Chapter Seven: Winning Hearts

Elsewhere, within the manor.

Chu Feng had already brought the two hundred sturdy men under his command and now they stood inside the residence, though their faces were filled with fear or unease at the unfamiliar surroundings.

They were all born peasants; how could they have ever seen such a place?

Looking at these men, Chu Feng nodded repeatedly. Not bad—their physiques were robust. With some proper training, they could become elite soldiers. The only pity was that he himself possessed only the martial prowess of the Conqueror Xiang Yu, yet lacked his experience in leading troops.

Just as he was about to speak, the system’s voice sounded in his mind once more:

"1. Choose to exploit their labor, reward: 800 hu of grain.
2. Choose to win their loyalty, and if average loyalty exceeds 70, reward: Ancient Special Forces Training Methods and Combat Manual, available for two hours."

Chu Feng frowned—another choice had been triggered.

The first option, grain, was certainly useful, but clearly inferior to the second. Ancient special forces training and a combat manual sounded promising, though he wondered what use ancient special forces had. After all, warfare was about vast armies.

No matter. He would choose and see what happened!

"Gentlemen, from this day forth, you are my people. As long as I have a sip of broth, you will not go hungry. But I do not keep idle men."

As he finished, Chu Feng watched their faces.

There was little joy—most still looked despondent.

Chu Feng frowned. Did not commoners live for a full stomach? Yet these men seemed uninterested in food. Or perhaps they were too used to empty promises?

That was likely.

"Uncle Li, send someone to the back courtyard and bring a fat pig to be slaughtered. Steam ten hu of wheat porridge. Today at noon, let these men have their fill, and in days to come, let there be plenty of meat," Chu Feng called out.

"Raise chickens, pigs, dogs, and swine in their proper seasons; if women weave diligently, at fifty they’ll wear silk, at seventy they’ll eat meat." So said the Records of Food and Goods in the Book of Han.

[Editor’s note: Don’t believe the nonsense in some web novels and sensational articles claiming pork was considered coarse or unfit for nobles or commoners in ancient times. The people didn’t shun pork for its taste—they simply didn’t have enough to eat. In the Han dynasty, if a commoner could eat porridge at every meal, it was already a good year. Meat was rare, and only a fool would complain about its flavor.]

Uncle Li hesitated, but complied.

Hearing this, the two hundred men all showed a flicker of joy—meat and rice, a life fit for immortals?

For a moment, they could hardly believe it.

In their days under Yuan Shu, let alone meat, even a half-full bowl of rice was a luxury.

And now, their new master was going to let them eat meat?

Soon, a plump pig, at least two or three hundred jin, was brought over, its big ears flapping and little tail swishing as if to say, “I’m hungry; hurry and serve your grandpa pig his meal.”

"Slaughter the pig, pick the vegetables, steam the rice. We’ll talk after everyone’s had their fill," Chu Feng said with a grand gesture.

The house servants then brought out over a dozen large cauldrons—there were no iron woks in the Han; all food was boiled, not stir-fried. The cooks began slaughtering the pig and preparing the meal.

During this, Chu Feng went to tidy the clothes of these men, brushing off dust here and there. He noticed that one man’s straw sandals were worn through.

"Uncle Li, bring some more pairs of straw sandals," Chu Feng called out.

"Young master, this…" Uncle Li was on the verge of tears. He wanted to say, “Our family has enjoyed high office for four generations—how can you treat the common folk like this? Even giving them a bite to eat is charity!”

With a sigh, he went to fetch them himself.

Soon after, Chu Feng took the sandals. "Yours are worn out. Here, change into a new pair."

"Young master, this can’t be, it can’t!" the man stammered in panic. He was a mere commoner—how could he accept such a favor from Chu Feng?

"Why not? From this day forth, you are all members of the Chu household," Chu Feng declared solemnly, sweeping his gaze over them.

His words stunned the men. Deep within, something trembled. In an age when lives were worth less than grass, Chu Feng…

One of the men raised his brows, moved. He suddenly recalled the old tale of Wu Qi sucking pus from his wounded soldiers—a true leader who loved his men as sons, destined for greatness.

Of course, such men rarely lived long in a troubled age.

Yet in these chaotic times, a master such as this was worth dying for.

After a busy half day, Chu Feng let out a long breath.

These two hundred men were his only foundation for now. He had to win their hearts.

By this time, the rich aroma of meat broth filled the air.

"Open the cauldrons—let’s eat!"

Chu Feng himself opened the pot and divided the meat.

Fat glistened in the broth, the fragrance mouthwatering. Chunks of pork were served into each man’s bowl, with some greens and a large bowl of wheat porridge.

