Similar to Wei Wuji's thoughts, Gongsun Xi harbored a sense of unwillingness. He hadn't managed to capture Wei City and was instead routed by the Qin army.
But in the end…
This is war.
Everything on the battlefield changes in an instant.
Perhaps, it all boils down to being outmatched.
"You don't hate me?" Zhao Feng looked at Gongsun Xi in surprise.
Although the Wei general's face was filled with frustration, there was no hatred to be seen.
"Why should I hate you?"
"In the end, we lost this battle."
"It's because we were no match for you."
"If you had lost, would you hate me?" Gongsun Xi said calmly, neither joyful nor sorrowful.
Hearing this, Zhao Feng looked at Gongsun Xi with newfound respect.
"Even though I understand your thoughts, I still want to say this."
"If you surrender, I can spare your life," Zhao Feng said slowly.
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Xi shook his head and smiled. "Thank you for your kindness, General Zhao, but the Wei Wu Soldiers live and die as one."
"As a war general of the Wei Wu Soldiers, I will never surrender."
Hearing these words, Zhao Feng nodded slightly. "What is your name?"
"Gongsun Xi," he replied loudly.
"You are worthy of my remembrance."
"And even more worthy of facing my blade personally."
"Come then."
Zhao Feng urged his horse forward, stepping into the battlefield.
"Thank you, General Zhao," Gongsun Xi laughed heartily, raised his spear, and spurred his horse forward, charging at Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng charged in kind, his mighty spear thrusting forward.
As Gongsun Xi's spear approached, Zhao Feng sidestepped with ease, dodging the attack. His spear, however, pierced straight through Gongsun Xi's body.
"Cough..."
"I... I lost."
Gongsun Xi struggled to smile as blood poured from his chest.
"Rest in peace," Zhao Feng said solemnly.
With a sharp pull, he withdrew his spear, and Gongsun Xi's life came to an end.
"Main enemy general Gongsun Xi slain. +30 to all attributes," the notification on his interface displayed.
Looking at the few hundred remaining Wei Wu Soldiers in front of him, Zhao Feng did not hesitate. With a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Kill them all!"
The Qin soldiers surged forward.
In an instant, the last few hundred Wei Wu Soldiers were slaughtered.
"Target Wei City! Pursue and attack!"
"In this battle"
"Leave no enemy alive!"
"Chase them!"
Zhao Feng raised his spear high and shouted, rallying his army to continue their pursuit northward, crossing into Wei territory.
At the same time, in Xinzheng.
"Report!"
"Urgent news from Wei City!"
An urgent report arrived at the governor's residence in Xinzheng City.
Meng Yi sat in the head seat, with Li Teng seated beside him. At present, chaos plagued Yingchuan Commandery, with Han nobles rallying forces against Qin. Both men had been fully occupied with managing the unrest.
Hearing the news from Wei City, Meng Yi asked anxiously, "Has Wei City fallen?"
Wei City was the gateway to Yingchuan. If it fell, the entire region would be in danger.
"It seems we couldn't hold it after all," Meng Yi sighed. "With Wei Wuji leading an army of hundreds of thousands, and Zhao Feng defending with fifty thousand elite soldiers and fifty thousand surrendered troops, it was impossible for him to hold the city."
Li Teng also sighed, "Indeed, the fall of Wei City was inevitable."
"General," Meng Yi turned to Li Teng. "Now that Wei City has fallen, Yingchuan's gateway is lost. We must prepare defenses against the advancing Wei army and request reinforcements from the king immediately."
"Understood," Li Teng nodded.
Neither man had seen the urgent report yet, but both assumed Wei City had fallen any other outcome was unthinkable.
"General," the messenger interjected, somewhat awkwardly. "The report does not say that Wei City has fallen."
"It hasn't fallen?" Meng Yi and Li Teng exchanged surprised glances.
Recovering quickly, Meng Yi gestured for the report, which Li Teng promptly opened. As he read, his expression shifted dramatically.
"This... How is this possible?"
"What happened?" Meng Yi asked quickly.
