Chapter 934: First Volume, Chapter 934: Yiwang Zhengzhao

First Volume, Chapter 934: Yiwang Zhengzhao

One Envoy later, the sky had turned utterly black; fire torches lined the perimeter of the camp's jiaochang. Though this was not Qin Feng's wish, the atmosphere was unnervingly heavy and oppressive.

Due to the urgency, the Beixi Soldiers could not possibly go door-to-door to "persuade gently"; the common people herded to the jiaochang appeared extremely tense.

They had no idea what had happened, but seeing the soldiers around them brimming with murderous intent, and Qin Feng standing silently atop the high platform, even the slowest among them vaguely sensed that something terrible was unfolding.

As the saying goes: when a state prospers, the people suffer; when a state falls, the people suffer.

The common people present had already prepared themselves for the worst.

Qin Feng remained silent because he was counting the crowd. According to the Jin Yi Wei's records, Changshui County seat had 800 registered households; assuming six people per household across three generations, that totaled 4,800 people. If only able-bodied men were counted, a conservative estimate would place the number between six and seven hundred.

Yet the crowd gathered at the jiaochang numbered fewer than five hundred, many of them elderly or weak; the true able-bodied men likely numbered only three hundred.

This figure fell far short of Qin Feng's expectations.

Changshui County was after all a Jingji county seat—after excluding public servants, officials, and other personnel—it could still only muster three hundred men.

Clearly, the townsfolk had interpreted Qin Feng's mobilization as "press-ganging conscripts." Most able-bodied men either hid or fled; those who couldn't escape simply sent their fathers or young sons in their place.

Then, when the "officials" saw the old, weak, or sick, they'd simply let them go home.

For the common people, this "clever trick" could mean the difference between life and death—most able-bodied men sent to the battlefield stood little chance of returning alive.

In this light, the fact that three hundred able-bodied men had even shown up was almost cause for relief.

Qin Feng comforted himself with this thought, his mood lifting; he cut straight to the point and announced loudly: "All those under fifteen or over fifty, step forward!"

At Qin Feng's command, more than half the crowd stepped out at once.

Qin Feng did not hesitate: "Go home."

The elderly and weak bowed in gratitude and left without looking back; those remaining were all between fifteen and fifty years old, the able-bodied.

Qin Feng took a deep breath and said gravely: "I assume you still don't know what's happened. I, Qin Feng, never enjoy playing games or keeping you in the dark for my own convenience."

"Do you know who Lü Li is?"

At the name "Lü Li," the crowd stared blankly.

Though they lived in the Jingji Region, close to Wang Du, common people dared not speak of court officials. Not even Lü Li—let alone who the Vice Minister of Revenue was—they knew nothing.

Seeing their confusion, Qin Feng explained: "Lü Li is the current Pillar of the State. What is a Pillar of the State? It is also called Pillar of the State Grand General—a Second Rank, Grade Two Meritorious Official!"

"Yet such a towering figure has committed base, thieving acts—he ambushed me on the road. If this can be endured, what cannot?"

"Within days, a large army will surround Changshui County. War is inevitable."

"Though you are subjects of the Di Kingdom, you should not side with an outsider—but in this emergency, I must take extraordinary measures. From now on, you are all conscripted: you will bear the burden of logistics, fortify city defense, and transport supply trains."

"If you serve faithfully, each of you will receive five taels of silver as compensation. Moreover, I, Qin Feng, swear by the honor of the Tianlu Marquis of Shedynasty: if this succeeds, anyone who wishes to return with me to Shedynasty may settle in Beixi County. If I am defeated, I will leave a letter proving these townsfolk never aided me."

"You have no choice in this matter!"

"Also, anyone who pretends to obey while secretly disobeying, attempts to flee, or colludes with the enemy—once discovered, will be executed under military law, without mercy!"

Qin Feng knew dragging these common people into war was not the act of a true man—but to achieve his goal, he had no choice but to "ignore minor scruples."

All Qin Feng could do was ensure these civilians were assigned only to logistics, kept far from the front lines, and preserved alive.

As expected, murmurs erupted instantly across the crowd.

A sturdy man frowned deeply and said gravely: "We are common people, but aiding an outsider against our own army—how can this be right?"

A young man beside him whispered: "What if we don't help? If we anger Lord Qin and he kills us all, who will listen to our complaints?"

At this, the sturdy man straightened his back, adopting a fearless posture: "Kill me then! In twenty years I'll be a brave man again—better than bearing a traitor's name!"

An old man across from him sneered: "Even if there were a traitor's name to bear, it wouldn't fall on a nubi like you."

"Whoever holds the city, we serve. Is that so hard to understand?"

"The County Magistrate hasn't even shown his face. Even if the sky falls, it won't crush us."

"Besides, Lord Qin treats the people well. Helping him is better than helping those corrupt, filthy officials."

At these words, many men in the crowd nodded in agreement.

"True! Qin Feng may be an outsider, but he's far better than those corrupt, law-breaking dogs!"

"Exactly! Since Qin Feng came to Changshui County, he's helped us settle countless grievances. To be his subject would truly be a blessing from past lives."

"Heh—heh—heh. When you can't even afford rice, what's the point of talking about righteousness? Besides, this is the Jing family's Di Kingdom—not ours. The nobles inside the city feast on fine food and wine, while my relatives outside have already starved to death. When we had no money to buy grain, where was the talk of 'our Di Kingdom'?"

"Haven't any of you heard the rumors? The county's soldiers have already fled or deserted! If even the soldiers are gone, what about us?"

"And… have you noticed? Qin Feng's soldiers all take pride in being Beixi County people. There are so few of them, yet they show no fear at all facing the coming battle."

"We're only doing logistics. If we do it, we live—that's all that matters."

At that moment, Qin Feng's voice rang out again: "Those willing to stand with me and defend the city—step forward!"

Immediately, a dozen men stepped out. Seeing others move, the watching crowd followed suit.

Yet of these three hundred, only half stepped forward—the other half still hesitated.