"Wang Jian, are you serious?"
"In the campaign to conquer Han, while Zhao Feng showed remarkable prowess, it ultimately demonstrated his skill as a fierce warrior rather than a capable commander adept at leading troops," Meng Wu said gravely, with a tone of persuasion.
"You're entrusting the safety of Yingchuan entirely to him? This is quite a risky move."
"A seventeen-year-old general is simply too young to take on such a heavy responsibility. Should Wei launch an attack, Wei Wuji would undoubtedly lead the army personally. You're well aware of Wei Wuji's formidable reputation he is a true master of military command," added Huan Yi.
Wang Jian did not answer but instead fixed his gaze firmly on Ying Zheng.
After a moment of silence, Ying Zheng finally spoke:
"Since Lord Wang insists, I shall grant his request."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust," Wang Jian said, bowing deeply.
"Relay this message to Zhao Feng: If he can hold off the Wei army and defend Yingchuan's gates for me when Qin conquers Zhao, I shall appoint him as a commander-in-chief. However, if he fails, he will be punished accordingly." Ying Zheng's tone was solemn, containing both reward and admonition.
"Your servant obeys the royal decree," Wang Jian responded immediately.
"Huan Yi," Ying Zheng turned to Huan Yi.
"Your servant is here," Huan Yi replied.
"The 200,000 elite soldiers at the Hangu Pass camp must be ready to reinforce Yingchuan at a moment's notice. If Weicheng falls, that will be your cue to move," Ying Zheng ordered.
Huan Yi nodded at once. "Your servant obeys the royal decree."
Wang Jian's strategy was a high-stakes gamble in Ying Zheng's eyes.
"Your Majesty," Meng Wu said, "since the Crown Prince of Yan has already been sent away by Your Majesty, the next time he returns, it should be with national tributes and appropriate reparations. At that point, Zhao and Yan will likely be embroiled in a bitter war. That will be the perfect opportunity for our Qin to strike."
"Indeed," Ying Zheng nodded. "So, all of you, take this time to prepare thoroughly. I have already instructed Wang Wan and Feng Quji to prepare the necessary provisions and supplies for the army's departure. The opportunity to annihilate Zhao must not be missed. I rely on you three great generals."
Ying Zheng clasped his hands in a gesture of deep respect toward the three generals.
The three generals' expressions changed slightly, and they immediately bowed in return. "Your servants will not disappoint Your Majesty."
"General Wang Jian," Ying Zheng suddenly added, "your youngest daughter is already with Zhao Feng's child, isn't she?"
Wang Jian was startled.
The matter of Wang Yan's pregnancy was known only to a few trusted servants in his household. It had not been disclosed publicly. How did the King know?
A fleeting thought crossed his mind, and Wang Jian quickly understood: Ying Zheng had planted informants within his household.
As a loyal subject, Wang Jian kept his thoughts to himself and immediately calmed his mind, replying, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Meng Wu and Huan Yi exchanged curious glances at this revelation.
"When we succeed in destroying Zhao, I will grant your daughter and Zhao Feng a royal marriage," Ying Zheng declared with a faint smile.
Upon hearing this, Wang Jian's face lit up with joy. He bowed deeply, saying, "Your servant pledges undying loyalty to Your Majesty."
To receive a royal marriage decree from the King of Qin was an immense honor.
His eldest son had already been granted a marriage with a princess, awaiting an auspicious date. Now, his daughter had also received the King's favor. Such glory was unparalleled, a privilege unique to the Wang family.
Meanwhile, batches of surrendered Han soldiers were escorted to Weicheng under the watchful eyes of Qin's elite troops.
Atop Weicheng's walls, Zhang Han watched the incoming surrendered soldiers with a solemn expression.
"General," a subordinate reported, "all the surrendered Han soldiers have entered the city. Their numbers now match those of our elite troops."
"If the Wei army does attack, are we going to use these surrendered soldiers?" Zhang Han asked with evident concern.
He feared that these former enemies might turn against them at a critical moment.
"Prisoners as penal troops their morale is currently high. Didn't you notice?" Zhao Feng replied calmly.
"They may appear motivated during training, but if the Wei army truly launches an attack, we'll face tens of thousands of their soldiers. In such a crisis, I doubt these men can be trusted," Zhang Han said grimly.
"Don't worry."
"If I dare to use them, I'm prepared for the risks."
