Chapter 248: Abacus
“It’s really too infuriating!”
“That Zhang Yun, when he left, was still shouting, saying that we should never come begging at the Zhang Family door. Pfft!” Pei Yan angrily swung her fist: “If you hadn’t instructed me, I would’ve beaten him until his face was a bloody mess today.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and glanced at Pei Yan: “You were already majestic enough today.”
Pei Yan’s anger came fast and left even faster, immediately grinning smugly: “That’s true.”
Pei Xuan furrowed her sweet little face: “What exactly did these people come for?”
Pei Qinghe tugged at the corner of her mouth: “Isn’t it obvious? They sent the young unmarried men of their families to pay a visit to me, this female general, planning to marry me and naturally take over the Pei Family Army and the Pei Clan territory.”
Pei Xuan showed a nauseated expression.
Pei Yan spat heavily.
Pei Feng was so angry his handsome face tightened, and he abruptly stood up: “I’ll chase them out now and beat them all soundly.”
Pei Qinghe didn’t get angry: “Let them have their hundred days’ beautiful dream. We don’t need to pay attention to these clownish fools.”
“Not to mention here, even in the Pei Family Army, have there been few who wanted to marry into the family as a husband for me?”
“If I were a man, there would be a pile of people at the door today wanting to marry their daughters or granddaughters to me. Marriage alliance has always been the most common political means.”
Pei Feng stiffly blurted out: “That’s different!”
Pei Qinghe smiled mockingly: “There’s no essential difference. Because I’m a female general, the dream of getting people, soldiers, and territory together is even sweeter.”
Pei Feng clenched his fist, flames of anger surging in his heart, but he didn’t know who to beat. Thus, the stifled fire in his heart burned even more fiercely.
Pei Yan was heartless and didn’t understand why Pei Feng was so angry.
Pei Xuan was precocious and clever, and had grown up with Pei Feng day and night, so she guessed Pei Feng’s thoughts: “Don’t worry, Cousin Sister Qinghe won’t become wary of you just because you’re a man.”
Pei Feng looked at Pei Qinghe, whispering somewhat aggrievedly: “Cousin Sister, I have unwavering loyalty to you and have never thought of replacing you as general.”
Yet in the eyes of the world, he, this direct male descendant of the Pei Clan, was the legitimate heir of the Pei Clan. Even though Cousin Sister Qinghe was so powerful, she was still criticized because of her female body.
Pei Qinghe smiled gently, reaching out to pat Pei Feng’s head: “Of course I know. My Cousin Brother Feng has always been my most loyal follower.”
“In the future, as our territory grows more and more, you won’t need to replace me to become generals.”
Just like Pei Yun and Mao Hongling, now each taking charge of a sector, independently leading troops.
Pei Xuan and Pei Feng would hone themselves by her side for a few years, then she could send them out one by one to lead troops in battle and seize territory.
Pei Feng finally grinned: “That’s exactly what I think too.”
Pei Yan walked forward and naturally shoved Pei Feng aside: “What are we doing today?”
Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “Go to Meng Mansion and Pang Mansion to deliver calling cards. I am going to pay a visit to the Meng Brothers and Chancellor Pang.”
The enemy’s enemy is a friend.
The Pei Family Army and Beiping Army have deep ties, and though their paths differ, there is still lineage affection. The first people Pei Qinghe actively paid a visit to were the Meng Brothers.
Meng Dalang had trouble walking, excelled in deliberation and strategy; Meng Liulang was brave and valiant, a fierce general on the battlefield. The two brothers worked in unison, training the Beiping Army into sharp and ruthless elite soldiers.
Pei Qinghe came to pay a visit, and Meng Dalang greeted her with warm enthusiasm. Some words didn’t need to be spoken; they had a tacit understanding.
With the Pei Family Army and Beiping Army forming an alliance, they could stand against the Bohai Navy.
