Chapter 304: Imperial Envoy
“There is no one else here, no need for such formalities.” Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “The mistake was not the Chancellor’s, and the Chancellor need not apologize to the Son of Heaven on his behalf.”
“I, Pei Qinghe, established the Pei Family Army for self-preservation. Over these past few years, I have exterminated mountain bandits, protected the common people, and fought the Xiongnu barbarians. That makes me a loyal and righteous minister.”
“I do not want to fight a civil war. My enemies are on the grassland. The Xiongnu barbarians suffered a great defeat and may stay quiet for a year or two. But as soon as they lack grain, silver, or slaves, they will come again. I need to recruit soldiers, train cavalry, and turn Youzhou into an iron bastion that can withstand the Xiongnu barbarians’ offensives.”
“I truly have no time to deal with the Son of Heaven’s foolish moves.”
“After the Chancellor returns, relay my words exactly to the Son of Heaven. Let him quiet down and sit securely on his dragon throne. I will still acknowledge him as Emperor. If such an indiscreet and undignified matter happens again, I cannot guarantee I will remain this calm next time.”
Pei Qinghe did not fly into a rage, did not shout or yell, did not draw a knife and roar in anger.
These calm words were more chilling than angry shouting or cold threats.
She now had absolute strength and prestige, and could overturn the table at any moment. Not doing so for the time being was her generosity and benevolence.
Chancellor Pang broke out in a cold sweat on his back and respectfully replied: “I have noted all the Great General’s words.”
Pei Qinghe then looked at Gao Yong: “Commander Gao, we have known each other for nearly seven years and are old friends. This time, I owe you a favor. If the day comes when we meet with weapons drawn, I will spare you once.”
Military generals spoke more straightforwardly. Gao Yong cupped his hands: “I thank the Great General in advance. I hope the northern lands remain peaceful. I do not want a melee, and even less do I wish to encounter the Great General on the battlefield.”
Who would want to be Pei Qinghe’s enemy?
Who would want to test how sharp General Pei’s long saber is with their neck?
In any case, Gao Yong did not.
Pei Qinghe smiled: “I am also unwilling to be enemies with Commander Gao.”
After a pause, she added: “You have come from afar as guests. Since you are here, why not stay a few days in Liaoxi City before returning.”
The implication was clear. Do not stay too long and become annoying.
Chancellor Pang and Gao Yong exchanged a glance and chuckled in agreement.
Pei Qinghe gave full face to Chancellor Pang and Commander Gao, ordering people to prepare the widest courtyard in the Prefectural Governor’s Mansion for the imperial envoy and his group to settle in.
Chancellor Pang’s old bones needed rest. Gao Yong was still in good spirits and went directly to see Meng Dalang.
Supported by his personal soldier, Meng Dalang was slowly walking in the house. When Gao Yong arrived, Meng Dalang slowly sat down.
“General Meng is so badly injured!” Gao Yong frowned: “I had originally planned to set off back together with General Meng.”
Meng Dalang let out a long sigh: “That day, I led cavalry to Liaoxi City and fought a battle against the Xiongnu barbarians’ elite cavalry. We killed many Xiongnu barbarians, but we lost even more men. I was wounded too severely and nearly lost my life. After more than two months of recuperation, I can barely get out of bed and walk a few steps. Military Doctor Lu said it will take at least another three to five months before I can walk like a normal person.”
Gao Yong could only offer some kind words of comfort. He could not press Meng Dalang to set off any further.
In such a pitiful state, how could he withstand the bumps of the journey? A hero who survived the battlefield could not possibly die on the road.
Meng Dalang lowered his voice: “General Pei is already married. Your imperial decree arrived one step too late. Going back like this should be enough to account for things. The Emperor will not blame you.”
Gao Yong smiled bitterly: “That’s hard to say. The Emperor has suddenly changed like a different person, stubborn and deaf to anyone’s advice.”
Could it be that he thinks he has secured the dragon throne and his true nature is gradually revealing itself?
Meng Dalang gave Gao Yong a deep look and said: “The Son of Heaven is a wise ruler. How could he blame his confidant ministers over such a small matter?”
Gao Yong was straightforward by nature and could not help blurting out: “I see the Chancellor is very worried.”
As a close confidant of the Son of Heaven, Gao Yong knew Emperor Jian’an’s temper best. It was not a sudden drastic change; signs had been there for a long time. Self-righteous, overly arrogant, blindly confident…
Meng Dalang had no good method either and offered some general comfort.
After Gao Yong left, Meng Dalang had his personal soldier help him to the bed and lie down.
The personal soldier said in a low voice: “Does the General really plan to stay another few months?”
Meng Dalang’s injuries were indeed severe, but not to the point of being unable to travel. Sitting or lying in a carriage and moving slowly was not impossible.
Since Meng Dalang had said so, it was clear he did not want to go back.
Meng Dalang sighed lowly: “I just feel uneasy in my heart, as if something big is about to happen. Better to stay! If trouble arises in Bohai Commandery, I still have eight or nine hundred cavalry here. I can rise again anytime.”
Everything for the Beiping Army and the greater situation—absolutely not because Mao Hongling came to Liaoxi.
The personal soldier silently glanced at his own general.
Fine, nothing more to say. Whatever the General says is right.
……
Pei Qinghe, Pei Yun, and Pei Yan were all in newlywed bliss. Song Dalang had already led troops away, and Li Chi was busy recruiting new recruits. The heavy responsibility of entertaining Chancellor Pang fell on Mao Hongling’s shoulders.
Chancellor Pang knew his place and, after resting for three or four days, took his leave to return to Bohai.
The imperial envoy and his group had come leisurely but returned in a hurry.
To avoid the “bandits,” Gao Yong deliberately bypassed Fanyang Commandery.
At this time, in the Fanyang Barracks, a shocking father-son rift had occurred quietly.
“You unfilial bastard!”
General Lu, bound five-flowered, had bulging veins and cursed vehemently: “What do you want to do? Kill your own father with one saber stroke?”
Lu Feng was also full of helplessness: “Father should open his eyes and take a good look. General Pei defeated the Xiongnu barbarians head-on and saved the Liaoxi common people. Her prestige is at its peak. We can still join the Pei Family Army now.”
“That King Qiao and the Invincible Great General are too far from us. Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst! Moreover, they are now nearly crippled by Situ Xi. They can barely protect themselves and have no attention for us. I advised Father back then not to join King Qiao. Father would not listen and submitted the pledge of allegiance early.”
“Over these years, we have survived in the cracks, unpopular on both sides. If we continue like this, the Fanyang Army will be finished sooner or later.”
“Joining General Pei is the right path.”
General Lu glared furiously: “I sent you as reinforcements, which was already bowing to Pei Qinghe. What more do you want from me?”
“Father, please don’t mention it. What reinforcements? I feel ashamed.” Lu Feng went straight for his father’s heart: “On the road, we were raided by Xiongnu cavalry. Besides the dead and wounded, there were many deserters. We never fought a proper battle afterward and completely disgraced the Fanyang Army.”
“If not for acting as bandits twice in a row and slightly relieving General Pei’s worries, we would have no face to seek refuge with the Pei Family Army.”
“Pull down the military banner early and replace it with the Pei Family Army’s banner. In the future, under General Pei’s command, the Lu family will still have a place.”
“Father cannot let go of face, so I will handle this.”
