Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 360 Deploying Troops (Part 4)

Early morning of the next day.

Pei Qinghe was mustering troops in the training ground.

This time, except for the necessary personnel, everyone else was mobilized. Forty thousand elite soldiers stood in different formations, a dark and imposing mass that was extremely intimidating at first glance.

Wearing soft armor, Pei Qinghe personally held the flag and proclaimed, "The Zhang family killed my Pei family elders. I, Pei Qinghe, swear to the heavens that I will not be a man if I do not avenge this grudge."

"The army will follow me into battle! Kill the Zhang family!"

Forty thousand elite soldiers shouted in unison: "Kill Zhang!"

"Kill Zhang!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The earth-shattering shouts of battle sent chills down one's spine.

Having tossed and turned all night, Prime Minister Pang and Gao Yong listened to the earth-shattering sound, their hearts filled with fear, and they silently looked at each other in silence.

Pei Qinghe led the way on horseback, followed by a group of cavalry, and then the infantry. The logistics team responsible for supplies and provisions followed in a winding line.

An army cannot march too fast. Before setting off, Pei Qinghe set a rule of traveling sixty li per day. This took into account both the speed of the infantry march and the movement of logistics supplies and provisions.

Wherever the army passed, the common people had to make way. However, the people of Yan County were never afraid of the Pei family army. They deliberately stood at a distance that was allowed to remain, watching the army march from afar, and exclaimed in amazement: "As expected of the Pei family army! Their military discipline is exceptionally good!"

“The Zhang family father and son are courting death. Once our general leads the troops there, their days are numbered.”

"If we win the battle, will our general be able to sit on the dragon throne?"

Some knowledgeable people immediately spat and said, "What nonsense! Our general is avenging his elders, not plotting a rebellion to usurp the throne! Don't tarnish our general's reputation!"

The people suddenly realized what was happening and spat at it.

The talkative villager quickly covered his face with his sleeve: "I was just saying it casually, don't take it seriously."

"Don't speak carelessly." The protective people firmly supported their general: "Our general is upright and honest, a hero of our time."

"The world is in chaos, and it was for the sake of the people that the general took action. Neither King Qiao nor General Situ are worthy of being compared to our general!"

In short, General Pei is good in every way, and no one is allowed to say a bad word about him!
……

The Pei family army has its own set of rules for marching.

The vanguard scouts ahead, and by evening, the main army has chosen a wide, flat area to halt. They set up simple marching tents in groups of ten.

Shi Yan, the chief steward, also accompanied the army on the expedition. He was in charge of logistics and supplies, so he traveled slowly and their campsite was still twenty li away from here.

The kitchen was busiest. Dozens of large iron pots were set up, the water inside boiling. A square paper package was opened, and its contents were poured into the pot. The compressed vegetables and dried meat were tossed a few times in the hot water, then oil, salt, and chopped green onions were added, and a steaming hot broth was made.

This was developed by the mess hall for marching. The dried meat and vegetables were pre-cooked, dried, and then wrapped in oiled paper. In the cold north, these paper packages wouldn't spoil for months. Cooking was inconvenient during the march, so carrying some stir-fried mixed flour and a bowl of hot meat soup for each person made for a very delicious meal.

"Qinghe, have another bowl," Pei Yan said softly. "For the past two weeks, you've barely eaten anything, and you've lost weight."

Pei Qinghe agreed and ate half a bowl, but couldn't eat any more.

Pei Yan sighed, picked up the remaining half bowl, and ate it down in a few bites.

A campfire burned in the camp. Pei Xuan secretly asked Bian Shulan for a few sweet potatoes and buried them in the fire. Once the sweet potatoes were roasted, the charred skin was peeled off, and a hot, soft, sweet aroma wafted out: "Cousin Qinghe, you can have some."

Pei Qinghe's appetite has been far worse than before, and everyone around her has noticed and is worried about it.

Pei Qinghe did not refuse her cousin's kindness, and accepted the sweet potato with a smile. After eating a few bites, she put it down.

Pei Yan sullenly took the remaining sweet potato and swallowed it in a few bites.

Pei Feng found some bird eggs from somewhere, boiled them, and handed them to Pei Qinghe. Pei Qinghe smiled at Pei Feng, peeled one, and ate it slowly. Pei Yan listlessly reached out and grabbed the remaining bird eggs.

Pei Feng, unable to bear it any longer, said, "Cousin Yan, aren't you feeling too full?"

Pei Yan glared back: "If my cousin Qinghe doesn't want to eat, we can't let it go to waste, so I forced myself to eat this much. Do you think I'm just a glutton!"

Pei Feng rolled his eyes: "Do I need to tell you how greedy you are?"

Pei Yan sneered, her fists clenching so tightly they cracked. Pei Feng, unfazed, rushed forward and engaged Pei Yan in a fierce fight.

Pei Xuan leaned over to take sides, saying "Stop fighting!" while grabbing Pei Yan's arm.

Pei Yan, possessing immense strength, chuckled and grabbed Pei Feng and Pei Xuan, one in each hand. Pei Xuan and Pei Feng cried out, just like when they were children, "Cousin, save me!"

With such a commotion, there was no peace and quiet to be found. Pei Qinghe's cold and gloomy brows quietly relaxed: "Stop making a fuss, go to sleep early. We have to get up early to travel tomorrow."

That night, Pei Qinghe finally fell asleep peacefully.

An aged face appeared in her dream.

She called out "Great-Grandmother".

“Qinghe,” Madam Li’s gaze was full of affection, like a spring breeze soothing her pain, “This is our joint decision and choice. Don’t feel guilty or blame yourself. Go, go and attack the Zhang family, and take over Bohai County.”

Her eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded vigorously: "Okay."

Another familiar, sour face appeared before my eyes.

“What your great-aunt said is exactly what I’m going to say.” Madam Lu still had that annoying look on her face: “You’re a young lady, yet you insist on fighting for the world. I can’t stop you. No matter what happens in the future, don’t regret it.”

She hummed in agreement, stepped forward, and hugged Madam Lu tightly. Then she hugged Madam Li tightly, and then Madam Fang.

Fang whispered in her ear, "Qinghe, don't forget us. In the future, you must set up a memorial tablet for us and offer incense to us on every festival."

She choked back tears as she agreed.

Separated by life and death, her elders came to her dreams to say goodbye.

……

A ray of dawn shone through the cracks into the military tent.

Pei Qinghe opened her eyes and woke up.

The heavy weight that had been pressing on my heart vanished without a trace. I felt a sudden sense of relief. Suddenly, I felt incredibly hungry and ate three steamed buns in one go.

Pei Yan, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng exchanged glances and grinned happily.

"Set off!" Pei Qinghe gave the order, and the army marched off once again.

Six days later, they arrived at the border between Youzhou and Jizhou.

A messenger from the vanguard battalion reported: "Reporting to the general, General Song of Pingyang Army has arrived with three thousand men to join the main army."

This news greatly boosted morale.

Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and smiled, then instructed Pei Feng, "Go and greet your brother-in-law."

Everyone grinned and laughed.

Pei Feng, being easily embarrassed, blushed and hastily accepted the order, fleeing as if his life depended on it.

(End of this chapter)