Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 11 The Team (Part Two)

When you're busy, you don't have the time or the inclination to contemplate suicide. That's the real reason we chose Mao Hongling as our leader.

Of course, Mao Hongling's skills are indeed quite good. She can withstand ten moves from anyone wielding a red-tasseled spear. With proper training, she might become a fierce general in the Pei family army in the future.

Pei Qinghe then looked at the two girls beside her.

The majority of the group consisted of people aged eight to nineteen, who were divided into two teams. The younger team was led by Pei Yan, the younger cousin. The other team was led by Pei Yun, the older cousin from the seventeenth branch of the family.

Pei Yun is sixteen years old this year, with an oval face and beautiful features. She was originally supposed to get married at the end of the month. However, the Pei family suffered a misfortune, and the bride-to-be was spared. Pei Yun's luck was bad; just a few days later, her fate plummeted to rock bottom.

Among the girls of this generation in the Pei family, Pei Qinghe is the most talented and skilled. Next is Pei Yun.

Pei Yun's preferred weapon is a nine-section whip, and when used at full strength, she can withstand fifty moves from Pei Qinghe's blade. Among the younger generation of the Pei family, she is easily among the top five.

In her past life, Pei Yun followed her into the mountains to find medicinal herbs, but they encountered a tiger and perished in its jaws.

The bloody and gloomy scene became an indelible scar in her heart.

In this life, she wanted to ensure that everyone around her could live a good life.

“Pei Yun,” Pei Qinghe called out.

Pei Yun had secretly cried several times in the past three days, her eyes were red, but her expression remained relatively calm: "Yes."

Pei Qinghe's words were concise and powerful: "The two teams you and Pei Yan lead will be the main force of the Pei family in the future."

"Starting tomorrow, we will begin formal training. We will practice marching and formation. Once our marching is neat and our formation is well-formed, we will gradually increase the speed. Before we reach Youzhou, we need to train to look quite professional. We will march forty li every day."

Forty li per day—this was the standard marching distance for the imperial army!
We also need to practice marching and formations!

What is Qinghe's cousin trying to do?
Pei Yun's almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise.

Pei Yan didn't think much of it and loudly agreed.

Lu Shi, who was standing to the side, felt a tightness in her heart and was about to get up to speak when Pei Qinghe glanced over indifferently, as if Mount Tai was standing on top of her, exuding a strong sense of pressure.

Lu did not move.

Girls under the age of eight were led by her cousin, Pei Xuan.

Pei Xuan is eight years old this year. She has an adorable round face and two dimples when she smiles.

This baby-faced little cousin is fierce and ruthless in battle, always following her side and being her trusted confidante. She is also a figure feared throughout the Pei family army.

These are all things for the future. Right now, Pei Xuan is just an insignificant illegitimate daughter of the eighth branch of the family.

Pei Xuan was surprised and delighted to be chosen as the leader by Pei Qinghe yesterday, and she was full of enthusiasm. Before Pei Qinghe could give any instructions, she said loudly, "I'll keep an eye on them and make sure they don't fall behind."

Pei Qinghe hummed in agreement.

Finally, Pei Qinghe looked at Pei Feng: "All my cousins ​​are under your jurisdiction. They are still young, so they don't need to practice formations and drills for now, but they do need to train their physical strength and endurance."

"Tell me who dares to disobey you, and I'll teach them a lesson."

Pei Feng straightened his chest, his eyes were firm, and he nodded vigorously.

The core of Pei's army is currently comprised of these people.

Training troops is not an easy task; it must be done step by step.

Pei Qinghe glanced at the various expressions on everyone's faces and slowly said, "There's no need to elaborate on the big principles; everyone understands them."

"If you want to live a good life, you can't rely on anyone but yourself."

"The bigger the fist, the more justified it is." "Only when the Pei family has enough strength will they have the confidence to stand before the world again."

These words struck like a drumbeat in the hearts of the Pei women, shaking them to their core and stirring their emotions, which remained unsettled for a long time.

Pei Qinghe's goal was not only to help her people survive, but she also clearly had a greater ambition and aspirations.

Madam Lu scoffed, immediately throwing cold water on the idea: "A bunch of women, children, and the elderly, do they think they can conquer the world? Such big talk! Aren't they afraid of biting off more than they can chew?"

Pei Qinghe didn't look at Lu Shi, and announced the latest clan rule: "Every evening, all eight of you must come here to discuss matters. No irrelevant people are welcome to come."

Lu Shi: "..."

Leading and training troops is never an easy task.

In his previous life, Pei Qinghe led a rebel army of more than 10,000 people. Putting aside how well he fought on the battlefield, the daily training and management of the troops was an extremely tedious task.

Eating, drinking, relieving oneself, sitting, standing, walking, lying down, marching and fighting—everything must have rules. Weapons, armor, warhorses, supplies, medicine, and provisions—each one is a major hassle.

The foolish mistakes I made and the detours I took in the past are now just painful memories, so let's not dwell on them.

Reborn in my youth, everything is a brand new beginning.

Pei Qinghe started at the back, gradually quickening her pace to pass by everyone, silently encouraging and spurring them on.

Mao Hongling hadn't slept all night and was feeling a bit groggy today, but a glance from Pei Qinghe instantly snapped her back to reality. She roused herself and started walking.

A young woman who had fallen behind was wiping away tears. Mao Hongling leaned over and whispered something to her. The young woman slowly wiped away her tears with her sleeve and finally took her first steps.

Pei Yun remained calm and composed, her pace neither hurried nor slow. Her group consisted entirely of young and energetic Pei family girls, forming the most orderly and disciplined formation.

Pei Yan was competitive and impatient, so she rushed to the front. Everyone in the group quickened their pace, and soon their cheeks were flushed and their foreheads were sweating.

Pei Qinghe patted Pei Yan on the shoulder and gently reminded her, "Conserve your energy. Don't just rush forward blindly. Be mindful of everyone's speed in the team and always keep the formation in order."

Pei Yan gave a muffled "oh," then quickly slowed her pace and adjusted her formation.

The two teams of boys and girls under the age of eight were too young to form proper formations or keep up with the crowd, which was already quite a pleasant surprise.

Pei Xuan, that clever girl, found several belts, tied them into a long rope, and had the girls in the team hold onto it one after another, making it look like a long braid. And you know what? It was a really good idea; even four- or five-year-old girls could stumble and fall along.

The boys in Pei Feng's group were a different story. They were restless and mischievous, with some constantly running off. Pei Feng chased them, sweating profusely, grabbing the ones in front while the others scattered. He'd grab the ones behind while the ones in front started fighting again. Then there was Pei Yue, who tripped and fell, crying loudly and demanding to be carried.

Pei Xuan burst out laughing.

Pei Feng, though young, was very proud. When he was outshone by Pei Xuan, his eyes reddened and tears welled up in his eyes.

Pei Qinghe walked over, reached out and picked up the crying Pei Yue: "Don't cry, I'll carry you." Then she turned to comfort Pei Feng: "You've done very well."

Pei Feng sniffed.

Pei Yue buried his head in his cousin's arms and soon fell asleep. Pei Qinghe carried her heavy, chubby little cousin, her steps still light and quick.

The soldiers on horseback felt a strange unease as they watched this scene.

Undeterred by wind and rain, undaunted by difficulties, with unwavering will.

Miss Pei is a true powerhouse.

……

Writing this chapter filled me with excitement. I truly love my heroine, Qinghe! ^_^
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(End of this chapter)