Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 424 Loyalty (Part 1)

"Feng Chang, the general wants you to come in," Pei Yan announced loudly.

Feng Chang calmed himself down and entered the military tent as instructed.

He respectfully clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Feng Chang greets the General."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "Sit down and talk."

Feng Chang responded and carefully sat down, deliberately lowering his gaze to show respect.

Pei Qinghe's gaze fell on Feng Chang's face, as if deep in thought: "Feng Chang, you were the first refugee to come down from the mountain and join Pei Family Village back then."

Feng Chang immediately replied, "Yes, more than eight years have passed in the blink of an eye. If it weren't for the general taking me in back then, I would have starved to death long ago."

Pei Qinghe smiled, but for some reason, her gaze was somewhat cold: "How have I treated you over these past eight years?"

Without hesitation, Feng Chang blurted out, "The general trusts and values ​​me, allowing me to lead troops independently. I will never be able to repay the general's kindness in this lifetime."

Then, he raised his head and met Pei Qinghe's gaze: "I have come to see the general today with great shame, because I wish to share the burden of the general. Gu Lian went to Chang Le County, and the general summoned Sun Cheng today, presumably to send him to garrison troops in a county. I am confident that my abilities are no less than those two, and I am willing to share the burden of the general."

Pei Qinghe twitched the corner of her mouth and said abruptly, "You only say that your abilities are no less than Gu Lian and Sun Cheng's, but why don't you say that your loyalty is no less than theirs? It seems that you know yourself best."

Pei Qinghe's gaze was indifferent, and her words were even colder and sharper.

Feng Chang's mind went blank for a moment, and a huge fear suddenly surged into his heart. His body reacted even faster than his brain, and he almost slid to his knees: "General! I..."

"Two years ago, the Zhang family sent out many envoys to secretly persuade and instigate important generals in the Pei family army. Among them was you, Feng Chang."

Pei Qinghe's gaze grew increasingly cold, and her words were as sharp as a knife: "At that time, all the generals reported this matter to me, expressing their loyalty. Feng Chang, you also sent someone to deliver a letter to me. But you also secretly sent someone to deliver a letter to the Zhang father and son, didn't you?"

Sweat beaded on Feng Chang's forehead, and his face began to turn pale.

"At that time, you only had two thousand men under your command, stationed in a county town. You felt you had great abilities, but you couldn't use them. You were always overshadowed by Gu Lian, and Sun Cheng later surpassed you and was given more important responsibilities. Even Tao Feng and the others gradually began to show their talents. You arrived the earliest and had the most seniority, so you were always resentful and dissatisfied. Seeing the power of the Zhang family, you started to consider hedging your bets, didn't you?"

Feng Chang was terrified and kowtowed violently: "General! I did secretly send a letter to the Zhang family that day, but I did not betray you. When you led the troops to attack Bohai County, I, Feng Chang, charged into battle and risked my life for you without ever hesitating or blinking an eye."

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "You are a smart man. Why would you easily switch sides to the Zhang family until the very last moment? The Pei family army has had the upper hand from the beginning. Just pretend that you have never wavered and are determined to be my loyal subordinate."

Feng Chang continued to kowtow.

Boom boom boom!
Blood quickly welled up on his forehead from the repeated banging. Feng Chang continued, banging his forehead until it was covered in blood: "General, I was bewitched that day and contacted the Zhang family twice. I quickly regretted it. When I led the troops to attack Bohai County, I made up my mind to follow you forever. My loyalty to you is as clear as the sun and moon, and I have never done anything to betray you."

Pei Qinghe finally sighed, "Feng Chang, stop kowtowing. Look up at me."

Feng Chang looked up, blood streaming down his forehead, mingling with tears and covering his face, looking utterly disheveled: "I really didn't betray the general!"

"When we attacked Bohai County, I was thinking, I'm giving you one last chance. If you dare to make the slightest move, I'll kill you on the battlefield." Pei Qinghe's voice was calm, but her gaze was incredibly complex. The man before her, Feng Chang, was the first refugee to join her, a true veteran of the Pei family army, and a trusted confidant she valued highly. His wavering—how could she not be furious knowing this?
“The Bohai Army is far inferior to the Pei family army, so naturally you are unwilling to betray me. You are even more valiant than others in killing the enemy. On the day I charged into the city gate of Bohai County, you followed me to kill the enemy, including the Zhang family father and son. You have made real contributions in battle.”

“I cannot punish you based on suspicion. I also do not wish to kill an old man who has followed me for more than eight years. After that, you made many contributions when we went to Liaoxi to fight the Xiongnu barbarians. I can’t touch you then.”

"Judging by your actions rather than your intentions, you are indeed a backbone of the Pei family army and the most valiant general under my command, Pei Qinghe."

"However, I simply cannot trust you as before. Nor can I send you to lead the troops alone."

Feng Chang's eyes were blurred with tears, his whole body was trembling, and he was filled with extreme remorse.

Why did he make a mistake that day?
In a moment of resentment and unwillingness, his resolve wavered, and he almost made a grave mistake.

He thought he was acting in secret, undetected. Little did he know, the general had already seen through everything. He hadn't exposed him, waiting for him to slip up. He actually believed he had done everything flawlessly, even deluding himself into thinking he could lead his troops to garrison the city—how laughable!

“Everyone has ambition.” Pei Qinghe suppressed his turbulent emotions and said in a deep voice, “Feng Chang, I understand that you are ambitious and unwilling to remain subordinate to others for long. Considering your many military achievements, I will give you a chance to stay in the Pei Family Army.”

"Remember, this is a one-time thing. If there's a next time, I'll kill you with my own hands!"

Feng Chang trembled as he kowtowed three times, wiped his face heavily with his sleeve, and staggered out of the military tent, looking utterly dejected.

Pei Qinghe let out a sigh of relief.

In her past life, she died from a cold arrow shot from behind. In this life, rebuilding the Pei family army, she is extremely cautious about this matter. Whether it's Gu Lian or Feng Chang, she has planted spies and informants among all those who lead troops independently in the field.

Such actions were indeed not entirely aboveboard. Only Pei Yun and Mao Hongling knew about it. Pei Yan was outspoken and couldn't keep secrets, so Mao Hongling hadn't told Pei Yun about these shady matters at all.

Pei Yan suddenly flung open the tent flap and walked in, looking puzzled: "What happened to Commander Feng? He came in all excited spirits, but why did he leave with a wound on his forehead?"

Pei Qinghe replied casually, "He wanted to lead troops to Daifang County and begged me, but I didn't allow it."

Pei Yan scratched her head: "In terms of seniority and ability, Feng Chang is a good candidate. If you don't agree, then who do you plan to send?"

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "Go and call Pei Feng here."

Pei Yan scratched her head again: "Isn't Pei Feng a little too small?"

Pei Feng is only fifteen years old, not yet of marriageable age. As her cousin, she truly feels sorry for her to have to lead troops in the field at such a young age.

Pei Qinghe glanced at Pei Yan: "Age-wise, you're five years older than Pei Feng. Why don't you go?"

Pei Yan immediately said, "I'll go and call Pei Feng right away."

(End of this chapter)