The Qin Army's merit system is incomparably strict.
Aside from the mutual supervision among soldiers, there are dedicated military merit officials who oversee the system. If anyone dares to claim unearned merit or seize someone else's merit, their case is reported directly to the King of Qin and punished severely, with no forgiveness.
When the military merit system was first implemented, some nobles might have dared to take risks, but now no one dares anymore.
"Bao Qiu was killed by one of your logistics soldiers?"
Wang Ben spoke with surprise.
"Reporting to General Wang, this is true."
"Bao Qiu had been shedding his battle armor, lying among the dead feigning death. When my logistics soldier approached, he suddenly leapt up and killed two men. Fortunately, one of our logistics soldiers struck him down." The Army Marquis replied at once.
"Bao Qiu, to die at the hands of a logistics soldier from Qin… truly a wrongful death."
Looking at Bao Qiu, whose eyes were wide open, dying with unresolved hatred, Wang Ben uttered a sigh of emotion.
Logistics soldiers!
They aren't combat troops, merely tasked with clearing the battlefield and tending to the wounded.
For a Han general to die at the hands of a logistics soldier is indeed a disgrace.
Wang Jian threw a glance at Bao Qiu, showing little concern.
"Take him away. Bury him together with the Han soldiers."
"As for the logistics soldier who killed Bao Qiu, promote him in accordance with the military merit system."
"Three ranks up in official position, one grade up in nobility."
Wang Jian spoke, then turned directly back to camp.
For someone of his rank as Shangjiangjun, this was a trivial matter—a stroke of bad luck for Bao Qiu, killed by a logistics soldier, who himself stumbled into great fortune.
"Understood."
The Army Marquis accepted the order and withdrew.
"Has the report of battlefield losses been compiled?" Wang Jian asked.
"Already compiled and registered, it will be urgently reported to Xianyang today." Wang Ben replied.
"Include in the report that Bao Qiu was killed by a logistics soldier of ours. That's quite an amusing incident." Wang Jian said with a smile.
Wang Ben immediately nodded, "Understood."
"By the way."
"Where is Yan'er that girl?" Wang Jian suddenly asked.
Wang Ben hesitated, unsure how to reply.
"Hmm?"
Wang Jian frowned, then barked sternly, "Speak!"
"She went to Yang City with Li Teng." Wang Ben said helplessly.
"Why didn't you keep a closer eye on her?" Wang Jian was visibly angry.
"Father."
"Don't you know what Yan'er is like? You really shouldn't have agreed to let her follow the army this time." Wang Ben, in turn, voiced his complaint.
Hearing this,
Wang Jian glared, also feeling somewhat at a loss.
"Do you think I wanted to bring her? Ever since she heard the news of the expedition, she has pestered me incessantly." Wang Jian replied.
"Father, don't worry."
"She has five hundred of your trusted aides guarding her and General Li Teng to look after her. She'll be fine." Wang Ben replied with a smile.
"Enough."
"Let her run around as she pleases. When this campaign is over, I'll marry her off so her husband's family can keep her under control." Wang Jian said in irritation.
Wang Ben grinned, "Father, could you bear that? Besides, with Yan'er's character, isn't it known all over Xianyang? Who would be chosen by her?"
...
Late night!
All the corpses on the frontier battlefield have been cleared away.
Thousands of logistics soldiers have returned to camp to rest.
Outside the tents.
Pitch darkness.
Beside a small bonfire, Wei Quan and Zhao Feng sat, roasting a hunk of meat above the flame.
"Mr. Zhao."
Wei Quan spoke.
"What is it?" Zhao Feng replied.
"Aren't you anxious at all?" Wei Quan asked.
"Anxious about what?" Zhao Feng seemed puzzled.
"You killed Bao Qiu today and earned great merit—enough to get promoted three ranks and earn a title of nobility."
"Why are you so calm?" Wei Quan asked in surprise.
"I don't have much longing for promotion." Zhao Feng replied honestly.
Upon hearing this,
In the darkness, Wei Quan looked quite shocked.
"Don't you know that if you get promoted, your annual salary will be higher, and with a title you can earn land?" Wei Quan said.
"Of course I know." Zhao Feng smiled, "But what's the point of promotion? I only need to serve two years, then I'll go home. I have a mother and a younger sister, both waiting for me to look after them. I can't die on the battlefield."
"You really are different from most." Wei Quan mused.
"It's not about being different, just about fearing death, cherishing life."
"No matter how high the rank, nothing is better than staying alive."
"Hundred Generals."
"How long have you been in the army?" Zhao Feng asked.
In the army,
Zhao Feng made it a point to avoid offending anyone, greeted others honestly with a smile, and never got involved in petty schemes. The only true friend he had was Wei Quan.
"I was conscripted at fifteen, so it's been about eight years."
"If I can, I hope to stay on, so that I can earn enough annual salary to feed my family."
"These days aren't easy living. If not for my salary, my family would have starved long ago." Wei Quan said slowly.
At this,
Zhao Feng remained silent.
In this era,
There isn't enough food for everyone, not enough to let everyone eat their fill.
People starve to death all the time, especially in winter—many freeze or starve, countless in number.
It's a problem that can't be solved.
Back in his hometown, Zhao Feng's family had just one acre and three-tenths of land, enough for the three of them. Zhao Feng himself had a strong constitution, hunted in the mountains and was skilled in various modern trapping techniques, earning a good harvest. He often bartered with neighbors, and as long as he didn't crave luxuries, life was carefree and untroubled.
"Mr. Zhao." Wei Quan spoke again.
"Speak, Hundred Generals." Zhao Feng replied.
"Don't keep calling me Hundred Generals. I'm nearly ten years older than you—just call me Brother Wei." Wei Quan said with a smile.
"Brother Wei." Zhao Feng called out with a smile.
"Hey." Wei Quan replied contentedly.
He then moved closer to Zhao Feng and sat down.
"Since you called me brother, and since you saved my life, let me teach you something."
"Want to hear it?" Wei Quan's face grew serious.
"Brother Wei, please speak—I'm listening." Zhao Feng nodded immediately.
"I saw your sword strike today."
"From ten paces away, you killed Bao Qiu cleanly—you've got real skill."
"With your ability, you're stronger than most elite soldiers."
"During basic training, you hid your strength, didn't you? Otherwise, how would you have ended up assigned to logistics?" Wei Quan said, seeing through Zhao Feng.
"Ha."
"No choice. I just don't want to die in battle."
"Logistics don't have to go into direct battle, don't have to risk their lives. It's the right position for me." Zhao Feng neither admitted nor denied it.
During basic training!
Zhao Feng did indeed hide his skill—if he'd stood out, he'd have been assigned to the main battle camp as an elite soldier. So in training, where others used all their strength, he used only half. In the end, he managed to stay with the logistics army.
"Mr. Zhao."
"As someone who's suffered under the powerful…"
"Let me tell you something…"