I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

Soon, the news that the Emperor of Great Zhou was a Grandmaster spread rapidly throughout the vast POW camp, like a plague reaching every corner of the camp. Even some wounded and disabled POWs who were hiding in their tents and unable to get up knew about it.

They were horrified when they learned of this news.

But after the initial shock, they couldn't help but feel happy.

Because the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty issued an edict to let them leave.

"Really? You little emperor, are you really willing to let us leave?" one of the prisoners of war asked in disbelief.

Qin Li was already dressed and stretched out one arm. "Believe it or not, it's up to you. You only have one hour. If you don't leave within one hour, you'll never leave."

After saying that, Qin Li waved for someone to open the gates of the prisoner-of-war camp.

However, not a single prisoner of war dared to step out, because they felt that this was a trap set by the young Emperor of the Great Zhou. They believed that anyone who dared to step out of the prisoner-of-war camp would be shot dead from behind by a cold arrow.

The bold get rich, the timid starve.

Finally, a prisoner of war bravely took the first step.

Ignoring his companions' attempts to stop him, he stood up and resolutely walked towards the gate of the prisoner-of-war camp.

"Don't go! Going there means certain death."

"That's right, don't go."

The prisoners of war kindly offered their advice.

But the prisoner of war seemed not to hear him and walked step by step toward the gate of the prisoner-of-war camp.

The other prisoners of war couldn't bear to watch what was about to happen and turned their heads away.

But a long time passed, and there was no sound of arrows being fired.

The prisoner of war had managed to step out of the POW camp gates, something he himself hadn't expected.

The other prisoners of war were stunned by what they saw.

Once there's a first, there's a second and a third...

The other prisoners of war rushed toward the gate of the POW camp, jostling and pushing each other, some even pulling and tugging at each other, almost coming to blows.

"Your Majesty, are you just going to let them leave like this?"

A general pointed and asked, puzzled.

It's important to know that capturing these prisoners of war is no easy feat.

Letting them leave so easily would be a disservice to the fallen soldiers.

Wei Hongying said, "Let them go. When has our Emperor ever been one to suffer a loss?"

Normally, these prisoners of war would not be allowed to leave easily; at the very least, they would extort a hefty sum from the Northern Barbarians.

But now, letting them go will be of great use.

The reason they were allowed to leave was to let them bring the news that Qin Li was a Grandmaster back to the Northern Mang camp, which would severely shake the morale of the enemy.

This was the most important objective. In addition, releasing the prisoners of war would save a lot of food rations.

Soon, most of the prisoners of war left the POW camp.

"What do you mean by these prisoners of war who don't want to leave?" Qin Li asked with a light laugh.

What else could it mean? Of course, it means they failed their mission, and they'll definitely be punished when they go back now.

"Your Majesty's move was truly brilliant, easily distinguishing ordinary prisoners of war from those with ulterior motives."

"Your Majesty, what should we do? If you ask me, let's just kill them and be done with it."

One of the generals suggested this.

"No, no, no."

Qin Li said with amusement, "If they want to play, let's play with them a little longer."

……

At this moment, Ba Ye was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing around in circles.

Their plan was to find a way to rescue the two young masters and, together with the army outside the city, break through Xuanque Pass.

But now, the Great Zhou has actually let the prisoners of war leave. If they don't leave, they'll stand out too much.

"Lord Tie, what should we do now?" Ba Ye couldn't help but ask Temuhun.

Temuhun scratched his head: "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"

He never expected that the Great Zhou would resort to such a tactic.

Now, they stood before the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty as if they were invisible.

"Why don't we go back too?" Ba Ye suggested.

"We can't go back!" Temuhun refused outright. "You know His Majesty's temper. If we return empty-handed, do we even want our heads?"

Moreover, Murong Qingcang was already in a bad mood.

If they return, Murong Qingcang will surely kill them as a sacrifice to his flag.

So no matter what, they can't go back.

"What should we do then? Staying here will only arouse more suspicion," said Ba Ye.

