"Great King."
"For the survival of the nation, we ministers will give our utmost service."
"I am willing to mobilize all the able-bodied men of my clan to serve Great Chu."
Zhao Wen pondered for a moment, then proclaimed loudly.
"I too am willing to gather the young and strong of my clan to serve Great Chu."
"I am also willing..."
One minister after another seemed convinced, and all spoke up, eager to contribute.
Upon hearing this.
The King of Chuâs expression finally grew much more pleasant.
"You three, esteemed men."
"Your three clans are the very pillars of Great Chu. If you do not unite in this war, then truly, Great Chu faces peril."
"How to deploy troops, how to safeguard Great ChuâI entrust the full authority to you three."
"As for conscription, I shall issue a royal edict." said the King of Chu immediately.
"Great King is wise!" The ministers cried out in unison.
-----------------
Location: Chufang City.
The Daqin Elite Soldiers of the Hangu Pass Camp were already at the gates.
"Shangjiangjun."
"We have just received a report."
"Lord Wuâan has already led his forces to break through the northern cities of Chu State, routing the hundred-thousand-strong army defending the northern border."
"Now he presses on, relentlessly assaulting Chu State." Li Xin reported to Huan Yi, his face filled with excitement.
"I knew the Great King would order Lord Wuâan to attack Chu."
A hint of excited smile appeared on Huan Yiâs face as well.
"Shangjiangjun."
"I must admit I am truly convinced now."
"Though Wuâan Military Camp launched a surprise attack, Chu Army has been fortifying its northern border for many years. Yet Lord Wuâan managed in less than ten days to repeatedly breach the crucial border cities and seize numerous towns."
"Of the hundred thousand elite Chu Soldiers, many have died, and countless have been captured."
"Such a great victory!" Li Xin exclaimed, his face ablaze with excitement.
"Now Lord Wuâan has triumphed."
"From the northern border all the way south, he can now advance straight for the Capital City of Chu."
"From the looks of it, our force need not rush." Huan Yi sneered coldly.
"Shangjiangjun, you mean to merely hold off Xiang Yan?" Li Xin immediately grasped the intent.
"Exactly."
"The true elites of Chu State are all under Xiang Yanâs command; two hundred thousand strong, gathered around Chufang City."
"This Chufang City is easy to defend, hard to besiege; we need only surround, not attack, and delay Xiang Yanâcertain to yield results."
"As for the destruction of Chu, I believe Lord Wuâan will surely march straight for Chuâs Capital. Once the capital is breached, Chu State will fall; with Xiang Yan gone into Chuâs heartland, destruction is certain." Huan Yi spoke with an icy smile.
"I understand." Li Xin nodded at once.
"With this battle, Chu State is finished."
"Their people are divided in heart."
"Receiving a single blow from our Hangu Pass Camp made them panic like startled birds. Now with Wuâan Military Camp advancing, within half a year, given Lord Wuâanâs command, he will decisively reach Chuâs Capital."
"This war."
"Let our Hangu Pass Camp assist Lord Wuâan in achieving this feat." Huan Yi declared with utter confidence.
"Understood." Li Xin nodded immediately.
"This battle."
"I really shouldnât have come to snatch the credit."
"Had it been Lord Wuâan commanding our invasion, perhaps Chufang City would have long since fallen."
"If not for Lord Wuâanâs reminder, Hangu Pass Camp would have been lost entirely."
"Such great favor, Huan Yi shall never forget."
"In this war, Huan Yi will not vie for the glory, only wishing to assist Lord Wuâan in conquering Chu and supporting him to ascend the position of Grand Commandant, commanding the military power of Qin." Huan Yi murmured.
"I will follow with all my strength." Li Xin, utterly convinced, replied.
In the past he felt Zhao Feng was younger than him, and so looked down, but now he is completely won over.
Conquest of Chu!
It is not difficult.
Compared to conquering Yan or Zhao,
Conquering Chu is even easier.
Xianyang, Morning Discussion Hall!
"Reporting to the Great King."
"Lord Wuâan has led his forces to capture ten cities on Chuâs northern border, killing more than fifty thousand Chu Soldiers and capturing over thirty thousand."
"Now, Lord Wuâan leads the elite warriors south, pressing the assault."
"Within half a year, we shall reach the Capital City of Chu."
Yu Liao reported, his face full of excitement.
"As expected."
"It always falls to Lord Wuâan to fight."
"Whenever Lord Wuâan takes the field, victory is assured."
