Chapter Ten: The Core Team (Part One)

After eating dry biscuits and drinking plenty of cold water, Pei Qinghe quickened her pace.

She moved from the back of the group to the front, leading her clan members to speed up. Those who were too exhausted to walk were allowed to rest on the prison carts for half an hour before continuing. By rotating this way, they managed to cover thirty li in a single day.

The speed was astonishing.

A broad-faced soldier couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is almost as fast as infantry marching.”

The Jingchao army’s cavalry made up only about ten percent, with infantry as the main force. A forced march would cover sixty li a day; the normal pace was around forty li.

Yet here were women and children from the Pei family moving at such a pace!

The soldier with the black mole chuckled, “The Peis come from a long line of military families. Whether male or female, they’ve trained in martial skills since childhood. Not like some fragile officials’ families.”

The soldiers bantered among themselves, their conversation lively.

They spent their days escorting on horseback, with the journey utterly dull. Their commander forbade them from staring at the Peis’ beauties, so gossiping was their only amusement.

Suddenly, Captain Sun said, “Miss Pei Liu is training the troops.”

Training the troops?

What kind of troops?

All the broad-faced soldiers widened their eyes.

Captain Sun rolled his eyes at the fools. “You wouldn’t understand if I told you. Just watch carefully over the next few days.”

The soldiers exchanged looks. The next day, during their mounted patrol, they couldn’t help but focus on Pei Qinghe. After watching all day, some patterns became clear.

“Looks like they split into squads today.”

“They’re moving even faster.”

“No way! Where’s the formation?” The broad-faced soldier looked confused. “How do you see that?”

The others scorned him. Though illiterate and rough, they were sharper than the one-track broad-faced soldier.

Captain Sun, after observing all day, murmured, “There really is a formation. Miss Pei Liu paired the young and strong with the elderly so they can support each other. The youth are divided into two squads, one at the front and one at the rear.”

The soldiers were amazed.

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Yet Pei Qinghe was not entirely satisfied.

After dinner, she gathered a few people to discuss matters.

Captain Sun had not been observant enough. Today, Pei Qinghe had divided the Pei family into eight squads, each with varying numbers and a chosen leader.

The elderly women over sixty formed one squad, led by Madam Li from the eleventh branch. Being the eldest and most senior, Madam Li’s authority kept the elders obedient and silent.

Women aged forty to sixty were grouped under Madam Chen of the second branch. Chen was fiery, blunt, and sharp-tongued. Anyone wanting to criticize the Pei clan head had to get past her first.

The thirty to forty age group was managed by Madam Wu of the ninth branch. Wu was shrewd and meticulous, skilled with the abacus and bookkeeping, barely able to handle the logistics for hundreds.

The young wives in their twenties formed another squad, led by Madam Mao. Having recently emerged from the depths of despair and thoughts of suicide, Madam Mao was shocked to be entrusted with such responsibility and felt dazed all day.

She was the first to be reprimanded that night.

“Mao Hongling!”

Mao was momentarily stunned, looking around blankly.

Married into the Pei family for five years, everyone called her Second Son’s Wife or Madam Mao. No one had used her given name in a long time.

“Mao Hongling,” Pei Qinghe said flatly, her tone firmer.

Meeting Pei Qinghe’s stern gaze, Mao shivered and suddenly snapped to attention. “Here.”

“You have forty-two people in your squad,” Pei Qinghe said gravely. “All young and strong. Why did you move the slowest today?”

These were widowed Pei daughters-in-law—not surnamed Pei—enduring the tragic fate of losing their families and being exiled to Youzhou. Some had contemplated suicide like Mao once did. Some harbored resentment and bitterness; others even dreamed of escape.

With such divided hearts, how could they work together?

Mao Hongling lowered her head slightly. “I’ll urge them to move faster tomorrow.”

“The Pei family is suffering; our Pei daughters share their plight, which is only natural. You, as women married into the Pei family, have endured exile and hardship. It’s understandable that your hearts are full of grief and anger,” Pei Qinghe said calmly but sharply.

Mao was stung and lifted her head. “Sixth Sister, I’ve never thought that way.”

Pei Qinghe replied, “The Pei family hasn’t treated you fairly. But now, we must unite and move forward together. Once settled in Youzhou, those who want to leave may fake their deaths, assume new identities, and remarry.”

---

At this, everyone was shocked.

“No!” Madam Lu, eavesdropping nearby, stood up excitedly. Her wrinkled face flushed with anger as she glared fiercely at her granddaughter. “Pei Qinghe! What nonsense are you spouting?”

“They married into the Pei family; in life, they are Peis. In death, they are Pei ghosts!”

Pei Qinghe remained unmoved. “Those who want to stay will stay. Those who don’t, why force them to suffer with us?”

“Besides, they are neither Pei people nor ghosts. They are living human beings—not someone’s property or appendages.”

“Now I am the head of the Pei clan. The clan’s rules are mine to make.”

Madam Lu’s face turned bright red with rage as she pointed a finger and cursed, “You brat! You want to scatter the last of the Pei family before you’re satisfied! I tell you, while I live, I won’t allow you to run wild!”

“From today, I am the clan head.”

Pei Qinghe finally stood, her sharp and bright gaze fixed on Madam Lu. “The Pei family is full of the old, weak, women, and children. To survive in these chaotic times, we must unite like a rope, pulling together.”

“All old rules are void. As clan head, I make the rules. Anyone wanting to replace me must get past my fists first.”

“If grandmother is dissatisfied, she can try.”

Madam Lu was speechless.

When Pei Zhongde was alive, he could only hold her to a draw. How could this old lady withstand Pei Qinghe’s punch?

Madam Li shakily stood. “Let’s not speak such nonsense anymore. Our seventeenth branch unanimously elected Qinghe as clan head. She has done excellently these past days, and everyone respects her.”

Madam Chen was even more blunt. “Sister-in-law, look in the mirror. Aside from your temper and bossy attitude, what makes you better than Qinghe?”

Madam Lu was silent, her face ashen, and she sat back down without a word.

Pei Qinghe glanced over the complex expressions and turned back to Mao Hongling. “You come from a military family, trained in martial arts since childhood, skilled in riding, archery, and all weapons. Your skills are not weak.”

“As leader of your squad, you must take responsibility. Tomorrow we’ll march another thirty li. Once everyone adapts, we’ll increase the pace.”