In the Liaodong county magistrate's office,
In the main hall,
Gongsun Zan, seated at the head of the table, was chatting and laughing with Gongsun Zhao, who sat below him.
Sharing the same surname, Gongsun, and both having served in the Liaodong commandery,
Although they had not known each other before, their meeting led to a very pleasant conversation.
As one of the local power players, Gongsun Zhao introduced Gongsun Zan to several prominent families in the military and said with a smile:
"Bogui, how about hosting a banquet at your residence tonight for everyone to gather?"
"No rush for that!"
Raising his hand to stop Gongsun Zhao from arranging the banquet, Gongsun Zan asked in return:
"Magistrate, do these prominent families in the commandery have any dealings with the foreign tribes?"
"This..."
Upon hearing Gongsun Zan's question, Gongsun Zhao's expression turned grim, and his smile vanished instantly.
"How could they not? There are several such families right here in Xiangping city!"
"Is that true?"
"Absolutely true!"
Seeing that Gongsun Zan seemed somewhat disbelieving, Gongsun Zhao shook his head helplessly:
"How many of the prominent families who have prospered in this border region do not engage in dealings with foreign tribes?"
"It's a pity though!"
"The commandery troops of the three Liaodong commanderies are in their hands, so no one dares to say anything."
"And what about you, Magistrate?"
Although he already believed seven or eight parts of it, Gongsun Zan still cautiously asked:
"For you to coexist peacefully with these prominent families, did you not intervene at all, Lord Gongsun?"
"Heh heh~!"
As Gongsun Zan finished speaking, Gongsun Zhao let out two cold laughs filled with disdain.
"My ancestors served as officials for generations, producing countless Grand Administrators and Nine Ministers!"
"Do I need to collude with those barbarians?"
"This..."
Gongsun Zhao's powerful statement left Gongsun Zan speechless.
So he's an official's descendant?
No wonder!
Let alone the status of those who could become Nine Ministers, the income of a single Grand Administrator in a year would be more than enough for them to spend.
"So Magistrate, you are from a noble lineage. Bogui was impolite!"
After rising and giving a slight bow to Gongsun Zhao, Gongsun Zan said with a serious expression:
"As subjects of the Han Dynasty, instead of serving the nation, they conspire with foreign tribes."
"Magistrate, Bogui believes these people must pay the price!"
"Hmm?"
Gongsun Zhao fully agreed with Gongsun Zan's proposal.
However, upon thinking of the current Grand Administrator of Liaodong, he frowned:
"The current Grand Administrator's family is the Tian family, and the Tian family is the biggest horse dealer in Liaodong..."
"That's excellent!"
As Gongsun Zhao's words fell, Gongsun Zan's eyes lit up.
Horse dealers are good!
Although he now had six thousand cavalry, who would complain about having too many?
It's the Grand Administrator who is a bit tricky!
Before Qin Feng arrived, he had indeed appointed him to command the three Liaodong commanderies, and told him to kill anyone disobedient.
But the problem was, there was no replacement!
If he killed the current one, who would take over as Grand Administrator?
Himself?
No!
Setting aside the fact that he had no interest in being a Grand Administrator, who had ever heard of a commander of three commanderies becoming the Grand Administrator of just one?
Gongsun Zhao here was not bad, but they had only just met.
What if this fellow tried to trick him?
With this thought,
Gongsun Zan did not make a decision immediately. Instead, he smiled and stood up to take his leave:
"Magistrate, since that's the case, Bogui will go and have a chat with the Grand Administrator first!"
"That is only proper!"
Although Gongsun Zhao felt a bit disappointed, he still stood up to see him to the door.
"Bogui, if you need anything, just ask!"
"Thank you, Magistrate~!"
Facing the goodwill offered by Gongsun Zhao, Gongsun Zan did not refuse.
Their interaction so far had been quite positive.
...
While Gongsun Zan was gathering intelligence in Liaodong, the battle against the Wuhuan in Youzhou had also concluded.
The Wuhuan were annihilated!
Under the command of the three great generals, Yue Fei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, the Wuhuan of Yuyang, Shanggu, and Youbeiping were all completely destroyed.
Apart from the young and beautiful women, all others were killed.
When the news spread,
Besides the aristocratic families trembling all over, the ones who suffered the most were the prisoners.
Revolt!
Revolt!
And more revolt!
The dire consequences of leaving too many prisoners became vividly apparent at this moment.
But it was useless!
Li Xiuning and others had long anticipated the reaction of these Wuhuan prisoners.
Besides deploying heavy troops from the three commanderies to guard them strictly, they were only fed half portions at every meal.
In such a state, and without weapons, what could these prisoners achieve even if they revolted?
It was a dead end!
It was said that on this day, ten thousand Wuhuan prisoners working in the coal mines and by the roadside revolted.
But that was all!
Under the nearly brutal suppression of the Youzhou army, the revolts were quickly quelled.
Furthermore,
To reward those who did not participate in the revolt, everyone was promoted one rank.
How to put it?
It meant that the prisoners who hadn't revolted now all became minor leaders.
Humans have a slave mentality!
When they become accustomed to something, they no longer feel it is that difficult.
And once they have gained some benefits, they will be even less tolerant of others taking their benefits away.
Being a minor leader was great, wasn't it?
Not only did they have food and drink worries free every day, but they also didn't have to work, only to supervise others.
In addition,
It was said that after the women from the tribes were brought over, each of them would be rewarded with a wife.
How embarrassing!
They were originally at the bottom of the Wuhuan tribes, the kind who couldn't even afford to marry a wife.
Now, after being captured, they could marry a wife?
And it was those women from their former tribes who used to scorn them for being lazy and look down on them?
Long live Youzhou!
Long live Governor Qin!
The newly promoted minor leaders, filled with hope, became even more vigorous in oppressing their former tribesmen.
Regarding this,
Qin Feng could only give Li Xiuning a thumbs-up, having nothing else to say.
To manipulate people's hearts to this extent was truly something!
"Isn't it all your fault, my Lord?!"
Li Xiuning, who had not slept well for several days, glared resentfully at Qin Feng.
"If only you hadn't killed those tribesmen, they wouldn't have revolted."
"You insisted on killing them!"
"Not only were there no good gains, but you also lost a lot of money."
"My Lord, what did you do it for?"
"For what?"
Qin Feng glanced at the summoning cards that had once again overflowed the warehouse, a calm smile on his face.
"It's just a little bit of money. I'll have someone send it to you later!"
"Oh, right..."
"Where is that fellow Yue Fei now? Did he say when he would arrive?"
"You..."
Seeing Qin Feng change the subject, Li Xiuning sighed helplessly.
"I don't know either. I've practically been sleeping in the military camp these past few days!"
"Alright!"
"Now that the situation has been reported, I'll go back and get some sleep!"
"Go back where!"
Qin Feng reached out and took Li Xiuning's delicate hand, pulling her gently into his embrace.
"Look how tired my Xiuning is. Rest here, and let this Lord give you a massage!"
"???"
Lying back in Qin Feng's arms, Li Xiuning suddenly wanted to ask:
Is your massage proper?