After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth] Chapter 68

Pei Zhen’s expression stiffened. He barely maintained his composure so as not to reveal anything unusual in front of Yang Yuanyi.

He knew that during his amnesia, he had been immersed in the comforts of beauty, his mind filled every day with thoughts of his beautiful wife at home. But he hadn’t expected that this matter had actually become… common knowledge.

It seemed his earlier guess had been correct, his usual interactions with his wife had been far more intimate than he now remembered, even without avoiding such closeness in front of others.

As for why he only remembered a few instances, even lacking any impression of what had happened on their wedding night, it must be because his head had been struck and he had forgotten.

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, even frowning, Yang Yuanyi thought he was trying hard to recall something and had another headache. He quickly asked, “Jianzhi, are you alright?”

If Pei Zhen hadn’t been injured, he would definitely have teased him at this moment. But since he was injured and his memory was affected, it wasn’t appropriate to joke.

Pei Zhen stiffened slightly, then raised a hand to press his temple, appearing calm while actually covering his discomfort. “Let’s… not talk about this for now. Earlier I asked you to send someone to Wuding Pass with a message, has it been sent?”

“It’s sent, the person just left,” Yang Yuanyi replied, immediately turning serious at the mention of business.

“Mm.” Pei Zhen nodded, then after thinking for a moment said, “Wuding Pass doesn’t have enough troops. And His Majesty may not return the troops that were transferred away. If this continues, it won’t be able to hold.”

There had been civil unrest around Luoyang. The Emperor had happened to be outside the palace and was chased by rebel forces, fleeing in haste all the way to Chang’an. Troops had been urgently mobilized to protect him. Although they hadn’t known the Hu would invade at the time, now that the rebels were preparing to attack Chang’an, even if the Emperor knew the situation, he likely wouldn’t dare send the garrison troops back.

But transferring troops from Bingzhou, or going personally to defend, was also inappropriate. He already commanded all military affairs in Bingzhou. Without an imperial order, if he interfered in Yongzhou as well, it would inevitably arouse suspicion from the Emperor, who might think he intended to consolidate military power.

In fact, previously when he had often coordinated with Prefect Zhang of Yongzhou to mobilize troops against the Northern Hu, it had already displeased the Emperor, who suspected the two frontier generals of joining forces. Otherwise, when Pei Zhen was thought to have met with misfortune, Prefect Zhang wouldn’t have been promoted in name but demoted in reality and transferred away from Yongzhou.

But the situation in Yongzhou couldn’t be ignored.

Yang Yuanyi, being his longtime friend, naturally understood what he was thinking. “We can have the commander at Wuding Pass request aid from Bingzhou first. Once the Bingzhou garrison learns the situation is urgent, they can send troops to assist.”

In urgent military situations, mutual reinforcement between two regions was understandable. Even if the Emperor remained suspicious, he wouldn’t be able to say much openly.

Logically, under the current circumstances, the commander at Wuding Pass and Governor Yan of Yongzhou should already have submitted memorials requesting reinforcements. Even if the Emperor didn’t return the sixty thousand troops, he should have redeployed forces from elsewhere, such as from Bingzhou.

But it was unclear whether they hadn’t submitted the memorials, or if the chaos in Chang’an had prevented them from being delivered, or if the imperial decree had not yet been issued. In any case, no reinforcements had arrived so far.

“Perhaps… he is forcing me to reveal myself.” Pei Zhen’s lips curled into a cold smile.

Yang Yuanyi glanced at him carefully, unsure who this “he” referred to.

Then he remembered something else and lowered his voice further. “While you were ‘recovering,’ His Majesty issued several edicts ordering you to lead troops south to suppress the rebellion. I’ve been stalling by saying you’re injured and bedridden. The day before I came to Yongzhou, another edict had just arrived in Bingzhou.”

Pei Zhen’s expression darkened. After a moment, he said, “Ignore it. Just say I’m still ill.”

This was also why he needed to continue concealing his identity. Once word got out that he was perfectly fine and in Yongzhou, not only would the Emperor grow suspicious, he would certainly be reassigned south to suppress the rebellion, and then he would have no excuse to refuse the order.

