Chapter 261: Dispatching Troops
How many troops to send out?
It’s impossible to go all out like the Pei Family Army and Guangning Prefecture. At least half the people must stay behind to guard. To put it bluntly, even if all the mobilized soldiers are killed or flee in Liaoxi Commandery, the Fanyang Army’s main base won’t fall.
General Lu and a group of military generals deliberated for half a day and finally decided to send out three thousand elite soldiers. Led by General Lu’s eldest son Lu Feng.
“Remember, if you suffer a major defeat, you must preserve your own life.” General Lu instructed his son: “As long as the green hills remain, there’s no worry about running out of firewood. If the person is gone, there’s nothing left. A hero’s empty name is useless!”
The last sentence revealed thick resentment.
It was all because of Pei Qinghe, who insisted on playing the hero and mobilizing everyone to Liaoxi to fight the Xiongnu barbarians. He was forced to send troops along as well.
As a military general, is it easy to accumulate some family fortune? This time, half of it might be lost.
Lu Feng was tall, sturdy, and imposing, with short stubble. Though not old, he had the prestige of a fierce general, and his temperament was quite different from his own father’s. He immediately said: “Leading troops in battle requires that desperate spirit. If you’re cowardly and shrinking, why fight at all.”
General Lu was choked and could only glare dryly: “Who are you saying is cowardly and shrinking?”
Lu Feng ignored his father’s ugly expression: “Father has been cowardly for years, but this time he finally straightened his back and did what a top-notch man should do. Father, rest assured, I Lu Feng am not a coward. I will let everyone see that our Fanyang Army also has guts and is up to the task.”
General Lu looked at Lu Feng’s reckless vigor and suddenly felt some regret: “You’d better not go. Let someone else lead the troops…”
“Besides me, who else is qualified to lead troops?” Lu Feng’s one sentence choked General Lu.
General Lu had three sons: the second son died in battle, the youngest was still young, and the only one truly able to go to the battlefield was the eldest son. Giving three thousand elite soldiers to a subordinate military general might result in them fleeing halfway to set up their own base.
At the prime age of a strong young man, Lu Feng spoke heroically: “Father need not worry. I will return after winning a victory.”
General Lu twitched the corner of his mouth and instructed in a low voice: “First catch up with the Pei Family Army and rendezvous with General Pei. Obey General Pei’s orders in all matters.”
Lu Feng bluntly exposed his father’s old ways: “You were never convinced by Pei Qinghe before. Why now it’s General Pei this and General Pei that?”
General Lu flew into a rage out of humiliation and kicked Lu Feng: “Get out, get out!”
Lu Feng grimaced in pain but didn’t dodge, taking the kick squarely.
General Lu was indeed soft-hearted and couldn’t bear to kick a second time, instructing again: “Don’t act on your own and fight recklessly. Obey General Pei’s instructions.”
Though he verbally refused to submit to Pei Qinghe, he had long been convinced in his heart. Last year, when news came of Pei Qinghe leading troops to greatly defeat the Xiongnu barbarians, he was full of regret. He wished he could go back three years in time and kick the arrogant, reckless self who had sent troops to fight the Pei Family Army.
With the Pei Family Army’s momentum and strength, they would sooner or later occupy Youzhou and carve out their own territory. If the Fanyang Army wanted to cling to survival, they would have to look at Pei Qinghe’s face.
This was the best opportunity now, to stand together against the enemy, earn some merit, and have capital to stand on in the future.
If not for these calculations, how could he possibly send troops, and even let his eldest son lead them?
The army hasn’t moved, but grain and fodder go first. General Lu righteously ordered the various county towns to prepare military rations. The Fanyang Army’s forced collection of military rations was commonplace, but this was the first time it didn’t stir up boiling public resentment.
Fighting the Xiongnu barbarians was not only the obsession of all armies in the Northern Lands but also the top priority in the hearts of the common people. They would tighten their belts and save rations to feed the soldiers, so the soldiers could eat their fill and fight to the death.
……
The Pei Family Army’s marching speed wasn’t fast, fifty li per day. As usual, cavalry in front, infantry behind. The supply train carrying grain and fodder and military supplies was even slower, stretching several li like a winding dragon, with no end in sight.
This expedition had nearly emptied the Pei Family Army’s family fortune.
All the elite soldiers trained for years were mobilized, and the dedicated logistics for transporting grain and fodder and military supplies could also pick up knives and fight at any time. Warhorses, weapons, armor—everything that could be brought was brought, along with a batch of artisans who could build catapults, siege towers, and other large tools on site.
Several large grain silos stockpiled over years were nearly emptied.
At such a time, they couldn’t worry about shortages later. The Pei Family Army mobilized over ten thousand men, the Guangning Army had seven thousand, plus one thousand cavalry from the Pingyang Army, totaling over twenty thousand. So many mouths consumed a terrifying amount of military rations daily. They must bring enough military rations.
This time, Shi Yan was also marching with the army. The grain and fodder used each day was managed by Shi Yan. Each army’s daily consumption had dedicated account books. Those coming to collect military rations watched Steward Shi’s red gold abacus flying in his hands and sighed inwardly.
No wonder he could be the Pei Family Army’s head steward! This capability and skill were unique.
As the commander, Pei Qinghe had to oversee the big picture: how many li to march each day, where to rest, where to camp—all decisions were hers. On the fifth day of marching, the armies rendezvoused. More people meant more troubles.
Not to mention the Guangning Army and Pingyang Army secretly rivaling each other, even the troops brought by Pei Yun were determined to compete with the elite soldiers trained in Pei Family Village.
Verbal frictions aside, even over tent positions during rest, they would brawl.
Pei Qinghe handled such matters without mercy, beating both sides with military cudgels. No nonsense about who provoked first—the Pei Family Army had military regulations forbidding private brawls. Everything must be reported; once hands were raised, punishment followed.
Righteousness doesn’t manage wealth, mercy doesn’t lead troops. As commander, she must have absolute prestige and authority in the army. Otherwise, no need for enemies to attack; the army would be scattered sand.
Only Pei Qinghe could make a group of arrogant military generals bow their heads in sincere submission.
“At this marching speed, it will still take six or seven days to reach Liaoxi Commandery’s territory.”
Few were qualified to enter Pei Qinghe’s military tent for deliberation, just over a dozen people. Pei Yun spoke first: “Liaoxi Commandery suffered a major defeat and is being chased by Xiongnu barbarians. We don’t know the current battle situation. I think we should send the vanguard camp to scout it out.”
Pei Qinghe nodded: “I have the same plan.”
Yang Hu, Song Dalang, and others eagerly volunteered.
Pei Qinghe glanced around: “The Pingyang Army came from afar and is unfamiliar with Liaoxi Commandery’s terrain. The Guangning Army suffered heavy losses last year, greatly affecting their troop strength. The Pei Family Army will send the vanguard camp.”
Song Dalang and Yang Hu had no objections. This trip to Liaoxi was led by the Pei Family Army anyway.
The Pei Family Army’s leaders immediately became eager, with Gu Lian, Feng Chang, and others vying to be scouts. Pei Qinghe thought for a moment and selected Sun Cheng and Tao Feng: “You two will lead troops as vanguard.”
