"Senior General. The King is waiting for you inside the palace," Zhao Gao said respectfully as he turned.
"Thank you."
Zhao Feng nodded, looked up at Zhangtai Palace with a touch of anticipation, and walked in.
Zhangtai Palace! This was the sleeping quarters of successive Kings of Qin and the great hall where state affairs were handled. As a subject of Qin, only a select few were ever fortunate enough to enter.
Stepping inside the hall, he saw the King of Qin was not seated, but stood waiting with his hands clasped behind him.
"Your servant greets the King." Zhao Feng imdiately bowed deeply.
Upon seeing Zhao Feng, Ying Zheng raised a hand with a smile. "Co."
Straightaway, Ying Zheng turned and walked toward the inner hall. Filled with curiosity, Zhao Feng followed him in.
Entering the inner hall, his eyes were t with a vast sand table map, which seed to display the entire landscape of the Land of the Divine Continent. On this sand table, Zhao Feng could clearly see every city of Great Qin, as well as those of the various states. Qin’s cities were marked with Qin banners, while the other states had their own. At a glance, the imnse sand table was already nearly half-filled with the banners of Qin.
"What do you think?" Ying Zheng asked, looking over the sand table with a smile.
"The vision of a unified land is within sight. Everything is under the King’s control," Zhao Feng replied earnestly.
"Hahaha!" Ying Zheng laughed heartily. "Such is the strength of Great Qin’s million soldiers. Now that Han and Zhao have been annexed, apart from our Great Qin, only Wei, Qi, Chu, and Yan remain. The unification of the land is indeed within sight."
From these words, one could feel Ying Zheng’s surging imperial might, as if the entire world was about to submit at his feet.
"Indeed. Unification is within sight," Zhao Feng imdiately agreed.
According to the historical records, the realm would be unified within the next four to five years. With the strongest state, Zhao, vanquished by Qin, only Chu State remained a foe worthy of serious consideration. As for Wei, Yan, and Qi, their national strength simply could not compare to that of Great Qin. Once armies were mobilized, they would stand no chance of resisting.
"This place," Ying Zheng said, turning to Zhao Feng. "Besides you, only the Shaofu has ever been here."
"This is your servant’s honor," Zhao Feng replied, clasping his fist.
"Alright. It is only the two of us here; there is no need for such formality." Seeing Zhao Feng’s restraint, Ying Zheng seed sowhat displeased.
"Understood," Zhao Feng nodded.
"Speaking of which," Ying Zheng said, his gaze taking on a hint of mirth as he eyed Zhao Feng, "I am quite curious."
"What is the King curious about?" Zhao Feng asked, slightly startled.
"I’ve looked into you. You’re from a village in Shaqiu County. Your father died in an attack on Zhao when you were young, and you were raised by your mother. Before being conscripted, you had no instruction from a renowned teacher, nor had you studied the ways of the Military Strategists. Yet not only are you brave and skilled in battle, but you are also adept at commanding troops. In the past, Lord Wu’an was skilled at commanding troops because he was a student of the Military Strategists, but you never had such an opportunity." Ying Zheng smiled, his eyes filled with a probing curiosity.
Zhao Feng was not surprised by this. It was only natural that the King of Qin would investigate him. If his background couldn’t even be clarified, he never would have been appointed a main general in the past, let alone his current rank of Protector-General. The royal power would never allow soone with an unclear background to control the military might of Qin.
"Perhaps it’s a matter of innate talent," Zhao Feng replied with a smile.
"Innate talent? Then why were you in the Logistics Army?" Ying Zheng asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.
"Back then, all I wanted was to return ho and care for my mother. If it weren’t for Bao Yuan and his son, I might have already retired and gone ho," Zhao Feng responded with a smile.
"In that case, I really should thank Bao Yuan and his son. If not for them, I might have overlooked you," Ying Zheng laughed loudly.
"When I have the chance to go to Yingchuan, I will be sure to light a stick of incense for Bao Yuan and his son on Your Majesty’s behalf," Zhao Feng bantered playfully.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng could not contain his smile. "You rascal."
"Your Majesty, the Hot Spring Pavilion is ready," Zhao Gao’s voice ca from outside Zhangtai Palace.
"Let’s go, Zhao Feng. Join in the hot springs," Ying Zheng said with a chuckle. "Winter is here, and with our victory over the Zhao state, I ought to indulge myself."
"It would be disrespectful of to refuse," Zhao Feng replied imdiately.
Enjoying the hot springs is indeed a wonderful winter pleasure. I’ve been reborn in this world for nearly twenty years, and I’ve yet to experience such a luxury.
Leaving Zhangtai Palace, they found Zhao Gao already waiting outside. He led the way with Ying Zheng walking ahead. Zhao Feng followed behind the king, curiously observing the royal palace. As the Central Carriage Commandant, Zhao Gao dared not overstep his bounds and so attended to them from behind Zhao Feng, perfectly versed in all matters of courtly ritual.
"Heh." Watching Zhao Feng look around, Ying Zheng let out a light chuckle.
Soon, under Zhao Gao’s guidance, they arrived at a building within the royal palace.
"We greet Your Majesty."
All the temple officials and palace maids serving there knelt.
Ying Zheng walked into the palace without pause, and Zhao Feng followed closely behind. Inside, charcoal fires burned, raising the temperature significantly. It was very hot, a stark contrast to the frigid outdoors.
"Disrobe," Zhao Gao commanded.
A dozen palace maids entered the room. Ying Zheng extended his arms, and the maids delicately removed his royal robe and crown. When a group of palace maids surrounded Zhao Feng as well, he imdiately waved them away.
"Stop. I’ll do it myself."
He then removed his military uniform, leaving on only a pair of underpants.
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