"Persuade?"
"Teacher, what did you persuade Zhao Feng about?"
"Did you ask him to give up the Wang family girl? To give her to me instead?"
"If that's the case, then it's my fault."
"Teacher, you've placed me in a position where I'm seen as tearing apart someone else's marriage."
"Although I've never met Zhao Feng, I can imagine the kind of man he is someone who risks his life to achieve countless military merits at such a young age."
"Let alone a soldier who would be enraged by such a threat; even as a scholar, if I were not from the royal family, I would surely retaliate against such coercion." Fusu expressed his anger with a displeased face.
He was extremely dissatisfied with Chunyu Yue's actions.
This left Chunyu Yue bowing his head, unable to defend himself.
Perhaps in Fusu's eyes, Chunyu Yue was in the wrong.
But from Chunyu Yue's perspective, this was the right thing to do sacrificing a deputy general's marriage to secure a major cause for the prince. Anyone else, upon knowing it was for the Crown Prince, would have willingly submitted. However, Zhao Feng turned out to be an exception.
"My prince," Wang Wan interjected. "Things have already reached this point, and what's done is done. There's no turning back."
"Moreover, Zhao Feng has grown too powerful for us to reconcile with or win over."
Originally, Wang Wan had hoped to suppress Zhao Feng completely. But to his surprise, Zhao Feng managed to achieve a decisive victory over Wei Wuji even in a dire situation, where Qin forces stationed at Yinchuan were few and internal conflicts were rife. Wang Wan hadn't expected this; neither had the court nor the entire world.
"If there's a chance in the future, I'll personally apologize to Zhao Feng," Fusu said.
"My prince, you must not!" Chunyu Yue immediately objected.
"Though Zhao Feng is currently in the spotlight, he's merely a subordinate. How can someone of your esteemed status apologize to him?"
Even Wang Wan nodded in agreement. "There's no need for such a gesture, my prince. Since Zhao Feng defended Weicheng, our court has already been suppressing him heavily. There's no possibility of reconciliation now."
"Since we've chosen to suppress him, we must continue to do so."
"I refuse to believe his rise will remain unchallenged forever," Wang Wan said solemnly.
Seeing Wang Wan's determination, Fusu sighed helplessly.
Though he was the Crown Prince, the affairs around him were controlled by Wang Wan and the others.
Perhaps this was also why Ying Zheng, the First Emperor, was disappointed in him.
To truly be an heir to the throne, one must master the art of power and control subordinates, not the other way around.
Fusu too softhearted.
In Zhao State, Handan!
Dragon Terrace Palace.
"What?"
"Wei Wuji lost?"
"That's impossible!"
"The Qin forces stationed at Yinchuan were insufficient, and they were dealing with internal strife. How could Wei Wuji, with 200,000 troops, lose?"
"This doesn't make sense!"
Zhao Yan's voice trembled with both rage and disbelief.
The expressions of the court officials within the Dragon Terrace Palace were similarly filled with shock.
"Wei Wuji, how could he lose?"
"The defender of Weicheng was merely a deputy general from Qin. How could Wei Wuji lose to him?"
"What exactly happened?"
"If Wei falls, our Zhao State will face Qin alone."
"This is bad."
"What do we do now?"
…
The ministers in the hall were all growing increasingly worried.
"Your Majesty," Zhao Yi stepped forward and said, "now that Wei Wuji has been defeated and Wei has retreated, we must recall troops from Yan immediately. Otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous."
"No, absolutely not!" Zhao Yan immediately rejected the idea.
Currently, Pang Nuan was making significant advances in Yan, having captured a thousand miles of territory and dozens of cities. That amounted to nearly 30% of Yan's lands.
If they were to recall the troops now, all those gains would be lost.
"Most of our Zhao forces are with General Pang Nuan. If we don't recall them, how can we resist Qin?" Zhao Yi urged earnestly.
"Though we still have 200,000 border troops stationed in Dai, they're being held up by Qin's Meng Wu. Unless we recall General Pang Nuan, it will be impossible to hold off the Qin army."
"We still have Lian Po, don't we?" Zhao Yan retorted coldly.
"As long as Lian Po can hold Quyang, the Qin army won't get through."
"Once Yan is destroyed, our elite Zhao forces will naturally return." Zhao Yan's tone was resolute.
"But, Your Majesty…" Zhao Yi began anxiously.
Guo Kai immediately stepped in. "Chunping Lord, His Majesty's mind is made up. What more is there to say?"
"Although most of our elite Zhao forces are engaged in Yan, if reinforcements are truly needed, we can mobilize tens of thousands of regional troops to support Lian Po."
Hearing this, Zhao Yan looked at Guo Kai with satisfaction. Among the court officials, only Guo Kai truly understood him.
