The battle that began in the afternoon finally concluded as dusk settled.
One task was to incorporate the prisoners,
but more importantly, to properly handle the corpses of the Wuhuan barbarians.
Qin Feng certainly didn't want an epidemic.
As for the bodies of the Han soldiers?
They were all wrapped up and carried along by the prisoners.
"My Lord~!"
Li Xiuning, having finished tallying the spoils of war, rode up to Qin Feng.
"This battle annihilated a total of four thousand eight hundred and twenty-three enemy soldiers, with thirteen thousand seven hundred prisoners taken in, twenty-two thousand warhorses, and various supplies."
"Our soldiers suffered over six hundred casualties, with more than two thousand wounded, primarily from the Repeating Crossbowmen and cavalry."
"Over six hundred casualties?"
Qin Feng paid little attention to the spoils, his brow furrowed at the casualty figures.
He knew that achieving zero casualties in a cold weapon era was virtually impossible.
Yet, seeing those bodies, Qin Feng still felt a pang of sadness.
These were living people just this morning!
While they were summoned by the system,
within the system's arrangement, they were all normal individuals with families, thoughts, and their own social circles.
Now that they were dead, how would their families survive?
"Hoo~!"
For the first time experiencing such a scene, Qin Feng let out a deep breath and turned to instruct Li Xiuning:
"Prioritize handling their aftermath upon our return, and ensure all compensation is distributed."
"Also..."
"For those whose families are not within Zhuo Commandery, find a way to bring them here."
"As long as I, Qin Feng, live, I will support them for life!"
"...Understood!"
Although Li Xiuning knew Qin Feng's command was flawed, she chose not to argue.
In her opinion,
the cost of Qin Feng winning people's hearts was high, but not unacceptable.
However, what she didn't realize was
that summoned individuals like herself didn't need to be painstakingly won over.
Qin Feng's continued actions were merely to ease his own conscience.
Besides,
for a ruler who relied on his might, money was just a string of numbers.
As long as he wasn't afraid of economic collapse, he could always generate more money.
Just like... the things he was about to do.
...
Zhuo County town,
the Liu family residence,
Liu Qi, who had recently woken up and eaten breakfast, waited in the living room for news.
Waiting for news from Qin Feng!
Ever since he had fallen out with the influential families in the city, his greatest anticipation was hearing of Qin Feng's triumphant return.
After all, he had gambled the entire Liu family's fortune and lives on this.
If Qin Feng were to be defeated, the Liu family, having offended all the Zhuo County gentry, would inevitably be crushed by their united wrath.
Even having ten thousand spearmen would be useless!
What's more,
if Qin Feng himself was defeated, would these spearmen still obey them?
"Sigh~!"
The more he thought about it, the more agitated Liu Qi became, letting out a deep sigh.
"I hope, I hope Lord Qin will not disappoint this old man!"
"Mas... Master..."
"Master!"
Just as Liu Qi was worrying to himself, an anxious cry sounded from outside the door.
"What is it?!"
Liu Qi's heart leaped, and he instinctively stood up and went to the door.
"Is someone causing trouble in the city? Or have those people become restless again?"
"No... no..."
The servant, panting for breath, revealed an expression of overwhelming joy.
"Master, a great victory, a great victory!"
"Lord Qin, Lord Qin burned the Wuhuan people to ashes in the valley beyond the frontier with a single fire!"
"Hiss~!"
As the servant finished speaking, Liu Qi's eyes widened instantly.
"Is this true?!"
"It is!"
The servant nodded affirmatively, his smile widening as he said,
"Lord Qin and his men are on their way back. The prisoners alone stretch for several miles. Everyone has gone to see!"
"Hahahaha, good, good!"
Liu Qi, his mood greatly improved, waved his hand generously and said,
"Today, this master is happy. Go to the accounts office and collect ten taels as a reward!"
Upon hearing this, the servant quickly bowed and thanked him, "Thank you, Master, thank you, Master..."
"That's enough!"
"You may go!"
Waving his hand to dismiss the servant, Liu Qi also began to busy himself.
Such joyous news could not be kept to himself!
He had to let those unfortunate individuals know!
Especially,
the Wang family, on whom Lord Qin placed great hope, was of utmost importance!
...
Qin Feng, who was rushing back without stopping, was unaware that someone was already taking care of Zhuo County for him.
He was currently contemplating.
After reclaiming the land from the influential families,
should he, like in later generations, implement land distribution to households?
Or should he become the landlord himself, hiring refugees to manage the fields?
Neither method was inherently superior or inferior.
However,
in this era, Qin Feng didn't believe that land distribution to households would be a miraculous solution.
First, there were the seeds.
He knew that the seeds rewarded by the system were high-yield varieties.
But did others know?
After the land was distributed, how many people would bother planting these?
Secondly, there was fertilizer.
Qin Feng wasn't sure if the high-yield seeds could truly yield abundantly without the application of fertilizer in this era.
And then there was the issue of weather!
The Yellow Turban Rebellion gained widespread support precisely because of years of drought, leading to crop failure for the farming populace.
After distributing the land, could it truly guarantee a harvest?
In essence,
land distribution to households was shifting the risk onto the farmers.
In years of abundance, it was fine.
They could farm, harvest, and eat it themselves, perhaps even storing surplus grain.
But what about years of disaster?
After a year of arduous labor, they might still face crop failure.
Even if they held land in their hands, what good would it do?
Wouldn't they still become refugees?
"My Lord~!"
After listening to Qin Feng's analysis of the two methods, Li Xiuning shook her head and said,
"This concubine believes it is not yet time for land distribution to households."
"Even if you were to distribute the land, some might still sell it, rendering the effort futile."
"Indeed~!"
Qin Feng sighed, his voice filled with helplessness,
"This is precisely what worries me!"
"Prohibiting land transactions now is also unrealistic; we can only take it one step at a time."
"My Lord need not worry so~!"
Seeing Qin Feng still looking troubled, Li Xiuning smiled and said,
"If my Lord is inclined, then perhaps set the rent a little lower?"
"Or, pay higher wages!"
"In any case..."
"As long as they are not starving, my Lord is already doing better than most."
Speaking of which, Li Xiuning's delicate brows also furrowed.
It was clear,
that in this grand Yellow Turban Rebellion, the ones who suffered were always the common people at the bottom.
"Rest assured!"
Qin Feng quietly took her tender white hand, his voice filled with determination,
"Give me one year. Just one year!"
"In one year, the Great Han will change because of me!"
"..."
Looking at Qin Feng, who was full of confidence, Li Xiuning's lips curved into a slight arc.
Putting aside his restless, wandering hand, her Lord was indeed quite remarkable.
Cruel and ruthless towards enemies, yet compassionate towards his own people.
As a ruler, apart from being a bit lustful, he seemed to have no other flaws?