Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

"The scout reports that Lian Po continues to retreat towards Jinyang and is already merely a few miles from the city."

"What's odd is that Lian Po hasn't entered the city but has instead set up camp on the eastern side of Jinyang City," Yang Duanhe reported.

"It seems Lian Po can't enter the city," Wang Jian said gravely after a moment of thought.

"What do you mean by that, Senior General?"

"Lian Po has been retreating all this way, avoiding battle with our army, precisely to fall back to Jinyang for defense. So why can't he enter the city?" Yang Duanhe asked, looking perplexed.

Wang Jian smiled faintly. "You must have heard about Lian Po's final letter, haven't you? It has now spread throughout the Zhao state. Because of this letter, everyone in Zhao is bitterly united against our Qin."

"I must say, Lian Po holds high prestige in Zhao. The King of Zhao's move is indeed cunning," Yang Duanhe said gravely.

"The King of Zhao fanning the flames with this letter certainly incites more hatred towards our Qin and spurs their will to fight, but there's another key point: the King of Zhao wants Lian Po dead. Killing two birds with one stone," Wang Jian said with a cold chuckle.

Upon learning that the King of Zhao had been promoting Lian Po's final letter, Wang Jian had discerned the king's intentions.

"Though Lian Po is old, he can still fight. And he's the one our Qin most dreads. Such a talent! Yet the King of Zhao wants him dead. With a king so incompetent, how could Zhao not perish?" Yang Duanhe sighed with a hint of lamentation.

"Lian Po... what a pity," Wang Jian also said with regret. "Had he been born in our Qin, he would be our unparalleled Senior General right now."

Yang Duanhe nodded, feeling equally sorrowful.

"However, this old general Lian Po hasn't forgotten to confront our Qin, even at this final hour. By stationing himself on the eastern side of Jinyang, he forms a coordinated defense with the Zhao Jun within the city. He's just waiting for our Qin Army to attack Jinyang so he can lead his troops to strike at us. What a shrewd tactic," Wang Jian remarked with admiration.

With his ability, he had naturally seen through Lian Po's intentions at a glance.

"This Lian Po is truly an obstinate man. Even with the King of Zhao clearly wanting him dead, he still insists on fighting for Zhao," Yang Duanhe said with a touch of helplessness.

If it had been anyone else, knowing they were in a hopeless situation, they might have defected and surrendered to another state right away.

"That is why he is Lian Po," Wang Jian laughed, his voice filled with respect, "and not the likes of Yue Cheng."

"So, what shall our army do now?" Yang Duanhe asked.

"Continue advancing," Wang Jian ordered immediately. "Send orders to Wang Ben to take a detour to the eastern side of Jinyang. Deal with Lian Po first."

"Understood." Yang Duanhe nodded.

Lian Po, oh Lian Po. Stationing your forces on the eastern side of Jinyang is indeed a feasible plan, but there is one thing you cannot solve: the King of Zhao wants you dead, and the Zhao Jun garrisoned in Jinyang will not give you any support. You are an isolated army with no supplies. As long as I annihilate you, I can still attack Jinyang. It will just take a bit more time. In the past, Lord Wu'an did not defeat you. Now, let me, Wang Jian, see you off on your final journey. As a War General, dying on the battlefield is your ultimate fate.

「The next day!」

Merely three miles from Jinyang City, the mighty Qin Army was arrayed in formation, ready to attack.

On the eastern side of Jinyang City, a Zhao Jun contingent of barely twenty thousand men was stationed, forming a horn-shaped defense against the Qin Army.

"It doesn't seem like the Qin Army plans to attack the city," Yan Ju said slowly as he looked at the Qin forces arrayed before the walls.

"Of course the Qin Army wouldn't dare to attack now," the Deputy General beside him said. "With General Lian Po on the eastern side of the city, if the Qin Army attacks, the old general will lead a surprise assault. Even now, he is still thinking of Zhao's stability."

Upon hearing this, Yan Ju glanced sideways but said nothing, nor did he echo the sentiment.

"The Qin Army is formidable; get the city defenses ready," Yan Ju said gravely. "Wang Jian is a fierce general of Qin. His personal command guarantees a vicious battle."

Hearing Yan Ju completely ignore Lian Po, a nearby Zhao general couldn't help but speak up. "General, are we really not going to let General Lian Po and his men into the city? The Qin Army numbers in the hundreds of thousands this time. Even if we form a horn-shaped defense with our city garrison, they won't be able to hold out if the Qin Army surrounds General Lian Po from the side. It's a death sentence!"

"Yes, General! The old general is completely devoted to Zhao. Are we really going to watch him be killed by the Qin Army? He is the very cornerstone of our state; if he dies, our foundation will crumble! Please, let the old general into the city for defense..."

A few more Zhao generals spoke up, pleading for Lian Po and hoping that Yan Ju would allow him into the city.

Lian Po's prestige was high, and this moment was a clear reflection of it.

But upon hearing these generals' pleas, a look of disgust flashed in Yan Ju's eyes, and anger rose on his face.

"All of you, shut up," Yan Ju snapped coldly.

"General..." The assembled Zhao generals all looked at Yan Ju, their voices filled with trepidation.

"General Lian Po may be devoted to Zhao, but my refusal to let him enter the city is not my wish—it is the King's will. Besides, Lian Po brought this on himself. If not for his final letter, if not for his obstinacy, how would this matter have become known to all? How would things have come to this? Now, all of Zhao is united in its hatred for Qin. If Lian Po lives, the morale of Zhao's soldiers and people will be utterly destroyed. So..."

Yan Ju spoke slowly, his words revealing a cruel truth: no matter what, Lian Po was doomed to die.