Chapter 197: Expansion
Advisor Zheng bore a heavy responsibility and did not dare to beat around the bush, lest he provoke General Pei’s displeasure. He said humbly, “The Beiping Army has been gone for over two years, and now the barracks stand empty, with only about ten veteran soldiers guarding the Beiping Army Camp. Jizhou is at war, and Prefect Shen worries that the warfare will spread to Youzhou, feeling pity for Beiping Commandery’s common people who have no one to rely on.”
“I earnestly request that General Pei send troops to garrison Beiping Commandery and provide protection for Beiping Commandery’s common people.”
“In the future, half of Beiping Commandery’s annual taxes will be handed over to the Imperial Court, and the other half will all be offered to General Pei to support General Pei in raising troops.”
Pei Qinghe did not show joy on her face, nor did she agree immediately: “This matter is no small thing; this general must deliberate and consider it.”
Advisor Zheng repeatedly agreed.
Only then did Pei Qinghe open Prefect Shen’s letter. The content in the letter was roughly the same as what Advisor Zheng had said, with an additional passage.
“…The Beiping Army and Pei Family Army have deep ties. If the Pei Family Army stations in Beiping Commandery, I believe the Meng Brothers will not mind. I also ask General Pei, for the sake of the Meng Brothers’ face, to provide protection for Beiping Commandery’s common people.”
The Beiping Army had been gone for nearly three years, and only today did Prefect Shen write to the Pei Family Army seeking “protection.” Naturally, this was because Prefect Shen had been watching and waiting.
The Liaoxi Army had raised its flag in independence, with General Li proclaiming himself King of Liaoxi—a clear-cut rebel. Even though the Liaoxi Army had the largest territory and strongest troop strength, Prefect Shen was unwilling to join forces with rebels so early.
Emperor Jian’an was alive and well in Bohai Commandery, and the Jing Dynasty was still clinging on. Perhaps one day Emperor Jian’an would exert himself to recover the realm and become a wise ruler; Prefect Shen did not want to cut off his own official path.
The Fanyang Army had surrendered to the rebel army and was then badly defeated by the Pei Family Army, so it could be ruled out.
The Guangning Army had originally been a better choice. However, the Guangning Army was much farther from Beiping Commandery, separated by several commanderies and counties, including Yan Prefecture.
The Pei Family Army had many advantages. Openly loyal to the Imperial Court, with elite soldiers and fierce generals boasting strong combat power, and moreover having ties to the Beiping Army. The Meng Brothers had even proactively given the equipment in the Beiping Army Camp to Pei Qinghe.
After much thought, the cautious Prefect Shen offered two thousand shi of military rations as a pledge of allegiance, promising that half of the annual taxes would go to the Pei Family Army.
The Pei Family Army had three thousand elite soldiers, plus the garrison troops in various county towns, for a total strength of nearly six thousand. This was already the limit of what Yan Prefecture’s tax revenue could support. Continuing to recruit and expand would mean unlimited squeezing of the magnates and government offices, which would ultimately be passed on to the ordinary common people.
In the past half year, Pei Qinghe had already slowed down the speed of recruiting soldiers.
Now Prefect Shen had come knocking of his own accord, with half of Beiping Commandery’s taxes, enough to support several thousand more elite soldiers at least. Pei Qinghe could not possibly refuse such a piece of fat meat.
Advisor Zheng was well aware of this point. Thus, though his attitude was humble, he felt very confident in his heart.
Pei Qinghe ordered someone to take Advisor Zheng to settle in and rest, then ordered letters sent to Changping County and the other counties.
Yan Prefecture governed seven counties, each county town having garrison troops of varying numbers. Those sent out to lead troops independently were all Pei Qinghe’s confidant elites.
Changping County was the closest; Pei Yun got the news and hurried back that very evening, her eyes full of delight as she said to Pei Qinghe, “That’s great! Beiping Commandery has come to submit of its own accord; the Pei Family Army’s territory will immediately expand by more than double.”
