Chapter 122: Strife
These final words received the approval and support of all the elders.
The previous fighting and killing was unavoidable. Women must ultimately marry. If she could become an imperial concubine of the new Son of Heaven, revitalizing the Pei Clan would be just around the corner.
Madam Lu was still not satisfied and continued, “Bohai Commandery is the Zhang Family’s territory. The Zhang Family has over ten thousand elite soldiers and the merit of following the dragon by saving the emperor. We cannot compete with Madam Zhang for the position of empress. However, with your capability and skills, you will surely catch the new Son of Heaven’s eye.”
“Qinghe, this is truly the best path. Just listen to Grandmother. In the future, when the new Son of Heaven pacifies the world, you will live a life of luxury, the Pei Clan will restore its family fortunes, and everything will be perfect.”
Pei Qinghe did not fly into a rage. She looked coldly at Madam Li, the eldest by age and seniority: “Great-Great-Aunt, is this what you think too?”
Madam Li, who had been silent for a long time, let out a long sigh: “Ever since the Pei Clan was exiled, we have all relied on you leading the way to survive.”
“Everyone in the Pei Clan, from old to young, is convinced by you and willingly follows you. In these two years, many Pei Clan female dependents have died or been injured. No one has ever complained or resented you. Everyone knows that struggling to survive is no easy task.”
“Qinghe Yatou, I support you in everything. But this matter…”
Madam Li sighed again: “Ruler and subject, family and state—how can we disrupt ethics and morality. The Pei Clan has been loyal ministers of the Jing Dynasty for generations. Rebellious ministers and traitors—others may do it, but the Pei Clan cannot.”
“Entering the imperial harem as a consort is not suitable for you; it was Grandmother’s one-sided wish. I do not approve. However, I also believe you should go to Bohai Commandery to pay respects to the new Son of Heaven.”
Pei Qinghe also fell silent.
In her previous life, too many Pei Family members died, leaving only over thirty survivors. To survive, they had to give their all. With the Jing Dynasty’s empire lost, raising the flag and declaring independence was only natural.
In this life, she planned ahead, and everything went smoothly. Most of the Pei Clan female dependents survived well, without lack of food or clothing, and without needing to suffer humiliation for a bite to eat. Their spirits were still high, their backs straight; it was no wonder they were unwilling to bear a bad reputation or become part of the rebel army.
Most importantly, Prince Zhangwu was still alive and well, enthroned as the new Son of Heaven by the Zhang Clan of Bohai.
Even Madam Lu’s planned broad path was genuinely for her and the Pei Clan’s benefit.
Pei Qinghe’s silence brought joy to Madam Lu’s face.
Madam Lu took Pei Qinghe’s hand of her own accord and said with a beaming smile: “Qinghe, you are clever and powerful; it would be a grievance for you to be someone’s concubine. If you are unwilling to become an imperial concubine, Grandmother will not force you.”
“If you lead the Pei Family Army to seek refuge, the new Son of Heaven will surely make heavy use of you.”
“Grandmother was an old stickler before, always thinking that a man must be the one to support the family in the future. She even thought that eight or nine years from now, when Pei Feng grows up, you should pass the clan leader position to him.”
“Thinking about it now fills me with shame. You are the Pei Clan Leader; the whole family, old and young, follows you. No matter how many years pass, the position of Pei Clan Leader is yours.”
“Our Pei Clan has produced a female general like you; you will surely become world-famous in the future.”
Madam Lu gripped Pei Qinghe’s hand tightly, her eyes full of flattery and expectation: “Qinghe, let’s settle it this way, alright?”
Madam Lu, who had lived a life of luxury, had spent the past two years sewing shoe soles every day; her palms were rough like tree bark, with thick calluses in the center.
Pei Qinghe pursed her lips and withdrew her hand.
Madam Lu’s hand was left empty, and her heart suddenly turned cold.
“Gu Lian and Feng Chang set off tomorrow. I will not go to Bohai Commandery.” Pei Qinghe looked at her grandmother, whose expression had changed abruptly, and said word by word: “Grandmother, you know my temper.”
“I have already made my decision and will not change it.”
Madam Lu felt ice-cold all over, as if in an ice cave: “Pei Qinghe, you cannot lead the Pei Family Members down a dead end.”
“The Pei Clan is not yours alone; by what right do you make such a decision for them?”
Pei Qinghe nodded: “Grandmother is right. I indeed have no right to make decisions for everyone.”
“I will now summon all Pei Family Members here and let them decide their own fates.”
……
When the Pei Clan was exiled from the capital, there were three hundred and twenty-two people. On the exile journey, some died of illness, some faked death and escaped, some died in battle. By the time they reached Changping County, there were casualties during bandit suppression, several died while hunting in the mountains, and there were even more casualties this time guarding the county town.
Now, only two hundred and thirty-five Pei Family Members answered the summons. The dozen or so children born in the past year, all surnamed Pei, were not brought here. The youngest here was two-and-a-half-year-old Little Doggy.
These were the true direct descendants of the Pei Clan.
They were her blood relatives.
This moment’s choice was the cruelest separation.
Pei Qinghe’s gaze swept over the crowd’s faces, full of complex expressions, as she slowly and clearly explained the original story.
“…Prince Zhangwu has ascended to the throne in Bohai Commandery; the news will soon spread throughout the court and country. Officials loyal to the Eastern Palace orthodoxy will flock to seek refuge, vying for the merit of following the dragon.”
“The elders feel the Pei Clan should go too.”
“I am unwilling.”
“The Zhang Clan of Bohai is wildly ambitious, using the enthronement of the new Son of Heaven to recruit officials and people. Prince Zhangwu currently has no choice but to be a puppet. Once the Zhang Clan’s influence grows strong, Prince Zhangwu may unexpectedly die of a sudden illness. Then the Zhang Family will usurp the empire and imperial throne. Therefore, I am unwilling to go to Bohai Commandery.”
“The Pei Clan has reached its current state, sufficient to protect itself. Changping County is already our territory; almost all surviving common people from Anle County have come to Pei Family Village. Quanzhou County and Yongnu County have sent generous gifts to show goodwill. Prefect Tang of Yan Prefecture sent people to probe, but I gave them a lesson and sent them back; they dared not make a sound.”
“In less than two years, I can take Yan Prefecture and raise an army of several thousand elite soldiers.”
“I have grand ambitions and ambition. I am unwilling to end up like my father and eldest uncle, bowing subserviently with unwavering loyalty, only for all the male members of the family to be beheaded.”
“Life and destiny can only be held in one’s own hands.”
“Those willing to follow me, Pei Qinghe, stay where you are. Those unwilling, go stand by Great-Great-Aunt.”
“From today, our Pei Clan divides the family.”
As soon as the words “divide the family” were spoken, everyone’s expressions changed.
Pei Yun was the first to object: “No! The Pei Clan has endured hardships together with one heart and achieved today. How can we divide the family?”
Mao Hongling hurriedly followed: “Pei Yun is right; we cannot divide the family.”
Even Madam Lu had not expected Pei Qinghe to intend a family division; shocked and angry, she said: “We haven’t died yet; why divide the family?”
Madam Li sighed repeatedly: “Qinghe Yatou, this family absolutely cannot be divided!”
Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “Different paths, no need to scheme together. That day, when General Meng wanted to go to the capital, I was unwilling to die in vain and parted ways with him.”
“Now, I am unwilling to go to Bohai Commandery. No one can force me. With differing opinions, we cannot travel the same road; family division is the only path.”
Pei Yan shouted loudly: “I support dividing the family; I want to follow Cousin Sister Qinghe.”
