Chapter 464

First Volume, Chapter 464: Hospital

The value of Beixi County, to Qin Feng, is beyond doubt.

To put it plainly, how long Qin Feng lives depends entirely on whether Beixi County grows strong—not just to deter the Di, but also to guard against the Li Imperial Clan. Once the National War ends, whether victorious or defeated, the Li Imperial Clan will surely turn their knives on Qin Feng; only if Beixi County is strong enough will the Li Clan dare hesitate.

Qin Feng's goal is crystal clear: to forge Beixi County into an invincible fortress, like a dagger planted on the border between Shedynasty and the Di, making both sides dare not entertain the slightest thought of it.

Qin Feng patted Xu Mo's shoulder, sighed deeply, and said earnestly: "Xu Brother, let's speak from the heart—since coming to Beixi County, haven't you spent every day and night trembling in fear, dreading that one day your parents and loved ones will suffer utter ruin?"

This sudden question caught Xu Mo off guard.

But sensing the sincerity in Qin Feng's gaze, Xu Mo hesitated, then nodded: "Indeed."

"Though Beixi County offers chances to build merit, for the Imperial Court, examples of 'birds gone, bow set aside' are countless. Those who cannot serve the Sage Emperor, no matter how great their achievements, will likely meet no better fate."

Qin Feng's lips curled upward, his eyes deep: "Then why, to this day, has the Sage Emperor left untouched anyone connected to Beixi County? Compared to you, the one most fearful should be Zhao Yulong. As Young Master of the Longhu Army, yet befriending me, Qin Feng—how could the Emperor possibly tolerate it?"

Hearing this, Xu Mo first froze, then his eyes brightened.

"Qin Brother, are you saying the Sage Emperor fears Beixi County?"

Qin Feng gave a light laugh, blunt and direct: "Exactly."

"If Beixi County falls, my Qin Family will be slaughtered to the last. If my Qin Family collapses, anyone linked to us will have no escape—they will all be implicated. Having served the Emperor so long, I know his iron will for ruthless extermination. But conversely, as long as Beixi County prospers, my Qin Family and all your clans remain safe."

"The Emperor is far too shrewd to risk provoking Beixi County by harming your families."

Qin Feng's words woke Xu Mo from his dream.

The heavy stone that had weighed on Xu Mo's heart finally dropped.

At this moment, Xu Mo finally understood why Qin Feng had poured all his strength into building Beixi County into its current glory. The generous benefits for civilians and soldiers were naturally meant to win hearts and eliminate any possibility of 'internal unrest.' As long as Beixi County stands united, no external enemy, no matter how powerful, could ever hope to breach it—it would be pure fantasy.

Xu Mo instantly perked up, silently resolving in his heart: alive, he would be of Beixi County; dead, he would be its ghost.

After a night of revelry, Beixi County finally fell silent as dawn approached.

When the people of Beixi County awoke and learned of Qin Feng's new 'benefit edicts,' they erupted once more in joy. One good fortune followed another; the gloom and filth in their eyes vanished, replaced by unprecedented brightness—each gleaming gaze brimming with hope for the future.

And at this moment, everyone understood.

High welfare means high investment—the Tianji Camp is no longer the Qin Family's Tianji Camp; it is Beixi County's Tianji Camp.

As evening fell and the entire city of Beixi County overflowed with happiness, a messenger burst through the County City's Door, racing straight toward the County Yamen.

The urgent clatter of hooves clashed jarringly with Beixi County's peace.

The messenger leapt off his Horse, sprinted into the Yamen, and shouted to Lin Quqi, who was handling official affairs: "County Magistrate, the Former General is gravely wounded and urgently needs medical aid—Beixi County must lend a hand!"

Hearing this, Lin Quqi frowned slightly: "I already know the Former General was struck by a stray Arrow. The Bian Jun Zhong Zhen is powerful—surely it has its own physicians?"

The messenger's face grew grim: "Your Excellency, the border city has fallen; its civilians were slaughtered or captured by the Di. The physicians were either killed or taken—there are none left in the city."

Lin Quqi asked: "If there are no physicians in the city, why not send the Former General back to Jingdu for treatment?"

The messenger's expression turned complex; he opened his mouth but fell silent.

Before the messenger could answer, Qin Feng stepped through the curtain into DaTang, calm and composed: "It's not that he can't return—it's that he dares not. The Former General, stationed on the Northern Border, takes orders but not Imperial Summons—he has long been suspected by the Emperor. If he returns to Beijing, he risks being stripped of his OfficialRank and softly detained, or worse—execution."

Lin Quqi had never set foot in the Imperial Court; he knew nothing of its dangers.

The Former General, once at the pinnacle of power, now trapped, unable to return home—Lin Quqi felt both shock and sorrow.

Qin Feng waved to the messenger, dismissive: "Just go back and bring the Former General here. Beixi County will treat him fully. By the way, with the border defense under such heavy pressure, no large escort is needed. With Prince Ming stationed in Beixi County, there's no chance he'd betray his word or harm the Former General."

The messenger bowed deeply, prostrating himself three times before Qin Feng, then hurried off.

At that moment, Xiao Xiangxiang stepped through the curtain, carrying a tray with two bowls of chicken soup. She placed them on the Shushu, stole a glance at Qin Feng, saw him wink at her, blushed, and fled like a startled bird.

Qin Feng and Lin Quqi sat beside the Shushu, sipping the chicken soup.

"Lin Brother, how is the construction of Beixi County's Hospital coming along?"

Ever since the Night Owl's assassination attempt nearly killed Xiao Xiangxiang, Qin Feng had realized the critical importance of medicine and immediately instructed Lin Quqi to establish a Hospital in Beixi County.

Lin Quqi grinned—still finding the word "Hospital" fresh and novel.

But knowing Qin Feng's habit of breaking conventions, he didn't argue and simply kept the name "Hospital."

"We have no shortage of physicians, but the medical concepts you mentioned in your letter are hard to implement. Most physicians hear them and cry foul, saying your methods will kill patients outright."

"For example, surgery—every physician fiercely opposes it. There's no precedent."

Qin Feng wasn't surprised by this result.

Traditional medicine excels in regulation; Western medicine delivers immediate results. Combining both is the true path.

Especially for Beixi County's soldiers, who constantly face the threat of Arrow Wounds—even if an Arrow strikes the thigh without hitting an artery, a mere external wound can still prove fatal. Qin Feng's goal is simply to reduce the mortality rate from Arrow Wounds as much as possible.

Disinfection, wound cleaning, suturing, recovery—this entire process isn't difficult. Even current medical standards can handle it perfectly, and the drop in mortality rate will be immediate.