Chapter 740: First Volume, Chapter 740: Bei Di Orthodox Royal Clan

First Volume, Chapter 740: Bei Di Orthodox Royal Clan

Hearing Lü Ci's sigh, Ning Hu beside him couldn't help but sigh too.

Not just Lü Ci—he Ning Hu had never seen anything like it!

What kind of war is this? It's just throwing money away!

Although siege warfare had begun, Qin Feng had issued no offensive orders; all soldiers kept far away, terrified of being struck by stray arrows from within the city.

Casualties among the troops were nearly negligible, yet in just twenty days, the money spent had already reached Ten Thousand Li Silver.

This doesn't even count grain and forage losses—just the money thrown away by the catapults.

Ning Hu couldn't help but let out a long sigh: "I've never fought such a wealthy war in eight lifetimes."

Qin Feng ignored Ning Hu's muttering and focused on soothing Lü Ci: "If General Lü doesn't mind, stay a while in this military camp."

At these words, Lü Ci shook his head like a rattle drum.

"Thank you, Young Master Qin, for your kindness, but no need for a short stay—these two thousand men are two thousand mouths to feed; how could I let you bear the cost?"

"Better yet, Young Master Qin, settle us quickly according to the price stated in the Royal Edict of surrender."

Saying this, Lü Ci added deliberately: "With Young Master Qin's reputation, you won't renege, will you?"

Without hesitation, Qin Feng pulled a contract from his sleeve and slapped it before Lü Ci.

"This is a promissory note from the Tianji Camp's affiliated bank; fewer than a handful of people in the entire Tianji Camp, even in Beixi County, have authority to issue such blank notes."

"With this note, you may go to any Tianji Camp-affiliated bank and receive your money—not only that, but the Tianji Camp will assign a dedicated person to transport your payment and ensure your safety."

"I can write down a debt of Eighty Thousand Li Silver on this contract right now."

Lü Ci's eyes gleamed; if anyone else had said this, he'd have laughed it off—but Qin Feng was different.

This man had more money than he knew what to do with!

He had single-handedly built the entire Beixi army, and his Tianji Camp's wealth-gathering operations spanned both military and civilian spheres. In short, Qin Feng was filthy rich.

But Lü Ci wasn't foolish—he sensed Qin Feng had deeper meaning behind his words.

"Young Master Qin, if you have something to say, just say it plainly—I'm a rough man, I can't read between the lines."

Qin Feng thought to himself that Lü Ci was surprisingly honest, so he stopped beating around the bush.

"General Lü, judging by your age, you're at least thirty-five, if not forty?"

Though Lü Ci didn't understand Qin Feng's intent, since his life and family were in Qin Feng's hands, he dared not hesitate and answered quickly: "I've long passed forty."

Qin Feng nodded and asked further: "How many children do you have?"

Lü Ci frowned slightly but answered: "Two sons, one daughter; I have two wives, one elder, one younger."

To prevent Qin Feng from asking more, Lü Ci volunteered: "My parents are still alive, and over a dozen relatives depend on me."

Qin Feng immediately countered: "When you take this money and live in luxury within Shedynasty, have you ever thought what will become of your entire family?"

Earlier, Lü Ci had hesitated so long to defect precisely because he feared for his family.

News of his defection would reach Wang Du quickly—and then his entire household would be exterminated!

Seeing Lü Ci's eyes dim, Qin Feng pressed on: "Not just you—every officer under you—I've laid out two clear paths for you all to choose."

"If you choose money, I have no objections—I'll give you bank promissory notes immediately; this note is your proof. Once you reach any Tianji Camp-affiliated bank, they'll handle your payment and arrange housing and land for you."

"If you choose your family, every officer gets Ten Thousand Liang Silver as resettlement fee; every soldier gets Five taels of silver."

"I guarantee your Jia Guan's safety—and within one month, you'll be reunited with them."

Lü Ci's gloomy, defeated gaze suddenly blazed bright.

Overcome with emotion, his body trembled slightly: "Young Master Qin—is this true?"

Before Qin Feng could answer, Ning Hu snapped irritably: "What kind of question is that?"

"Isn't Qin Feng's name enough?"

Lü Ci nodded rapidly: "Of course! Young Master Qin's name is known throughout Heaven—how could he break his word?"

"If my family is wiped out, what good is gold and silver?"

"I choose the second path—I take only Ten Thousand Liang, to ensure my family's safety."

According to the surrender letter, Lü Ci could claim Eighty Thousand Li Silver alone—this fortune would ensure comfort for him, his children, even his grandchildren.

Yet Lü Ci chose his family without hesitation—clearly, he wasn't entirely a scoundrel.

Since Lü Ci agreed so readily, the other officers naturally chose the latter option without hesitation.

Qin Feng gathered all the defected officers and announced loudly: "I have more to say."

"Since you've chosen your families, it's clear you defected out of necessity. Therefore, beyond resettlement fees and family safety, I offer you one great boon!"

"Do you want to spend your lives branded as traitors, dying far from home, your descendants forever shamed?"

"Or do you want to become heroes revered by Bei Di, glorifying your ancestors?"

Though the Bei Di defectors had chosen to betray, they were still fierce warriors—and the thought of bearing the traitor's curse felt like a dagger in their hearts.

Now, hearing Qin Feng's words, they were utterly confused.

Even if Qin Feng had immense power, he couldn't turn traitors into heroes.

"Young Master Qin, you're joking too much," Lü Ci sighed bitterly. "Soon, all of Bei Di will see us as mortal enemies—glorifying our clan? I dare not even dream of it."

But Qin Feng narrowed his eyes and said gravely: "I wouldn't say it if I couldn't do it. I only ask you—do you want it?"

Lü Ci sighed: "If I could return home without fear, how could I refuse?"

Qin Feng waited for exactly this: "Good! Then you needn't relocate into Shedynasty territory or hide your identities."

"This entire province along the Bei Di border has become Shedynasty's Buffer Land—Bei Di's army cannot station here."

"You will settle here—I'll send men to build you villages and strongholds."

"From today on, your two thousand men are the loyal army upholding the Bei Di Orthodox Royal Clan!"

Lü Ci stared blankly at Qin Feng: "Upholding Imperial Orthodoxy? Young Master Qin—what do you mean? I'm more confused than ever."

"To support the legitimate line, at the very least, don't we need a member of the imperial family first? Even if we have one, whether it's legitimate or not, Heaven will render its own judgment—why do we need to set things right ourselves?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng couldn't help but laugh: "The legitimate Beixi County War Hero of the North Di? I have one right here beside me."