Chapter 11: Power Base
Once they get busy, they won’t have time or mind to seek death. This is the real reason for choosing Mao Hongling as the leader.
Of course, Mao Hongling’s skills are indeed not bad. A red-tasseled spear wielded in her hands can hold out for over ten moves. With dedicated training, she might become a fierce general in the Pei Family Army in the future.
Pei Qinghe looked at the two girls beside her again.
The ages from eight to nineteen are the most numerous, divided into two teams. The younger team is led by Cousin Sister Pei Yan. The other team is led by Cousin Sister Pei Yun from the seventeenth branch.
Pei Yun is sixteen this year, with an oval face and delicate features. She was originally supposed to marry at the end of the month. The Pei Clan met with disaster, and misfortune does not extend to married daughters. Pei Yun was unlucky, just a few days short, and her fate plummeted to the bottom.
Among the girls of this generation in the Pei Clan, the one with the most outstanding talent and best skills is Pei Qinghe. Next is Pei Yun.
Pei Yun’s usual weapon is the nine-section whip. At full strength, she can hold out for over fifty moves under Pei Qinghe’s blade. Among the youths of this generation in the Pei Clan, she ranks in the top five.
In the previous life, Pei Yun followed her into the mountains to gather medicinal materials, encountered a tiger, and was devoured.
That bloody and dark scene became an indelible scar in her heart.
In this life, she wants everyone around her to live well.
“Pei Yun,” Pei Qinghe called her name.
Pei Yun had secretly cried several times in the past three days, her eyes red, but her expression was still calm: “Here.”
Pei Qinghe’s words were concise and forceful: “The two teams you and Pei Yan are leading are the main force of the Pei Clan in the future.”
“Starting tomorrow, begin formal training. Train steps, train formation. Once the steps are neat and the formation takes shape, gradually increase speed. Before reaching Youzhou, train to some standard, and walk forty li every day.”
Forty li every day, this is the standard marching pace of the Imperial Court army!
And also train steps and formation!
What is Cousin Sister Qinghe trying to do?
Pei Yun opened her almond eyes wide in shock.
Pei Yan didn’t think much at all and loudly responded affirmatively.
Madam Lu nearby felt a tightness in her heart, wanted to stand up and speak, but Pei Qinghe glanced faintly over, like Mount Tai pressing down, full of majesty.
Madam Lu didn’t move.
The girls under eight are led by Cousin Sister Pei Xuan.
Pei Xuan is eight this year, with a cute round face and dimples when she smiles.
This doll-faced little cousin sister is fierce and ruthless in battle, always staying by her side, her capable confidant. She is even a fearsome figure in the Pei Family Army.
These are all matters of the future. For now, Pei Xuan is just an unremarkable illegitimate daughter from the eighth branch.
Selected by Pei Qinghe yesterday to be the leader, Pei Xuan was surprised and delighted, full of energy. Without waiting for Pei Qinghe’s instruction, she loudly said: “I’ll watch them and not let them fall behind.”
Pei Qinghe hummed in acknowledgment.
Finally, Pei Qinghe looked at Pei Feng: “All the cousin brothers are under your management. They are still young, no need to train formation for now, just train physical strength and endurance.”
“Whoever dares not listen to you, tell me, and I’ll teach him a lesson.”
Pei Feng puffed out his chest, eyes firm, nodding vigorously.
The foundation of the Pei Family Army is currently these people.
Training troops is not easy; it must be done step by step.
Pei Qinghe’s gaze swept over the crowd’s varied expressions, and she slowly said: “No need to say big principles; everyone knows in their hearts.”
“To live well, no one can be relied on except oneself.”
“The bigger the fist, the more reason.”
“When strength is sufficient, the Pei Clan will have the confidence to stand before the world again.”
This speech was like a drumbeat, striking heavily in their hearts, shocking the Pei Clan women to their cores, emotions surging, unable to calm for a long time.
Pei Qinghe not only wants to lead the clan to survive, but clearly has greater goals and burning ambition.
Madam Lu sneered, and Zhang Kou poured cold water: “Just this bunch of women, children, old and young, still thinking of conquering the world? Such big talk! Not afraid the wind will flash your tongue!”
Pei Qinghe didn’t look at Madam Lu and announced the latest clan rule: “Every evening, you eight come here for deliberation. Idle people, don’t come.”
Madam Lu: “…”
Leading troops and training troops has never been easy.
In her previous life, Pei Qinghe led over ten thousand rebel army members. Not to mention battlefield warfare, daily training and management were extremely tedious tasks.
Eating, drinking, defecating, sitting, standing, marching and waging war—all must have rules. Weapons, soft armor, warhorses, military supplies, medicinal materials, grain and fodder—each is a big hassle.
The stupid mistakes made and detours taken in the past are now heartbreaking blood and tears, no need to mention.
Reborn young, everything is a brand new start.
Pei Qinghe started at the back, gradually quickened her pace, overtook everyone silently, silently motivating and urging everyone on.
Mao Hongling hadn’t slept all night yesterday and felt dizzy today, but swept by Pei Qinghe’s gaze, she instantly sobered up. She rallied her spirit and stepped forward.
A young woman who had fallen behind was wiping tears with her head down. Mao Hongling went over and whispered something. The young woman slowly wiped her tears with her sleeve and finally stepped forward.
Pei Yun was unhurried, her pace steady. Her team consisted of vigorous young Pei Clan women, with the neatest formation.
Pei Yan was competitive and impatient, taking two steps in three to rush to the front. Everyone in her team quickened their pace, soon with flushed cheeks and sweat on their foreheads.
Pei Qinghe patted Pei Yan’s shoulder and softly reminded: “Conserve strength. Don’t just rush forward; consider everyone’s speed in the team and always keep the formation neat.”
Pei Yan grunted in acknowledgment, quickly slowed down, and adjusted the formation.
The two teams of boys and girls under eight were too young for formation or steps; just barely keeping up was already surprising.
This clever Pei Xuan found some belts, tied them into a long rope, and had the girls in the team hold on one after another, like a long braid. It actually worked well; even four- or five-year-old girls could stumble forward.
Pei Feng’s team of boys was harder to manage. The boys were active and naughty, with some running around. Pei Feng chased sweating, grabbed the front ones, and the back became chaotic. Grabbed the back, and the front started fighting. And Pei Yue tripped while walking, cried loudly in pain, and clamored to be held.
Pei Xuan burst out laughing.
Pei Feng was young but cared about face; being outdone by Pei Xuan, his eyes reddened, tears welling up.
Pei Qinghe came over, picked up the crying Pei Yue: “Don’t cry, I’ll carry you.” Then turned to comfort Pei Feng: “You’ve already done very well.”
Pei Feng sniffed.
Pei Yue buried his head in his cousin sister’s embrace and fell asleep soon after. Pei Qinghe carried the heavy little chubby cousin brother, her steps still light.
The big soldiers on horseback watched this scene, feeling an inexplicable strangeness in their hearts for some reason.
Fearless of wind and rain, undaunted by hardship, with tenacious will.
Sixth Sister Pei is a true powerhouse.
……
When writing this chapter, my heart was surging with hot blood. I really love my big female lead Qinghe~^_^