After thinking for a moment, Temuhun said, "Never mind, let's try anything, just watch my lead."

Pu Ye had no better solution and could only nod.

Soon, an hour later, the gates of the prisoner-of-war camp slammed shut.

The vast majority of prisoners of war have already left, and those who left quickly have even returned to the Northern Mang camp outside the city.

However, at this moment, there were still quite a few prisoners of war in the POW camp who had not left.

Qin Li had them gathered together, and Baye and Temuhun were among them.

Qin Li, feigning ignorance, asked, "Lord Tie, what are you up to now?"

Temuhun laughed awkwardly, just like when he was arrested yesterday: "Your Majesty, let me explain."

"Oh?"

Qin Li immediately became interested: "Tell me about it."

Temuhun blurted out, "I am a person of status in Northern Mang, unlike other ordinary prisoners of war who can go back and be done with it. If I go back, my emperor will definitely kill me."

"So, you don't want to leave?"

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I dare not."

"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

"I believe Your Majesty would not!"

Why?

"Because His Majesty is a wise ruler!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Li couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The people around Tie Mu were very puzzled and looked at Tie Mu Hun Qin Li. What was wrong with him? Why did he suddenly laugh?

Temuhun gave him a look, signaling Baye not to move and to just follow his instructions.

After laughing for a while, Qin Li finally stopped and said:

"What a wise ruler! In your heart, I am actually a wise ruler?"

"Isn't that right?" Temuhun retorted, continuing to flatter Qin Li.

"Alright, enough with the nonsense."

Qin Li waved his hand and said, "Since you don't want to leave, then stay."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Temuhun prostrated himself before Qin Li.

Afterwards, Qin Li asked the other prisoners of war why they were unwilling to leave. Some gave the same reason as Temuhun, while others simply did not want to fight anymore. In short, the reasons were varied and bizarre, but all were plausible.

"And you, General Ba Ye?"

"Your Majesty actually knows me?" Ba Ye was quite surprised.

"Of course I know. I know every single one of you perfectly well."

Upon hearing this, Ba Ye sneered inwardly; he didn't believe Qin Li's nonsense.

If they truly knew each and every one of them, he and Temuhun would have been beheaded long ago, instead of being alive and well now.

"Effective immediately, I have decided to disband the prisoner-of-war camps!"

"Those of you who are unwilling to leave, you shall immediately be incorporated into the army of my Great Zhou and become members of my Great Zhou."

"Those who don't want to fight can go to logistics and do odd jobs."

"Those who want to make a contribution, show your skills."

"I do not judge heroes by their birth, and I am fair in my rewards and punishments!"

Upon hearing this, Temuhun and Baye couldn't help but exchange a glance.

Is there really such a good thing in the world?

While worrying about how to leave the prisoner-of-war camp, he inquired everywhere about the whereabouts of the two young masters, Murong Bo and Murong Jin.

Now that the opportunity has come knocking on their door, they should seize it.

Thinking of this, Ba Ye was the first to step forward:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to make contributions and achieve great things. Please give me a chance."

"I am very pleased that General Baye has such aspirations."

With Ba Ye taking the lead, many of the remaining prisoners of war echoed his sentiments, eager to earn merit.

Qin Li agreed to all their requests and arranged their destinations.

But Temuhun didn't come forward, so Baye couldn't help but turn around and look at him, frantically giving him meaningful glances.

Temuhun remained motionless, for he vaguely sensed that something was amiss, and ultimately did not step forward.

Not long after, Qin Li left with his men.

As soon as the person left, Ba Ye couldn't wait to come to Tie Mu's side and ask, "Why didn't you go forward just now? That way we would have had a better chance of finding the two young masters."

Temuhun frowned and said, "Don't you think something's not right?"

"Something's not right?" Ba Ye asked.

"Everything is going too smoothly."

"Too smoothly?"

Temuhun nodded: "Yes, everything is going too smoothly. In any case, it's best to be careful."