Bai Qingyan’s voice was firm and powerful: “Later, the Bai Family ancestors understood that only by unifying the realm could they restore peaceful lands to the people! Therefore, the Bai Family… the Bai Family army, along with all Great Zhou soldiers, have taken unifying the realm as their duty! Now… the reason the Great Zhou must capture Yecheng Pass is to take Yunjing! To unify the realm and ensure that people of both nations no longer suffer from warfare, absolutely not to massacre civilians!”

Bai Qingyan looked at the Xiliang people quietly gazing up at her and continued: “Whether Great Zhou or Xiliang! We share the same writing, the same cart axles, the same measurements, the same moral principles! We are inherently one indivisible family! Now that all cities north of Yecheng Pass have been incorporated into the Great Zhou, the people… naturally are all Great Zhou citizens! The meaning of our Great Zhou army’s existence is to protect and secure the people!”

“Afterward, the Great Zhou court will implement Great Zhou’s new policies in cities already incorporated into Zhou territory – tax exemptions, grain distribution, ensuring every citizen has land to cultivate, so that every citizen can eat their fill and dress warmly! Everyone can rest assured!”

The Xiliang people below the city wall discussed among themselves – really no massacre… and tax exemptions plus grain distribution?

Hearing some Xiliang people say it was impossible, that the Great Zhou Emperor was surely deceiving them.

The hot-tempered Bai Jinzhao shouted at the top of her voice: “Deceive you… You’d have to have something worth deceiving! What do you have that’s worth deceiving?”

“You needn’t worry either. You were originally subjects of Xiliang, so naturally caring about Xiliang is reasonable. If you don’t want to become Great Zhou subjects and wish to leave, you can register at the government office tomorrow. We’ll give you one day. The Great Zhou can provide travel passes for those who want to leave, allowing you to depart! Only tomorrow!” Bai Qingyan said with a smile, “Those willing to stay and become Great Zhou citizens, Great Zhou will certainly treat you as our people, providing household registration and farmland.”

Hearing these words, the Xiliang people still couldn’t believe it. Some quietly discussed whether those who refused to become Great Zhou citizens would be killed as soon as they received travel money and left the city.

Others said they were willing to become Great Zhou citizens, after all… the current Xiliang court could barely take care of itself, where would they have energy to send them grain!

Hearing the people’s endless debates, Bai Qingyan called out loudly again: “Great Zhou soldiers will certainly protect our Great Zhou subjects, restoring peaceful lands without displacement to Great Zhou people! I’ve said all I can… where each of you goes is your own choice! I swear in the name of the Great Zhou Emperor that we absolutely will not obstruct anyone who wishes to leave Yecheng Pass and continue being Xiliang citizens – we Great Zhou will let you leave safely!”

After speaking, Bai Qingyan turned and walked down from the city wall.

Bai Qingyan’s words stirred up huge waves. Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night – tonight the Xiliang people had to decide whether to become Great Zhou citizens or continue being Xiliang people… and leave Yecheng Pass, which had already become part of Great Zhou.

·

After distributing sweet rice balls to the people of Yecheng Pass, Bai Qingqi, Bai Qingyu, Bai Jinxiu, Bai Qingjue, and Bai Qingyun accompanied Xiao Rongyan to the government office first to discuss how to fight the upcoming battles.

Bai Jinzhao, Bai Jinhua, and Bai Jinse accompanied Bai Qingyan back to their lodgings. On the way, Bai Jinzhao frowned and asked: “Elder Sister, why let Xiliang people who don’t want to become Great Zhou citizens leave? They might already know our troop strength while in the city, and after leaving, they might report to the Xiliang people! Tell the Xiliang army about the situation inside Yecheng Pass!”

Bai Jinse smiled and said, “Fifth Sister, Elder Sister is precisely letting these people who leave Yecheng Pass tell other Xiliang people and Xiliang troops about the situation inside Yecheng Pass.”

Bai Jinzhao looked at Bai Jinse, then at their elder sister, seeing her features bearing a gentle smile, quite puzzled: “Huh? Why?”

“Because Elder Sister wants to win over the people!” Bai Jinse looked up at Bai Qingyan, “Right, Elder Sister!”

“Exactly!” Bai Qingyan reached out to pat Bai Jinzhao’s head, breaking down the reasoning to explain to Bai Jinzhao: “Elder Sister is precisely letting these departing Xiliang people spread the news – Xiliang people ravaged by war who are willing to become Great Zhou citizens can all come! Since ancient times, wars have been fought either for grain… or for cities, or people! But Elder Sister believes… people are most important. Whether building cities or cultivating grain! All require people! So people are most important!”

“So that’s how it is…” Bai Jinzhao nodded, now understanding.

“Moreover, Xiliang has been short of grain for a long time – even military provisions are lacking… let alone providing grain to civilians! Elder Sister also intentionally wants people in other cities and soldiers to know that Great Zhou won’t massacre Xiliang people, but will convert Xiliang people into Great Zhou citizens, giving Xiliang people the same treatment as Great Zhou citizens should have!” Bai Jinse analyzed following her elder sister’s line of thinking.

Bai Jinhua also had a look of sudden understanding, gazing up at Bai Qingyan and saying: “This way, Xiliang people in Xiliang cities won’t resist to the death, and Xiliang soldiers won’t fight to the death to protect the people behind them. Our upcoming battles will be much easier because even if defeated… It’s not necessarily death! They might even think being taken over by the Great Zhou… means they won’t starve to death! Right, Elder Sister?”

Bai Qingyan smiled and patted Bai Jinhua’s head: “Our Little Six is very clever!”

“Among us, Little Seven is still the smartest, understanding immediately what Elder Sister is doing! Amazing…” Bai Jinzhao generously gave Bai Jinse a thumbs up, “Little Seven is the female Zhuge Liang among us!”

The little girl was embarrassed by the praise, her eyes bright and her ears turning red. She supported Bai Qingyan up the corridor steps and said to Bai Qingyan: “Elder Sister, Little Seven knows she’s not as capable as Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister on the battlefield, and might even… might drag down brothers and sisters on the battlefield, but… Little Seven will work even harder, trying not to become a burden to brothers and sisters!”

Fine snow was falling from the sky. Bai Qingyan looked at her youngest sister’s determined eyes and reached out to brush the snow from her head.

“Not at all! Who said you’re a burden? Our Little Seven is wonderful!” Bai Jinzhao tapped Bai Jinse’s head, “What are you thinking about in that little head? The method we used to capture Yecheng Pass was thought up by our Little Seven! Your sixth sister and I couldn’t think of it, right?”

Bai Jinhua nodded repeatedly: “Yes! We couldn’t think of it. Little Seven is so capable – we’re all fighting according to Little Seven’s method!”

“Did you hear what your fifth and sixth sisters said?” Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinse and smiled.

With her younger brothers and sisters all present, Bai Qingyan’s heart was filled with warmth. She reached out to embrace the three sisters: “Let’s stop here! Go to the command tent and listen to how your second sister and brothers are discussing with the Ninth Prince of Great Yan how the upcoming battles should be fought. Listen more… observe more, learn more!”