The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 949 - 212: The Naturally Cunning Courtier_3

Chapter 949: Chapter 212: The Naturally Cunning Courtier_3

"No, she joined the barracks in Qingyang when she was recruited as a new soldier. It was only later that she met Pei Hansan," Mo Heng said without changing his expression.

Shen Bi nodded, discussed the military situation in the army with him, and asked about the Emperor’s plan to lead a campaign personally. Since Pei Hansan was not one of his own, he still hoped Mo Heng would earn more military achievements. Following the Waci People’s breach into the border, the Emperor would surely follow his predecessor’s example and start prioritizing military over literary affairs.

Just as the conversation was halfway through, a managing eunuch came to invite everyone to take their seats. The Emperor had provided a feast, and after eating, there would be a discussion with the Cabinet chancellors about the specifics of the counterattack strategy.

Jiang Zhen had already taken fifty thousand troops and mortars to cut off the Waci People’s retreat, and all the scattered troops from various places were to assemble and rendezvous with Jiang Zhen, to ensure that the enemy’s retreat would be definitively severed. Gu Liqi’s main force had been annihilated, leaving only Wachi Third Prince Ka Erle’s two hundred thousand strong army, and the Rong Clan’s two hundred thousand strong force that had occupied the region of Chu Nation around Liaoning.

"Let’s battle the Waci first without provoking the Rong Clan, as they won’t dare to form an alliance with Waci so readily. They will only reinforce their troops and stay put in Liaoning. Once we drive the minion of Waci out of Great Chu, then we can spare our forces to deal with the Rong Clan!" Pei Qin suggested an order of battle. Otherwise, fighting indiscriminately, even with the advantage of mortars, would lengthen the duration of the turmoil, with the common people ultimately bearing the brunt of suffering.

As for the strategy, the assembly of the main forces was certain, but where to assemble, the specific timing, and the operational plans, Pei Qin felt that discussing these matters here was pointless. The Emperor would accompany them in the campaign, and decisions would be made on the fly to avoid the risk of intelligence leaks.

Emperor Chu Wen now involuntarily leaned towards Pei Qin, feeling that even though she was a woman, her intelligence and strategic planning were superior to those generals who had been leading troops for years. The battle on the Huanghe River the night before had fully proved this. Thus, as soon as the battle plans were set, Emperor Chu Wen was impatient to urge the departure.

Twenty thousand Imperial Guard soldiers and Imperial Bodyguards were also organized into a personal guard to protect Emperor Chu Wen, crossing the Huanghe River together with Pei Qin, Mo Heng, and others.

Fifty thousand troops were waiting on the banks of the Huanghe River, ready to welcome Emperor Chu Wen.

Facing the large army, Emperor Chu Wen felt his majestic authority was greatly diminished due to previously abandoning the city in escape, feeling that he lacked the imperial might he possessed before, the kind of awe-inspiring authority that comes from within.

Pei Qin stepped forward, "Emperor! The generals and soldiers have something they’d like you to hear."

"What is it?" Emperor Chu Wen asked.

Pei Qin looked at the fifty thousand troops below and gestured with her hand.

The passionate, soaring voices of a song suddenly rose:

The beacon fires rise, looking north to the land, the dragon ascends and swirls, horses neigh loudly, the sword’s aura as frost; My heart is vast like the waters of the Huanghe, for twenty years who can stand against it in this expanse?

Wrath yearns to surge, where the long blade faces, how many loyal souls of brothers buried in a foreign land; Why spare a hundred deaths for the sake of home and country, with a heavy heart I sigh, speechless, tears filling my eyes.

The horses hoof move southward, as people look northward; people gaze north, grass is green and yellow, dust flies high; I am willing to defend and expand our territory, the grand Chu Nation will make all directions – come to congratulate!

The army’s high-spirited morale and soaring might. The singers emboldened with their high aspirations, and those who listened moved with surging passion.

Emperor Chu Wen’s previous discomfort vanished completely, and he immediately rewarded the troops with elation, giving out an extra ten ounces of silver to each person.

Seeing the excitement and enthusiasm of the generals and soldiers, and the united spirit of ruler and subjects, all surged with high morale. An Liefeng and Dou He exchanged glances, once again feeling that Pei Qin was a genius! Moreover, her military song did not merely boast, with the advent of the Thunder Cannon and mortars, the day when all directions would come to congratulate Great Chu was truly within reach!

Emperor Chu Wen, upon hearing that the military song was taught by Pei Qin, grew even more appreciative of her. At mealtime, Pei Qin hinted that she usually ate pot meals with the brothers from the Mortar Barracks. Emperor Chu Wen immediately decided to also eat pot meals and mixed flour buns with the soldiers.

The generals and soldiers were greatly honored, feeling that the Emperor had become more approachable and people-oriented, and they gradually felt that his abandonment of the city in flight was probably because he was a scholar, and it was the bureaucrats who only knew petty logics pushing him southwards.

As for the people in the Mortar Barracks, they felt that the Emperor valued their general, which meant they could accumulate more military achievements and secure a future for their wives and children!

Before this, Pei Hansan had not demonstrated any outstanding performance other than in matters involving the Thunder Cannon and mortars. Unexpectedly upon meeting the Emperor, he adapted as if it were second nature!

After the meal, Pei Qin boasted to Mo Heng and Dou He, "I’m simply a genius at playing the courtier! Naturally born for the role! Look how I’ve patted the horse, the Emperor is nearly ready to acknowledge me as a brother!"

Dou He discovered that he too had taken a liking to this dark-skinned youth. He always felt inexplicably nervous around Pei Qin, and couldn’t help feeling shy when she looked his way. Hearing her boast, he spoke softly, "Han San! This isn’t flattering, it’s considering others!" The Emperor viewed fleeing the city as a disgrace, a shortness of breath in front of the army. The song of loyalty to the country not only raised the Emperor’s spirit, but also the morale of the soldiers.

"I love hearing you praise me!" Pei Qin slapped him on the back and roared with laughter.

Mo Heng gave her a deep look and straightforwardly said they needed to practice swordplay, ordering her to come with him.

Speaking of sword practice, Pei Qin had only learned a few times. She only knew how to wield a sword like a saber and chop with it. After nodding to Dou He, she followed Mo Heng away.

"Han San..." Dou He watched her go off with Mo Heng again, feeling frustrated inside. Mo Heng was only taking advantage of teaching swordplay to get close to Han San! Today he had to reveal Mo Heng’s vile intentions to Han San, ensuring she cut off any close ties with that beast!