Chapter 220: Dispatching Troops
One camp of Hundred Men, ten camps is One Thousand Men.
Mao Hongling is careful and steady, most suitable for staying behind. Captain Sun, Tao Feng, and other leaders follow to set out. Pei Xuan and Pei Feng also go along together.
Such a military meeting naturally cannot be without Steward Shi, who is responsible for logistics and internal needs.
When the army sets out, preparing sufficient grain and fodder is the first priority.
Pei Qinghe looked at Shi Yan: “I will take Two Thousand Men to support the Guangning Army. We leave in three days. We need to bring three months of grain and fodder.”
Within three days, prepare enough grain and fodder for Two Thousand Men to eat for three months, and also prepare medicinal materials and other important supplies. This is absolutely no easy task.
Shi Yan agreed without a word.
In the next three days, Shi Yan directly stayed in the storeroom. Dong Erlang also stayed up with bloodshot eyes. Everyone on duty in the storeroom was busy with no time to touch the ground.
The kitchen stoves never went out. Bian Shulan led the people in the kitchen to stir-fry military rations. Fighting is risking one’s life, and only after eating one’s fill does one have strength. The white flour that was usually reluctant to eat was all brought out at this time, stir-fried in the large iron pot until cooked, then mixed with stir-fried and ground cured meat and vegetable leaves. Then packed into slender grain bags.
Such military rations can be grabbed by the handful and eaten directly on the march. If steeped in hot water, it becomes a bowl of vegetable and meat noodle paste, delicious and filling.
Pei Qinghe, busy with assembling troops and training, made time to come to the kitchen once and said to Bian Shulan, who was yawning on one side while making military rations: “These few days have been hard on cousin-in-law.”
Bian Shulan’s eyes were red from the smoke, she was so tired she was about to collapse, but she mustered her spirits and said: “I’m just making some military rations, what hardship is that. The one truly going to fight to the death is you.”
“Qinghe, you must win the battle and kill all those Xiongnu Barbarians clean!”
Pei Qinghe nodded solemnly and said in a low voice: “Zhao Hai will also go along. I will do my utmost to bring him back safe and sound.”
Fighting not only kills people, injuries are also common. Minor injuries are fine, rest a bit and continue fighting. Those missing arms or legs, or who suffered life-threatening severe wounds, the Pei Family Army keeps them all.
This is also an important reason why the Pei Family Army’s combat power is at its peak with no deserters.
This expedition of the Pei Family Army requires bringing over a thousand warhorses. Zhao Hai has to lead a group of grooms along to tend to the warhorses. When fighting goes smoothly, they are not needed. When it truly reaches a critical moment, everyone has to take up swords and fight to the death.
Bian Shulan responded without hesitation: “Everyone in the Pei Family Army can fight to the death, Zhao Hai is the same. If he dies on the battlefield, that is his fate.”
“The Pei Family Army has no cowards or weaklings!”
Such bold and heroic words made Pei Qinghe smile brightly: “Cousin-in-law is right. Every one in the Pei Family Army is a good man!”
On the night before departure, Bian Shulan packed clothes for Zhao Hai. Pei Wan and Pei Wang, the brother and sister, stood by the side.
Pei Wan is nine years old this year, inheriting Bian Shulan’s delicate features, excelling in both reading and practicing martial arts. Four-year-old Pei Wang, after starting enlightenment reading, showed his intelligent talent.
Zhao Hai is the Pei Clan’s first son-in-law and has long integrated into the Pei Clan. Going out with Pei Qinghe, though it is the first time, he is not afraid in the least.
“Xiao Wan’er, Xiao Wang’er,” Zhao Hai solemnly instructed: “After I leave, you must both listen to your mother, study hard and practice martial arts diligently.”
Pei Wan nodded in agreement: “Dad, don’t worry. I will take good care of Mom and my little brother. In another year or two, I will be able to follow Aunt Qinghe to set out and fight together.”
The young boys and girls of the Pei Clan, after turning ten, can take up swords and go into battle to kill enemies. With Pei Xuan and Pei Feng as precedents, each child eagerly awaits the days to pass faster, so they can grow up sooner.
Pei Wang loudly chimed in: “In another six years, I can also follow Aunt Qinghe to fight.”
Zhao Hai smiled, reached out and touched his children’s heads: “That’s right. You will all be fierce generals of the Pei Family Army in the future.”
On the other side, Tao Feng was also bidding farewell to Zhou Shi. Zhou Shi was six months pregnant, her belly sticking out high. Tao Feng touched Zhou Shi’s belly and said in a low voice: “I hope I can return before you give birth.”
Tao Feng has been in the Beiping Army Camp for over ten years and knows well the cruelty of the battlefield. On the battlefield, swords have no eyes, and one might be taken out by a single slash at any time.
Zhou Shi said: “You go fight, no need to worry about me. Pei Family Village has food, drink, and a doctor. My body is strong too, I will certainly give birth safely and wait for you to return.”
“If you die, I can raise the child alone. So go with peace of mind!”
Tao Feng hummed in response and held Zhou Shi tightly in his arms.
Scenes of such farewells played out countless times in Pei Family Village that night.
Shi Yan had been busy for three days and nights without closing his eyes, and staggered lightly and heavily to outside Pei Qinghe’s door. Just as he raised his hand without bringing it down, the door opened.
“I heard the footsteps and knew it was you.” Pei Qinghe smiled at Shi Yan: “Come in!”
Shi Yan stepped inside, closed the door behind him with his hand, and pulled Pei Qinghe into his arms.
“Qinghe, the Xiongnu Barbarians are very powerful, you must not underestimate them.” Shi Yan whispered in her ear, his voice somewhat hoarse.
Pei Qinghe hummed in response: “I know. This battle will definitely not be easy to fight. The confidence and composure during the day were mostly put on.”
Everyone was watching her. Only if she remained calm and steady would everyone have peace of mind and morale remain stable.
All the pressure weighed heavily on her shoulders.
Shi Yan looked up and gazed deeply at Pei Qinghe: “I also want to go on the expedition with you.”
Pei Qinghe reached out to stroke Shi Yan’s face: “You stay in Pei Family Village, hold down the rear, and supply the Pei Family Army with sufficient military rations at any time. With you there, I can have no worries.”
Shi Yan smiled lightly and said: “I cannot lead troops in battle, all I can do is these things. I said that just to hear you coax me.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and tilted her head up, kissing the corner of his lips. They lingered intimately for a long time.
Shi Yan did not say any nonsense like “What if you die on the battlefield, what should I do.”
His life and blood had long fused with hers.
If anything happened to her, he would follow her to the Yellow Springs underground.
……
This was the Pei Family Army’s first true expedition.
Captain Sun led One Camp of People on horseback to clear the way, raising the Pei character flag. Pei Qinghe led One Thousand Cavalry in front, One Thousand Infantry behind, and Tao Feng led men to bring up the rear.
There were also over a hundred carriages transporting grain and fodder, winding along behind.
For the army marching, forty li per day is normal speed. Sixty li per day counts as forced march. Pei Qinghe ordered sixty li per day. By evening, they camped and settled in, everything in good order.
If it were other armies, they would loot wantonly wherever they passed, more terrifying than locusts passing through. The Pei Family Army has excellent military reputation, and the common people are not afraid in the least.
Some with extra courage, when the Pei Family Army stopped to rest, brought fresh vegetables or homemade pastries and hot food to sell.
Pei Qinghe did not mind these and simply gave an instruction: “Buying things requires paying silver. Whoever dares to loot the common people’s things will be dealt with under military regulations.”
