Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 355 Bad News (Part Two)
Feng was heartbroken and hugged Pei Qinghe tightly.

Pei Qinghe had grown into a young woman, much taller than Madam Feng. At this moment, like a child, she nestled her head into the familiar, warm embrace.

"Qinghe, cry if you want to!" Madam Feng choked with sobs. "I know you are the one who is most grief-stricken and heartbroken."

"Don't blame yourself. They did this for the Pei family and for the future of the Pei family army. If it were me, I would be willing to die. Don't let them down. Take this opportunity to do what you should do."

Tears welled up in my eyes.

Pei Qinghe wept bitterly in her mother Feng's arms.

Shi Yan, who was standing to the side, turned his head and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. Then he went to find Mao Hongling, Meng Bing and others to discuss the matter of setting up a mourning hall.

Mao Hongling forced herself to cheer up: "First, find some clothes that the elders have worn and put them in the coffin."

More than twenty elderly women from the Pei family had passed away. Each of the eleven branches of the Pei clan had an elder who had died. The Pei family members, suppressing their grief, searched for the clothes their elders had worn. Coffins were readily available; the Pei family army fought every year, and the village always kept coffins on hand.

The mourning hall was set up overnight.

In Peijia Village, everyone changed into white clothes.

Pei Qinghe also put on white clothes, knelt in front of the coffins of Li Shi, Lu Shi and others, kowtowed three times, and swore in front of everyone: "I, Pei Qinghe, swear to heaven that I will use the heads of Zhang Shi and his son to comfort the spirits of our elders in heaven."

Pei Yan roared with bloodshot eyes, "Kill the entire Zhang family!"

Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, Pei Feng, and the others roared in unison, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

According to current customs, the body must remain in the mortuary for seven days before burial.

On the fourth day, Pei Yun returned from Beiping County. She hadn't slept for two days and two nights, and had shed countless tears along the way; her eyes were swollen.

Having endured the initial pain, Pei Qinghe thought she was calm enough. But when Pei Yun knelt before the coffin, crying out, her tears still flowed.

"I swear I will not rest until I avenge this!" Pei Yun knelt in the mourning hall and said in front of everyone in the Pei family, "After the elders are buried, we will lead our troops to Bohai County and demand justice from the Zhang family."

"I've returned ahead of you. Gu Lian is leading the army on the way and will arrive in a few days."

When fighting a tiger, brothers and sisters should join forces.

Pei Qinghe's gaze swept over Pei Yun and Pei Yan, then over Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng, finally landing on the chubby boy Pei Yue, whose voice had become hoarse from crying.

Twelve-year-old Pei Yue is now capable of wielding a sword in battle. He clenched his fist tightly, swung it around, and roared, "Cousin Qinghe, let's go avenge Grandmother and the others!"

Pei Qinghe nodded vigorously: "Alright, you will also be going on this expedition."

Footsteps could be heard outside the mourning hall.

It was Yang Hu from the Guangning Army who arrived.

The Guangning army was the closest, and Yang Hu rushed over to offer his condolences as soon as he received the news. After kowtowing three times, Yang Hu solemnly said to Pei Qinghe, "When the general goes out to fight, our Guangning army will go out to fight alongside him."

When the Guangning army was being driven to the brink of defeat by the Xiongnu barbarians, it was Pei Qinghe who led troops to their rescue. Although the Guangning army did not change their banners, they were the first to surrender to Pei's army. At this critical moment, Yang Hu was also the first to pledge his loyalty.

Pei Qinghe did not refuse: "Okay, two thousand people will stay behind, and the rest will be taken along."

Yang Hu bowed and accepted.

Seeing Yang Hu arrive, Lü Erlang grew anxious. Why hadn't his elder brother, Lü Sheng, arrived yet? Although the Fanyang army was a bit far away, couldn't they travel day and night without sleep? Pei Xuan noticed Lü Erlang's urgency and whispered, "Don't rush. Sending troops is no small matter. We need to raise flags, muster troops, issue proclamations, and prepare provisions and supplies for the army. It won't be quick. As long as Brother Lü is determined, we'll make it in time."

Lu Erlang immediately replied, "That goes without saying. Our Fanyang army has long since replaced the Pei family army's flag. We swear we will not rest until we avenge our elders who perished."

After waiting for two days, Lü Feng arrived, looking travel-worn.

Lu Erlang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stepped forward, muttering a complaint in a low voice: "Brother, you're too slow."

Before even marrying into the family, he's already completely siding with the Pei family.

Lu Feng glared at him and said, "Fanyang County is hundreds of miles away from Yan County. I received the news and didn't delay for a moment. I rode here on a fast horse."

Lu Erlang immediately shut up after being scolded by his elder brother.

Lu Feng changed into white clothes on the way, just in time for the last group of mourners. The coffin was carried away for burial. After the burial, Lu Feng said to Pei Qinghe, "When the general musters his troops, don't forget me, Lu Feng."

Pei Qinghe glanced at Lü Feng: "Two thousand men will suffice in the military camp."

Lü Feng bowed and accepted the order.

That night, Lü Feng slept in Lü Erlang's room. The two brothers had been separated for nearly a year and it was a rare occasion for them to reunite. Neither of them felt sleepy and they chatted until midnight.

"Brother, this time you've finally gotten ahead of Li Chi," Lu Erlang said in a low voice.

Lu Feng raised an eyebrow: "What's this? When we send troops to Bohai Commandery, I'll cut off General Zhang's head and make a name for myself! I'll suppress Yang Hu and Li Chi."

As for Pei Yun, there's no need to compare. She's a legitimate female general of the Pei family, the number two figure in the Pei family army; he can't compare to her, nor can he afford to offend her.

Lu Erlang was so excited that he sat up from the bed and exclaimed, "I also want to kill the enemy and make meritorious contributions!"

Lu Feng glanced at his brother: "What's the rush? Lie down and sleep. What's the Bohai Army? We'll be following the general to fight the Xiongnu barbarians in the future. There will be plenty of battles to fight. Why worry about not having opportunities to make merit?"

"What about the Beiping army?" Lu Erlang lowered his voice again. "These past few days, I've been worried about Meng Bing. When it comes time to attack Bohai County, will he go or not? His own brother is guarding the city gate!"

Lu Feng was clearly much better informed, and chuckled, "Don't worry about that. Meng Liulang has already led the Beiping army away from Bohai County."

Where are we going? Do you need to say more?
Lu Erlang's eyes widened, he gasped, and blurted out, "It's over! With the Beiping army coming, how can we possibly compete!"

The Beiping Army was originally the most elite and powerful force among the troops stationed in Youzhou. A few years ago, its battle against the rebel army in Jiangnan further cemented its reputation as the best army in the north. Although it was later overshadowed by the Pei family army, it was still second only to the Pei family army.

Lu Erlang's only thought was to surpass the Guangning Army and the Liaoxi Army; he never dared to think of competing with the Beiping Army.

Lu Feng kicked him, almost knocking Lu Erlang off the bed: "You've got quite the heart. Go to sleep! You can dream about anything."

Lu Erlang dared not utter a sound and closed his eyes to sleep. Even in his sleep, he mumbled in his sleep, "I can't beat them, I can't beat them."

Two days later, a large army that had come from afar appeared outside Peijia Village.

The black Meng flag of the Beiping Army fluttered in the wind.

The tall, imposing young man riding a black steed had sharp eyes and an imposing presence.

Meng Liulang led eight thousand elite soldiers to join the Pei family army.

(End of this chapter)