"The Prime Minister is correct," Zhao Yan said, nodding in approval.
"Your Majesty, this must not be done," Zhao Yi protested.
"If regional troops are mobilized, our cities will be left undefended. If General Lian Po truly cannot hold the line, our cities will be wide open to the Qin army."
"Enough!" Zhao Yan shouted angrily. "Silence!"
"The Qin army has never been a real threat to me."
"Our main enemy is Yan. Yan is being utterly crushed by our Zhao forces, and nearly half of its lands are under our control. It's only a matter of time before Yan falls," Zhao Yan declared coldly.
Then, turning to Guo Kai, he said, "Prime Minister."
"Your servant is here," Guo Kai replied.
"I'll grant you a mobilization order. Assemble 100,000 regional troops to reinforce Lian Po," Zhao Yan commanded.
"Your servant obeys," Guo Kai said, bowing deeply. However, he hesitated momentarily before adding, "Your Majesty, mobilizing 100,000 troops will greatly increase our consumption of supplies. The autumn harvest is still far off, and if we continue to deplete resources at the current rate, the treasury and local reserves will not hold."
"In that case, Prime Minister, handle it as you see fit."
"If necessary, impose taxes early or increase them," Zhao Yan said after some thought.
The moment those words fell, the faces of many Zhao officials changed.
Taxes were already high in Zhao, and any further increase risked provoking rebellion.
But seeing Zhao Yan's determined demeanor and Zhao Yi being silenced, the court officials chose to keep quiet.
At that moment
"Report!"
"An urgent dispatch from Quyang!"
A Zhao messenger hurried into the Dragon Terrace Palace.
"Quyang?" Zhao Yan frowned. "What's the report?"
"Lower Quyang has fallen! Quyang is now an isolated city," the messenger shouted desperately.
"What?"
"Lower Quyang has fallen?"
"Isn't Lian Po known for his defensive skills? What is he doing?"
"I trusted him so much!" Zhao Yan scolded angrily.
"Your Majesty," Zhao Yi interjected, "General Lian Po only has 100,000 troops and is facing several times that number from Qin. The fact that he held out for months is already remarkable."
"With Lower Quyang fallen, Quyang is now an isolated city."
"Tell me, Your Majesty, with the borders breached, what should we do now?" Zhao Yi asked urgently.
"What is General Lian Po's status?" he continued with concern.
In Zhao Yi's heart, Lian Po was the cornerstone of Zhao's survival.
"If Lian Po falls, Zhao will truly be in peril."
"Your Majesty," the messenger said, "General Lian Po sent me with a letter a farewell letter."
The messenger's voice was filled with grief as he pulled out a scroll of cloth and held it high.
Zhao Yan waved impatiently. "I don't need to read it. Just read it aloud for me."
"This…"
"Your servant is illiterate," the messenger said hesitantly.
Zhao Yi couldn't wait any longer. He strode forward, snatching the letter from the messenger's hands.
As soon as he opened it, his expression changed drastically.
"The General… He's not planning to retreat."
"He intends to make a final stand at Quyang and fight the Qin army to the death."
"With the remaining troops, he hopes to take as many Qin lives as possible," Zhao Yi said, his voice trembling.
Hearing this, Zhao Yan's expression softened slightly.
"The General's loyalty is unmatched."
"An old general is guarding Quyang City with his life, giving Zhao more time to mobilize reinforcements."
"Prime Minister."
"After the court session, you are to immediately pass my decree to mobilize all county troops to defend Jinyang."
"General Yan Ju, I entrust you with the task of personally defending Jinyang," Zhao Yan ordered decisively.
A general stepped forward immediately and said, "I accept the command."
Hearing this, Zhao Yi could no longer hold back.
"Your Majesty!"
"We've reached such a dire state already."
"General Lian Po has even submitted his final plea with his life. How can you stubbornly persist in your foolishness and refuse to withdraw our troops from Yan?"
"The old general is sacrificing his life to delay the Qin army, all so that Zhao can prepare. Only by recalling the army from Yan can Zhao survive. How can ordinary county troops possibly resist the elite Qin forces?" Zhao Yi clutched Lian Po's final letter tightly, his voice filled with anger as he implored Zhao Yan.
Hearing Zhao Yi's questioning tone, Zhao Yan's brows furrowed deeply, his face showing his growing anger.
"Zhao Yi, you are out of line!"
"How dare you speak to His Majesty so disrespectfully?"
"His Majesty is the King of Zhao; everything he does is for Zhao's sake."
"His Majesty has made up his mind; how dare you spout such nonsense?" Guo Kai immediately stepped forward and rebuked Zhao Yi, putting on a display of loyalty to Zhao Yan.
"Yes, His Majesty is the King of Zhao, but if Zhao truly perishes, will he still be king?"
