Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 191 Obsession
The scroll slowly unfolded.

A spirited and pretty young girl came into view.

The girl was dressed in gray cloth, with her braids hanging over her shoulders. She held a longbow in her left hand and pulled the bowstring with her right, her gaze fixed intently ahead.

This painter possesses exceptional skill, not only capturing Pei Qinghe's appearance but also depicting her unique and vibrant spirit.

Emperor Jian'an's heart skipped a beat, his gaze fixed on the painting, unable to look away for a long time.

As Commander Gao looked at the Emperor's gazing intently, the image of Chief Eunuch Shi flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly for the Emperor.

"Gao Yong," Emperor Jian'an lowered his voice, as if afraid of disturbing the girl in the painting, "is this what Pei Qinghe looks like to you?"

Commander Gao cupped his hands in response, saying, "The real person is even more imposing and domineering than the portrait."

Emperor Jian'an sighed, "It's a pity that I can't see her with my own eyes."

The lackey, Eunuch Xu, offered a slanderous suggestion: "The Emperor will issue a decree directly, summoning General Pei to Bohai County, and then you will be able to see him."

“No.” Emperor Jian’an was clear-headed: “The Pei family army occupies Yan County and, together with the Guangning army, is guarding Youzhou for me. The Liaoxi army will not dare to act recklessly, and the Fanyang army, after its great defeat, will have to behave itself for a while. The Pei family army cannot be touched.”

Commander Gao quickly chimed in, "General Pei said the same thing."

Emperor Jian'an relaxed his brows, smiled, and personally rolled up the scroll, gently placing it on his desk. In a day or two at most, it would be hidden away in a secret room in his study.

The painter, having received a generous reward, withdrew with gratitude. The emperor's personal guards also withdrew.

In the imperial study, only Emperor Jian'an, Eunuch Xu, and Commander Gao remained. Speaking to his two true confidants, Emperor Jian'an became much more casual: "Gao Yong, have you told Pei Qinghe what I privately instructed you?"

Commander Gao replied, "Your Majesty, I went to see General Pei in private. General Pei said that she only cares about the country and its people and has no time for romantic love."

Emperor Jian'an was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Eunuch Xu: "By saying this, she is rejecting me and does not wish to be my imperial concubine."

Eunuch Xu immediately said, "General Pei is loyal and righteous, fighting for the Emperor and the Great Respect for the country. She hasn't thought about marriage yet. General Pei is still young, and the Emperor is also young. It's not too late to discuss this matter in three to five years."

As he spoke, he gave Commander Gao a wink.

Commander Gao hesitated for a moment before continuing, "This humble general is a rough man and doesn't understand the thoughts of young ladies. However, I have been in the Pei family's army for a few days and haven't heard anyone mention that General Pei wants to take a son-in-law."

The name Shi Yan will naturally be omitted.

Saying anything is useless; it will only make the emperor, who is fixated on his own ideas, unhappy. Why bother saying more?

Emperor Jian'an was comforted by his two trusted confidants in turn, and his mood improved considerably: "Very well, this matter cannot be rushed. I must first marry my cousin Zhang as Empress. Once my cousin gives birth to a legitimate son, and the position of Empress is secure, my uncle and cousin will feel at ease."

By then, he will have recovered the lost territories, returned to the capital, and the world will be at peace. He will then be able to sit firmly on the throne and will no longer need to rely on the Zhang family for everything. He will then be able to solemnly marry the girl he has cherished for many years and bring her into the palace.

If the Empress position cannot be given to Pei Qinghe, then let her be his Noble Consort, and stay by his side forever.

Recalling that moment, Emperor Jian'an felt a surge of emotion, and his dark eyes shone with a strange light.

"General Zhang requests an audience."

Before the words were even finished, a tall, imposing, and dignified middle-aged man strode into the imperial study. Emperor Jian'an instinctively shoved the scroll into a drawer, immediately regretting it.

The scroll was there, not particularly eye-catching. But his hand acted faster than his brain; how was he supposed to answer if General Zhang asked?

General Zhang noticed Emperor Jian'an's subtle movements and slight unease, but remained calm and simply bowed.

Emperor Jian'an composed himself and smiled, "There are no outsiders here, Uncle, no need for formalities, please get up quickly."

The lackey, Eunuch Xu, had already swiftly stepped forward and brought out a chair for General Zhang to sit down. This was a special favor bestowed upon General Zhang.

General Zhang didn't stand on ceremony and sat down: "The Pei family army won a great victory, which boosted the Emperor's prestige and morale, and also served as a warning to those armies that defected to the bandit Qiao. For such a great achievement, is it too stingy for the Emperor to only award him the rank of general? Why not send some military funds over?"

Emperor Jian'an said gently, "The national treasury is insufficient and military funds are limited. We must first take care of the Bohai Army and the Beiping Army. As for the Pei family army, they can raise their own funds."

General Zhang immediately offered to allocate 20% of the Bohai Navy's military budget. Emperor Jian'an was moved by General Zhang's generosity and loyalty, but did not agree.

Commander Gao lowered his head, inwardly sneering.

General Zhang led the army, while his son, Zhang Yun, managed the Ministry of Revenue. Father and son, one held military power, the other controlled finances and provisions. Even the Beiping army had to humbly negotiate with the Zhang family for any military funding they desired. The Zhang father and son considered the money and provisions of Bohai Prefecture their own, so why would they share them with the Pei family army, hundreds of miles away?

He, the imperial envoy, had already returned after delivering the imperial edict when General Zhang finally came to insincerely mention it. He got the benefit and then acted innocent! It's truly disgusting!

After putting on a show of feigned concern, General Zhang brought up the southern expedition again: "The capital has been occupied by the traitor Qiao, who has established his own dynasty and reign title. There are also a large number of shameless officials who have defected to Qiao. If this continues, the people of the south will really have to recognize Qiao as their emperor."

"This humble general is willing to lead troops into battle to recover the lost territories for His Majesty."

In terms of recapture of the capital, General Zhang's position was completely aligned with Emperor Jian'an's.

Confined to a corner of the country, this is not a long-term solution. If Qiao Zhi truly gains a foothold and wins the hearts of the people, it will be extremely difficult to retake the capital.

Emperor Jian'an sighed deeply: "How could I not want to take back the capital? But the traitor Qiao has over 100,000 men under his command. After occupying the capital, he has been recruiting soldiers, and now his total strength exceeds 200,000. We only have 60,000 to 70,000 elite troops. Even if we summon the Guangning Army, the Pei family army, and other garrison troops, we will only have over 100,000 men. In terms of troop strength, we are still no match for the traitor Qiao."

"The southern expedition cannot be rushed. We need to plan it carefully."

"The most urgent task is to recruit and train soldiers, stockpile military rations, and build up strength."

General Zhang solemnly accepted the order.

Then, by imperial decree, they openly and legitimately conscripted men into the army and forcibly requisitioned military rations.

Wealthy households in various counties and prefectures of Ji Province were repeatedly plundered, and the common people suffered even more. Countless families were destroyed and their members wiped out. Countless poor women were violated and abused.

Wailing cries filled the air, and public resentment boiled over.

Emperor Jian'an, who lived deep within the palace, could neither see these things nor hear the cries of the people.

Even though he had a vague idea in his mind, Emperor Jian'an had no other choice. To wage war, one needs soldiers and provisions. If he relied on the Zhang family to send troops, he could only let the greedy Zhang family expand rapidly.

(End of this chapter)