War!
For ordinary soldiers, there is no right or wrong.
All this is merely war waged by kings and those in power to expand their territory.
Ambition!
Profit!
The power over the world!
These are what drive them.
But to common soldiers, partings of life and death, the brotherhood of Pao Ze, give rise to hatred—which perhaps is just what those in power make use of.
Looking at Bao Yuan's severed head.
The surrounding soldiers were all visibly shocked, their gazes toward Zhao Feng growing particularly reverent.
They saw the Army Marquis who had been kneeling slowly stand up and approach Zhao Feng.
"Army Marquis Lu Hao of the Fifth Logistics Army thanks Brother Zhao on behalf of all the fallen logistics soldiers for this great deed." The Army Marquis spoke loudly, incomparably solemn.
"I must trouble Marquis Lu to offer up this head."
"Present this head as my Logistics Army's battle achievement, report the valor of our logistics soldiers. Though we Logistics Army were shattered, we did not disgrace the reputation of a Qin soldier." Zhao Feng handed Bao Yuan's head toward Lu Hao.
This head.
Might be the military merit Zhao Feng earned.
Yet it can also be counted as the Logistics Army's merit.
With this head, the fame of the Logistics Army will spread far and wide.
Let all know that, though the Logistics Army was routed in Yang City by a surprise attack, they endured—and even confronted Han's elite under the Han Senior General head-on without defeat, and further slew Bao Yuan.
Lu Hao received Bao Yuan's head with both hands, utmost reverence.
"Brother Zhao, rest assured."
"I will surely present this head as due."
"As for the merit that belongs to you, all our brothers have witnessed it firsthand and will report it truthfully." Lu Hao's face was solemn.
Meanwhile!
At the encampment.
"Army Marquis Commander."
"People from the Logistics Military Medical Camp have arrived and are already treating the wounded."
"Besides that."
"General Li has also personally arrived." An Army Marquis reported to Wang Yan.
"This matter is truly dire."
"Although this surprise attack by Han's forces was utterly annihilated, our Qin took no small loss." Wang Yan said, brows deeply knitted.
"Army Marquis Commander."
"The situation here has already been reported to the Senior General."
"If nothing unexpected happens, this time General Li will surely face severe punishment." The Army Marquis at the side said worriedly.
Hearing this—
Wang Yan too stayed silent.
This time, Yang City was assaulted, and from within as well; though Bao Yuan's hidden Han tactic played a part, ultimately it was Li Teng's greed and recklessness that was to blame. Had he left behind more elite troops, things would never have come to this.
There would not have been over ten thousand soldiers falling to Han's blades.
"At least this Han force is wiped out, and Bao Yuan is dead."
"Qin loses a great enemy."
"Has the battlefield tally come in?" Wang Yan asked.
"This is the preliminary battle report. As for the enemy killed, our own losses are still being tallied."
The Army Marquis at the side produced a bamboo slip, presenting it respectfully to Wang Yan.
Wang Yan took it and read.
"Bao Yuan truly worthy of being Han's Senior General—adept at hiding soldiers. All eight thousand Han troops concealed themselves within Yang City. Our Qin took a heavy blow because of it." Wang Yan spoke.
"By the way, Army Marquis Commander."
"There is also an additional, rather unbelievable report."
After Wang Yan finished the first, the Army Marquis produced another report.
"Unbelievable?" Wang Yan looked surprised.
"A captain in the Logistics Army killed nearly three hundred enemies." The Army Marquis spoke gravely.
"One man slew three hundred?"
"Can this report be correct? With the chaos of this battle, how was it tallied so precisely?" Wang Yan frowned, questioning immediately.
"Army Marquis Commander."
"The report contains no errors."
"Because all those killed by this captain had one thing in common: all were beheaded."
"After half a day of counting, there are two hundred and eighty-five headless Han soldiers, each beheaded by a single sword strike. After the tally, I personally questioned the surviving logistics soldiers—they all witnessed the captain's ferocity firsthand." The Army Marquis confirmed firmly.
"Such a formidable warrior was in the Logistics Army?"
"Nearly three hundred enemies slain."
"Under heaven, I doubt anyone has ever done such a thing." Wang Yan was equally astonished.
"This report is truly astonishing." The Army Marquis said respectfully.
"Report it truthfully."
Wang Yan ordered, then looked at the Army Marquis. "Has the soldier who slew Bao Yuan been found?"
At the moment the question was asked,
Wang Yan's heart was full of anticipation.
The battlefield had been chaotic, and the numbers vast—
Wang Yan had not had the chance to thank her savior. Now the fighting was over, she of course sent people to look for him straight away.
Hearing this,
The Army Marquis at the side showed a peculiar smile.
Then he clapped his hands.
A soldier came forward carrying a wooden box.
"Army Marquis Commander."
"This is Bao Yuan's head."
"As for the one who slew him—that indomitable soldier who killed nearly three hundred men. His name is Zhao Feng."
"We managed to resolve the Han force so quickly only because the logistics soldiers fought to the death, holding off Han's men. The first to break through was this captain, Zhao Feng."
"For this battle's merit, Zhao Feng stands above all others." The Army Marquis reported respectfully.
"Zhao Feng, captain in the Logistics Army?" Wang Yan murmured, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Army Marquis Commander."
"Should all these details be reported truthfully?" the Army Marquis asked.
"Report it all as it is." Wang Yan nodded.
"Understood." The Army Marquis acknowledged obediently, preparing to withdraw.
"Wait." Wang Yan called him back.
"What is it, Army Marquis Commander?" He turned to ask.
"Where is this Zhao Feng now?"
"Speaking of which,"
"He saved my life, so I ought to thank him." Wang Yan said.
"Every surviving logistics soldier is wounded and presently in the Wounded Soldier Camp." The Army Marquis replied.
"Very well."
Wang Yan nodded slightly.
Within the Wounded Soldier Camp!
"Brother, your body is truly remarkable. Five arrow wounds, yet not one struck bone or sinew—your flesh turned all aside."
"Rest for half a month or more and you'll recover."
A military doctor was bandaging Zhao Feng's wounds from behind, marveling as he worked.
"Much obliged, military doctor."
As the bandage was finished, Zhao Feng thanked him.
"No need."
"As military doctors, it is our duty."
"Alright, I'll treat the other men now." The military doctor smiled.
A glance around—
The Wounded Soldier Camp echoed with the sounds of moaning.
Perhaps before entering the camp, the wounds of many soldiers were already numb; but as the arrows were drawn and the healing began, the agony was intolerable.
Listening to the groans and screams, one felt a deep chill in the heart.
"I wonder how many will live through this."
Looking at the hundreds, even thousands in the camp, many gravely wounded, Zhao Feng also sighed inwardly.
…