"Your servant Zhao Yi humbly requests Your Majesty to swiftly withdraw troops from Yan and seize the final chance that General Lian Po has fought so hard to secure for Zhao!"
Zhao Yi's voice was low, tinged with despair and a fervent plea for Zhao's future.
He understood the gravity of Zhao's predicament through Lian Po's final letter. This was their last opportunity.
"Silence!"
"The campaign to destroy Yan must not stop!"
"Lian Po is still capable of fighting, and I have more than 100,000 county troops defending Zhao. No matter how strong the Qin forces are, they cannot breach a city defended by 200,000 men within a year or two."
"Send my decree to the commander-in-chief: order General Pang Nuan to intensify the attack on Yan. He need not worry about internal matters in Zhao."
"That's enough."
"Today's court session is over. Dismiss." Zhao Yan barked coldly and stormed out of the grand hall with a wave of his sleeve.
Watching Zhao Yan's retreating figure, Zhao Yi could no longer restrain himself. He stood up and shouted, "Zhao Yan, you will regret this!"
"Zhao will fall because of you."
"When that day comes, you will have no face to meet our late king!"
But Zhao Yan pretended not to hear him.
At Quyang City
The Qin army launched a fierce assault.
General Lian Po, clad in full armor, sat in the center of the city, commanding his forces.
"General!"
"The Qin army's assault is relentless. We have less than 50,000 troops remaining in Quyang. Judging from the intensity of their attack, even if we fight to the last soldier, we can hold out for at most half a month," his deputy reported.
"Lower Quyang has fallen, and the army there has collapsed."
"This half-month will be the time Lian Po secures for Zhao," Lian Po said with a faint smile.
"If His Majesty understands my intentions, he will issue a decree to withdraw troops from Yan."
"Once the 300,000-strong army returns, Zhao will survive and stand firm."
"But what if His Majesty refuses to withdraw the troops?" the deputy asked anxiously.
"Then Zhao…"
A sorrowful look appeared on Lian Po's aged face as he gazed at the sky. "Will be doomed."
"General."
"I believe we don't need to defend Quyang to the death. We could fight while retreating, which would also delay the Qin army," the deputy suggested.
Lian Po smiled faintly, unhurried. "If His Majesty orders the withdrawal of troops, I am willing to give my life to defend Quyang and delay the Qin army for as long as possible. If His Majesty refuses, then we will adopt your strategy and fight while retreating."
"However…"
"I believe His Majesty will withdraw the troops."
"At this moment of national crisis, I trust he will come to his senses."
Meanwhile, in Wei territory
In a small city, Zhao Feng stood atop the city walls, calmly surveying the ground littered with corpses.
"General."
"This city has been fully conquered. The 5,000 Wei soldiers stationed here have been defeated, and we've captured over 2,000 of them," Tu Sui reported.
"Good." Zhao Feng nodded, his eyes sharp. "At this rate of advance, we'll be able to open a route to Zhao within two months."
"This is what's called striking while the iron is hot."
"Wei Wuji's forces have been crushed by us, and their primary focus is on defending the path to their capital. As for the route to Zhao, they've left it lightly defended, relying on mere county troops," Zhao Feng said with a faint smile.
"General, how many troops should we leave to guard this city?" Tu Sui asked.
"The usual strategy."
"Leave more troops to defend cities bordering Wei to prevent them from taking advantage. As we conquer more cities, we'll transfer soldiers as needed until we secure the route to Zhao," Zhao Feng replied.
Tu Sui respectfully nodded and quickly left to carry out the orders.
"Yan'er is about to give birth."
"Judging by the timing of the message, it must be within the next half-month," Zhao Feng thought to himself with a mix of joy and helplessness. "I'm about to become a father, yet I can't even be there for Yan'er as she gives birth."
"Moreover, I still haven't given her an official title," he sighed.
Thinking about this, Zhao Feng felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and frustration. However, as a soldier embroiled in the chaos of war, he was bound by his duty, just as he had been when he first enlisted powerless to change his circumstances.
"General, do you have any words or messages you wish to send back?"
"The General-in-Chief also said," the messenger added with a respectful smile, "that after reading the letter, you would likely have something to say."
"Indeed, there is a letter. I will trouble you to deliver it, though not to the General-in-Chief directly. Instead, ask him to forward it to Xianyang," Zhao Feng replied immediately.
"Please rest assured, General. I will ensure this task is completed," the messenger responded promptly.
With that, Zhao Feng gestured, and Zhang Ming, who stood at his side, immediately produced a blank piece of cloth and a brush.
As Zhao Feng's trusted officer, Zhang Ming always carried such items for moments like this.
After a brief moment of writing, Zhao Feng finished the letter, placed it in a tube, and handed it to the messenger.
