Hearing her mother's voice, Wang Yan weakly turned her head and said feebly, "Daughter... Daughter is fine."
"That's good to hear."
"This time, Yan'er, you made it through." Tears welled up in Madam Wang's eyes as she spoke.
"How... How are the children?" Wang Yan asked weakly.
"Yan'er, even heaven is looking out for you."
"You've given birth to twins an elder son and a younger daughter."
"A dragon and phoenix pair!" Madam Wang wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice brimming with joy.
"That's... wonderful." A faint smile appeared on Wang Yan's pale face, giving her a sliver of strength.
"Don't say anything more. What you need to do now is rest well."
"As for the children, I've already arranged for wet nurses to care for them," Madam Wang said promptly.
She then instructed the maidservants, "Take the young master and young lady to be fed."
"Yes," the maidservants replied immediately.
"Today, the young lady has successfully given birth to twins. It's a grand occasion for the Wang family."
"Steward, distribute rewards to everyone," Madam Wang shouted towards the hall entrance.
"Yes, madam," the steward replied loudly.
"And send a letter to the master immediately, informing him that Yan'er has given birth and it's a dragon and phoenix pair," Madam Wang said joyfully.
The steward naturally complied without delay.
Inside the palace, in Zhangtai Hall:
"News has just arrived from the Wang residence," a Black Ice Terrace agent knelt in the hall and reported.
"The Wang family's daughter has given birth to a pair of twins."
"Twins?" Ying Zheng paused, his face showing a hint of intrigue.
In this era, twins might be considered a blessing for commoners. However, for noble families, twins could be problematic. Both were regarded as legitimate heirs, which could create inheritance disputes and threaten the family's future stability.
Thus, among nobles or royalty, the arrival of twins often led to harsh decisions one child would either be sent away or dealt with through cruel means.
"A dragon and phoenix pair," the agent added immediately.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng's expression softened slightly. "Zhao Feng is truly fortunate. The Wang family's daughter has given him a dragon and phoenix pair."
"That's all. You may leave," Ying Zheng waved his hand.
"Yes."
The agent swiftly exited.
"Having children is a good thing for Great Qin," Ying Zheng murmured to himself.
"With both an elder and a younger child, it becomes easier to manage."
To Ying Zheng and all monarchs a person with no attachments, untempted by wealth or beauty, was harder to control. Such individuals could rebel at any time.
In every kingdom, military generals stationed abroad always had family members kept in the capital as leverage.
It was an essential tool for royal control.
"Someone, come here," Ying Zheng called loudly.
Zhao Gao quickly entered, bowing deeply and kneeling before him. "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"Select some nourishing herbs from the treasury and send them to the Wang residence as a reward for their daughter," Ying Zheng instructed calmly.
"Your servant obeys," Zhao Gao responded immediately and left to fulfill the order.
At this moment, a voice came from outside the hall:
"Minister Wei Liao requests an audience with His Majesty."
Ying Zheng raised his gaze. "Enter."
Wei Liao quickly stepped into the hall, bowed deeply, and said, "Your Majesty."
"You never come without reason. What is it this time?" Ying Zheng asked with a faint smile.
"Your Majesty's wisdom is unparalleled," Wei Liao chuckled before continuing. "I've come to share good news."
"If it's good news, don't keep me in suspense," Ying Zheng replied with a smile.
"This news requires Your Majesty to step into the rear chamber and consult the map," Wei Liao said with a grin.
"You sly fox…"
Ying Zheng shook his head but indulged him, standing up and heading to the rear chamber.
In the rear chamber, before the map of the empire:
"Speak," Ying Zheng commanded, his hands clasped behind his back and a faint smile on his face.
Wei Liao's demeanor turned serious as he began. "Your Majesty, I've just received a military report from General Zhao Feng."
"Is it the casualty report from the Battle of Weicheng?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Yes. We achieved a great victory."
"We suffered fewer than 40,000 casualties while slaying nearly 100,000 Wei troops," Wei Liao reported with a smile.
