Chapter 272: Popular Support
At this moment, everyone’s hearts were trembling.
Scorching blood surged through their hearts.
Chaotic times produce heroes. On this land of Youzhou, no one could rival Pei Qinghe anymore.
The first to sincerely submit and bow their heads was the Guangning Army. Lu Feng and the Fanyang Army soldiers were also convinced by Pei Qinghe’s magnanimity, spirit, and methods; it was only a matter of time before they bowed in admiration.
How much longer could the Liaoxi Army hold out?
Even if Li Gouzei refused to bow his head, the common people had their own scales in their hearts. When the time came and everyone sided with the Pei Family Army, how could the Liaoxi Army stand?
Soaring flames dyed the sky red.
The pungent, acrid smell fiercely assaulted their noses.
Magistrate Dan arrived with the people from the yamen. The common people who had originally hidden behind their doors also spontaneously came out of their homes. They dared not go through the city gate and crowded inside it, craning their necks to look.
They were first startled by the massive jingguan of heads, but upon learning these were heads of Xiongnu barbarians, they were filled with joy and excitement.
Seeing the corpses of Xiongnu barbarians burning in the fierce flames, some common people covered their faces and cried.
“General Pei, why didn’t you come earlier? We were robbed by Xiongnu barbarians again and again; you should have come long ago.”
The crying commoner was immediately cursed by those around him: “Pah! How dare you say that about General Pei! General Pei traveled hundreds of li for us. Upon arriving, he didn’t take a single grain or drop of water from us, and he fought to the death against the Xiongnu barbarians with saber in hand for our sake.”
“You only see the corpses of Xiongnu barbarians, but you don’t know that many in the Pei Family Army also died.”
“Li Gouzei demands money, grain, and taxes every day. When the Xiongnu barbarians come, he cowers and hides in Liaoxi Commandery. Compared to General Pei, Li Gouzei should go jump off the city gate.”
“Anyway, from now on, I only recognize General Pei!”
“Me too!”
“I have strength; tomorrow I’ll come move stone and build the city gate.”
“I’ll come too. I’ll sharpen the cleaver at home. If Xiongnu barbarians come, I’ll fight them to the death with the cleaver.”
The common people were impassioned, their fear of the Xiongnu barbarians gone, their tones filled with reverence for General Pei.
“General Pei is coming. Everyone make way quickly.”
There was no need to shout at all; upon seeing Pei Qinghe approach, the crowd of common people immediately cleared a large space. However, none of them wanted to leave and stretched their necks to watch.
A few days ago, when the Pei Family Army entered the city, the common people hid in their homes, not daring to show their faces.
In just a few short days, the common people’s attitude had done a complete one-eighty. Their faces were filled with eagerness and hope.
This was the hope Pei Qinghe had brought them to live well.
Pei Qinghe walked through the city gate and stopped, looking at the crowd of common people, her voice clear and steady: “Everyone, rest assured. As long as I, Pei Qinghe, am here, I will surely defend Tuhe County.”
Flames blazed behind her.
She was like the god of war emerging from the fire.
Some common people had tears welling up; others cried out “Long live the General.”
The poor common people didn’t understand great principles and didn’t know they shouldn’t shout “long live the General.” “Long live” was a title reserved for the Son of Heaven. Shouting it was a grave taboo.
In their simple hearts, since General Pei fought for them at the risk of her life, she deserved “long live the General.”
The common people began shouting one after another. Magistrate Dan felt uneasy and loudly reminded the crowd not to shout recklessly. If such a thing reached the young Son of Heaven’s ears, it would provoke his suspicion—absolutely not a good thing.
Unfortunately, the excited and impassioned common people had eyes only for Pei Qinghe; no one paid attention to Magistrate Dan.
Pei Qinghe raised her hand and pressed it down; the shouting common people quickly fell silent.
“It’s late; everyone go home!” Pei Qinghe said with a smile: “Those with strength can come to the city gate tomorrow to help transport stone and wood.”
The common people loudly agreed and dispersed reluctantly.
Magistrate Dan, fearing the crowd might trample each other, loudly directed them. Once all the common people had dispersed, the hoarse-voiced Magistrate Dan came over, cupped his hands, and deeply bowed: “This official, on behalf of the thirty-six thousand common people of Tuhe County, thanks General Pei!”
Pei Qinghe gazed at Magistrate Dan and slowly said: “From this year on, Tuhe County falls under the rule of my Pei Family Army. The Pei Family Army will only collect thirty percent of taxes for military expenses.”
Magistrate Dan bowed to the ground: “Yes, General.”
……
The great fire burned all night, dyeing half the sky red.
That night in Tuhe County, who knew how many people were so excited they couldn’t sleep.
Pei Qinghe couldn’t sleep either. As soon as she closed her eyes, familiar faces appeared. They were covered in blood, writhing in agony and howling. They all looked to her pleadingly, shouting hoarsely “General, save me.” She swung her saber and charged forward with all her might, but they had already closed their eyes.
Finally, it coalesced into the face of a smiling dead youth.
Awakening from the nightmare, Pei Qinghe’s pillow was soaked with tears.
Pei Yan on the adjacent bed was sleeping soundly, snoring nonstop.
Pei Yun was also sleeping soundly.
Pei Qinghe didn’t move, just lying there quietly until dawn.
Dawn broke; it was a brand new day. Pei Qinghe suppressed her grief and anger deep in her heart and appeared before everyone in high spirits.
“General, from today, we’ll have to eat horse meat for several days.” Sister-in-law Shulan, who was in charge of the kitchen and had come this time, smiled softly: “Horse meat is tough and has a gamey smell; it can’t be made into soup. Luckily, I brought plenty of spices and made brine last night. I cut the horse meat into chunks, boiled it, and braised it overnight. General, try it first.”
The braised horse meat was cut into thick chunks the size of a baby’s fist; each person got two pieces to eat with steamed buns, stuffing them inside. The braising spices masked the gamey smell of the horse meat, which had a good chew to it. Paired with mixed flour steamed buns, it was utterly delicious.
Pei Qinghe ate two in a row, relaxing her brows with a smile: “Good thing we brought Sister-in-law Shulan this time. You’re skilled and thoughtful; the meals are even better than usual.”
Sister-in-law Shulan beamed with delight at the praise: “When everyone goes to battle, they need to eat their fill before fighting to the death. Even if they die on the battlefield, they should go with full bellies.”
Pei Qinghe fell silent.
Sister-in-law Shulan regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth and whispered uneasily: “I said it casually; I didn’t mean to poke at your heart. Don’t take it to heart.”
Pei Qinghe rallied her spirits and replied: “In war, there are no undying people. I can bear it.”
Sister-in-law Shulan said softly: “Your eyes are shadowed; you definitely haven’t slept well these past two nights. Qinghe, you are flesh and blood, not a god. You’ve already given your all; don’t blame yourself for those who died in battle.”
Pei Qinghe’s nose stung, and she slowly murmured in agreement.
Sister-in-law Shulan turned her head and wiped her eyes with her sleeve: “The smoke irritated my eyes earlier. I’ll go wash them. Keep eating; there’s plenty of steamed buns and horse meat.”
Pei Qinghe nodded, picked up a steamed bun, added an extra piece of horse meat, and bit down hard.
Eat your fill, then go to battle.
Yesterday Zhai Sanlang and the others died in battle; perhaps tomorrow or the day after, it would be her turn.
Fighting for the ideals and ambitions in her heart, until the moment she closed her eyes.
No matter what lay ahead, she would never regret it.
