I am the snake demon!

Are you injured?

Upon meeting, Bai Xuan sensed the abnormal fluctuations in the newcomer's qi and blood, and frowned.

Upon hearing Bai Xuan's words, Gao Feng's expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected Bai Xuan to be so perceptive. He said, "It's just a minor injury. Soldiers inevitably suffer injuries on the battlefield. May I ask your name and rank, sir?"

"My name is Bai Xuan. I don't hold any official position, but I grew up with the new Prince of Zhenbei. We are sworn brothers, and I am returning to the Prince's residence with him," Bai Xuan said.

"I see."

Upon hearing this, Gao Feng relaxed considerably. It was no secret that the new Prince of Zhenbei had previously cultivated in a Taoist temple, so Bai Xuan's explanation was reasonable. The lack of official rank was also unimportant; what mattered was that he had grown up alongside the new Prince of Zhenbei. This bond couldn't be erased by any official position. Thinking this, Gao Feng immediately knelt down. "Please, Brother Bai, inform His Highness of this matter. I am deeply grateful for your immense kindness."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xuan immediately helped him up, saying, "Don't be impatient, tell me slowly so that I can answer the Prince of Zhenbei's questions. How many men in your battalion died in the battle, and have they still not received their compensation? Are the other battalions in the same situation?"

"The 5th Infantry Battalion originally had 1,500 men, of whom 432 were killed in action and 465 were wounded. None of them have received any compensation yet. The rest, the cavalry battalion, seem to have received compensation, but most of the infantry are in the same situation as us," Gao Feng replied.

Bai Xuan nodded slightly. Cavalry was more valuable than infantry. He said, "The casualties occurred in the great battle at Canglang Mountain in the Northern Wilderness, more than four months ago. Were you not informed of the compensation yet?"

"I already said that, but the higher-ups said that our army suffered heavy casualties in this battle and told us to wait," Gao Feng said.

"Wait? Is that all?" Bai Xuan asked.

"Hmm," Gao Feng said.

"Boss, it's not just that. It's clearly that guy surnamed He targeting you and trying to trip you up."

However, just as Gao Feng finished speaking, someone next to him said indignantly.

"Shut up." Gao Feng immediately reprimanded him with a cold expression.

"No, let him speak. Gao Feng, if you want your soldiers to not have died in vain and to receive compensation, then tell me the whole truth without holding anything back," Bai Xuan stopped him.

Upon hearing this, Gao Feng's expression shifted slightly, and he sighed, saying, "If Brother Bai wants to know, then of course you should tell him. It's a personal grudge of mine. About a year ago, I became enemies with He Rang, and He Rang's sister married Xu Zhao, the second master of the Xu family. The Xu family is in charge of military logistics, so my brothers think that because of my grudge with He Rang, He Rang is taking revenge, and the Xu family is colluding with him to deliberately make things difficult for us."

"But I think it's impossible. Although He Rang is indeed a villain, the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion will not allow such a villain to appear. We are all people who followed the Prince to fight in the borderlands. The Zhenbei Prince's Mansion will not allow the Xu family to cause trouble and withhold compensation."

Bai Xuan nodded slightly, "That makes sense. As for whether the Xu family could withhold compensation, that's very likely."

However, withholding pensions shouldn't be done so drastically. If nothing is given and there are still so many people, it's easy for trouble to arise, and if trouble arises, the higher-ups might find out.

"Ke'er, this He Rang is the so-called Master He who borrowed one tael of silver from you, and after a month, he demands that you repay twenty taels of silver, threatening to make you his concubine if you don't pay him back," Bai Xuan said, turning to Sun Ke'er.

"Yes," Sun Ke'er said timidly.

"What?! That beast dares to do that!"

Upon hearing Sun Ke'er's words, all the men in the courtyard erupted in fury.

Even the usually composed Gao Feng revealed a strong murderous intent in his eyes upon hearing this.

