Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 477 Side Story: The Southern Expedition (Part 1)

Emperor Zhaoyuan's proclamation to conquer Tao Wudi spread from Luoyang throughout the south, causing panic and unease throughout the southern officialdom, and even the prominent families of the south were filled with fear.

After the Pei family army occupied Luoyang, they did not engage in widespread slaughter and killing. Emperor Zhaoyuan's new policies were considered effective, and ordinary people had long awaited them. However, this was not good news for officials and wealthy families. Originally, since the Pei family army was far away, they could have outwardly complied with the new policies while secretly engaging in malpractice to continue oppressing the people and embezzling their wealth.

Now, the Pei family army has launched a full-scale attack, and the ruthless and merciless Emperor Zhaoyuan has arrived with her long sword and bow and arrows. A chill ran down their spines.

What else can I do?
Everyone's on tenterhooks, better behave yourselves!

Some were frightened and retreated, while others were opportunistic, hoping to gamble on their future. After the Pei family army set out from Luoyang, wherever the army went, wealthy merchants or local officials sent money and provisions to the troops every day.

The good news is that Emperor Zhaoyuan accepted all the gifts without hesitation.

The bad news was that they couldn't even see Emperor Zhaoyuan; the money and provisions were taken over by General Pei Yan, the number one fierce general in the Pei family army.

This brave, powerful, and formidable female general had little patience. After collecting the money and provisions and noting their names, she dismissed them, citing the army's urgent need to march. Anyone who dared to ask a question was immediately turned hostile and driven away by General Pei Yan.

"These wealthy families think that by sending some money and grain, they can get an audience with the emperor and become officials," Pei Yan sneered. "They're all delusional."

Pei Qinghe glanced at Pei Yan with a smile: "You were so enthusiastic at first, but after only a few days, you're already full of complaints. Are you tired of dealing with this?"

Pei Yan, though not entirely justified, said defiantly, "It is extremely annoying."

"Starting tomorrow, let Pei Feng deal with these people," Pei Qinghe instructed with a smile.

Pei Feng bowed and agreed.

Nineteen-year-old Pei Feng has sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. He is over eight feet tall and has long since shed the immaturity of a boy, possessing a composure far superior to his peers.

The Pei family revered women, and half of Emperor Zhaoyuan's trusted generals who sat on the dragon throne were women. Pei Feng was the eldest male member of the Pei family, leading an army independently, and held a high position within the Pei family army. With him in charge, the wealthy families would never feel slighted.

In fact, after Pei Feng stepped in, the number of wealthy families who came to deliver money and provisions suddenly increased significantly. These wealthy families not only provided money and provisions to Pei's army, but also secretly gave Pei Feng valuable and lavish gifts. Pei Feng was quite cunning; he accepted them all and then immediately confiscated them all into the treasury.

Now that she had some free time, Pei Yan felt unhappy again and muttered to Pei Qinghe, "Do these people think you'll pass the throne to Pei Feng in the future?"

Yang Huai couldn't help but cough.

How dare you say such a thing! You're incredibly audacious!
Pei Qinghe smiled at her brother-in-law Yang Huai first: "That's just Pei Yan's temper. She says whatever comes to mind. She didn't mean to harm Pei Feng. I won't blame her, don't worry."

Yang Huai was somewhat embarrassed and awkwardly agreed.

Pei Qinghe then said to Pei Yan, "For thousands of years, men have been superior to women, and people's prejudices are as high as mountains. What they think is their business, and we don't need to care."

"I am so young, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I can sit on the throne for at least thirty or forty years. After Pei Yuan succeeds to the throne, he will rule the country for several more decades. There will be plenty of time to gradually change customs and traditions."

"I led the army to the south for two reasons: first, to eliminate Tao Wudi, a potential threat; and second, to inspect the south and intimidate the people. Once the country is at peace, I will establish schools and academies in all prefectures and counties, so that children from ordinary families, regardless of gender, can attend school. In the future, I will hold annual imperial examinations, and both men and women can take the exams to become officials."

Pei Yan's eyes lit up as she listened, and she clapped her hands in approval. The young Pei Wan and Pei Yu exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming.

They grew up in Peijia Village, studying and practicing martial arts from a young age. They were diligent and hardworking, and could be described as both literate and skilled in martial arts. Now they are the backbone of the emperor's personal guard.

They are more outstanding and exceptional than boys their age. It is only natural that they will hold high positions and accomplish great things in the future.

If you can be an eagle soaring in the sky, who would want to retreat to the inner chambers to be a wife and mother and live an ordinary life?
……

Pei's army marched at a speed of sixty li per day, from Yingchuan County to Ruyin County, passing through Huainan County and Danyang County, and heading straight for Xin'an County.

This is where the Jiangnan rebels started their uprising. More than a decade ago, King Qiao raised his army here, leading his troops all the way to Luoyang. Tao Wudi and King Qiao were from the same hometown, both from Xin'an.

The Jiangnan army was utterly defeated by the Imperial Guards. King Qiao was killed, and Tao Wudi was also wounded. They led their remaining troops in a sorry state and fled. In the end, they managed to escape back to Xin'an County.

Emperor Zhaoyuan's proclamation denouncing the southern expedition had already reached Tao Wudi. Tao Wudi was shocked, furious, and terrified. He wanted to lead his troops in a flight, but his injuries hadn't fully healed, and he couldn't withstand the exertion. Furthermore, if he fled, he would have to surrender the territory he had cultivated for over a decade. How could he willingly become a homeless dog?
Staying in Xin'an County at least provides a city to defend, and the Jiangnan army can recruit soldiers and horses, so perhaps they can hold it.

After much deliberation, Tao Wudi abandoned the idea of ​​abandoning the city and fleeing, thus missing his last chance to survive, and stubbornly stayed in Xin'an County.

As a result, when Pei's army appeared a hundred miles away from Xin'an County, chaos broke out in Xin'an County first.

Tao Wudi refused to surrender and insisted on fighting to the death. The people of Xin'an County, however, were unwilling to follow Tao Wudi to their deaths. Local officials and wealthy families also sought a way to survive.

The Jiangnan army consisted entirely of local soldiers. Several wealthy families bribed a military officer guarding the city with a large sum of money, and they secretly slipped out of the city gates in the middle of the night, making their way to the Pei family army's camp.

"Your Majesty, several people claiming to be from a prominent family in Xin'an County have come to deliver intelligence."

Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Let them in. I want to see them in person."

With her skills, she has no fear of any assassin.

After the wealthy families were brought into the military tent, they didn't dare to look up or look around. They knelt on the ground and kowtowed several times.

A cold female voice entered my ears: "You all state your names and backgrounds. You can share useful information, but don't waste your breath with useless nonsense."

The wealthy merchants dared not hesitate and opened their mouths one by one.

"...The Jiangnan army was utterly defeated by the Imperial Guards, and 20,000 remnants fled back. In the past six months, Tao Wudi has been forcibly conscripting men into the army, which has already caused widespread resentment."

"The Jiangnan Army is said to have 50,000 soldiers, but most of them are new recruits who have never been on the battlefield. Once the Pei family army makes a move, they will surely be defeated."

"Tao Wudi was stabbed in the back that day, and he didn't get proper care of his injury while on the run, which completely damaged his vital energy. I heard that he's just a figurehead now, unable to even lift a knife or draw a bow."

(End of this chapter)