The ninth son of the emperor was demoted at the beginning. I have a famous Chinese general.

"Where are the Han prisoners we sent last time? Take me to see them."

Ning Quan took a glance and then said.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Li Cunxiao responded and then took Ning Quan to the southwest corner.

"That's all, Your Highness."

Li Cunxiao pointed at the hundreds of elderly people, women and children in front of him.

"What crimes did they commit?"

Ning Quan asked with a frown.

The old and weak people in front of me are in very bad conditions and are all listless.

If this continues, it won't be long before they either starve to death or die of illness.

"Your Highness, apart from the families of the convicted officials, they are basically ordinary people who were sentenced to exile for various reasons. There are not many who are extremely evil and have committed crimes. There are only about a dozen or so."

"Well, find them a separate place to be held, and give them better food. After all, they are all from the same tribe."

"There are also Hu children, and they need to be properly cared for with regard to their food."

After a moment of silence, Ning Quan gave the order.

"The general will obey the order."

"One more thing. Count the number of Hu slaves who can speak Chinese or write Chinese characters. I have another use for them."

Ning Quan continued.

"I understand. I will do it immediately. Your Highness, please rest assured."

Li Cunxiao nodded.

"Well, let's go."

Afterwards, Ning Quan and his group left the camp.

"Prime Minister, we must start the process of opening a school immediately."

After leaving the slave camp, Ning Quan said to Zhuge Liang.

"I understand. I will make arrangements right away."

"Well, as for those Han prisoners, I want to pardon them. What do you think?"

"Your Highness, I understand your meaning, but they are prisoners after all. It would be inappropriate to pardon them so easily."

"Also, it would be unfair to the other slaves. If they were pardoned, it would inevitably cause resentment."

Zhuge Liang shook his head.

"Well, I understand what the Prime Minister means. Let's just leave it at that."

Hearing this, Ning Quan nodded.

There is no slave who does not want to be free. If Han slaves are easily freed, other slaves will naturally be dissatisfied.

Ning Quan did not have to treat everyone equally. He could give Han slaves relatively favorable conditions, but not too much.

"As long as your Highness understands."

"Your Highness, rest assured. I have already established a reward and punishment system. Every slave will have the opportunity to gain freedom, and the Han people will be treated preferentially."

Zhuge Liang smiled and said.

"Well, that's perfect."

"Let's go back to the city and see how the city walls are being repaired and how the recruitment is going."

Ning Quan nodded.

……

Half an hour later, Ning Quan and his group returned to the county town.

Because of the construction, the city was bustling with activity.

Thousands of slaves, under the supervision of soldiers, worked intensively to build the city walls. The scene was quite spectacular.

Fortunately, there were so many slaves, otherwise the people alone would not be enough to complete this task.

"See Your Highness."

Seeing Ning Quan coming, Man Chong, who was in charge of the construction, hurried forward to greet him.

"No courtesy, thank you for your hard work."

Ning Quan waved his hand and said with a smile.

"It's not hard, it's not hard. This is what a subordinate should do."

"Your Highness, you have arrived at the perfect time. I have something to report."

"Oh, what's the matter?" Ning Quan asked in confusion.

"It's like this. The wood, clay, and other materials used in city construction are running low. We can only last a month at most."

"Your Highness, please send someone to Beiting or Wuwei to purchase it immediately, otherwise the construction progress will be delayed."

Man Chong bowed and said respectfully.

"That's easy. I will arrange it immediately." Ning Quan nodded.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Man Chong thanked him.

"Okay, go ahead and do your thing. Where is General Li Jing?"

Ning Quan asked.

"Your Highness, Li Jing is selecting soldiers in the west."

Man Chong replied quickly.

"Okay, I'll go take a look."

Ning Quan nodded and then walked west.

When they arrived at the west of the city, Li Jing was busy selecting soldiers from the slaves.

Hundreds of slaves had been selected behind him. These slaves were relatively strong and could become soldiers with a little training.

“Greetings, Your Highness.

Seeing Ning Quan coming, Li Jing hurriedly saluted.

"No need to be polite. How is your selection?"

Ning Quan asked with a smile.

"Your Highness, I have already selected over 800 people, and I am still selecting the rest."

Li Jing bowed and replied.

"Well, thank you for your hard work."

Ning Quan nodded.

"This is my responsibility, I dare not take credit for it."

"Your Highness, after these soldiers are trained, I intend to organize them into a slave army, specifically for use in future battles against the Xiongnu."

Li Jing suddenly spoke.

“Okay, that’s a good idea.”

Ning Quan was overjoyed when he heard this.

This suggestion is indeed a good one. Using the Hu people to fight the Huns is what is called using barbarians to control barbarians.

"I'll leave this matter to you. Just take full responsibility."

Ning Quan said happily.

"The last general takes command!"

Li Jing bowed and replied.

"Well, you go and do your work first."

Afterwards, the two chatted for a few more words, and Ning Quan prepared to return to the county government office.

"My dear husband, I want to go see my second uncle and his family."

After taking a few steps, Li Wanyue called out to Ning Quandao.

"See your second uncle?"

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Ning Quan smiled and said.

Then, the two of them went to the east of the city.

After the Li clan members arrived in Hulun, they were divided into two groups and settled there.

Among them, about twenty households stayed in the city, and the rest were resettled in a newly formed village outside the city.

Those who stayed in the city were mainly people with skills, such as various craftsmen.

Then there are the elders and close relatives in the clan, including Li Wanyue’s second uncle.

Although he is not her biological uncle, it is Wanyue's responsibility to visit him as he is her elder.

Soon, Ning Quan brought Wanyue to a residential area in the east of the city.

The houses here are all newly built, specifically to accommodate members of the Li family and the soldiers' families.

The layout of the houses is the same, three adobe houses and a small courtyard.

Although it can't be compared with my hometown, it is good enough.

"Uncle, your niece is here to see you."

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Wanyue shouted happily.

Hearing the noise, Li Qian hurried out from the inner room.

"Your Highness has arrived. I pay my respects to His Highness."

Seeing Ning Quan and Li Wanyue coming, Li Qian knelt down quickly.

"Uncle, please get up quickly. You are Wanyue's elder, so there's no need to be so polite."

Ning Quan helped Li Qian up and said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Mother, please make some tea quickly to entertain His Highness."

After Li Qian stood up, he hurriedly said to his wife.

"Yes, yes, I'll be there right away."

Li Qian's wife was named Li. After hearing her husband's words, she quickly agreed.

Soon, a pot of fragrant tea was brought up.

"Uncle, Second Aunt, stop working."

Li Wanyue said with a smile.

"It's nothing, it's what I should do." Li quickly shook her head.

"Second uncle, I came here today just to see you and see if you've settled down."

"How is it? Are you satisfied? If you need anything, just let me know."

Li Wanyue said with a smile.