Border Soldiers: My granaries are full of grain and meat, and I guard this region.

Qi Feng was silent for a moment: "Isn't there any other way?"

Zhao Tongchuan sighed, "I've already done my best. Everyone received their full pension without any deductions. But that's the law of the Sui Dynasty. Even if I wanted to give more, I couldn't afford it."

Qi Feng nodded and said nothing more, then said, "Magistrate Zhao, I would like to visit the families of those soldiers who died in battle."

Upon hearing Qi Feng's words, Zhao Tongchuan's eyes widened, and he abruptly stood up: "How can this be? If you go, they'll definitely come after you for an explanation, and what if they harass you..."

Zhao Tongchuan was interrupted by Qi Feng's voice before he could finish speaking.

"They died there with me, so of course I have to give their families an explanation. Am I just going to give them money and then ignore everything? At the very least, I have to go there in person and tell them more details, to let them know that their deaths had value."

Zhao Tongchuan was silent for a moment, then sighed, "I'll have Wang Chong go with you. I'll give you the list later."

Qi Feng nodded and bowed to Zhao Tongchuan, saying, "Thank you, Magistrate Zhao."

Zhong Shao returned at noon. After settling the soldiers in Qijia Village, he rushed back to Fuxing County without stopping. When he entered the house, he was covered in dust, and the collar of his official robe was turned up by the wind.

When he saw Qi Feng, his brows furrowed immediately, forming a deep frown.

"Are you crazy? You ran out before your injuries were fully healed!"

Qi Feng glanced at Zhong Shao but didn't respond to the conversation.

"How's it going in Qijia Village?"

Zhong Shao sat down in front of him, took a sip of cold tea, and then spoke:

"It's almost all arranged. I had those people rebuild the fortifications in Qijia Village and have Zhang Yuan stationed there. Zhang Yuan was the least injured among you in this battle, and he's already up and running in bed today."

Qi Feng nodded and then told Zhong Shao his thoughts.

When Zhong Shao heard that Qi Feng was preparing to visit the families of the fallen soldiers, he shook his head, just like Zhao Tongchuan.

"Brother Qi, I know you're a loyal and righteous person, but this matter isn't as easy as you think. I'm afraid they'll blame you for the soldiers' deaths and then pester you. But in war, people always die."

Qi Feng shook his head: "No matter how they see me, or whether they resent me or not, that's their business, but I have to go."

Seeing the determination in Qi Feng's eyes, Zhong Shao opened his mouth but said nothing more.

He did not participate in that night battle, but the horrific scene showed just how terrible Qi Feng and his soldiers' night had been.

They were not facing bandits or small groups, but the true cavalry of the Great Rong.

Cavalry has always had an absolute overwhelming advantage over infantry. Zhong Shao didn't know how Qi Feng managed to hold out, but seeing Qi Feng's determination, he had no choice but to agree.

"Alright, I'll have someone go with you. Don't try to refuse this time, you're still injured."

Qi Feng nodded: "Thank you, Young Master Zhong."

After leaving the county government office, Qi Feng followed Wang Chong to the resettlement shed to the east. Looking at the scenery along the road, Qi Feng was somewhat puzzled.

"Officer Wang, weren't we going to the homes of soldiers who died in battle? How did we end up here?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chong paused, turned around, and explained:

"Inspector Qi, you may not know this, but many of the families of those soldiers cannot afford to buy houses. However, because they joined the army, the county has allocated a resettlement area for them in the eastern part of the city."

Qi Feng nodded silently, and Wang Chong continued to lead the way.

The resettlement sheds on the east side were set up on an open space at the foot of the city wall. There were several dilapidated sheds supported by bamboo poles and old cloth. When the wind blew, the cloth on the roof of the sheds would rustle.

The ground was still muddy and wet, and the dew from last night was still hanging on the eaves of the sheds. There were quite a few of these sheds, and they were lined up in two or three rows along the corner of the city wall, for about two or three hundred meters. They were all these dilapidated sheds, and it was estimated that more than seven hundred households lived here.

When Qi Feng walked in, everyone inside looked up at him.

The women sat on the ground holding their babies, some of whom were still crying for milk.

The elderly people squatted against the wall, busy weaving small, usable items to supplement their household income.

A little girl of five or six years old stood at the door of the shed, holding a wooden knife in her arms. The knife was cracked and covered with dried mud.

Many people saw Qi Feng and the constables and soldiers around him, and they all silently came out.

News of the battle at Qijia Village spread quickly. Qi Feng rushed back yesterday, and by this morning, the entire Fuxing County knew about it. This group of people was waiting for confirmation.

Qi Feng stood in the middle of the shed, and all eyes were on him.

He took out a list from his pocket, his voice not loud, but he read every word clearly.

After Qi Feng finished reading the names of the fallen soldiers on the list, the surroundings fell into complete silence.

Qi Feng felt as if something was blocking his throat. He looked at the emaciated woman in front of him, the elderly people, the crying babies, and the many teenagers standing there with blank expressions.

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Qi Feng thought he could face this group of people with a calm mind, but when he saw their eyes, he realized that human life is not just a number. Behind every life is a living family. Those soldiers who died in battle may be someone's son, someone's husband, someone's father. They are all waiting for him to come back.

"Gentlemen, I, Qi Feng, assure you that the government will provide you with five taels of silver in compensation, and three taels for the wounded. But on top of that, I, Qi Feng, will give you an additional five taels of silver. And if you encounter any difficulties at home, you can come to Qi Family Restaurant to find me anytime!"

"The Qi Family Restaurant will soon expand its production again, and I will prioritize selecting people from among you to help. As long as I, Qi Feng, live, you will not go hungry or cold. I, Qi Feng, guarantee that your men will not have died in vain, and I will definitely avenge the death of Da Rong!"

The shed remained quiet for a long time before the old woman with gray hair stood up shakily and walked to Qi Feng.

The surrounding soldiers tried to stop him, but Qi Feng stopped them.

The old woman's hands were as dry as winter branches. She raised them and gently stroked the blood-soaked bandage on Qi Feng's shoulder. Her fingertips trembled slightly when they touched the cloth.

Her lips moved, but she didn't cry. She only uttered a few words in a trembling voice: "You must come back alive too."

Qi Feng nodded heavily.

Then, suppressed sobs began to emanate from the shed, and a sorrowful atmosphere quickly spread. What started as one person crying eventually turned into hundreds of people weeping in unison.