Chapter 933: First Volume, Chapter 933: Pre-Battle Mobilization

First Volume, Chapter 933: Pre-Battle Mobilization

Clearly, the Xiongying Brigade was the most vital force maintaining Northern Di's rule.

Yet Qin Feng still had many pressing concerns; the Xiongying Brigade was an Expeditionary Brigade, skilled in open field battle but not in attack on a fortified city, so its most crucial task upon returning to Jingdu was to assist the Northern Di King in consolidating his rule, not to assault Changshui County.

Thus, Qin Feng merely took note of the Xiongying Brigade—and nothing more.

As nightfall arrived, Changshui County finally came into Qin Feng's view; the city had already received word, and people had long been waiting outside the gates.

The moment they passed through the City Gate, every taut nerve finally relaxed.

All wounded, including Ning Hu, were sent back to the County Yamen for second treatment.

Qin Feng, however, did not rush to the County Yamen to reunite with Shen Qingci and the three women; instead, he headed straight for the County Yamen encampment.

Due to the urgency of the situation, the army could arrive at the city walls at any moment, so Qin Feng had to make full use of every second.

At this time, the two hundred County Yamen soldiers had already been disarmed and gathered on the Jiaochang, guarded by dozens of Beixi Soldiers, while another hundred soldiers stood outside the encampment.

These Yamen soldiers had no idea what had happened, their minds buzzing with suspicion.

"What's going on? Just before Lord Qin left, we were all brothers—how did we become prisoners the moment he was gone?"

"Could it be… Lord Qin has rebelled?"

"Rebel? He's a foreign envoy—how could he possibly rebel?"

"Shut the hell up all of you—even if Qin Feng really goes to war with the court, it has nothing to do with us. If you don't want to die, keep your damn mouths shut."

At that moment, Qin Feng stepped into the Jiaochang.

The Yamen soldiers' hearts were already in their throats; seeing Qin Feng surrounded by Tianji Camp Guards, and noticing the wounds covering his own body, their spirits instantly sank halfway.

Damned it—words came true!

Qin Feng wasted no time; he surveyed the Yamen soldiers and spoke bluntly: "I, your Lord, accepted His Majesty's summons with utmost sincerity to pay an Imperial Audience—but en route through Qingshan County, I was ambushed by Lü Li."

"After a bloody battle, I barely escaped, but one hundred and thirty-seven of my soldiers bled out on the battlefield."

"Since you have been unrighteous, do not blame me for being unfaithful!"

"You are Da Di subjects and imperial officials, entrusted with protecting this county and safeguarding its people—technically, I should execute you all!"

"But you were not involved in this affair; you are innocent. Therefore, I give you a choice."

"Those loyal to Northern Di may leave the city; those who wish to fight alongside me shall henceforth be citizens of Beixi County."

"Make your choice—now!"

The Yamen soldiers' heads rang with confusion; they had not yet understood what was happening, yet faced an impossible choice.

And clearly, Qin Feng had no intention of giving them time to deliberate.

Instantly, loud debates erupted in the crowd.

"What is this? A Pacification Edict?"

"Bullshit—it's recruiting rebellion!"

"We are Da Di subjects—how can we aid a foreign minister? Isn't that betraying our own?"

"Exactly right—Qin Feng's feud with the court has nothing to do with us. Leaving the city now is the wisest move."

"Wait—didn't you hear? Qin Feng said if you fight with him, you'll become citizens of Beixi County. Don't you know how good life is in Beixi County?"

"Shut your filthy mouth—I won't do something so traitorous, selling out my country for profit!"

"Don't speak like that—men die for wealth, birds die for food. Besides, we guard this county, yet the court can't even pay our provisions and pay—even when they do, it's not enough to buy grain."

"We joined the military just to eat—what talk of national righteousness?"

After heated arguments, the crowd immediately split into two factions; as Qin Feng predicted, nearly seventy percent of the Yamen soldiers refused to join him, while fewer than fifty decided to "sell out for profit."

Everyone's thoughts and aspirations differed vastly; thus, Qin Feng understood those who chose death over submission.

Though his guards repeatedly urged him that these Yamen soldiers were all locals who knew the city intimately and should be killed immediately to eliminate future threats,

Qin Feng ultimately chose to honor his word and spare their lives.

Yet for safety's sake, he did not release them all at once; instead, he let them go in batches of no more than twenty at a time, requiring them to return home, collect their Jia Guan, and leave the city under escort by Beixi Soldiers.

As for the remaining Yamen soldiers, Qin Feng trusted them not at all—how could such "traitors" possess loyalty or combat effectiveness? —but the defense of the city required manpower; even if they served only in logistics, it was better than nothing.

"I, Qin Feng, am no saint, and you are no virtuous men—let's speak plainly."

"Men like you, who sell out their masters for profit, will never earn my trust—now or ever. But I will still keep my promise: once all is settled, I will take you back to Shedynasty, grant you Beixi County Household Registration, and give each of you five taels of silver as a settlement fee. What kind of life you lead afterward is none of my concern."

"From now on, you are no longer Yamen soldiers—you are laborers, assigned only to logistics duties, and you will not fight on the First Line."

"But to prevent any of you from stabbing us in the back and colluding with the enemy in Bandit Collaboration, I must speak plainly."

"The city is filled with Jin Yi Wei and Tianji Camp Guards—anyone caught scheming in secret will be executed without mercy!"

After giving his orders, Qin Feng waved his hand, signaling the Beixi Soldiers to take these "laborers" away for pre-battle preparation.

Meanwhile, soldiers reported that the County Yamen had also been "cleared."

The County Magistrate and the County Magistrate's Wife had both been placed under soft detention.

Though Qin Feng had previously maintained a very harmonious relationship with the County Magistrate's Wife and worked with her happily, in times of crisis, extraordinary measures were required.

Qin Feng was already short on manpower and faced siege by the Northern Di Royal Capital Garrison—he could not afford any mishaps, so he had to crush every possible threat before it could take root.

Caution ensures a thousand-year voyage.

From now on, all Northern Di officials and imperial servants in Changshui County were under soft detention; this county was no longer under Northern Di rule—it had become Qin Feng's Military Stronghold.

Compared to officials, Qin Feng cared most about the city's civilians.

The key to holding the City did not lie in the combat effectiveness of the Tianji Camp Guards or the Beixi Soldiers, but in whether he could mobilize the city's people.

Qin Feng immediately ordered men to go door-to-door, instructing every household to send one representative to assemble on the Jiaochang.