Chapter 285: Hidden Worries
Pei Yun’s concerns are absolutely not unfounded worries.
This is also an unavoidable hidden worry in the process of army expansion.
As the Pei Family Army expands, the territory under its command grows larger and larger, and the number of people increases. Human hearts are the most complex thing in this world; everyone has different ambitions and pursuits, and each has selfishness. Forming cliques and factions in the army is perfectly normal.
In the Pei Family Army, Feng Chang and Gu Lian were among the earliest to arrive, Zhao Hai and Tao Feng and other sons-in-law were another group, and later Sun Cheng was yet another group. Even within the Pei Family, which is united against outsiders, there are subtle differences. Pei Yun, Pei Yan, and other Pei Clan direct descendants form one faction, the Pei Family wives are led by Mao Hongling, and the gradually growing young men are all led by Pei Feng.
Outside the Pei Family Army, there is the Guangning Army that surrendered and attached itself but maintains an independent banner, the Fanyang Army with which they have fought before, the Pingyang Army that proactively formed a marriage alliance and bet on the Pei Family Army, and now, the Liaoxi Army with lax military discipline and mediocre combat power.
The only one who can make people with different intentions bow their heads in sincere submission is Pei Qinghe.
“I’ve already thought about all these things you mentioned,” Pei Qinghe’s gaze was somewhat complex, as if she saw her past self from her previous life who was shot in the back, fell from her horse, and died: “This kind of expansion definitely carries risks, but we can’t stop eating for fear of choking. The Pei Family Army wants to occupy more territory and protect more common people, which will face more and greater difficulties. I will do my best to avoid risks. If there ever comes a day when someone under my command rebels, I will absolutely show no mercy.”
Pei Yun gazed deeply at Pei Qinghe, her eyes firm and clear: “General, I will follow you forever, with no second thoughts.”
Pei Yan, who was lying on the bed half-asleep and half-awake, mumbled in a daze: “Me too.” Then she rolled over and fell soundly asleep.
Pei Qinghe was amused and chuckled helplessly.
Pei Yun was also amused and laughed softly: “It’s best to be like Pei Yan, carefree, eating her fill and then sleeping.”
Pei Qinghe relaxed her brows and smiled: “She is the truly fortunate one. It’s late, let’s sleep too. We still need to get up early tomorrow.”
The candlelight in the military tent was blown out, plunging everything into darkness. A beam of moonlight filtered through the gap, casting a small patch of silvery white.
Pei Qinghe lay on her side, gazing quietly.
The confidant who betrayed her in her previous life was a refugee who joined Pei Family Village in the early years, about the same age as Feng Chang. He followed her on eastern and western campaigns. However, even such a confidant subordinate could not resist the temptation of high official positions, generous salaries, and warehouses full of gold and silver, and gave her a fatal arrow from behind.
This traitor had also come to seek refuge in Pei Family Village in this life. When she saw that familiar face back then, she felt no overwhelming anger or hatred. She remained very calm, first accepted him, and soon found a pretext to hang him from a tree.
For a person like this, dying was just dying, without attracting anyone’s attention. She felt no joy of vengeance fulfilled. Her true enemies were the ambitious Zhang father and son.
When her strength was insufficient, she endured and kept a low profile. Now that her wings are fully grown, she no longer needs to bow to anyone. After this battle, all of Youzhou will be her territory, enough to stand equally against General Zhang.
Her thoughts surged, and she didn’t know how much time passed before Pei Qinghe slowly fell asleep.
On the same night, Li Chi tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The confidant personal soldier guarding outside the military tent listened to the sounds of movement from inside, feeling unsettled. He quietly entered the military tent and advised softly: “The Xiongnu barbarians suffered a major defeat and another six or seven thousand men left, leaving only about ten thousand capable fighters. We have so many people in the city, plus the invincible General Pei, so we can definitely defend Liaoxi City. General, no need to worry, get some rest early!”
Li Chi sat up, his face full of exhaustion, his gaze dull and lifeless, and let out a long sigh: “I’m not worried about defending the city. But after this battle, how are we going to stand firm? How are we going to earn General Pei’s trust?”
Li Chi was meticulous in his thinking, and his confidant personal soldier was also a clever and quick-witted man. He understood immediately what his master was worrying about: “The young master personally saw General Li off on his way; that is the pledge of allegiance. The young master has no retreat left, so don’t overthink it. Rest assured and recuperate first. As for what comes after, we’ll talk about it after the battle.”
“General Pei has the magnanimity and boldness not to burn bridges after crossing them.”
Li Chi hummed in acknowledgment, lay back down, and soon fell asleep.
At the fifth watch, Li Chi got up, appearing before Pei Qinghe in high spirits, without a trace of anxiety or unease: “General, Pu Nu will come again today. Let’s head to the city gate early.”
Building trust is not something that happens overnight. Li Chi made every effort to show his sincere submission, and Pei Qinghe naturally did not stint on showing goodwill and trust: “Good, General Li, come with me.”
Li Chi happily accepted the order and followed Pei Qinghe to the city gate.
As soon as day broke, the Xiongnu barbarians arrived.
Pei Qinghe did not personally fight today; she kept issuing military orders, mobilizing the various armies to move out. The men belonged to different camps and at first did not coordinate well. They nearly let the Xiongnu barbarians seize the city gate.
Pei Qinghe’s gaze turned icy cold, and she sent Pei Yan out. Pei Yan stepped forward wielding a thick-backed long saber, slashing down with a few swishes, eliciting several cries of agony. All the soldiers’ spirits lifted, and they shouted as they wielded their sabers to kill the enemy.
By afternoon, the Xiongnu barbarians withdrew their troops again.
Pei Yan still felt it wasn’t enough: “How did these Xiongnu barbarians turn into such cowardly soft eggs? They withdrew before dark.”
Pei Qinghe glared at her: “You’re injured again. Go apply a medicine packet and bandage it quickly.”
Getting minor injuries in battle is normal. Today she took a hit to the waist and abdomen, not damaging any vital organs, though it bled; Pei Yan didn’t take it to heart at all. Only after Pei Qinghe glared at her did she obediently go to treat her wound.
For several consecutive days, the Xiongnu barbarians came to attack the city with great momentum, but withdrew after half a day.
The standoff was temporary; sooner or later, there would be a major battle between the two sides.
Pu Nu wanted to breach the city and massacre it, to loot, burn, and kill, and to behead Pei Qinghe to avenge his confidant subordinate.
Pei Qinghe wanted to hold Liaoxi City, to protect all the common people, and to kill as many Xiongnu barbarians as possible. It would be even better if she could behead Pu Nu on the battlefield.
Unfortunately, Pu Nu was much more cautious than Wu Yan; every time they attacked the city, he stayed in the rear. Even when Pei Qinghe sent people for verbal battles and challenges, Pu Nu endured it all.
“This Pu Nu is a true formidable enemy,” Pei Qinghe said to Yang Hu and the others: “Everyone, stay alert and don’t slack off.”
Everyone responded gravely.
The straightforward Pei Yan blurted out: “It’s a pity we don’t have much cavalry now. We can only passively defend the city and can’t proactively attack.”
Without cavalry, defending the city was more than sufficient, but launching a proactive attack was extremely difficult.
Pei Qinghe said calmly: “Being able to defend Liaoxi City is already a great achievement.”
She appeared calm and composed on the surface, but inwardly she steeled herself with a fierce vow.
No matter how much time, effort, or cost it took, she was determined to rebuild the cavalry. In the future, there would come a day when she would lead the cavalry into the grassland and thoroughly subdue the Xiongnu.
