523 Military Force as the Foundation II

Everyone nodded slightly, their eyes filled with quiet contemplation.

Ji Xixi glanced around and smiled, "Of course, this is inseparable from the connection between green and yellow in their clan."

Visiting Bodai Prefecture is now somewhat difficult. Although the Ji family is the head of the family and Bodai Prefecture has many talented people, the population is small.

If Shen Lang were to govern the entire Dalong Prefecture, with military force as the foundation, clear tax collection, and rules and regulations in place, such as those set by the Holy Emperor, decisive in killing and ruthless action, prosperity would be within reach in no time, which would be a blessing for the people under his rule.

With military force as the foundation, taxation as the guarantee, and rules as the standard, prosperity and development are on the horizon.

There was a soft chuckle, a smile that would make a hundred flowers blush, gentle and pure. The slight worry that had just passed through the women seemed to vanish without a trace in that instant.

With a soft murmur and a gentle laugh, as graceful as a fairy gliding on water, and a voice as sweet as nectar, she said, "Everyone knows Chen Lang's nature; we just need to do our part."

Yun Su's heart slowly relaxed. Listening to Sister Xixi's voice was like a harmonious melody, melodious and pleasing to the ear, making one forget worries and relieve fatigue. She nodded slowly.

Ji Xixi nimbly appeared beside her, gently pulling her into her arms, and softly said, "Little sister, you're tired. If you're tired, just rest well. With Chen Lang here, you can do whatever you want; there's no need to worry so much."

Yun Su said softly, "Thank you."

He gently embraced Ji Xixi, leaning down into her arms, as if returning to his mother's embrace when he was a child. The quiet and elegant fragrance of her hair brought back a long-forgotten memory: he had once slept peacefully in his mother's arms like this, a warmth that could never be relived.

Cui'er, Qing'er, and the others had slightly red eyes. They felt like duckweed, their homes were gone, and they had no way back.

Three piles of firewood, layer upon layer, held the remains of three fallen comrades, dressed neatly, sleeping peacefully, never to wake again. The past events had vanished like smoke, ending abruptly at this moment.

The Red King stood silently for a long time, his broadsword at his side, the bloodstains on his armor still wet, and a few stray strands of hair on his forehead fluttering gently in the wind, seemingly unaware of his surroundings, yet perhaps telling of his inner self-reproach, confusion, and struggle.

A heavy heart, a hand gripping the knife, fingertips trembling slightly, a resolute face, strong eyes, and domineering pride all now tinged with a shadow of gloom.

The overlord of the battlefield, his eyes revealed an indescribable tragic grandeur and pain.

He whispered softly, 'The moment we gripped the knife, we were acutely aware of death, but our vows remained unchanged, our aspirations unwavering. From this day forward, I will shoulder the responsibility.'

In the pitch-black night, under the crimson torch, I gently accepted it, my hand trembling slightly, as if bearing a weight of a thousand pounds.

He said softly and in a low voice, "Let me personally see you all off on your journey. If there is an afterlife, I hope we can walk together again."

My steps were heavy, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds. Every step was taken with caution, with helplessness and reluctance. Today we meet again, and after this meeting, we will never see each other again.

Flames instantly erupted, illuminating the numb face. The flames leaped and crackled, and moments later, the sky was filled with fire. The three fires intertwined, and in the smoke, a portrait of several people seemed to flash by.

It seemed like a farewell, or perhaps a wish for your well-being. From now on, I cannot accompany you, Red King, you will be all alone.

Silent people, silent wind, soldiers silently bidding farewell all around, the Battle of Xizi Prefecture, a Pyrrhic victory.

In the distance, four or five merchants and their families, dressed in fine silks and satins, their clothes shimmering with gold threads, displayed their wealth and status, a consistent display of their wealth and status.

Watching from afar, a fleeting hint of schadenfreude crossed his eyes, yet his demeanor exuded an innate arrogance and confidence.

He held his head high as if scrutinizing the inferiors around him. His noble bloodline and generations of aristocracy made him incomparable to commoners like you.

The people who came to see them off had eyes as red as water, dressed in coarse cloth, and kept their distance from these people, fearing that they would be arrested on some pretext.

The head of the aristocratic family, Suo Jindao, wore a golden crown hat adorned with egg-sized gemstones, exuding unparalleled magnificence.

Nodding slightly, the head of the Sang family, speaking softly to the portly grain merchant beside him, said, "This time the losses have been heavy. It is said that they have also been injured. The war should be stopped, otherwise, we may lose our entire prefecture."

Moreover, with the people of a prefecture working the land and being enslaved, our wealth will naturally multiply.

What does the head of the Suo family think?

The head of the Suo family nodded slightly and agreed, saying, "That's exactly right. To govern a country, we should act according to our strategies, which is the only way to ensure stability."

These people only need food; how can you give them so much grain and money? Isn't that just letting them eat their fill and then cause trouble?

Weiwei looked around at the robust people, whose bodies were built from working from morning till night, and knew they shouldn't be wasted.

The surrounding people involuntarily took a few steps back.

The fire burned ever brighter, and the six members of the Suo family slowly approached the Red King from ten paces away. They clasped their hands in a fist salute and bowed.

The head of the Suo family glanced slightly at the head of the Sang family beside him.

The head of the Sang family understood immediately. He stepped forward, his fat neck bent with difficulty, and said in a low voice, "Lord Red King, in these recent wars, our country's food supplies have become scarce, and the people are now eating tree bark and grass roots for food."

We urge Your Majesty to suspend the war and allow the people to recuperate.

"Lord Hong has already acquired a prefecture. After further negotiations with the Qi Kingdom, it is estimated that he can acquire another prefecture. In this way, our Hong Kingdom's food supplies will surely be plentiful very soon."

The Sang family head stared intently at the Red King. After all, with all his generals killed in action, he had no choice but to rely on these people, and naturally, he gained more money and power.

The Red King's gaze was fixed on the head of the Suo family, a former powerful family that had been involved in all kinds of profitable businesses in the Red Kingdom.

The Sang family head, neither humble nor arrogant, replied, "Lord Red King, what you say makes sense. When Lord Falcon was alive, he made the same arrangement, promising us a whole prefecture in return for our provisions and weapons."

Seeing that the Red King remained silent and seemed to be thinking, he quickly said urgently, "Lord Falcon previously promised us a prefecture. Given the current situation in Qi, if the Red King were willing to suspend the war and ask for another prefecture, they would surely be more than happy to do so."

At that time, with the slaves of Qi, who control two prefectures, focused on producing grain and supplies for us, the Red Kingdom's growth will be just around the corner. I urge Your Majesty, the Red King, to reconsider.

Lord So, with his own agenda, no longer concealed his fangs in his voice. Besides them, who else in the Red Kingdom could gather enough food and supplies for the Red King? Wasn't that the reason Lord Falcon came to negotiate?

Now that Lord Falcon is dead, the Red King has no strategist left. He's just a brute, nothing more than a sharp blade, and sooner or later he'll be brought under control.

The Red King nodded slightly and sighed softly, "The Falcon is good in every way, except for one thing."