Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 391 Support (Part Two)

For the next few days, Prime Minister Pang stayed at his residence, citing the need for recuperation, and did not leave.

Qin Shilang and other civil officials repeatedly visited the door but were turned away each time.

This matter naturally could not be kept from Pei Qinghe.

“These sycophantic civil officials have no backbone,” Pei Yun said with a hint of contempt. “The general isn’t in a hurry to establish a new dynasty, but they’re already jumping around in a panic and even pressuring Prime Minister Pang.”

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "Prime Minister Pang does have the demeanor and style of a prime minister. I kept him around that day for this very reason. Prime Minister Pang knows this, and the reason he refuses to submit a petition to establish a new dynasty is because the emperor has not yet passed forty-nine days."

"Gao Yong is the same; he hasn't come to surrender to me yet because he's waiting."

True loyalty and integrity are always worthy of respect.

Pei Yun was filled with respect: "In that case, let's wait a few more days."

Pei Qinghe nodded: "We need to clear out the prisoners of war, let the wounded soldiers recover, and gradually take over the territory and power of the Zhang family. It will take time."

In short, she has plenty of patience and is not in a hurry at all.

No matter what, life goes on.

The sealed city gates of Bohai Commandery were opened. The soldiers guarding the city had changed their faces. The city gates, which had witnessed countless battles, were washed clean by the previous heavy rain, and the stench of blood had completely dissipated. The sun shone brightly, giving the city a somewhat fresh appearance.

Grain shops, oil shops, and other stores opened for business at General Pei's request. Restaurants, teahouses, and other similar establishments also reopened.

The people left their homes with trepidation, instinctively dodging the patrolling soldiers. However, the Pei family soldiers ignored them completely, passing by without even glancing at them.

No one stole the copper coins from their purses.

No one robbed them of the few kilograms of grain or half a barrel of oil they had just bought from the grain store.

Day after day, the woman, who had been hiding at home for months, gradually began to dare to go out.

People began to come and go on the streets, and the number of customers in restaurants and teahouses gradually increased.

The customers who had the courage and money to sit in restaurants and teahouses were mostly wealthy households from Bohai County. They were generally well-informed and far bolder than ordinary people, and when they gathered together, they inevitably wentssiped about it.

In my opinion, General Pei is much better than General Zhang.

"Ha, isn't that obvious! They don't harm the people, rob them of their money and grain, or forcibly conscript men. The Pei family army is far stronger than the Bohai army; they shouldn't even be compared. General Zhang's defeat was entirely justified."

"I heard that the heads of the Zhang father and son are laid out in front of the Pei family's grave."

"Serves them right! They killed twenty-three members of the Pei family; they should have paid with their lives."

"You didn't say that before. You used to worship General Zhang like a god!"

The wealthy man, his secret exposed, showed no shame whatsoever, and retorted confidently, "Times have changed. Before, when we were living under the Zhang family's rule, of course we had to speak well of them. Now that General Pei has taken over Bohai County, we should naturally fawn over him. Besides, wasn't what I just said the truth? Isn't the Pei family's army known for its strict discipline?"

The man in his fifties sitting opposite him stopped joking and nodded, saying, "That's right. We're just waiting for General Pei to ascend the throne. After that, we'll have good days ahead."

Bohai County is thriving day by day, gradually restoring its former prosperity and tranquility.

After resting for more than half a month, Prime Minister Pang finally agreed to meet with Vice Minister Qin and the others. The civil officials were overjoyed and each presented their memorials, which they had revised several times.

Prime Minister Pang accepted them all and said to them, "I will also write one tonight. Tomorrow morning, you will come with me to see General Pei. I urge General Pei to ascend the throne as soon as possible so that the overall situation and the people's hearts can be stabilized."

Vice Minister Qin and the others solemnly agreed. The next morning, Prime Minister Pang led Vice Minister Qin and the others into the palace.

Pei Qinghe avoided Emperor Jian'an and Zhang Jingwan's bedroom and chose an empty room to stay in temporarily. The palace was spacious with many empty rooms, which were used to accommodate the wounded soldiers. The imperial physicians remaining in the palace were all conscripted and busy caring for the wounded soldiers every day.

Pei Qinghe visited the wounded soldiers every day, and today, halfway through her visit, she heard that Prime Minister Pang had arrived.

Pei Yun's eyes flashed with joy, and she whispered, "Prime Minister Pang and the others have finally arrived."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "Let them wait at the Golden Palace. I'll go there after I'm done with what I'm doing here."

She's really calm and collected. Even at this point, she remains composed.

Pei Yun admired him in her heart and sent someone to deliver a message.

Prime Minister Pang and his civil officials waited quietly in the Golden Palace. In fact, there were more than a dozen people present today. The civil officials, who had originally been hiding at home to avoid the ravages of war, had all come upon hearing the news, each carrying their own memorials. There were thirty-two civil officials standing in the Golden Palace, enough to basically support a small court in the north.

Of the military officers, half were killed by Pei's army, while others surrendered and became prisoners of war. Pei Qinghe showed no favoritism to the captured officers, placing them directly into the POW camp. Whether they survived depended on their behavior.

They waited and waited, but Pei Qinghe did not appear.

Someone couldn't contain themselves any longer and whispered, "Is General Pei deliberately keeping us waiting? Is he punishing us for being too late in supporting him?"

Qin, the Vice Minister, was also somewhat uneasy and looked at Prime Minister Pang: "What does Your Excellency think?"

Prime Minister Pang said, "General Pei must have something important to do. You don't need to worry too much. Just wait patiently."

Another half hour passed.

Pei Qinghe finally appeared before the assembled civil officials.

Pei Qinghe wore the Pei family army's signature gray uniform, with a long sword hanging at her waist, exuding a dignified and heroic aura.

Prime Minister Pang took a deep breath and solemnly bowed, saying, "This old minister greets General Pei!"

More than thirty civil officials, including Minister Qin, bowed and greeted General Pei.

"Please rise, everyone." Pei Qinghe said calmly and with excellent manners. "I was inspecting the wounded soldiers' camp just now, which took a little while. I apologize for keeping you waiting."

Prime Minister Pang rose and replied, "General Pei cherishes his soldiers, which I deeply admire. Today, I have brought a group of civil officials here to request that General Pei, for the sake of the country, the people, and peace, establish a new dynasty and ascend the throne as the new emperor."

Vice Minister Qin and others chimed in, "We urge General Pei to establish a new dynasty and ascend the throne as the new emperor."

A thick stack of memorials was presented to Pei Qinghe.

Pei Qinghe gestured with her eyes, and Pei Yan stepped forward to take the memorial, muttering to herself, "It should have been done a long time ago."

Pei Qinghe pretended not to hear and said gently to Prime Minister Pang and the others, "The Emperor's body is not yet cold, and the people are uneasy. It is best to postpone the matter of establishing a new dynasty."

At times like these, it is all the more important to remain calm and composed. If civil officials were to agree so readily, it would be far too hasty.

Prime Minister Pang was clearly well-versed in the tricks of the trade. After spouting a lot of nonsense, he led Vice Minister Qin and his entourage away.

A few days later, he submitted another memorial requesting the establishment of a new dynasty.

(End of this chapter)