Looking at Wei Bo standing before him, Zhao Feng said nothing. He spurred his horse, lowered his spear, and charged.
"Kill!"
Wei Bo raised his spear as well, charging toward Zhao Feng with murderous intent.
At the moment their weapons clashed, Zhao Feng's brows furrowed as he thrust his spear forward with lightning speed.
In an instant, his spear pierced through Wei Bo's armor and body.
"Ah…!"
Wei Bo let out a pained scream of despair.
"Bo'er!"
In the distance, Wei Wuji heard the anguished cry of Wei Bo and felt his heart sink.
Wei Bo was not just a nephew to him; he was family and had been groomed for years with immense care and affection. Yet now...
Zhao Feng paid no mind to any of this. On the battlefield, there were only allies and enemies.
With a slight twist of his spear, Zhao Feng lifted Wei Bo's body high into the air, displaying it for the surrounding Wei soldiers to see.
"General Wei…" "Has fallen…"
The Wei soldiers, witnessing the lifeless body of their commander raised aloft, were struck with fear. But for many, that fear quickly turned to rage.
"Kill him! Avenge General Wei!"
"Kill!"
A Wei officer roared, raising his halberd and charging at Zhao Feng. The surrounding Wei soldiers joined the charge, filled with fury.
These were no ordinary soldiers they were the elite Wei Wu soldiers.
"System notification: You have slain Wei Bo, a Wei military commander. All attributes increased by 30 points."
"A commander, huh? Not a bad reward," Zhao Feng thought with a smile upon hearing the notification.
With a sharp flick of his spear, he cast Wei Bo's corpse aside.
As the enraged Wei Wu soldiers surged toward him, Zhao Feng remained composed, sweeping his spear in wide arcs, unleashing strikes that felled enemies left and right.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With each swing of his spear, energy blasts radiated outward, shattering shields and sending Wei Wu soldiers sprawling.
"Wei Wu soldiers," Zhao Feng mused coldly, "are nothing special."
Once, the Wei Wu soldiers had been a force to be reckoned with a name that struck fear far and wide. Their strength was rooted not only in their rigorous training but also in the care and resources devoted to them.
Every Wei Wu soldier received the highest pay in the Wei army, enjoyed unparalleled pensions for their families in the event of death, and was equipped with the finest armor and weapons. These factors were the foundation of their combat prowess.
However, times have changed.
The Qin army of today was no longer the Qin army of old. The elite Qin warriors those with noble ranks and armored forces from Qin's three major camps were not inferior to the Wei Wu soldiers in any aspect.
In terms of equipment, the Qin army's gear was superior. In terms of pay, they were equally well-compensated. And when it came to fearlessness in battle, the Qin soldiers surpassed their counterparts never retreating until the enemy was utterly crushed.
With hundreds of thousands of fearless and relentless Qin warriors, how could the Wei Wu soldiers compare?
"Qin soldiers!" Zhao Feng bellowed, his voice resonating across the battlefield. "Kill!"
With that, Zhao Feng plunged deeper into the fight, spear sweeping through the enemy ranks.
The entire battlefield outside Wei City descended into chaos, engulfed in a bloodbath.
The battle raged on from daylight to darkness and into the next day. By the time the fighting subsided, Wei City had become a scene of carnage.
Countless bodies lay scattered across the battlefield broken weapons, shattered shields, and blood-soaked ground painting a grim picture. Cries of wounded soldiers echoed across the desolate battlefield.
Eventually, the killing ceased.
Among the survivors, only the Qin army remained standing. The Wei soldiers were either dead, fled, or playing dead to cling to life.
For Zhao Feng and the Qin army, the outcome was clear: victory.
Standing amidst the aftermath, Zhao Feng scanned the battlefield. There was no trace of organized resistance from the Wei army. Around him, the Qin soldiers still consumed by the bloodlust of battle gradually calmed under his steady presence.
Raising his spear high, Zhao Feng shouted, "Brothers, we've won! The Wei army has been defeated. They can no longer threaten Qin's cities!"
