Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 120 Holding a grudge

After being imprisoned for nearly ten days, Shao, the staff member, was so excited that he grabbed Fang's hand and almost burst into tears.

Fang's advisor quickly glanced at him and, after confirming that Shao's advisor was only missing a finger, looked thinner, and appeared haggard and distressed, but was otherwise unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Nothing should be said in prison. After leaving the county government office, getting into the carriage, and exiting the city gate of Changping County, Shao's staff member's anger surged like a spring.

"The Pei family was executed for treason. This Pei Qinghe, though a woman, has gathered refugees to form her own army and is ambitious. She is no pushover. When I return, I will definitely report to the prefect and ask him to send troops to wipe out the Pei family."

Fang's advisor sighed, "I know you've suffered a lot. However, it's best not to say things you shouldn't, lest you put the Prefect in a difficult position."

Shao's advisor was momentarily speechless.

Shao's advisor was certainly not a fool. After this incident, he had witnessed Pei Qinghe's ruthlessness and audacity. Even if Prefect Tang petitioned the court to send troops, how many soldiers could the court possibly dispatch?

"The Xiongnu barbarians are coming to raid our fields, and the imperial court is too busy to care for them." Fang's advisor sighed again: "The capital is almost destroyed by the rebel army, who has time to care about the Pei family?"

"In my opinion, we shouldn't make enemies with the Pei family. Who knows, there might be a time in the future when we need Sixth Miss Pei to send troops!"

Shao's advisor said with a dark face, "So I'm just going to lose a finger for nothing?"

if not?
Fang's advisor gave Shao's advisor a deep look.

Shao's advisor was filled with indignation. Upon returning to the prefect's residence, he collapsed to the ground, wailing and weeping. He cursed the Pei family as traitors and begged Prefect Tang to redress his severed finger.

Several days later, Prefect Tang had calmed down completely and replied casually, "I have already written a memorial and sent it to the capital. I am waiting for a reply from the capital."

Shao's advisor was moved to tears, but his heart sank.

The capital has been embroiled in war for a long time, and news has been scarce. It's uncertain whether a casually sent memorial will even reach the capital.

Prefect Tang neither wrote to the Fanyang army nor went to the Liaoxi army to request reinforcements. This showed he had already given up…

After returning to his room, Shao's assistant had a gloomy face and muttered to himself through gritted teeth, "I will definitely avenge this humiliation."

Then, he picked up his pen and quickly wrote a letter. He called over his trusted attendant and whispered a few words: "...Remember, this letter must be delivered to General Lü."

The attendant obeyed the order, secretly left the prefectural governor's residence, and rode a fast horse for six or seven days to reach Fanyang Army.

The Fanyang army numbered four thousand men, the smallest among the four garrisons in Youzhou, and their combat strength was mediocre. Their commander, General Lü, came from a military family and rose to the rank of fifth-grade general through the privileges bestowed upon him by his ancestors.

After news of the Guangning army's crushing defeat reached them, General Lü sealed off the military camp and strictly ordered all his soldiers not to leave without permission. Other counties in Fanyang Commandery were also harassed by Xiongnu cavalry, but General Lü pretended not to know.

After more than a month of living in fear and trembling, they finally outlasted the Xiongnu barbarians.

General Lü finally breathed a sigh of relief and ordered the military camp to be opened. He granted the entire army several days' leave.

The soldiers were no good at fighting, but they were experts at oppressing ordinary people. They would eat and drink in restaurants without paying, and they would indulge in pleasure in brothels without paying a penny.

Every time the soldiers of the Fanyang Army showed up, the people of Fanyang County were terrified, and every household closed their doors. Families with daughters and granddaughters in particular had to keep a close watch on them, lest the soldiers see them.

After reading Shao's letter, General Lü cursed and said, "...Without a document from the Ministry of War and without funding, what troops are we sending to suppress the rebels?"

"Go back and tell your brainless, blind master to get lost. I'm not just doing this for fun."

After the entourage rolled out of the military camp, several of the general's confidants whispered, "General, the Pei family is a piece of fat meat."

"I've heard that Pei Family Village has plenty of money, grain, and even more women."

