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  "Spare my life, great master! I was wrong, I'll never dare again!" The soldier's face turned deathly pale and his legs went soft as he fell to the ground with a thud, wailing and begging for mercy.

  Liu Feng's expression was resolute, and he said coldly: "I, Liu Feng, have always been clear about rewards and punishments. If someone has committed a capital offense, not killing them would be impossible to justify to the masses. You can rest assured that I will treat your family well."

  He didn't want to say more, turned around and waved his hand, the guards who followed him rushed forward, dragged that soldier to the street, and beheaded him in front of everyone present.

  The head fell to the ground, and the fresh blood and muddy water mixed together, forming a large area of black and red. This scene was so shocking that it made the surrounding soldiers tremble with fear, and even the ordinary people who were peeking through the door cracks were frightened out of their wits.

  After beheading the soldier, Liu Feng mounted his horse and ordered with a heavy expression: "Bury his remains properly, and also allocate a sum from my salary to send to his family as consolation every month."

  After instructing him, Liu Feng galloped away, and in the hazy rain mist, no one noticed a hint of a smile flashing across his mouth.

  It's actually just a coincidence that everything happened so coincidentally, and it was all just a play directed by Liu Feng's quick thinking.

  That so-called witness was just a death row inmate in the big prison, who had committed a crime and should have been executed. Liu Feng privately negotiated with the dead convict and agreed on the terms. As long as he was willing to play this role, Liu Feng would provide a sum of money to support his family. The death row inmate was destined to die anyway, so before his death, he could leave some benefits for his family, and naturally agreed.

  Liu Feng's performance in this play, although having the meaning of shaking and solemn military discipline, mainly meant to win over people's hearts as soon as possible.

  In the past, after Lü Meng's White Robed Army crossed the river and captured Jingzhou, he had used this same tactic to quickly win over the hearts of the people of Jingzhou, causing Guan Yu's troops to collapse. Liu Feng's move was essentially "plagiarizing" one of Lü Meng's tactics, but the effect was just as striking.

  That thing on the same day quickly spread throughout the city, and all the scholars and civilians in the city were moved by Liu Feng's kindness. After that, the powerful families in the city connected with each other, went to the prefecture together to visit Liu Feng, clearly expressed their support for Liu Feng, and supported Liu Xiong. With this momentum, Liu Feng immediately led the officials, wealthy families, and scholars of the whole city to hold a grand funeral for Han Xuan.

  After these few moves, in a matter of days, the entire Linxiang City was convinced of Liu Feng's abilities. Under his benevolent and strict governance, other counties sent people to Linxiang to pledge allegiance and loyalty to him, presenting local specialties as gifts to show their respect.

  Liu Feng then set up a banquet in the governor's mansion to entertain officials from various counties, and also as a celebration of the conquest of Changsha Prefecture.

  "After you all return, please inform the county magistrates that as long as they surrender sincerely, they can retain their original positions. Although I have taken over Changsha Prefecture, I still need to rely on your collective efforts to pacify the people and govern the prefecture. Here, let me toast you with this cup." After these words of consolation, Liu Feng raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

  The officials were naturally overjoyed and praised Liu Feng's benevolence, while also expressing their loyalty with grand words.

  After several rounds of wine, Liu Feng moved closer to Huang Zhong's side and raised his cup with a smile: "General, I didn't expect that just a few days ago we were still at war, but now we can share the same hall. It seems that my friendship with you is indeed not shallow."

  Huang Zhong is not only a good general who can use troops, but also a local magnate in Changsha County, with prestige and strength. He is the pillar talent that Liu Feng needs after he becomes independent, so naturally he wants to win him over.

  "The body of a great-grandson, I am just an old man, how can I be friends with the great-grandson." Huang Zhong seemed very polite, as if he still had some respect for Liu Feng.

  Liu Feng knew there was still something unsettled in his heart.

  Just then, Ma Chao, who was guarding outside, hastily entered with a letter in his hand. He looked tense and leaned close to Liu Feng, almost whispering: "Young Master, I've just received a letter from our lord."

  It's really heaven helping me, and the timing is just right.

  Liu Feng secretly felt pleased in his heart, but casually said: "I suppose it's a letter of comfort from Father to the officials present, let's read it out loud in front of everyone."

  "Great prince, must you really read it?" Ma Chao glanced at Liu Feng with a hint of meaning in his eyes, as if he had already guessed the contents of the letter and thought it unsuitable for public reading.

  "Of course, read it quickly, a bit louder, so everyone can hear clearly." Liu Feng pretended to be slightly drunk and ignored Ma Chao's hint.

  The people present immediately quieted down and perked up their ears to listen as soon as they heard that Liu Xiang, their new superior, had some comforting words to announce.

  Ma Chao naturally couldn't understand Liu Feng's true intention, although he felt it was inappropriate, but he couldn't refuse, so he cleared his throat a few times, unfolded the silk book, and read out the contents of the letter in an unnatural tone.

  Everyone listened and felt something was wrong. The faces that had been filled with a few expectations gradually became awkward, and their eyes inadvertently stared at Liu Feng.

  That letter was not a comforting letter as they imagined, but a private letter written by Liu Bei to his son Liu Feng, more accurately, it should be a letter of rebuke.

  Before, in order to fulfill the promise made to Huang Zhong at the single riding meeting, Liu Feng specially wrote a letter, tactfully expressing whether it was possible to temporarily retreat and not attack the Changsha Prefecture. Liu Bei now urgently wants to get this foothold of the four southern prefectures, and Liu Feng knows that writing such a "foolish" letter is purely seeking rebuke in Ma Su's view.

  As expected, in this reply letter, Liu Bei bluntly rebuked Liu Feng's excuses of "benevolence" and "loving the people" as "naive", and looked down on Han Xuan and other officials of Changsha with great disdain. He also claimed that Changsha Prefecture had many people and a vast territory, which would be an important base for him to supply food and troops in the future. He ordered Liu Feng to send troops immediately, and if he dared to delay again, he would summon him back to his side and dispatch another general to take over Changsha.

  Some things, everyone knows in their heart, but they pretend not to know. If they were said openly, it would hurt people. Liu Bei's letter did not hurt Liu Feng, but instead chilled the hearts of the officials present at the scene.

  What was originally a lively and festive atmosphere suddenly turned cold, with most people looking somewhat downcast. However, Huang Zhong's mood seemed to have improved, his furrowed brow slowly relaxing, and a hint of relief appearing on his face.

  Liu Feng wanted exactly this effect, he wanted to let the officials and scholars of Changsha County see Liu Bei's true face and be disappointed with him. And at the risk of being scolded, he couldn't bear to harm the interests of the people of Changsha, but instead made the officials grateful to him. More importantly, through this letter, Liu Feng proved to Huang Zhong that he had kept his promise, which was exactly why Huang Zhong felt relieved.

  It now seems that Liu Feng's goals have all been achieved.

  Just as he was secretly laughing to himself, the soldiers guarding the city came to report that a man claiming to be Wei Yan had arrived with several hundred troops, saying he wanted to enter the city to see Liu Feng.

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