“With the Pei Family Army here, the common people of Beiping Commandery can live stable days too.” Meng Dalang smiled: “I must thank the general on behalf of the common people of Beiping Commandery.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “I’ve collected the common people’s land tax, so it’s my duty to protect the safety of the common people of Beiping Commandery. No need for thanks for a duty.”
Friendship is friendship, territory is territory. Fat meat already in the mouth couldn’t be spat out again.
Meng Dalang sighed inwardly, smiling in response: “The general acts uprightly and openly, truly admirable.” He paused, then added: “Next April, my sixth brother will marry Miss Pang.”
Pei Qinghe smiled: “Once the prince’s full moon banquet is over, I’ll have to go back. For Young General Meng’s marriage, I will definitely send a generous gift.”
Meng Liulang, who had been silent, suddenly said: “When are you taking Shi Yan in?”
Pei Qinghe remained composed: “No rush, wait a bit more.”
Meng Liulang couldn’t hold back his words, ignoring Meng Dalang’s repeated glances, and blurted out: “You should do it sooner! Marry soon to cut off those people’s dirty thoughts and schemes.”
“I heard that Zhang Yun went to your mansion early this morning. He’s already married with children, with no fewer than eighty beauties in his back yard. Don’t wade into the Zhang Family’s muddy waters.”
“Also, with the emperor’s side, you need to be careful too. You’re a general who leads troops on horseback in battle, don’t get tricked into the palace to be an imperial consort.”
Meng Dalang’s mouth twitched, and he rubbed his forehead hard, giving Pei Qinghe a helpless bitter smile: “My sixth brother has this reckless straight-talking temper, not knowing how many troubles he’s caused. General Pei is magnanimous, don’t take it to heart.”
Meng Dalang breathed a sigh of relief and glared at Meng Liulang: “Hurry up and apologize to General Pei.”
Meng Liulang unwillingly offered compensation: “Sorry, I spoke rashly.”
Pei Qinghe smiled: “We’re old friends who’ve known each other for years, and besides, the young general is genuinely considering my welfare. How could I be angry.”
Meng Liulang couldn’t help blurting out again: “Compared to these crooked-minded people, Shi Yan is still somewhat pleasing to the eye.”
Meng Dalang coughed heavily.
Pei Qinghe smiled again: “More than pleasing to the eye—Shi Yan is the manager of my Pei Family Army. With him, the Pei Family Army has never lacked grain or military expenses.”
Meng Dalang was extremely envious: “What we lack in the Beiping Army is exactly such a capable person. For military expenses and rations, we often have to look at the Zhang Father and Son’s faces.”
Meng Liulang glanced at Meng Dalang: “Otherwise, why don’t you marry into the Pei Clan, and then have Steward Shi provide money and grain together for our troops.”
Meng Dalang’s leg was injured, and also his man’s secret parts. He could still perform husband-and-wife acts, but it was hard to have children again. Three years ago, his wife died of a serious illness, and his young daughter also passed away young. Meng Dalang had no mood to remarry and remained single.
Meng Dalang was amused by the anger, pointing outside the door: “Get out to the barracks, no need to come back today.”
Pei Qinghe was amused: “That’s a good suggestion. Young Master, you might consider it.”
Meng Dalang laughed wryly: “General Pei, don’t joke about a cripple like me.”
After leaving Meng Mansion, Pei Qinghe went to pay a visit to Chancellor Pang.
Reunion of old friends, each sighing.
“It’s been over five years since we parted. The former Eastern Palace grand tutor is now the head of civil officials, Great Jing Chancellor.” Pei Qinghe smiled in praise.
Chancellor Pang smiled: “Sixth Sister Pei single-handedly built the Pei Family Army, renowned throughout the land—truly worthy of admiration.”
After mutual flattery, expressing their close friendship, Chancellor Pang probed: “When the emperor pacifies the rebellion and recovers the land, what are General Pei’s plans?”