The refugee uprisings had been caused by those in power. With powerful clans stirring the waters further, Pei Zhen watched coldly, with no intention of leading troops to rescue the two capitals.

Moreover, at such a critical moment, if he left, how would Yongzhou and Bingzhou resist the large-scale invasion of the Hu? Rely on that Prefect Yan, who still remained in the provincial city and had never come to the front lines?

Yang Yuanyi quickly added, “Of course I know. Don’t worry, my grandfather is keeping an eye on things in Bingzhou. But we should still inform him that you’re safe, so he can be at ease.”

Pei Zhen nodded, then said, “Also, if Wuding Pass requests aid first and then Bingzhou sends troops, going back and forth will take too much time.”

Moreover, reinforcing Wuding Pass wouldn’t involve just a few thousand troops, it would require mobilizing tens of thousands. Such a major decision couldn’t be made by lower commanders. Reporting to Yang Yuanyi’s grandfather, obtaining authorization, and then mobilizing troops would take at least another day.

Of course, Pei Zhen himself could mobilize troops, but he currently had no command token on him. If he went to Bingzhou in person, not only would he expose his identity, but the round trip would also waste time.

And Wuding Pass likely couldn’t wait that long.

Yang Yuanyi thought of this as well and sighed. “If only the golden eagle were here, we could have it deliver a message to my grandfather, so he could prepare in advance. That way, as soon as Wuding Pass’s request arrives, Bingzhou’s army could set out immediately.”

Mentioning the eagle, he couldn’t help but feel distressed. “Speaking of which, the golden eagle you raised, ‘Black General’, I released it some days ago to search for you. I don’t know if it flew into Hu territory and got shot by some b*stard. It still hasn’t come back, I don’t even know if it’s alive.”

Pei Zhen’s expression suddenly turned strange.

Yang Yuanyi noticed and quickly asked, “What is it?”

Pei Zhen coughed lightly. “The golden eagle… actually is here.”

“Ah?” Yang Yuanyi was delighted upon hearing this.

***

Half a quarter of an hour later, Li Chanxiu led the two of them and pushed open the gate of the small courtyard.

“Why do you suddenly need to use the golden eagle?” he asked curiously as he went to unlock the side room.

Pei Zhen coughed lightly. “Didn’t you say before that this golden eagle was probably trained by someone? I see that its injuries are almost healed. With the military situation urgent, I want to try using it to send a message to Bingzhou to request reinforcements for Wuding Pass.”

Yang Yuanyi suddenly turned to look at him, eyes full of shock: No, brother, now that you’ve recovered your memory, you’re still telling her everything?

This could at least be considered a military secret, right?

Pei Zhen’s expression also stiffened as he belatedly realized this.

Li Chanxiu, however, didn’t notice anything unusual about the two of them, nor did he react to the “military secret” he had just heard. He was probably already used to it, after all, when General Chen had written to Wucheng in Bingzhou for reinforcements before, it hadn’t been kept from him either.

But regarding Pei Er wanting to use the golden eagle to send a message, he frowned slightly and hesitated. “For something this important, can it be entrusted to it? It does look like it’s been trained, but since it wasn’t trained by you, it may not necessarily obey you.”

Unexpectedly, Pei Er seemed very confident. Hearing this, he said, “It’s fine. I can train it a bit temporarily. Besides the golden eagle, we’ll also send people.”

Li Chanxiu: “…Alright then.”

Training an eagle wasn’t easy, but… seeing how confident Pei Er looked, he decided not to discourage him for now.

As he spoke, he unlocked the side room and pushed the door open.

Standing behind the two of them, Yang Yuanyi couldn’t help but lean forward, curious about what the golden eagle Pei Zhen mentioned looked like. He hadn’t expected that even after losing his memory, the man would still raise an eagle, his preferences really hadn’t changed.

Just as he was thinking this, a golden eagle strode out from the shadows of the dark room, head held high and chest puffed out, nearly half a man’s height. Its round eyes were fierce, its feathers sleek and glossy, its aura intimidating, yet it waddled as it walked, its iron-hook claws stepping in a comical outward gait.

