Chapter 275: Cry For Help
“A few Xiongnu Barbarians who fled back have already entered Changli County. These past two days, the Xiongnu Barbarians have fiercely attacked Liaoxi Commandery, intending to breach the city in the shortest time possible.”
“This Pu Nu is calm and steady, strikes ruthlessly and accurately, and is very hard to deal with.”
In just a few short days, the city gate of Tuhe County had been raised higher, and the city wall was continuously being reinforced and heightened. More and more common people came forward voluntarily to help, each face brimming with beautiful hopes for their future lives. This hope, like a spark spreading across the plains, made the entire Tuhe County Town radiate with unprecedented vitality and vigor.
Pei Qinghe personally patrolled the city every day, always presenting a firm and composed front to others. Only the few closest to her knew of her hidden worries and anxiety.
Pei Qinghe stood atop the city gate, gazing distantly toward the direction of Liaoxi Commandery. Before her eyes seemed to appear a battlefield of killing and bloodshed; she unconsciously furrowed her brows and murmured softly, “I hope the Liaoxi Army can hold off the Xiongnu Barbarians’ offensive.”
Pei Yun looked at Pei Qinghe: “You’re not planning to send troops now?”
“Wait a little longer,” Pei Qinghe said gravely. “Wait until the Liaoxi Army can hold out no longer and comes to beg for reinforcements. Wait until the common people of Liaoxi Commandery are thoroughly disillusioned with the Liaoxi Army and are filled with anticipation for us to arrive. Only then will it be the best time for us to send out troops.”
Just as Madam Li and her son had thought, she wanted both popular support and territory. The day she led troops to defeat or drive away the Xiongnu Barbarians would be the day Liaoxi Commandery fully came under the Pei Family Army.
It was not time yet; continue waiting.
Pei Yun said softly, “You are the best at seizing opportunities in battle. We all trust you and are willing to follow you through fire and water. Just go all out.”
Pei Qinghe’s heart trembled slightly. After a long silence, she said softly, “But I’m a little afraid. I’m afraid of being stubborn and arrogant, overestimating myself. I’m afraid of leading you all into a mountain of knives and sea of fire.”
In her previous life, at the Pei Family Army’s peak, there were only about ten thousand men. Holding Yan Prefecture gave them a place to stand, which was already cause for immense gratitude. She had neither the capability nor the ambition for more or farther.
Reborn in this life, fierce generals and elite soldiers filled her ranks, and with the Guangning Army that had surrendered, she already had twenty thousand men. Incorporating the Fanyang Army was only a matter of time. If she could win this battle and take Liaoxi Commandery, she would truly be the master of Youzhou.
She longed for that day, yet worried whether she had taken the wrong path, causing those who trusted and followed her to die in vain.
Pei Yun held Pei Qinghe’s hand and sighed softly, “Qinghe, I know the previous battle had too many casualties. You don’t say it, but your heart is deeply grieved.”
“You’re too hard on yourself. These are the Xiongnu Barbarians’ elite soldiers, each proficient in riding and shooting. In single combat, we were never their match. You spent years training the cavalry, you charged fearlessly at the forefront, and it was you who led us to victory.”
“Not to mention one for one—even trading the lives of two or three for one Xiongnu Barbarian’s life is a gain for us.”
“The warriors who died on the battlefield would not blame you. There are no battles without deaths; once on this path, one must be prepared to close one’s eyes at any moment.”
“Even you and I might one day die on the battlefield. I will never regret it. I will only regret not killing more Xiongnu Barbarians.”
Water light flashed in Pei Qinghe’s eyes as she gripped Pei Yun’s hand tightly in return.
“You haven’t slept well for several nights in a row,” Pei Yun whispered tenderly. “Go get a good rest. I’ll keep watch here. If there’s any urgent news, I’ll come call you.”
Pei Qinghe nodded.
As she descended the city gate, a familiar figure was waiting for her. The slightly weary handsome face held a faint smile, black eyes faintly revealing worry.
Her unusual state these past few days could only fool the rough-and-tumble Pei Yan. Pei Yun had noticed; how could Shi Yan, with his sharp and perceptive mind, not see it?
Shi Yan asked nothing, silently accompanying her until they reached the military tent, where he said softly, “You sleep well; I’ll keep watch over you here.”
Pei Qinghe’s nose tingled again; she gave a self-mocking smile. “I didn’t expect that I’d need you all to take turns comforting me.”
Shi Yan never showed excessive intimacy with her in front of others, so as not to damage Pei Qinghe’s dignity as a general. Even now, with his heart overflowing with pity and shared pain, he still stood two feet away and said softly, “Qinghe, you’re just flesh and blood too; you can get hurt, and the death of those close to you will cause heartache and pain.”
“You’re too tired. Go sleep; everything will be better tomorrow.”
Pei Qinghe raised her eyes, meeting Shi Yan’s gaze, and slowly assented.
Shi Yan kept watch outside the military tent just like that, while Pei Qinghe lay alone on the bed, closed her eyes, and was soon overwhelmed by tidal weariness and fell into a deep sleep.
This time, no nightmares disturbed her.
When she opened her eyes again, it was already the fourth watch of the night.
Pei Yun’s voice sounded outside the military tent: “Qinghe, the Liaoxi Army has sent someone to beg for reinforcements.”
Pei Qinghe awoke instantly, rolled off the bed, and strode out of the military tent. The cool night breeze met her face; her eyes bright and sharp like a startled fierce beast: “Bring the messenger here.”
She had finally overcome her inner demons.
Pei Yun was immensely gratified and personally went to bring the person.
Pei Yan, who had been sent to Pei Zhi and Pei Xuan’s military tent to sleep, came over yawning, mumbling somewhat dissatisfied, “Shi Yan wouldn’t let me into the military tent, and Cousin Sister Yun wouldn’t allow it either. I didn’t sleep well at Pei Zhi and their place.”
Pei Zhi and Pei Xuan rolled their eyes together: “We don’t know who was snoring the whole time.”
“We’re the ones who couldn’t sleep well from the noise.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “Alright, stop bickering. After tonight, Pei Yan can sleep with me again.”
The three beamed with joy at once.
Pei Qinghe said to Shi Yan, whose eyes were bloodshot from staying up, “You’ve kept watch all night; go rest. The army will move out soon, and you’ll have plenty to be busy with.”
Seeing that Pei Qinghe had returned to normal—and even seemed more spirited than before—Shi Yan’s heart, which had been on edge for days, finally settled, and he departed with her word.
The Liaoxi Army’s messenger was soon brought before Pei Qinghe.
Disregarding his face, the messenger dropped to his knees with a thud and cried as he pleaded, “General Pei, the Xiongnu Barbarians are attacking the city like madmen, heedless of everything. In just two days, we can’t hold them off anymore.”
“I rode fast horse through the night to beg General Pei for rescue. Please send troops at once. If it’s any later, I fear the Xiongnu Barbarians will breach Liaoxi Commandery. Our Liaoxi Army will be utterly finished, and the common people will be slaughtered like pigs and dogs. Please, General, save us!”
He wept bitterly while kowtowing; he did look quite pitiable.
But Pei Qinghe was unmoved, only looking coldly at the messenger: “Who sent you to beg for help? General Li?”
The messenger had originally planned to be vague, but under Pei Qinghe’s cold gaze, a chill ran down his back; he didn’t dare lie: “No, the general is injured and bedridden. It was the general’s eldest son Li Xi who sent me with the message.”
