Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 453 Three Years
Time flies, and three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

In the fourth year of Zhaoyuan, spring returned to the earth, and the spring breeze caressed our faces.

The people of Yan County pushed iron plows, ploughing up the ground that had been frozen all winter, turning over the dark, fertile soil. The hardworking people wore smiles of contentment and joy.

Emperor Zhaoyuan established a new dynasty with its capital in Yan County. He used his powerful military force to intimidate the northern armies and used decisive and ruthless methods to purge the officialdom.

Over the past three years, more than twenty civil officials have been dismissed from their posts, and eight have been beheaded. Bandits in various counties have been wiped out. Powerful and wealthy families who submit to authority have a chance to live, while those who dare to stand out have been uprooted like weeds.

On the military side, after being inspected by Emperor Zhaoyuan, they became much more obedient and well-behaved. The bad habits of embezzling pay and drinking blood from soldiers and lax discipline in the army have been greatly improved, and their combat strength has also been greatly enhanced under careful training.

There is another story that must be told. Three years ago, when the emperor was on an inspection tour, a garrison commander, harboring resentment, instigated a riot in the camp at night. As a result, Emperor Zhaoyuan ruthlessly suppressed the uprising, and his three thousand elite soldiers slaughtered the rioting soldiers, leaving a bloodbath.

After suppressing the rebellion, Emperor Zhaoyuan began by killing the main generals. All the military officers involved in the rebellion were killed, and the surrendered soldiers were also conscripted. Those who escaped the conscription were no longer allowed to stay in the military camp and were all sent to the mines to work.

That wasn't the end of it. Next, Emperor Zhaoyuan completely incorporated this garrison into the Pei family army. He ordered Tao Feng to stay behind to lead the troops, and also left behind a thousand elite soldiers from the Pei family army.

After this bloody and brutal suppression and massacre, the northern military generals became less arrogant, and their complaints and grievances decreased. The emperor's military and political orders were implemented much more smoothly.

For the past three years, the Xiongnu barbarians have continued to send troops every year, with no major border wars but constant small skirmishes. The Beiping Army, Liaoxi Army, Guangning Army, and Fanyang Army are the main forces fighting the Xiongnu barbarians.

The cavalry battalion within the Pei family army was truly established. Every year, the horse farms in Quanzhou County produced a large number of excellent warhorses, which were then sent to the army. Hemu also led men to the Xianbei several times to purchase large quantities of warhorses. Now, the cavalry battalion boasted over ten thousand elite cavalrymen. With such a well-equipped cavalry force of over ten thousand men, the northern lands became increasingly secure.

In the south, however, war continued unabated. The Imperial Guard and the Jiangnan rebels were constantly at war, and more and more counties were suffering from the ravages of war, with the number of people fleeing to the north snowballing.

In just a few years, the population of Ji Province increased by 30%, and that of You Province by 50%. Emperor Zhaoyuan issued an edict to accommodate the displaced people. Those who disobeyed this edict were all beheaded. The prefects and magistrates, trembling with fear, dared not drive away the displaced people. They all had to do their best to settle the displaced people.

The effects of this decree were also extremely significant. The saying goes, "To save the land but lose the people is to lose both." The people are the foundation of the court. With war raging in the south and people's hearts in turmoil, those seeking peace and security voluntarily fled to the north. It was also common practice for some powerful southern families, who dared not openly relocate their entire households, to secretly send one or two branches to the north to settle down.

King Qiao had long since declared himself emperor, and General Situ had also established his own dynasty and declared himself emperor two years ago. But the emperor that the people often mentioned was not them, but Emperor Zhaoyuan of the North.

For the common people, the true emperor was the one who allowed them to farm in peace, collected only 30% of the land tax, and never levied arbitrary labor services.

Some people in the south even hoped that Emperor Zhaoyuan would lead his army to the south as soon as possible and unify the country. At that time, they would not have to abandon their homes and families and could live a peaceful life.

Emperor Zhaoyuan never spent more than four months in Yan County each year, spending most of his time on inspection tours. Even last year, when he was pregnant, he did not stop his inspections. He only returned to Yan County when he was five months pregnant and the weather was getting colder.

A year has passed, and spring has arrived. Emperor Zhaoyuan is now full-term and could give birth at any time.

Everyone around was tense. Shi Yan worked at the Ministry of Revenue during the day, and stayed by Pei Qinghe's side after work. Pei Yan was even more inseparable from her. Madam Feng had left Pei Family Village before the New Year and moved into the palace to take care of Pei Qinghe's daily needs. After the New Year, Mao Hongling couldn't stay any longer and also came to Yan County to live permanently. The elderly Imperial Physician Lu was invited to Yan County. The two most famous midwives in Youzhou were also invited.

Childbirth is a life-or-death ordeal for women. What if something goes wrong during Emperor Zhaoyuan's delivery? What will happen to the newly established court? What will become of the Pei family? Not only the Pei family, but even Prime Minister Pang and Minister Qin are extremely anxious. As the emperor's due date approaches, the two old ministers are losing their appetite and sleep.

The most stressed-out person was none other than Shi Yan. His heart was pounding with anxiety, yet he had to maintain a calm and composed facade; every day felt like being fried in oil.

Pei Qinghe, on the contrary, was the calmest and most composed. She got up early as usual to go to the training ground, and occasionally, when the mood struck her, she would practice archery. She continued to review memorials and handle government affairs as usual. Her appetite was also better than before.

Unfortunately, after Physician Lu arrived, he strictly controlled her three meals a day. For the last two months, she only ate half a meal at each meal.

Physician Lu had his reasons for doing this. The two months leading up to delivery are a period of rapid fetal growth. If food intake is increased, the fetus may become too large, increasing the risk of difficult labor. Therefore, strict control over food and drink is necessary for a smooth delivery.

Therefore, apart from her slightly larger belly, Pei Qinghe remained nimble and walked with incredible speed. Those who were slower couldn't keep up with her.

The second day of the third lunar month was a sunny and pleasant day with a gentle breeze.

Pei Qinghe slowly stood up amidst the tense stares of everyone.

Before Pei Yan could react, Feng Shi and Mao Hongling rushed over from both sides and supported Pei Qinghe's arms.

"Qinghe," Madam Feng's voice trembled slightly, "is your stomachache acting up again?"

Pei Qinghe frowned slightly: "It feels a bit heavy, and a bit painful."

“That means labor is about to start.” Mao Hongling, who had been pregnant and given birth before, was quite experienced and immediately said, “Go to the delivery room now. Pei Yan, go and fetch Physician Lu. Also, send a message to the Ministry of Revenue, asking Shi Yan to come back immediately.”

Two midwives who had been attending to her rushed into the delivery room first. The delivery room had been prepared and cleaned up before the New Year. Buckets of hot water were brought over.

Pei Qinghe was helped to lie down on the bed, and the intense cramping pain in her stomach felt both unfamiliar and overwhelming.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and silently began counting in her mind.

"Imperial Physician Lu is here! He's waiting in the outer room!" Pei Yan's voice was faster than her voice.

Mao Hongling turned her head: "Don't come in. It's not good for too many people to be in the delivery room. Just stay outside and keep watch. Don't let Shi Yan in either."

Pei Yan reluctantly retreated to the door.

Soon, Shi Yan arrived. Perhaps because he had been running all the way, or perhaps because he was too excited and nervous, Shi Yan's forehead was covered in sweat, his handsome face was a little pale, and his voice trembled: "Let me in."

(End of this chapter)