Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 3 Gaining an Inch
The year news of Prince Zhangwu's death arrived, she was twenty-five years old, commanding over two thousand soldiers, with the continuous Yanshan Mountains at her back. She had occupied Changping County in Yan Commandery of Youzhou.

Bandits pass by like a comb, soldiers pass by like a fine-toothed comb, and officials pass by like a shaving tool. This is a true reflection of a chaotic world.

The world was in chaos and disorder, bandits roamed everywhere, and cannibalism was no longer an adjective, but a real human tragedy.

The Pei family army was renowned for its fierce fighting, strict discipline, and care for the people. A steady stream of refugees poured into Changping County. This female general quickly amassed ten thousand elite troops under her command, making her stand out among the various rebel armies and earning her a prestigious reputation.

The Zhang family of Bohai sent envoys to offer them amnesty, but she resolutely refused. Fearing further, the Zhang family dispatched troops to annihilate them. She personally led the army, routing the enemy and forcing them to flee in disarray.

She won the battle, but died from the betrayal of her confidants and a cold arrow.

In truth, he wasn't much better than Prince Zhangwu.

“The Prince has come to see us off, and the Pei family is deeply grateful.” Pei Qinghe looked at Prince Zhangwu and said slowly and clearly, “The women, children and the elderly of the Pei family have been exiled to Youzhou. The journey is long and the north is cold. We lack food, clothing and medicine. We beg the Prince to lend us your help.”

Prince Zhangwu: "..."

Prince Zhangwu was taken aback and subconsciously turned to look at Pang Long.

Pang Long frowned inwardly.

This Pei Liu Niang is really inconsiderate. Making such a request in front of so many people!
Fine, for the sake of the Crown Prince's good reputation, I'll see this through to the end.

Pang Long quickly picked up the conversation: "This is easy to handle. I will send someone to the nearby county to prepare cotton-padded clothes and dry food, and also to invite a doctor and prepare a cart of medicinal herbs."

Prince Zhangwu smiled gently at Pei Qinghe: "Sixth Miss Pei should have heard what Minister Pang said."

Pei Qinghe cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. There is one more thing. There are fifty soldiers accompanying us. Our Pei family consists of many people, some old and some young, or delicate women. If we are bullied by some wicked people during our exile, we will be helpless."

"Please send someone with you, Your Highness, to escort us safely to Youzhou."

Everyone: "..."

The dazed Madam Lu was jolted awake. She shakily got up and hurriedly scolded, "Sixth Sister, don't talk nonsense!"

Demanding cotton clothing, food, and medicine was already excessive. Now they're asking for guards; that's really pushing their luck.

Madam Feng, forgetting all about wiping away her tears, hurriedly got up, wanting to pull Pei Qinghe down to kneel and beg for forgiveness.

Feng's appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Madam Feng was gentle and beautiful, and at twenty-nine years old, she was in the prime of her life. The Pei family had suffered a calamity, and her husband had died tragically. Dressed in white, with swollen, red eyes and a sorrowful expression, Madam Feng appeared all the more captivating.

Let alone a blind villain, even a normal man with eyes can't help but take a second look.

Besides Madam Feng, there were also some beautiful young women kneeling among the female relatives. Without anyone to protect them, the escorting soldiers harbored malicious intentions, which was indeed a serious problem.

The young Prince of Zhangwu's heart softened slightly, and he turned to look at Pang Long: "Master Pang, send some men to escort the Pei family women and children to Youzhou!"

Pang Zhanshi, a seasoned official, was much more hard-hearted and immediately refused.

Pei Liu's voice rang out again: "My eldest uncle served as the Crown Prince's tutor for eight years and had a working relationship with Grand Tutor Pang. Grand Tutor Pang is kind-hearted and would certainly not stand idly by and do nothing about the women and children of the Pei family."

