Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

An hour later, the military camp sent out hundreds of officers and soldiers to collect the bodies of the soldiers.

As per his verbal agreement with Zhang Gui, Shen Lang instructed the officers and soldiers of each battalion to refrain from firing and to bring their comrades' remains back to the military camp under his supervision.

However, the sharp-eyed Chu soldiers noticed that the faces of these Wu Zhao soldiers who came to collect the bodies of their comrades did not show the pain of losing a fellow soldier.

It was not just a feeling of excitement, but an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

Shen Lang stood on high ground, silently watching the military officers and soldiers collecting the corpses.

Others might not know, but he understood why these military officers and soldiers had such expressions.

Soldiers of all ranks in the military camp who brought back the bodies of their comrades received half of their families' property—that's all money!

After learning about this policy, which was established during the reign of Emperor Wuzhao, Pei Ju felt a mix of emotions.

He wanted to say something, but he didn't know where to begin.

Finally, he could only look at Shen Lang: "Commander, has the military camp always had this tradition?"

Shen Lang: "Ask whatever you want, there's no need to beat around the bush."

Pei Ju immediately said, "While the Wu Zhao Army's adoption of this model certainly has the effect of boosting morale, I always feel that it is very unfair to the families of these fallen officers and soldiers."

Even though they were enemies, Pei Ju felt that this military system of rewards and punishments seemed to be too inhumane.

Shen Lang listened without changing his expression: "The fact that you could think of this shows that you are already a qualified military and political officer."

I ask you, when you went to Shengjing, did you see any of the families of the fallen soldiers from the military camps?

Pei Ju nodded and replied, "I've met them. Aside from their identities,..."

Most people lived no different lives from the residents of the outer city, and were even poorer.

But they always put on airs, displaying an air of superiority no matter how poor they were.

"now it's right."

Shen Lang took a deep breath.

"Do you remember when I taught you about the differences in the operational structures of nomadic and settled communities?"

Taking military merit and rewards as an example, when soldiers of the Chu state died in battle,

Their families will receive care from the surrounding neighbors, and the imperial court will do its utmost to provide compensation and reassurance to the families.

Although these pensions might be withheld or even embezzled during periods of dynastic decline, the status of families of the fallen was very high among the common people.

For the orphans and widows of fallen families, neighbors, out of compassion or respect, will do their best to help; this is a characteristic of settled civilizations.

Pei Ju nodded, agreeing with this viewpoint.

At least for now, even though the Chu army has completed its citizen-military conversion and can continuously recruit low-cost (low-cost refers to the training period, not the cheapness of human life) soldiers, the families of fallen soldiers will receive full compensation and care from both the imperial court and local governments, and will be given a special social status.

"But nomadic groups are different. Their proficiency in archery and horsemanship, as well as their ruthless and murderous nature, were developed under the pressure of their environment."

Kindness and compassion have no value in the face of the harsh natural environment; only by adhering to the law of the jungle can one ensure survival.

This is inherent in the nature of nomadic groups; all the harsh rules they have established were created to adapt to the challenges of a difficult life.

Therefore, the ruling class does not care about the feelings of the deceased's family, much less about things like benevolence, filial piety, and propriety.

As long as you can survive, you'll find rules that are even more unforgiving; that's a factor shaped by your environment.

Pei Ju continued, "So, what the Commander means is that the rule of nomadic groups is inevitably backward and barbaric, right?"

Shen Lang smiled slightly: "If the higher-ups are unwilling to actively transform into a settled civilization, then that is indeed the case. Besides, you have seen for yourself what the situation is like in Wu Zhao."

Needless to say, the Jin Dynasty, the various tribes of Liaodong, the Yan Dynasty, the Ü-Tsang Kingdom, and even the Western Xia Dynasty, which we are all familiar with, were all ruled by cavalry-based ethnic groups.

You should already know how things turned out. And how did the people under their rule fared?

Pei Ju took a deep breath: "In that case, the people of Wu Zhao Kingdom are truly suffering terribly."

Shen Lang patted his shoulder: "Alright, less sentimentality. Go back and inform Lü Meng to have all the military families in Jiankang's inner city leave."

……

Wu Zhao's military camp, Fu Chang'an's main camp.

"Lord Zhang, the remains of the warriors have all been recovered."

"In addition, their families are also waiting outside Jiankang City. May I ask where they will be settled?"

After listening to his subordinate's report, Zhang Gui said, "Take the personal belongings from the fallen warriors, cremate them, and I will personally bring them back to Shengjing."

As for their families, they will be temporarily settled in Qingcheng. Once I inform the Emperor that the Chu army has withdrawn from Jiankang, they will be moved back.

After saying that, he looked at Fu Lin'an: "I am about to return to the capital to report. During this time, you stay here and guard the capital. Before the imperial decree arrives, you must not clash with the Chu army again, understand?"

"understood."

Fu Lin'an responded, but his expression clearly showed his dissatisfaction.

Zhang Gui glanced at him, then turned and left the tent.

As soon as he left, Fu Lin'an gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the table.

"These barbarians, I will fight you to the death!"

……

Outside Jiankang City, families waiting to be taken over by military officers and soldiers crowded together under the city walls, braving the cold wind.

A round-faced, chubby man stared blankly at Jiankang City, where he had lived for over fifty years, his hands in his pockets.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice choked with sobs: "I've lived here since I was old enough to understand things, and now, I'm leaving like this?"

His face was full of reluctance, and his tone was tinged with sadness: "This is our home. Where can I go if I leave here?"

These words instantly resonated with many.

The thought of leaving this life of luxury caused many people to sob quietly.

"I don't want to leave, I want to go back."

The fat man suddenly shouted and walked into the city, not forgetting to lead the two children with him.

"Stop right there! What are you doing!"

But two heavily armed Chu soldiers stopped the fat man.

The fat man said anxiously, "Sir, can I not leave? This is my home, please let me go back."

The soldier said expressionlessly, "This is an order from above. No one dares to disobey it. Get out of here immediately."

Another soldier scoffed, "What's wrong? Are you guys being unreasonable? Now that we're telling you to leave, you don't want to go?"

The fat, pitiful-looking man replied, "Sir, if I leave Jiankang City, where can I go? How am I supposed to survive?"

"That's not something we need to worry about. Your emperor will take care of it for you."

"Arrangements? What kind of arrangements would he make?!"

Unexpectedly, the fat man immediately started cursing.

"How could the Emperor know our difficulties? We only receive a few taels of silver in salary each month, and we're not allowed to do anything."

My life is even worse than those migrant workers in the city. If I leave Jiankang, I'll really have no way to make a living.

Please, have mercy and don't send me away. I'll stay here and not go anywhere. I'll do anything you ask.

After saying that, he took the two children and knelt down.

"Xiao Shunzi, Da Linzi, let's three men quickly kowtow to the military officer and beg him not to send us away."