"If you really have the capability, if you truly have a chance to rise—then climb up, climb up at all costs."
"This world devours people."
"If you lack power, even if you return home, in the end you'll still suffer indignity. Your land could be seized through trickery, your family forced to become slaves or servants."
"Put away your naivety, put away your luck."
"You're still young, you just haven't faced it yet. But if the day comes, and you have no power nor authority, that's a dead end."
Under the cover of night.
Wei Quan fixed his gaze on Zhao Feng, speaking with a serious tone.
Feeling Wei Quan's grave stare, the smile on Zhao Feng's face gradually faded. He could tell Wei Quan meant every word.
"Mr. Wei."
"Did something happen with your family?" Zhao Feng couldn't help but ask.
"Me, haha."
"I watched my sister get abducted by the county's local nobles, raped, and now she's gone mad." Hate flashed in Wei Quan's eyes.
"Brother, didn't you report it?"
"Rape is supposed to be punished with castration!" Zhao Feng looked utterly shocked.
"Report?"
Wei Quan's eyes showed ridicule: "Everyone knows that Qin Law is severe, but what they don't know is Qin Law is held by those nobles' hands. If you're just a commoner, then yes, it's strict. If you're of the elite, what does severe Qin Law even matter?"
"Perhaps for the Great King, Qin Law is for ruling the world. But my family's in the Shu Region, far from the capital, the power of the king doesn't reach that far."
"My father and I went to report it, ended up getting hurt by that noble's son. My father was beaten to death, I was nearly killed too."
"And he's still free, no one can restrain him."
"Officials?"
"Qin Law?"
"Maybe in Xianyang and around the capital, Qin Law is an absolute order, nobody dares to defy it. But the farther away you are, Qin Law becomes useless."
"Punishments don't touch the nobility!"
"Qin Law targets the common folk."
"Mr. Zhao, don't be so naive."
Upon hearing this—
Zhao Feng fell silent.
He'd been reborn in this world for more than fifteen years now.
But as for understanding this world, Zhao Feng only knew his own hometown, only the army camp; when it came to home, villagers took care of each other, or maybe this era never exposed Zhao Feng to the things Wei Quan spoke of.
He thought again about how famously strict Qin Law was—and how later generations even called the Qin Army the "Violent Qin."
But now, Wei Quan's words had shaken Zhao Feng.
"Qin Law targets the common folk."
"Punishments don't touch the nobility."
Zhao Feng murmured, as if these truths had finally brought him face to face with the real world, the real era.
"Enough."
"Mr. Zhao, don't overthink it. I'm just telling you: don't see this world as too simple, don't see it too kindly."
"Nearly met the King Yan today, I'll head to sleep. You should rest too."
"Tomorrow we're off to Yang City." Wei Quan smiled faintly, patted Zhao Feng's shoulder, then turned and walked toward his own tent.
Zhao Feng sat by the small campfire.
Wei Quan's words echoed in his mind.
"Maybe I've just been too naive."
"But after two years, the attributes I've gathered are enough for me to protect mother and sister. Anyone who dares to harm them, I'll wipe out their entire clan."
"For now, being in Logistics Army isn't bad."
"In the end."
"Qin really is strong right now; Qin will unify the world, the King of Qin will become Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor in history—but who could expect such a powerful Qin to die in its second generation?"
"I'm just an ordinary person. Maybe I've got a rebirth cheat, but even now my strength isn't enough to change the world. I still need to grow stronger to own the future."
"Titles and rank, fame... dreams are dreams, but still, best to move one step at a time. Staying alive matters most."
After sinking into thought for a long time, Zhao Feng silently reflected in his heart.
Wei Quan's words had stirred Zhao Feng deeply.
"Open First Tier Treasure Box." Zhao Feng gave the command.
"Opening First Tier Treasure Box; acquired First Tier Spirit Fruit 'Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom'." the panel prompted.
"Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom, one pill? It keeps the heart pulse from dying, puts you in a deep sleep, but without the next two pills it's useless."
"What a waste of a Treasure Box."
Seeing the Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom, Zhao Feng felt disappointed.
"Open attribute panel."
The contents appeared before him.
Host: Zhao Feng
Age: 15 years
Strength: 336 (Higher strength, stronger bursts of power.)
Speed: 216 (Higher number, faster speed.)
Constitution: 218 (Higher constitution, quicker recovery, ceaseless stamina.)
Spirit: 211 (Greater spirit, clearer mind, sharper thoughts. As it increases, can sense nature's spiritual energy.)
Lifespan: 86 years, plus 88 days
Portable Space: 2 cubic meters
Three days on the battlefield carrying corpses, Zhao Feng had transported hundreds by himself, boosting his attributes to what they are now.
"Tomorrow to Yang City—history records that place as Han's major stronghold against Qin. The casualties there must have topped tens of thousands, way higher than this border battle."
"Attributes, attributes..."
"Tomorrow, I'm coming."
Thinking about tomorrow's trip to Yang City, Zhao Feng felt anticipation rise.
The next day!
Early morning.
The Firescout Army is already cooking.
The brothers in the logistics camp naturally ate and got ready for transfer.
Wei Quan stood up front.
Ninety-some logistics soldiers formed up, none of them wearing battle armor, but all carrying swords at their waist.
In this era, battle armor was expensive; not every soldier had it. Even Qin, as strong as its national power was, didn't equip every troop with armor. Logistics soldiers get blades but not armor; only elite soldiers with titles have battle armor.
"Where is Zhao Feng?"
At that moment—
Zhao Feng's Army Marquis hurried over, still holding a bamboo slip.
"Here, here!"
Wei Quan immediately turned and shouted loudly.
All eyes in the Hundred Generals camp turned, seeing the scene, it was clear Zhao Feng was about to be rewarded.
The Army Marquis approached, flanked by two soldiers carrying boxes.
"Order from the Senior General."
"Logistics First Army Marquis Camp soldier Zhao Feng has slain Han's General Wanjiang Bao Qiu, and performed a great feat."
"By Qin's military merit system, promoted three ranks, now a Fortress Chief, rewarded one noble rank."
"Also gifted armor and sword."
The Army Marquis stood before nearly a hundred soldiers, holding the rewarding bamboo slip, and proclaimed loudly.
"Zhao Feng."
"Are you not going to thank them?"
Wei Quan immediately called out to Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng quickly stepped out, expression calm, bowed deeply: "Zhao Feng thanks for the favor."
The Army Marquis walked up to Zhao Feng, took a sword and battle armor from the soldiers behind, and handed them, together with the bamboo slip, to Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng received them respectfully with both hands.
The Army Marquis smiled slightly: "Zhao Feng, you're impressive. This time you really gave our logistics camp face before the Senior General. Han's General Wanjiang, and the son of Han Senior General, died at the hands of our logistics soldiers. That's a big deal."
"It was mere luck," Zhao Feng replied.
"Luck may be luck, but the deed's been done."
"I am Luo Chao, the Army Marquis. If you need anything, come find me." Army Marquis patted Zhao Feng's shoulder, then turned to the nearby logistics soldiers.
"Zhao Feng has achieved merit in killing a general, promoted and rewarded—this is Qin's military merit system."
"No matter who you are, so long as you slay the enemy and achieve merit, you'll be rewarded. I hope everyone can be like Zhao Feng and serve the nation."
...