Chapter 187: Co-opt
Reunion of old friends, each with their own sighs and emotions.
“After several years apart, Pei Six girl is already a hero renowned throughout the north.” Commander Gao’s face was full of genuine admiration, not the least bit feigned.
The world is fractured into five parts, the worldly affairs are chaotic, and warfare is constant.
The Capital City has fallen, Emperor Jian’an’s puppet Imperial Court lacks prestige and strength, rebel armies are rising everywhere. There are quite a few like General Li in Liaoxi who have proclaimed themselves King. King Qiao, who occupies the Capital City, is at the height of his momentum, and General Situ, who fled to the southwest, is also a force not to be ignored.
The Pei Family Army’s troop strength is not large, but they have advanced step by step with steady footing, never suffering a defeat. Of the seven commanderies in Youzhou, the Pei Family Army occupies Yan Prefecture, and their reputation is excellent, far surpassing the other three armies. The magnates and noble families of various commanderies and counties are all vying to seek refuge.
People can’t live everywhere, the common people endure unspeakable suffering, yet Yan Prefecture is a scene of prosperity and peace.
Back then, Pei Qinghe was just a thirteen-year-old daughter of a traitor, exhausting all her schemes and means to seek protection from the Eastern Palace.
Four years later, the Prince has become the puppet new Emperor, and the seventeen-year-old Pei Qinghe commands elite soldiers like clouds, already a regional hero. On the surface, she bows to the Son of Heaven, but everyone knows what’s really going on.
The battle report of the Pei Family Army greatly defeating the Fanyang Army reached Bohai Commandery, greatly shocking General Zhang. Emperor Jian’an took the opportunity to send him, his confidant, to co-opt and show goodwill to the Pei Family Army.
Pei Qinghe was well aware of this, yet she was not arrogant, treating Commander Gao mildly and courteously: “Four years since we parted, now Commander Gao is the Guard Commander of the Emperor, with high authority and position. Coming personally to Yan Prefecture to proclaim the Imperial Decree gives face to our Pei Clan. On behalf of the Pei Family old and young, I thank the Emperor, and also thank Commander Gao.”
After some pleasantries, Commander Gao took out the Imperial Decree and read it aloud in the resounding voice typical of a military general.
The Imperial Decree was a thousand words of praise for Sixth Sister Pei’s heroic justice.
The Fanyang Army had long surrendered to King Qiao, so the Pei Family Army could be considered on Emperor Jian’an’s side. The Pei Family Army’s victory was treated as a great victory in counterattacking King Qiao, which was fine.
Emperor Jian’an formally appointed Pei Qinghe as a Fourth-rank Military General.
“Congratulations, General Pei!” After reading the Imperial Decree, Commander Gao smiled and cupped his hands in congratulations: “The Jing Dynasty has stood for over a hundred years, and Sixth Sister is the first female general.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “The Emperor’s great grace, I will engrave it in my heart. Commander Gao has come from afar, please rest in Pei Family Village for a few days.”
She turned and called Sun Cheng: “You and Commander Gao are also old acquaintances. Lead Commander Gao to settle in and rest.”
Sun Cheng cupped his hands and accepted the instruction, leading Commander Gao to settle in.
Once Commander Gao left, Pei Yan curled her lips: “The Emperor is really stingy, not a single substantial reward. No money and grain, military expenses, weapons, warhorses—nothing. Just the official position of a Fourth-rank Military General, who cares.”
Without this Imperial Decree, Pei Qinghe was still the leader of the Pei Family Army, unshakable by anyone.
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “The entire Jizhou is in the hands of the Bohai Navy. How could General Zhang be willing to give money and grain rewards to our Pei Family Army? The Son of Heaven has his own difficulties, no need to blame him harshly.”
“With this Imperial Decree, the Pei Family Army can now fly the banner of an official army.” Mao Hongling smiled and picked up the thread: “Legitimate and proper, it’s still a happy event.”
