Bai Qingyanâs voice was resolute and powerful: "Later, the ancestors of the Bai family understood that only unifying the world can restore peace to the people and the land! Therefore, the Bai family... the Bai family army, along with the soldiers of Zhou, all took the unification of the world as their duty! Now... the reason Zhou must capture Yecheng Pass is to seize Yunjing! Unite the land, ensuring that the people of both nations no longer suffer the ravages of war. It is not to massacre the people!"
Bai Qingyan looked at the Xiliang people quietly gazing up at her and continued: "Whether itâs Zhou or Xiliang! We share the same writing, travel the same roads, follow the same laws, adhere to the same principles! We are fundamentally one inseparable family! Now the cities north of Yecheng Pass belong to Zhou, and the people... naturally are also Zhouâs citizens! The purpose of the Zhou army is to protect and ensure peace for the people!"
"Furthermore, the Imperial Court of Zhou will implement new policies in the cities incorporated into Zhouâs territory, exempting taxes and distributing food, allowing every citizen to have land to cultivate, ensuring every citizen can eat to their fill and stay warm! You can all be at ease!"
The Xiliang people beneath the city walls were debating noisily, is it true they wonât massacre the city... and will even exempt taxes and distribute food?
Some Xiliang people doubted, claiming it was definitely a trick by the Emperor of Zhou.
Bai Jinzhao, with a hot temper, shouted: "Trick you... what do you have for Zhou to trick you with? What can you offer to be tricked?"
"Thereâs no need for hesitation; you are originally citizens of Xiliang, your hearts tied to Xiliang... this is understandable. If you donât want to become citizens of Zhou, wish to leave, you can register at the government office tomorrow, you will have one day, and for those who wish to leave, Zhou will provide you a wooden sign to leave! Only tomorrow!" Bai Qingyan smiled and said, "Those willing to stay and become citizens of Zhou will be treated as our own people, granting you household registration and land."
Hearing this, the Xiliang people still couldnât believe it, some whispered, wondering if they would be killed after leaving the city with travel expenses if they donât become citizens of Zhou.
Some said they were willing to become citizens of Zhou, after all... the Xiliang Court is too busy to send grain to them!
As the people continued to argue, Bai Qingyan raised her voice once more: "The soldiers of Zhou will undoubtedly protect the people of Zhou, returning peace to the lands without displacement! Thatâs all... you decide your own path! I swear in the name of the Emperor of Zhou, we wonât stop anyone who wishes to leave Yecheng Pass and continue being Xiliang people. Our Zhou will let you depart safely!"
After speaking, Bai Qingyan turned and walked down towards beneath the city walls.
Bai Qingyanâs words caused a thousand ripples, ensuring tonight will be a sleepless night where the Xiliang people will decide whether to become Zhou citizens or continue as Xiliang people... leaving Yecheng Pass that has become part of Zhou.
·
After distributing the Lantern Festival food to the citizens at Yecheng Pass, Bai Qingqi, Bai Qingyu, Bai Jinxiu, Bai Qingjue, and Bai Qingyun accompanied Xiao Rongyan to the government office to discuss how the upcoming battles should be fought.
Bai Jinzhao, Bai Jinhua, and Bai Jinse accompanied Bai Qingyan back to the residence. On the way, Bai Jinzhao frowned and asked, "Eldest Young Lady, why are we letting the Xiliang people who donât want to be Zhou citizens leave? They might have already learned about our military strength in the city, and after exiting the city, they can inform the Xiliang people! They may tell the Xiliang army about the situation within Yecheng Pass!"
Bai Jinse laughed and said: "Fifth Sister, Eldest Young Lady is precisely letting those leaving Yecheng Pass inform other Xiliang people and the Xiliang army of the situation within Yecheng Pass."
Bai Jinzhao looked at Bai Jinse, then at her own Eldest Young Lady, seeing her with a faint smile but quite perplexed: "Huh? Why?"
"Because, Eldest Young Lady cares about the people!" Bai Jinse gazed up at Bai Qingyan, "Right, Eldest Young Lady!"
"Yes!" Bai Qingyan raised her hand to pat Bai Jinzhaoâs head, breaking down the explanation for Bai Jinzhao, "Eldest Young Lady is letting those leaving Xiliang spread the message, allowing Xiliang people willing to escape war to become Zhou citizens! Throughout history, wars have been fought for grain... cities, or people! But Eldest Young Lady believes...people are most important, whether itâs building cities or planting grain! All require people! Therefore, people are most important!"
"So thatâs how it is..." Bai Jinzhao nodded, able to understand.
"Moreover, Xiliang has been lacking grain for a long time, even military rations are short... let alone providing grain to citizens! Eldest Young Lady intends to let other citiesâ citizens and soldiers know that Zhou wonât massacre Xiliang citizens, but transform Xiliang people into Zhou citizens, granting them the treatment Zhou citizens deserve!" Bai Jinse analyzed following Eldest Young Ladyâs thought process.
Bai Jinhua also showed an enlightened expression, gazing up at Bai Qingyan, saying: "In this way, the Xiliang people in the Xiliang cities wonât resist to the death, and Xiliang soldiers wonât defend the people behind them to the death, making our upcoming battles much easier, for even in defeat... itâs not necessarily fatal! Perhaps, they might think being taken over by Zhou... they wonât starve to death! Is it right, Eldest Young Lady?"
Bai Qingyan smiled and patted Bai Jinhuaâs head: "Our Little Six is very smart!"
"Among us, Little Seven is the smartest, understanding Eldest Young Ladyâs intentions immediately! Impressive..." Bai Jinzhao didnât hesitate to give Bai Jinse a thumbs up, "Little Seven is our female Zhuge Liang in the group!"
The young girl was shy at the compliment, her eyes bright and ears red, she supported Bai Qingyan walking up the corridor steps, saying to Bai Qingyan: "Eldest Young Lady, Little Seven knows sheâs not as skilled as Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister on the battlefield, perhaps even... might drag down our brothers and sisters. But... Little Seven will strive harder, work to not become a burden to our brothers and sisters!"
Fine snowflakes drifted down from the sky, Bai Qingyan looked at her firm-eyed young sister, raising her hand to brush the snow off her head.
"No way! Who says youâre a burden! Our Little Seven is amazing!" Bai Jinzhao tapped Bai Jinseâs head, "Whatâs this little brain thinking? The method we used to capture Yecheng Pass came from our Little Seven! Neither I nor your Sixth Sister thought of it, didnât we?"
Bai Jinhua nodded repeatedly: "Yes! We didnât think of it, Little Seven is so sharp, weâre all fighting according to Little Sevenâs strategy!"
"Did you hear what your Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister said?" Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinse, with a smile.
With siblings present, warmth filled Bai Qingyanâs heart, she hugged her brother and sisters, saying: "Send them off here! Go to the camp and listen to your Second Sister and brothers discussing how they were strategizing with the Ninth Prince of Yan about the upcoming battles, listen... watch, learn!"