His voice carried far, breaking the trance of his soldiers. Though their eyes still glimmered with residual fury, they began to regain clarity, their hearts swelling with pride.
After a day and night of relentless fighting, every Qin soldier had fought to the brink of death, killing with wild abandon. The bond forged in such a crucible was unbreakable.
"General is invincible!" "General is invincible!"
The rallying cries of the Qin soldiers echoed across Wei City, filling the air with triumphant fervor.
Even the citizens and ordinary soldiers stationed in Wei City, who had heard of Wei Wuji's fearsome reputation, were in awe.
Wei Wuji known as the God of War of Wei, the King of Wei's uncle, and a revered general had commanded this campaign. His name alone had struck fear into many, including seasoned generals like Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo. Yet, Zhao Feng had led them to a resounding victory against this legendary figure.
This victory was more than a triumph; it was a testament to Zhao Feng's brilliance as a commander.
The world would soon know his name.
As the soldiers chanted and the city rejoiced, a group of generals, including Tu Sui and Wei Quan, approached Zhao Feng. Bloodied and battered, they saluted him with reverence.
"Subordinates pay respects to the General!" they exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with respect and gratitude.
Though all of them bore wounds, the fact that they survived was a miracle in itself.
"Rise," Zhao Feng said with a smile, motioning for them to stand.
"Thank you, General," they replied, their gazes filled with awe.
Even generals like Qi Sheng and Wu Yue, who were not Zhao Feng's direct subordinates, were deeply impressed by his leadership.
Zhao Feng had not only achieved victory but had done so by routing Wei Wuji's forces a feat that was nothing short of legendary.
At that moment, Sima Kuai Pu, the Quartermaster, approached hurriedly.
"Congratulations to General Zhao on another great achievement," Kuai Pu said, his expression one of genuine admiration.
As the official responsible for recording and reporting military achievements, even Kuai Pu was awed by Zhao Feng's tactical brilliance.
To think that Zhao Feng had led a force of less than ten thousand men deep into enemy territory, executed a flawless ambush on Wei Wuji's rear, and utterly decimated the Wei army.
"Kuai Sima flatters me," Zhao Feng replied humbly, bowing in return.
Kuai Pu shook his head. "No, General Zhao's feats are undeniable. Without your timely arrival, the city might have truly fallen under Wei Wuji's relentless assault."
"You are mistaken," Zhao Feng corrected, his tone serious. "I have always trusted in the strength and resolve of my soldiers whether they are elites or penal troops. Even if I hadn't arrived, they would have fought to the last man to hold this city."
Hearing this, the surrounding soldiers looked at Zhao Feng with even greater reverence. Pride swelled in their hearts. This was their general a leader who believed in them unconditionally.
Kuai Pu nodded, his admiration deepening. "Indeed, the soldiers under General Zhao's command held the outer city even as the gates were breached. Your leadership is truly remarkable."
"General Zhao, I salute you," Kuai Pu said earnestly, his respect evident.
As the triumphant cheers of the soldiers echoed across the battlefield, Zhao Feng gazed at his men, their battered forms standing tall amidst the wreckage.
This victory would be remembered for generations.
Zhao Feng shouted again, "To the soldiers guarding Weicheng, you are all outstanding. This time, Wei Wuji led a strong and fierce army against us. If we lacked morale and confidence, we would have been defeated long ago. But you endured twenty days of relentless assaults from the elite forces of Wei."
"Looking across the entire land, only our Qin army only the soldiers guarding Weicheng possess such strength."
"If not for your resolute defense,"
"I, Zhao Feng, could not have launched a surprise attack on the Wei army, let alone defeated them."
"Here and now, Zhao Feng thanks all the brothers who have defended Weicheng."
With that, Zhao Feng dismounted, clasped his hands in a salute, and performed a military bow toward all the soldiers.
Moved by this gesture, every soldier was filled with pride and reciprocated with a salute to Zhao Feng, expressing their respect.