"If they dare to rebel, they'll be executed."
"This is their only chance. If they squander it, they'll have no one to blame but themselves," Zhao Feng said coldly.
He knew the course of history and was confident that destiny favored Qin.
Moreover, he understood the potential of penal troops. Over 50,000 surrendered soldiers had the chance to redeem themselves, achieve military merit, and reunite with their families. Should they betray their new allegiance, their entire families would face annihilation a risk few would dare to take.
"General," Tu Sui arrived to report, "all the surrendered soldiers have been escorted to the military camp."
"Let's go to the camp," Zhao Feng commanded.
In the military camp, over 23,000 surrendered soldiers stood in the assembly field, surrounded by Qin's elite troops armed with bows and arrows, along with penal troops who were unarmored.
At Zhao Feng's earlier command, the entire army was now on high alert, ready for battle at any moment should the Wei army attack.
"I am Zhao Feng, Vice General of Great Qin," Zhao Feng declared loudly. "By royal decree, I am tasked with defending Weicheng."
"I won't waste words. Look around you. Do you see the troops surrounding you? Among them are some of your former comrades-in-arms."
Hearing this, many surrendered soldiers turned their gaze toward the Qin troops guarding them.
Indeed, they recognized familiar faces among them old friends who now exuded a newfound vigor, clad in Qin military uniforms and armed with Qin weapons.
"Zhang Han, announce the rules for the penal troops," Zhao Feng ordered.
"Yes, General," Zhang Han replied, stepping to the edge of the platform.
"As Vice General Zhao Feng's subordinate, I hereby announce the regulations for penal troops, approved by the King himself. Repeat after me," Zhang Han declared.
The Qin elite soldiers echoed his words, amplifying them across the assembly field.
"All penal troops may join the army under Zhao Feng's command. Killing one enemy soldier will absolve you of your slave status and earn you the salary of a common soldier. After two years of service, you may choose to retire or remain in the army, eligible for further promotions through military merit."
"Killing five enemy soldiers will earn you a noble rank, along with land and annual stipends corresponding to your rank…"
Hearing this, the surrendered soldiers were shocked.
Before coming to Weicheng, they had been performing hard labor, barely surviving on meager rations. Some had even died in the bitter cold of winter.
Now, they were being offered a chance to change their fate. How could this not ignite hope in their hearts?
"However," Zhang Han continued, "if any penal troop defies orders, they will lose their status and be sent back to hard labor. Those who betray their comrades on the battlefield will be executed, along with their families."
The surrendered soldiers were then reorganized, their groups deliberately mixed to prevent collusion.
"General, Weicheng now has a force of 100,000. However, we only have six commanders for our battalions, which is insufficient," Zhao Tuo reported to Zhao Feng.
"I've already made arrangements," Zhao Feng replied.
Turning to the six commanders present, he said, "The troops will remain organized into six battalions, each led by one of you. As for the remaining four battalions, I'm appointing Wei Quan, Luo Hua, Liu Wang, and Zhuang Wei to act as temporary commanders."
These four, who had previously held lower ranks, were visibly elated by the sudden promotion.
However, Chen Tao stepped forward and said respectfully, "General, shouldn't this decision be reported to General Li before being implemented?"
Zhao Feng glanced at Chen Tao and produced a royal edict from his robes.
"A decree from the King of Qin."
Hearing those words, all the officers on the platform immediately straightened, their faces filled with awe.
"The King has granted me full authority over the army, including the power to appoint and dismiss officers as needed," Zhao Feng announced, holding the decree aloft.
After reading the royal edict, Chen Tao fell silent, and even Zhao Tuo, who had initially voiced concerns, quickly withdrew any objections.
"General Chen, do you still have any doubts?" Zhao Feng asked, his gaze sharp.
"No, General," Chen Tao replied promptly.
"Good."
Zhao Feng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across Chen Tao and the other generals as he said coldly, "The King granted me this royal decree to ensure the defense of Weicheng. The authority to command the army encompasses not only appointments but also life and death. From today onward, the entire army in Weicheng will follow my orders alone. Anyone who dares to disobey will face military law."
These words were aimed at Chen Tao and General Zhao Tuo.
Since Zhao Feng's appointment as deputy general, the person most dissatisfied with him was undoubtedly Chen Tao.
In the past, Zhao Feng had been just a mere captain under Chen Tao's command. Now, however, Zhao Feng had become Chen Tao's direct superior. This was undoubtedly difficult for Chen Tao to accept.
