Chapter 330: Marry Into A Family As A Husband
Pei Qinghe took the naughty Little Doggy away, and a crowd of young children followed like little tails. The leaders who came to make merry in the bridal chamber saw this and tactfully withdrew.
In the new house plastered with red 囍 Character, Mao Hongling whispered somewhat apologetically, “The child spoke nonsense; don’t take it to heart.”
For a man, being unable to have children is a disgraceful matter that hurts his pride.
Meng Bing was open-minded and chuckled softly, “Five years ago, I was badly injured, my leg became lame, and I can no longer have children. Being able to snatch back my life from the King of Hell is already a great fortune.”
This is a true good man. No matter what adversity he faces, he can endure it.
A warm current surged in Mao Hongling’s heart, and she snuggled into Meng Bing’s arms.
Meng Bing whispered laughing in her ear, “I just can’t have children; I can still be a man. Don’t worry.”
Mao Hongling was both shy and embarrassed, and spat at him.
……
After the wedding banquet, Pei Qinghe brought Little Doggy back to the room.
Little Doggy bounced happily, “Can I really sleep with Aunt tonight?”
Pei Qinghe smiled and agreed.
Little Doggy usually slept with Madam Feng, and sometimes with his mother. Pei Qinghe was afraid Little Doggy would suddenly dart to the new house and disturb Mao Hongling and Meng Bing’s wedding night, so she simply brought him back.
Shi Yan smiled and took Little Doggy’s hand, “Come, Uncle will bathe you, and you can sleep after getting clean.”
Shi Yan had been in Pei Family Village for several years, watching Little Doggy grow up bit by bit, and he liked Little Doggy very much on ordinary days. He was quite patient in bathing Little Doggy, even specially washed his hair, dried it, and told him two stories.
Little Doggy happily lay between Aunt and Uncle, like a little piglet, snoring contentedly as he fell asleep.
Pei Qinghe lightly smiled and pinched Little Doggy’s cheek, then looked up to see Shi Yan gazing at her with eyes full of smiles.
“Why are you smiling so happily?”
“I’m thinking, if we have a child in the future, he can sleep between us just like now.” Shi Yan was full of longing and expectation, “That would be wonderful.”
Great Jing encouraged early marriage. There were plenty who married at fifteen or sixteen. Shi Li was a year younger than Shi Yan and was already the father of three children.
Pei Qinghe was twenty this year, right at the prime age for childbearing, young and strong.
“The world is in chaos, foreign enemies are not pacified, civil war is ongoing, and the battle situation is chaotic.” Pei Qinghe said softly, “I have to lead troops in battle; I have no time to get pregnant and give birth. At least, I won’t have children in these few years.”
Once a child is born, there would be no worry about no one to care for him. But the process of pregnancy and childbirth couldn’t be replaced by anyone. Who knew when battle might call; she couldn’t go into battle with a big belly.
Moreover, giving birth carries risks. If there were any mishap, the Pei Family Army would be leaderless and scatter like loose sand.
This was a serious consequence no one could bear. At least, the current Pei Family Army couldn’t.
They had to wait until the battle situation stabilized and the Pei Family Army’s morale was steady before considering pregnancy and childbirth.
“I was just joking casually earlier; don’t take it seriously.” Shi Yan chuckled softly, “You are the commanding general on the battlefield, the God of War in the hearts of Youzhou common people. Tens of thousands in the Pei Family Army follow you; you must be responsible for them and for the common people.”
“Having children takes time and energy; even if you wanted to, I wouldn’t agree.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and glanced at him, saying no more. She leaned down and kissed Little Doggy’s cheek, “It’s too late; let’s sleep too. We have to get up early tomorrow.”
……
Dawn broke.
Little Doggy turned over, drowsily hugging Uncle’s neck, “Where’s Aunt?”
Uncle coaxed softly, “Your aunt went to lead troops in morning drill. You keep sleeping.”
Little Doggy slept another half a shichen. Pei Qinghe ran ten li and returned full of vigor, scooping up Little Doggy in one arm, “Come, Aunt will take you to see your mother and stepfather.”
The newlywed couple appeared before everyone with some fatigue.
Everyone let out goodwill laughter.
Mao Hongling’s cheeks flushed red; the man’s face was much thicker. He first served tea to Madam Feng and changed his address to mother.
Madam Feng drank the tea and gave the prepared meeting gift to her son-in-law.
Meng Bing received the red envelope and naturally handed it to Mao Hongling. Everyone laughed again.
Little Doggy darted over. Mao Hongling smilingly grabbed Little Doggy’s hand; Little Doggy held his mother’s hand in one hand and his stepfather’s in the other, extremely happy.
Little Yu’er not far away watched this scene enviously.
Pei Qinghe smiled and beckoned to Little Yu’er. Little Yu’er happily came over and stood beside Aunt and Uncle.
Pei Qinghe smiled and called out, “Second Brother.”
Meng Bing was somewhat flattered, “This won’t do.”
“Why not?” Pei Qinghe laughed, “You married into the Pei family as my second sister-in-law’s husband; what’s wrong with me calling you Second Brother?”
“This isn’t the barracks; you don’t need to call me General. Just call me Qinghe.”
Meng Bing was not a coy person and immediately changed his address. The new form of address made them seem even closer.
After lunch, Pei Qinghe discussed proper business with Meng Bing, “Second Brother, I plan to train five thousand cavalry.”
The cost to maintain one cavalryman would support ten infantry. The main difficulty was that raising warhorses was not easy. A good warhorse was worth a hundred taels of silver, and the annual fodder consumption was astonishing.
The Beiping Army had two thousand cavalry, enough to stand proudly in the north. The Bohai Navy had four thousand cavalry.
Given the Pei Family Army’s momentum and strength, maintaining five thousand cavalry was an appropriate and reasonable number.
Meng Bing asked softly, “How many warhorses can Shopkeeper Zhan bring back this time?”
To train cavalry, horses were needed first.
Zhan Fei had been traveling the grassland, exchanging cotton cloth, tea, and other supplies with various small tribes for horses, sending them back continuously.
Pei Qinghe smiled, “Previously there were over a thousand horses; this time he brought back over seven hundred. Plus yours and Lu Erlang’s horses, we can gather three thousand warhorses.”
“I plan to select six thousand elite soldiers from the infantry and train them daily in horse riding and archery. With current shortage of warhorses, two men will share one horse for now. Once we have more warhorses later, the cavalry will gradually be trained.”
Selecting one thousand more was because cavalry had high attrition; there needed to be reserves for replacements.
Meng Bing immediately agreed, “General has considered everything thoroughly.”
Pei Qinghe said, “I’ll select people tomorrow; come with me, Second Brother.”
Meng Bing nodded in agreement.
The next day, Pei Qinghe not only brought Meng Bing, but Mao Hongling, Pei Yan, Yang Huai, Lu Erlang, and others all followed.
The newly recruited recruits were all beaming with excitement and joy. The veteran soldiers were much more calm and composed. They knew the general’s habit: cavalry would definitely be selected first from the veterans. The new recruits would wait a bit.
It took several days to select six thousand elite soldiers.
Zhan Fei also returned; among the over seven hundred horses he brought back, thirty percent were mares carrying foals.
This was truly great!
Pei Qinghe smiled amiably at Zhan Fei, “Shopkeeper Zhan, you’ve worked hard.”