In this era, this was a feast.

All two hundred sat cross-legged, pottery bowls in hand, sipping broth and biting into minced pork, juices running down their chins, shoveling in mouthfuls of wheat porridge—delicious.

Chu Feng moved among them.

By now, half their hearts already belonged to Chu Feng. His easy manner drew out genuine smiles; in their eyes shone the resolve to serve.

But Chu Feng soon frowned.

He noticed quite a few men quietly packing meat and porridge into their inner cloth pouches, eating only a little broth themselves. Even so, their faces shone with the simplest joy.

"You fool, don’t you know what’s good for you? The young master gives you food and drink, and you stuff it into your pouch instead!" Uncle Li grabbed one man and scolded.

The man fell to his knees, head to the ground, crying, "Young master, I dare not! I won’t do it again, please have mercy!"

The others who had pocketed food also grew anxious, taking out the meat and porridge, eyes glistening with tears.

Chu Feng surveyed them, his voice gentle, "Don’t be afraid. I just want to know—this freshly cooked meat is so delicious, why not eat it but save it in your pouch?"

"Young master, my wife and daughters at home haven’t tasted meat in years. I wanted to bring some back for them."

"How long since you last tasted meat?"

"Ten… over ten years," the man replied. "But don’t worry, young master; even with just broth, I have the strength to do my duty!"

With that, the man wept, for he knew how strict noble rules were—he’d seen many beaten to death for less. He kowtowed until his forehead bled, pleading for forgiveness.

Chu Feng closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This world was not as beautiful as he’d imagined—if anything, it was filled with more sorrow.

The world admired the heroism of the Three Kingdoms, the clashing armies, the beauties and gems. Yet how many knew the price—how many families torn apart, how many forced to eat the flesh of their own children?

Chu Feng stepped back a few paces to the center and called out bitterly, "Your selflessness puts me to shame."

"But I, Chu Feng, have said—you are my men, my brothers in arms. Your families are my families."

"So, eat up—eat your fill! Once you’re done, go and fetch your loved ones. When you return, I’ll slaughter another fat pig, and you’ll sit with them and eat meat to your hearts’ content!"

Chu Feng’s voice was powerful as thunder.

At his words, all were stunned, staring at Chu Feng in disbelief.

"What are you waiting for? Eat! Once you’ve eaten, come register. You have three days," Chu Feng ordered, turning away.

"Uncle Li, bring someone to register the names. And prepare two hundred bundles, each with five days’ rations and three hundred copper coins."

"Young master, if the master hears of this…"

"I’ll bear the consequences. At worst, let him chop off my head!" Chu Feng’s voice was loud, meant for all present to hear.

At once, many of the men’s eyes grew moist.

In their hearts surged the urge to die for their benefactor—their loyalty was absolute.

"For a master like you, how could I begrudge my life!" one man choked out, rising to his feet.

"Indeed! For such kindness, we would die a thousand deaths without regret!" another called out passionately.

For a moment, the air was filled with righteous fury.

Even Uncle Li was startled, his heart pounding. He looked at Chu Feng with new eyes—just a pig and a few words had won such devotion?

This young master was a genius!

As for the earlier man who had pocketed food, he too raised an eyebrow, recognizing that Chu Feng was no ordinary man. Whatever his knowledge of military affairs, his command of people’s hearts was peerless.

At last, the men ate their fill.

After the registration, eighty-six men needed to fetch their families.

Chu Feng watched their eagerness, then looked at the remaining hundred or so. "From this day, you are all brothers in arms. While your comrades fetch their families, what should you do?"

They were confused, unsure.

Chu Feng pointed to the bundles on the table and declared, "Your first task: ensure your brothers and their families return safely. Can you do it?"

"We can!" they roared.

Chu Feng was forging unity—one man’s strength is limited, but an elite force that entrusts their lives to one another is invincible.

"Three days from now, I want you all back, not one missing. For now, take your bundles and be gone within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. I don’t want to see a single one of you," Chu Feng commanded.

In no time, they were gone—without looking back, utterly resolved.

Uncle Li, however, was anxious. "Young master, you just let them go? What if they take the money and rations and never return?"

"Wouldn’t that be even better?" Chu Feng tossed out, leaving Uncle Li baffled.

Not return—how could that be better?

Meanwhile, the system’s prompt sounded in Chu Feng’s mind: Congratulations, host, for exceeding the mission requirements. Average loyalty reached 92. Additional reward: Full advanced schematic for the improved Zhuge Repeating Crossbow.