General Lü sneered, "We wiped out six bandit gangs and were still able to hold Changping County from the Xiongnu barbarians. The Pei family is not easy prey, but a tough nut to crack. Aren't you afraid of getting your teeth stuck in their teeth?"

"The fighting in the capital is fierce right now, and the dynasty might change at any time. We should keep our manpower for future self-defense."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a personal guard rushed in to report: "General, the Bohai Army of Ji Province has raised its flag and declared itself emperor, supporting Prince Zhangwu as the new emperor."

... Pei Qinghe from Changping County also received this shocking news.

Magistrate Wang beamed with joy, rubbing his hands together repeatedly: "This is truly wonderful news!"

“The King of Wei’s ascension to the throne was illegitimate. The Prince of Zhangwu in the Eastern Palace is the rightful heir to the throne.”

"The Bohai Army has established a new court and proclaimed Prince Zhangwu as the new emperor. Those who are loyal to the Crown Prince will surely flock to him."

When does Sixth Miss plan to go to Jizhou?

Pei Qinghe's eyes flickered slightly, and she said calmly, "The Pei family has been exiled to this place, and according to the laws of the court, they cannot leave Youzhou. I will have someone prepare a generous gift to congratulate the new emperor on his ascension to the throne."

Magistrate Wang paused in his smile and gave Miss Pei a deep look.

On that day, the Crown Prince's guards personally escorted the Pei family, young and old. The Pei family's rapid establishment was also due to the influence of the Crown Prince and the protection of the Beiping army.

Now that Prince Zhangwu has fled the capital and ascended the throne in Bohai Commandery, Pei Qinghe should, both morally and logically, go to pay him homage and pledge his loyalty…

Pei Qinghe's current reaction is truly subtle.

"Does Magistrate Wang intend to make a trip to Bohai Prefecture?" Pei Qinghe asked unhurriedly.

Magistrate Wang said with a regretful expression, "As the magistrate of Changping County, I cannot leave my post without permission. When Miss Pei sends someone to deliver the gift, please convey my sincere wishes."

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "It's a trivial matter. Your Excellency can rest assured."

He paused for a moment, then added, "I'll leave half of my men to guard Changping County, and I'll take the rest back to Peijia Village. Also, I'll take the newly recruited men back with me for training."

Peijia Village is where the Pei family's roots lie.

Having spent more than two months in Changping County, it's time to go back.

The following day, Pei Qinghe led several hundred people back to Pei Family Village.

There are about fifty new young men joining the Pei family army. Half of them are from ordinary families and are simple and honest. Pei Qinghe has also taken in hoodlums like Zhao Da. They have been practicing formations every day and are already starting to take shape.

Zheng Xiaoying opened her bright eyes and peered around quietly, her heart filled with excitement and joy.

Is this Peijia Village?
This is clearly the Pei family's military camp!

Zheng Xiaoying looked at the figure riding ahead with admiration, and her tired legs suddenly felt strong again.

Pei Qinghe occasionally turned around and saw Zheng Xiaoying's bright, sparkling eyes, and couldn't help but smile.

Pei Yan also turned her head, somewhat dissatisfied: "That Zheng Xiaoying looks at you with admiration every day. It's a good thing she's not a young man, otherwise she would be your son-in-law."

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "It's a good thing that people admire and follow me. You can't possibly fuss over something so small."

A wall stretching for miles came into view.

Pei Qinghe was extremely happy. This was Pei Family Village, which she had built with her own hands; this was her true home.

　Bronze "Inviting the Crimson Phoenix": Three years after the violent death of Princess Yongjia, people suddenly began to die one after another in the capital.

　　Meanwhile, the top scholar, who was busy marrying a wealthy and powerful woman, also encountered a "wife from humble beginnings" whom he had never met before.

　　Yan Bei, wanting to gossip, condescended to attend the Marquis's birthday banquet with his child in tow, only to discover that the wife of the top scholar from the countryside was none other than his ex-wife who had disappeared three years ago!

　　Okay!

　　The top scholar became her childhood sweetheart and husband, so what is Yan Bei then? A mistress?!
　　(End of this chapter)