Yang Yuanyi stared in shock. “Th-this…”

Wasn’t this the golden eagle he had released to search for Pei Zhen, Black General?

He couldn’t be mistaken. This eagle had been personally trained by Pei Zhen. Because it had a streak of black feathers running from the top of its head down its back, it had been named “Black General,” though he usually called it “Little Black.”

The golden eagle Pei Zhen raised during his amnesia was actually Little Black? In other words, after he released it, Little Black had indeed found Pei Zhen, only to be shot down by him…

He couldn’t help turning his head to look at Pei Zhen, thinking complicatedly: So you’re that b*stard… ahem, that guy.

Pei Zhen quickly coughed lightly, signaling him not to give anything away.

At this moment, Li Chanxiu also turned his head. Seeing Yang Yuanyi’s shocked expression, he found it a bit strange. “Young Master Yang… do you recognize this golden eagle?”

“No, no, no…” Yang Yuanyi hurriedly shook his head, maintaining his stunned expression as he said stiffly, “I’m just a bit shocked, th-this golden eagle is really fat.”

That wasn’t something he made up. In the past month, who knew what Little Black had been eating, not only were its feathers glossy and smooth, its body had grown a full circle larger than when he had just released it. C-can it even still fly?

Yang Yuanyi was very doubtful.

Perhaps sensing his questioning gaze, the golden eagle suddenly glared at him fiercely.

Yang Yuanyi: …Tsk, its temper hasn’t changed at all, just like its owner.

This eagle had been raised by Pei Zhen to be extremely fierce. Normally, only Pei Zhen could touch its head and feathers. Others couldn’t even look at it for too long without getting glared at.

Yet just as he finished thinking that, he saw Pei Zhen’s young wife suddenly raise her hand, stroke the eagle’s head, and even pinch its wing feathers.

Yang Yuanyi: “……”

Hearing Yang Yuanyi’s comment, Li Chanxiu suddenly realized that because the eagle had been injured, he had only been feeding it and hadn’t taken it out to fly much, had he actually made it fat?

But after squeezing its wings, he felt reassured. It was a bit fatter than when it first arrived, but mainly because its feathers had improved and become fluffier.

Seeing him “handle” the eagle like this, Yang Yuanyi couldn’t help but break into a sweat for him, afraid he’d get pecked. A warning of “Be careful!” almost slipped out, but the next moment, he froze.

After having its wings squeezed, the golden eagle actually leaned against Pei Zhen’s young wife and rubbed against him, even placing its head into his palm. After being patted and fed a strip of meat, it seemed to lose all dignity, like a little dog, circling around his legs.

Yang Yuanyi stared, dumbfounded: Th-this…

Is this also following its owner? Has the eagle lost its memory too? Why is it acting just like Pei Zhen when he had amnesia?

He couldn’t help turning his head, looking suspiciously at Pei Zhen.

Pei Zhen coughed lightly and walked over, intending to grab the eagle.

But as soon as he approached and raised his hand, the eagle suddenly widened its round eyes and darted behind Li Chanxiu.

Pei Zhen: “……”

His raised hand froze. He changed direction to grab it again, but the eagle dodged to the other side of Li Chanxiu’s legs.

Pei Zhen: “……”

Yang Yuanyi: “……”

Wait, your own bird doesn’t listen to you now? Did you even raise it?

Pei Zhen hadn’t completely forgotten what happened during his amnesia, so he naturally knew why the eagle was avoiding him. He slowly straightened up, his expression turning serious, about to call out “Little Black.”

Coincidentally, during his amnesia, he had given the eagle the same name, “Little Black.”

But before he could speak, Li Chanxiu patted the eagle’s head and gently coaxed it, then pushed it out from behind him.

Only then did the eagle reluctantly step out.

Pei Zhen: “……”

After some effort, they finally tied the message tube to the eagle’s leg.

When it came time to send it off, they didn’t trouble Li Chanxiu further. Pei Zhen personally fed it a few strips of meat and patted its head, finally coaxing the “ancestor” into taking flight.

