At this moment
Zhao Feng had already gained widespread recognition for his martial virtue and prestige, which had spread across the land.
However, in the realm of governance and state affairs, he had yet to make a truly remarkable impression.
Yet
Ghost Valley Master was a peerless talent in strategy and statecraft.
For him to personally invite Zhao Feng to Ghost Valley for a discussion was not an opportunity granted merely due to his martial prowess.
This alone was enough to elevate Zhao Feng's reputation even further.
"Reporting to Your Majesty."
"This is indeed true."
"When Wu'an Jun returned home, my master personally invited him to Ghost Valley for a meeting."
"As of now, Wu'an Jun has likely already met with my master in Ghost Valley," Wei Liao promptly reported.
With this confirmation from Wei Liao, the expressions of the court officials varied greatly.
"Ghost Valley Master he is the most renowned sage in the land, and he has invited Zhao Feng to Ghost Valley? What an extraordinary honor!"
"Incredible."
"It is said that even His Majesty once sought an audience with Ghost Valley Master but was refused. Yet now, Wu'an Jun has been granted this opportunity."
"If Wu'an Jun can receive instruction from Ghost Valley Master, he will undoubtedly gain immense knowledge."
"Once this news spreads, Wu'an Jun's reputation will grow even greater."
"I wonder what His Majesty is thinking. A minister's fame has reached such heights does His Majesty not feel the slightest concern?"
"He commands immense military power and now possesses a reputation that resounds across the land. For a ruler, this is not necessarily a good thing. Yet His Majesty continues to indulge him, even strengthening his position."
"At this rate, once Wu'an Jun conquers Chu, he will surely be promoted to State Commander."
"If he becomes State Commander, he will oversee all military affairs of Great Qin, and no one in court will be able to challenge his authority. He will be the undisputed foremost power in the empire."
...
The court officials harbored various thoughts.
"In the past, I sought an audience with your master, but he refused me outright. Yet now, he has personally invited Zhao Feng to Ghost Valley."
"This truly makes me envious," Ying Zheng remarked with some emotion.
"My master's temperament is unfathomable. Even I was quite surprised when he suddenly sent me to invite Wu'an Jun to Ghost Valley," Wei Liao responded with a chuckle.
"Hahaha."
"I hope that one day, the esteemed Ghost Valley Master will set foot in my capital of Xianyang," Ying Zheng laughed.
"I believe that day will come," Wei Liao quickly flattered.
Why was this flattery?
Because even as Ghost Valley Master's disciple, Wei Liao had never been able to predict his master's whims.
Ghost Valley Master acted entirely according to his desires, unbound by convention.
To make him come to Xianyang? That was almost impossible.
The court discussions continued.
The invitation from Ghost Valley Master was just one part of it.
The main focus of this meeting remained the conquest of Chu.
Once the court assembly concluded, Ying Zheng returned to Zhangtai Palace.
Just as he reached the palace entrance
"Grandfather!"
"We're back!"
Zhao Qi's voice rang out.
Upon hearing this, a look of joy appeared on Ying Zheng's face, and he immediately turned his head.
Before his eyes were Zhao Qi and his sister.
Behind them stood Han Chenyan, unarmed.
As a personal guard, and not a member of the imperial palace guards, he naturally could not carry weapons inside the palace.
Clearly
He had escorted them here.
"You two finally decided to come back," Ying Zheng said with a smile as he looked at his grandchildren.
"The moment we returned, we came straight to see you, Grandfather," Zhao Qi said as he ran up to him, eager to please.
"Well, at least I didn't dote on you two for nothing."
"You still remember your grandfather." Ying Zheng crouched down and patted both of them affectionately.
Then
Ying Zheng turned to Zhao Gao and said, "Prepare a meal. Dismiss everyone else."
"As you command," Zhao Gao responded respectfully.
He then led the servants away from the front of Zhangtai Palace.
"Tell me, what have you two been up to lately?" Ying Zheng asked, holding one of their hands in each of his own as he strolled with them through the courtyard outside the palace.
"We were at Shachiu with Grandmother," Zhao Qi tilted his head and replied.
"Brother, what about our martial training? Why didn't you mention that?" Zhao Ling asked in confusion.
But as soon as she spoke, Zhao Qi immediately lunged forward and covered her mouth.
"Father said"
"We mustn't talk about it."
"No one can know," Zhao Qi said with a serious expression.
Hearing this
Zhao Ling's little face also turned solemn, and she nodded at once.
Then she turned to Ying Zheng and said, "We didn't do anything special."
But to Ying Zheng
These two little ones were acting too suspiciously. Their expressions and behavior practically screamed that they were hiding something.