"This was the debut of the penal battalion, and Zhao Feng has proven himself a genius by devising the concept of the penal army. By reusing surrendered soldiers, he minimized Qin's losses," Ying Zheng praised.
"Indeed, a brilliant strategy," Wei Liao agreed.
"Although Zhao Feng has not yet become one of Your Majesty's core generals, he will undoubtedly become a key figure in unifying the empire," Wei Liao added.
Ying Zheng smiled faintly but turned back to the minister with a serious expression.
"You said you had good news to share in front of the map. What is it?" Ying Zheng asked.
Wei Liao smiled, stepped closer to the map, and drew his sword. Pointing at the map, he marked several Wei cities from Weicheng to Líncheng.
"What's this?" Ying Zheng asked with a raised brow.
"These cities are now under Qin's control," Wei Liao said with a grin.
"What?" Ying Zheng was startled but quickly refocused on the map.
"Your Majesty, after repelling the Wei forces, General Zhao Feng did not rest. He led his troops northward, capturing these cities along the way. Based on the timeline, they'll likely reach Lincheng soon," Wei Liao reported.
"Lincheng, is it?"
Ying Zheng's eyes locked on the border city connecting Wei and Zhao.
"This young man…"
"For someone so young, his courage is remarkable," Ying Zheng remarked with a faint smile.
With just one glance, Ying Zheng understood Zhao Feng's strategy he aimed to carve a path from Wei to Zhao.
"This is the good news I wanted to share, Your Majesty," Wei Liao said, his expression growing serious.
"By advancing his forces, General Zhao Feng has not only contained Wei but also made it impossible for them to send reinforcements to Zhao. And even if he doesn't succeed in opening the path to Zhao, his actions have already weakened Wei and paved the way for their future conquest," Wei Liao explained.
Ying Zheng nodded. "It seems I'll need to allocate more supplies to Zhao Feng."
"There's no need, Your Majesty," Wei Liao replied.
"General Zhao Feng reported that Weicheng held enough provisions for Wei's 200,000-strong army for six months. Now under his control, these supplies can sustain his forces for at least a year. That's the foundation of his daring advance into Wei territory," Wei Liao explained.
"Zhao Feng is truly remarkable."
"But I find myself troubled…" Ying Zheng said with a wry smile.
"What troubles Your Majesty?" Wei Liao asked, puzzled.
"I promised Zhao Feng that if he defended Weicheng, I would promote him to commander. But his exceptional performance makes a mere promotion feel inadequate."
"Now he has captured over ten cities and expanded Qin's territory by nearly a thousand miles. How should I reward him when the campaign ends?" Ying Zheng sighed.
Wei Liao couldn't help but smile.
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
"Across all of Qin, or even the world, who can match General Zhao Feng's meteoric rise?"
"A 17-year-old commander this isn't just a title, but an honor earned through genuine battlefield merit," Wei Liao said with admiration.
Ying Zheng nodded, his expression pensive.
"That's why I'm troubled. If Zhao Feng continues to achieve such great feats if he opens the path into Zhao territory and accomplishes even more incredible deeds how can I possibly reward him appropriately?"
At this moment, establishing another major camp would place a significant strain on the resources of the Qin state, making it unlikely in the short term.
Furthermore, becoming a Protector General (Hujun Duwei) is not only a matter of military achievements; many other factors come into play.
"The King is overthinking," Wei Liao said with a smile. "While Zhao General's current merits may not yet qualify him to be named Protector General, his rank can certainly be elevated."
"Additionally, under Your Majesty's favor, you can directly ask Zhao General what he desires. Given his current performance, he will undoubtedly hold a place as Protector General in the future."
"Indeed, compared to Meng Tian and Wang Ben, Zhao Feng's achievements are exceptionally remarkable," said Ying Zheng, nodding in agreement. "But Wei Qing is correct; I may indeed have been overthinking it."
"Based on the King's considerations, does Your Majesty truly believe Zhao Feng could carve a path into Zhao State?" Wei Liao asked with a slight smile.
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's face lit up with a smile. "Who knows? If he manages to open a path, I look forward to seeing what he can accomplish in Zhao State."
