Chapter 256: Alliance
Shi Yan worked with extremely high efficiency. Three days later, two thousand shi of military rations were prepared.
Pei Qinghe led the troops ahead, with the grain transport convoy winding behind.
Song Xue looked at the long grain transport team, somewhat incredulous: “So much military rations, all for the Pingyang Army?”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “Not giving, it’s your betrothal gift.”
Song Xue’s fair and delicate face blushed slightly, her eyes sparkling again: “The General is truly generous.”
Pei Feng nearby: “…”
Pei Feng couldn’t hold back and turned to Pei Xuan, whispering: “Is this for me to marry a wife? Why do I feel like I’m not important at all.”
Pei Xuan laughed nonstop: “You kept ignoring Miss Song before and wouldn’t pay her any attention. Now you’re jealous.”
Pei Feng was choked and immediately shut his mouth.
Fortunately, the domineering Pei Yan, like a hungry wolf guarding food, easily squeezed Song Xue away. Song Xue had to step back a bit.
Pei Xuan was very clever and also yielded a bit. Just right for Song Xue and Pei Feng to ride side by side.
Spring breeze warmed their faces, carrying the fresh grass scent unique to spring, refreshing to the soul. Song Xue turned her head and smiled at Pei Feng, bright as the morning sun: “Pei Feng, how is your horsemanship?”
Pei Feng raised an eyebrow: “You’ll know if we compare.”
Pei Qinghe smiled, spurred her horse to evade, letting Pei Feng and Song Xue race horses ahead for fun.
That evening, five hundred elite soldiers set up camp, lit bonfires, cooked, all orderly without chaos. The military rations on the march were even richer. Each person got a bowl of hot water, dropped in a pressed biscuit, and after a while, the biscuit soaked open into a steaming bowl of noodles.
“This is new military rations developed by the kitchen. Noodles rolled out, half-cooked then stacked to dry, fried briefly in hot oil, then put in boxes. When eating, just soak in hot water for a bit. The biscuits keep for half a month without spoiling.” Pei Qinghe picked up a bite and ate it, quite satisfied: “Tastes good.”
Of course not as good as freshly made noodles. But on the march, such military rations were already very rare.
Pei Yan ate three bowls, fully satisfied: “Better than noodle paste.”
Song Xue had a small appetite and was full after one bowl. Sitting by the bonfire, she sighed: “The Pei Family Army excels over the Pingyang Army in everything. Their military rations are much better than the Pingyang Army’s too.”
When the Pingyang Army marched, they ate coarse dry biscuits and drank cold water. Unlike the Pei Family Army, which had fried mixed grain flour at noon and noodles at night.
Wait, what is this?
Song Xue watched as Pei Feng had people carry out several bamboo baskets, full of oranges with fresh leaves, handing one to each person.
Pei Feng specially picked a big one and stuffed it into Song Xue’s hand: “These are all military ration supplies prepared by Steward Shi for us. Oranges today, radishes tomorrow.”
The oranges were sweet-tart with lots of juice. Song Xue was still a young miss, how could she not be greedy, eating the big orange clean.
Pei Feng smiled and handed her another: “I don’t like oranges, this one’s for you too.”
Song Xue held the orange, blinked her big eyes, and smiled sweetly: “Will you always pamper me like this in the future?”
Pei Feng’s handsome face reddened, embarrassed to meet Song Xue’s gaze, his eyes darting around: “Once we’re engaged, we’ll be fiancé and fiancée. Of course I’ll treat you well.”
Song Xue peeled the orange, broke off half, and brought it to Pei Feng’s mouth. Pei Feng hurriedly took it with his hand and popped it in.
Pei Qinghe watched the scene and smiled silently.
Of course the journey wasn’t always smooth. Refugees occasionally disturbed them. Without Pei Qinghe needing to act, Pei Yan, Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng took turns leading troops to drive away all approaching refugees.
There were also a few bandit groups who were dazzled by the huge grain transport convoy. But upon approaching and seeing the Pei character flag in front, they immediately felt a chill.
The Shi Family managers kept buying grain outside and transporting it back to the Northern Lands, inevitably encountering bandits robbing grain. Then the grain-robbing bandits would face the Pei Family Army’s iron-blooded revenge, not a single survivor, the entire bandit stockade massacred. In a few years, this happened three times, each with the same end.
This dark Pei character flag was a death warrant in the bandits’ eyes.
“Hurry and go! Can’t provoke the Pei Family Army, can’t rob this grain.”
“Boss, so much grain…”
“Not robbing this batch, we can find other ways to survive. If we make a move, no living anymore. No nonsense, hurry and go!”
…
Several days later, Pei Qinghe’s group arrived at the Pingyang Army barracks.
General Song led all the military generals in the army to welcome them.
In Bohai Commandery, Pei Qinghe and General Song had met a few times but not closely. Today, their relationship was vastly different, extra cordial upon meeting.
Pei Qinghe smiled: “General Song, I’ve led the troops ahead. The grain transport team will arrive in a few days.”
Two thousand shi of military rations were enough to make General Song beam with joy, the generals thrilled inside. The Pingyang Army was like the Guangning Army, scraping by half-fed through raiding east and west.
Suddenly such a huge batch of military rations arrived, plus the barracks stores, enough military rations for at least half a year.
Thinking deeper, General Song’s daughter was engaged to General Pei’s cousin brother, the two armies allied. If the Pingyang Army ran short of grain or faced battle, could the Pei Family Army stand by?
The generals each had their own abacus, but regarding Song Xue and Pei Feng’s engagement, they basically all approved and supported it.
Not to mention the benefits of the alliance, just Pei Feng alone, such a handsome and outstanding young general, was worthy of Song Xue.
Pei Qinghe’s group settled in the Pingyang Army. Madam Song came, chatting amiably while sizing up her future son-in-law.
Pei Feng straightened his back, his handsome face smiling stiffly.
Pei Qinghe held back a laugh and said to Madam Song: “Pei Feng is exceptionally intelligent, top-notch at reading and practicing martial arts, brave and valiant leading troops in battle. But he has a flaw, a bit clumsy with words, not good at talking. Please forgive him, Madam.”
Madam Song was clearly very satisfied with her future son-in-law, smiling: “A real man should stand tall, achieve success and establish a career, not prattle sweet nothings all day—that’s no real skill.”
Pei Qinghe gladly agreed: “Madam is right.”
Madam Song smiled: “I’ve had a few dishes prepared, no outsiders, just family. Please do us the honor, General, join us for dinner.”
Pei Qinghe immediately agreed. Before departing, she specially brought brocade and jewelry, which came in handy today. A generous gift for Madam Song also gave Pei Feng full face.
After the family banquet, Song Xue and Pei Feng’s engagement was set.
A few days later, the long grain transport convoy entered the Pingyang Army barracks. The grain bags full of top-quality military rations, far better than the Pingyang Army’s stored ones.
General Song went alone to pay a visit to Pei Qinghe, solemnly giving thanks.
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “Please sit, General Song. I have some words I want to say to you alone.”