This was the unique bond of camaraderie found only in the military.
Bringing his gaze back to the present, Zhao Feng scanned the officers and asked, somewhat puzzled, "Where are Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo?"
Upon hearing this, Tu Sui, Wei Quan, and all the other officers who had stayed in Weicheng showed expressions of anger.
"General," Tu Sui said coldly, "Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo led their troops and left Weicheng."
"Not only did they flee, but they claimed that you, General, had abandoned your post and said Weicheng was indefensible. So, they took their forces to defend the southern flank of the city."
"Except for the 10,000 soldiers they commanded, the rest of us stood our ground with our troops and fought to the death."
"They deserted during the heat of battle it's utterly shameful."
At this point, other officers chimed in, equally indignant. Even Qi Sheng and Wu Yue, who weren't part of Zhao Feng's direct command, were filled with righteous fury.
They had fought tooth and nail within the city against the Wei forces, replacing the fallen without retreat, leading by example. But Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo had left the city entirely, claiming that defense was impossible.
Hearing all this, Zhao Feng's face turned grim.
"Did you issue them orders?" Zhao Feng asked Tu Sui.
"I conveyed your orders, General, in your name, but they refused to comply," Tu Sui replied with some helplessness.
"Didn't you show them the command I left for you?" Zhao Feng asked again.
"At the time, the city was on the verge of being breached. I relayed your command, but they outright disobeyed," Tu Sui admitted with a bitter smile.
"They disobeyed?" Zhao Feng frowned.
"I can vouch for General Tu Sui," said Kuai Pu. "I was there when he delivered the orders. They even tried to persuade me to retreat with the central forces."
Kuai Pu was also deeply displeased with Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo for abandoning Weicheng.
"Well, well," Zhao Feng said angrily. "At such a critical moment, they dared to leave with their troops."
"It seems they truly have no desire to live."
Initially, Zhao Feng didn't trust Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo much, but as a Qin general, he wasn't inclined to push them to extremes. He would at most suppress them a little and let things slide if they admitted their mistakes.
But now, their act of desertion during a crisis was intolerable.
If he didn't deal with them, he would betray the sacrifice of the soldiers who had died defending Weicheng.
"Zhang Ming," Zhao Feng said, suppressing his anger.
"Here!" Zhang Ming, covered in blood and carrying several wounds, hurried over.
"Order Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo to return to the city immediately," Zhao Feng commanded coldly.
"Yes, sir!" Zhang Ming quickly obeyed, found a horse, and set off to deliver the order.
Meanwhile, Zhao Feng surveyed the battlefield, taking in the bloody scene.
He gave further orders: "Zhang Han."
"Present!" Zhang Han immediately stepped forward.
"Take your troops and begin clearing the bodies outside the city. If you find injured or feigning Wei soldiers, eliminate them."
"Yes, sir!" Zhang Han replied at once.
"Wei Quan, Qi Sheng, Liu Wang," Zhao Feng called.
"Present!" The three officers responded in unison.
"Lead your troops to assist in clearing the battlefield. Bury all the Wei corpses in pits to prevent disease."
"Yes, sir!" they answered.
"To the rest of the generals, have your troops eat and rest. Tomorrow night, they will rotate with those clearing the battlefield," Zhao Feng continued.
"Understood!" Tu Sui and the others replied in unison.
"Commander Kuai Pu," Zhao Feng said, turning to Kuai Pu.
"What are your orders, General?" Kuai Pu asked with a smile.
"This battle has lasted twenty days. Not only has the Wei army suffered heavy losses, but our side has also taken significant casualties. I'll trouble you to tally the numbers."
"Consider it done," Kuai Pu agreed readily.
"Alright, that's it for now. Generals, let's head to the council chamber in the city," Zhao Feng said. He mounted his horse, spear in hand, and rode toward the city, the other officers following closely behind.
Meanwhile, south of Weicheng:
"General Chen, General Zhao," a scout reported urgently, "the sounds of fighting in Weicheng have diminished significantly. I fear the city has fallen."
