NOVEL NEXT Chapter 77: Ying Zheng's Grace
Regarding such benevolence from Ying Zheng, not a single dissenting opinion arose from the courtiers. This favor had nothing to do with them, so there was no need to object. Besides, the officials were not fools; they could clearly sense the Great King's high spirits. To antagonize him now would be to needlessly court trouble.
"The Great King is wise!" the entire assembly of civil and military officials proclaimed in unison.
"Yu Qing," Ying Zheng called out. "Broadcast Zhao Feng's meritorious deeds to the entire army for me. I want all the Daqin Elite Soldiers to know that our system for military honors is devoid of any perfunctory or underhanded dealings. As long as one kills enemies and earns merits for Qin, anyone can be rewarded and ennobled heavily, just like Zhao Feng," he proclaimed loudly to Yu Liao.
Yu Liao immediately stepped forward and declared, "Your subject will obey the edict! I will have the Shaofu disseminate the news of Zhao Feng's valiant achievements throughout the army to inspire all our Sharp Warriors."
Clearly, Zhao Feng's accomplishments had not only shaken the Court but, under the Great King's authority, also served as a powerful incentive. Using Zhao Feng as a model would undoubtedly have a significant effect on boosting the morale of the entire army's Sharp Warriors. This was perhaps what later generations would call setting an example and a benchmark.
"A report for the Great King," Wang Wan called out as he stepped forward. "Now that Han has fallen, Yingchuan County will be secure with General Li Teng guarding it. The Shangjiangjun may return to Xianyang, and the other two camps at Lantian Camp can also return to Lantian to conserve provisions."
"Mm," Ying Zheng nodded, then ordered, "Have the Shangjiangjun return to Xianyang, and bring Han An and all his Hundred Officials back as prisoners."
"This old servant accepts the edict," Wang Wan said immediately.
"Minister Meng," Ying Zheng continued, turning to Meng Yi. "Governing the Han lands is not a one-man job. You are the chief official. For this task, I grant you permission to take anyone you need, though clerks and scribes should be the priority. You may request personnel directly from the Chancellor."
"Your subject accepts the edict," Meng Yi responded at once.
Hearing this, Wang Wan's eyes lit up. This was an opportunity for his faction of officials to earn merit.
Li Si was quick to speak up as well. "Great King, to implement Qin Law in Yingchuan County, my Tingwei also has many scribes who could be of assistance. If Minister Meng requires them, he may also consult with the Tingwei."
Ying Zheng glanced at them and readily agreed. How could he not see through Wang Wan and Li Si's petty schemes? To him, their rivalry made them easier to control, so he was happy to let it play out. If there were only one voice in the Court, without struggle or contention, then he would truly have cause to worry.
「Xinzheng!」
Inside the Wounded Soldier Camp, the Personal Guard Commander of Li Teng approached Zhao Feng. "Commander Zhao, General Li orders you to come and see him."
"Commander Wu, may I ask what matter General Li has for me?" Zhao Feng asked, a little surprised. Now that everything was settled and he was doing well in the Wounded Soldier Camp, there shouldn't be anything else, right?
"It seems to be about escorting the Han officials," Commander Wu replied with a smile. "You'll know when you see him."
"Escorting the Han officials?" Zhao Feng nodded and followed Commander Wu toward General Li's location.
Soon, they arrived at an official residence in the city. Upon entering the main hall, Zhao Feng bowed to Li Teng. "This subordinate pays his respects to General Li."
"Haha! The great hero of our army has arrived," Li Teng laughed. "Quickly, dispense with the formalities."
Zhao Feng straightened up and smiled. "What does the general require of this subordinate?"
"How is the situation in the Wounded Soldier Camp?" Li Teng asked.
"The situation is quite good. Most of the wounded will survive, but we are still a little short on medicinal supplies and will require the general to arrange for more," Zhao Feng replied honestly.
Li Teng nodded. "You needn't worry about the medicinal supplies. Master Chen has already spoken to me, and I've put in an urgent request for more. You, however, have truly astonished me. The increased survival rate of the wounded is a great merit to your name. I never imagined you were also skilled in the medical arts."
Zhao Feng smiled. "My mother is proficient in medicine, and growing up, I was influenced by her and learned a few things. I never thought it would be of use to our comrades-in-arms."
"Don't be so modest," Li Teng said with a grin. "Master Chen has sung your praises to me many times. Rest assured, the medical techniques you've developed have given countless Sharp Warriors a chance at life. I have already reported this up the chain of command. While it doesn't count as military merit, it will certainly earn you more of the Great King's attention."
In truth, Li Teng did not know that Master Chen's own teacher, Xia Wuqie, had already reported Zhao Feng's medical innovations directly to Ying Zheng.
"General, you didn't summon me just to discuss the Wounded Soldier Camp, did you?" Zhao Feng asked.
Li Teng's expression turned serious. "These are the Shangjiangjun's orders. You are to escort a group of Han officials to the border camp."
"Weren't they already escorted there?" Zhao Feng asked, puzzled. Just a few days ago, cavalry had personally escorted the King of Han. Hadn't the officials been sent with him?
"The five thousand cavalry escorted the King of Han," Li Teng replied with a smile. "Those Han ministers and Hundred Officials are still locked up in the Xinzheng prison."
"That King of Han certainly has a lot of prestige, to be worth an escort of five thousand of our Sharp Warriors," Zhao Feng remarked with feeling.
"Although our army has completely conquered the Han lands, many remnants are still hiding in the shadows. We can't guarantee that none of the King of Han's die-hard loyalists will try to rescue him. That would be a major problem, so we must be extremely cautious," Li Teng explained.
Zhao Feng nodded without saying more.
"General Li," Zhao Feng asked, "when does the escort begin?"
"Take my command token to the prison and collect the prisoners. All captured Han officials are to be escorted towards Xianyang, to be dealt with by the Great King," Li Teng stated sternly.
"Will I be going to Xianyang?" Zhao Feng asked, a hint of hope in his voice.
He had been reborn in this world for sixteen years. As a man of Qin, the farthest he had ever traveled was his hometown's county seat. He had never been to the Qin Capital Xianyang, a city famed throughout the ages. Moreover, he was incredibly curious about Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
"What? You want to go to Xianyang?" Li Teng saw right through Zhao Feng's eagerness.
"Haha, yes, I'd like to see it," Zhao Feng replied with a smile. "It is the capital of our great Qin, after all."
"With your abilities, you'll have plenty of opportunities to go in the future," Li Teng chuckled. "But this time, you only need to escort the Han officials to the border camp. The Shangjiangjun himself will take them back to Xianyang."
"This subordinate understands," Zhao Feng nodded.
It made sense. A man of Wang Jian's status, who had led an army of three hundred thousand, held unparalleled power and authority. Naturally, he could not be allowed to command troops in the field indefinitely. With the war over, he had to return to the capital and await orders. Since ancient times, wielding independent military power had always been a great taboo.
After their talk, Li Teng handed his command token to Zhao Feng. Zhao Feng then led his troops to the prison to retrieve the prisoners. The escort mission from Xinzheng to the border camp, relying on the speed of foot soldiers, would take five days.