Two days later!
Yang City!
Wounded Soldier Camp.
Zhao Feng wore his military uniform, standing side by side with Master Chen, the chief military doctor of Lantian Camp. At this moment, Master Chen was stitching up a severely wounded soldier's wound with needle and thread.
Once the suturing was finished—
Zhao Feng immediately took up some medicine, applied it to the wounded soldier, and then wrapped a bandage around him.
"Saved one wounded soldier, gained 1 merit point," the panel prompted.
"Brother Chen, now that you've completely mastered the Suturing Skill, it's up to you to pass it down. That way, more of our Qin's wounded soldiers can survive," Zhao Feng said with a smile to Master Chen.
"Haha."
"That's all due to your teaching."
"And your talent truly is high. Your technique in treating the wounded grows ever more skillful," Master Chen replied, smiling.
Having fully mastered the Suturing Skill, Master Chen was genuinely delighted.
"So, Brother Chen, how's the matter of letting me join the Military Medical Camp going?"
At this moment—
Zhao Feng asked with a smile.
After killing Bao Yuan and so many soldiers from Han, having grown stronger—
After the battle,
Zhao Feng naturally understood he'd come under the watch of the upper ranks.
Just the feat of slaying so many enemy soldiers was already daunting enough, not to mention having killed a Shangjiangjun.
The merit from such feats was overwhelming.
Zhao Feng also thought, with such strength, he surely wouldn't be kept in the Logistics Army. So when he heard Master Chen wanted to bring him into the Wounded Soldier Camp, Zhao Feng was instantly excited.
The Wounded Soldier Camp meant accruing merit, and staying far from the battlefield—a cushy post indeed!
These past two days, Zhao Feng didn't stay in his original camp to recuperate. Instead, he accompanied Master Chen and the Military Medical Camp to Yang City, continuing to treat the wounded.
Now Zhao Feng's merit stood at 115 points. Compared to gaining attributes, earning merit from healing felt all the sweeter.
"No word has come back yet."
"But it's as good as done."
"I've never asked Wang Jian for anything, so I doubt he'll deny me," Master Chen said, smiling confidently.
Just then—
At the entrance to the Wounded Soldier Camp—
Wang Yan walked in slowly.
"Look, there's the news."
Upon seeing Wang Yan arrive, Master Chen instantly smiled.
"Let's hope I can stay in the Military Medical Camp," Zhao Feng hoped quietly.
Wang Yan walked over at a measured pace.
"Doctor Chen, here is a letter sent back from the Shangjiangjun's main camp," Wang Yan said, holding out a bamboo slip with both hands to Master Chen.
"Much obliged," Master Chen thanked her and took the letter to read.
But as he glanced over the slip's contents, the smile on Master Chen's face stalled.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing this expression, Zhao Feng felt a sense of dread.
"Wang Jian refused to let you into my Military Medical Camp. He says you have a greater role to play and has already memorialized the Great King to assign you to the main army camp," Master Chen said, his face unhappy.
Zhao Feng's expression, however, remained calm—he had already anticipated this.
Wang Jian had memorialized the King of Qin to have him transferred to the main army camp?
Caught the eye of Emperor Qin Shi Huang?
If the King truly issued an edict, then even if he wanted to leave, he couldn't.
"That Wang Jian."
"He was the one begging me back in Lantian to head the Military Medical Camp, and now, when I finally ask him a favor, he refuses."
"No way."
"I'll have to seek him out myself," Master Chen said irritably.
"Doctor Chen."
"Perhaps you still don't understand Zhao Feng's value," Wang Yan interjected, with a bit of a smile.
"He serves in the Logistics Army; aside from his medical skills, is there something else?" Master Chen frowned.
He cared only for medicine, for healing.
He did not know what merits Zhao Feng had achieved in this battle.
"If it hadn't been for Zhao Feng's daring, leading the Logistics Army in a counterattack, our army would have been grievously wounded and our supply route destroyed by the enemy. Also, Bao Yuan was slain by Zhao Feng's hand."
"Do you think a commander as brave as he is would be made a military doctor?" Wang Yan asked, smiling.
Hearing this,
Master Chen turned a peculiar expression toward Zhao Feng: "Is that true?"
"It's true," Zhao Feng nodded, then, sincerely, added, "But I really want to stay in the Military Medical Camp!"
"Go to hell."
"If I'd known you were so fierce, I wouldn't have dared make the request!"
"Do you know how highly the Great King values brave war generals these days?"
"If the King learned you were this bold, and Wang Jian assigned you to the Military Medical Camp, Wang Jian would definitely be reprimanded," Master Chen chided without much patience.
"If I'm transferred to the main camp, can I still retire in two years?" Zhao Feng asked, somewhat unwillingly.
"For an ordinary elite soldier, the term is five years. At minimum, the title is Rank One Marquis."
"If you're wounded and disabled, you may retire and will be posted to a position in your place of origin."
"If you're a War General of Army Marquis rank or higher, the elderly may retire and will receive a court appointment," Wang Yan answered slowly.
Hearing this—
Zhao Feng's face showed a trace of disappointment.
"Mr. Zhao,"
"I just don't understand,"
"For a soldier of the Logistics Army, being transferred to the main army is a great honor, and your annual salary would increase,"
"What's more, you have rendered such distinguished service. Under Qin's merit system, you could be promoted several ranks, with a great jump in title. If you were promoted within the Logistics Army, your rank would be much lower than in the main force. If you are transferred to the main army, the gains are real," Master Chen said, a bit puzzled.
"After my mother gave birth to me and my younger sister, her health failed and she's been weak and sickly. I wish to go home early to care for her,"
"And I wish to make it home alive," Zhao Feng sighed honestly.
Upon hearing this, Master Chen's face showed a look of admiration: "Good man, truly filial and loyal."
"However,"
"You want to care for your mother, but—"
"Can you really serve her better than a maid?" Master Chen asked with a teasing smile.
"Brother Chen, what do you mean by that?" Zhao Feng was confused.
"Are you pretending not to understand? Or are you truly clueless?"
"If you gain power and authority, why would you ever lack people to look after your mother?"
"With the merits you've earned this time, the King will surely reward you greatly,"
"And not just for killing enemies and generals; I've reported your immense contribution in offering the Suturing Skill and your medical achievements as well."
"With these, you'll not only be promoted in rank, gaining land according to your title. The Great King is always generous, and to meritorious subjects will grant heavy rewards. Being granted an attendant is one such reward. With so many attendants, do you still worry your mother won't be cared for?" Master Chen said, smiling.
Hearing all this,
Zhao Feng looked somewhat surprised.
"Mr. Zhao,"
"Let me tell you a truth today."
"A man lives but one life—he should strive for merit and fame."
"It's not only for yourself, but for your family and your descendants."
"Once you have power, you can have whatever you wish."
"And you—you have the potential to pursue just that," Master Chen said slowly.
...