Wei Liao laughed lightly. "Zhao Feng's intent to mobilize troops is crystal clear, and Wei Wuji will undoubtedly see through it as well. Since Wei and Zhao are allies, Wei Wuji would never stand by and watch Zhao Feng carve a path into Zhao. He will undoubtedly concentrate heavy troops in Lincheng to block Zhao Feng's advance."
"Given Zhao Feng's current forces, breaking through will indeed be very difficult."
"Let's wait and see. I think he can do it," Ying Zheng replied with a grin.
In Sha Village.
"Zhao family, the County Magistrate is here again!" Wu Lizheng called out with a cheerful face.
"Again?" Inside the residence, Zhao Ying looked bewildered.
Zhao Shi shared the same expression of confusion.
Just then, the County Magistrate of Shaqiu, Yan Bing, walked into the courtyard with ease, followed by several county soldiers and servants.
"Madam," Yan Bing greeted, clasping his fists, "and Miss Zhao."
"County Magistrate," Zhao Shi and her daughter returned the gesture.
"Has something happened again with my son?" Zhao Shi asked curiously.
Whenever Yan Bing arrived, Zhao Shi instinctively thought it must be about her son. Otherwise, the magistrate would never visit in person.
"Haha," Yan Bing laughed heartily. "I am here to offer my congratulations to Madam Zhao once again."
"Could it be that my brother has achieved another feat?" Zhao Ying asked, half in disbelief.
"Miss Zhao is indeed sharp," Yan Bing chuckled. "Zhao General has achieved another great victory."
"Was there another battle?" Zhao Ying asked, perplexed.
Living in this small village, the news was not easily accessible. Ever since learning that her brother was alive and well, Zhao Shi and her daughter had stopped worrying and no longer actively sought updates.
"Our Qin state has launched a campaign against Zhao. Since Wei and Zhao are allies, after we attacked Zhao, Wei launched an offensive against Yingchuan formerly Han territory."
"And Zhao Feng, appointed by the King, has been defending the critical stronghold of Weicheng in Yingchuan," Yan Bing said, his excitement evident.
"Wei attacked Yingchuan?" Zhao Ying followed up, "And my brother held the line?"
"Haha! Not only did he hold the line," Yan Bing laughed heartily, "but Zhao General also achieved a remarkable feat. Surely you've heard of Wei Wuji's name?"
"The famed Lord Xinling of Wei? Of course, I've heard of him!" Zhao Ying nodded immediately. Zhao Shi also nodded in agreement.
Given her past experiences, how could she not have heard of Wei Wuji?
"Zhao General, with inferior numbers and strength, routed Wei Wuji's 200,000 troops with just 100,000 men, causing a crushing defeat that forced the Wei army into a hasty retreat!" Yan Bing declared with pride as if he had personally witnessed Zhao Feng's triumph on the battlefield.
"Wei Wuji was defeated by Feng'er?" Zhao Shi was stunned.
Wei Wuji's reputation was deeply ingrained in her memory. Back when Zhao Shi and Ying Zheng were children in Handan, their tutor Shen Yue had once offered insights while they watched Wei Wuji on a diplomatic mission to Zhao.
"Zheng'er, when you eventually return to Qin, you must identify your enemies and rivals," Shen Yue had instructed.
"For instance, Zhao's Lian Po and Li Mu are worthy adversaries of Qin. In Wei, you must be wary of Wei Wuji. His command of troops is exceptional, and he is the backbone of Wei. Be cautious."
"Teacher's words are well-heeded," young Ying Zheng had responded solemnly.
Zhao Shi, standing nearby, had remembered those words vividly.
Now, recalling Shen Yue's assessment of Wei Wuji's prowess, Zhao Shi was even more shocked her son had defeated such a renowned figure.
"Madam Zhao, you seem surprised?" Yan Bing smiled. "Haha! Zhao General's victory over Wei Wuji has already spread far and wide. Soon, his name will be known across the land."
"Not only is this a personal triumph for Zhao General, but it also bolsters the prestige of Qin!"
