Chapter 312: Conspiracy
Zhang Jingwan completely ignored Eunuch Shen’s consolations and continued crying: “Cousin, open your eyes and look at me.”
“I am your Empress, your wife, the person in this world who cares about you the most. I even gave birth to your son for you. Could it be that I am not as good as that Pei Qinghe?”
“How many times have you met her? How many words have you spoken to her? You don’t know her at all. What you like is the Pei Qinghe in your imagination. Pei Qinghe is heartless and unrighteous toward you, why do you miss her…”
Emperor Jian’an opened his eyes.
His eyes were all red.
Just like a desperate hungry wolf, fiercely staring at its prey.
Zhang Jingwan was like her throat was gripped by a giant hand, breathing with difficulty, almost unable to catch her breath, her mouth finally shut.
“Get out!” Emperor Jian’an gritted his teeth and spat out two words, like a dying wild beast, letting out a final roar: “Get out!”
Zhang Jingwan’s face was deathly pale, she staggered back, not daring to meet Emperor Jian’an’s gaze, turned around in embarrassment and ran outside. The wide sleeves covered her tear-streaked face. When she ran over the threshold, she tripped and fell heavily. She didn’t want anyone to help her up, struggled to her feet, and continued running.
As if there was an evil ghost chasing her from behind.
She ran back to the bedchamber, rushed through the door, closed the door tightly, and began sobbing silently.
It felt like something in her heart had been ruthlessly shattered.
After Emperor Jian’an suddenly shouted, his body trembled violently.
Eunuch Shen was horrified and immediately called loudly for the Imperial Physician.
The Imperial Physician was flustered, using golden needles to turn the Son of Heaven into a porcupine. Emperor Jian’an fell into a coma again.
After General Zhang learned of this, his expression cooled slightly and he snorted.
Zhang Yun was quite angry: “On the day we married off my sister, everything was perfect. It’s only been two years, and the true colors are revealed. Bah! Dog thing!”
General Zhang glanced at Zhang Yun: “It’s hard to get over emotional matters. The Emperor is just past twenty years old, and he is a man of true temperament. Unable to obtain Pei Qinghe, and it’s known to everyone, he can’t get over it in his heart or save face. He’ll be fine once he gets through this period. Jingwan is also a fool; after years of being together day and night, she still can’t win a man’s heart.”
“This is a matter between them as husband and wife, no need to pay attention.”
“With this free time, go to the Ministry of Revenue office to take up your duties. I want to recruit another batch of new soldiers and see how much military expenses can be allocated.”
Expanding troop strength is the top priority.
The entire Youzhou has been taken by Pei Qinghe, with fierce generals under her command like clouds, and her prestige at its peak. As she rises, the Bohai Navy is suppressed and loses its luster.
Speaking of serious matters, Zhang Yun’s expression became grave, and he said in a low voice: “Pei Qinghe won this battle but suffered heavy losses to her own vital energy. Otherwise, we could take this opportunity to send troops and directly destroy the Pei Family Army.”
General Zhang furrowed his brows: “Do you think I haven’t thought of that? Earlier I even hoped Pei Qinghe would die directly at the hands of the Xiongnu barbarians. Who would have thought that not only did Pei Qinghe fight this battle, but she thoroughly won it. Now her prestige is at its peak; what reason do I have to send troops against a female hero who defeated the Xiongnu barbarians?”
In civil war, the common people are muddled and don’t really care who wins or loses. King Qiao, the Invincible Great General, General Situ, General Zhang, and Emperor Jian’an—whoever can unify the empire will sit on the Dragon Throne.
The Xiongnu barbarians are the real foreign enemy. Especially the common people of the Northern Lands, invaded and harmed by Xiongnu barbarians for decades nearly a century, their hatred and fear of the Xiongnu barbarians has long been imprinted in their bones and integrated into their blood.
At the beginning of Pei Qinghe’s uprising, she relied on killing mountain bandits; later her fame rose because she defended Changping County Town and drove away the Xiongnu barbarians.