"See for yourself," Li Teng said, handing over the report, his face still showing disbelief.
Meng Yi took the report and read it carefully. His expression soon mirrored Li Teng's.
"Wei Wuji..."
"Defeated by Zhao Feng?"
"The Wei army was routed by Zhao Feng?"
"How was this possible?" Meng Yi asked in astonishment.
"Wei Wuji, a man of such renown, was defeated by Zhao Feng? And with overwhelming superiority in both numbers and strength?"
"Incredible!"
"Zhao Feng..."
"I am thoroughly convinced," Li Teng said with genuine admiration.
This one battle alone had earned Zhao Feng Li Teng's utmost respect.
As a general himself, Li Teng knew that if he had been in Zhao Feng's position, at best he might have defended Wei City for a month. Achieving such a decisive victory was beyond his reach.
"Great men emerge in every generation," Meng Yi remarked, smiling. "My father often said that, and now I truly understand."
"When the king hears this news, he will surely be astonished," Meng Yi added.
"Yingchuan is no longer in danger," Li Teng said, deeply moved. "After this battle, Zhao Feng is bound to rise even higher."
"Indeed," Meng Yi agreed. "He will go from being our youngest deputy general to our youngest general-in-chief."
"Governor," Li Teng hesitated before asking, "about the matter I mentioned before, has it been submitted to the king?"
"I have already petitioned the king on your behalf. The rest depends on his decision," Meng Yi replied.
"Thank you, Governor," Li Teng said gratefully.
Meanwhile, in Zhao territory, at Quyang City.
The city was engulfed in flames and smoke, transformed into a battlefield littered with arrows and rubble.
Despite days of fierce assaults led by Wang Jian himself, Quyang City stood firm under Lian Po's command, showing no signs of falling.
On the city wall, Lian Po, clad in full armor, watched calmly as the Qin army retreated.
"General, they have withdrawn again," his deputy reported respectfully.
"Each time Wang Jian attacks, he avoids heavy losses, using Qin's superior archers to suppress us instead."
"It seems he has no intention of storming the city outright."
Lian Po nodded slowly. "Wang Jian is no longer merely a subordinate of Bai Qi but a renowned general of Qin in his own right."
"He knows I excel at defense, and forcing an assault would cost him dearly."
"Thus, he opts for continuous arrow barrages to wear down our morale and numbers."
"Though not as devastating as direct combat, the casualties from these arrows are mounting," Lian Po said with a sigh.
"But why does Wang Jian refrain from pressing the attack?" the deputy asked, puzzled. "For Qin, now is the perfect time. Zhao's forces are at their weakest, with only 100,000 troops to defend. Once our king recalls the 300,000 troops from Yan, Qin's opportunity will be lost."
"Wang Jian's goal isn't to capture Quyang but to take Lower Quyang," Lian Po explained.
"Lower Quyang?" The deputy frowned.
"Quyang and Lower Quyang are connected. If the latter falls, our supply lines will be cut. The 60,000 troops defending Quyang will be trapped, with no option but to retreat," Lian Po said.
"This is why Wang Jian besieges without attacking it's a calculated move."
"What should we do, General?" the deputy asked anxiously. "Lower Quyang only has 40,000 troops. How can they hold out?"
"From the start, I knew it couldn't be held."
"But for Zhao's survival, we must defend it as long as possible."
"The only way to break this crisis is for the king to recall the main army from Yan."
"Until then, we fight to hold on," Lian Po said with a trace of helplessness.
Hearing this, the deputy could only smile bitterly.
"The king has always been overly suspicious of the Grand General. Even now, the king remains excessively wary of him," the deputy general remarked, clearly voicing his frustration.
"And yet, the Grand General's loyalty to Zhao remains steadfast," he added, speaking in defense of Lian Po.
"I have been deeply graced by the state of Zhao, and the sole reason I am still alive is to protect it," Lian Po said with a faint smile, his tone calm and resolute. "If the king harbors doubts about me, that is his matter to resolve. As for me, I will simply do my utmost."
Hearing Lian Po's words, the deputy general could only suppress his resentment toward King Yan of Zhao, refraining from further complaints.
