Chapter 259: Entering The Pass
The Meng Brothers and General Zhang held opposing opinions and argued incessantly in front of Emperor Jian’an.
Emperor Jian’an had a weak temperament and relied on General Zhang for everything, making General Zhang increasingly arrogant. Such a Son of Heaven naturally lost the awe of the officials. Even the loyally devoted Meng Brothers, in their fury, disregarded the Son of Heaven sitting on the Dragon Throne and nearly came to blows with General Zhang.
Chancellor Pang, who hurried over upon hearing the news, looked grim and angrily said: “Please, General Zhang and the two Meng Generals, all stop talking!”
“Whether to send troops or not must be decided by the Emperor.”
The Meng Brothers fell silent.
General Zhang snorted coldly and gave Chancellor Pang a sidelong glance: “Chancellor Pang, what great authority you have!”
Chancellor Pang forced a smile and replied: “General, you jest. Who would dare to act with official authority in front of the General.”
General Zhang was choked up for a moment, snorted coldly again, and turned to Emperor Jian’an: “Your Majesty, I have said all I need to say. I do not approve of sending troops!”
The majestic and dominant General Zhang had a towering figure, like a giant mountain that made it hard for people to breathe.
Emperor Jian’an was silent for a moment, then said: “I need to deliberate, General. You may return first.”
General Zhang stood up and stormed off with a flick of his sleeves.
Ever since the Empress gave birth to the Prince, General Zhang had become even more arrogant and paid no regard to the Son of Heaven.
Chancellor Pang was furious inside but did not show it on his face, and even spoke up for General Zhang: “The General was momentarily agitated and lost his decorum as an official. Please forgive him, Your Majesty.”
This was giving Emperor Jian’an a way out. Emperor Jian’an knew it well and tugged at the corner of his mouth: “I will not blame the General.”
Meng Liulang’s mouth twitched slightly.
Fearing that his straightforward sixth brother would say something embarrassing to the Son of Heaven, Meng Dalang quickly spoke first: “The Xiongnu Barbarians have mobilized thirty thousand cavalry, and Youzhou’s total military strength does not add up to that much. Moreover, the Xiongnu Barbarians are skilled in riding and shooting and are inherently savage. If the Imperial Court does not send reinforcements, Youzhou will be in peril!”
Emperor Jian’an was somewhat helpless: “Without the General’s approval, how can I send troops?”
Meng Liulang stood up and stepped forward, volunteering: “Leave the Bohai Navy to defend the city. Your subordinate is willing to lead the Beiping Army to reinforce Youzhou. In addition, Your Majesty can issue an Imperial Decree ordering the garrisons in the Northern Lands to send troops to support.”
Emperor Jian’an was greatly moved but did not agree immediately: “I will think on it for a few days before making a decision.”
Meng Liulang bottled up his frustration, returned to the barracks and entered the military tent, muttering angrily: “Deal with external threats first, then stabilize internal affairs—that is the proper way. General Zhang is too selfish, guarding Bohai Commandery and refusing to send troops. We are willing to send troops, but the Emperor is concerned about General Zhang and won’t approve.”
“How ridiculous! Is it the Xie family’s realm or the Zhang family’s realm? Being constrained in every matter and having to watch others’ faces—what kind of Son of Heaven is that?”
Meng Dalang was in no better mood: “Shut your mouth! You dare to say such treasonous words! How are you any different from General Zhang?!”
Meng Liulang: “…”
After silencing Meng Liulang, Meng Dalang let out a long sigh: “Sixth Brother, I know you worry about the common people of Youzhou. So do I. Back then, we followed our father to garrison Beiping Commandery, fighting the Xiongnu Barbarians multiple times to protect the common people of Beiping Commandery. Even from hundreds of miles away, we still miss the safety of Beiping Commandery.”
“Sending troops is no small matter. Without General Zhang’s approval, the Emperor will not issue an Imperial Decree. Otherwise, where would the money, grain, military expenses, and supplies come from?”
In the end, this was the greatest confidence the Zhang Family had in controlling court affairs. The Zhang Family not only had troops but also money and grain. Even the Beiping Army’s military expenses relied on the Zhang Family.
Meng Liulang’s face darkened as he squeezed out: “So we just watch Youzhou descend into chaos with our hands tied?”
Meng Dalang said gravely: “With General Pei there, Youzhou will not fall into chaos.”
Meng Liulang looked up and met his brother’s gaze: “Big Brother has such confidence in General Pei?”
“Let us wait and see first.” Meng Dalang said lowly: “When the day comes that we must send troops, regardless of whether General Zhang approves or not, our Beiping Army will take the lead!”
“It is not yet time to send troops. For now, we endure.”
Meng Liulang exhaled heavily and nodded.
Emperor Jian’an was in a bad mood and discussed with Chancellor Pang in the Imperial Study for a long time, ultimately deciding not to send troops for the time being. However, the Imperial Court could not do nothing.
Emperor Jian’an soon issued a decree and sent it to the Pei Family Army.
Pei Qinghe’s official position was promoted three levels, and she was enfeoffed as Second-rank General of Martial Might. All armies within Youzhou must obey the Pei Family Army’s orders.
The Fanyang Army had long surrendered to the rebel army, and the Liaoxi Army had raised its own flag years ago. The “all armies” within Youzhou were actually just the Pei Family Army and the Guangning Army.
The Guangning Army had long followed Pei Qinghe’s lead. This Imperial Decree merely made it official.
Pei Qinghe, who rushed back to the Pei Family Army on a fast horse, received the Imperial Decree, smiled disdainfully, and casually tossed it into the drawer of the desk. Then she urgently summoned all the important leaders in the Pei Family Army to discuss countermeasures.
The leaders garrisoned in various county towns were also summoned back.
No one backed down, no one was afraid. The crowd was fired up and unanimously declared they would fight the Xiongnu Barbarians to the death.
Pei Qinghe’s sharp gaze swept over everyone’s faces, and she said gravely: “Train troops for a thousand days to use them in one moment. We ordinarily eat and use what comes from the common people’s taxes. Now is the time for us to fight to the death for the common people. From today, prepare for war comprehensively!”
“Pass on this general’s military order: All common people in villages within Yan Prefecture are to relocate nearby into the county towns. Do not leave a single grain in the villages.”
The Xiongnu Barbarians’ custom of raiding villages was to first plunder the villages. Villages have no walls, and there are many elderly, weak, women, and children—in the eyes of the Xiongnu, they were no different from cattle and sheep without a pen. The Xiongnu Barbarians could easily rob and kill everywhere, obtaining large amounts of grain. With military rations, the Xiongnu Barbarians could then leisurely attack the county towns.
To prevent this from the root, the first step was to relocate the villagers. It was also a form of clearing the fields.
This was certainly no easy task.
It was no different from abandoning homes and fleeing. Most villagers were unwilling.
At Pei Qinghe’s order, the county magistrates of the ten counties in Yan Prefecture sprang into action, each leading people out of the city to personally persuade village by village.
Those who could not be persuaded with kind words would have General Pei send troops to “persuade” them.
The villagers had no choice but to leave home in tears, bringing their meager grain and movable family belongings into the county towns. How to settle them was another major problem. The common people in the county towns were unwilling to let strangers live in their homes. The villagers could not sleep on the streets and needed shelter from wind and rain. As a result, disputes arose every day.
Pei Qinghe ignored all these trivial matters and had no time to concern herself with them, only ordering the county magistrates to pacify the villagers and prevent major disturbances.
Pei Yun issued a military order in Beiping Commandery as well.
The Guangning Army followed suit and quickly cleared the villages.
