Chapter 244: Provocation
Madam Li knew Madam Lu’s temper and feared she would say something unpleasant, so she immediately picked up the conversation: “We old women don’t understand these matters of fighting and killing. You are a general personally appointed by the Emperor, so you make the decisions for the Pei Family Army.”
The most effective way to deal with Madam Lu was those four words “personally appointed by the Emperor.”
Madam Lu indeed fell silent.
Madam Fang smiled and said: “That day, when the Emperor wanted to issue a decree appointing Qinghe as a general, a bunch of people in the Imperial Court jumped out to oppose it. Fortunately, the Meng Brothers and Chancellor Pang strongly supported it.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “When I have free time, I will pay a visit to the Meng Family and Pang Family to express my thanks.”
Pei Qinghe commanded the army, and her authority grew day by day. Even the elders felt a bit secretly intimidated. They quickly changed the topic, talking about missing each other after parting.
Pei Yan’s loud voice was very out of place: “Since the elders are reluctant to part with us, don’t stay in Bohai Commandery anymore. This time, come back with us.”
Madam Lu reacted intensely: “No! We Pei Clan are loyal ministers, not rebels! Wherever the Emperor is, that’s where we are.”
The joy of reuniting after a long separation was abruptly torn with a crack.
On one side were the young people led by Pei Qinghe.
On the other side were Madam Lu and the others, stubborn and unyielding.
Each had their own views, each persistence their own path.
The suffocating silence was broken by Pei Qinghe: “We will stay in Bohai Commandery for a while before going back. We can discuss this matter later.”
Madam Li quickly gave Madam Lu a look, signaling her not to be annoying and keep talking. Madam Fang hurriedly smiled and asked about her grandchildren: “How are Little Wan’er and Little Wang’er now? Have they grown taller and bigger?”
The sweet-mouthed Pei Xuan picked up the conversation: “Little Wan’er is top-notch in both reading and practicing martial arts. Little Wang’er is also smart, and he’s growing fast in height.”
Pei Feng said: “Little Yu’er and Little Doggy are also very smart. In a few years, they will all be able to draw a knife, mount a horse, and go into battle.”
The atmosphere became harmonious again.
With so many people, some things were best left unsaid. Pei Qinghe had someone prepare a meal, and everyone sat together, eating dinner lively and warmly.
After dinner, Pei Qinghe personally saw Madam Li, Madam Lu, and the others back.
The plaque of Pei Mansion was brand new, clearly replaced not long ago.
“Qinghe, you have won victory after victory, and your fame is growing louder and louder.” Madam Li said with a low laugh: “The Emperor personally wrote the plaque and cleared the Pei Family’s case. The charge of treason against the Pei Family has finally been washed away.”
So what if the case was cleared?
Could the wrongfully dead come back to life?
Pei Qinghe did not poke at the elders’ heart, smiling and nodding in agreement: “The Emperor has treated our Pei Clan well.”
Madam Lu was pulled away by Madam Fang, so Madam Li spoke without much reservation: “The Emperor is not foolish. Without giving military expenses and money and grain, he uses some empty name to coax us old women. Appointing you as a general is the same.”
“Qinghe, don’t be fooled by these empty names. You can’t stay in Bohai Commandery. After the prince’s full moon banquet, lead troops back.”
“With the Pei Family Army in hand, no one can do anything to you.”
Pei Qinghe couldn’t help laughing: “Great-Great-Aunt is the true backbone of the Pei Clan.”
Madam Li also laughed: “Back then, I went with your grandmother to stabilize the Zhang Family and the Emperor. With your intelligence, you must have guessed it long ago.”
“Qinghe, just keep moving forward. No matter what step you reach, we will support you!”
Pei Qinghe’s nose suddenly felt sour.
The heavy burden on her shoulders was like a thousand jun. She could not slacken for a moment. At this moment, Madam Li’s words flowed into her heart like a hot current.
Pei Qinghe stepped forward and hugged the hunched, short Madam Li.
Madam Li reached out and lightly patted Pei Qinghe’s back, just like coaxing a young child: “Qinghe, you are great.”
Water light flashed in Pei Qinghe’s eyes, and she softly hummed in response.
“What did Great-Great-Aunt say to you?” After a busy day, nearing midnight, Pei Qinghe finally bathed and changed clothes, lying on the bed. Pei Yan yawned and asked.
Pei Qinghe chuckled lightly: “I’ll tell you when there’s time later.”
As soon as the words fell, Pei Yan fell asleep snoring.
Pei Qinghe smiled, closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep.
……
The next morning, Eunuch Shen came again to relay the Son of Heaven’s verbal decree, summoning General Pei and General Yang to enter the palace for an audience. Several other military generals who had arrived early also entered the Imperial Palace together.
Among them was General Xie of the Changle Army.
The Changle Army had been deserters that day, harming many common people while fleeing in disorder. However, pretty much all armies were like that now. Emperor Jian’an did not blame them, but instead issued a decree of commendation and rewarded official positions. General Xie’s rank was the same as Pei Qinghe’s.
General Xie was over thirty, with a burly build, a full beard, and the heroic air of a military general. But as soon as he opened his mouth, it wasn’t quite right, very sarcastic: “We military generals combined don’t have as much fame as General Pei. Now in the Northern Lands, who doesn’t know General Pei!”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “If General Xie is so envious, just go fight the Xiongnu barbarians once.”
General Xie: “…”
Was it that he didn’t want to fight?
He had few warhorses, a pile of broken weapons and armor, and his soldiers were good at looting but turned into cowards in battle. They couldn’t even beat the rebel army; encountering Xiongnu barbarians, he feared even the corpses wouldn’t be found.
When the battle report of the Pei Family Army routing the Xiongnu barbarians reached his ears, his first reaction was not joy or gratification, but anger.
Everyone was rotten, so why could a Pei Family Army built in just a few years stand against the Xiongnu barbarians? And the commander Pei Qinghe was just a teenage miss.
The faces of all the military generals were slapped soundly.
General Xie felt indignant and resentful, held it in for a moment, then said with ill intent: “I hear the Pei Family Army has many female soldiers. No wonder the Pei Family Army’s combat power is so outstanding!”
The other generals also showed uncomfortable smiles.
The army was a man’s world; the few women were mostly camp prostitutes. They indulged their soldiers in looting, killing, and humiliation to boost morale, and after battle, to vent murderous energy. Were the female soldiers in the Pei Family Army really going into battle?
Even the rough Pei Yan heard the humiliation in these words and flew into a rage, drawing her knife with a clang: “Today I’ll show you how powerful female soldiers are!”
General Xie sneered endlessly: “This is the female soldier trained by General Pei? Too lacking in rules! This is the Imperial Palace—how can you draw a knife casually! Do you want to be charged with disrespecting the Son of Heaven?”
Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “General Xie is right. Pei Yan, put the knife away.”
Pei Yan glared fiercely at General Xie, then sheathed the knife.
General Xie continued to smirk smugly.
Then Pei Qinghe said: “If you want to exchange pointers, it should be out in the open at the training ground, formally asking General Xie for guidance. After the audience with the Emperor, we can go to the training ground.”
Then, she turned to General Xie with a smile: “General Xie, a tall man of seven feet, surely won’t fear battle or avoid it!”
General Xie couldn’t withstand such provocation, sneered and said: “Don’t cry and wipe tears if you lose.”
