"The powerful military families may have ambitions for expanding territories, but as a woman, one should avoid the battlefield if possible. This is not the place to prove one's worth." Zhao Feng said this to Wang Yan, then turned and walked toward the wounded soldier camp.
This sentence made Wang Yan tremble all over.
She widened her eyes, staring fixedly at Zhao Feng's back.
It was only when Zhao Feng had left that Wang Yan snapped out of it, an unexpected expression appearing on her face.
After a long while—
"He actually saw that I am a woman, and he also seems to have guessed why I would enter the battlefield."
"As a woman, it's not my wish either."
"But if I do not go to battle, do not earn merit, do not change my fate—"
"Even though I am the daughter of the Great Qin General, even though my status is noble, in the end I still cannot escape the fate of being assigned in a political marriage."
"I do not wish to become a sacrifice for a political union; I want to control my own destiny." Wang Yan murmured to herself.
The greatest secret hidden in Wang Yan's heart was spoken aloud, though Zhao Feng did not hear it.
In families of power and privilege—
If one is a man, perhaps nobility is assured, but as a woman, one is destined to become a pawn in marriage alliances.
At this moment—!
In Wang Yan's heart, Zhao Feng had stirred a ripple. The debt of saving her life and the heart-to-heart exchange today gave her a feeling she had never experienced before.
...
Qin-Han border!
Wang Jian stood before the map, his brows tightly knit.
With the flap of the tent drawn aside—
Wang Ben rushed in, a faint smile still on his face.
"How is it?" Wang Jian asked directly.
"Father."
"The crisis has been resolved," Wang Ben said with relief.
"How was it resolved?"
"Did Li Teng redeploy his troops for support?"
"But that wouldn't make it in time," Wang Jian asked in a deep voice.
He had learned last night about the hidden Han army's raid in Yang City. Upon receiving the news, Wang Jian immediately halted the transport of provisions, and gathered the camp's troops to respond.
As Qin's renowned Senior General, and the one leading the first step to destroy Han, Wang Jian naturally possessed abilities far beyond those of Bao Yuan.
It could be said—
Even if Bao Yuan led his army to break through the Yang City area, cutting off the Qin Army's supply line was impossible; Wang Jian would never sit idly by.
"Father."
"The battle's outcome is almost unbelievable,"
"I do not know much myself,"
"Let me first ask you to look at the military report Yan'er submitted," Wang Ben said, handing a bamboo slip directly to Wang Jian.
Wang Jian took the report and read it.
His expression immediately became animated.
After reading the cause and effect, Wang Jian showed a smile: "So, these eight thousand Han soldiers have now been wiped out. The reason they did not break through the Yang City perimeter to strike at our supply line is because our Logistics Army stalled them, giving Yan'er the opportunity to lead troops and destroy the Han forces."
"Exactly right."
"This Logistics Army has made a great contribution."
"But only six hundred of the ten thousand Logistics Army survived in the end," Wang Ben said with some sigh.
"Treat these Logistics troops generously."
"They proved with fearless blood and courage that, besides our main elite soldiers, the Logistics Army too can be fierce and brave."
"I will report to the Great King. All fallen Logistics Army soldiers' benefits will be increased by another thirty percent over the original. This is what they deserve for their valor and resistance," Wang Jian said gravely.
"Father, wise indeed," Wang Ben answered immediately.
Wang Jian nodded, then continued studying the battle report.
But after seeing the story of the Logistics Army holding off the Han troops, and reading further, Wang Jian's expression grew even stranger.
He suddenly stood up, closing the bamboo slip, but then disbelieving, reopened it, his face showing shock and surprise.
"Father."
"What is it?" Wang Ben asked, puzzled.
Wang Ben himself had not read the report, only knowing of the surprise attack and rout of the Han forces.
"One person killed nearly three hundred Han soldiers."
"And personally slew Bao Yuan amid the chaos," Wang Jian said slowly, face full of astonishment.
"What?"
"One person killed three hundred Han soldiers, and even killed Bao Yuan?" Wang Ben's expression changed, equally shocked.
"See for yourself," Wang Jian handed the report to Wang Ben.
Wang Ben took it with both hands and read carefully.
His expression grew extremely complex.
"Such fighting power—can he even be called human?"
"And...he is in the Logistics Army."
"This strength would be unmatched even among the main elite soldiers," Wang Ben said with emotion.
"And this name, doesn't it sound familiar to you?" Wang Jian smiled.
"Zhao Feng!"
Wang Ben immediately read out the name.
"The other day, when Bao Yuan's son Bao Qiu feigned death at the border, it was this man who killed him."
"He alone killed the Bao Yuan father and son—quite an extraordinary fate," Wang Jian said with a few smiles.
"Father."
"Why would someone so brave be in the Logistics Army?"
"Is it really possible for such a warrior to exist?" Wang Ben still focused on this.
As the current Senior General, Wang Jian was high-ranking and composed.
"The world is vast; men of talent and odd abilities are not scarce."
"Being assigned to the Logistics Army was likely due to poor performance as a recruit, so wasn't placed among the elite soldiers. Or perhaps he hid his abilities, or his own strength was insufficient. This, too, is a personal choice," Wang Jian spoke slowly.
"Father."
"This time, our army turned peril into safety and avoided the Han's ambush all due to his outstanding merit. If not for his fierce charge, no Logistics troops would have dared to face the Han soldiers."
"Furthermore, he killed nearly three hundred and even Bao Yuan."
"The merit is tremendous," Wang Ben said admiringly.
"According to Qin military regulations, how many ranks should he be promoted?" Wang Jian asked.
"Father, in reply."
"For killing so many enemies, he can be promoted two ranks."
"For killing Han Senior General Bao Yuan, he can be promoted three more ranks."
"If a noble title is granted, the official rank is reduced," Wang Ben responded truthfully.
Within the Great Qin Court—
Killing enemies and earning merit brings rank and title.
But official position is one side—
Noble rank is the other.
Office implies power, command over soldiers.
Noble rank means annual salary—the higher the rank, the more salary, the more land owned.
"Slaying Bao Yuan must be reported to the Great King; he too should be rewarded by the Great King."
"When Bao Yuan's head arrives, I will personally write a memorial to the Great King," Wang Jian said gravely.
"Such a brave man should not be kept in Logistics Army. I propose he be transferred to the main battle camp, to serve our nation by killing enemies," Wang Ben suggested directly.
To this proposal—
Wang Jian had no objection and agreed immediately.
Such talent, such courage—
How could he remain in the Logistics Army?
...