After that, she helped the Guangning Army fight the Xiongnu barbarians, and up to now’s great victory over the Xiongnu, the name Pei Qinghe resounds throughout Youzhou, and all the common people of the Northern Lands are jubilant, viewing Pei Qinghe as a hero who saves the world.
If General Zhang sends troops against the Pei Family Army at this time, not only would it be without just cause, but he would be pointed at by thousands and cursed by ten thousand.
For General Zhang, who “cares for the world,” this is absolutely not a wise move.
Even more frightening is that even if he sends troops at the risk of universal condemnation, with troop strength several times theirs, he still has no guarantee of victory.
Zhang Yun talks tough, but thinking of facing Pei Qinghe on the battlefield makes his scalp tingle.
After thinking for a moment, he said in a low voice: “If we can’t fight openly, then strike from the shadows.”
“The Guangning Army, Liaoxi Army, and Fanyang Army were originally scattered sands; what they are loyal to is Pei Qinghe. In other words, as long as Pei Qinghe dies, the Pei Family Army will completely fall apart.”
General Zhang looked over: “Pei Qinghe is a master of this generation, surrounded by countless loyal Pei Clan guards. Sending assassins won’t even get close to her, and instead will alert the enemy. The Pei Family Army would then have a righteous reason to raise their flag and declare independence.”
“Without complete certainty, do not act rashly!”
Zhang Yun responded softly in agreement.
General Zhang narrowed his eyes, a cold smile tugging at his lips: “The Pei Family Army has expanded too quickly, with many cliques internally; send people to lobby, and we can always stir up a few with ambition. Wait for the Pei Family Army to descend into internal chaos first.”
Zhang Yun’s eyes lit up: “Leave this matter to me.”
General Zhang nodded: “This matter cannot be rushed; select a few key figures to target.”
The father and son plotted in the study room for a long time before each went off to their busy tasks.
……
“The Son of Heaven is resting quietly in bed; all imperial court affairs are now in the hands of General Zhang.”
“General Zhang is handling affairs of state while recruiting new soldiers and expanding troop strength, his ambition gradually showing. He may strike from the shadows against the Pei Family Army; please be on guard, General.”
Pei Qinghe looked at the letter sent from Bohai Commandery, a cold smile tugging at her lips.
After reading the letter, Pei Qinghe gave it to Pei Yun. Pei Yun quickly read it through and said gravely: “We must indeed guard against the Zhang father and son sending assassins with dirty tricks. From today on, bring more people with you.”
Pei Yan immediately chimed in: “Don’t worry, I will lead people to guard by the General’s side. Not a single fly will get past me to reach the General.”
Pei Qinghe laughed: “Miss Pei Yan has become so powerful now, my respects.”
Pei Yan grinned.
Pei Yun also smiled once, then quickly said seriously: “In any case, be extra careful with everything. Tomorrow I will lead troops back to Beiping Commandery; if anything happens, send word to me immediately.”
A few days ago, Yang Hu led the Guangning Army away. Next is Pei Yun.
Pei Qinghe nodded slightly: “I will spend New Year in Liaoxi City and return next spring.”
The Liaoxi Army’s territory is too large, almost twice that of Yan Prefecture. Moreover, the Liaoxi Army’s foundations are too rotten. It must be thoroughly purged from the roots and remade anew.
Even as a newlywed, Pei Qinghe did not forget to recruit and train soldiers, and repeatedly tempered the original Liaoxi Army soldiers. She spent most of each day in the barracks.
Winning over morale is not a matter of days. Pei Qinghe plans to stay in Liaoxi Commandery for half a year.
The next day, Pei Yun led her troops away.
Liaoxi City was not lonely; in less than two days, Lu Erlang arrived leading five hundred cavalry.
Pei Qinghe did not go personally, instead sending Pei Xuan and Pei Feng to welcome him.
