"Yes," Zhan Qi replied, handing Feng Xiyan a few sheets of paper, and added, "These are the names of the farmer families in Xiqiang City and the land allocated to each."
Taking the list, Feng Xiyan read it carefully. Seeing that fewer than fifty farming families remained in Xiqiang City, he sighed inwardly.
’In just two years, there are fewer than fifty farming families left. This is really a great loss to Xiqiang City and the empire.’
After putting the list away, he looked at Zhan Qi and said, "General Zhan, please gather those willing to work the farmland. I will meet them at the south gate to assign plots in a while."
Zhan Qi clasped his fists and replied, "Yes, Great General. I will handle it immediately."
After Zhan Qi left, Feng Xiyan turned to the lieutenant in charge of training and said, "Let the brothers rest for half a sichen before resuming the training."
The lieutenant clasped his fists and replied, "Yes, Great General."
With tasks assigned, Feng Xiyan headed to the stable to get his war horse, then rode off toward the south gate.
By the time Feng Xiyan arrived at the south gate, Zhan Qi and the farmers were already waiting.
When the farmers and workers saw him, they all knelt and said in unison, "This humble commoner greets the Great General."
As Feng Xiyan dismounted, he said, "Please rise, everyone."
"Thank you, Great General."
After everyone stood up, Feng Xiyan turned to Zhan Qi and asked, "General Zhan, have they brought their household registrations and land deeds?"
Zhan Qi clasped his fists and replied, "Reporting to the Great General. The farmers had brought their land deeds and household registration. For those coming from other places, they brought their travel permit and original household registration."
"Good." Feng Xiyan nodded, then looked at the crowd. "Those who already own farmland, please come forward and register your names first."
At his command, Zhan Qi and the soldiers began organizing the commoners. While Feng Xiyan divided the farmland, Zhan Qi assisted in recording the new land deeds and family registrations.
Half an hour later, they had finished registering all 46 farming families.
Looking at the remaining people, Feng Xiyan said, "Anyone wishing to register as a farmer may now do so free of charge. According to the laws of the Great Yu Empire, each household will be granted two mu of farmland."
As soon as he finished speaking, the remaining people burst into cheers.
Most of them were refugees who had fled to Xiqiang City and become trapped within its walls when the Yuezhi Tribe attacked the western border.
Their household registrations were not local, and they owned no homes or land. To survive, many had been forced into hard labor or had become beggars. However, when local people have no food and no jobs, these people from other places can only live on the streets and starve.
Now, faced with an opportunity to change their fate, the crowd rushed forward to register, fighting to be the first. Moreover, with the Feng Army protecting the city, their security was far better than elsewhere. Only idiots won’t take this golden opportunity.
"Great General, this commoner wishes to register!" someone shouted, followed by the others who were afraid to be left behind.
Seeing them rushing toward Feng Xiyan, Zhan Qi immediately stepped in front of him and drew his sword.
"Stand back!" he ordered coldly.
Startled by his commanding aura, the commoners instinctively took several steps back.
Looking at their frightened faces, Feng Xiyan calmly said, "There is enough farmland for everyone. Please form a line so we can register your names and issue household registrations and land deeds."
Reassured by his words, the crowd fell into line under the soldiers’ guidance. Soon, the process of registration and documentation continued orderly.
Three hours later, when the sun was hanging high over their heads, the land distribution was finally complete, and the new citizens of Xiqiang City had been officially registered.
Feng Xiyan handed over the list and farmland map to Zhan Qi and then said to the crowd, "Now that you have been granted farmland, you can bring your household registrations to the barracks when it is time to plant. There, you will receive enough seeds to plan your farmland."
Clutching their household registrations and land deeds tightly, the commoners knelt in gratitude.
"Thank you, Great General, for giving us a way to survive."
Seeing that their eyes were filled with hopes for the future, Feng Xiyan smiled. "If you wish to offer thanks, direct it to Heaven and Fairy Bai. This general merely follows Heaven’s instructions."
Upon hearing this, the crowd lifted their faces to the sky and chanted in unison, "Thank you, Heaven. Thank you, Fairy Bai!"
As they kowtowed three times, invisible golden particles floated from their hearts and ascended to the sky.
At the same time, the ancient mirror submerged in the river behind Bai Hanyun’s residence glowed as it absorbed the golden particles.
Unaware of what had just happened, the crowd stood up after their bows to Heaven.
Satisfied that they knew gratitude, Feng Xiyan added, "This general has ordered the construction of a temple dedicated to Fairy Bai."
"When the golden statue is completed, this general will select an auspicious date for the dedication ceremony. All of you may come to pray to Heaven and Fairy Bai on that day."
The commoners bowed again and replied, "This humble commoner understood."
Having distributed the farmland and completed the household registrations, Feng Xiyan turned to Zhan Qi and said, "General Zhan, assign soldiers to manage the remaining farmland and recruit more workers. You will oversee the farmland for now until we appoint a permanent manager to take over the task."
Zhan Qi clasped his fists and replied, "This subordinate accepts the order."
With his tasks complete, Feng Xiyan mounted his warhorse and returned to the barracks.
After his departure, Zhan Qi spoke to the farmers. "From today on, you may bring your land deeds to the soldiers guarding the lake to receive additional water for irrigation. Once your name is registered there, you need only state it to collect water each day."
Feeling relieved when they heard Feng Xiyan’s words, the farmers bowed. Without water, their new farmland would be useless.
"We will follow General Zhan’s instructions," they said gratefully.
While the citizens of Xiqiang City slowly returned to normal life, the commoners in other towns, cities, and counties were not so fortunate, such as those in Xiquan City, the largest city closest to Xiqiang City.