Chapter 307: Marriage
Mao Hongling looked at Meng Bing with his gloomy expression, a trace of pity and sympathy rising in her heart.
She had lost her husband but still had her son, a little aunt close like a sister, a kind mother-in-law, and Pei Clan members.
Meng Bing had lost his wife and daughter; by his side was only the impulsive, stubborn, and quick-tempered Meng Liulang. These years, Meng Bing’s days must have been hard; in the prime of manhood, there were already faint white hairs on his head.
“The deceased will not return, but the living must go on well.” Mao Hongling softly comforted Meng Bing, as if speaking to herself: “Let go of the past! Look ahead; perhaps, there is better scenery on the road ahead.”
Meng Bing hummed, smiling at Mao Hongling: “You’re right. They are watching me from in the sky and will hope for me to look forward.”
Mao Hongling did not avoid his gaze: “Once General Meng has recovered from his injuries, will he lead the cavalry back to Bohai Commandery?”
This was asking what he planned to do in the future.
Meng Bing’s heart warmed; he sat up straight and earnestly replied: “Liulang is in Bohai Commandery; as his brother, it doesn’t matter if I go back or not. I want to stay in Youzhou more.”
These eight hundred cavalry were his “dowry.”
No general could refuse such a generous gift. Pei Qinghe needed to rebuild the cavalry camp, and what she needed were elite soldiers skilled in horsemanship and horse combat.
She must keep Meng Bing!
Adults want marriage ties as well as real benefits.
In an instant, Mao Hongling made up her mind. She gazed at Meng Bing and softly smiled: “I understand General Meng’s intention. If General Meng is willing to stay, the Pei Family Army warmly welcomes you.”
A smile rippled in Meng Bing’s black eyes; he first glanced at the two siblings eating dried meat head-to-head, then said softly to Mao Hongling: “I’ll write a letter to Liulang tonight.”
Mao Hongling’s ears heated behind, her cheeks slightly flushed, but her expression remained calm: “Wait some time until General Meng Liu replies; then I’ll discuss it with Qinghe.”
Meng Bing was steady-tempered and usually inscrutable with emotions, but now his brows and eyes seemed ignited, shining with light: “Then I’ll go with you!”
Mao Hongling pursed her lips in a smile: “You’re still recovering; how can you travel so far? Stay and rest easy; I’ll handle this matter.”
If Meng Bing was willing to “stay,” it meant he intended to marry into the family as a husband. Both emotionally and logically, she should handle all the following matters.
Meng Bing’s lips curved up, and he smiled silently.
Staying longer, he might say things unsuitable for children to hear.
Mao Hongling stood, leading the pair of children to bid farewell and leave. Meng Bing had his personal soldier support him and slowly saw them off a few steps. Only until Mao Hongling’s figure disappeared did he turn and enter the room.
The personal soldier grinned, revealing his front tooth: “Great! General will stay with the Pei Family Army from now on, with someone by his side. We can stay too.”
Meng Bing was in too good a mood to keep a straight face; his questioning had no force: “You’ve been in Bohai Commandery for four years at least; you really don’t want to go back?”
“If General hadn’t insisted on leading troops to rescue the Eastern Palace back then, we wouldn’t have had to leave Beiping Commandery.” The personal soldier didn’t hide it and spoke plainly: “Bohai Commandery is the Zhang father and son’s territory; we Beiping Army are suffocated everywhere in Bohai Commandery, military expenses are insufficient every year, everyone goes hungry and cold. In battle, we’re always the first to charge.”
“Eight hundred cavalry, most are veteran soldiers. Go ask them: who wants to go back to Bohai Commandery? Who doesn’t want to stay?”
Meng Bing was speechless.
The personal soldier was not finished and continued: “Besides, these years we’ve all seen it clearly: the Son of Heaven is mediocre and incompetent, no wise ruler. The Zhang father and son have great ambition; Bohai Commandery will surely have big trouble soon. Now we find a better path, stand firm in the Pei Family Army; later if something happens in Bohai Commandery, General Liu can lead troops to seek refuge with us.”
“Isn’t that what you plan too, General?”
Meng Bing smiled and glared: “Enough. I just asked you one thing, but you’re all enthusiastic, chattering on endlessly. Go get ink and brush; I’ll write to my sixth brother.”
No waiting until evening; write the letter now.
……
Meng Bing’s handwritten letter had just been sent out of Liaoxi City when news reached Pei Qinghe’s ears.
Pei Qinghe curved her lips, in a very good mood.
Shi Yan smiled and leaned over, reaching out to embrace Pei Qinghe: “What made the general smile so happily?”
Pei Qinghe softly laughed: “General Meng is willing to marry into the family as a husband; isn’t that a great happy event?”
The shrewd Chief Steward Shi’s eyes lit up suddenly, blurting: “The eight hundred cavalry will stay too?”
“Of course.” Pei Qinghe laughed: “The Pei Family Army needs to rebuild the cavalry camp, lacking talent for generalship, cavalry, and warhorses. General Meng knew I couldn’t refuse this heavy gift. In the future, the cavalry camp will be based on the Beiping Army’s cavalry. Silently surpassing the Yang brothers and Li Chi and Lu Feng. This abacus rings loud!”
Shi Yan smiled: “General Meng could stand firm in Bohai Commandery, dealing with the Zhang father and son, naturally having shrewd and powerful qualities. Congratulations, General; another strategist general will join your command!”
Pei Qinghe was extremely pleased and smiled brightly: “Won’t you ask who is taking General Meng as son-in-law?”
Shi Yan smiled knowingly: “Second Sister-in-law took Little Doggy and Little Yu’er to visit General Meng today. Need I ask?”
Pei Qinghe chuckled lightly: “Chief Steward Shi’s news is indeed well-informed.”
Pausing, she added: “This matter can’t be rushed; it must be handled slowly. First wait for Meng Liu’s reply, and guard against the Zhang father and son interfering.”
As for Emperor Jian’an, no need to think much; he would surely be furious. The Meng brothers were famous generals of the Northern Lands; one suddenly defected and took the cavalry too. How could Emperor Jian’an not be angry?
No matter.
They were already one step from breaking ties. If Emperor Jian’an wanted to flip the table and turn hostile, she was ready anytime!
……
Three days later, Pei Qinghe wrote a letter, ordering the messenger to take it back to Fanyang Barracks. She specially gave a brand-new Pei character flag, formally accepting the Fanyang Army’s surrender.
Lu Feng received the letter and was overjoyed, reading it three full times before going to General Lu’s military tent.
General Lu had been locked up for over half a month, looking dispirited, the whole person emitting a stinky smell. Seeing Lu Erlang coming quickly with a face full of joy, General Lu itched with hate.
Lu Erlang removed the rag from General Lu’s mouth and spat heavily.
Saliva splattered onto Lu Feng’s face.
Lu Feng, this great filial son, carelessly wiped his face, squatted down, held the letter before General Lu’s eyes, tone full of showing off: “Father, look; this is General Pei’s handwritten letter. The general has accepted us and sent a Pei character flag.”
“I’ve already had the Pei character flag hung up. From now on, no more Fanyang Army; we’re the Pei Family Army.”
