Chapter 10, Three Matters Concerning Hu Ying

This inspiration naturally comes from the "Three Matters of Guan Yunchang at the Earth Mountain" in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". This episode is well-known to later generations, yet it had not been fabricated in those years. Moreover, even similar anecdotes are absent from historical records, so there is no need to worry about Shi Le and others making any associations—are you merely taking refuge here for the time being, hoping to seize an opportunity to escape?

Pei's face turned pale, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh, nodding and saying: "Indeed"

Shi Le raised his arms and said, "So be it—do you see how broad-minded I am? What other conditions do you have? Just put them all forward. After all, I have already executed Sima Pi. Who else do you wish to save? Even if I were to release them all, what would be so remarkable about that?"

Pei respectfully requests General Yang to release my aunt

He did not expect that Shi Le not only was not angry, but instead burst into laughter: "Hahaha, I know why Pei Lang is willing to surrender—could it be that the one who secretly released Pei Lang last night was none other than Lady Pei?"

At this moment, Shi Le focused his attention on Pei Gai, waiting for him to continue presenting his conditions. Pei Gai then raised his ring finger again, striving to articulate clearly, and slowly said: "The second matter is that I will surrender to Shi but not to Han."

Shi Le could not help but sigh inwardly. If Kong Chang were here, he might be able to see through Pei Gai's true intentions. Zhi An's mind still lacks a bit of insight... He furrowed his brows and thought again: "Very well, let us take him back to Xuchang and hand him over to Mr. Zhang for investigation."

Since Shi Le has given the order, An naturally does not dare to disobey. He quickly nods in agreement, but internally he wonders: "Which concubine of Pei's is in my hands? How come I don't know? ... It can't possibly be that woman from last night, can it? ... If that were the case, Pei would surely be furious with me, or would he really consider me his cheap uncle-in-law? "Let Pei Lang identify her, and I will release her immediately, no need for your esteemed reward."

An said that I did not advise you to betray Han. Those who do not plan for the future will inevitably face immediate troubles. One should not harm others, but must also guard against being harmed by others. Pei Lang has ultimately served as an official for several generations, with a profound family background in academia. Is it really useful for you to lead him into battle? It would be better to ask him to analyze the situation of the court and devise strategies for self-preservation, as that should be his strong suit. The phrase about surrendering to Shi but not to Han, I believe, is intended to convey this meaning and is not necessarily a divisive remark.

The lives of the Pei clan's aunt and nephew were firmly in the hands of Shi Le, yet Pei was compelled to resort to this desperate measure, which was not merely a spur-of-the-moment decision; in fact, he had been contemplating it for a long time, half-awake and half-asleep, relying on the support of a powerful ally. The key difference with Shi Le, compared to other barbarian generals, is that although he lacked education, he possessed great ambition and was relatively courteous towards the scholars of the Central Plains. Had it not been for Zhang Bin, Shi Le might have remained among the barbarian ranks and would not have achieved such significant accomplishments later on. If it had been someone like Liu Cong or Shi Hu, Pei would have returned this time with no chance of survival; that would have been pure suicide, not a gamble. The key difference with Shi Le, compared to other barbarian generals, is that although he lacked education, he possessed great ambition and was relatively courteous towards the scholars of the Central Plains. Had it not been for Zhang Bin, Shi Le might have remained among the barbarian ranks and would not have achieved such significant accomplishments later on. If it had been someone like Liu Cong or Shi Hu, Pei would have returned this time with no chance of survival; that would have been pure suicide, not a gamble.

Pei Gaixin said you hate the Sima family? You should actually be grateful to them. If it weren't for the "Rebellion of the Eight Kings," which led to the establishment of the Hu-Han state, you would be just an old farmer or a herdsman, how could you possibly be as imposing as you are today? ... In times of peace, you would have to kneel before me, and I might not even bother to pay you any attention...