At this moment, Lian Po inquired, "Has the next batch of supplies and provisions arrived yet?"
"Grand General," the deputy replied, "the provisioning has been entirely managed by Guo Kai. Every shipment of supplies only covers half a month for our 100,000-strong army. As it stands, we only have a few days' worth left, and the next shipment has yet to arrive."
"Guo Kai," Lian Po muttered with disdain. "The man is nothing but a treacherous scoundrel."
"Even now, at such a critical juncture, he dares to delay the delivery of supplies," Lian Po said angrily, expressing his long-standing disdain for Guo Kai, whose actions often clashed with his own.
"Grand General, he delays but does not outright cut off the supplies," the deputy explained helplessly. "It seems even he fears being held accountable for endangering the defense of the army. If such a failure were to occur, the king would surely punish him severely."
"Nonetheless, we lack sufficient grounds to formally accuse him," the deputy added, visibly troubled.
"Enough," Lian Po said firmly. "Continue to press him for the supplies. The supply line must not break. At the same time, issue a stern warning: if the delay in provisions jeopardizes our defense, I will personally report Guo Kai to the king."
"Understood, Grand General," the deputy promptly responded.
Lian Po fell into thought and murmured, "I wonder what the current situation in Han is. If Lord Xinling can lead his forces to break through Han, it would surely create chaos among the Qin forces, giving me more time."
"Lord Xinling and you, Grand General, are both famed commanders of the land. Conquering a minor border city guarded by a young Qin general should be an easy task," the deputy said with confidence, his tone laced with flattery.
"Let us hope so," Lian Po nodded but remained contemplative. "Qin's General Zhao Feng, once part of their logistical corps, has risen to prominence in the main forces without a single defeat. I wonder just how capable this young man truly is."
Meanwhile, in the Bluefield military camp of the Qin forces:
"Grand General," Yang Duanhe said respectfully to Wang Jian, handing over a report. "We have just received General Wang Ben's dispatch. The time is ripe, and he will launch the assault on Xiaquyang tomorrow."
"Tell Wang Ben," Wang Jian instructed, "to advance with full force. Once Xiaquyang falls, you are to immediately lead your troops to attack Quyang. The moment Lian Po withdraws, pursue him relentlessly. Do not allow him to reestablish any defensive position."
"Understood, Grand General," Yang Duanhe replied.
"Lian Po is a master of defense," Wang Jian mused, "but his forces are ultimately insufficient. A frontal attack would only waste our troops' lives. By pinning him down here, I allow Wang Ben to capture Quyang."
"Even if Lian Po understands my strategy, he will have no means to counter it," Wang Jian said with a faint smile.
"Indeed," Yang Duanhe laughed. "Lian Po is aged now, and encountering you may very well mark his final campaign."
"I wonder how the situation in Yingchuan is," Wang Jian suddenly said, his tone turning more serious.
Unlike the Zhao campaign, where he felt in control, the developments in Yingchuan were a source of concern. A failure there could negate any accomplishments in Zhao.
"Report!" A messenger burst into the tent, holding a sealed report. "Urgent dispatch from Weicheng!"
Wang Jian's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained composed.
"Present it," he ordered.
The messenger quickly handed over the report, and Wang Jian broke the seal to read its contents. His expression shifted from somber to astonished, and then to delight.
"Hahaha!" Wang Jian laughed heartily. "Zhao Feng, that boy truly surprised me. Who could have imagined this outcome?"
"The famous Lord Xinling defeated! This is beyond expectations!" Wang Jian exclaimed, his laughter resonating with genuine joy.
"Grand General, is there good news from Weicheng?" Yang Duanhe asked curiously.
"See for yourself," Wang Jian said, handing him the report, unable to suppress his smile.
Yang Duanhe scanned the report and was equally astounded. "General Zhao Feng has defeated the Wei forces! Lord Xinling fled back to Wei. The battle at Weicheng resulted in nearly 100,000 Wei casualties, while our side suffered just over 30,000!"
