to seek refuge with the Rebel Army to find a way to survive. Others relied on their own fortified villages to stand alone. Bandits and refugees sprang up like mushrooms after rain.
The Imperial Court was fundamentally unable to attend to them. The Capital City, which had turned into a pot of porridge, was a complete mess. Several armies raising the banner of removing the treacherous officials from the king’s side started internal strife before even capturing the Capital City.
The Beiping Army and Bohai Navy wanted to rescue the Crown Prince, while the other armies wanted to take the opportunity to declare themselves king. Some were appeased and recruited by Prince Wei’s men, and turned around to stab the Beiping Army and Bohai Navy in the back.
Youzhou was too far from the Capital City, making message transmission inconvenient. One moment, news came that the Beiping Army and Bohai Navy had fought into the Capital City. The next moment, it was heard that General Meng had been hit by a stray arrow, with his life or death unknown.
Meng Liulang, left to guard the Beiping Army Camp, could no longer restrain himself and led the last five hundred men to rush to the Capital City.
Personal soldier Xiao Mo blocked Meng Liulang desperately: “Young Master Liu, before the general left, he instructed that no matter whether this battle was lost or won, Young Master Liu must not move.”
Meng Liulang’s eyes were bloodshot, and he roared: “If you’re afraid of death, stay behind. I’m going to save Father and Big Brother!”
Xiao Mo refused to get out of the way. In desperation, Meng Liulang kicked him hard. Xiao Mo was kicked to the ground but gritted his teeth and grabbed Meng Liulang’s leg: “Even if Young Master Liu kills me today, I have to block you.”
“When the general left, he left a letter for Young Master. He said to open it only in the most critical moments. Young Master might as well open the letter first and see what the general left behind.”
Meng Liulang turned back angrily and took out the letter his father had left months ago.
A few brief words, very concise.
No matter what happened in the Capital City, do not act rashly. In critical times, go to Pei Family Village to find Pei Qinghe.
Meng Liulang read the letter again and again, clenching and unclenching his fist: “I’m going to Pei Family Village.”
After two days on fast horses, Meng Liulang led several hundred soldiers to Pei Family Village.
Pei Family Village, absent for several months, had already changed in appearance.
A wall about ten feet high enclosed Pei Family Village. Several three-story wooden towers were built at the road entrance outside the village, with people on the towers keeping watch and standing guard.
Before Meng Liulang and the others could get close, a sharp bamboo whistle sounded. The refugees reclaiming wasteland each gripped their hoes, looking over vigilantly with fierce gazes, as if ready to rush over and fight to the death at any moment.
“It’s been months since we came, and the people here don’t recognize us anymore.” Personal soldier Xiao Mo sighed, his tone carrying a hint of pathos: “New people replace old ones.”
Meng Liulang felt uncomfortable hearing this sour tone and glared at him: “What new people and old ones? Shut your dog mouth.”
Xiao Mo indeed shut his mouth.
Previously, Meng Liulang would ride straight into Pei Family Village. With the current situation, he naturally could not force his way in and had to wait outside the village.
After waiting a moment, a familiar figure appeared before them.
“Young General Meng!” Pei Qinghe, who had grown a year older, had features that were gradually opening up, increasingly radiant with heroic spirit: “Long time no see. I hope you are well.”
Polite and courteous, yet also much more distant.
An inexplicable grievance surged in Meng Liulang’s heart.
The two, who had once been so familiar, suddenly felt distant. Just because Father had led troops to the Capital City?
Pei Qinghe was also from the Eastern Palace. Why had she fallen out with Father over this matter and gone separate ways?
Xiao Mo subtly nudged Meng Liulang with his arm.
Meng Liulang came back to his senses and cupped his hands: “Sixth Sister Pei, I came today to discuss something important.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “In that case, Young General Meng, please come in.” She then instructed Pei Yun beside her: “Have some food and drink prepared and sent over.”
Pei Yun accepted the instruction and left.
Meng Liulang had no choice but to order all soldiers to rest in place. He brought a few personal soldiers and followed Pei Qinghe into Pei Family Village.
Pei Yun soon brought people to deliver steamed buns and hot water. The soldiers had food and drink, but still felt a bit upset.
“In the past, when we came, we stayed in the village with meat and soup. Look at now—we’ve completely become outsiders.”
“I heard our general wanted Sixth Sister Pei to go to the Capital City together to rescue the Crown Prince, but Sixth Sister Pei refused, and they parted on bad terms. No contact for months—what is that if not outsiders?”
“I don’t know what Young Master Liu is going to discuss with Sixth Sister Pei. I reckon it’s nine out of ten that it won’t work.”
……
“I just received news that when Father was leading troops in a charge, he was wounded by a dark arrow from behind.” Several days had passed, and Meng Liulang was no longer so agitated, his tone low: “Calculating the time, this should have happened over half a month ago.”
“I want to lead troops to kill my way to the Capital City and rescue my father.”
Pei Qinghe’s expression remained unchanged, her voice calm: “Since you’ve decided to go, why come to see me?”
Meng Liulang blurted out: “Father left me a letter before leaving, instructing me to come to you in times of crisis.”
“Sixth Sister Pei, you are brave and strategic, and you have so many people. As long as you’re willing to go to the Capital City with me, we can definitely rescue my father. Perhaps even rescue the Crown Prince, set things right, and establish the merit of following the dragon.”
Meng Liulang grew more excited as he spoke, suddenly standing and approaching: “Your father and brothers died grievously. Don’t you want to avenge them, clear the Pei Clan’s name, and restore the Pei Clan household?”
Pei Qinghe retreated two steps, keeping distance: “If you came just to say this nonsense, there’s no need.”
“First, we must survive to have a future. The Capital City is a bloody storm—who knows how many will die. The Pei Clan women, children, elderly, and weak have no capability and no desire to get involved.”
“Meng Liulang, we’ve known each other for a while. Let me advise you today. General Meng told you to stay to leave a way out for the Meng Family. No matter what happens, you shouldn’t leave the barracks without authorization.”
“Leading the last five hundred men to the Capital City is just dying in vain.”
Meng Liulang was quite angry: “Pei Qinghe! You look down on me like this?”
Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “Fighting a war requires real blades and guns—talking is useless. With just these five hundred men in your hands, what use is there in going?”
“You want to jump into the quagmire, don’t drag me down.”
Veins bulged on Meng Liulang’s forehead as he glared fiercely at Pei Qinghe: “Only today do I realize how cold-blooded and heartless you are!”
Pei Qinghe tugged at the corner of her mouth, without a trace of smile in her eyes: “Congratulations, Young General Meng. You’ve finally seen my true face.”
Meng Liulang’s chest heaved violently. He glared at Pei Qinghe once more in anger and turned to leave.
“Wait a moment!”
Meng Liulang paused but did not turn back: “What else do you have to say…”
Sudden intense pain struck the back of his head, and Meng Liulang’s vision went black as he collapsed.