"This is truly unexpected," Zhao Shi muttered. "For Feng'er to defeat Wei Wuji…"
"Here is the royal decree," Yan Bing said, producing the edict. "This is the King's reward for Zhao General. I shall not read it aloud please accept it."
Zhao Shi accepted the decree with both hands. Upon opening it, her face showed astonishment. "Feng'er has been promoted to Commander-in-Chief?"
"In Qin, military achievements are rewarded without fail," Yan Bing explained. "For his defense of Qin's territories and his crushing defeat of Wei Wuji, Zhao General richly deserves the King's recognition."
"Last year, Zhao General was the youngest deputy general in Qin. Now, he is the youngest commander-in-chief in Qin's history. Someday, he might even become our Great General."
Yan Bing's tone carried a deep sense of reverence.
In Qin, there were many counties, but few commanders-in-chief. Zhao Feng's promotion elevated his rank above that of a county magistrate, further earning Yan Bing's respect.
"Thank you, County Magistrate, for delivering this," Zhao Shi said, regaining her composure.
"Madam, you are too kind," Yan Bing replied. "Having someone like Zhao General from our Shaqiu County is a blessing for us all."
As before, Yan Bing left behind a hundred servants and various rewards, including fifty guards to protect Zhao Shi.
After a brief pause, Yan Bing smiled and added, "Madam, have you heard about Zhao General's marriage prospects?"
"Marriage prospects? Feng'er's marriage?" Zhao Shi was puzzled. "I have not arranged any marriage for him."
"Madam, this is news from Xianyang, shared by a friend of mine in court," Yan Bing said with a hint of mystery.
"It is said that Zhao General and the daughter of Great General Wang Jian are betrothed."
"The daughter of Great General Wang Jian?" Zhao Shi was stunned. "Is this true?"
"My court friend assured me it is," Yan Bing said. "I heard that Crown Prince Fusu had also sought Wang Jian's daughter's hand but was declined. The reason? She has already pledged herself to Zhao General."
"If Zhao General were to marry Wang Jian's daughter, it would hold significant meaning for him," Yan Bing remarked, congratulating Zhao Shi once more.
"I truly have no idea. I suppose we'll only know when Feng'er returns," Zhao Shi replied, lost in thought.
Two years had passed since her son left home, and Zhao Shi still knew less about her son's whereabouts than Yan Bing did. She truly had no idea.
"Haha."
"It's good that Madam knows now."
"When General Zhao gets married one day, I must come and enjoy a cup of his wedding wine," Yan Bing said with a laugh.
After some polite exchanges and chatter, Yan Bing and his men left the Zhao residence.
However, Zhao Shi and her daughter were left staring at each other, wide-eyed.
"Brother is something," Zhao Ying said, sounding a little sour. "We don't even know about his engagement, yet other people do."
"This news might not be certain," Zhao Shi replied calmly. "We'll know once your brother comes home. And if it's true, it's a good thing."
"I wonder what kind of person my sister-in-law is. I've heard that the daughters of noble families often have bad tempers. I wonder what her temperament is like," Zhao Ying said, pouting, still a bit displeased.
Zhao Shi smiled faintly as she observed her daughter's expression. She teased, "Are you worried that once you have a sister-in-law, your brother won't dote on you anymore?"
Zhao Ying blushed and quickly took her mother's hand, shaking it as she whined, "Mother!"
…
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
At Lin City.
The banners of Wei's army fluttered atop the city walls.
Inside the city, countless Wei soldiers stood guard.
But outside the city.
"Loose! Loose! Loose!"
With the shout, tens of thousands of arrows rained down.
In front of the city, tens of thousands of Qin soldiers wielded their bows, unleashing a volley of arrows toward Lin City.
Under the storm of arrows, many Wei soldiers inside the city were struck and killed. Those with shields fared better, but those without could only dodge in terror, praying the arrows wouldn't hit them.
After a while, when all fifty thousand arrows had been loosed, the Qin army withdrew in an orderly manner under Wei Quan's low command.
"Damn Qin soldiers!"
The Wei generals and soldiers on the city walls were both furious and helpless. They had no way to counter Qin's superior archery and could only endure it passively.
