Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 138 Yang Family
General Yang is forty-seven years old this year, which is the prime of his military career.

In times of chaos, military commanders with troops should have been eager to make their mark and achieve great deeds. However, General Yang was cautious by nature. Last year, when the Beiping army marched towards Beijing, the Guangning army remained inactive, thus avoiding the trouble.

Unfortunately, they later encountered the Xiongnu barbarians, and the Guangning army suffered a crushing defeat, with 30% killed in battle and nearly 20% deserting. The Guangning army's strength was greatly reduced, and now only 3,000 men remain.

To make matters worse, the imperial court was in complete disarray, and military funds hadn't arrived for months. While military pay could be withheld, the soldiers still needed to feed themselves. General Yang was forced to resort to begging, and wealthy households in Guangning County were compelled to "donate" a batch of military rations.

General Yang was preoccupied with the daily burden of military provisions, and his hair had prematurely turned gray, with many wrinkles appearing on his forehead and around his eyes. With this added headache of exchanging warhorses for men, it would be strange if he were in a good mood.

"I warned you when you were going to the Beiping military camp," General Yang reprimanded impatiently. "If you encountered the Pei family army, turn back immediately and don't get into a conflict with them. You promised so readily, so why did you end up in their hands?"

Yang Huai felt increasingly guilty and said in a low voice, "When we met on the road, I did lead the men away. But I was really unwilling to accept it. There are so many good things in the Beiping army, why should the Pei family get all of them? Later, I followed them from a distance until we reached the outside of the Beiping army camp..."

"And then, you foolishly offered yourself up and became someone's prisoner!" General Yang's eyes blazed with fire. "You even wanted to use the banner of the Guangning Army to get a share of Miss Pei's pie. You're dreaming. Why don't you just fly to the sky?"

Yang Huai was thoroughly humiliated by the scolding, but he still felt a little resentful: "I brought too few people, so it's inevitable that we couldn't beat them."

General Yang wished he could slap his nephew awake: "Even the Xiongnu barbarians couldn't get away with this from Miss Pei. Who do you think you are?"

"Furthermore, it was Pei Yan who beat you up that day. Sixth Miss Pei didn't lift a finger! You can't even beat Pei Yan, yet you dare to dream of fighting Sixth Miss Pei? Are you tired of living?"

"It's already a mercy from Miss Pei that fifty warhorses were exchanged for the safe return of more than thirty people. Don't even think about leading troops to Pei Family Village."

"The Guangning army cannot afford to suffer another defeat."

"This matter ends here."

Yang Huai raised his head: "So, are we just going to let this go? If word gets out, who will still respect our Guangning Army?"

General Yang sneered, "Do you value your reputation or your life?"

Yang Huai finally shut up completely.

General Yang's anger subsided considerably after his tirade. Looking at his dejected nephew, his heart softened. "Don't kneel anymore, get up! In the future, weigh the pros and cons more carefully when dealing with matters. Don't be impulsive or act rashly. Our Guangning Army's greatest enemy is the Xiongnu barbarians, not Peijia Village."

After Yang Huai got up, he inquired in detail about the situation in Peijia Village.

Yang Huai recounted everything he had seen: "...Pei Family Village was like a military camp, with strong men and women, and strict discipline. Unfortunately, I was locked in my room for several days in a row and never saw the Pei Family Army drill."

After hearing this, General Yang's first reaction was envy: "Everyone is strong and healthy. It seems that Peijia Village has no shortage of food."

“With the strong support of the Shi family, a major grain merchant, how could Pei Family Village lack grain?” Yang Huai continued, “I personally saw Young Master Shi following Miss Pei. It seems that it’s true that Young Master Shi has been expelled from the family. From now on, Pei Family Village will have to spend money to buy grain.”

General Yang sighed, "Young Master Shi is shrewd and capable, skilled in business and trade, and an expert at managing money and supplies. Our Guangning Army is just missing someone like him."

Raising money and provisions is such a troublesome and headache-inducing task that it leaves one exhausted. General Yang's envy at this moment is genuine and not at all pretentious.

Yang Huai couldn't help but whisper, "Uncle, with a new court in Ji Province, which side should we side with from now on?"

General Yang said, "We'll rely on whichever side is willing to send us money, provisions, and military funds."

The truth is that the imperial court and Jizhou were too busy taking care of themselves to pay attention to the Guangning Army.

General Yang rubbed his temples and waved his hand: "Go back to your tent first. Don't leave the camp again without permission." Yang Huai responded in a low voice and returned to his tent, sullen. The personal guards who had been redeemed with him whispered, "Are we just going to suffer this humiliation for nothing? We should lead the troops back!"

Yang Huai glared angrily: "What can I do if my uncle refuses to send troops! Shut your dog mouth!"

……

The news that the Guangning army had exchanged warhorses for more than 30 prisoners quietly spread.

The Wang family reacted the fastest.

Wang Xun and his daughter personally visited Peijia Village, bringing a large quantity of coarse cloth and cotton.

Pei Qinghe personally greeted them, expressing his respect and courtesy towards the wealthy family.

Shi Yan calmly followed Pei Qinghe.

Wang Xun glanced at his nephew with a complicated expression, then quickly composed himself and smiled at Pei Qinghe, saying, "There are so many people in Pei Family Village, and they need winter clothes to keep warm in winter. This batch of coarse cloth and cotton is a token of the Wang family's goodwill. Please accept it, Sixth Miss."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "Then I won't stand on ceremony and will accept them all."

Before Pei Qinghe could give any instructions, Shi Yan led Dong Dalang, Dong Erlang, and the others to receive the gifts. All the trivial matters, such as counting, bookkeeping, and putting the gifts into storage, were handled and managed by Shi Yan.

Wang Mengyi, who had been silent until now, suddenly said softly, "I have also prepared a gift for the Sixth Miss."

A maidservant stepped forward carrying a brocade box.

Upon opening the brocade box, a flag was revealed. It had a black background with interwoven red and gold threads, embroidered with a large character "Pei." A knife was embroidered in the lower left corner, and a bow and arrow in the upper right.

"This is a Pei-character flag that I embroidered myself," Wang Mengyi said. "I hope Sixth Miss likes it."

Pei Qinghe gave Wang Mengyi a deep look: "This gift is exactly what I wanted. Thank you for your trouble, Miss Wang. However, it's not time to raise the flag yet; it should be placed in the brocade box first."

Wang Mengyi smiled and said, "I believe that day is not far away."

Pei Qinghe led Wang Xun and his daughter on a tour of the village.

Wang Xun was amazed: "In just over two years, Pei Family Village has already achieved such a remarkable state. It's all thanks to the Sixth Sister."

The Wang family was a prominent clan in Youzhou, and Wang Xun, having traveled extensively, was quite knowledgeable. In terms of size and population, Peijia Village was not as large as Jiawu Fort.

But everyone in Pei Family Village was skilled in combat, with elite soldiers who could ride horses and shoot arrows, and the invincible killing goddess, Pei Liu. Even the Guangning Army was unwilling to engage in a direct conflict with Pei Family Village.

As a prominent family in Youzhou, the Wang family naturally wanted to befriend such a powerful figure.

Pei Qinghe invited Wang Xun and his daughter to stay in the village for two days, and they gladly accepted.

Busy during the day, Shi Yan finally had some free time in the evening to visit Wang Xun.

(End of this chapter)