An didn't even consider this aspect at all. He was solely focused on the fact that Shi Le seemed very eager to recruit Pei Gai. If that is the case, why not promptly agree to the other party's conditions? If this matter succeeds, then the beating he received would not have been in vain, and giving away a female slave would also not have been for nothing. In the future, if he could truly serve alongside Pei Gai in the court, he might even have the chance to be remembered for his kindness... provided that I truly did not sleep with the Pei Concubine last night... If this matter succeeds, then the beating he received would not have been in vain, and giving away a female slave would also not have been for nothing. In the future, if he could truly serve alongside Pei Gai in the court, he might even have the chance to be remembered for his kindness... provided that I truly did not sleep with the Pei Concubine last night...

"If the general is willing to agree to three matters proposed by Pei, then Pei is willing to pledge loyalty to the general!" Upon hearing these words, Shi Le could not help but feel delighted—if you are willing to surrender, that is sufficient; as for the conditions, what more could you possibly demand? Surely you wouldn't say that as long as I surrender to Jin, you would be willing to submit? Even a fool knows that is impossible; you shouldn't use such a pretext to play tricks on me—rather than making a fuss, it would be better to scold me like before, allowing me to push you out for execution.

Pei had just crossed the threshold of death, and at this moment, he felt very relaxed, his demeanor exceptionally calm. He smiled slightly and explained in detail: "My family has received the favor of Jin for three generations. Although it is not worthy of the actions of the Jin ruler, I deeply resent the Sima clan for disturbing the world. However, even if I turn my back on Jin, I shall not serve the enemy state. Therefore, I do not surrender to Han, do not accept Han's rewards, and do not take on Han's positions. I am only moved by the general's respect for the worthy and his humility towards the talented, and I wish to serve the general."

However, he originally thought that he would have to spend a lot of effort in persuasion, but unexpectedly, Shi Le was so clever that he saw through it at a glance. Pei was willing to submit purely to save the Pei family, so there was no hesitation at all and he directly agreed to the first condition. The key point is that the Pei family was the secondary wife of Sima Yue, not the biological mother of Sima Pi, and she had no offspring—she did not leave behind any illegitimate children with the Sima surname—plus her maiden name was Pei, so Shi Le truly could not bring himself to hate her.

Then Shi Le continued to speak: "However, how can a woman in her boudoir attend to external affairs? The crimes of Sima Yue and his son have nothing to do with their wives and concubines. Since she is the aunt of Pei Lang and the daughter of Duke Cheng of Julu, she should be treated leniently." He then looked towards Xuan An: "You may release her, and I will provide compensation with other goods."

... ...

Moreover, Shi Le had been closely observing Pei Gai's expression. He noticed that the previously evident desire for death in the other person's brow seemed to have slightly diminished... Hopefully, it is not just my illusion. It would be best if you no longer sought death; as long as you wish to live, then I will have a chance—"What are the three matters? I would appreciate it if you could clarify, Pei Lang."

In the presence of Shi Le, one could at least say that the chances of survival are nine out of ten, and the probability of both the aunt and niece surviving together is even greater—this risk is worth taking

Pei glared with both eyes and said, "What of it? If the general wishes to annihilate the entire Donghai Wang clan, then I, Pei, shall offer my neck and request to be executed alongside them! If you are willing to grant a swift end for both me and the Pei family, that would not be bad at all

Those familiar with "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" in later generations would immediately understand its meaning. However, although Shi Le was intelligent, he did not possess the intricate thoughts typical of the people of the Central Plains. Terms like "surrendering to Shi" and "surrendering to Han" left him utterly bewildered. He could not help but turn his face to look at Kui An, who coincidentally also shifted his gaze over. The two, lord and minister, exchanged glances, neither of them comprehending the true meaning of Pei's words.

Pei Gaixin said that this is when the truth is revealed. Whether I die alongside Pei or manage to keep her alive depends on Shi Le's attitude moving forward. "She is my aunt, the daughter of Pei Daoqi (Pei Shao)"

Pei knew that lying at this moment was utterly meaningless, and could only respond dejectedly: "Yes."

What does Pei Lang mean by this? Could you please clarify a bit more for me

Although Pei has already passed thirty, she is still a beautiful noblewoman. Once she falls into the hands of Hu's camp, even if her identity remains concealed, it is only a matter of time before various unspeakable events occur. How could Pei Wenyue simply walk away from this? If her savior were a man, perhaps Pei would indeed escape, seeking revenge for her benefactor in the future, exchanging one life for another. However, certain experiences that a woman may face can be far more tragic than death, and this mental barrier is one that she simply cannot overcome.