Hearing this, Zhao Tuo sneered, "If Weicheng has fallen, Zhao Feng will bear a great crime this time."
"Next, we must defend this area at all costs and send someone to request reinforcements from General Li," Chen Tao added.
"But, General, if the battle is over, why haven't any survivors escaped?" Liu Wu asked, puzzled.
"Indeed," Chen Tao echoed. "Why are there no survivors?"
"If they're still fighting in the city, are we just going to wait here?" Chen Tao hesitated.
"For the sake of Qin, Weicheng is indefensible," Zhao Tuo said firmly.
Hearing this, Chen Tao reluctantly nodded, though unease gnawed at him as if something ominous was about to happen.
Just then, a rider galloped swiftly from the direction of Weicheng.
"Someone's coming!" Liu Wu shouted.
"Archers, prepare!" Chen Tao ordered.
Behind him, archers raised their bows.
"It's one of ours," Liu Wu said. "It looks like a centurion from Zhao Feng's guard."
"Zhang Ming?" Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo exchanged uneasy glances.
Unimpeded, Zhang Ming rode up to the camp and reined in his horse.
"Chen Tao, Zhao Tuo," Zhang Ming barked, "step forward immediately."
"Centurion Zhang, what's the situation in the city?" Chen Tao asked, trying to maintain composure but feeling a wave of panic.
"The General has defeated the Wei army. Weicheng is secure, and the enemy has fled."
"By order of the General, Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo are to return to Weicheng immediately. At once!"
Zhang Ming's cold expression only deepened the tension in Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo's hearts. They exchanged uneasy glances, each seeing the panic in the other's eyes.
They had expected the city to fall but had not anticipated that the Wei army would be defeated.
"Did Wei Wuji lose?"
"That's impossible," Chen Tao said, shaking his head. "Wei Wuji commanded tens of thousands of elite Wei soldiers and nearly 200,000 troops. How could he have been defeated?"
"Exactly," Zhao Tuo added. "It's absurd. Such a claim is ridiculous."
"I will not repeat myself," Zhang Ming said sternly. "By Zhao Feng's order, you are to return to Weicheng immediately."
Seeing Zhang Ming's indifferent demeanor, coupled with the authority of Zhao Feng's orders, Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo grew anxious at heart.
"Given the situation in Weicheng, how can I believe you?" Zhao Tuo forced himself to respond, though it was clear he was at a loss for words.
"Chen Tao."
"Zhao Tuo."
"Delaying further is pointless."
"If you refuse to comply, I will report directly to General Zhao and add another charge to your names."
"Of course..." Zhang Ming's voice carried a hint of mockery.
"You could always kill me here and now, right in front of everyone."
Zhang Ming's cold sneer sent a chill through Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo.
They had thought only of disobeying Zhao Feng to claim credit for themselves. They never expected Zhao Feng to successfully defeat the Wei army much less for the situation to escalate to this point.
Now, with Zhao Feng's decisive victory, the narrative was no longer about his dereliction of duty but about their insubordination and abandonment of their posts.
Faced with this reality, the expressions of both men darkened.
But Zhang Ming showed no fear. Riding his horse forward, he addressed the twenty-thousand-strong army with a loud, clear voice:
"Soldiers of Great Qin! I am Zhang Ming, a centurion in General Zhao Feng's guard. I bring you good news: Weicheng has been secured, and the Wei army has been routed by General Zhao himself. The enemy is now in full retreat. All troops are ordered to return to Weicheng and prepare to claim merit for their service.
"For those of noble rank: you may slay the enemy to advance your titles."
"For the penal troops: you may earn freedom from bondage through valor on the battlefield."
His voice carried far, and the soldiers on the front lines heard it. The news quickly spread among the ranks, igniting a wave of shocked murmurs.
"General Zhao defeated the Wei army? They're retreating already?"
"Is that true?"
"Isn't Wei Wuxi their commanding general? He's a figure of renown, on par with legends he lost?"
"Unbelievable!"
