Chapter 219: Withdraw Troops
Bohai Commandery.
Commander Gao quickly entered the Imperial Study, his eyes flashing with excitement and joy, his voice trembling slightly: “Your Majesty! The rebel army has withdrawn troops!”
Emperor Jian’an, whose eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion, suddenly burst with joy in his eyes: “What did you say? I didn’t hear clearly, say it again!”
Commander Gao repeated loudly: “The rebel army withdrew troops today. This battle is finally over.”
Emperor Jian’an suddenly stood up, wanting to laugh, but for some reason tears welled up.
Eunuch Xu at the side also wiped tears along with him.
The rebel army’s one hundred thousand troops came aggressively, besieging Bohai Commandery for over a year. For over a year, Bohai Commandery had been at war. Emperor Jian’an had been shrouded in the fear of the city falling and the nation perishing, unable to eat or sleep. Even when Empress Zhang Jingwan announced her pregnancy, Emperor Jian’an did not truly smile.
Now it was finally clouds parting to reveal the moon.
The rebel army has withdrawn troops!
Bohai Commandery is safe!
“Congratulations, Your Majesty! The rebel army has been defeated and fled!” General Zhang’s familiar voice rang out, brimming with joy.
Emperor Jian’an turned his head, wiped his tears, and turned back with a face full of joy: “Guarding Bohai Commandery is all thanks to the General. I will enfeoff the General as Duke of Pacifying the Nation!”
General Zhang did not politely decline, smiling as he cupped his hands in thanks.
Emperor Jian’an summoned Chancellor Pang, ordering him to draft the decree.
Chancellor Pang smiled and reminded: “Repelling the rebel army, the Bohai Navy deserves the greatest merit. The Beiping Army also has great merit in defending the city. And all the generals who came to reinforce the Emperor are the court’s loyal officials and good generals. Especially General Yang of the Guangning Army, who died on the battlefield and heavily wounded that rebel Tao Wudi. Your Majesty should heavily reward the Guangning Army!”
Emperor Jian’an laughed without hesitation: “Reward them all!”
Rewarding the military generals after a great battle was customary. Even if the court could not provide substantial money and grain, it had to at least promote the meritorious officers and soldiers by one rank.
After Emperor Jian’an gathered the heavy ministers for deliberation, he quickly issued the imperial decree.
The Meng Brothers were originally fourth-rank military generals, now enfeoffed as second-rank generals! General Yang unfortunately died in battle and was posthumously promoted to first-rank great general. The main commander of the Wuyi Army who also died in battle was posthumously promoted to second-rank general.
The other military generals were promoted one to three levels according to their military merit. Even the main commander of the Changle Army who fled midway was promoted.
Even the Pei Family Army, which did not move its troops, received the decree of enfeoffment. Pei Qinghe was promoted in place by one level, becoming a third-rank military general.
The imperial decree of enfeoffment was delivered to Pei Family Village. Pei Qinghe accepted the imperial decree without any guilt.
Mao Hongling smiled lightly: “Getting a reward without sending out troops is also a wonder.”
Pei Qinghe tugged at the corner of her mouth: “Without allocating military expenses, without money and grain, they can only use empty titles to appease the military generals. The Pei Family Army did not send out troops, but also did not take the opportunity to raise the flag and declare independence, did not drag their feet, that counts as merit.”
These words sounded absurd and ridiculous, yet exceptionally realistic.
The fact was that the young Emperor Jian’an could not control court affairs or influence the overall situation. The Capital City had long fallen, and the southern common people no longer recognized the court. In the Northern Lands here, the so-called “loyal officials and good generals” each harbored different intentions and calculations. Civil war might break out at any time.
Pei Yan had not yet returned from the Guangning Army, so Pei Qinghe casually handed the imperial decree to Pei Xuan: “Put the imperial decree away properly.”
Pei Xuan held the imperial decree and smiled triumphantly at Pei Feng on the side.