Upon hearing this, Shi Le could not help but furrow his brows. After pondering for a while, he looked at Xu An again—seeing Xu An's expression clearly conveying: you should just agree to him, what’s the big deal? Thus, he ultimately made up his mind: "This is not difficult either, I will comply with Pei Lang." He then said, since you have already yielded to me, Pei Lang, you should quickly go change into some fine clothes, and let us prepare to set off for Xuchang.

Pei should say that this is not the same matter—"I am merely a guest official under the general, relying on the general for all my clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. I will dedicate my loyalty solely to the general. I strategize for the general's personal safety and stability, offering plans to ensure the peace of his clan, but I do not engage in the general's attacks against the Jin state." As he spoke, he bent his little finger once more: "Therefore, the third matter is—since the general is about to head north to attack Luoyang, I earnestly request to remain in Xuchang and not accompany him."

After a pause, he added, "Moreover, Your Excellency has keen ears and sharp eyes, and a heart as steadfast as iron; how could you possibly fall for the treacherous schemes of division?"

Pei glanced at Shi Le, then took another look at Lian An, thinking to himself that they still had doubts in their hearts, so they wanted to discuss it further, right? Fine, I will let you discuss it—having basically reached this point, the rest is just a matter of time, and it is unlikely to cause any major upheaval. Thus, he cupped his hands and stepped out of the tent

As Pei had just left, Shi Le leaned slightly forward and, lowering his voice, asked Xuan An: "What do you think was the intention behind what Pei Lang just said?"

Pei Xianwei Mingdun, the second son of Pei Kang, was the elder brother of Pei Shao and the Pei family. He once served as the Governor of Xuzhou during the Jin Dynasty. Not long ago, he was attacked by the Hu-Han army and was forced to abandon the city and flee. Soon after, the Hu-Han general Zhao Gu captured Pei Dun's wife and daughter to coerce him into surrendering. Pei Dun, having been persuaded by the Chief Clerk Sima Ao, ultimately joined the Hu-Han camp, becoming the first of the Hedong Pei family to surrender to the Hu, though not the last. However, shortly after his surrender, he began to regret it. Zhao Gu married his daughter, and he would often cry and lament in front of her. As a result, Zhao Gu, in a fit of anger, simply had his father-in-law killed. At this time, however, news of his death had not yet been reported.

Pei Dun, as a governor of a province, was certainly known to Shi Le, who likely had a general understanding of his siblings. Initially, Pei Gai intended to obscure the truth and did not plan to reveal the true identity of the Pei family, merely stating that she was the sister of Pei Shao—"You might not be very familiar with Pei Shao, right? If I only mention his courtesy name, you probably wouldn't recall, would you?" However, upon hearing Shi Le mention Pei Dun, he realized that things had gone awry—Sima Yue had once presided over the Jin government and was renowned throughout the world; there was no way Shi Le would be unaware of the surname of his stepwife. Moreover, why would there be a noblewoman with the surname Pei among the ranks of Sima Yi's fleeing entourage? Besides Sima Yue's queen, could there be anyone else?

However, I did not expect that Shi Le would think so deeply, even worrying that Pei would attempt to use a scheme to sow discord. An An could not help but reach back to scratch his head, and following this line of thought, he carefully pondered for a moment before expressing his thoughts: "The other day, what Lord Pei said, I believe, is not unreasonable. Since the esteemed lord has risen in arms from the late emperor, achieving victory in countless battles, it is evident that the destruction of Jin is imminent. Once the Han dynasty unifies the realm, it would be time to consider the peace and prosperity of future generations. I have heard that there is a saying in China, 'When the birds are gone, the good bow is put away.' Even if the emperor's favor remains undiminished, one must still guard against the schemes of Liu Yao, Wang Mi, and others..."

Shile said that it is certain, I have already promised you, and I do not care about this momentary delay. We are about to break camp and set off. I still have instructions to give to Lian'an. You go down and tidy up first, and then let Lian'an take you to meet the others

Pei made every effort to calm his mind, not allowing his anxious demeanor to show on the outside. To disguise this, he even deliberately raised the corners of his mouth in a feigned smile. He raised his middle finger and spoke slowly and deliberately: "First matter, among the Jin people captured by General Liu yesterday, there is a close relative of mine, I request the general to order their release."

