Chapter 198: Deliberation
Advisor Zheng stayed in Pei Family Village for several days, touring the entire village and personally witnessing Pei Qinghe training troops. After that, Advisor Zheng suddenly gained confidence in his own Prefectural Governor’s decision.
Leaving aside other matters, just in terms of combat power, the Pei Family Army could leave the Fanyang Army, Liaoxi Army, and Guangning Army far behind.
Pei Qinghe had no spare time, so Shi Yan volunteered, stepping forward to receive Advisor Zheng.
When Shi Yan was still Young Master Shi, he was already famous in Youzhou and had met Advisor Zheng a few times. Now, with a shake of his body, he had become the Pei Family Army’s Manager. Advisor Zheng didn’t dare underestimate him at all and was very warm and close to Shi Yan. He even privately sent a generous gift: “Please ask Manager Shi to speak favorably to General Pei on behalf of Beiping Commandery as much as possible, and urge General Pei to send troops to Beiping Commandery soon.”
Shi Yan accepted the generous gift and immediately recorded it in the accounts and stored it in the public storeroom.
Pei Qinghe privately teased: “The generous gift Advisor Zheng gave you, why did you put it in the public storeroom?”
Shi Yan smiled and said: “Where is there public or private storeroom? Everything in Pei Family Village, including me as Manager, belongs to General Pei.”
So cloyingly sweet it made one want to vomit.
Even Pei Yan couldn’t stand listening and rolled her eyes as she walked far away.
The leaders stationed in various counties returned one by one. Gu Lian, who had been lying down for several months, was finally able to move. Inconvenienced to ride a horse, she sat in a carriage and swayingly returned to Pei Family Village.
Seeing Gu Lian’s pale face and insufficient vitality, Feng Chang couldn’t help but mock her: “The errand to Beiping Commandery isn’t your turn yet. Why bother rushing back eagerly?”
Gu Lian sneered back: “The Pei Family Army will eventually expand its territory. You’ll still have to line up behind me.”
Feng Chang was choked and let out a cold snort.
Wang Erhe, who never gained weight no matter how much he ate, kept his eager gaze fixed on Gu Lian’s face. Feng Chang found him embarrassing and glared at him.
Wang Erhe shamelessly pretended not to see and proactively chatted with Gu Lian: “Has Leader Gu’s injury healed?”
Gu Lian was amiable toward Wang Erhe and smiled as she replied: “It’s mostly healed. I can walk and sit in a carriage. But I still need to recover more before I can wield a blade and mount a horse.”
Wang Erhe sighed: “Leader Gu should have someone by her side who knows cold from warm to take care of her daily needs.”
Gu Lian laughed in exasperation: “Where is there such spare time now.”
Wang Erhe gazed at her affectionately: “When Leader Gu has spare time and wants to marry a man into the family, don’t forget me…”
Feng Chang heavily coughed twice, interrupting Wang Erhe’s self-recommendation: “Don’t spout nonsense. Follow me to see Sixth Sister.”
The several female soldiers by Gu Lian’s side all grinned.
“Who would have thought Wang Erhe had such intentions.”
“Why not just take him, Leader Gu? Wang Erhe is a bit thin, but he’s quick and capable in his work, and he’s Leader Feng’s confidant.”
“Pull him over to rile up Leader Feng a bit.”
Gu Lian was both amused and annoyed, giving them a sideways glance: “What nonsense! Is this something to joke about for fun? All of you shut up! We’re also going to see General Pei.”
Gu Lian and Feng Chang privately fought like a pair of brawling chickens, but in front of Pei Qinghe, they each behaved obediently.
Pei Qinghe first smilingly asked about Gu Lian’s injury.
Gu Lian gratefully replied: “Thanks to General Pei inviting Imperial Physician Lu that day to treat my wounds and prescribe medicine. Young Physician Lu stayed in Quanzhou County, carefully tending to me for months. My injury is already healed.”
Feng Chang inwardly regretted it. When Pei Qinghe looked over, he also changed to addressing her as General Pei.
