I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 352: Liu Bei kindly captures the captives, Su Yao flees to the bandit camp at night

"Lord Su, what should we do with these prisoners?"

At dawn, the eastern sky was just beginning to turn pale. In the mansion of Gouzi City, Zhao Yun, dressed in military uniform, came to ask for instructions on how to deal with the prisoners.

Prisoners, yes, after the fierce battle last night, most of the Wuhuan defenders in Gouzi City chose to surrender.

Although the scene of Su Yao beheading the defending general A Luo Weng frightened the remaining Wuhuan soldiers and made them fight hard, their resistance seemed pale and powerless in the face of absolute power.

With the death of one and the escape of the other centurion, the entire Gouzi City was leaderless and unable to organize an effective resistance.

When the Wuhuan soldiers came to their senses and wanted to escape from the city, they found that the north and south gates had already been occupied by the Du Liao army, and there was no hope of breaking out.

In the end, under the call of Liu Bei, Zhao Yun and others that "surrender will not be killed", more than 800 people surrendered, except for a few who resisted stubbornly.

However, despite the joy of victory, the current situation in Gouzi City made everyone feel heavy.

"There are 524 registered households in Gouzi City, with a population of 2,166."

Wang Ling stood on the steps of the mansion, his brows furrowed, his eyes sweeping across this war-torn city:
"Today, after rescue and investigation, there are only 244 people."

After the war, escape and massacre, it can be said that only one in ten people in this small town survived.

Broken walls can be seen everywhere on both sides of the street, and the air is still filled with the smell of blood.

Faced with such a situation, the management of prisoners became a problem.

"Public trial. Assembly?"

Cheng Lian paused and made a suggestion:
"Didn't you always use this method before?"

But this time, Su Yao shook his head.

There's no time for that.

In order to ensure the suddenness and success rate of the sneak attack.

He couldn't spend too much time in this Gouzi City, and it was even more impossible for him to divide too many troops to maintain the occupation of this place.

"Or just..." Lu Bu made a gesture of wiping his neck, the meaning was self-evident.

During wartime, for prisoners of war who are difficult to manage and take up a lot of food and fodder, simply killing them is a good solution.

Even without mentioning Bai Qi's massacre of prisoners, after the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao also killed and captured 70,000 to 80,000 people on a large scale, shocking the world and greatly weakening Yuan Shao's vitality.

In response to Lu Bu's proposal, Liu Bei immediately said that killing prisoners was inauspicious and opposed it. He knew very well that doing so would only provoke more resistance in the future and would be detrimental to long-term peace and stability.

"That's not necessary."

Su Yao still shook his head.

If he really wanted to kill them all, he would have simply stopped Liu Bei and Zhao Yun's actions.

Su Yao had already considered how to deal with these Wuhuan people on his way out of the border.

It may not be possible to ask them to turn their guns against their compatriots in the same tribe now, but using these captives to do hard labor, such as repairing cities and rebuilding cities, is just right at this time when there is a shortage of manpower.

"But……"

Zhang Fei scratched his head and said in confusion:

"I can't let it go, and I can't kill it either. But keeping it here will only cause trouble. What should I do?"

In response, Su Yao smiled lightly:
"Brother Xuande, it's time to show your power of benevolence!"

"what?"

Su Yao's words stunned Liu Bei. He obviously didn't expect Su Yao to suddenly mention him.

"What do you mean, sir?" Liu Bei asked.

Su Yao explained:
"Brother Xuande, although these Wuhuan captives are of a different race, many of them were coerced.

If we kill them directly, we will not only lose the support of the people, but also may provoke more resistance." "In my opinion, it is better to pick out those who are willing to surrender and hand them over to Brother Xuande to deal with."

"Brother Xuande is well-known for his chivalry and benevolence. If we let Brother Xuande handle it, it will surely make them sincerely submit to us and work for our Han Dynasty. It will also help them to atone for their mistakes with practical actions. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

When Liu Bei heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He understood Su Yao's intention. This was not only a recognition of his behavior, but also an opportunity for him to display his talents.

"Rest assured, my lord. I will do my best to make them change their ways and become useful people."

Liu Bei bowed.

Su Yao nodded and praised:

"With Brother Xuande in charge, this matter will surely succeed."

Then, Su Yao paused and said:
"However, there is one thing I hope Brother Xuande will pay attention to."

"Please speak, sir." Liu Bei bowed.

"As for the traitors who betrayed the city before," Su Yao said coldly, "Don't spare any of them."

"As for those who are still stubborn and unyielding, Brother Xuande, don't worry. We soldiers will take care of them."

When everyone heard this, they all nodded in agreement.

Just like that, Su Yao simply handed over the management to others with a wave of his hand, thus giving full play to the subjective initiative of these talented people under him.

Liu Bei was appointed by Su Yao to temporarily take over the post of commander of Gouzi City, leading a group of people. While pacifying the people here, he supervised and reformed the prisoners of war. At the same time, he contacted Lulong Pass and transferred 200 infantrymen and baggage from the rear army.

After resting during the day, Su Yao and others continued to move forward at night and march towards the Wuhuan army in Guanzi City.

However, the situation in Guanzi City at this time was completely different from that in Gouzi City.

In the evening, night begins to fall.

The nobles of the tribe gathered together to enjoy the joy of victory, watching the dancing of the beauties, feasting on the food, and lamenting that today was also a peaceful day.

The battle maniac Gongsun Zan was surrounded.

The good old man Liu Yu is back too.

Even after several days of heavy snow, today is a rare sunny day.

This is simply a sign from God that their good days are about to come!
Now is the time to relax and have a good rest.

At the dinner in the camp, the nobles of the tribe gathered around the campfire, toasting each other with laughter.

They happily enjoyed the beauties and fine wine, and praised the wise leadership of King Qiuliju.

"Your Majesty is truly a master of foresight. He was able to trap Gongsun Zan to death in Guanzi City. This feat will surely be passed down as an epic and will be remembered for eternity!"

Shi Tao, an elderly man with white hair and beard, raised his glass to toast Qiu Liju, his face full of admiration.

"That's right!"

Another young warrior, Zhuo Luochuo, followed closely behind and echoed loudly:

"The White Horse Chief has been defeated. Let's see who in Youzhou can be a match for the King?"

"In my opinion, Your Majesty, you should be the Chanyu of the Wuhuan tribes!"

Qiu Liju was flattered by everyone's flattery and a smug smile appeared on his face.

He raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then said modestly:
"You are too kind. All this is thanks to you. As long as we unite as one, we will surely make our tribe the overlord of this northern land!"

After hearing this, everyone became more excited and raised their wine glasses, praising him with red faces.

However, just as Qiu Liju was enjoying this rare peace and glory, a junior officer came hurriedly and said something inappropriate:
"My lord, something is not right - the contact from Gouzi City today has not come yet."

(End of this chapter)