Though when it flew, it had to flap its wings several times before lifting off, perhaps it really was a bit fat.

***

Dusk fell, and the sky had grown completely dark.

After releasing the golden eagle, Li Chanxiu no longer needed to return to the military camp or the city wall. And since Pei Er had just returned from battle and hadn’t eaten yet, he brought out the food Pei Er had made that morning and reheated it.

As for the soldier surnamed Yang who came along, Pei Er had already introduced him earlier, saying this man was called Yang Yuan, a small Thousand-man Commander at Wuding Pass, who had been sent to provide support after hearing that Yongfeng Pass was in urgent danger.

Because “Yang Yuan” had saved Pei Er outside the frontier today, Pei Er was very grateful and took the initiative to tell him that there was a golden eagle at his home that could help deliver a message to Wuding Pass, which was why he brought him back.

After Li Chanxiu learned this, he naturally politely invited “Yang Yuan” to stay for a meal. Unexpectedly, the other party truly didn’t stand on ceremony and actually stayed.

Li Chanxiu immediately felt that he shouldn’t have invited him so casually, he should have first gone out to buy some wine and dishes.

“Yang Yuan” hurriedly said, “No need, no need, sister-in-law, don’t trouble yourself. You should go rest first. I’m like Brother Pei, I can just eat something simple.”

Li Chanxiu could only nod. Although after he and Pei Er’s fake marriage they had never invited outsiders to eat at their home, he also knew that in such situations, the woman of the house usually did not accompany guests.

In addition, since he had already eaten, he gave Pei Er a few instructions and then returned to the main room first.

As soon as he left, Yang Yuanyi, who had been reserved a moment ago, immediately picked up his bowl and began devouring the food, shoveling rice into his mouth while mumbling, “Quick, quick, hurry up, I’ve barely eaten all day, I was almost starving. Speaking of which, your wife’s cooking…”

Halfway through, he was suddenly met with Pei Zhen’s pitch-black gaze.

Yang Yuanyi froze and carefully said, “…is actually quite good.”

Pei Zhen withdrew his gaze, expressionless. “I made it.”

Yang Yuanyi: “…Ah?”

Pei Zhen frowned. “What ‘ah’? Eat less.”

He had worked hard to make breakfast, and his little wife hadn’t eaten much, most of it had gone into Yang Yuanyi’s stomach. Just thinking about it made him unhappy.

But… forget it. Reheated food didn’t taste good anyway.

“Actually, you should eat more,” Pei Zhen added, changing his tone.

But as soon as he said it, he realized something, stiffened slightly, and his brows knit faintly.

Why was he acting like when he had amnesia again?

Hearing that the meal was made by him, and that he was being told to eat more, Yang Yuanyi was immediately deeply moved. “Jianzhi, I knew it, you’ve got your brothers in your heart.”

Pei Zhen: “……” That’s not necessary.

He just didn’t want his little wife to eat leftovers.

He picked up his bowl and ate as well. Since he hadn’t seen Yang Yuanyi for a month and had just regained his memory, he inevitably asked him about the situation in Bingzhou.

In addition, they had to wait for news from Ding Zong and Xuanping, who had gone to burn the enemy’s grain. As they talked, it actually went on until nearly midnight.

Hearing the night watch being struck outside, Yang Yuanyi suddenly thought of something. “Oh no, you’ve been eating with me this long and haven’t gone back to rest. Your wife won’t be angry, will she?”

Pei Zhen was slightly taken aback, his expression puzzled.

Yang Yuanyi had spent years in the military and knew that some soldiers would gather to drink during their free time, sometimes not returning until midnight. When their wives found out, they were usually angry, some even locked the doors and wouldn’t let them into bed.

Thinking of this, he quickly explained, then urged Pei Zhen, “You should go back quickly. I’ll return to the camp myself. If there’s news from Ding Zong, I’ll send someone to inform you immediately.”

After speaking, he raised his sleeve, sniffed it, and said with relief, “Luckily we didn’t drink. Your wife probably won’t refuse to let you into bed.”

Pei Zhen: “……”

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