Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 421 Female Soldiers (Part 1)

Pei Yun didn't listen to Captain Hong at all and kicked him out.

Captain Hong was utterly humiliated and left in a sorry state.

Based on the travel time, Commandant Hong should have already arrived in Yan County. With Prime Minister Pang's shrewdness and experience, he will naturally be able to handle the situation perfectly.

Pei Qinghe quickly put this little incident aside and focused on recovering from her injury.

The Meng brothers, Meng Bing and Meng Liulang, also planned to lead their troops back home and came together to say goodbye.

Pei Qinghe said, "Second brother-in-law, go back to Pei Family Village. Meng Liu, you don't need to go back. Just lead your troops to the Beiping military camp."

Meng Liulang was startled and looked up instantly, his eyes meeting Pei Qinghe's gaze.

“The Beiping military camp was originally your territory.” Pei Qinghe had obviously thought this through beforehand and continued unhurriedly: “Back then, you brothers were in Bohai County, and the Beiping military camp was vacant. I sent Pei Yun to lead troops there, firstly to occupy Beiping County, and secondly to guard against the Xiongnu barbarians.”

"Now that Bohai County has also been captured, Pei Yun has stationed troops in Bohai, and Beiping County is now in your hands."

"Meng Liu, are you willing?"

How could I not be willing?

This was something he had longed for and dreamed of day and night.

Meng Liulang suppressed his excitement and bowed, replying, "Thank you, General. I will lead my troops to Beiping County immediately and station them there to defend against the Xiongnu barbarians."

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "The Guangning Army, Fanyang Army, and Liaoxi Army can all expand their troops to 10,000. You can also recruit new soldiers to expand the strength of the Beiping Army. It's fine to exceed that number."

The Beiping Army was a true elite force from the north, and such an army did not need to be confined to the quota of 10,000. This was a generous treatment earned by the Meng brothers through their strength.

Upon hearing that he could expand his army, Meng Liulang was overjoyed and once again bowed to express his gratitude.

After leaving the military tent, Meng Liulang, in high spirits, grinned at his elder brother and said, "I really didn't expect that the general would let us go to Beiping County so readily and even allow me to expand our troops."

Meng Bing was also overjoyed, and with a smile, she whispered, "The expansion of troops should be done slowly, without drawing too much attention. Otherwise, it will arouse the envy and dissatisfaction of Yang Hu, Li Chi, and Pei Xuan."

"This was personally agreed to by the general," Meng Liulang said proudly, straightening his chest. "Furthermore, apart from the Pei family army, our Beiping army is the strongest in terms of combat power. They are not as good as me in battle, so why should they be envious and dissatisfied with me?"

Meng Bing put on a stern face, adopting the authoritative demeanor of an elder brother: "In short, you have to listen to me on this matter. Be discreet in your actions and words, and don't cause trouble. Haven't you learned enough lessons from the time in Bohai County? After the general ascends the throne, you will have to get along well with your colleagues."

Meng Liulang, annoyed by his elder brother's nagging, nodded perfunctorily and said, "I know."

Meng Bing angrily grabbed Meng Liulang's ear: "You remembered everything I said?"

Meng Liulang let out a cry of "Oh dear!" but couldn't afford to fall out with his brother, so he quickly repeated Meng Bing's words. Only then did Meng Bing release his grip with satisfaction.

After more than two months of rest and recuperation, the remaining 6,000-plus Beiping soldiers set off in high spirits. They returned to their Beiping camp in just ten days.

The moment the long-lost, familiar military camp came into view, Meng Liulang's heart surged with emotion, and he murmured to himself, "Xiao Mo, we're finally back."

A gentle breeze swept by. Xiao Mo's familiar smiling face seemed to appear before my eyes.

Meng Liulang squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, then opened them again, turned to the excited veterans behind him and laughed loudly: "Let's go home!"

The veterans responded with a resounding roar and spurred their horses forward.

Six years have passed since I left. Now, I'm finally back. Isn't this like coming home?
Upon entering the military camp, everything felt familiar, yet subtly different from what I remembered. Remaining at the camp was Zhao Hehua, Pei Yun's trusted subordinate.

Zhao Hehua joined the army at sixteen and is now twenty. The naive and innocent country girl of yesteryear has long since transformed. Today, Zhao Hehua is literate, skilled in combat, and has been tempered by several major battles, making her calm and sharp.

Facing a group of tall and strong soldiers, Zhao Hehua was not intimidated at all. After bowing respectfully, she carried over a thick stack of booklets.

"General Meng, this booklet records the weapons in the warehouse, this one records the military rations, and this one records the warhorses and provisions."

Zhao Hehua presented the account books methodically. Meng Liulang turned and called over a few trusted confidants, ordering them to check the account books and, while they were at it, to verify them in the storeroom.

The handover process took several days to complete. Then, Zhao Hehua led five hundred soldiers, carrying military rations, and left the Beiping military camp, heading towards Bohai County.

In fact, there were originally a thousand soldiers left behind. They were mostly from Beiping County. Some were reluctant to leave their homeland, and Zhao Hehua didn't force them, deciding to let them stay. Meng Liulang was happy to take in these veterans.

Those who were willing to leave all followed Zhao Hehua to Bohai County.

Before leaving, Zhao Hehua went to Wang Cuier's grave to say goodbye.

"Cui'er, I'm leaving."

"Back then, my sisters and I joined the army together, thinking that we would be content if we could just get a full meal. After joining the army, we studied, learned to read and write, practiced martial arts, and later fought alongside General Pei Yun."

"You died on the battlefield, but I survived."

"I'm going to Bohai County to continue fighting under General Pei Yun. Perhaps I'll achieve great things and make a name for myself. Or perhaps I'll die on the battlefield like you."

"This is the path I chose. No matter what lies ahead, I will not regret it."

Zhao Hehua spoke for a long time in front of the grave before getting up. When she turned around, her eyes were a little moist.

She didn't turn around, straightened her back, and strode forward.

……

General Meng Liu was in high spirits after unexpectedly gaining 500 elite soldiers. He specially allocated dozens of carts of military rations, enough for Zhao Hehua and her party to eat all the way to Bohai County.

After Zhao Hehua and her entourage left, Meng Liulang dispersed the remaining 500 elite soldiers into various camps. It was common for military camps to be surrounded by numerous hilltops; although the Beiping army had surrendered to the Pei family army, it still maintained its independence.

Immediately afterwards, Meng Liulang began recruiting new soldiers.

The people of Beiping had enjoyed several years of peace and tranquility, and were very supportive of the Pei family army, which had an excellent reputation. Although the commander of the army had changed, he was not an unfamiliar general, but the son of the former General Meng. Many were willing to join the army for the generous pay and rations.

Meng Liulang was naturally pleased with the smooth recruitment of new soldiers. However, there was also a slightly troublesome matter.

"General, many women have come to enlist in the army," the guard whispered. "Should we accept them or not?"

Pei Yun had been recruiting many female soldiers over the years, and the people of Beiping County were already used to it. The female soldiers received ample pay, were well-fed and clothed. Upon hearing that the army was recruiting new soldiers, many women immediately came.

However, the Beiping army never had female soldiers.

Now how to do?
Should they break with the established practices of the Beiping Army, or should they simply refuse entry to all women from the military camp?

(End of this chapter)