Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 189 Game
Commander Gao was not good at beating around the bush. After a few words, he said, "With the Pei family army's current strength, if they are willing to fully support the Emperor, the Emperor will certainly not treat the Pei family unfairly when he unifies the country."

Instead of answering, Pei Qinghe asked, "Was this something the Emperor instructed you to pass on privately, or did Commander Gao try to guess the Emperor's thoughts and come to persuade me on his own initiative?"

Commander Gao stared intently at Pei Qinghe: "There's no need to guess what the Emperor is thinking. Even a rough man like me can see it clearly."

"When the Pei family was exiled, His Highness the Prince personally saw them off. As soon as the Sixth Miss asked, His Highness, knowing that he would be reprimanded by the Crown Prince after returning, still sent his trusted guards to escort the Pei family, young and old."

"After I returned to the East Palace from Youzhou, His Highness repeatedly inquired about the Sixth Miss's condition in private."

"In the past two years, His Highness has been enthroned as Emperor and has cultivated the ability to keep his emotions hidden. He only shows emotion when he hears news of the Sixth Miss."

"When the news of the Pei family army's great victory over the Fanyang army reached the Emperor's ears, the Emperor disregarded the objections of his ministers and insisted on appointing the Sixth Miss as a fourth-rank military officer. He also ordered me, the commander of the Emperor's personal guard, to come and deliver the decree."

"Sixth Miss is one of the most intelligent people in the world, how could she not know the Emperor's intentions? Why bother to play coy in front of an old friend like me?"

After four years, Gao Yong, who is not good with words, is now clear-headed and sharp-tongued.

It is clear that Emperor Jian'an was indeed in a precarious situation. Even the rough and impetuous Gao Yong had been tempered into a sharp-tongued person.

Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: "Commander Gao ordered my Pei family army to fully support the Emperor, and now he's saying these things. It seems that I, Pei Qinghe, should be willing to give my life for the Emperor, even to the point of being shattered to pieces, in order to repay the Emperor's favor."

Commander Gao was momentarily speechless.

Ultimately, the Prince's casual act of kindness back then, and his so-called youthful whims, didn't carry that much weight. Nor could they sway or influence Miss Pei's cold and unyielding heart.

Pei Qinghe had no intention of falling out with Commander Gao. After a few sarcastic remarks, her voice softened considerably: "The elders of the Pei family are all currently in Bohai County, and the Pei family army is also loyal to the Emperor. The Pei family army raises its own money, provisions, weapons, warhorses, and military expenses, without the Emperor having to expend any effort. The great victory over the Fanyang army has brought honor to the Emperor. The Emperor can use the momentum of the Pei family army to slightly suppress the Bohai army."

"I think that's enough for now. What does Commander Gao think?"

Commander Gao's weakness was exposed, and his tone softened considerably: "His Majesty has witnessed the Sixth Miss's loyalty and righteousness. Of course, that's enough. It was I who was too greedy, hoping that Sixth Miss Pei would lead the troops to Bohai County."

Pei Qinghe said, "The Pei family army's foundation is in Yan County. Once they leave, they will be like the Beiping army, handing over their territory to others."

"Furthermore, General Zhang cannot tolerate the Pei family army. If I really go, it will definitely arouse General Zhang's suspicion, and there may even be internal strife. His Majesty would also never want to see the Pei family army and the Bohai Army turn against each other."

Emperor Jian'an intended to use the Pei family army to suppress the arrogance of the Bohai Navy, rather than for the two armies to engage in a major battle.

If things really come to that, Emperor Jian'an, this puppet emperor, will have even his last fig leaf torn off. If General Zhang is pushed to the brink, he might kill Emperor Jian'an and declare himself king.

Pei Qinghe did not say these words aloud.

The leader, who was deeply mired in difficulties, naturally understood.

Commander Gao's tone softened slightly: "Sixth Miss's thinking is very thorough; I was just being too presumptuous."

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "Commander Gao's loyalty to the Emperor is admirable. I am different from Commander Gao. I am the head of the Pei clan and bear the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the Pei clan. I have three thousand elite soldiers under my command and several thousand villagers in the village. I am responsible for everyone. I cannot act impulsively based on a surge of enthusiasm."

"I can't go to Bohai County, and I won't go." "There's a saying: Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

"I am here, holding Yan County, and training my troops diligently. If the Emperor ever encounters danger, the Pei family army will be his escape route and the source of his confidence to rise again."

Commander Gao rose solemnly, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Sixth Miss's thoughts are far more profound than mine, Gao Yong's."

Pei Qinghe smiled and helped Commander Gao up: "Commander Gao, please rise. We are both loyal to the Emperor, only our ways of showing loyalty are different, there is no difference in rank."

He then chuckled and joked, "The Emperor appointed me as a general, and it was Commander Gao who personally read the imperial edict. Commander Gao should probably change his tune by now!"

Commander Gao chuckled: "Look at me, so careless, I completely forgot about that. General Pei, please don't take offense."

Pei Qinghe smiled gently, and after everyone was seated, she personally poured tea for Commander Gao.

Commander Gao was flattered and thanked him profusely, then gulped down the tea in one go.

Pei Qinghe asked casually with a smile, "The Emperor will be out of mourning early next year. Shouldn't we be welcoming Miss Zhang into the palace?"

Commander Gao felt inexplicably embarrassed, but since everyone knew about it, there was no way to hide it: "Yes. The wedding date will be set for February next year."

General Zhang was unwilling to wait even a moment longer. Since it was inconvenient to hold a wedding in the first month of the lunar calendar, the wedding date was set for the second month.

A hint of mockery flashed in Pei Qinghe's eyes as she said with a smile, "Miss Zhang is deeply devoted to the Emperor and has always silently stayed by his side. The Emperor should marry Miss Zhang as Empress as soon as possible, so as not to betray Miss Zhang's affection."

Commander Gao coughed and said, "His Majesty wants to win over the Zhang family, so the Empress position will be given to Miss Zhang. However, His Majesty will also bring a woman he favors into the palace in the future, and grant her the position of Consort."

An expectant gaze swept across Pei Qinghe's face.

Pei Qinghe seemed not to have noticed and said with a smile, "I wonder which young lady has such good fortune."

Even with his thick skin, Commander Gao couldn't bring himself to say something as shameless as "That lucky person is General Pei." He awkwardly changed the subject: "The Pei family army is full of talented people. Pei Yun, Gu Lian, and Feng Chang have all become independent commanders. Pei Yan, Mao Hongling, Sun Cheng, and others are also fierce generals."

"And there's that shrewd and capable Steward Shi, who manages the money and grain accounts in an orderly manner, so that General Pei has no worries."

Pei Qinghe smiled and continued, "Commander Gao has a good eye. In just a few days, he has figured out the core of the Pei family army. Steward Shi joined the Pei family army two years ago and has been doing his job diligently ever since. He is both capable and loyal. It is only right that I give him an important position."

Commander Gao looked at Pei Qinghe meaningfully: "There are quite a few women in the Pei family army who have taken in sons-in-law. It seems that General Pei will also be taking in a son-in-law in the future."

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "I lead troops and train soldiers all day long, and I have no time to think about these things. If the Emperor asks in detail in the future, please ask Commander Gao to report to the Emperor on my behalf that I, Pei Qinghe, only have the country and the people in my heart, and have no time to care about love between men and women."

Pei Qinghe's gaze was calm, and her expression was composed.

Commander Gao and Pei Qinghe stared at each other for a long time, but in the end, Commander Gao gave in: "I have remembered what General Pei said."

(End of this chapter)