"I will leave this to you," Zhao Feng said.
"General Zhao, your words honor me. This is my duty," the messenger replied earnestly.
"By the way," Zhao Feng turned to Zhang Ming, "prepare a report on our current battle situation and spoils, and send it along with this messenger to the General-in-Chief."
"Understood," Zhang Ming responded promptly, handing over the prepared military report to the messenger.
"I will take care of it," the messenger assured.
"Also," the messenger added, "the General-in-Chief asked me to pass along this news: a royal envoy has already departed from Xianyang and should arrive within a few days to bestow honors upon you."
Hearing this, Zhao Feng's face lit up with anticipation. "This time, the King of Qin should promote me to commander-in-chief. I wonder if my title will be elevated as well."
The King of Qin had previously promised that as long as Zhao Feng could defend Wei City and prevent the Wei army from entering Yingchuan Commandery, he would reward him with a promotion to commander-in-chief.
This promotion from vice commander to commander-in-chief might seem like a small step, but in reality, it was a leap of monumental significance. It was a mark of true authority and power, a milestone few ever achieved.
After the messenger departed, Zhang Ming immediately stepped forward and congratulated Zhao Feng. "My lord, once the royal envoy arrives, you will officially become the youngest commander-in-chief in Qin's history. At just seventeen years old, who can rival your prestige?"
As he spoke, Zhang Ming's face shone with pride, and the surrounding guards shared his sentiment.
The youngest commander-in-chief in Qin's history seventeen years old. Serving under Zhao Feng was a badge of honor for all of them.
"Heh," Zhao Feng chuckled softly.
Once the messenger from the General-in-Chief had left, Zhao Feng wasted no time giving his next orders.
"Relay my command."
"Continue the offensive. Break through to Zhao as quickly as possible."
"We must play our part in the campaign to destroy Zhao," Zhao Feng declared solemnly.
"Understood," Zhang Ming replied at once.
In Wei's capital, Daliang
Inside the court hall, Wei Wuji knelt in his military attire, his aged face filled with sorrow and defeat.
"Your Majesty," he began, voice heavy with remorse, "this old servant has failed in his duties, led the army incompetently, and caused our Wei to lose over 100,000 soldiers. The nation's strength has been gravely damaged. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Kneeling before the throne, Wei Wuji's voice carried the weight of guilt and shame.
Seated on the throne, the King of Wei was filled with anger but, seeing Wei Wuji in such a state, found his frustration softened by helplessness.
The Wei kingdom had no capable generals left. Even if the King of Wei wanted to punish someone, there was no one else to replace Wei Wuji. Without him, who could defend Wei when the Qin inevitably struck?
After some thought, the King of Wei rose from his throne, approached Wei Wuji, and gently helped him up. "Defeat and victory are common in warfare, Uncle. You need not blame yourself so harshly."
"The fault lies not with you but with the heavens, as well as the lack of caution among your subordinates. If everyone had followed your commands, how could our Wei have suffered such a loss?"
The King of Wei's words carried an air of consolation, but they were calculated to maintain morale and solidarity.
"Your Majesty," Wei Wuji responded, his old eyes brimming with tears, "this old servant is ashamed to face you. Of the 200,000 soldiers Your Majesty entrusted to me, fewer than 70,000 have returned. The military resources amassed for this campaign have been mostly seized by Qin. This is a grave sin!"
"Uncle, please do not torment yourself," the King of Wei said, shaking his head.
"The past is past; it cannot be changed. What we must focus on now is how to deal with Qin moving forward."
"The Qin will surely retaliate. They now have a justifiable reason to invade Wei. This is an eventuality we cannot ignore." The King's tone grew solemn, and his eyes were filled with concern.
"The only way to protect Wei is for Zhao to survive. As long as Zhao stands, the Qin will not dare to march on Wei," Wei Wuji declared gravely.
"Uncle," the King of Wei interjected, "I have just received news. The Qin army breached the defensive line that General Lian Po had established with two interconnected cities. Yet despite this, the King of Zhao still refuses to withdraw his troops from Yan. If this continues, Zhao will fall!"
"The King of Zhao has not withdrawn from Yan?" Wei Wuji was taken aback.
"Despite the dire situation, he remains so stubborn?"
"The King of Zhao is far too obstinate," the King of Wei said, shaking his head helplessly.
"Please, Your Majesty, write a letter urging the King of Zhao to immediately withdraw his troops from Yan. If he does not, Zhao will be doomed!" Wei Wuji said with grave urgency.
The King of Wei was about to nod in agreement when
"Report!"
"Urgent news from the border!"
"The Qin army has launched an offensive from Shangwei City, capturing nearly ten of our cities thus far. The assault is ongoing. Your Majesty, please issue your orders!"
A messenger burst into the hall, delivering the dire report.
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