Chapter Eleven: The Ensemble (Part Two)

Once she got busy, there was no time or thought for despair. This was the true reason she chose Hongling Mao as the leader.

Of course, Hongling Mao’s skills were indeed impressive. With a red-tasselled spear in hand, she could hold her own for ten moves. With some focused training, she might well become one of the formidable generals of the Pei family army.

Pei Qinghe then looked at the two young girls beside her.

The largest group, ranging from eight to nineteen years old, was divided into two teams. The younger team was led by her cousin Pei Yan, while the other was commanded by her elder cousin Pei Yun from the seventeenth branch.

Pei Yun was sixteen this year, with a delicate oval face and graceful features. She was originally supposed to be married by the end of the month. The Pei family’s misfortune spared no one, and just days before her wedding, her fate plunged into darkness.

Among the young women of this generation in the Pei family, Pei Qinghe was the most gifted and skilled, followed closely by Pei Yun.

Pei Yun’s preferred weapon was the nine-section whip. At full strength, she could withstand fifty moves under Pei Qinghe’s blade, ranking within the top five among the youth of the Pei family.

In the previous life, Pei Yun had accompanied Pei Qinghe into the mountains to gather herbs and met a fierce tiger, where she lost her life.

That bloody and grim scene became an indelible scar in her heart.

This time, she vowed that everyone around her would live well.

“Pei Yun,” Pei Qinghe called her name.

Pei Yun had cried secretly several times over the past three days; her eyes were red, but her expression remained composed. “Present.”

Pei Qinghe spoke concisely and firmly: “The two teams led by you and Pei Yan will be the main force of the Pei family in the future.”

“Starting tomorrow, formal training begins. We’ll practice steps and formations first. Once the steps are coordinated and the formation solid, we’ll gradually increase the pace. By the time we reach Youzhou, you must have some semblance of order. Every day, you will march forty li.”

Forty li a day—that was the standard for the imperial army’s march!

And they were to drill steps and formations!

What on earth was her cousin planning?

Pei Yun’s almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise.

Pei Yan did not hesitate and responded loudly, “Yes!”

Lu, standing nearby, tensed up, about to speak. But a cold glance from Pei Qinghe, as imposing as Mount Tai, silenced her completely.

Lu did not move.

The girls under eight years old were led by cousin Pei Xuan.

Pei Xuan was eight this year, with an adorable round face and two dimples that appeared when she smiled.

This little cousin with a baby face was fierce and ruthless in battle, always by Pei Qinghe’s side as a trusted aide and a figure who struck fear into the hearts of the Pei family army.

These were matters of the future; for now, Pei Xuan was just an inconspicuous illegitimate daughter of the eighth branch.

Having been chosen by Pei Qinghe as leader yesterday, Pei Xuan was both surprised and delighted, full of enthusiasm. Before Pei Qinghe could give orders, she loudly declared, “I’ll keep an eye on them to make sure no one falls behind.”

Pei Qinghe gave a low hum of approval.

Finally, Pei Qinghe turned to Pei Feng: “All the younger cousins are under your command. They are still young; for now, no need to practice formations or steps, just build their strength and endurance.”

“If anyone dares not listen to you, tell me, and I will deal with them.”

Pei Feng puffed out his chest, eyes resolute, nodding vigorously.

This group formed the core of the Pei family army.

Training soldiers was no easy task; it had to be done step by step.

Pei Qinghe’s gaze swept over the faces of everyone, each with different expressions, and she slowly said, “No need to say much about the principles—we all understand.”

“If you want to live well, no one can be relied upon, only yourself.”

“The bigger your fist, the more right you have.”

“When our strength is enough, only then can the Pei family stand proudly before the world again.”

Her words struck like drums beating heavily in their hearts, stirring the Pei women’s spirits, emotions surging, long unable to settle.

Pei Qinghe not only aimed to lead her clan to survive; she clearly harbored grander ambitions and fierce determination.

Lu scoffed, immediately dousing the mood with cold water: “Just a bunch of women, children, and old folks—how can you hope to rule the world? Such arrogance! Aren’t you afraid your tongue will slip in the wind?”

Pei Qinghe did not look at Lu. Instead, she announced a new clan rule: “Every night, all eight of you will come to my place for discussions. No outsiders allowed.”

Lu was speechless.

Leading and drilling soldiers was never easy.

Pei Qinghe had once commanded an uprising army of over ten thousand. Setting aside how she fared on the battlefield, the daily routine of training and managing troops was a tedious and complex affair.

Eating, drinking, resting, marching, and fighting—all had to follow rules. Weapons, armor, warhorses, supplies, medicine, and food—all were immense challenges.

The foolish mistakes and detours of the past were now just bitter memories best left unspoken.

Reborn and young, everything was a fresh start.

At first, Pei Qinghe stayed at the rear, gradually quickening her pace, passing beside everyone silently encouraging and urging them forward.

Hongling Mao had not slept all night and felt dizzy this morning, but a glance from Pei Qinghe cleared her mind instantly. She perked up and stepped forward with renewed energy.

A young woman had fallen behind, wiping tears from her eyes. Hongling Mao approached quietly and whispered something. The woman slowly wiped her tears with her sleeve and finally resumed walking.

Pei Yun was unhurried and composed. Her team consisted of the strongest young Pei women, and their formation was the most orderly.

Pei Yan, competitive and impatient, hurried ahead, taking three steps in two. Her entire team quickened their pace, soon with flushed cheeks and sweat on their brows.

Pei Qinghe patted Pei Yan’s shoulder and gently reminded her, “Save your strength. Don’t just rush ahead blindly. Consider the speed of everyone in the team and always keep the formation neat.”

Pei Yan grunted and soon slowed her pace to adjust the formation.

The two teams of boys and girls under eight were too young to talk about formations or steps. Simply keeping up was already impressive.

Pei Xuan, clever as ever, had tied several belts together to make a long rope, which the girls held onto one by one like a long braid. It was a brilliant idea— even the four- and five-year-olds staggered forward steadily.

Pei Feng’s team of boys was harder to manage. Boys were restless and mischievous, constantly running off. Pei Feng chased after them, drenched in sweat, grabbing those ahead, while the ones behind broke ranks. When he caught the ones behind, those ahead were messing about. Pei Yue fell while walking, crying loudly, demanding to be carried.

Pei Xuan burst out laughing.

Though young, Pei Feng was proud and was deeply hurt to be outdone by Pei Xuan; his eyes reddened, tears welling up.

Pei Qinghe came over, picked up the crying Pei Yue: “Don’t cry, I’ll carry you.” Then she turned to comfort Pei Feng: “You’re already doing very well.”

Pei Feng sniffled.

Pei Yue nestled into her cousin’s embrace and soon fell asleep. Pei Qinghe carried her heavy little cousin with steady, light steps.

The mounted soldiers watched this scene, inexplicably moved.

Unafraid of wind or rain, undaunted by hardship, with unyielding will.

Miss Pei Liu was truly a strong woman.