The aftermath of the battle was a grim reminder of the cost of victory. The courtyard of Feng's estate was littered with the bodies of soldiers from both sides, the air heavy with the stench of blood and smoke. Li Wei stood in the center, his sword still in hand, as his commanders gathered around him.
"The reinforcements have been routed," General Cao Ren reported. "The few who survived are retreating to the north. They won't pose a threat for now."
"And the prisoners?" Li Wei asked.
"Over a hundred," Cao Ren replied. "Mostly low-ranking soldiers. The officers either fled or were killed."
Li Wei nodded, his expression somber. "Have them detained. We'll decide their fate after the wounded are tended to."
Lin Mei approached, her armor stained with blood but her posture steady. "The nobles will hear of this victory, Your Majesty. It will send a message—but it might not be the one you want."
"What do you mean?" Li Wei asked.
Lin Mei's gaze was piercing. "You've crushed a rebellion, but you've also shown the nobles that you're willing to spill blood to maintain control. Some will fear you. Others will hate you even more."
Li Wei sighed, the weight of her words settling on his shoulders. "Fear can be useful, but it's not enough. We need loyalty, not just obedience."
"Then show them what loyalty looks like," Lin Mei said. "Punish the ringleaders, but spare the common soldiers. Show the nobles that rebellion leads to ruin, but also show them that you're just."
Li Wei considered her advice, then turned to Cao Ren. "Execute the officers who surrendered, but pardon the foot soldiers. Send them back to their families with a warning. Let them carry the message to the north."
Cao Ren saluted. "As you command, Your Majesty."
As the sun set over the battlefield, Li Wei stood alone on the battlements of Feng's estate, staring out at the horizon. The victory was his, but the cost was steep. Hundreds of his men had died, and the kingdom remained fragile. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the fight for unity was far from over.
Behind him, Lin Mei approached, her voice soft. "You did well today."
Li Wei didn't turn. "Did I? Or did I just win a battle and lose something greater?"
"You won the loyalty of your men," Lin Mei said. "And you've shown the kingdom that you're willing to fight for it. That's not nothing."
Li Wei finally turned to her, a faint smile on his lips. "Then let's hope it's enough."
As they stood in the fading light, a rider approached, bearing an urgent message. The rebellion had been quelled—but a new threat was rising in the eastern provinces.