Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 420 Schemes (Part Two)

Expanding the army was no small matter, and Pei Qinghe had discussed it with Shi Yan many times in private. These words were not spoken casually, but were carefully considered and deliberated over.

He commanded several armies, each expanded by two thousand soldiers. Adding the compensation for fallen soldiers, the total amount was enormous.

However, when he conquered Bohai Commandery, Pei Qinghe acquired the Zhang family's accumulated wealth of several decades, making a fortune. This was enough to cover the enormous military expenses needed for expanding the army for two or three years.

As for two or three years later, once she had secured her position in the north, allowing the people to farm in peace and the merchants to operate with confidence, taxes would naturally increase.

Li Chi soon received the good news and was overjoyed. He shamelessly inquired and, after receiving the general's approval, immediately set off to recruit new soldiers.

A few days later, Yang Hu, along with his newlywed wife Pei Zhi, led several thousand Guangning soldiers away.

A few days later, Pei Xuan and Lü Erlang led the Fanyang army away.

Pei Yan, Pei Feng, and others went to see her off. Pei Feng was especially reluctant to part with her; her eyes were red, and she glared at Lü Erlang fiercely: "You better treat Pei Xuan well. If I find out you've bullied her, I'll personally teach you a lesson."

Pei Yan clenched her fists so tightly they cracked. Little Fatty Pei Yue also tried to keep a straight face.

Lu Erlang replied solemnly, "If I have wronged Xuanmei, you don't need to lift a finger; I will end my own life."

Pei Xuan scolded, "Don't talk nonsense." Then, she smiled brightly at her cousins, "Don't see me off, go back! We'll be able to reunite when Qinghe leads her troops back to Yan County for her coronation ceremony in a few days."

After waving goodbye, Pei Xuan and Lü Erlang rode away together.

Pei Yan felt a pang of sadness and sighed. Turning her head, she saw Pei Feng wiping away tears! Pei Yan's sadness vanished instantly, and she pointed at Pei Feng, laughing loudly, "Look at you, your eyes are as red as a rabbit's!"

Pei Feng was already in a gloomy mood, and Pei Yan's mockery ignited his anger. He shouted, "Your injury is healed. Go to the training ground and practice. It's not like I'm bullying you. Are you coming or not?"

Pei Yan, who was never afraid of anyone, immediately rolled up her sleeves: "Let's go!"

“I’m going too!” Pei Yue was quite loyal. Even though he knew he would only get beaten up if he went, he still supported Pei Feng without hesitation: “My cousin and I will team up to fight you.”

Pei Yan scoffed and slapped Pei Yue on the back of the head: "You're so eager to get beaten up, then I'll grant your wish."

An hour later, Pei Feng and Pei Yue appeared together in front of Pei Qinghe's bedside.

Pei Qinghe's injuries have improved considerably. She walked around the military tent a few times today and is now sitting in the soft bedding, drinking the flower tea brewed by Sister-in-law Shulan, with a small plate of peeled walnuts beside her. Shi Yan is peeling melon seeds, her slender fingers deft and meticulous.

Pei Qinghe looked up, burst out laughing, and almost spat out the flower tea in her mouth: "What's wrong with you two? Weren't you going to see Pei Xuan and Lü Erlang off? How come you came back with bruises and swelling?"

Pei Feng was in better condition, but Pei Yue had two bruises on his chubby face and a bump on his forehead.

Who would be so ruthless?

Is it even necessary to think about it?
Pei Feng was too ashamed to complain, but Pei Yue was much more spoiled and launched into a long accusation against Pei Yan.

“Pei Yan is outrageous.” Pei Qinghe’s face darkened slightly. “I’m definitely going to give her a good scolding.”

Pei Yue pouted: "Scolding her isn't enough, we have to beat her up."

Before Pei Qinghe could say anything, Pei Feng glared at her first: "If we can't beat them, it's because we brothers are incompetent. We'll practice martial arts hard, and one day we'll be able to beat them back."

Pei Yue deliberately poked at his cousin's sore spot: "You've been getting beaten up since you were a kid, by your cousin Pei Yan for over ten years. When are you finally going to get your revenge?"

Pei Feng: "..."

Pei Qinghe suppressed a laugh and comforted Pei Feng and Pei Yue, these two brothers in distress: "Anyway, I will definitely stand up for you. Pei Yan is not allowed to bully you in the future." After Pei Feng and Pei Yue left, Shi Yan chuckled softly: "Pei Yan is twenty years old, but his temper is still like a child's."

Pei Qinghe smiled helplessly: "She'll probably never change her cat-and-dog temper. Pei Xuan is a few years younger than her, but she's much more composed and intelligent."

“Pei Xuan can lead troops independently, but Pei Yan still needs more training.”

Shi Yan placed the shelled melon seeds on a small plate and handed it to Pei Qinghe, jokingly saying with a smile, "You spoil her too much."

Pei Qinghe rarely reflected on herself: "She has been following me every day since she could walk. We grew up together, spending every day together, inseparable. Her current temper is indeed largely due to my spoiling her."

He paused for a moment and then said, "I plan to form a personal guard battalion composed entirely of cavalry, and have Pei Yan and Yang Huai lead the battalion."

Shi Yan spent his days in the military camp, listening and observing extensively, becoming increasingly familiar with military affairs. He spoke eloquently: "The Xiongnu barbarians have suffered a great defeat and will not come back in the short term. However, it is hard to say whether they can remain peaceful for several years. Infantry can only defend; if we want to take the initiative to attack the Xiongnu barbarians, we still need to train cavalry."

"Don't set a quota for cavalry; train as many as they can."

Pei Qinghe looked at Shi Yan: "Can the military budget sustain this?"

Shi Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Once you return to Yan County and ascend the throne as the Emperor of the North, you will bring all twenty prefectures of the North under your control. There will be a large amount of tax revenue every year. It will not be difficult to maintain a cavalry guard battalion. Leave this matter to me, you just need to recruit and train soldiers."

Pei Qinghe relaxed her brows and said with a smile, "After we go back, you will be my Minister of Revenue, how about that?"

Shi Yan's eyes gleamed; he neither backed down nor feigned modesty: "Who else but me deserves this position?"

Pei Qinghe chuckled to herself.

Just then, someone came to report: "Reporting to the general, a letter has arrived from Bohai Commandery."

Upon opening the letter, Pei Yun's familiar, elegant handwriting came into view.

After reading it, Pei Qinghe sneered and handed the letter to Shi Yan: "General Situ is quite the 'thoughtful person,' using both divisive tactics and the charm of a man."

Shi Yan was surprised and amused, and looked down to read the letter carefully.

In her letter, Pei Yun recounted in a calm tone the story of her former fiancé and cousin, Commandant Hong, going to Bohai County as an envoy.

Upon meeting, Captain Hong, with tears in his eyes, stepped forward to grasp Pei Yun's hand and express his feelings.

Pei Yun's gaze was icy: "Captain Hong, please have some self-respect."

Forced back two steps, Captain Hong gazed at her tenderly, his voice trembling as he spoke: "Cousin Yun, it has been several years since we parted. All these years, I have always thought of you."

Pei Yun coldly stared at the handsome and upright Captain Hong, her heart devoid of any emotion, only filled with disgust and contempt: "Back then, the Hong family broke off the engagement to protect themselves. On my way to exile, I was hoping you would come to see me off. Even just to glance at me would have been enough. Where were you then?"

"The Pei family has arrived in Changping County, Yan Prefecture, struggling to survive. Where are you now?"

"How dare you bring up those days?"

Captain Hong was filled with shame and had no words to reply.

……

(End of this chapter)