Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 356 Surrender
Meng Liulang dismounted first, bowed deeply to General Pei, who was dressed in white, and said, "Meng Ling greets General Pei! There has been a commotion in Bohai County, and the Beiping army is filled with resentment. We have resolutely left Bohai County. With nowhere else to go in this vast world, we have come to join the Pei family army. Please, General Pei, take us in!"

Pei Qinghe stepped forward quickly and helped Meng Liulang up by the arms in front of everyone: "General Meng, please get up! The Beiping army's willingness to surrender is a blessing for the Pei family army, and even more so for me, Pei Qinghe."

Meng Liulang, his face filled with gratitude, thanked the general.

Pei Qinghe stepped back slightly and solemnly promised the soldiers of the Beiping Army: "From today onwards, as long as the Pei family army has food to eat, the brothers of the Beiping Army will not go hungry."

For the soldiers, this simple and unpretentious promise was far more reliable than any talk of achieving great merit, becoming a general, or being granted a title.

The veterans of the Beiping Army shouted excitedly, "Long live the General!"

Meng Bing limped forward and hugged Meng Liulang tightly: "Sixth Brother! You've finally come!"

The two brothers had a tacit understanding. Meng Liulang sent his personal guards with the news of the death, saying nothing else. Meng Bing had already guessed that Meng Liulang would lead his troops here. He hadn't expected them to arrive so quickly.

With so many people around, there were some things that were inconvenient to ask or say. Meng Liulang hugged his older brother, who had gained weight and had a rosy complexion, and sincerely sighed, "Big brother, you're doing well."

Meng Bing laughed silently.

"Let's go to Peijia Village first," Pei Qinghe said. "The Beiping army has had a long and arduous journey. We can talk slowly once they've settled down."

The two brothers should be together.

The expansion of Peijia Village has never stopped. Today, Peijia Village is a fortified city that can accommodate 30,000 people.

Eight thousand Beiping soldiers crossed the fields, walked along solid roads, and entered Peijia Village.

In just a few days, hundreds of military tents were erected in the village. These tents were all brand new, built with specially made thick oilcloth, which was both windproof and rainproof, and contained simple beds made of wooden planks and thick, warm bedding.

"With limited resources right now, twenty people will sleep in one tent for now, squeezed in. Once the houses are built, they can move in," Shi Yan said to Meng Liulang.

These past few days, a mourning hall has been set up in Peijia Village for the funeral. Shi Yan, however, has no time to kneel and keep vigil in the mourning hall, as he is busy preparing supplies and military tents every day. Suddenly settling so many soldiers is no easy task.

Meng Liulang was no longer the hot-tempered and impulsive youth he once was. After several years of experience in Bohai County, he had become much more composed: "Thank you for your trouble, Steward Shi. Steward Shi, you have worked hard."

Shi Yan replied, "From now on, we'll eat from the same pot, so there's no need to stand on ceremony."

The soldiers were led into their new tents, their faces beaming with excitement. They whispered among themselves, "We've been traveling through wind and rain, sleeping in the open, without even a proper meal. And here we are, with tents and new bedding."

"This is much better than Bohai County!"

The Beiping Army and the Bohai Army had always been at odds. The Zhang family had repeatedly embezzled military funds, leaving the Beiping Army feeling extremely aggrieved and never having a comfortable life. Now, seeing the thick new bedding, they were deeply moved.

What was even more touching was the lunch that followed.

How long has it been since I've eaten rice that isn't mixed with sand?

How long has it been since you last ate meat?

Meat was rationed, only two pieces per person, but rice and vegetables were unlimited. It felt so good to have a full stomach, and it was wonderful to be treated like a human being.

After the meal, the next step was to distribute the new military uniforms.

Pei Qinghe was also somewhat surprised and asked Shi Yan in a low voice, "When did you prepare the military uniform?"

Shi Yan replied softly, "Before autumn, I placed a large order with the Wang family. Originally, it was meant to provide new clothes for the soldiers of the Pei family army. Now that the Beiping army has arrived, they are all dressed in rags, looking like beggars, it's heartbreaking to see. So I might as well give them this batch of uniforms first." Pei Qinghe, who had been depressed for several days, finally showed a smile today: "Have I ever told you that meeting you is the greatest blessing of my life?"

Shi Yan chuckled softly, "I haven't said that since I entered the Pei family."

Pei Qinghe was amused and let out a deep breath: "Don't worry, I've cheered myself up. Let's go, I'll personally distribute uniforms to the Beiping army."

This was the perfect time to win over the hearts of the soldiers. As soon as Pei Qinghe appeared, he immediately attracted the eager attention of the soldiers.

Pei Qinghe gestured to Meng Liulang to read the troop register, and according to the names on the register, distributed the new uniforms to each soldier. The Pei family army's uniforms were of a uniform style; in spring and summer, they were durable and wear-resistant gray cloth garments. Now, they were issuing winter cotton-padded uniforms. They came in three sizes.

The soldiers stepped forward with delight, feeling flattered and overwhelmed, to receive their new uniforms from General Pei. Those who received their uniforms immediately changed into them upon returning to their tents, finding them thick and well-fitting.

"This uniform is much better than the old one."

From materials and workmanship to its thick and warm insulation, it far surpasses the original military uniform.

The veterans praised the uniforms with slightly exaggerated expressions, and the new recruits listened, their initial anxiety about the unfamiliar surroundings gradually subsiding.

The uniforms were distributed until dark before they were all gone.

After dinner, Meng Bing led Meng Liulang to the new house: "From now on, you and your sister-in-law will live here. It's very close to me. If you need anything, just call me and I'll come right away."

That's right, Pang Wenniang also came to Pei Family Army with Meng Liulang.

On the day Meng Liulang decided to leave, he had no time to explain in detail to Pang Wenniang. Pang Wenniang didn't ask any questions either, packed a few clothes, mounted her horse, and silently endured the bumpy and arduous journey.

Upon entering the new house, Pang Wenniang said softly, "You and your elder brother haven't seen each other for over a year, you must have something to say. Just go ahead, I'll wait for you."

Meng Liulang felt a surge of warmth in his heart and squeezed his wife's hand: "I'll be back in a little while."

This journey took more than an hour.

Meng Bing led Meng Liulang directly to Pei Qinghe's room.

Three candlesticks were lit, making the room bright. Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "You all already knew each other, but from today onwards, your relationship is different; you are all colleagues. Come and meet each other."

Led by his elder brother, Meng Liulang greeted Pei Yun, Mao Hongling, and Pei Yan one by one, followed by the brothers Yang Huai, Yang Hu, Lü Feng, and Lü Erlang.

Besides Li Chi, several military commanders from Youzhou gathered here.

The older generation has all died on the battlefield. The generals who command the army now are all young and brave. General Pei Qinghe is only twenty years old.

Pei Qinghe asked, "When General Meng led his troops out of Bohai County, didn't the Zhang family send troops to stop him?"

Everyone looked over.

Meng Liulang raised an eyebrow and replied, "I left in a hurry. By the time the Zhang family received the news, we had already traveled more than a hundred li. By the time they dawdled and sent their troops, we had already traveled two hundred li."

These four phrases are quite clever, referring to dawdling and procrastination.

Everyone immediately understood. General Zhang had no intention of pursuing the Beiping army; he was just making a show of sending some men. If he were to send out his cavalry battalion in full pursuit, the Beiping army would be in serious trouble.

(End of this chapter)