"Lord Xinling, defeated by Zhao Feng?" Yang Duanhe was in disbelief. "This is incredible. Lord Xinling was a legendary figure, and now he has lost like this?"
"Before long," Wang Jian said proudly, "Zhao Feng's name will spread across the land. Lord Xinling, who once stood atop the world, has now become the stepping stone for our rising star."
"Indeed," Yang Duanhe nodded. "Zhao Feng has truly distinguished himself with this victory. It will silence all criticisms of the convict-soldier policy in court."
"More importantly," Wang Jian added, "no one will dare question my decision to recommend Zhao Feng to defend Weicheng."
"Send this report to Xianyang immediately and inform the king," Wang Jian ordered. "With Weicheng secured, the crisis in Yingchuan has been averted, and the king can rest easy."
"Yes, Grand General!" Yang Duanhe said, calling for a messenger to dispatch the report to the capital.
"Grand General," Yang Duanhe then said with a bow, "I must admit my error. I too doubted Zhao Feng's ability to hold Weicheng, but it appears I underestimated him."
"You were not alone," Wang Jian said with a smile. "Most of the court doubted him, and even I had my reservations. But given the circumstances, we had no other choice but to trust him."
"That speaks to your remarkable foresight, Grand General," Yang Duanhe said, offering praise.
"Now that we know the Zhao forces will likely withdraw their 300,000 troops, we must defeat Lian Po before their return," Wang Jian said, his tone sharp. "Only then can Zhao be vanquished."
"Understood, Grand General," Yang Duanhe replied.
"Report!" A personal guard entered the tent, holding a sealed bamboo scroll. "A letter from your household has arrived, Grand General."
"A letter from home?" Wang Jian asked, momentarily surprised. He opened the scroll and smiled warmly as he read.
"In less than a month, Yanyan will give birth. What wonderful news," Wang Jian said, clearly pleased. "After we conquer Zhao, I must see Zhao Feng's marriage. I wonder if she will give me a grandson or granddaughter."
Coming back to his senses, Wang Jian handed the family letter to the commander standing before him. "Have someone deliver this to Zhao Feng."
"Understood," the commander immediately responded, taking the letter and leaving swiftly.
On the other side, Yang Duanhe looked visibly surprised. "This is the general's family letter why is it being sent to General Zhao Feng? Could it be that Zhao Feng is...?"
Seeing Yang Duanhe's astonished and somewhat curious expression, Wang Jian immediately understood what he was thinking.
No doubt, he suspected Zhao Feng was his illegitimate son.
"He is my future son-in-law," Wang Jian stated bluntly.
"What?" Yang Duanhe's face showed nothing but shock. "General Zhao Feng is the general's son-in-law? This... this is news to me."
It was understandable that Yang Duanhe hadn't heard of this before.
Back in court, when Zhao Feng was betrothed to Wang Jian's daughter, the matter had stirred some controversy. It involved the eldest son of the royal family.
When Fusu's proposal was rejected, and a mere vice-general like Zhao Feng ended up winning the favor of the Wang family's daughter, it was considered a major embarrassment for Fusu. For this reason, the ministers in the court were cautious not to discuss the matter openly. Any topic involving the royal family was too sensitive to spread recklessly.
As a result, the news of Wang Jian's daughter's engagement to Zhao Feng did not travel far beyond the court.
"Everyone will know soon enough," Wang Jian said, smiling. "The king once stated that if Zhao Feng could successfully defend Weicheng, he would issue an edict to officially marry my daughter to him."
"Now that Zhao Feng has fulfilled his duty, once the Zhao kingdom falls, the royal decree for the marriage will follow," Wang Jian added with pride.
Yang Duanhe immediately cupped his fists in congratulations. "Congratulations, General! A royal marriage decree is a tremendous honor."
"Moreover, I heard that His Majesty has already granted another royal marriage, bestowing a princess upon the general's family. If another royal marriage is decreed, your family will be showered with the king's favor."
Wang Jian smiled, clearly pleased.
Indeed, a royal marriage decree was the ultimate recognition of a union.
"Zhao Feng has already achieved a great victory over the Wei army, overcoming an enemy several times larger than his force. His accomplishment far surpasses ours."