Shi Le waved his hand and said, "There is no need for you to be like this, Pei Lang." He continued, "I understand now; you discovered that Concubine Pei is in the camp at Yuan'an, and you are worried about her safety. This is purely a matter of filial piety, which is why you suddenly changed your plans and agreed to submit to me. This is nothing; this is very good—" "It further shows that Pei Lang's heart is pure and untainted, truly a gentleman." He said, "I harbor hatred towards the Sima family, especially towards Sima Yue. This world has been thrown into chaos by those of the Sima surname. If they had not acted recklessly—" "Then why did the late emperor have to establish a nation and lay its foundations, to punish the people and avenge the wronged? I would not have to be far from my hometown, braving arrows and stones..." This is nothing; this is very good—" "It further shows that Pei Lang's heart is pure and untainted, truly a gentleman." He said, "I harbor hatred towards the Sima family, especially towards Sima Yue. This world has been thrown into chaos by those of the Sima surname. If they had not acted recklessly—" "Then why did the late emperor have to establish a nation and lay its foundations, to punish the people and avenge the wronged? I would not have to be far from my hometown, braving arrows and stones..."

Upon hearing these words, Shi Le couldn't help but be slightly taken aback, but he soon burst into laughter: "Could it be that you are the daughter of Pei Xianwei?"

Pei was truly overjoyed upon hearing this—he never expected that Shi Le would be so easy to talk to! He made every effort to suppress the overwhelming joy within him, controlling the muscles in his face to avoid appearing too unseemly, yet he could not help but follow Shi Le's gaze and glance sideways at Ruan An.

Shi Le waved his hand hastily, interrupting Lu An from continuing: "I have received the great favor of the late emperor, and today the son also relies on me as a trusted advisor; I will never betray the Han!"

Shile said, I understand this. I do not care whether he is sincere or insincere now; as long as he verbally agrees to surrender, I will take him under my command, allowing me to gradually sway his heart. I believe that there will come a day when he will sincerely submit. But as soon as he opens his mouth, he says things like "surrender to Shile but not to the Han." What does that mean? ... Do you remember a few days ago when he came to assassinate me, pretending to say that I am in a precarious position and fearing harm from my colleagues? ... Could he be trying to sow discord?

Shile still does not quite understand: "I am a minister of the Han, and now that Pei Lang has surrendered to me, it is equivalent to surrendering to the Han. What is the difference?"

One can only hope that Shi Le will be sincere enough in his intentions and willing to be lenient towards the Pei family for his own sake. In fact, Pei Gai returned this time still harboring a heart set on certain death. If Shi Le refuses to grant his request, then he might as well just headbutt a wall to his demise—what meaning is there in living in a world where a big man cannot even save a woman who has shown him kindness? In such chaotic times, this is not a world I should be involved in; this journey through time can be regarded as an illusion before death. In fact, Pei Gai returned this time still harboring a heart set on certain death. If Shi Le refuses to grant his request, then he might as well just headbutt a wall to his demise—what meaning is there in living in a world where a big man cannot even save a woman who has shown him kindness? In such chaotic times, this is not a world I should be involved in; this journey through time can be regarded as an illusion before death.

Yan An furrowed her brows and let out a sound of disapproval, responding: "Pei Lang clearly submitted to the Ming Gong in order to save Pei Fei."

Shi Le immediately slapped the table and said, "This is an easy matter!" However, he quickly realized that he had not even asked for clarification and had agreed too hastily—"I do not know which relative of Lord Pei it is"

Pei secretly let out a sigh of relief, thinking that the most dangerous moment had passed. I took a great risk and encountered great fortune, and I have finally navigated through this tumultuous ordeal without any danger... In fact, he did not deceive Shi Le; if he wanted to escape, although it was not certain he could succeed, the Hu cavalry would not be able to catch up with him by the banks of the Wei River. He truly intended to return to the Hu camp, with the purpose of rescuing the Pei family.