"Prime Minister Wang!"
"If these brave soldiers who died in battle are neglected due to the expense of the state treasury, it will chill the hearts of the entire army." Yu Liao turned his head and addressed Wang Wan.
"Such is the system of titles, and such is the system of logistics and regular troops."
"If everything can be changed, how can we uphold discipline and regulation in the future?" Wang Wan said without any alteration.
Yu Liao smiled faintly: "Regulations and discipline should indeed come first, but the logistics troops are also soldiers. Their original duty was to handle logistics, yet they entered the battlefield; they died for the state. The compensation for fallen elite soldiers should include them as well. The strength of Qin, the might of its army, the morale of its soldiers."
The words landed.
"It may be permissible in terms of human sentiment, but it is not allowed by the laws of the state."
"Commander Yu, you are in charge of military rewards and punishments; you ought to be clear on this, and know that Qin's mobilization drains enormous national power." Wang Wan remained unyielding.
But at this moment!
Ying Zheng spoke: "Enough!"
"Great King!"
Wang Wan and Yu Liao both bowed deeply.
"The regulations and laws of the state must not be greatly violated, but the soldiers who die for the state must not be neglected. Give half the compensation of elite soldiers to these loyal men."
"Let this be my answer to them." Ying Zheng spoke slowly.
It seemed casual, but it was already decided.
"Great King, you are wise." Yu Liao immediately bowed, his face filled with joy.
Yet Wang Wan fell into silence.
"Chancellor, did you hear clearly?" Ying Zheng furrowed his brow, looking at Wang Wan.
Faced with Ying Zheng's authority, Wang Wan could only bow in submission: "Your old servant understands."
"Very well."
"If you ministers have no more memorials, court is dismissed."
"Doctor Xia, come into Zhangtai Palace for a conversation." Ying Zheng stood up and waved his hand.
Afterwards.
Ying Zheng turned and left the hall of the King of Qin directly.
"Respectfully send off the Great King!"
All the ministers intoned in unison.
Once Ying Zheng had left,
"Commander Yu."
"You know not the cost of rice and firewood until you manage the household."
"Qin has been waging war against Han for three months now. Do you know how much grain and fodder thirty thousand troops consume each day?"
Wang Wan walked up to Yu Liao, snorted coldly, deeply disgruntled.
"Though I do not manage the household, I know Qin's national power."
"The conquest of Han will indeed cost some national strength, but it is far from the tremendous loss the chancellor claims."
"All these years, have the supplies and provisions accumulated by the previous chancellor all been used up by the current chancellor?"
"Or is the current one not as capable as the previous?" Yu Liao snorted derisively, swept his sleeve, and turned to leave directly.
Stung by Yu Liao's sarcasm, Wang Wan's face turned ashen, but he forced himself to endure.
Perhaps.
This is the collision beneath the seemingly peaceful and united Great Qin Dynasty Court between the old nobility and the new nobility.
Since the King of Qin began ruling personally, the state has undergone tremendous change.
Originally, the court was dominated by the clan and the old nobility of Qin, but Ying Zheng adhered to the principle of using talent regardless of background, seeking the worthy from all over the world, employing many from foreign lands and guests.
Now, the Great Qin Dynasty Court has split into two factions.
Old nobility and new nobles, entangled in interest and power struggles, mutually hostile.
As for Ying Zheng, he naturally saw it all but did not intervene. The way of kingship is to maneuver the ministers thus.
Bedchamber of successive kings of Qin.
Zhangtai Palace!
"Doctor Xia is here."
Outside the hall, Zhao Gao called aloud.
Xia Wuqie strode into the palace.
As Xia Wuqie entered,
Waiting inside, Ying Zheng waved his hand.
Zhao Gao promptly bowed, nodded, and slowly closed the palace doors.
"Father-in-law."
Ying Zheng called out warmly.
"Great King."
Xia Wuqie bowed in return.
"The last time I saw you was a month ago. Do you truly dislike seeing me so much, Father-in-law?" Ying Zheng said with a hint of helplessness.
"Great King overthinks."
"You know your old servant's nature; I have never liked the court, even less the royal palace."
"To devote myself to the study of medicine is all I desire," Xia Wuqie replied with a smile.
At these words!
Ying Zheng only smiled slightly, with a note of melancholy: "If it is possible, Father-in-law, come to the palace more often. In these years, there is no one by my side worthy of hearing my true thoughts."
"Very well!"
Xia Wuqie said no more, simply nodded.
Seeing this,
The smile on Ying Zheng's face grew deeper.
"How many people know of the new medical techniques in the Military Medical Camp?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Zhao Feng handed the suture technique and the sterilization method to Master Chen. Then my disciple taught them to many military doctors," Xia Wuqie replied.
"Such medical arts have reduced casualties in my army so greatly."
"Truly unprecedented," Ying Zheng sighed.
"If it were not so, your old servant would never have petitioned the Great King for merits."
"Moreover, did the young man demand anything when he shared these medical arts?"
"My disciple said only one thing about him: a healer's benevolence." Xia Wuqie said with a smile.
"Father-in-law, you've considered taking him as your disciple, haven't you?" Ying Zheng laughed, seeing through him at once.
"Indeed!"
"I once thought my own medical skills had reached their peak, but there are always others beyond oneself."
"Master Chen said this youth's skills are not especially profound, but his understanding of medicine is unique. With proper guidance, he will certainly become a great physician." Xia Wuqie said with surety.
Hearing this!
Ying Zheng was somewhat ashamed: "This youth is valiant beyond measure; Wang Jian even personally memorialized for him. His abilities are wasted as a military doctor, and it's rare for Father-in-law to make this request. Yet this time, I cannot grant it."
"The Great King overstates."
"Compared to a fierce general, training a great physician is indeed not much." Xia Wuqie replied with a smile.
"Father-in-law."
"I have now begun the journey to unify the land."
"The destruction of Han is but the first step."
"The second step is Zhao."
"Soon, I will let Father-in-law have his wish," Ying Zheng gazed at Xia Wuqie, with the intent of a promise.
...
Yang City, Prefect's Mansion!
"Reporting to General Li."
"Logistics Company Captain Zhao Feng has arrived." Wang Yan led Zhao Feng into the hall, clasped fists in salute.
"Greetings, General Li."
Zhao Feng immediately bowed deeply, hands clasped in salute.
If he had no title, as an ordinary logistics soldier, he would need to kneel to his superior.
But now Zhao Feng has a title; even when meeting the King of Qin, he need only bow.
At the words,
Li Teng raised his head, looked at Zhao Feng, scrutinized him for a moment, then smiled: "I did not expect you to be so young. Truly, heroes come from the youth."
"Historically, Qin Shi Huang appointed Neishi Teng as general for the destruction of Han. This one is called Li Teng—did he later become Neishi?"
Looking at Li Teng before him, Zhao Feng couldn't help but wonder inwardly.
To Zhao Feng, the man before him is a living historical figure.
He was also recorded in history.
Thinking carefully,
This is the first historically famous person Zhao Feng has truly met.
Bao Yuan?
Probably doesn't count.
After all, they only met once before Zhao Feng beheaded him.
"General Li flatters me," Zhao Feng replied, neither servile nor arrogant.
...