"It has always been so."
"Had Lord Wuâan originally commanded the army, perhaps our Qin Army would have crushed even greater resistance."
"The destruction of Chu draws near."
"Once Chu is vanquished, our unification of the realm is truly within reach."
...
The Great Qin Court Officials broke into discussion, many expressing deep admiration for Zhao Feng.
The title of "Qin War God" is indeed not in vain.
Listening to the courtâs lavish praise,
Ying Zhengâs lips curled into a wide smile.
Whenever his son goes to battle, he always brings him exhilarating surprises.
"What is Hangu Pass Camp currently doing?" Ying Zheng asked loudly.
"Reporting to the Great King."
"Senior General Huan Yi is locked in a standoff with Xiang Yan at Chufang City."
"The General reports that this time he will play a supporting role, dragging away Xiang Yanâs army, leaving the main assault to Lord Wuâan; the task of destroying Chu rests with Lord Wuâan." Yu Liao replied at once.
Upon hearing this.
Ying Zheng nodded, "Huan Yi is good, knows when to advance and withdraw, not overly reckless."
"Transmit my royal edict."
"As long as Senior General Huan Yi assists Wuâan Military Camp in destroying Chu, I will likewise credit him with great merit."
Yu Liao bowed immediately: "The Great King is wise. I will promptly deliver the Great Kingâs will."
"Chancellor Han."
"How goes the matter of provisions and logistics?" Ying Zheng looked to Han Fei.
"In reply, Great King."
"Hangu Pass Camp is supplied from the heartlands of Qin, whereas Wuâan Military Camp receives provisions from the Land of Yan."
"With grain from Duchang Territory, Wuâan Military Campâs logistics are assured."
"Today I also received a letter from Prefectural Governor Cai Ci; he guarantees no shortage of provisions for Wuâan Military Camp." Han Fei stepped forth quickly.
"I will repeat this again."
"Daqin Elite Soldiers may fall in battle, but must never die from lack of provisions, must never lose from famine."
"Once Qin destroys Chu, not only should the generals commanding troops be rewarded, but the officials coordinating logistics should likewise be honored." Ying Zhengâs voice thundered.
"Great King is wise!"
The officials shouted in unison.
Previously, whenever Zhao Fengâs name was mentioned on the court, no matter what he did, someone would impeach him and utter idle complaints.
But since Wang Wan died,
This court no longer dares to target Zhao Feng.
Even Huai Zhuang fears provoking Zhao Feng now.
Ever since Wang Wanâs clan was exterminated, Zhao Feng is seen as a mad dog by their eyes; whenever he gets a chance, heâll bite relentlessly.
Moreover, Wang Wanâs extermination is a warning to the whole court.
The price for opposing Zhao Feng is not something everyone can afford.
"Given the state of Chu, with three houses vying for power, seeking only their own interests."
"Chu may be great."
"But destroying it is certainly easier than destroying Zhao." Ying Zheng chuckled, his tone full of mockery toward Chuâs regime.
"Just as the Great King says: Though Chu is vast and populous, royal authority cannot unify the realm. Power lies almost wholly with the three houses."
"The King of Chu is nothing but a puppet."
"Destroying this kingdom poses no great challenge." Yu Liao promptly echoed.
"Send my royal edict to Zhao Feng."
"Command him to destroy Chu swiftly."
"The sooner Chu falls, the greater the honor I shall bestow."
Ying Zheng smiled, addressing Yu Liao.
"With the Great Kingâs encouragement, Lord Wuâan will be all the more inspired, and the Daqin Elite Soldiers in Wuâan Military Camp will likewise be emboldened." Yu Liao said with a smile.
"Yu Qing."
"I heard your teacher Guiguzi invited Zhao Feng to Guigu Academy for a private meeting."
"Is this true?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
Hearing this,
The attention of all ministers in court centred on Yu Liao.
Guiguzi!
Who is that?
A name renowned throughout the world.
Is there anyone whose reputation surpasses Guiguzi?
That is truly rare.
Even Xunzi of Jixia Academyâhis fame does not equal Guiguziâs.
Even sovereigns find it nearly impossible to see Guiguzi in person.
For Guiguzi is a reclusive sage.
And now he has actually invited Zhao Feng to Guigu for a meeting?
What an extraordinary honor!
Many civil officials, upon hearing this news, were utterly astonished, brimming with envy.
Clearly,
Ying Zheng is once again raising the prestige of his son.
...