Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 359 Deploying Troops (Part 3)

Gao Yong had two hundred imperial guards behind him, while Sun Cheng only had one hundred. If they really fought to the death, the outcome was still uncertain.

This is Pei's territory. Even if we defeat Sun Cheng with all our might, what then? Pei's army can mobilize a large force at any time. If Pei Qinghe harbors murderous intent, none of these two hundred imperial guards will return alive.

Whether Prime Minister Pang and Gao Yong can survive depends on whether Pei Qinghe is willing to show leniency.

Along the way, Prime Minister Pang and Gao Yong deliberately slowed their pace, partly to avoid facing Pei Qinghe's wrath, and partly in the hope that Emperor Jian'an would have a change of heart and summon them back in time. Unfortunately, the Emperor didn't care about their lives at all. They were forced to confront the enraged General Pei!
“Alright, let’s go see General Pei!” Prime Minister Pang, after all, still had some sense of responsibility and readily agreed.

At this point, they have no choice but to back down.

Gao Yong slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and sheathed his weapon. The emperor's personal guards also sheathed their weapons.

Sun Cheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

His task was to bring Prime Minister Pang Gao Yong before the general, and whether to kill or punish him would depend on the general's will.

After the emperor's personal guards entered Pei Family Village, their weapons were confiscated. Only Prime Minister Pang and Gao Yong were qualified to stand before Pei Qinghe.

Pei Qinghe was flanked by Pei Yun, Pei Yan, and Mao Hongling, with Li Chi, Yang Hu, and Lü Feng on the other side. The Meng brothers did not appear on this occasion, thus avoiding the awkwardness of making eye contact with Prime Minister Pang.

The crowd stared coldly, a murderous aura permeating the air.

Gao Yong was shocked. It was a well-known fact that General Pei had defeated the Xiongnu barbarians and subjugated Youzhou. But seeing a group of fierce generals surrounding Pei Qinghe was a shock that was far too great.

Pang Cheng, on the contrary, became much calmer. At this point, one must take life and death lightly.

"Greetings, General Pei!" Prime Minister Pang moved nimbly, bowing respectfully with his hands clasped.

Gao Yong composed himself and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

Pei Qinghe's gaze was icy: "Prime Minister Pang, just say what you have to say, this general is listening."

Prime Minister Pang cleared his throat and took out Emperor Jian'an's handwritten letter: "It is indeed true that an elder of the Pei family died outside the Zhang family's gate. However, the Zhang family had their own reasons at the time. The dead are gone, and His Majesty has sent an old minister to explain the situation to the general and offer apologies. Please accept them first."

Pei Yan stepped forward with a cold smile, snatched the letter, and presented it to Pei Qinghe.

Pei Qinghe didn't even look at it. She reached out and tore the letter in half, then into four pieces, which scattered all over the ground.

Such actions are more powerful than words.

Prime Minister Pang dared not show the slightest temper, and sighed with a bitter smile: "I advised the Emperor to arrest the Zhang family and apologize to the General. Unfortunately, the Emperor did not listen to me at all, and even sent me as an imperial envoy to see the General. I am a subject, and I have no choice but to come when the Emperor orders me."

"General, you are filled with anger and would rather kill me, the prime minister, to vent your frustration. But I still have to advise you, the north cannot withstand another war. No matter how many faults the Zhang family has committed, they are still important officials of the court. They have 80,000 elite troops under their command. The walls of Bohai County have been continuously reinforced and repaired. Back then, Tao Wudi led 100,000 rebel troops but failed to conquer Bohai County."

"Even if the Pei family army is strong, it is far inferior to the rebel army of yesteryear. Moreover, the general is a man of great ambition, with the world in his heart and the people at heart. He stationed troops in Youzhou to protect the people and fight against the Xiongnu barbarians. If the swords were turned against the Zhang family of Bohai, the dignity of the court would be completely lost. The north would fall apart, and it would be the people who would suffer the most..."

Pei Qinghe sneered, interrupting Prime Minister Pang: "Prime Minister, you're speaking so earnestly, constantly referring to the people. Do you truly care about the people, or are you trying to threaten this general with the peace of the North?"

Prime Minister Pang was struck where it hurt and was rendered speechless.

Pei Qinghe continued coldly, "When I first established the Pei Family Army, my initial intention was very simple: to protect myself. I wanted to protect all members of the Pei family and let them live peaceful lives. If bandits dared to lay a finger on Pei Family Village, I would slaughter their entire stronghold. If roving bandits came to disturb us, I would wipe them out. If the Xiongnu barbarians came to invade, I would drive them all back."

"Repay kindness with kindness, and avenge wrongs with revenge. This is my motto, Pei Qinghe. Among those who died at the hands of the Zhang father and son were my own grandmother, my great-aunt, and elders from all branches of the family. I swear I will not be a man if I do not avenge this!"

"I will send troops tomorrow to demand justice from the Zhang family."

"This is a personal grudge and has nothing to do with the court. As long as the emperor is impartial, does not protect the Zhang family, and does not stand idly by, I will naturally withdraw my troops after I have avenged my blood feud."

If the emperor insists on protecting the Zhang family, then Pei Qinghe cannot be blamed for being ruthless.

All words seem pale and powerless in the face of blood debts being repaid in blood.

Prime Minister Pang could no longer speak. He sighed deeply and said dejectedly, "General Pei is determined to send troops, and I have no choice but to accept it. General, just kill me as a sacrifice to the flag."

Gao Yong, who had been silent until now, blurted out, "You can take my life, General."

Pei Qinghe coldly replied, "My enemy is the Zhang family. Prime Minister Pang and Commander Gao did not kill any members of the Pei family, so I will not indiscriminately kill innocent people. However, with a major battle imminent, I cannot allow you to leave."

"Pei Yan, Yang Huai, you two 'invite' Prime Minister Pang and Commander Gao to go down and 'settle' them properly."

Since you're already here, don't leave.

Prime Minister Pang and Gao Yong were taken to the most special place in Pei Family Village.

Yang Huai and General Lü both lived here.

I get three meals a day without fail. I can also read to pass the time. The only problem is that I can't leave the house freely.

Pei Yan called over the head guard: "These two imperial envoys are distinguished guests. The general has ordered that they be treated with utmost care and that no one be allowed to disturb them."

The head guard understood immediately and nodded in acceptance.

After Pei Yan and Yang Huai left, Prime Minister Pang sighed, "Well, we've both done our best. What happens next depends on fate."

Gao Yong was depressed and worried about the emperor's safety. He sighed in a low voice, "General Meng Liu has led the Pei family army here, and the prime minister and I are trapped here. Where can we find anyone trustworthy and capable around the emperor now?"

Prime Minister Pang looked exhausted, and gave a self-deprecating smile: "Aren't there still the Zhang family father and son?"

Gao Yong's eyes blazed with fury, and he spat out a curse: "It's because of them that the court is no longer the court, and the emperor has lost his supreme authority."

Is it all the fault of General Zhang and his son?
Was Emperor Jian'an completely innocent?
It was merely a matter of subjects not being allowed to criticize the emperor, so he used the opportunity of criticizing the Zhang family father and son to vent his anger.

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it." Prime Minister Pang, tired of cursing, stopped and lay down on the bed fully clothed. "Commander Gao, you should also rest well. We'll observe the situation here."

Gao Yong was still furious: "Prime Minister, please rest. I still have the energy to rant for a while longer."

(End of this chapter)