Chapter 1295: First Volume, Chapter 1295: Idol and Prisoners

First Volume, Chapter 1295: Idol and Prisoners

Qin Feng's five thousand troops, escorting five hundred prisoners, had already begun an orderly military retreat.

The battle began swiftly and ended just as quickly; since the tactical objective had been achieved, there was no need to continue consuming resources against the enemy.

In a single clash, he eliminated the entire Eastern Front Garrison at minimal cost—Qin Feng's goal to "inflict pain" on the enemy had been perfectly accomplished.

As dawn broke, Zhao Zhenhai led his troops back to Anyuan County.

Near the city gate, a crowd of civilians had gathered, watching the massive army approach and mistaking it for an enemy assault, growing tense immediately.

As the troops drew closer and they recognized their own forces, they exhaled in relief, yet remained puzzled.

"When was this unit dispatched?"

"I think it was last night."

"Did we go to war?"

"Hmm… so many troops suddenly charging out must mean we fought the enemy—but they left last night, so why are they back this morning? Did they not fight at all?"

"Who knows? Either way, they're Liang troops, and the enemy commander is said to be Zhao Yulong—we're all comrades. Maybe they met, recognized each other, and made peace."

"That's very possible."

Just as the crowd buzzed with speculation, someone sharp-eyed spotted the prisoners among the ranks.

These prisoners were caked in blood and grime, clearly having endured a brutal battle.

Seeing this, the crowd froze, then burst into exclamations.

"What's going on? Why are we bringing back prisoners? And look—their clothes are soaked in blood. Last night really did turn into a fight, and we won!"

"How did we win so casually? If I hadn't seen this unit, I wouldn't have known we fought last night."

"Who could say otherwise?"

"Hehe, a unit dispatched last night returns this morning with prisoners—that's the combat effectiveness of our Northern Border Troops."

Initially, the people of Anyuan County strongly resisted the war.

For one, it was an internal war—no matter who won, the civilians would suffer most.

And the battlefield was right at Anyuan County; once fighting broke out, its people would be the first to bear the brunt.

Thus, though they said nothing aloud, all secretly resented Qin Feng's defense against the imperial army here.

But seeing this scene, their views were utterly overturned; cries of astonishment rose in waves.

"Our Northern Border Troops are indeed powerful—whether in the Beidi Campaign or the Southern Campaign, they've always been ours. But still… strength has limits! This is too extreme!"

"Hahaha, this is our Northern Border Army!"

"If every battle is fought like this, I wholeheartedly support the Qin King."

"Exactly! We still don't even know what happened, yet our soldiers have already returned victorious—this speed, this momentum—it's as if divine artifacts descended from heaven."

As the army entered the city gate, the entire Anyuan County was drowned in the people's cheers.

Unbeknownst to them, Qin Feng stood atop the City Gate Tower, silently watching the returning troops.

Looking at the prisoners brought back, Qin Feng felt no joy—after all, they were all Liang soldiers.

Even though he had resolved to protect the Northern Border at any cost, his compassion for Liang's soldiers remained undiminished.

"Your Majesty, can you truly not tolerate me?"

"Had there been the slightest possibility, you and I, sovereign and subject, would never have drawn swords against each other, let alone slaughtered one another."

Qin Feng rarely worried needlessly, yet gazing at the pitiful Liang soldiers, he could not help but sigh.

Moments later, Qin Feng descended the City Wall, facing the prisoners kneeling before him; though his heart brimmed with sympathy, his face showed no expression.

After all, the two armies were still at war—no matter what Qin Feng truly felt, he must never reveal any sympathy toward the enemy, or the blow to Northern Border morale would be devastating.

It would be absurd for soldiers to fight bloody battles on the Front Line while their Commander sang dirges for the enemy.

As Qin Feng studied the prisoners, the prisoners studied him in return.

Gazing upon the former Military God, once famed throughout Heaven, now turned enemy, every prisoner's eyes grew hazy and dimmed with sorrow.

Among the prisoners, the highest-ranking officer was a Deputy General named Zhao Ping.

Though Zhao Ping had never met Qin Feng in person, he had heard every one of Qin Feng's legendary exploits.

Now, finally meeting his idol, it was on a battlefield—truly, man's plans are no match for heaven's design.

Zhao Ping laughed bitterly: "I never imagined I'd meet the Qin King this way."

"Losing to the Qin King is no disgrace."

Hearing this, Qin Feng was quietly moved, yet his expression remained unreadable.

"We are now mortal enemies—why still call yourself 'this humble subordinate'?"

Facing Qin Feng's question, Zhao Ping shook his head, his gaze resolute: "I understand no political machinations, but I know who the true savior of Liang is."

"Even if everyone now calls the Qin King a traitor, in my heart, the Qin King remains Liang's unquestioned Military God—even its hero."

"Now our loyalties differ, and I've fallen into your hands—kill me, cut me down, do as you please—I offer not a single word of complaint."

Zhao Ping was not alone in holding this view.

Nearly every prisoner's gaze toward Qin Feng radiated reverence and sorrow.

They had dreamed of serving under Qin Feng, following him to glory—yet in the end, they became his prisoners. What a cruel twist of fate.

Zhao Zhenhai, though a Hawk Faction member with fierce combat zeal, could not bring himself to hate the prisoners before him.

These were comrades who had once fought shoulder to shoulder.

"How does the Qin King intend to handle these prisoners?"

"The two armies face off; Anyuan County is still unfinished, and most materials haven't arrived. Suddenly adding five hundred prisoners will be a heavy burden."

Zhao Zhenhai's words carried no hatred—merely a straightforward statement of fact.

Qin Feng nodded, gazing at the ashen-faced prisoners, and said gravely: "Since Anyuan County lacks sufficient supplies to house so many prisoners, transport them… to the Rear, and imprison them collectively."

Hearing this, Zhao Ping froze, then snapped his head up: "The Qin King won't kill us?"

Qin Feng waved his hand, calm and detached: "You are all soldiers, bound to obey orders. I know you never wished to attack the Northern Border—you were merely forced."

"As long as you behave quietly in the Prisoner of War Camp, cause no trouble, and harbor no rebellious thoughts, when the war ends, I will naturally release you to return home and reunite with your families."

"I have given you a chance to live. I hope you value it. Otherwise, execute on sight."