"I didn’t expect this."
"In such a short ti, Zhao Feng went from the Logistics Army to a front-line unit as a Capital Commandant. I thought that would be his peak for now, but he’s already beco a Deputy General."
"Alas."
"A Deputy General at sixteen, the youngest War General in Qin, and personally favored by the Great King... his future is limitless."
...
The generals all had their own thoughts, a mix of envy, awe, and jealousy.
Of course, Zhao Feng paid these thoughts no mind, nor was he concerned. There’s a true saying: wherever there are people, there will be strife, interests, and entanglents. Even within the sa army, it’s impossible to have a single, unified voice; factional divisions always exist.
「Xinzheng City, the forr Chancellor Mansion!」
ng Yi sat in the seat of honor, while Li Teng took his place to the left. Also present in the hall were Zhao Feng and other generals, along with the civil officials ng Yi had brought with him.
"General Li, you’ve managed the city well recently. Order has now been restored," ng Yi said with a praising smile. On his way here, he had naturally observed the city’s condition.
"Prefect ng, you are too kind," Li Teng replied with a smile. "I was rely enforcing Qin Law. Our Sharp Warriors have not taken so much as a thread from the commoners, but we naturally showed no rcy to the rioters."
At that mont, Zhao Feng took out a handwritten military order from Wang Jian. "General Li," he said to Li Teng, "Before the Senior General returned to camp, he gave this letter. It details the army’s defensive deploynts. Please take a look."
The Personal Guard Commander at his side imdiately stepped up, took the letter from Zhao Feng, and presented it to Li Teng.
Li Teng promptly opened it and understood its contents in an instant. Closing the order, he spoke slowly.
"The Senior General has ordered that Sun Ting and I are to defend Xinzheng and assist Prefect ng in governing Yingchuan."
"General Zhao will lead five Wanjiang battalions to garrison Wei City."
"Wei City?" Zhao Feng was startled. He had assud he would be left to guard Yang City, or perhaps sowhere near Xinzheng. While he might have been unfamiliar with other cities in the Han land of Yingchuan, he knew Wei City very well. History even recorded ntions of this place: the Wei River, and the Oath of the Wei River, a tale that echoed through the ages. The Wei River itself originated in Qin and flowed through the states of Wei and Han, the largest tributary of the Great River. Wei City was located not far from its banks.
The Senior General is ordering to defend Wei City. Could it be to guard against the state of Wei? Zhao Feng imdiately understood the reasoning.
"Now that Qin has just annexed Han, our foundation is not yet stable," Li Teng imdiately cautioned him. "Using fifty thousand troops for internal security and fifty thousand for external defense—this is the Senior General’s profound strategy. General Zhao, in defending Wei City, your primary target for defense is Wei. You must not be complacent."
"I understand," Zhao Feng nodded. After a mont of thought, he was actually smiling to himself.
Xinzheng may be more prosperous than the borderlands, but what do I need prosperity for? Wei City is relatively remote, which is better for recruiting n and training my Dead Soldiers. The heavens are high, and the emperor is far away. As long as I’m careful, ng Yi and Li Teng will never know what I’m doing. Zhao Feng was secretly delighted.
"Wei City was originally a border fortress. It not only faces Wei, allowing us to defend against them, but it also faces our own state of Qin to the west. This ans army provisions can be conveniently transported directly from the Qin holand."
"The Senior General’s move is brilliant!" ng Yi added with a smile.
"General Li, which five Wanjiang battalions am I to lead to Wei City?" Zhao Feng asked, looking at Li Teng.
"Wait." ng Yi stood up, producing a Royal Edict. "By edict of the King of Qin!"
At these words, everyone in the hall rose and bowed in respect. A Royal Edict!
"Qin’s Main General, Li Teng, led his army against Han and successfully conquered it in less than seven months. His military achievents are outstanding, and his rits are indelible.
"He is granted: a promotion of one noble rank, five hundred servants, one thousand mu of fertile land, five hundred gold, fifty thousand coins, a sword of fine iron, and a new suit of armor."
ng Yi read the edict aloud in a strong voice.
His face flushed with excitent, Li Teng bowed deeply. "Your subject, Li Teng, swears to serve the Great King and Great Qin to the death!"
Just as I thought, the higher one climbs, the harder it is to advance in office or noble rank. For Li Teng, despite being in his thirties and the pri of his life, his position as Main General wasn’t entirely secure. This victory has solidified it. I just wonder what noble rank he holds now. Zhao Feng thought to himself.
Above the rank of general, the key to promotion, besides family background, was military rit. Zhao Feng lacked the forr and could only rely on the latter. His swift rise to the position of Deputy General was unprecedented in Qin, and indeed in all of Shenzhou, but it was entirely due to his outstanding military achievents.
"General Li," ng Yi said with a smile, "Congratulations on your promotion in rank and on gaining even more of the Great King’s favor. Accept the Edict."
With a look of profound excitent, Li Teng slowly stepped forward and took the Royal Edict in his hands.
After the reading was concluded, ng Yi produced another bamboo slip from his side.
"General Kuai," ng Yi said, "this slip contains the promotions and rewards that the Shaofu petitioned the Great King for, and which the Great King has personally reviewed and approved. Please do us the honor of reading the rewards aloud. The Great King has personally reviewed and approved every promotion for the officers under General Li Teng at the rank of Capital Commandant and above."
From the side, Central Army Sima Kuai Pu imdiately stepped forward and solemnly accepted the bamboo slip. He then turned and opened it in front of everyone.
"By the grace of the Great King and with the approval of the Shaofu! The roster of rewards for ritorious service in defeating the enemy is as follows:"
"Commander Chen Tao of the Third Wanjiang Battalion, for his rit in breaching the city, is promoted two levels in noble rank to the seventh rank. He shall enjoy the corresponding annual salary and is granted one hundred mu of fertile land."
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