Kicking off the ground, Xue Ruhong rushed toward Fan Wanming and caught the three bottles of soymilk just in time before they smashed into Fan Wanming's head. The moment his feet touched the ground, the mirror spat out more food.
This time, Feng Xiyan and the others were ready. They caught the scallion pancakes before they hit the ground.
Looking at the white, fluffy steamed bun and the oily scallion pancakes in his hands, Feng Xiyan said gratefully, "These must be a blessing from Heaven."
Hearing this, the others' eyes lit up.
Smelling the fragrant, oily scallion pancakes, Tan Pengtai couldn't help but swallow hard. He was so hungry that he felt dizzy, but he still restrained himself and placed the scallion pancakes on the earthen plate handed over by Yan Bingyang.
After they placed the eleven steamed buns, eight scallion pancakes, and three bottles of soymilk on the altar, Feng Xiyan looked at the others.
Seeing them staring at the food and swallowing their saliva, he said, "Divide the steamed buns amongst yourselves."
Hearing this, Zhan Qi shook his head and said, "Great General, I'm not hungry. You are injured, so you need to eat more. Please keep the steamed buns for yourself."
The others nodded in agreement when they heard his words.
Looking at their sincere expressions, Feng Xiyan picked up the steamed buns and stuffed them into their hands.
After distributing the buns, he said, "I'm not hungry. Take them home and give them to your families. Even if we can endure hunger, the elderly and children can't."
The generals' eyes reddened at his words.
Nowadays, everyone can only eat grass roots, tree bark, and Guanyin soil, causing their bodies to become thin and their stomachs bloated like a pregnant woman. Seeing people die every day, everyone knew how precious food was in their situation.
Holding the steamed bun, Tan Pengtai thought of his wife and children's thin faces and weak bodies. Gritting his teeth, he knelt down and clasped his fists.
Lowering his head, he choked with emotion as he said, "This subordinate thanks the Great General on behalf of my family."
Feng Xiyan helped him up and said, "Go quickly. Don't let the children wait too long."
"Yes, Great General!"
After Tan Pengtai left, the remaining generals also thanked Feng Xiyan. Before leaving, they carefully hid the steamed buns inside their clothes.
When the tent grew quiet again, Feng Xiyan turned to Yan Bingyang and handed him a piece of scallion pancake.
Seeing that he wanted to refuse, Feng Xiyan said, "Physician Yan, you are the only physician left in the Feng Army."
Yan Bingyang understood what he meant and clasped his hands. "Thank you, Great General."
While Yan Bingyang ate the scallion pancake, Feng Xiyan called out, "Feng Yi."
A second later, a thin man in black, his face covered by a mask, appeared in the tent. He knelt before Feng Xiyan and asked, "What are your instructions, Master?"
Feng Xiyan handed him the remaining scallion pancakes and two bottles of soymilk and said, "Share these with the others."
Feng Yi was silent for a moment before accepting the food, leaving one pancake on the plate. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Master."
As soon as his words fell, he vanished from the tent.
Looking at the scallion pancake left on the plate, Feng Xiyan picked it up and took a bite. The fragrant scallion and the slight salty taste stunned him. After a moment of silence, he finished the scallion pancake in a few bites.
After finishing his scallion pancake, Yan Bingyang said, "Great General, this subordinate will return to the infirmary now. There are still many patients who need treatment."
Although he said that, Yan Bingyang couldn't do much without medicine.
Hearing this, Feng Xiyan nodded, "Alright."
Not long after Yan Bingyang left, the generals returned.
Before Feng Xiyan could even ask about their families' condition, they all knelt down and said in unison, "Thank you, Great General, for saving our families' lives."
Feng Xiyan looked at their reddened eyes and could already guess what had happened when they returned home with the steamed buns. He walked over and helped them up one by one.
"All of you had been following me for years. We are brothers. There is no need for formalities."
Although Feng Xiyan said they were brothers, the generals didn't dare to be presumptuous.
After all, their ancestors had been farmers, merchants, or servants. Compared to Feng Xiyan, whose noble bloodline could be traced back to the legendary empire hundreds of years ago, their statuses were like heaven and earth.
Now that they had filled their stomachs and moistened their throats, Feng Xiyan and the generals took their seats.
Sitting below Feng Xiyan, Tan Pengtai asked, "Great General, what is our next plan? Should we attack the Yuezhi Tribe tonight?"
Hearing this, Ding Zhenshun pondered for a moment before saying, "Great General, although we now have water, the soldiers and common people are still starving. Since Heaven is willing to bestow you with food and water, how about we pray to Heaven and plead for more blessings?"
Feng Xiyan recalled the report Feng Yi had sent about the situation in the city. Just two days ago, a family of four had been slaughtered and eaten by their neighbors.
When people are starving and pushed to the edge, they will turn into beasts.
Although Feng Xiyan had executed those responsible in public as a warning, he knew such acts were becoming more common—and he was powerless to stop it. Unless he killed them all or solved the problem at its root, the situation would only get worse by day.
Seeing that Feng Xiyan said nothing, Xue Ruhong added, "Great General, please consider General Ding's suggestion."
Feng Xiyan had never believed in gods. If gods truly existed, how could his father and family have died such unfair deaths?
However, he had also witnessed water and food coming from the mirror. To say he wasn't shaken would be a lie.
If believing in gods and Heaven could save the Feng Army and the common people, then Feng Xiyan was willing to devote himself to Heaven.
Having made up his mind, Feng Xiyan looked at the generals and said, "Alright. Let's give it a try."
After speaking, he ground the ink, picked up a writing brush and a sheet of paper, and began to write down his prayer with sincere devotion.