"Your father is quite ruthless, huh? He made you two train in martial arts?"
Ying Zheng chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.
"Grandfather, our martial training is different from others," Zhao Ling pouted proudly.
Ying Zheng didn't think much of it and simply smiled. "Alright, alright, your training is different."
"Grandfather, you really shouldn't dismiss it so easily."
Seeing Ying Zheng's teasing expression, Zhao Qi got a little worked up.
He glanced around and walked straight toward a nearby rockery.
Then, he reached out his small hands and started feeling around the rockery.
"Qi'er, what are you doing?" Ying Zheng asked, puzzled.
"Brother is going to lift it!" Zhao Ling said cheerfully.
"Lift it?"
Hearing this, Ying Zheng shook his head helplessly. "Qi'er, this rock weighs several dozen stone. You won't be able to move it. Come here quickly, don't hurt yourself."
But before he could finish speaking, Ying Zheng's eyes widened in shock.
He watched as his grandson, Zhao Qi, somehow mustered an incredible strength and lifted the massive rockery easily weighing several hundred jin right off the ground.
"Grandfather, look!"
"Am I strong or what?" Zhao Qi beamed with pride as he held up the rockery, which was more than ten times his size.
Ying Zheng was utterly stunned.
"Brother, you're amazing!" Zhao Ling clapped excitedly, overjoyed.
"Alright, put it down, put it down!"
Ying Zheng snapped out of his daze and quickly waved his hands.
"Okay!"
Zhao Qi immediately let go of the rockery.
Boom!
The ground trembled as the rock hit the ground, proving that it was indeed as heavy as it looked.
Zhao Qi then walked up to Ying Zheng, his little face full of pride.
"Qi'er, how did you do that?"
Ying Zheng asked in astonishment.
"Grandfather!"
"This is the martial training we've been doing!"
Zhao Qi said confidently.
"What kind of training could allow you to achieve this?"
"You're only eight years old how do you have such strength?" Ying Zheng asked, his curiosity piqued.
"This is what Father taught us," Zhao Ling answered obediently.
Ying Zheng's face showed deep surprise, and his curiosity only grew stronger.
"Can you tell Grandfather how you train?" he asked.
"Father said this is a family secret," Zhao Qi answered honestly.
"No one outside the family can know."
"Not even Grandfather?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
Zhao Qi and Zhao Ling both shook their heads.
At this, Ying Zheng turned his gaze back to the rockery.
"That rascal Zhao Feng is hiding a lot of things!"
"An eight-year-old child lifting a rockery weighing several dozen stone? How is this even possible?"
"No matter how much one trains, it shouldn't be possible to gain such strength at this age!"
"The sooner the world is unified, the better."
"I'm dying to uncover all the secrets that brat is hiding!"
At this moment, Ying Zheng's mind was filled with curiosity about how Zhao Feng had trained his children. More than ever, he felt an urgent desire to reunite with his son.
Zhao Feng was hiding too many secrets.
Time passed in a flash!
Three more months went by.
Under Zhao Feng's command
Every battle was a victory.
Every siege was successful.
Although the state of Chu had managed to temporarily unite against Qin's invasion, they were ultimately no match for the battle-hardened soldiers of Wu An's army.
In just three months, Zhao Feng had led his troops to capture dozens of cities in northern Chu.
A full quarter of Chu's territory had fallen into his hands.
"Your Excellency!"
"A report has just arrived!"
"A force of 300,000 Chu troops has gathered ahead at Qu City," a scout reported as he rode up to Zhao Feng's war chariot.
"The national strength of Chu truly matches that of Zhao in its prime," Zhao Feng remarked calmly.
"We've been fighting for over three months, killed more than 80,000 Chu soldiers, and captured another 100,000. Yet, they're still able to assemble an army of 300,000."
"After all, Chu's population is no smaller than Qin's," Zhang Han said with a smile.
"A single royal decree is enough to muster more troops."
"They've chosen to defend the city?"
"That means they're planning to fight us to the bitter end."
"In that case"
"Let them have their wish!"
"Transmit my orders!"
"Summon Tu Sui and Li You!"
"Gather our infantry at once."
"This army of 300,000 Chu soldiers I'm going to wipe them out completely!"
"If we destroy this force, there will be no army left to stop the Qin army from marching straight to the Chu capital!" Zhao Feng declared coldly.
"Yes, my lord!" Zhang Ming immediately took his leave to relay the orders.
Just then
"Report!"
"Urgent military news!"
Before Zhang Ming could leave, another scout galloped up.
"Speak!"
Zhao Feng's sharp gaze fell upon the soldier.
