Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 186 Deterrence
After returning to his military tent, General Yang dismissed everyone except Yang Huai.

General Yang sighed, "Pei Qinghe has shown me some respect today. I have lost this battle. If this were on the battlefield, I wouldn't have lasted fifty moves."

Yang Huai was also somewhat shocked: "You couldn't even last fifty moves?"

General Yang's face darkened, and he let out another long sigh: "I never dared to underestimate her. Only today do I realize that I still underestimated her."

"Yang Huai, we made the right move by forming an alliance with the Pei family army through marriage. The Pei family army is so powerful, we can only be allies, we must never be their enemies."

As for the idea of ​​turning against them and taking action, General Yang never even considered it. As a military commander stationed in the area, his real enemy was the Xiongnu barbarians. He had been recruiting and training soldiers precisely to guard against another Xiongnu invasion.

Even if we take a step back and actually fight, the Guangning army might be able to win a battle by relying on its terrain and overall strength. Then, they would have to face the Pei family army's fierce counterattack. And then there are Pei Yun, Gu Lian, and Feng Chang, who are stationed in various county towns… just thinking about it is chilling.

Yang Huai said in a low voice, "Uncle is right. The Pei family army has strict discipline, everyone is literate, and their battle formations are extremely powerful. Our best course of action is to form an alliance with them."

As for what happens in the future, let's not worry about that now. Let's just get through these next few years!

In the other military tent, Pei Qinghe was whispering with Pei Yan and Mao Hongling: "General Yang is not particularly capable, but he is very loyal and righteous. He has neither thought of establishing himself independently nor joined the Jiangnan rebels. What he wants is to guard the border and resist the Xiongnu barbarians. Since we have formed an alliance with the Guangning army, we must be prepared to send troops to help them in the future."

Mao Hongling softly continued, "General Meng is loyal to the Crown Prince. General Yang is the true military commander, dedicated to the peace and tranquility of the country and its people."

Pei Qinghe sighed softly, "That's right. I greatly admire General Yang's character and integrity. Therefore, I didn't want to become his enemy. It's best if we can become allies now."

"It's just that Pei Yan has to suffer."

Pei Yan was suddenly called out and scratched her head: "How am I wronged? Yang Huai is barely good enough for me."

Pei Qinghe chuckled, patted Pei Yan's head, and said softly, "I'm glad you're not upset."

Having embarked on this path of no return, romantic love had to take a backseat. Even her decision to bring Shi Yan into the family as a son-in-law wasn't entirely based on love. The Shi and Wang families behind Shi Yan, and Shi Yan's own shrewdness and competence, were all important factors.

Mao Hongling chuckled softly, "I think that Yang Hu is quite interested in Pei Zhi."

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "The marriage agreement between Pei Yan and Yang Huai is enough to demonstrate the sincerity of the alliance. Unless Pei Zhi herself takes a liking to Yang Hu."

……

Pei Zhi was somewhat irritated.

She wandered around the Guangning military camp every day, accompanied by her future brother-in-law Yang Huai, which was fine, but Yang Hu, who was always watching her, followed her around every day and would seize any opportunity to chat with her, which was really annoying.

She wasn't exactly known for her good temper either. With a stern face, she approached Pei Qinghe: "Cousin Qinghe! If I beat up Yang Hu, won't that affect the alliance between the Pei family army and the Guangning army?"

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "Of course not."

That's good.

Pei Zhi, under the guise of a friendly spar, challenged Yang Hu to a fight. They didn't use weapons, just fists and feet. Then, she beat Yang Hu until his head was a swollen mess.

Showing no mercy, most of his punches were aimed at Yang Hu's head and face.

Yang Hu was beaten black and blue, but no one sympathized with him; only his cousins ​​mercilessly mocked and ridiculed him.

Yang Huai applied medicine to his wounds, and Yang Hu was so moved that tears streamed down his face: "My cousin is still the best to me."

Yang Huai didn't even look up: "I only wanted to be your son-in-law because I felt sorry for you, but they don't care at all. Pei Yan never hits my face when she beats me."

Yang Hu: "..." It was just a minor incident, not worth mentioning.

General Yang didn't take it to heart at all. He didn't even mention it to Pei Qinghe. Pei Qinghe, on the other hand, took the initiative to apologize on behalf of Pei Zhi: "Pei Zhi is young and impetuous, and she didn't know her own strength. Please don't take offense, General Yang."

General Yang laughed and said, "He was outmatched and got beaten up because he brought it on himself. Sixth Miss, you don't need to take it to heart."

Pei Qinghe glanced at Shi Yan, who understood immediately and offered to buy a batch of military rations for the Guangning army at 80% of the current market price.

General Yang was overjoyed and wished he could send Yang Hu over to get another beating.

Pei Qinghe stayed at the Guangning Army camp for seven or eight days, demonstrating his sincerity, before bidding farewell and leaving. General Yang personally saw him off, accompanying him for five miles before returning home.

Yang Huai wore the engagement jade pendant with mandarin ducks on his waist every day. Yang Hu, whose bruises had faded, looked at it with envy and resentment, always eyeing the pendant during training. Enraged, Yang Huai gave Yang Hu a severe beating.

He was the most skilled among the younger generation of the Yang family. He couldn't beat Pei Yan, but he was more than capable of beating Yang Hu.

……

The news of the marriage alliance between the Pei and Yang families spread quickly.

The wealthy families of Yan County came one after another to present their congratulatory gifts.

The gifts sent by the Shi family were the most valuable.

After checking the gift list, Shi Yan recorded the gifts in the inventory.

Shi Li discreetly stood a few meters away, and only approached Shi Yan after he finished his work, whispering, "Brother, Pei Yan and Yang Huai's marriage has been settled so quickly. You've been waiting for two years! Grandfather doesn't mention it, but he's very anxious."

Shi Yan smiled and said, "No need to rush, just wait patiently."

Shi Li glanced at Shi Yan, who was saying one thing but meaning another: "You're not in a hurry? I have a wife and children, what's there to rush?"

No one knew what Shi Yan was thinking. In any case, he remained extremely calm, showing no sign of being hurt or angry.

A few days later, Prefect Tang of Yan County arrived in person.

Prefect Tang was quite pragmatic. After the Pei family army was established, he took the initiative to send New Year's gifts.

After the Pei family army's crushing defeat of the Fanyang army, Prefect Tang adopted an even more humble attitude. This time, he not only brought congratulatory gifts but also several younger members of the Tang family, all handsome young men in their teens.

Miss Pei dared not even dream of becoming a live-in son-in-law. The Pei family still had many young women who were not yet engaged! As long as Pei Qinghe nodded, Prefect Tang would be more than happy to send his worthless nephews into the Pei family as live-in sons-in-law.

Of course, Prefect Tang was a respectable man, and his words were as follows: "I am deeply grateful to the Pei family army for protecting Yan County. These few are all juniors of the Tang family. Please, Sixth Miss, take them in and let them do some odd jobs and menial tasks. This is how I, Prefect Tang, can do my part for the Pei family army."

Pei Qinghe did not refuse and gladly accepted the gift.

The Pei family army lacked horses, weapons, food, and men. The Tang family's young men, all educated since childhood, possessed some talent. While they couldn't fight, with a little training and guidance, they would be well-suited for logistical and clerical work.

A month or so later, Emperor Jian'an of Bohai Commandery sent someone to deliver an imperial edict.

The imperial envoy was none other than Gao Yong, the guard who had escorted the Pei family to Youzhou that day, and who is now the commander of the emperor's personal guards.

(End of this chapter)