The generals argued among themselves, some suggesting killing them, others suggesting taking them away. Duke Li, upon hearing the generals mention Li Guanyi, found it hard not to feel a bit agitated as each spoke with admiration and utmost respect. He mused for a while, then glanced at the many Western Region captives bound up, devising a plan in his mind. He went to see Li Guanyi. Li Guanyi was having a casual chat with Fan Qing and Qibi Li, inquiring about the matters in Anxi City. The two generals did not hold back and told him everything. They had just started talking when Duke Li arrived before they could completely get to the bottom of things. After some idle talk, Duke Li lavishly praised Li Guanyi as being one of a kind in the heavens and unmatched on earth, then changed the subject, saying: "Nephew, you have seen that we achieved a great victory today and captured many prisoners." "They should be handed over to you, Nephew. Since you killed their commander, these people harbor deep hostility towards you, and feeding them is a great expense of [silver coin]..." Duke Li spoke about these captives and continued: "Now that these people fled and each took grains, there is much damage and burning, and after distributing the remaining grains to our armies, there’s not enough left to feed so many people. Nephew, you might imitate our Central Plains Military School sages." "Build a Corpse Pile to signify the great victory of this war." "Secondly, to spread our prestige across the world." "Thirdly, to let these Western barbarian tribes know of your divine bravery as the Heavenly Might General." Li Guanyi lowered his gaze slightly. The idea of creating a Corpse Pile was something he couldn’t bring himself to do. Moreover, such an act, akin to slaughtering prisoners or sacking a city, seemed to flaunt might, yet in reality, it would ruin his own reputation. If Li Guanyi were to do so, he feared severing his ties with the Western Regions. Currently, the Western Regions are the last unoccupied power without a giant entity taking over, and it is also the final qualification for vying for the world. Li Guanyi looked at Duke Li, understanding his intentions. He wanted Li Guanyi to alienate himself from the world. To be just a fierce and brave general. The Duke of Ying Country naturally would make such a choice. Li Guanyi responded, "Uncle is so generous, I must accept respectfully!" Duke Li and Li Guanyi chatted idly for a long time before he left. Li Guanyi rubbed his forehead and had Fan Qing and Qibi Li take over the prisoner camp. Just then, he heard footsteps approaching and saw Li Zhaowen walking briskly towards him, looking at Li Guanyi, and said, "Mr. Li, do not kill the captives!" She grabbed Li Guanyi’s arm, gazing into his eyes, and said, "No matter the enemy or us, killing those who surrender is a deeply disgraceful act, alienating oneself from the world. The people of the Western Region tribes value such matters greatly!" Li Guanyi felt relieved, as though Duke Li was indeed a heroic yet cunning politician, Li Zhaowen possessed the loyalty and camaraderie of a brother. He said, "Rest assured, Erlang, I understand." Seeing Li Guanyi calm and composed, Li Zhaowen also relaxed and smiled, saying, "I know the character and courage of my brother, but I was a bit worried, so I came to speak. With my brother’s insight, I’m sure you’ve already seen through the drawbacks of this matter at a glance!" "However, now that this city siege has been lifted, will you join me in returning to Xiyi City?" Li Guanyi shook his head, answering, "I will return to Yemen Pass City." "Once this city is settled, I will go to Xiyi City to meet up with you, Erlang." Li Zhaowen nodded and said, "I wish to stay here with you, but my father likely won’t allow it. He and many generals in Xiyi City were pursued by the allied Western Regions forces, who didn’t launch a strong attack but kept them in fear and trepidation." "Having been besieged for a long time, their spirits are already exhausted, and I need to personally lead the army to escort them back." Li Zhaowen expressed some regret, but Li Guanyi reassured her that there was no need. After Li Zhaowen left, Li Guanyi thought for a moment and took out a second brocade bag. He tossed it around and then opened the brocade bag. Li Guanyi couldn’t possibly kill these people. But truly letting them go freely was also not an option. These are indeed the elite of the Western Regions. Releasing them directly risks future major wars, but even managing them, Duke Li’s points are valid. Despite gathering some grain from the Western Region armies, much of it was damaged in battle, ground into powder mixed into the soil, burned, or carried away. Divided between two sides, there’s not much left. Unable to sustain these tens of thousands of big eaters. Moreover, if they mutinied, Li Guanyi’s remaining tens of thousands could not suppress them. Many problems revolved in Li Guanyi’s mind as he opened the brocade bag. He saw the handwriting: "Lord, congratulations on the great victory." Li Guanyi was slightly stunned, at first amazed by Mr. Po Jun’s foresight, and then laughed: Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novel•fire.net "It’s no surprise if it’s Mr. Po Jun’s words, predicting it." He continued reading. Inside the brocade bag written by Mr. Po Jun was: "In my view, Lord has likely achieved a great victory against the enemy, and captured some prisoners. If the Lord’s performance in this battle was outstanding, many in Xiyi City have ill intentions to tarnish your reputation." "The troublesome captives are a tactic. For this, I happen to have a strategy." "The Wolf King sacking the city and creating a Corpse Pile would dominate the Western Regions; these Western Region prisoners must be trembling in fear, feeling doomed to die. Lord, you can leverage the Wolf King’s name to establish your hegemony. Keep a part and release most." "Detain those who can still fight." "And release the weak and lightly wounded, allowing them to carry dry provisions." "Thus, firstly, they believe they would die, but find a vital opportunity, in great joy, the Lord gains a reputation for kindness; Secondly, on the Western Region roads, large and small cities seized by these tribal people will return to the control of each tribe when these people leave."