Pei Qinghe was used to seeing the two openly and covertly competing back and forth, so she just smiled and let it pass.
Once all the leaders had arrived, Pei Qinghe gathered everyone for an important military meeting. The council hall was packed with nearly forty people.
Pei Qinghe told everyone about Beiping Commandery’s active surrender, and everyone’s spirits lifted greatly, their faces beaming with joy.
Gu Lian was the first to eagerly volunteer, willing to lead troops to Beiping Commandery.
Feng Chang was a step slow and was the second to speak up and recommend himself.
Even Tao Feng couldn’t help but speak: “I was originally from the Beiping Army and am most familiar with Beiping Commandery. Please send me there, General Pei.”
Actually, everyone knew in their hearts that the one to be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility would be among Pei Yun, Mao Hongling, and Pei Yan. Their speaking up wasn’t to compete, but to show loyalty to Pei Qinghe.
Sure enough, Pei Qinghe didn’t speak until Pei Yun opened her mouth, then said: “I will personally go to Beiping Commandery. At that time, Pei Yun will lead troops to go with me.”
“This matter needs the Meng Brothers to nod first, so it’s not urgent for now.”
“Gu Lian, Feng Chang, you few who lead troops outside year-round. It’s rare for you to return to the Pei Family Army, so stay a few more days.”
The leaders all cupped their hands and accepted the orders.
……
After the meeting, Gu Lian proactively stayed behind and said in a low voice: “Beiping Commandery is such a large territory; at least one or two thousand troops need to be stationed there.”
“I wish to be Miss Yun’s deputy and go to Beiping Commandery together.”
Pei Qinghe raised her brow and deeply looked at Gu Lian: “If you go, who will lead the troops in Quanzhou County?”
Gu Lian said: “Hui Niang has always been my deputy. These months while I was lying down recovering, she was the one leading troops and handling matters. Quanzhou County is close; even if something goes wrong, sending a messenger back is just one or two days by fast horse, very convenient.”
“Beiping Commandery is different: large territory, far away, and the people’s hearts not yet settled. Just Miss Yun alone might not be able to manage it.”
“Let me go, General Pei! I’ll follow Miss Yun’s orders in everything.”
Gu Lian was bold and resourceful, indeed a usable person for expanding territory.
Pei Qinghe thought for a moment: “I’ll think about it more. You recover well from your injury and stand ready anytime.”
Gu Lian’s eyes brightened, and she cupped her hands in acknowledgment. Then, she smiled lowly again: “Young Physician Lu also came with me to Pei Family Village. He has hereditary medical skill; in diagnosing and prescribing, he’s even a bit better than Doctor Bao. Won’t General Pei keep him?”
The last sentence carried a joking and teasing tone.
The Pei Family Army grew stronger day by day, and Pei Qinghe’s fame grew louder day by day. The bureaucrats and magnates of Youzhou all wished to send over their outstanding nephews and younger generation. To be chosen by Pei Qinghe to marry a man into the family was a top-tier stroke of luck.
If that really didn’t work, settling for an engagement like Yang Huai and Pei Yan was also fine!
The Pei Family had young misses and many widowed wives, so there were plenty of people who could be used for marriage alliances.
Pei Qinghe smiled and glanced over: “Have you set your sights on Lu Dongqing?”
Gu Lian waved her hands repeatedly: “Young Physician Lu is the consanguineous grandson of Imperial Physician Lu, with superb medical skill and very high aspirations. Normally, aside from diagnosing and prescribing, he hardly speaks to any woman. Toward Young Physician Lu, I only feel gratitude and have never had any improper thoughts.”
Pei Qinghe smiled: “The Lu Family has the Lu Family’s calculations; Lu Dongqing has his own ideas. If he’s willing to stay, I’ll make him the Pei Family Army’s military doctor. If not, let him return to the Lu Family.”
The current Pei Family Army already had sufficient strength and confidence to look down on Madam Lu. In the face of absolute strength, Madam Lu’s little schemes were negligible.