"The latest reconnaissance report"
"The Chu army has opened their city gates! Their 300,000 troops are now stationed outside, seemingly preparing for a confrontation with our forces!"
Hearing these words, Zhao Feng's expression showed a hint of surprise.
Beside him, Zhang Han and Zhang Ming were equally astonished.
"Your Excellency,"
"Could the Chu army be planning a head-on confrontation with our forces?"
"Is the commanding general of Chu insane? Why would he abandon a perfectly defensible city to lead his troops outside?" Zhang Han asked in confusion.
"Who is the general commanding the Chu forces in this city?" Zhao Feng inquired.
"Your Excellency, it seems to be a newly appointed general by the name of Qu Zhang," Zhang Han replied.
"He has no notable reputation."
"Apart from Xiang Yan, Chu doesn't seem to have any other capable generals," Zhao Feng sneered.
"They're running out of options, so they just picked someone to fill the position."
"Sending an obscure, unknown general to face Your Excellency, and abandoning the advantage of city defenses to engage in open battle"
"This Chu general is truly laughable. Foolish."
"But this is great news for our Qin army," Zhang Ming added mockingly.
"Since the Chu army has chosen their stance,"
"Let's grant them their wish."
"This location is still ten miles from Qu City. Send word to Tu Sui and Li You assemble and rendezvous with me immediately."
"Tomorrow, we will fight the decisive battle against the Chu army," Zhao Feng ordered in a deep voice.
"Understood, Your Excellency!"
Zhang Ming responded promptly.
The army continued its march forward.
Aside from the main force, thousands of scouts spread out, carefully watching for any enemy ambushes.
Meanwhile, in Qu City
"General!"
"Abandoning our city defenses to fight the Qin army in open battle"
"This is not a wise strategy!"
Several Chu officers looked at their commander, Qu Zhang, with deep concern.
"Please reconsider, General! Withdraw the army back into the city and defend!"
"Please, General, reconsider your order!"
The Chu officers all wore grim expressions.
Though they weren't particularly skilled commanders themselves, they understood that under the current circumstances, open battle with the Qin army was tantamount to suicide.
Their force might number 300,000, but at least 100,000 of them were recruits.
Even the veteran soldiers were no match for the Qin army Wu An's elite troops had fought across the lands, slaughtering countless enemies.
Their experience and discipline far surpassed that of Chu's soldiers.
Abandoning the advantage of the city walls would be a death sentence.
"Enough."
Qu Zhang swept his gaze across them and said coldly, "The northern cities have already fallen into Qin's hands what good is defending this city?"
"This time,"
"Since I am in command, I will engage the Qin army in open battle and let them witness the might of our Chu warriors!"
"A surprise attack!"
Hearing this, the Chu officers' faces darkened even further.
If he weren't their commanding general, they might have been tempted to strike him down right then and there.
Because this plan was utterly foolish.
"But, General" one officer tried to argue.
However, Qu Zhang's sharp glare immediately silenced him.
"My mind is made up. No one is to object."
"This battle"
"I will utterly destroy the Qin army!"
"Even if their cavalry is formidable, our Chu archers, slingers, and shield formations will ensure they never return!" Qu Zhang declared with unwavering confidence.
At that moment, the Chu officers finally understood the true meaning of "armchair strategist."
And standing before them was the perfect example of one.
He had no grasp of real warfare.
No understanding of battlefield tactics.
"With a commander like this, Chu is doomed."
A deep sense of despair settled over the Chu officers.
But Qu Zhang himself was filled with confidence.
"Zhao Feng?"
"His reputation is indeed impressive, but I, Qu Zhang, have been trained by esteemed teachers since childhood! I have long achieved the level of a true military commander!"
"A mere Zhao Feng what is there to fear?"
"This battle"
"As long as I defeat Zhao Feng, I, Qu Zhang, will become a legendary general, known throughout the land!"
Qu Zhang thought to himself, brimming with ambition.
"Pass down my orders!"
"Ensure the troops have a full meal tomorrow, when the Qin army arrives, our warriors of Chu will fight to the death and defend our great state!" he bellowed.
Time flew by.
A day passed in the blink of an eye.
The next day!
Outside Qu City.
300,000 Chu troops stood in formation, banners waving in the wind.
A hundred paces away
The Qin army, clad in black armor, stood in strict formation.
Infantry at the front, cavalry split into two wings at the rear.
Clearly
Even as they gathered, the Qin forces had already arranged themselves into an attack formation.
Once the infantry advanced, the cavalry would swing in like a pair of blades, cutting into the enemy flanks and leaving them no chance to resist.
At the center of the Qin army
Zhao Feng, clad in full battle armor, stood astride his warhorse, gripping his mighty Overlord Spear.
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