Chapter 463: First Volume, Chapter 463: United in Purpose

First Volume, Chapter 463: United in Purpose

A man in his thirties, clutching a wine pot, leapt onto the table and shouted loudly: "Young Master Qin is not only the pillar of Shedynasty, but also our very saviors! I was born lowly, with no way to repay Young Master Qin's boundless grace—this wretched life of mine, if he wants it, he may take it at will!"

The man tipped his head back and gulped down the coarse liquor in huge swallows, growing ever more excited: "For this city, I'm willing to give my life. Whoever dares invade Beixi County, I'll charge at them and fight to the death!"

As if stirred by the man's words, the commoners present—especially the young, strong, and fiery-hearted—rose one after another, shouting in unison.

"That's the truth! To be a citizen under Young Master Qin's rule is a blessing earned over a hundred lifetimes!"

"Look at this wine, look at this food—this is what it means to live as a human being! In all my years, whether official or wealthy landowner, who ever treated me like a person? Only here in Beixi County are we truly human—not mere subjects, not beasts."

"Hahahaha, to be honest, my ancestors committed crimes, and my entire family was banished into slavery. From the moment I was born, I carried an indelible stain of guilt—no official or wealthy man, not even ordinary commoners, looked down on me. But since coming to Beixi County, my slave status was erased, both my children were admitted to a private school, I secured a job at the Tianji Camp Workshop, my wife does mending and sewing, and we now earn four hundred copper coins a month. What a life this is!"

The Yamen Runners maintaining order couldn't help but interject: "Young Master Qin once said: all humans are equal. He can't control other places, but within Beixi County, there is no such thing as a lowborn. Commoners, soldiers, and officials are all equal in rank."

"Equal Before the Law is just empty words elsewhere, but here in Beixi County, it is ironclad law—everyone must obey it."

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in further frenzy.

After all, tonight's citywide Merit Banquet proved it!

Meanwhile, Wengcheng was also ablaze with activity.

The soldiers toasted and cheered, uttering bold vows—but Qin Feng was not present.

Long before nightfall, Qin Feng had already toasted with them; now, he had already left BeixiCounty and headed for Ten Li Gang.

Ten Li Gang had once been heavily infiltrated by the Di; after being cleansed by the Brocade Clothing Guard, it had been transformed into Beixi County's forward Fortress.

Now, the Ten Li Gang encampment garrisoned five hundred soldiers.

Compared to the revelry within the city, Ten Li Gang remained fully alert, no one daring to slacken for a moment.

Under Xu Mo's escort, Qin Feng stepped into the Ten Li Gang encampment.

Faced with Qin Feng's sudden arrival, the soldiers were momentarily bewildered, unsure what to do, and could only nervously salute with clasped fists.

Qin Feng, however, carefully examined each soldier present, nodding in approval: "Brothers, while the whole city celebrates tonight, you remain here to guard against possible Di stealth attacks—truly, you've worked hard."

Learning Qin Feng had come solely to comfort them, the soldiers exhaled in relief, their eyes instantly blazing with warmth.

The Deputy Commander of Ten Li Gang, his blood boiling, clasped his fists: "Young Master Qin, you flatter us—defending Beixi County is our duty, how could we call it hard work?"

Qin Feng felt deep satisfaction, a smile slowly spreading across his face: "Tomorrow evening, if the Di make no move, you will return to the city and take one day off—rest well, spend time with your families. Garrison troops outside the city and city defenders are treated equally: each month, you all get one day of leave, without exception, to return home and be with your families."

At these words, the defending soldiers trembled with excitement.

One day of family leave every month? Was this benefit too good to be true?

Before the soldiers could recover from their shock, Qin Feng added: "All soldiers of Beixi County, your families will receive preferential treatment within Beixi County. At year's end, each of you will receive one tael of silver as thanks for your silent sacrifices. Moreover, even the most ordinary soldier enjoys the benefits of Tianji Camp Guards—should you fall in battle, your family will be cared for and raised by Beixi County."

The soldiers were already deeply grateful.

Serving in Beixi County offered benefits far beyond those of soldiers elsewhere. Most crucially, Beixi County upheld equality among all, forbidding any discrimination or oppression.

Now, even the lowest private soldier received the same benefits as Tianji Camp Guards.

The soldiers felt as if they were dreaming.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Deputy Commander finally snapped back to reality, speaking dazedly: "Young Master Qin, is this treatment… not a bit too generous?"

Qin Feng dismissed it: "Too generous? Not at all! You are all citizens of Beixi County—Beixi County rises with you, falls with you. When you grow strong, Beixi County grows strong. As the saying goes: take from the people, return to the people."

Realizing Qin Feng's words were not hollow rhetoric, but genuine policy,

the soldiers' eyes blazed with fierce intensity.

A low-ranking soldier gathered courage and shouted at Qin Feng: "Young Master, my life belongs to Beixi County! Whoever dares invade Beixi County, I'll be the first to stand against them!"

This was exactly the resolve Qin Feng wanted!

Only when soldiers and commoners see Beixi County as their own home—when they defend it not because they are ordered to, but because they fight to protect their home—will Beixi County become invincible!

The old truth that "a new emperor brings new ministers" will no longer apply here in Beixi County.

Under the worshipful gaze of the soldiers, Qin Feng and Xu Mo turned and left Ten Li Gang.

No sooner had they stepped past the Camp Gate than Xu Mo could not help asking: "Brother Qin, even lowly privates enjoy the benefits of Tianji Camp Guards—isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Qin Feng had anticipated this question: "Not inappropriate at all. Caring for the families of fallen soldiers is precisely what Beixi County must do. Of course, beyond benefits, their salaries still differ greatly: ordinary soldiers earn one tael of silver annually, while Tianji Camp Guards earn one hundred taels—hundredfold difference."

According to Qin Feng's calculations, an ordinary soldier's annual income—including salary, year-end bonus, and income from other family members' labor—could reach four taels of silver. The average annual expenditure for a three-person Han family was between one and one and a half taels.

In other words, even the lowest soldier in Beixi County would live comfortably—far better than ninety percent of Han commoners. And each year, they could save two taels of silver to invest in the next generation. As the people grow stronger, Beixi County grows stronger—this is a virtuous cycle.

Tianji Camp Guards earn one hundred taels of silver annually—equivalent to a Gate General's pay.

The salary is so high for two reasons: first, to motivate other soldiers to strive upward; second, because risk and reward must be proportional.