Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 480 Side Story: The Southern Expedition (Part 4)
Pei Qinghe chuckled: "When Pei Feng was fifteen, he was sent to lead the Fang Army and command troops on his own. You're seventeen now, it's time for you to take on more responsibility."

He paused, then said softly, "Xin'an County is of utmost importance; I only trust you!"

Pei Yue had no choice but to agree, and took office the next day, becoming the youngest prefect in the Republic of China.

Pei Feng was the first to offer his congratulations, smiling as he patted Pei Yue on the shoulder: "From now on, serve diligently and share the Emperor's burdens."

Pei Yue looked distressed: "Cousin, you know me. I've always been greedy and playful since I was little. I'm not good at anything, and I'm just average in both academics and martial arts. Pei Wan, Pei Yu, and Pei Lang are all better than me. I'm just a generation older than them, a few years older."

Pei Feng casually slapped the back of the head: "You know you're a generation older than them, aren't you? You should take on the responsibility of being the Prefect of Xin'an. Being greedy and playful is just an excuse. As a son of the Pei family, you must be responsible."

Pei Yue was slapped so hard he grimaced and dared not complain or vent his grievances anymore.

Pei Feng lowered his voice again: "Xin'an County is the stronghold of the Jiangnan Army. It won't be easy to win over the people here. The Emperor drove away the officials and wealthy families here to clear the way for you. Do your job well and don't let your cousin down."

After being given a big bowl of chicken soup, Pei Yue felt much more invigorated and nodded in agreement.

Pei Wan, Pei Yu, and Pei Lang, the three younger generation members, came together to present Pei Yue with a generous gift.

Pei Yue was only a few years older than them. They had grown up together and had a very deep bond. He sighed and said, "In a few days, you will all leave with the army, and I will be all alone here."

Pei Wan blinked and smiled: "Who said you're all alone? The Emperor left you three thousand elite soldiers and even picked two smart and capable men from his personal guards. Lu Wulang and Ge Siniang are both left to be your deputies."

What a wonderful thing!
Pei Yue's eyes lit up, and he grinned: "That's wonderful. Lu Wulang is brave and fierce, and Ge Siniang is meticulous. With their help, I, as the prefect, won't be left alone and helpless."

More than that!
Lu Wulang and Pei Yue lived and ate together, their relationship as close as brothers. Ge Siniang and Pei Yue had even developed feelings for each other, exchanging glances for two or three years. They just hadn't officially gotten engaged yet.

Pei Yu chuckled and shushed, "As soon as he heard that Ge Siniang was staying, he was overjoyed and all his complaints disappeared."

Pei Lang, despite his young age, was quite precocious: "Uncle Pei Yue is already seventeen this year, he'll be able to get married in a couple of years."

Pei Yue blushed at the teasing and reached out to pinch Pei Lang's ear. Pei Lang grinned and dodged away.

……

Pei Qinghe spent the New Year of the fifth year of Zhaoyuan in Xin'an County. This New Year was very lively. Civil and military officials from Jiangnan flocked to Xin'an County to pay homage to the emperor and express their loyalty.

Such platitudes are just empty words; winning over the hearts of the people and controlling civil and military officials is naturally not so easy.

Pei Qinghe quickly made the decision to inspect the south.

Emboldened by the momentum of a great victory, with tens of thousands of elite troops by his side, he intimidated people with absolute military force and authority.

The elderly Prime Minister Pang remained in Luoyang, while the younger Minister Qin and two other civil officials came from Luoyang to accompany him.

Pei Qinghe and Minister Qin discussed the route for the southern tour: "There are so many counties in the south, it's impossible to visit them all. I want to choose a few major counties to visit. Minister Qin, please take a look and tell me which places we should go to?"

Minister Qin was originally from a prominent family in Jiangnan and knew the terrain and wealthy families in Jiangnan like the back of his hand. After thinking it over, he proposed a plan: "First go to Xuancheng, then to Danyang County, Huainan County and Guangling County are also possible, then go to Pengcheng and Yuzhou, and then you can return to Luoyang."

“This trip will take about half a month at each location, so it will take at least half a year. Then we’ll return to Yan County before the New Year.” Pei Qinghe pondered for a moment and approved the plan.

With tens of thousands of troops marching, the transportation and supply of provisions was of paramount importance. The two brothers, Dong Dalang and Dong Erlang, who were in charge of this matter, had already been busy with it for some time.

We can bring less baggage. The garrison here in the south has long been decimated by the Jiangnan Army and the Imperial Guard. What remains are only the most pliable and subservient. The ones who stood firm are long gone. Who dares to challenge the formidable Pei family army?
On the eighteenth day of the first month, Emperor Zhaoyuan led a large army out of Xin'an County.

Prefect Pei, who had only been in office for a short time, escorted the army ten miles outside the city and wanted to go further, but Pei Qinghe stopped him: "You've already gone this far, don't go any further. Pei Yue, do your job well. I'm giving Xin'an Prefecture to you, don't let me down!"

With red eyes, Pei Yue bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost. Please put your mind at ease."

My little cousin, who used to be greedy, playful, and prone to crying, has grown up.

Pei Qinghe sighed softly, patted Pei Yue's head, and then rode away.

Pei Feng, Pei Wan, and the others waved goodbye to Pei Yue. Pei Yue stood there, watching familiar faces leave, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. He wiped away his tears, but they only flowed more profusely, quickly blurring his vision.

Standing behind him, Lu Wulang showed no sadness whatsoever; on the contrary, he was overjoyed: "We'll be able to stand on our own from now on."

Ge Siniang's clear black eyes shone brightly: "That's right. Xin'an County is a place in ruins and needs to be rebuilt. In the future, Prefect Pei will be able to make great strides and govern it well. In the future, Xin'an County will become the political center of the Jiangnan officialdom, just like Luoyang, and will be the emperor's right-hand man."

Yes!

Unifying the world is not just empty talk. It requires a group of loyal, reliable, and capable people to effectively implement the new policies in all regions. Governing the world is more difficult than conquering it. It may not take three or five years; it may take eight or ten years, or even twenty or thirty years, to truly transform the world.

The road may be long, but if we keep walking step by step, we'll reach our destination.

Pei Yue wiped away his tears with his sleeve and said to his good brother and fiancée, "Let's go back to the city now."

Lu Wulang and Ge Siniang smiled and agreed, then rode back to Xin'an County with Pei Yue.

“Pei Yue has always been a crybaby. We’re leaving him all alone. I wonder how long he’ll cry.” Pei Yan said with a smile as the army rested during their march.

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with a smile: "I've kept Lu Wulang and Ge Siniang here. He has brothers and a fiancée by his side, what is there to cry about?"

Everyone laughed together.

Pei Qinghe glanced at Pei Wan and Pei Yu, who were laughing heartily: "You two also need to be mentally prepared. Along the way, we've caught corrupt officials, which has created vacancies, so you'll have to stay and do the work, just like Pei Yue."

Pei Wan was much more decisive than Pei Yue, raising her head and replying, "I am willing to share my aunt's burdens."

Pei Yu, not to be outdone, straightened her chest and said, "Leave the tough nuts to crack to me."

"Good!" Pei Qinghe laughed. "The Pei family's female generals are all outstanding."

(End of this chapter)