A gleam flashed in Pei Qinghe’s eyes: “Beiping Commandery’s territory is even a bit larger than Yan Prefecture’s. With such a big piece of fat meat right at our mouths, there’s no reason not to eat it. However, this matter cannot be rushed; the specific operations will require some thought.”
“This was originally the Beiping Army’s territory. Even though the Beiping Army has now gone to Bohai Commandery, we cannot take it without notice.”
Pei Yun also calmed down from her excitement and joy: “You’re right to be cautious. But right now the rebel army has Bohai Commandery surrounded, and the Beiping Army is defending the city and fighting the rebel army. How are we to send a letter to the Meng Brothers?”
Pei Qinghe had already planned ahead: “I’ll first send someone with a letter to Captain Sun. Let Captain Sun think of a way from nearby. The rebel army has failed repeatedly in attacking the city, with many deserters; their so-called surrounding of Bohai Commandery is just a bluff. There will always be a method to get a message in.”
It did not matter when the news reached the Meng Brothers. What mattered was that Pei Qinghe stated her position, and once the Meng Brothers nodded in agreement, then take Beiping Commandery.
Pei Yun suddenly said in a low voice: “What if the Meng Brothers refuse to agree?”
Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “They cannot turn back anymore. Rather than letting others benefit, they might as well give Beiping Commandery to me and let me owe them a favor. The Pei Family Army has strict military discipline and will not act recklessly or bully the common people; we will treat the prominent clans and magnates well and defend Beiping Commandery against foreign enemies.”
“Meng Liulang is proud but not narrow-minded. Meng Dalang is even more shrewd. They will agree.”
Pei Yun murmured in agreement and glanced at Pei Qinghe: “Who do you plan to send to lead troops to Beiping Commandery?”
As the commander, Pei Qinghe was the soul of the Pei Family Army and could not be away from Pei Family Village for long. For such a large territory as Beiping Commandery, a truly reliable Pei Clan direct descendant must be sent.
Pei Qinghe and Pei Yun exchanged looks: “I plan to have Second Sister-in-law take your place in Changping County; you lead troops to Beiping Commandery. Are you willing?”
Pei Yun relaxed her brows and smiled faintly: “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
This air of “no one but me” made Pei Qinghe smile knowingly: “Second Sister-in-law is steady and meticulous, sufficient for holding the fort, but lacking in boldness. Pei Yan goes without saying—she’s good at charging and killing, but using her brain would be the death of her. After thinking it over, you’re still the most suitable.”
“I’ll discuss this with you first, and then speak to Second Sister-in-law privately. You’ll both know what’s in your hearts.”
Pei Yun nodded.
After dinner, Pei Qinghe called Mao Hongling into the house alone.
Mao Hongling breathed a sigh of relief and smiled softly: “I was thinking that this time it would at least be my turn to lead troops. Since Cousin Sister Yun is willing to go, that’s for the best. She acts decisively and her methods are ruthless—much stronger than me.”
Everyone has different temperaments. Pei Yun was suited to opening up territory, Mao Hongling to garrisoning and defending. As for Pei Yan, she was suited to staying by Pei Qinghe’s side.
Pei Qinghe could not help sighing: “The territory is getting larger and larger, but we’re always short of usable people. I truly hope Pei Xuan and Pei Feng will grow up quickly.”
Pei Xuan had a sweet face but a black heart and ruthless hands; Pei Feng was cold and sharp. Most importantly, they were both true Pei Clan bloodline—Pei Qinghe’s most loyal followers.
Mao Hongling smiled softly: “The children are growing up generation by generation. In a couple of years, Pei Yue will be able to wield a blade in battle too. And Pei Wan, Pei Yu, Pei Lang, Pei Wang—in five or eight years, they’ll all be grown.”
Pei Wan and Pei Wang were half-siblings from the same mother. Pei Yu’s mother Xu Shi had passed away early, and she had grown up following Pei Qinghe. Pei Lang was Little Doggy’s formal name.
These children were all Pei Clan bloodline, revering and admiring Pei Qinghe immensely. In the future, they would also be the mainstay of the Pei Family Army.
Pei Qinghe laughed: “Second Sister-in-law is right. The Pei family has successors and will continue to pass down the inheritance.”
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