"If my uncle knew this in the afterlife, he would be grateful for the help he received from Magistrate Pang." How can someone who refuses to help even the orphaned son of a colleague be considered human?
With such a heavy accusation pinned on him, Pang Zhanshi couldn't utter a word of refusal.

Pang Zhanshi glanced at the sharp-tongued Pei Qinghe, feeling a headache coming on, but he still had to put on a sorrowful and pitying expression: "It was my oversight that I didn't think about the matter of guards before."

"Your Highness, could you send a few people to escort the women of the Pei family to Youzhou?"

Fearing that Pei Qinghe would make even more outrageous demands, Pang Zhanshi immediately added, "I will go and find the escorting officer, Commandant Sun, and ask him to take care of things."

There are fewer people.

However, having a few guards with them is enough to raise the banner of the Eastern Palace and deter any ill-intentioned villains.

Pei Qinghe cupped his hands again: "Thank you, Your Highness, and thank you, Grand Tutor Pang."

He then sighed deeply, "When we get to Youzhou, we'll be a bunch of old, weak, women and children, and we'll have to rely on ourselves in the end."

"I've heard that the weather there is cold, bandits roam freely, and Xiongnu and Xianbei people often raid for grain, where human life is as cheap as grass. As long as we live, we will pray for His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prince. We hope that Heaven will protect the Eastern Palace and also protect the Pei family."

Tears streamed down the faces of both Lu and Feng.

The women and children kneeling on the ground were overcome with grief and wept bitterly.

Prince Zhangwu was literate and skilled in poetry. He was filial, respectful, and obedient. In his fourteen years of life, he had never encountered such a difficult situation and was at a loss for what to do.

Several officials from the Eastern Palace looked at each other, secretly thinking that something was wrong.

This sixth young lady, Pei, though young, is incredibly difficult to deal with. Aside from providing cotton clothes, rice, and medicine, she's even got the Crown Prince's guards, and now she's even planning to seek protection from the Crown Prince in Youzhou…

Seeing the young, inexperienced Prince in a dilemma, the officials of the Eastern Palace wanted to offer some advice but couldn't bring themselves to speak.

The Pei family is already in a terrible state. With only a bunch of old, weak, women and children left, and no one to rely on, how are they supposed to survive in Youzhou, a place where people eat each other?
Amidst a chorus of pitiful cries, thirteen-year-old Pei Liu stood tall, her lips pressed tightly together, appearing both stubborn and tragic: "Your Highness, there's no need to worry about us. I've practiced martial arts and archery since I was little, and even adult men are no match for me. If anyone dares to come and bully me, I'll fight them to the death."

Even the hardest heart can't withstand such a scene.

Prince Zhangwu's eyes turned red, and on impulse, he took out a round iron token from his sleeve: "This is the Crown Prince's token. When you arrive in Youzhou and encounter danger, take this token to the Beiping Army camp and find General Meng."

Pang Zhanshi's vision blurred, and he cried out urgently, "Your Highness, you mustn't!"

There were only four such tokens in the entire Eastern Palace. One was in the hands of the Crown Prince, and the other two were held by the Crown Prince's Chamberlain and the Commander of the Eastern Palace Guards, respectively. The last one was given by the Crown Prince to the Prince of Zhangwu.

With this token of the Eastern Palace, one can command and mobilize civil and military officials who are loyal to the Eastern Palace.

Such an important item must not fall into the hands of a young girl.

Prince Zhangwu then realized that his behavior was inappropriate. He was in an awkward situation, unsure whether to withdraw his outstretched hand or not.

Pei Qinghe did not reach for the token. She said to Prince Zhangwu, who looked somewhat regretful, "Your Highness's kindness is too much for us to bear. The Crown Prince's token is far too valuable; please take it back, Your Highness."

"I only ask that Your Highness write a letter to the magistrate of Changping County, Yan Commandery, Youzhou, to offer us some assistance."

During the new book launch period, I need your support! Please vote and leave comments! o(*￣︶￣*)o


(End of this chapter)