Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 395 The Prime Minister (Part 1)

Having already received the news, Prefect Tang led a group of officials from Yan County to greet them ten miles outside the city gate. Many wealthy families who had also heard the news came to welcome them, and the welcoming procession was very grand, with everyone beaming with joy.

The Pei family army went to attack the Bohai Navy and won a great victory, capturing Bohai City. The Emperor and Crown Prince died at the hands of the Zhang family father and son, who were then beheaded by General Pei. By all accounts, General Pei not only committed no wrongdoing, but was also paragons of loyalty and filial piety, unparalleled in his righteousness!
The news that Prime Minister Pang and other civil officials had enthroned Pei Qinghe as the new emperor spread like wildfire throughout the north. Many military generals from the north also expressed their submission to Pei Qinghe.

Whether others are convinced or not, whether they are happy or not, is another matter. In short, there is jubilation throughout Yan County.

Pei Qinghe's rise to power was meteoric. Yan County was the birthplace of a new dynasty and would one day become its capital. A few years ago, who would have dared to imagine that such a momentous event would befall Yan County?

Prefect Tang was especially excited and thrilled.

He had been unsuccessful in his official career and was sent to Yan County as its governor, where he remained for nearly ten years. He never imagined he would have such good fortune today. Even without changing his official rank, he is now the first and only properly appointed governor of the capital!
"This humble official greets Your Excellency the Prime Minister," Prefect Tang strode forward and bowed first.

Prime Minister Pang hurriedly helped Prefect Tang up, saying, "Prefect Tang, please rise quickly." Then, he sighed deeply, "The Emperor has passed away, and the Jingchao dynasty is gone. Where is there any Prime Minister left?"

Prefect Tang replied solemnly, “General Pei has entrusted important matters to the Prime Minister, which shows how much he values ​​the Prime Minister. Why should the Prime Minister belittle himself?”

"Let's not dwell on the past chaos. Let's just talk about the present: preparing for the enthronement ceremony of the new emperor. Looking across the land, besides the Prime Minister, who else is capable of this great responsibility?"

These words were not entirely flattery. As a legitimate civil official who had served through three dynasties, Prime Minister Pang enjoyed extremely high prestige among civil officials. Even the military generals in the constantly warring south acknowledged Prime Minister Pang.

Prime Minister Pang led a group of civil officials to support Pei Qinghe, thus legitimizing him morally and legally. Pei Qinghe could then ascend the throne with ease.

The power of the phrase "legitimate and justified" should not be underestimated. Pei Qinghe, with his large army under his command, has won over the hearts of the people, and now he has even won over the hearts of his subjects. Like a mighty river, he flows downstream with unstoppable momentum.

Prefect Tang then bowed and greeted Vice Minister Qin and the others one by one. They exchanged pleasantries for about half an hour.

Pei Yan, who had been accompanying and escorting him all the way, yawned boredly and muttered to her husband Yang Huai, "Civil officials are just full of nonsense and keep repeating the same old things over and over again."

Yang Huai chuckled: "Keep your voice down."

Pei Yan was born with a loud voice; her "whisper" could be heard a mile away. Fortunately, having traveled together with her, Prime Minister Pang had gotten used to it, and Prefect Tang was also familiar with the temperament of this female general of the Pei family.

Even if you don't understand, you still have to respect her. What else can you do? Who dares to mess with this ruthless woman?

"I have prepared lodgings and wine and dishes in the government office to welcome the Prime Minister and all the other officials." Seeing Pei Yan's impatience, Prefect Tang dared not delay any longer: "Please enter the city gate, esteemed officials."

Pei Yan finally relaxed her brows.

The gates of Yan County were wide open, and the area inside and outside the gates had been specially cleaned and tidied, spotless and dust-free. Many citizens lined the streets to welcome them, showing Prime Minister Pang and his entourage great respect and prestige.

Sitting in his carriage, Prime Minister Pang heard cheers and commotion and couldn't help but peek out. He saw Pei Yan, riding a tall horse, waving to the crowd, her dark face beaming with a bright smile that revealed two rows of white teeth. Prime Minister Pang smiled knowingly: "Miss Pei Yan is brave and skilled in battle, and she also has a pure heart. No wonder she is General Pei's most trusted friend."

In recent years, the Pei family army has risen to prominence, with several key figures becoming renowned. Below Pei Qinghe is the meticulous and ruthless Pei Yun, who has long been capable of handling matters independently. The thoughtful and composed Mao Hongling, who has stayed in Pei Family Village year-round, is also an indispensable and formidable figure.

Pei Yan, however, is more widely known. Firstly, Pei Yan is always by Pei Qinghe's side and is Pei Qinghe's number one fierce general. Secondly, Pei Yan's rough and impetuous temperament is also well-known.

Minister Qin also peeked out and saw several people excitedly cheering "Great victory for the Pei family army!" and "Long live General Pei!" He couldn't help but sigh, "The hearts of the people are like water; they can carry a boat, but they can also capsize it. This is where General Pei rose to prominence, and the people love and respect him immensely."

"It's not just the people of Yan County who admire General Pei." Prime Minister Pang sighed, "Bohai County has been the territory that the Zhang family has managed for decades. The Pei family army has only occupied Bohai County for two or three months. Look again, who are the people talking about now?"

Minister Qin was speechless.

"General Pei is skilled in training troops and fighting battles, and she doesn't interfere too much in local civil affairs. She only collects 30% of the land tax." Prime Minister Pang said in a low voice, "With her current power, it wouldn't be difficult for her to recruit 100,000 new soldiers. But she has always been very restrained and has not blindly expanded her forces. Isn't it because the general pities the people and is unwilling and unable to oppress them?"

"The wealthy families in Youzhou City also support General Pei. Because General Pei did not exploit the people to the point of exhaustion, they can conduct business with peace of mind under his rule. Even if they have to pay half of their taxes to the Pei family army, they still have a way to survive."

"Think about Bohai Prefecture, where the wealthy families are practically being exploited to the bone by the Zhang family. Compared to that, who wouldn't support General Pei?"

"This is also what I admire most about General Pei. Human hearts are greedy, and only those who can restrain their greed and desire for power are worthy of being the new emperor of the new dynasty."

These words struck a chord with Minister Qin. Minister Qin nodded repeatedly, deeply moved: "What the Prime Minister said is exactly what I was thinking."

"Looking across the north, only General Pei can command the respect and submission of everyone."

Prime Minister Pang glanced at Minister Qin and said, "Since we have made up our minds to follow the new emperor, we must do something practical. Military generals lead troops into battle, and we, as civil officials, naturally have abilities that military generals cannot match."

Vice Minister Qin's eyes lit up: "What does Your Excellency the Prime Minister intend to do?"

Prime Minister Pang stroked his beard and slowly said, "In the name of all the ministers, we jointly request General Pei to ascend the throne. This memorial was written by me personally and must be disseminated throughout the land in the shortest possible time."

"Not only the northern regions, but also the civil and military officials in the south must recognize the legitimacy of the new dynasty and the new emperor."

In short, it's about creating public opinion.

Pei Qinghe should be portrayed as a hero destined for greatness, and his deeds of self-discipline and compassion for the people should be spread far and wide so that all the people know that Pei Qinghe has become the new emperor and that they will have peaceful and prosperous days.

Pei Qinghe was already the God of War of the North, renowned far and wide. Adding fuel to the fire and pouring oil on the flames would make the fire burn even more fiercely and ignite the people's hearts completely.

(End of this chapter)