The range of Qin's bows exceeded those of all other nations by 30%, and this advantage made Qin dominant on the battlefield.
In the Qin army camp.
Zhao Feng sat calmly in the main tent, sipping water.
"Report to the general."
"Today's arrow barrage mission has been completed. All fifty thousand arrows have been fired," came the report as the officers returned to the command tent.
"How many arrows do we have left?" Zhao Feng asked, looking up at Tu Sui.
"General, the arrows are more than sufficient. When Wei's army attacked us previously, we had a stockpile of five hundred thousand arrows in Weicheng. After scavenging the battlefield, we recovered around three hundred thousand arrows, though not all of them were intact. We still have over three hundred thousand usable arrows enough for our needs," Tu Sui replied promptly.
"These used arrows are more effective than unused ones. They'll make the Wei army suffer even more," Zhao Feng said with a cold smile.
Zhao Feng's confidence stemmed from the phenomenon known as "Seven-Day Wind."
During the defense of Weicheng, many of the recovered arrows had already been used in battle and were contaminated. While some had been refurbished with new arrowheads, many retained their original state. Wounds caused by such arrows were highly likely to become infected, and in this era, infection almost always meant certain death.
"Tomorrow, assemble twenty thousand elite soldiers and fire all three hundred thousand arrows," Zhao Feng ordered decisively.
"General, do you plan to suppress them with arrows and attack tomorrow?" Tu Sui quickly grasped Zhao Feng's intention.
"According to intelligence," Zhao Feng said, "the Wei forces defending this city number no fewer than seventy thousand, including both local troops and reinforcements of elite soldiers from Wei. A direct assault will be challenging."
"Don't overestimate the Wei army or underestimate the elite soldiers under my command," Zhao Feng said with a confident smile.
"General, I request to lead the vanguard!" Wei Quan stood up and volunteered eagerly.
Seeing Wei Quan stepping forward, the other officers quickly followed suit, all requesting to take the lead.
"For this battle," Zhao Feng said firmly, "all six thousand of our soldiers will be the vanguard. Tomorrow, after suppressing the enemy with arrows, I will personally lead the attack to breach the city in one fell swoop."
"Yes, General!" The officers responded in unison.
"Alright, get some rest," Zhao Feng instructed. "Make sure the soldiers eat and drink their fill. Tomorrow will be a true bloodbath."
"Yes!" The officers departed to prepare.
"Tomorrow's battle," Zhao Feng mused, "if we can capture Lin City, we'll open the path to Zhao Kingdom. The war to destroy Zhao cannot be missed."
At that moment.
"Report!"
"A family letter has arrived from the Supreme General," Zhang Ming said, rushing into the tent.
"Could it be that Yan'er has given birth?" Zhao Feng's composure vanished, replaced by excitement. Even though he remained calm on the battlefield, his heart now raced with anticipation.
Without delay, Zhao Feng took the letter from Zhang Ming's hands, his hands trembling slightly as he opened it.
Inside was a single line:
"Yan'er has given birth to twins. The firstborn is a son, and the second is a daughter."
For a moment, Zhao Feng froze, staring at the letter as his hands trembled.
"I have an heir! I, Zhao Feng, have an heir! A pair of twins! Truly, the heavens have blessed me!" Zhao Feng exclaimed, overcome with emotion.
In his two lifetimes, this was the first time Zhao Feng had his children his bloodline. His once rootless soul seemed to have found its anchor.
"Congratulations, my lord!" Zhang Ming quickly offered his felicitations.
"This time, not only am I fighting to defeat the enemy and earn merit, but for the sake of my children as well. I must invade Zhao Kingdom and end this war as quickly as possible, so I can return home and marry Yan'er," Zhao Feng said with newfound determination, his heart filled with longing.
Just then.
"Corpses buried and attribute rewards are ready to be distributed."
"Would the host like to claim the attributes?"
The system prompt suddenly appeared.
Hearing this, Zhao Feng snapped back to reality.
"It seems," he thought, "that the bodies from Weicheng have all been buried. I wonder how many corpses my soldiers managed to bury." With that thought, he felt a surge of anticipation.
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