Chapter 252: Song Xue
No one knew what the father and daughter had said.
The Empress, who had just come out of confinement not long ago, suddenly claimed to be ill and secluded herself in the palace to recuperate, refusing to see outsiders.
The military generals all requested leave and departed. Even General Xie, who had lost a wrist and was still recovering from injuries, left in a carriage.
The Bohai Navy even dared to openly attack the Pei Family Army. How could they dare to linger in Bohai Commandery?
This trip to Bohai was a tremendous shock to all the military generals.
Pei Qinghe’s dominance and ferocity, along with the Pei Family Army’s bravery and power, left a deep imprint in everyone’s hearts.
General Xie, with his severed wrist, groaned from the carriage’s jolts. His guard muttered indignantly in a low voice: “This time the general suffered greatly. We must seek revenge in the future.”
General Xie spat a face full of saliva at his personal soldier: “Seek what revenge? Avenge what grudge? Do you think our Changle Army can afford to provoke the Pei Family Army? That Pei Qinghe is a baleful star; we’d better stay as far away from her as possible in the future!”
Their own general was already terrified out of his wits, so the personal soldier didn’t dare to say another word.
After leaving Bohai City, General Song deliberately went to the place where the Pei Family Army was ambushed, circled around it for a long time, and then hurried back to the Pingyang Army barracks on a fast horse.
General Song’s family had originally been in Jiangnan. When there was fighting in the Capital City, General Song specially brought his wife and children over.
General Song’s sons had all married and started families, and he had a young daughter under his knee who was only fourteen years old, with the given name Xue.
Song Xue had been clever and beautiful since childhood, well-versed in military books, with mediocre martial skills that were nothing outstanding. She usually loved to study and develop weapons, drawing many weapon blueprints.
General Song had always been proud of his daughter. Upon returning to the barracks, the first thing he did was to call his wife and daughter and tell them to prepare for a marriage alliance with the Pei Clan.
Madam Song looked deeply at her husband: “You think so highly of the Pei Family Army?”
“To be precise, I think highly of General Pei.” Admiration flashed in General Song’s eyes: “That day on the training ground, General Pei defeated General Xie with light effort, severing his wrist in public. This show of strength shocked the Zhang father and son.”
“On the first day after the Pei Family Army departed, they were night-attacked by bandits. What was the result? General Pei killed them until blood flowed like rivers.”
“Everyone knows the origins of those bandits. Although the Bohai Navy has many men, their combat power is mediocre, and their military discipline is too poor. If not for holding the Emperor in their hands, how could everyone bow to the Zhang father and son? The Zhang father and son are ambitious and narrow-minded; they can’t even tolerate a hero like General Pei and will not achieve great things in the future.”
“We must take this opportunity to befriend the Pei Family Army. A marriage alliance is the best method.”
Madam Song was reluctant to part with her young daughter and said in a low voice: “How about selecting a handsome nephew and sending him to Pei Family Village? If General Pei takes a liking to him and makes him a son-in-law, wouldn’t that be even better?”
General Song glanced at Madam Song: “Absolutely not! Leaving aside that there’s Steward Shi in the Pei Family Army, even the Emperor has intentions toward General Pei. We Song family cannot get involved in this muddy water. Forming a marriage alliance with Pei Feng is more appropriate.”
Turning his head, he smiled amiably at his daughter: “Xue’er, Pei Feng is the eldest male of the Pei Clan by age, General Pei’s consanguineous cousin brother, with outstanding martial skills and top-notch handsome looks. Father wants to form a marriage alliance with the Pei Clan because he truly fancies Pei Feng as a son-in-law.”
“He’s only thirteen this year, a year younger than you. I’m thinking of first writing a letter to General Pei to settle your marriage. We don’t need to rush the wedding; waiting a few years is fine. You can stay at home a few more years too.”
As expected of a general’s daughter, when it came to her own lifelong affair, Song Xue showed no shyness at all: “Is Pei Feng really as good as Father says?”
General Song laughed: “This is your lifelong affair; Father definitely has to keep his eyes open and pick a good one for you. Just rest assured!”
Then he sighed: “By rights, proposing marriage should be initiated by the man’s side. The woman’s side bringing up the engagement does lower our status a bit. However, the Pei Family Army’s momentum is too strong; they even defeated the Xiongnu barbarians. There are plenty who want to form marriage alliances with the Pei Clan. We can’t afford to worry about propriety anymore.”
“I’ll write the letter right now.”
Madam Song didn’t say another word.
Unexpectedly, Song Xue said: “Father, no need to write a letter. I’ll go to Pei Family Village myself.”
General Song: “…”
General Song and Madam Song were both stunned.
“The Pei Family Army’s military reputation rose sharply only in these past few years.” Song Xue’s black eyes shone brightly like brilliant stars: “I want to go see General Pei in person.”
General Song was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: “Don’t fool around. The world is so chaotic; for a young miss like you to travel several hundred li…”
“General Pei is also a woman!” Song Xue argued vehemently: “She single-handedly built the Pei Family Army, exterminated mountain bandits, killed bandits, and fought Xiongnu barbarians. Everyone admires her. I’ve heard that in the Pei Family Army, there are many female soldiers, and women leaders are everywhere. Why can’t I, Song Xue, lead troops and travel?”
General Song smiled helplessly: “You silly girl, there’s only one Pei Qinghe in the world. Do you think everyone has General Pei’s capability?”
Song Xue was very persistent: “Since Father plans to have me marry into the Pei Clan, I must first see what Pei Family Village is like and get to know the Pei family members in advance. I also need to meet that Pei Feng first. Otherwise, I absolutely won’t marry.”
General Song had a headache from listening, hesitated for a moment, sighed, and called his eldest son with instructions: “Assemble two hundred men to escort your sister to Pei Family Village. I’ll write a letter and prepare a gift; take them both.”
……
Half a month later.
In the training ground of Pei Family Village, a dozen Xiongnu barbarians with curly hair, deep-set eyes, and high noses held curved sabers, their gazes fierce like unruly hungry wolves.
These captured Xiongnu barbarians had thin iron chains on their feet, allowing limited movement. One of the daily training contents of the Pei Family Army was to take turns sparring with the Xiongnu barbarians.
At first, the Xiongnu barbarians were unwilling. After being starved for five days until they were on their last breath, tossing them a steamed bun made them much more obedient.
After returning from Bohai Commandery, Pei Qinghe trained troops in the training ground every day. These dozen Xiongnu barbarians would get a steamed bun for defeating a Pei Family Army soldier. As a result, they were full of vigor.
“Pei Feng, you go!”
Pei Feng answered and stepped forward with his saber.
When Pei Qinghe trained troops, she showed no mercy even to kin; the Pei family members were drilled the most harshly. Pei Feng had been training since age seven, and after six years, he was long accustomed to it.
The thirteen-year-old Pei Feng had a handsome face and a cold demeanor. With one slash of his saber, the female soldiers exclaimed and cheered softly.
Pei Qinghe heard it and smiled with pursed lips.
“General,” the chubby young boy Pei Yue arrived, bowing formally to report: “A team has arrived outside Pei Family Village, claiming to be General Song’s children, here to deliver gifts to the general.”
General Song?
Pei Qinghe’s eyes flashed, but she didn’t rise immediately, instructing: “Invite the Song siblings to the training ground.”