"Amazing! General Zhao Feng, at his age, managed to defeat Wei Wuxi?"
The chatter grew louder.
For the Qin army's elite soldiers, the name Wei Wuxi was just something they'd heard of. But for the penal troops, many of whom were former soldiers of the Han, Wei Wuxi's reputation was much more vivid. They had been well-acquainted with the famed generals of the Three Jin States.
"Generals," Zhang Ming said again, his gaze sharp as he addressed Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo. "What are you still waiting for? The deed is done. Nothing you say or do now will change that. Come with me to face the general."
His words left no room for further argument.
The two men, under the scrutiny of thousands of eyes, could do nothing to harm Zhang Ming. Furthermore, with Zhao Feng's victory now a certainty, he would undoubtedly report everything to the court.
"Sigh. Let's go."
Chen Tao exhaled heavily, glancing at Zhao Tuo.
Zhao Tuo's eyes flashed with defiance, but in the end, he held his tongue and resigned himself to silence.
Within Weicheng
Zhao Feng rode slowly through the city.
The ground was littered with corpses, turning Weicheng into a scene from hell itself. Near the gates, bodies were stacked into mountains many burned into blackened husks, others crushed into pulp. Broken walls and scattered remains painted a vivid picture of the battle's brutality.
"Inter the Wei soldiers in a mass grave, but ensure our troops receive proper burials," Zhao Feng ordered somberly.
The state of the gates alone testified to the ferocity of the fight.
"Understood!" The gathered officers responded in unison.
Zhao Feng sighed.
Standing amidst the carnage, treading on bodies with every step, he could not suppress a pang of sorrow.
Though this battle had been fought under his command, and the glory of victory would be his, the sight before him brought to mind the adage: "A general's success is built upon countless bones."
Zhao Feng was not heartless. Seeing so many lives cut short left ripples in his heart.
Had he been merely a Qin general, with no knowledge of later history, he might have fought solely for his nation's interest. But now, these slain men Qin and Wei alike were not merely soldiers of different states; to him, they were members of the same broader bloodline, the same race.
It was a harsh truth.
The path to unifying a fragmented land was paved with suffering and sacrifice.
History has shown time and again that every great dynasty was forged through immense human cost. Zhao Feng understood that deeply.
Military Assembly Hall
Seated at the head of the hall, Zhao Feng addressed his officers.
"This battle has been hard on all of you. You've endured much," he said, his tone carrying a rare warmth.
"In comparison to your efforts, General Zhao, ours are nothing," the officers replied in unison.
"What a pity we couldn't capture Wei Wuxi," Zhao Feng lamented. "Had we managed that, Wei would have lost any capacity to challenge Qin."
The room fell silent for a moment before Tu Sui spoke:
"Though Wei Wuxi escaped, he still required tens of thousands of men to protect him. Slaying him outright was impossible. Even so, this victory is a decisive one. From now on, your reputation will resound throughout the land, General. All will know that you defeated Wei Wuxi head-on."
After this battle, Tu Sui's admiration and loyalty to Zhao Feng deepened. He was increasingly convinced that joining the central army had been the right decision.
As the officers continued to praise Zhao Feng's exploits, a voice rang out:
"Report! Generals Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo request an audience!"
Zhang Ming entered the hall briskly, bowing deeply.
His words silenced the once-lively hall.
Moments later, Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo walked in, their faces pale with unease.
When they saw Zhao Feng seated at the head of the assembly, their hearts sank completely.
"Greetings to General Zhao," they said, bowing respectfully.
Zhao Feng looked at them, his face devoid of emotion. Then, with a wave of his hand, he gave a sharp command.
Several guards stepped forward, delivering swift kicks that forced the two men to their knees.
"General Zhao, what is the meaning of this?" Zhao Tuo asked, stunned.
Chen Tao's heart pounded as unease turned to dread.
"Disarm them," Zhao Feng ordered coldly.
"Yes, sir!"
Without hesitation, the guards removed their swords and armor.
At that moment, Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo fully realized the gravity of their situation.
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