"We must not fall behind," Wang Jian said seriously.
"I understand," Yang Duanhe replied immediately.
"Go and make the arrangements. Prepare to launch the main offensive at any moment," Wang Jian ordered with a wave of his hand.
"Understood." Yang Duanhe bowed and left the command tent.
Once he was gone, Wang Jian's stern expression softened, replaced with a smile. He picked up the battle report from Weicheng again.
"This boy..."
"He hasn't let me down."
"Even that old fox Wei Wuji lost to him."
"With such achievements, if he keeps this up, he might very well become the youngest grand general in Qin's history."
"Yaner's judgment was right after all."
"It was worth risking offending the eldest son to secure this marriage."
"Hahaha!"
Wang Jian laughed heartily as he held the battle report.
Time passed.
In Xianyang, the capital of Qin, life remained peaceful despite the ongoing wars in Zhao and Yan. Many merchants and refugees from Zhao and Yan had flocked to the city, making it more prosperous than ever.
Amidst the turmoil across the land, Qin stood as a bastion of stability, offering its people protection from war.
In the royal palace of Qin, within the main hall where court sessions were held, the usual three-day intervals for court meetings had been reduced to two since the war with Zhao began.
"Your Majesty," a minister reported, "General Li Teng of Yingchuan has sent word that the unrest in the region will be fully resolved within a month."
"It seems the unrest in Yingchuan is not too severe," the king remarked. "The provocations from Zhao and Wei have not had much effect."
"Li Teng has done well," Ying Zheng praised.
Including the troops stationed in Yingchuan, Qin had mobilized a total of 450,000 soldiers for this campaign. The daily consumption of supplies was immense, making every theater of war critical to monitor.
Ying Zheng's greatest concern, however, remained Weicheng.
"Your Majesty," Prime Minister Wang Wan stepped forward, "our primary focus should still be on Weicheng, the gateway to Yingchuan. I remain concerned about whether Zhao Feng can hold it."
"I suggest issuing another stern order to Zhao Feng, commanding him to strengthen his defenses. If Weicheng falls, severe punishment should follow."
"I second this motion," another minister, Chunyu Yue, chimed in.
"We cannot afford any mishaps at Weicheng. If it falls and Wei Wuji leads his troops into Yingchuan, our position there will be in grave danger."
Several other officials echoed these concerns.
On the surface, they appeared to be acting in the public interest, but their true intentions seemed somewhat personal.
"I have already entrusted this matter to the general," Ying Zheng responded. "If there is any change at Weicheng, the general will make the necessary decisions. Additionally, the 200,000 troops at Hangu Pass are ready to be deployed."
"Your Majesty is wise," Wang Wan replied, but then he added, "However, we recently received reports of Zhao Feng abandoning his post. If these claims are true, I propose sending a supervisor to oversee him and prevent any further misconduct."
"This young man, though promoted for his achievements, still lacks the steadiness required."
At that moment, a messenger hurried into the hall.
"Your Majesty, urgent news from General Wang Jian. It concerns Weicheng!"
The court fell silent. Everyone's attention turned to the messenger.
Hearing that it was about Weicheng and that it was urgent Wang Wan immediately stopped speaking, his gaze fixed on the messenger. A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"This boy is about to fail," Chunyu Yue thought, sharing a knowing glance with Wang Wan, both of them secretly pleased.
"How fares Weicheng?" Ying Zheng asked sharply, his tone tense.
The messenger bowed deeply and reported loudly, "Your Majesty, General Wang Jian has sent word Weicheng has achieved a great victory!"
The court erupted in whispers.
"Victory at Weicheng?"
"What does that mean? Could Zhao Feng have successfully defended it?" Wang Wan and Chunyu Yue were stunned, their expressions turning grim.
"A great victory?" Wang Wan muttered to himself, his thoughts racing.
"Did this young man pull it off?" Chunyu Yue wondered, his earlier smugness quickly dissipating.
-support me in Patreon for more chapter, 260+ chapters
patreon.com/LordoftheReader