Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Amidst Men Jia's harrowing screams, he was beaten until his face was black and blue. His so-called aristocratic, high-and-mighty attitude had been replaced by pure terror.

He never expected Zhao Feng would actually dare to have him beaten. Zhao Feng clearly didn't care about Fusu's status, let alone his identity as a member of the Men Family.

Zhao Feng only spoke once Men Jia's pained cries had become weak and breathless. "Enough."

At his command, the trusted aides slowly stopped.

"If you were really sent by Fusu, then he, as the Eldest Imperial Son, is truly unqualified. Go back and tell Fusu that if he seeks revenge, he knows where to find me."

"If you weren't sent by Fusu, then tell the person who's pulling your strings that I'll be waiting."

Zhao Feng spoke coldly to Men Jia, then waved his hand. "Throw him out."

"Yes, sir." The trusted aides showed no courtesy. They simply carried the battered Men Jia out and tossed him beyond the camp's perimeter.

As he watched Men Jia's figure being carried away, Zhao Feng mused to himself. The historical Fusu was a bit pedantic, but he was known to be broad-minded, benevolent, and wise. It seems unlikely he would send this moron to threaten and bribe me. The surname Men... the Men Family, the Xi Family, the Bai Family? They were once the top aristocratic clans in Qin, but they've fallen into obscurity under the current system of military merit.

Zhao Feng knew the historical records about Fusu. You could call him pedantic or incompetent, but you could never say he was petty. That's why Zhao Feng concluded this fool wasn't sent by Fusu himself, but rather by one of the idiots serving under him.

「Outside the military camp.」

THUD.

Men Jia was unceremoniously dumped onto the ground.

"Young Master!"

"Are you alright?"

"How dare you treat our Young Master this way!"

A few of Men Jia's Guards rushed over, angrily staring at the trusted aides as they helped him to his feet.

The trusted aides, however, merely shot them a single glance, not bothering to engage before turning and walking away.

"Zhao Feng," Men Jia snarled, his face contorted with hatred as he stared back at the military camp. "I, Men Jia, will remember this humiliation. I swear I won't let you get away with this."

But it was obvious Zhao Feng didn't care in the slightest.

If this had happened in another state, not in Qin, Zhao Feng might have had to show some deference to the power of the aristocracy. In Qin, however, those old clans had been utterly suppressed by royal authority. Moreover, Ying Zheng had elevated numerous New Nobility, and their rise was like carving slices of power away from the Old Nobility.

...

「Time flew by!」

「Zhao state, Handan!」

"Reporting to the Great King," Lian Po announced, stepping forward. "The Qin envoy awaits an audience outside the hall."

"Summon him," Zhao Yan said with a wave of his hand.

"By the Great King's decree, the Qin envoy is granted an audience!" a temple official beside Zhao Yan proclaimed loudly.

Following the announcement, two men in official Qin robes walked slowly into the hall. The one in front was the lead envoy, Mi Qi, and behind him was the deputy envoy, Yao Jia.

Upon entering the hall, they bowed deeply toward Zhao Yan.

"The Qin envoy, Mi Qi, pays his respects to the King of Zhao."

"The Qin envoy, Yao Jia, pays his respects to the King of Zhao."

The two men bowed low, their postures humble.

"I have no desire to waste words with your state of Qin. Speak plainly. Why did Ying Zheng send you?" Zhao Yan asked, his face a cold mask.

"Replying to the King of Zhao," Mi Qi stated loudly, "this foreign subject comes on behalf of my king to sign a pact of non-aggression with the state of Zhao."

"Ying Zheng wants to sign a non-aggression pact with me?" Zhao Yan was taken aback, a flash of delight in his eyes. But it vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by a sneer. "What is the relationship between Qin and my state of Zhao? You're not ignorant of our history, are you? Why would Qin suddenly want to sign a pact with Zhao? What's your reason? Do you take me for a fool?"

Mi Qi immediately replied, "Our king's desire for peace is sincere. The past military conflicts between Qin and Zhao are in the past."

"I find it hard to believe Ying Zheng would be so magnanimous without reason. We will discuss this pact another time. You are dismissed," Zhao Yan said with a dismissive wave of his hand, his expression impassive.

At this, Mi Qi and Yao Jia looked anxious. Bowing again, Mi Qi spoke through clenched teeth, his voice loud and clear, "Your Majesty! If Zhao is willing to sign the non-aggression pact with Qin, then Qin is prepared to waive ten percent of the trade tax with Zhao!"

Hearing this, a look of surprise flashed through Zhao Yan's eyes again. The Ministers in the Zhao Court also exchanged startled glances.

Has something happened within Qin? Why else would Ying Zheng be so desperate to sign a pact with me? Zhao Yan wondered.

However, Zhao Yan didn't dare make a decision without investigating the matter first. While he was no brilliant monarch, he wasn't a complete fool either.

"Have the Qin envoys taken to the post house to rest," Zhao Yan commanded loudly.

Several Imperial Guards from the Zhao Royal Palace entered the hall and gestured towards the exit. "You two Qin envoys, this way, please."

Seeing this, Mi Qi and Yao Jia looked utterly dejected, but they were powerless before the Imperial Guards.

"This foreign subject takes his leave."

With one final bow, the two envoys could only turn and leave, their expressions full of resignation.

Once they were gone, Zhao Yan addressed his court. "My esteemed Ministers, has something happened in Qin? Otherwise, why would Ying Zheng be in such a hurry to sign a pact with Zhao?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty," an old general stepped forward to say. "In this old subject's opinion, it is likely that Qin is facing some internal trouble."

The speaker was Pang Xuan, one of Zhao's three Senior Generals. He was the only War General who had supported Zhao Yan from the very beginning. In contrast, Lian Po and Li Mu had originally supported Zhao Yi, but they too had ultimately been forced to accept Zhao Yan as king.

"Internal trouble in Qin?" Zhao Yan frowned.