Of course, dissatisfaction wasn't exclusive to Chen Tao; there might be others in the army who shared similar feelings.
Even under centralized military authority, everyone couldn't be compliant. Even the supreme royal authority faced occasional defiance.
Seeing Zhao Feng's cold and commanding demeanor, Chen Tao was inwardly startled, realizing that Zhao Feng was targeting him.
Still, the generals responded in unison, "Understood, General!"
"Wei Quan, Luo Hua, Liu Wang, Zhuang Wei."
Zhao Feng called out again.
"Present!"
The four men quickly stepped forward, their faces brimming with excitement.
"Starting today, you are appointed acting commanders of ten-thousand-man units. You will each take charge of one unit. If you achieve notable military merit in the future, I will petition the King to remove the 'acting' from your titles," Zhao Feng said in a serious tone.
"We will not disappoint the general!" the four replied enthusiastically.
"Very well."
"Dismissed for now. Zhang Han and Tu Sui, stay behind," Zhao Feng said with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, General!"
The other generals quickly exited, leaving only Zhang Han and Tu Sui.
"General," Zhang Han said angrily once the others had left. "That Chen Tao is insufferable, always opposing you!"
"General, why does Chen Tao harbor such hostility?" Tu Sui asked, puzzled.
"Because I was once a subordinate captain under his command," Zhao Feng replied calmly. "But after taking part in the capture of Korea's capital and capturing the King of Han, I rose above him in rank. That's something he can't stomach."
"Titles and ranks in Qin are earned through merit," Tu Sui remarked, shaking his head. "The General has achieved all this through his abilities. Chen Tao's pettiness only highlights his narrow-mindedness."
"It doesn't matter." Zhao Feng waved dismissively. "With this royal decree in hand, he wouldn't dare act rashly. If he's dissatisfied, let him stay that way. I'll make sure he has even more reason to be."
Now that Zhao Feng was his superior, and his position was earned through merit, any dissatisfaction on Chen Tao's part was inconsequential.
Back then, Chen Tao had tried to curry favor by assigning a critical mission to Liu Wu, nearly costing him his life in a disastrous defeat.
If he could play such games, Zhao Feng saw no reason not to do the same.
If Chen Tao wanted to prove himself, Zhao Feng would ensure he wouldn't get the chance. Since Chen Tao had chosen to oppose him, Zhao Feng would oblige.
"Inform Wei Quan and the others to meet me at the Military Assembly Hall tonight," Zhao Feng said to Zhang Han.
"Yes, General!" Zhang Han replied immediately.
"General Tu," Zhao Feng turned to Tu Sui, "ensure that the reorganization of the conscripted soldiers is done meticulously. War is imminent, and there can be no room for errors."
"Yes, General," Tu Sui responded eagerly.
After the two generals left, Zhao Feng gazed at the vast parade ground filled with soldiers and smiled.
"An army of 100,000, with half of them loyal to me. As for Tu Sui and the other two generals, they are reliable. That makes 80,000 troops effectively under my command." Zhao Feng chuckled inwardly.
The King's decree granting him full authority over military affairs and temporary appointments provided a golden opportunity for Zhao Feng.
Once the crisis of Wei's attack was resolved, he could solidify Wei Quan and the others as permanent commanders of their units.
That evening, outside the Military Assembly Hall:
"Master."
When everyone arrived, they knelt and saluted Zhao Feng.
This time, they did not use a military salute but instead a gesture of loyalty as subjects to their lord.
"Rise," Zhao Feng said, raising a hand.
"Thank you, Master," they replied in unison, their expressions filled with reverence.
"Do you know why I've called you here?" Zhao Feng asked with a faint smile as he looked at his loyal followers.
"We do not, Master," Wei Quan replied respectfully.
"It's been half a year since you began training. Have you seen any results?" Zhao Feng asked.
"Master," Wei Quan said excitedly, "I have now reached the fifth stage of the Postnatal Realm. With the aid of inner energy, I can carry 500 jin."
"I've also reached the fifth stage," Luo Hua said with equal excitement.
Liu Wang and Zhuang Wei echoed the same, all of them having achieved the fifth stage of the Postnatal Realm. By cultivating inner energy, their dantians had developed power, enabling them to carry 500 jin of weight.
This was the power of martial arts.
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