"Your servant obeys the decree."
Zhao Gao immediately unfolded the military report and faced the court.
"Urgent military report from Han territory, submitted by General Wang Jian!"
"On the day the Han capital fell, King Han An abandoned his officials and fled the capital."
"General Li sealed off the city to search for Han An's whereabouts."
"Fortuitously"
"Zhao Feng, Captain of the Lantian Camp, while guarding the royal treasury in the Han palace, discovered a hidden passage. Leading his troops into the passage, he tracked down and apprehended Han An along with remnants of his forces."
"Captain Zhao Feng showed great valor and successfully captured the King of Han."
"The State of Han has been utterly destroyed."
Zhao Gao read aloud in a booming voice.
As his words echoed through the hall, the entire court of Qin officials was taken aback.
Especially those ministers who had attended the audience at Zhangtai Palace the previous day, such as Wang Wan and Li Si they were already aware of Han's defeat and knew who had led the final assault on the capital.
"The one who captured the King of Han was Zhao Feng again?"
"Is his luck truly so extraordinary? To discover a secret passage while guarding the treasury and end up capturing the king?"
"This young man is truly unbelievable."
"Breaking the city and capturing the king his future is boundless."
"Yesterday at Zhangtai Palace, His Majesty already expressed favor toward Zhao Feng. Now, with yet another major achievement, His Majesty will surely hold him in even higher regard."
...
Such thoughts swirled among the ministers who had been present at Zhangtai Palace.
Meanwhile, the other court officials, who were less familiar with Zhao Feng, began discussing the name they had just heard.
"Zhao Feng… this name sounds so familiar."
"Isn't he the one who transitioned from logistics to the main combat force after earning merit in battle?"
"If it's him, then he's achieved another remarkable feat."
"Capturing the king is no small accomplishment."
The court bustled with discussions about Zhao Feng, their astonishment palpable.
Even the man seated on the throne, Ying Zheng, could not hide his surprise at that moment.
He had anticipated the capture of Han An but had not foreseen that Zhao Feng would be the one to accomplish it.
"Interesting."
"So it's Zhao Feng again."
"He truly is my lucky star."
A smile spread across Ying Zheng's face as he thought to himself.
While everyone else was still processing the news, Ying Zheng's voice suddenly rang out:
"Splendid!"
A hearty laugh of approval reverberated through the hall.
"With the King of Han captured, the State of Han is no more."
"Your subjects congratulate Your Majesty!"
The officials all bowed, their voices rising in unison to congratulate him.
"Minister of War," Ying Zheng called out, "it has been a day since the fall of Han. What progress has been made in compiling the records of achievements and rewards?"
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has nearly completed the tally. The final report will be ready for Your Majesty's review later today," the Minister of War, Wei Liao, replied.
"Good." Ying Zheng nodded in satisfaction.
Surveying the court, he declared, "The State of Han has fallen. From this day forward, its lands shall be known as Yingchuan Prefecture."
"I have already decreed that Meng Yi shall serve as the first governor of Yingchuan Prefecture. Do any of you object?"
The court was silent; none dared to dissent.
"We concur," the officials replied in unison.
"Excellent." Ying Zheng nodded once more and gestured.
Zhao Gao immediately stepped forward with a royal decree in hand.
"Meng Yi, receive your edict!"
"Your servant, Meng Yi, accepts the decree!" Meng Yi stepped forward and bowed deeply.
As Zhao Gao presented the decree, Meng Yi respectfully took it and promised, "Your Majesty, I will not disappoint you. I will govern Yingchuan Prefecture and bring peace to its people within two years."
"I trust in your abilities," Ying Zheng replied with confidence. "I grant you full authority over civil and military affairs in Yingchuan. Bring the people fully under Qin rule within two years."
"I shall fulfill your will," Meng Yi declared boldly.
Turning back to the court, Ying Zheng continued, "Minister of War, what do you propose for Zhao Feng's rewards?"
"Your Majesty," Wei Liao began, "based on Zhao Feng's achievements, he should be promoted by two ranks in office and four ranks in nobility."
"Currently, Zhao Feng holds the rank of captain. A two-rank promotion would elevate him to the position of deputy general, overseeing fifty thousand troops. A four-rank rise in nobility would make him a Zuo Shuzhang (Left Senior Commander)."
Ying Zheng smiled. "If I recall correctly, Zhao Feng has been in the army for less than a year."
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Wei Liao confirmed. "It has been just under ten months."
This revelation sent a wave of shock through the court.
"This must be a joke."
"Less than ten months in the army? And he's risen from a commoner to a deputy general commanding fifty thousand troops?"
"A Left Senior Commander! That's an elite rank, with an annual stipend of 500 shi of grain. His descendants can inherit his title and lands this is an extraordinary leap."
"A grant of 500 mu of land as well? That's an immense fortune!"
The court buzzed with astonishment. The rapid ascent of Zhao Feng was unprecedented, a tale few would believe.
Ying Zheng, observing the murmurs, allowed the chatter to continue. He appeared neither angry nor perturbed; in fact, his expression was one of satisfaction.
"Esteemed ministers," he finally spoke, his voice steady yet commanding, "this is the essence of our Qin system of meritocracy."
"Where else in the world can a commoner rise to such heights solely through merit?"
"Where else can the lowest among us dream of reaching the highest ranks?"
"Only in Qin!"
His words carried an undeniable authority, filling the hall with awe.
"Long live Your Majesty!"
"Qin shall unify the world!"
"Long live Your Majesty…"
The chorus of praise echoed through the hall.
"Noble decree," Ying Zheng announced.
"Zhao Feng, for his decisive role in capturing the King of Han and bringing about the fall of the Han state, is to be duly rewarded."
"He shall be promoted by two ranks to deputy general, with command over fifty thousand troops and authority over five commanders."
"His nobility shall rise by four ranks to Zuo Shuzhang, with an annual stipend of 500 shi. He shall be granted 500 mu of land in his hometown, exempt from taxes for two years."
"Additionally, his past stipends shall all be retroactively issued at the rate of his new rank."
Such generosity was unprecedented, a clear display of Ying Zheng's immense favor toward Zhao Feng. The exemption of taxes and retroactive stipends were privileges rarely, if ever, granted.
The decree underscored Ying Zheng's delight and recognition of Zhao Feng's extraordinary service.
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