Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 131 News
she?
Which "she"?
Zhang Jingwan was taken aback, then looked up at the agitated Emperor Jian'an: "The one who came to plead for me is a woman with a scar on her face, who calls herself Gu Lian, and is from Pei Family Village. Do you know her, cousin?"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Emperor Jian'an's eyes, but his handsome and noble face regained its composure. Instead of answering, he asked, "Where is Gu Lianren?"

Zhang Jingwan was always understanding. She didn't press Emperor Jian'an for details, and gently replied, "They are all staying at an inn. They have sent out invitations and are waiting for my cousin to summon them."

Emperor Jian'an nodded slightly and changed the subject.

Emperor Jian'an, though a mere wooden puppet, was quite busy every day. Soon, ministers came to request an audience. Zhang Jingwan bid farewell and departed, her mind unsettled on the carriage journey home.

Who exactly is the "she" my cousin is talking about?
Why did my cousin get so excited when he mentioned her?
A young girl's intuition can sometimes be surprisingly sharp. After returning to the Zhang residence, Zhang Jingwan went to find her elder brother, Zhang Yun, and quietly told him what had happened that day.

Zhang Yun casually laughed and said, "This is a small matter, no need to take it to heart. No matter how many women there are, they cannot threaten your position as empress."

"The Emperor is observing mourning. You should wait patiently. Once the Emperor's mourning period is over, you should enter the palace and become the Empress."

Some capable men often have multiple wives. But with Emperor Jian'an as emperor, the harem was far from empty. Romantic love is all illusory. The empress's honor and wealth are what truly matter.

Zhang Jingwan's heart was entirely devoted to Emperor Jian'an, and she couldn't bear to hear such words; her eyes immediately reddened.

Helpless, Zhang Yun could only say, "Don't cry. I'll go and find out who in the Pei family is on the Emperor's mind."

"By the way, the Meng brothers of the Beiping Army have both dealt with the Pei family. I'll go find the Meng brothers now and ask them about it."

A year ago, the Beiping army and the Bohai navy marched to the capital under the banner of "purging the emperor's inner circle and eliminating treacherous officials." General Meng was unlucky and was killed by a stray arrow in the fierce battle. The Beiping army's morale collapsed, and they suffered a crushing defeat. Meng's second and fifth sons were both killed in battle, and Meng's eldest son was also seriously wounded.

In the ensuing battles, the Beiping army suffered heavy losses, with most of its troops killed or wounded. Meng Liulang arrived just in time, preventing the Beiping army from being completely wiped out.

The Bohai Army rescued Prince Zhangwu from the Eastern Palace and swiftly retreated back to Jizhou. The remnants of the Beiping Army also fled to Bohai County.

The Zhang family was the greatest contributor to the enthronement of the Prince as the new emperor. Next in rank was the Beiping Army. The Meng brothers were also now prominent figures in the new court.

Unfortunately, General Meng has already died in battle. Meng Dalang is injured in the leg and can no longer ride a horse to fight, and Meng Liulang is too young. Bohai County is the territory that the Zhang family has managed for decades. The current Beiping army is far from comparable to the Bohai army.

The entire area, both inside and outside the prefectural governor's residence, was guarded by the Bohai Army. The security and defense of Bohai Prefecture were also in the hands of the Zhang family.

More than a thousand Beiping soldiers were stationed in a military camp outside the city. The Meng brothers lived in the city, with only a few dozen personal guards by their side.

When Zhang Yun came to visit in person, Meng Dalang immediately said, "Sixth Brother, help me to go and greet Young Master Zhang."

Meng Dalang injured his right leg, and when he walked, he limped and walked slowly and with difficulty.

The once handsome and upright young master Meng has become half a cripple.

Meng Liulang was in a gloomy mood and said in a low voice, "I'll go and greet him, but you don't need to go, elder brother."

Meng Dalang said, "Young Master Zhang has come in person, how can we be negligent? Come quickly and help me go with him."

Meng Liulang couldn't help but snort and mutter angrily, "Back then, Father was the first to go to the capital to rescue the Crown Prince, and the Beiping Army was always at the forefront of the battle. What was the result? Father died in battle, and my second brother and the others also died on the battlefield. The Beiping Army suffered heavy casualties. Of the five thousand elite soldiers, only a little over thirteen hundred remain."

"The Bohai Army got away with it, gaining the credit for their supposed loyalty to the emperor. Now everyone says the Zhang family supported Emperor Jian'an, but who remembers our Meng family?"

Meng Dalang frowned and glared at Meng Liulang: "What's the use of saying all this? Father ordered you to stay and guard the camp, and even left a letter for you to go to Peijia Village. You disobeyed Father's orders and insisted on bringing the last five hundred elite soldiers out." "Now we can't go back to Beiping County. These thousand-plus men are all in Bohai County, on Zhang's territory. They depend on the Zhang family for food and drink. When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head!"

Meng Liulang, being stubborn, immediately retorted, "What would I do in Pei Family Village? Become Pei Liu's son-in-law?"

“I, Meng Ling, am a man of upright stature, how could I lower myself to serve a woman?”

Meng Dalang glanced at Meng Liulang and said, "If you keep being so stubborn, you'll regret it later."

Meng Liulang straightened his back: "I have absolutely no regrets."

There's no point in saying more now that we've come this far.

The two brothers had argued about this matter many times. Meng Dalang was too tired to say anything more, so he had Meng Liulang help him to greet Zhang Yun, repeatedly instructing Meng Liulang to be careful with his words and actions and not to cause trouble.

Meng Liulang agreed with a sour face.

After the meeting, Meng Dalang and Zhang Yun exchanged pleasantries, while Meng Liulang remained silent. Meng Dalang sighed inwardly, but there was nothing he could do.

Meng Liulang has always had this temperament. When their father was alive, he could keep him in check. But now, as the older brother, he is powerless to control his younger brother.

Zhang Yun had spent several months with Meng Liulang and didn't mind Meng Liulang's rude and aloof behavior. A reckless, unassuming warrior without cunning or scheming was easier to control. In a few years, the Zhang family would completely absorb the Beiping army.

It's a pity that such a handsome face and a majestic body were born on Meng Liulang.

Zhang Yun didn't beat around the bush and quickly stated his purpose.

"Young Master wants to inquire about Pei Family Village?" Meng Dalang was somewhat surprised.

Meng Liulang finally lowered his head slightly and looked at Zhang Yun: "Why did you suddenly ask about these things, young master?"

Zhang Yun smiled and said, "The Pei family came to the Zhang family seeking an audience with the Emperor as soon as possible. I was curious, so I came to ask you brothers. All the adult male members of the Pei family have been beheaded. Who is now in charge of the Pei family?"

It's no secret that Pei Qinghe has risen to fame in Youzhou.

Meng Dalang casually recounted the story of Pei Liu Guniang becoming the clan leader.

Zhang Yun was somewhat surprised: "A woman is actually able to lead her people to establish themselves at the foot of Yanshan Mountain. She does have some ability and skill."

Hearing this frivolous tone, Meng Liulang felt inexplicably displeased.

Even if Meng Liulang was arrogant, he knew he was no match for Pei Qinghe.

If it weren't for the Zhang family's connections, who would Zhang Yun be? What right does he have to comment on Miss Pei?
Meng Dalang coughed and stopped Meng Liulang's wild talk with a look: "Back then, we were ordered by the Crown Prince to take good care of the Pei family and we had some dealings with them."

Zhang Yun was not easily fooled. He glanced at Meng Liulang and asked, "Are you and Miss Pei Liu well acquainted, Liulang?"

(End of this chapter)