Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 187 Winning over
Old friends reunite, each with their own sighs and reflections.

"It's been several years since we last met, and Miss Pei has become a renowned heroine in the North." Commander Gao's admiration was genuine.

The world was torn apart, society was in chaos, and war raged on.

With the fall of the capital, Emperor Jian'an's puppet court lacked prestige and power, leading to widespread uprisings. Several, like General Li of Liaoxi, declared themselves kings. King Qiao, who had occupied the capital, was gaining considerable influence, while General Situ, who had fled to the southwest, was also a force to be reckoned with.

The Pei family army, though not large in number, advanced steadily and never suffered a defeat. Of the seven counties of Youzhou, the Pei family army occupied Yan County, and its reputation far surpassed that of the other three armies. Wealthy families and powerful clans from various counties flocked to join them.

While the people everywhere were suffering and their lives were in dire straits, Yan County was prosperous and peaceful.

Back then, Pei Qinghe was just a thirteen-year-old daughter of a disgraced official, who used every trick in the book to seek protection from the Crown Prince.

Four years have passed. The Prince has become a puppet emperor, and the seventeen-year-old Pei Qinghe commands a vast army and has become a powerful figure in the region. On the surface, he bows down to the emperor, but everyone knows what the real situation is.

When news of Pei's army's great victory over Fanyang's army reached Bohai Commandery, General Zhang was greatly shocked. Emperor Jian'an seized the opportunity to send his trusted confidant to Pei's army to win him over and curry favor.

Pei Qinghe was well aware of this, but she was not arrogant. She spoke to Commander Gao in a gentle and polite manner: "It has been four years since we last met. Now Commander Gao is the commander of the Emperor's personal guard. He holds a high position and great power. His personal visit to Yan County to deliver the imperial decree is a great honor for the Pei family. On behalf of the Pei family, I would like to express my gratitude to the Emperor and also thank Commander Gao."

After exchanging pleasantries, Commander Gao took out the imperial edict and read it aloud in the loud voice characteristic of a military general.

The imperial edict, a lengthy text of a thousand words, was entirely praising the bravery and righteousness of Miss Pei.

The Fanyang army had long since surrendered to King Qiao, while the Pei family army was considered to be on Emperor Jian'an's side. The Pei family army's victory was seen as a major triumph in their counterattack against King Qiao, which is a valid assessment.

Emperor Jian'an officially appointed Pei Qinghe as a fourth-rank general.

"Congratulations, General Pei!" After reading the imperial edict, Commander Gao smiled and cupped his hands in congratulations: "In the more than one hundred years since the founding of the Jing Dynasty, the Sixth Miss is the first female general."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "I will always remember His Majesty's great favor. Commander Gao has come from afar, please rest for a few days in Pei Family Village."

He turned to Sun Cheng and said, "You and Commander Gao are old acquaintances. Take Commander Gao to settle in and rest."

Sun Cheng bowed and accepted the order, then led Commander Gao to make the arrangements.

After Commander Gao left, Pei Yan pouted and said, "The Emperor is quite stingy. He didn't give any real rewards. No money, grain, military expenses, weapons, or warhorses. Just a fourth-rank military officer position. Who cares about that?"

Even without this imperial edict, Pei Qinghe would still be the leader of the Pei family army, and no one could shake his position.

Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: "The entire Ji Province is in the hands of the Bohai Army. How could General Zhang be willing to give money and provisions to our Pei family army? Even the emperor has his own difficulties, so there's no need to be so harsh."

“With such an imperial edict, the Pei family army can now fly under the banner of an army,” Mao Hongling said with a smile. “It’s perfectly legitimate, and it’s always a happy occasion.”

The quick-witted Pei Xuan chimed in, "From now on, Great-Aunt and the others won't have to keep their heads down all the time in Bohai County."

Pei Qinghe smiled and nodded, then called over Bian Shulan and instructed, "Today the imperial envoy is coming, the kitchen should prepare several tables of fine wine and dishes to entertain him."

……

Commander Gao had already entered the room and waved for his personal guards to leave.

"Captain Sun," Commander Gao asked directly when no one else was around, "Why didn't you come to the Emperor to seek refuge when you fled the capital with General Situ?"

Sun Cheng gave a bitter laugh and recounted his ordeal that day in a low voice: "...Dozens of my brothers died at the hands of the Bohai Army. I managed to escape with the rest of my men." "I had nowhere else to go but to seek refuge with Miss Pei Liu."

Commander Gao's face turned ashen with rage, his hair standing on end, and he gritted his teeth: "General Zhang is ambitious and wields great power, showing no regard for the Emperor. You are a loyal and capable general who came to join us, yet he cannot tolerate you."

Sun Cheng sighed: "General Zhang doesn't recognize me, Sun Cheng. It's not that he's deliberately targeting me. It's probably because his soldiers have such poor discipline and are prone to looting and killing. When they saw our group of several dozen people, they assumed we were servants of some wealthy family and wanted to rob us."

This is actually worse and more terrifying.

Commander Gao's anger turned into a helpless sigh: "The army's evil deeds are more terrible than those of bandits. The Bohai Army runs rampant in Jizhou, showing no regard for anyone. Even the Emperor can't do anything about the Zhang family."

Not only could they not do anything about it, they also had to try their best to win it over and show weakness and bow down.

Sun Cheng silently grumbled in his heart, not wanting to hurt Commander Gao's feelings, and changed the subject with a smile: "There's no need to talk about the past. I'm now in Pei's army, trusted and valued by the Sixth Miss, and my men are well-fed, well-clothed, and living a good life."

Commander Gao said in a low voice, "You are a proper military officer of the imperial court. It's really a waste for you to be a battalion commander in the Pei family army. Why don't you come with me to Bohai County? The emperor is in dire need of a good general like you. You will definitely be highly valued after you go there."

There's no need to choose between ordinary leaders in the Pei family army and proper military officers of the imperial court.

Unexpectedly, Sun Cheng refused Commander Gao's offer of promotion without hesitation: "I have already established myself in Pei's army and do not wish to leave."

Commander Gao was taken aback: "Are you worried that General Zhang won't tolerate you? Don't worry, he's not at the point where he can control everything. If the Emperor wants to appoint someone important, General Zhang can't stop him."

“It’s not because of that,” Sun Cheng replied calmly. “Sixth Miss Pei is exceptionally brave and disciplines her troops strictly. I am willing to follow her.”

Commander Gao fell silent again, his gaze towards Sun Cheng filled with complex emotions. After a long pause, he finally uttered, "I hope you won't regret this one day."

Since we have different perspectives, some things can't be said too directly. Understanding each other in our hearts is enough.

Sun Cheng and Commander Gao exchanged glances: "I believe I made the right choice."

Commander Gao was speechless.

Sun Cheng stood up: "Commander Gao, please rest for a moment. I will invite you back after dinner is ready."

Commander Gao had no choice but to nod.

The joy of reuniting with an old friend was dampened by a bucket of cold water, leaving his heart feeling rather chilly.

That evening, Pei Qinghe hosted a banquet for the imperial envoy.

The term "banquet" is a bit of an exaggeration; in reality, only six dishes were prepared: pork, mutton, game, and cured meat, each plate piled high with food.

Pei Qinghe still only drank three cups of wine, and then Shi Yan, Sun Cheng, Tao Feng and others who had a good capacity for alcohol took turns toasting Commander Gao.

Commander Gao had heard of Shi Yan's great reputation from somewhere and paid special attention to him, taking the opportunity of drinking together to frequently glance at him.

Shi Yan seemed oblivious, remaining calm and chatting amiably.

(End of this chapter)