Xiao Zeyu also knew that the big killing machine was a secret the soldiers couldn't know about, just like how he and Su Qing were cautious when making the mortar, not letting anyone know about the production process.
Since these soldiers didn't know the details, Xiao Zeyu kept his promise and let them leave. Some of them wanted to stay in the Xiao Family Army, but considering the danger of doing so, Xiao Zeyu disagreed. They were in Cao Cao's camp, but their hearts were in Han, and if they cooperated with the Wan Family Army, Luo City would be in danger.
He gave each of these soldiers a tael of silver for travel expenses, and another person gave ten dry rations. He confiscated their weapons and only left them a dagger for self-defense. These surrendered soldiers all thanked him profusely and left.
As for how many of these people had retired, it was unknown. Perhaps they had surrendered just to survive and would return to the Wan Clan Army after leaving Luo City.