The quick-witted Pei Xuan also chimed in: “In the future, Great-Great-Aunt and the others in Bohai Commandery won’t have to keep their heads down all day.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and hummed, calling Bian Shulan and giving an instruction: “Today the Imperial Envoy has come, prepare a few tables of good wine and dishes in the kitchen to entertain the Imperial Envoy.”
……
Commander Gao had entered the house, waving his hand for the personal soldiers to withdraw.
“Captain Sun,” with no one else around, Commander Gao asked directly: “That day you followed General Situ out of the Capital City, why didn’t you come to seek refuge with the Emperor?”
Sun Cheng gave a wry smile and softly recounted that day’s events: “…My dozens of brothers all died at the hands of the Bohai Navy. I led the survivors and luckily escaped.”
“I had no other path, so I could only come to seek refuge with Sixth Sister Pei.”
Commander Gao’s face turned ashen, anger surging, grinding his teeth: “General Zhang is wildly ambitious, monopolizing power, not putting the Emperor in his eyes at all. You are a loyal official and good general who came to surrender, yet he couldn’t tolerate you.”
Sun Cheng sighed: “General Zhang doesn’t even know who I, Sun Cheng, am. It’s not that he targeted me on purpose. Probably his soldiers have poor military discipline, habitually looting and killing. Seeing our group of dozens, they thought we were retainers of some magnate and wanted to rob us.”
This was actually even worse and more terrifying.
Commander Gao’s full chest of anger turned into a helpless sigh: “The army committing evil is more terrifying than bandits. The Bohai Navy runs rampant in Jizhou territory, ignoring everyone. Even the Emperor can’t do anything about the Zhang Family.”
Not only can’t do anything, but must strive to co-opt them, showing weakness and submission.
Sun Cheng internally complained silently in his heart, not wanting to stab Commander Gao in the heart, so he smiled and changed the topic: “No need to talk about the past. Now in the Pei Family Army, I have the trust and heavy use of Sixth Sister, my men are well-fed and clothed, and days are good.”
Commander Gao said in a low voice: “You are a proper Imperial General, being a Battalion Commander in the Pei Family Army is really too aggrieved. Why not come with me to Bohai Commandery? The Emperor lacks good generals like you by his side. Once you go, you will surely be heavily employed.”
An ordinary Battalion Commander in the Pei Family Army versus a proper Imperial General—which is there even a choice?
Unexpectedly, Sun Cheng refused Commander Gao’s kind offer of promotion without hesitation: “I have already settled in the Pei Family Army, I don’t want to leave again.”
Commander Gao was stunned: “Are you worried that General Zhang won’t tolerate you? Rest assured, he hasn’t reached the point of covering the sky with one hand. General Zhang can’t stop someone the Emperor wants to promote.”
“It’s not because of that.” Sun Cheng replied calmly and peacefully: “Sixth Sister Pei is heroically unmatched, strictly managing the army. I willingly follow her.”
Commander Gao fell silent again, his gaze toward Sun Cheng quite complex. After a long while, he said: “Hope you won’t have a day of regret.”
With different stances, some words can’t be said too directly. Mutual understanding in the heart is enough.
Sun Cheng and Commander Gao looked at each other: “I believe my choice is not wrong.”
Commander Gao was speechless.
Sun Cheng stood up: “Commander Gao, rest first. When dinner is ready, I’ll come invite you.”
Commander Gao could only nod.
When words don’t match, half a sentence is too much, and the joy of reunion of old friends was doused with a basin of cold water, his heart quietly cooling by half.
That evening, Pei Qinghe held a feast to entertain the Imperial Envoy.
The so-called feast was a bit exaggerated; actually just six dishes. Pork, mutton, wild game, cured meat, each plate piled full.
Pei Qinghe still only drank three cups of wine, then it was left to those with good drinking capacity like Shi Yan, Sun Cheng, Tao Feng, and others to take turns toasting Commander Gao.
Commander Gao had apparently heard of Shi Yan’s great name somewhere and paid special attention, frequently gazing during the toasts.
Shi Yan seemed unaware, composed, chatting and laughing freely.
