Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 170 Preparing for War
The Lu family chose Lu Dongqing for two reasons: firstly, Lu Dongqing was the right age, and secondly, Lu Dongqing had a gentle temperament.

The Pei family army rose to prominence, and the sixth daughter of the Pei family became a force to be reckoned with in Youzhou. The Shi family was the first to place their bets, followed closely by the Wang family, who forged a good relationship with the Pei family army. A powerful clan like the Lu family naturally couldn't miss the opportunity to place their bets.

Lu Dongqing said helplessly in a low voice, "Grandfather, the Sixth Miss already has Steward Shi by her side. I..."

"As long as the Sixth Miss is not married, you still have a chance." Physician Lu slowly interrupted Lu Dongqing: "The Shi family is not the only one with grain. There are other grain merchants in Youzhou, and wealthy families also have the habit of stockpiling grain. If the Sixth Miss wants grain, she doesn't necessarily have to go to the Shi family. However, the Lu family's medicine for injuries is unique."

Lu Dongqing, being young, couldn't help but mutter, "The Shi family has always been supplying military rations to the Pei family army. Our Lu family's wound medicine, on the other hand, is sold to the Pei family army and we've made money from it."

Not to mention, the Lu family also sold wound medicine to the Fanyang Army, Guangning Army, and Liaoxi Army.

He bet on all sides, not spending a single coin, just wanting to compete with Shi Yan. Putting aside Shi Yan's own abilities, just based on his family background, he was utterly defeated.

Physician Lu was unwilling to listen to this, and glanced over with his cloudy old eyes: "What did you just say?"

Lu Dongqing pursed his lips and lowered his head: "Grandfather's words have been remembered by your grandson."

Physician Lu then withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "The Fanyang army is already restless, and a major battle will be fought soon. Wars bring wounded soldiers, and our Lu family's wound medicines will become increasingly important."

"The Shi family has staked everything on this. Shi Yan abandoned his family business early on to be with Miss Pei, and there's no turning back now. Miss Pei has lofty ambitions and will definitely try her best to win us over. The best way is through marriage."

The Shi family has no chance of extricating themselves.

Only the Lu family, who are wavering, have leverage.

Lu Dongqing understood the meaning behind his grandfather's words and remained silent. After seeing Physician Lu off, Lu Dongqing sat alone in the room, lost in thought.

Lu Dongqing, preoccupied with his own thoughts, did not "get close" to Pei Liu as the physician Lu had instructed. Instead, he kept his distance and even spoke from a distance of six feet.

Pei Qinghe was busy training his troops and had no time to pay attention to Lu Shiyilang's youthful thoughts.

The grain in Quanzhou County was all recovered with minimal losses. Yongnu County suffered some losses. The bandits who fled from Yongnu County looted several small villages.

These bandits scattered and fled, killing and robbing each time they went. Before the messenger even arrived, the bandits had already vanished without a trace.

Pei Yan was furious and said to Pei Qinghe, "I will lead men to hunt them down and kill them all."

Pei Qinghe asked coldly, "Do you know where they're hiding? You went after them, and they hid in the mountains. Are you still going to chase after them?"

Pei Yan was extremely aggrieved: "Are we just going to stand by and watch the people suffer like this?!"

Pei Qinghe's face remained expressionless: "It won't be long. A small mound of Jingguan has been erected outside Quanzhou County. The Fanyang army won't swallow this insult for nothing; they'll be here soon."

"Just wait, there will be a time when you kill so many people your hands are sore."

Those few words extinguished Pei Yan's anger. Pei Yan's voice lowered: "When are we going back?"

"We'll wait a few more days until Gu Lian's condition stabilizes, then we'll head back."

Physician Lu possessed superb medical skills and a miraculous ability to bring the dead back to life; a single prescription saved Gu Lian's life. Gu Lian's condition visibly improved, and she spent increasingly longer periods of consciousness each day.

Pei Qinghe couldn't wait a few more days. News of the Fanyang army's mobilization of a large force spread rapidly.

The Fanyang army was indeed a regular army, with eight hundred warhorses. This time, all the warhorses were mobilized, with eight hundred cavalrymen leading the way, followed by more than three thousand soldiers, coming in with great momentum.

Pei Qinghe summoned Jiang Huiniang: "Gu Lian needs to recuperate from her injuries. You will lead the troops in her place. After I leave, close the city gates. No matter how the Fanyang army provokes us, the city gates must not be opened."

Jiang Huiniang bowed and accepted the order. Gu Lian, lying on the bed, struggled to move, trying to get up. The movement aggravated her wounds, causing excruciating pain, and the healed wounds reopened.

Pei Qinghe's face darkened, and she swept her gaze sharply over him: "Lie still. I had to call Physician Lu to save your life. If you want to die, you'll have to ask me first."

As soon as Pei Qinghe got angry, Gu Lian immediately quieted down.

Pei Qinghe turned her head and said gently to Lu Dongqing, "You stay here and take care of Gu Lian for a while. The Fanyang army is coming, and the Pei family army is going to fight. The whole Yan County is not peaceful. You are safer in Quanzhou City."

Lu Dongqing, standing six feet away, replied, "I will obey Sixth Miss's orders."

……

Pei Qinghe led Pei Yan and the others back to Pei Family Village on horseback and immediately summoned all the camp leaders.

"The last time the Pei family army fought was more than a year ago, when they fought a bitter battle against the Xiongnu barbarians to defend Changping County. In the past year or so, the Pei family army has been expanding and training its troops." Pei Qinghe's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and he said in a deep voice, "How well they have trained will depend on this battle against the Fanyang army."

"If we win, we will have a firm foothold, and no one will dare to provoke the Pei family army easily anymore. If we lose, we will have no place to stand and can only hide in the deep mountains."

"Life or death, it all depends on this battle."

The leaders were filled with excitement and stood up to volunteer for the battle.

Pei Qinghe's gaze fell on Sun Cheng's face: "You have the most experience in leading troops into battle. You will lead the men to investigate the Fanyang army's strength."

Sun Cheng bowed and accepted the order.

Pei Qinghe further instructed, "Do not linger in battle. Assess the situation and then return to report."

"The Fanyang army has come from afar. We have the advantage of terrain and can wait for them to tire themselves out. We will first defend and then attack."

In battle, the worst thing is to act rashly out of passion. Although Pei Qinghe is young, he is more composed than this general who has been fighting for over a decade. Following such a leader gives one peace of mind, ensuring that one's men will not die in vain.

Sun Cheng was secretly thrilled and once again bowed to accept the order.

Pei Qinghe methodically deployed the tactics, and the leaders responded accordingly.

Mao Hongling asked in a low voice, "Should we send Pei Yun back with the troops?"

“No need.” Pei Qinghe’s eyes flashed with light: “Have someone send her a message to hold Changping County. When the Fanyang army is defeated, then lead your troops to give them a good beating.”

Pei Qinghe's tone was full of confidence and composure, which was very infectious.

Mao Hongling smiled sheepishly: "I've never experienced anything like this before, I'm a little flustered."

Pei Yan, unusually candid, admitted, "Actually, I'm a little panicked too. Last time we fought the Xiongnu barbarians, they only had a few hundred men. This time, the Fanyang army has several thousand. I've never fought such a large battle before. I don't know if we can win."

"Cousin Qinghe, aren't you afraid?"

Pei Qinghe twitched the corner of her mouth: "In the face of life and death, who can be unafraid? I am too."

"But being afraid is useless. To survive, we have to fight. Fight until we are truly strong enough to command the respect of everyone."

(End of this chapter)