Pei Feng had shot up in height this year, already taller than Pei Xuan, taking on a youthful look. However, his mindset had not grown much, still constantly competing with Pei Xuan.
Pei Feng kept a slightly immature handsome face taut, and after Pei Xuan left, he complained to Pei Qinghe with grievance: “Cousin Sister Qinghe, Pei Xuan always bullies me.”
Pei Qinghe laughed in spite of herself: “How should I back you up? Should I make her yield to you in everything?”
Pei Feng sulked for a moment, then straightened his chest: “I don’t need her to yield. When I go to the battlefield in the future, I will kill on all sides and make her completely submit.”
Small person, big tone.
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “There will be plenty of battles to fight in the future, and we’ll see how you all do then.”
A round chubby face leaned over: “I also want to lead troops in battle.”
Pei Qinghe smilingly rubbed Pei Yue’s chubby little face: “You first solidify your martial skills, then properly read military books.”
In the blink of an eye, five years passed quickly. Pei Yue, who used to cry all the time back then, was now ten years old. The boys and girls of the Pei Clan were all growing up day by day.
Pei Qinghe turned to Mao Hongling with a sigh: “Watching Pei Feng and Pei Yue, I feel like I’m getting old fast.”
Mao Hongling was amused: “You’re only eighteen, how are you old? I’m seven years older than you, and I still feel in my prime!”
While they were chatting and laughing, a fast horse rushed into Pei Family Village, bringing bad news.
The one who returned to deliver the message was Pei Zhi. Pei Zhi had ridden hard all the way, her pretty face covered in dust, her brows full of anxiety.
“General, bad news! Xiongnu barbarians have entered the pass!”
“Several thousand cavalry! Plundering and killing everywhere! County towns with city walls can hold out for a bit, small villages are doomed! Countless common people have been slaughtered!”
“The Xiongnu barbarians split into two routes, one heading to Liaoxi Commandery, one towards Guangning Prefecture. The Guangning Army has fully mobilized to defend Guangning Prefecture!”
“Cousin Sister Yan went with Yang Huai to Guangning Prefecture and had me return to send the message.”
Mao Hongling listened in shock, turned to look at Pei Qinghe: “Xiongnu barbarians are coming, what should we do?”
Pei Qinghe’s expression remained calm: “Everyone, don’t panic! The Xiongnu barbarians sending troops was something long anticipated. Actually, they came later than I expected.”
“We train troops every day for precisely this moment.”
Pei Qinghe’s calmness had a strong infectious power. Mao Hongling’s panicked heart steadied a bit. Pei Zhi, who had been uneasy on the fast horse all the way, also calmed down.
“Summon all the leaders for deliberation on countermeasures.”
At Pei Qinghe’s order, in less than half an hour, all the leaders gathered in the council hall.
As usual, the leaders first expressed their own opinions. Captain Sun spoke first: “We must fight the Xiongnu barbarians! We should send troops immediately!”
Captain Sun had not been in the Pei Family Army for long, but had repeatedly earned merits, steadily establishing himself with his capability.
Pei Qinghe looked over approvingly: “Captain Sun is right. The Pei Family Army was unwilling to fight civil war, so we didn’t send troops before. The Liaoxi Army provoked us several times, and I endured it all. But the Xiongnu barbarians must be fought!”
Tao Feng was also a hot-blooded brute, immediately standing up to volunteer: “Please have the general send me to lead troops to Guangning Prefecture.”
The other leaders all voiced their willingness to fight.
No one feared or avoided battle, all eyes sharp, fists itching for action. The Pei Family Army was invincible, with no defeats. Even against Xiongnu barbarians, there was nothing to fear. Xiongnu barbarians were also human, and their heads could be chopped off just the same.
Morale was boiling, the army’s morale was usable.
Pei Qinghe was very satisfied: “Everyone sit down. This time, I will personally lead troops to support Guangning Prefecture. Second Sister-in-law will stay to guard, along with ten camps of men. All the rest, follow me to send troops!”