"So the Xu family is responsible for providing compensation, but they haven't given it to you. Meanwhile, Xu's relatives are taking advantage of the situation to borrow money from you, kicking you when you're down, and coercing you. This doesn't seem like something that can be done without consequences." Bai Xuan sneered upon hearing this. "Don't worry, everyone, I will definitely inform the Prince about this matter and give everyone an explanation."

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Bai," Gao Feng said, clasping his hands in greeting.

"It's all as it should be. But if your injuries aren't treated soon, Brother Gao, they might damage your foundation and affect your future cultivation. You should get treatment first." As Bai Xuan spoke, he took out a 10,000-tael silver note and gave it to Gao Feng. "Use this silver note first. The Zhenbei Prince's Mansion will take care of your expenses for treating yourself and taking care of the widows of those martyrs."

Seeing the ten thousand taels of silver notes in Bai Xuan's hand, Gao Feng was moved. He had thought that even if he could receive the compensation, it would be some time later. Although ten thousand taels was not enough for everyone, it was close enough. Holding the silver notes, the eight-foot-tall man's eyes reddened, and he was somewhat speechless. He said, "If Brother Bai needs anything in the future, please just give the order, and we will do our duty without hesitation."

"It is my duty."

The soldiers present shouted loudly, their voices booming, and they looked at Bai Xuan as if he were a god.

"It was my duty. I was just giving you the money that should have been yours on behalf of the Prince of Zhenbei. The Prince of Zhenbei told me that the peace of the northern border depends on the hard work of you soldiers. The soldiers of the northern border are all respected, and even the wounded should receive the best treatment," Bai Xuan said solemnly.

"Yes, thank you, sir. Thank you, Your Highness."

Upon hearing Bai Xuan's words, the crowd excitedly knelt down on one knee in the direction of the city.

Especially high winds.

These days, the pressure on him has been unprecedented.

Four hundred and thirty-two were killed and four hundred and sixty-five were wounded.

That means nearly nine hundred families have been severely impacted.

Moreover, many of the people here are from his hometown.

When familiar older men and women asked him how his children were doing, he didn't know how to answer.

Seeing the elders who looked like they had lost their souls upon learning of their child's death, his heart ached.

He wanted to take care of the families of the fallen soldiers.

This is his responsibility.

He didn't even treat his own injuries.

In his view, families who have lost their breadwinner need it more than he does.

But he's just a captain; with that meager salary, how many people can he help?

Sometimes, he even wondered if the Prince's Mansion had forgotten about them.

The appearance of Bai Xuan now proves that it didn't happen.

The Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion still remembers them.

Seeing this scene, Bai Xuan was moved and sighed inwardly. With a heavy heart, he returned to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion with Hongxiu.

"Your Highness, should we go and discuss this with the First Princess?" Hongxiu asked.

Today's events also had a great impact on her.

Although she came from a poor background, after entering the royal palace, she lived a more comfortable life than most young ladies of noble birth. Such human suffering was rare.

Now, all matters concerning the Prince's Mansion are decided by Xu Yuhua.

She found it strange that Bai Xuan, a prince, didn't handle these matters.

But she was a distant relative, and as a servant, she couldn't say what she shouldn't.

To resolve this matter, we must seek help from the eldest princess.

"No, let's discuss this with Uncle first and confirm whether these things are true or false," Bai Xuan said.

It's quite a coincidence that things happened today.

He went out today and happened to run into the Xu family's in-laws persecuting the orphans of martyrs, and that's how he learned about the pension.

It is said that stories cannot be told without coincidences.

But it's also possible that someone is plotting against you behind your back.

For example, Xu Wenzheng wanted him and Xu Yanheng to fight each other first, and then Xu Wenzheng would sit back and watch the two tigers fight.

It's not impossible.

Let me check first.

Let's see if it's true or false.

If it's true, and the Xu family dares to embezzle the compensation money, Bai Xuan will wipe out the entire Xu family tomorrow, leaving no one alive.