"In this battle, our five hundred Yanting troops killed over six hundred Zhao soldiers. And not a single one of our Yanting Secret Agents fell; they all withdrew safely," Zhang Ming reported excitedly.
Upon hearing this, a smile spread across Zhao Feng's face. "It seems Yanting's training has paid off."
"Indeed. A complete retreat, with no casualties." Zhao Feng was naturally very satisfied with this result.
"After all, the Yanting Secret Agents have been cultivated with countless of the Lord's resources, tempered with Bone Tempering Powder, and bestowed with a Martial Arts Skill. If they had suffered too many losses in this surprise attack, it would have been a great disappointment to the Lord's expectations," Zhang Ming said with a smile.
"Are Li Mu and Sima Shang settled?" Zhao Feng inquired.
"They have been taken to the stronghold and are under guard. They will be dealt with whenever Your Lordship is available," Zhang Ming replied respectfully.
"Keep them well-fed and comfortable. After the conquest of Zhao, I will naturally go and see them," Zhao Feng said with a chuckle.
"This subordinate understands," Zhang Ming nodded.
Li Mu and Sima Shang. I originally only wanted Li Mu, so getting Sima Shang as well is an unexpected boon. After this ordeal, they should lose all hope in the Zhao state and become my men. In the future, during the End of Qin, how could my grand endeavor for conquest lack capable generals to serve me? The thought that Li Mu, who was originally fated to die at the hands of Guo Kai, will now become my man and potentially shine brightly during the End of Qin is quite amusing.
Knowing history, one must naturally leverage it.
To Zhao Feng, Li Mu was one of the four great generals of the Warring States period. His death at the hands of a treacherous official in the annals of history was a true pity. Thus, after learning of this historical event, Zhao Feng had dispatched men to the Dai Territory to keep watch. He gave them a standing order: the moment Li Mu received his transfer order and left Dai Territory, they were to trail him. Regardless of whether anyone else made a move against him, they were to capture Li Mu.
Of course, it would be for the best if someone did make a move against Li Mu. That would make him completely give up on the Zhao state, making it easier for Zhao Feng to win him over later on.
It's a pity Lian Po is old and so blindly loyal, otherwise, he too could have been recruited to my cause.
Zhao Feng still held a certain fixation on the four great generals of the Warring States period. Bai Qi was dead and gone. Lian Po was old. And Wang Jian was fiercely loyal to the Qin state; besides, by the time of the End of Qin, Wang Jian would have already died of old age. That left only Li Mu, who was currently in his prime. If he could survive, he could still shine brilliantly during the future End of Qin.
So, Zhao Feng set his sights on him.
As for whether Li Mu would pledge allegiance to me? I have my methods. If he still refuses in the end, then he will be killed. In any case, there will be no shortage of talent in the future era of the End of Qin, and I can win them over step by step. However, starting with the destruction of Han, my hands are already stained with the blood debt of nobles and royals from other states. I fear it won't be so easy to win over capable ministers in the future. Take Zhang Liang, for instance. I had his father executed. Unless the sun rises in the west, Zhang Liang will never serve me.
But Zhao Feng naturally wasn't concerned. He was already accumulating assets for the future. By the time that era arrived, his Yanting would have already become a behemoth.
The End of Qin!
Zhao Feng was filled with anticipation.
「At this moment!」
"Report!" a trusted aide called out as he approached, reporting respectfully. "Your Lordship, the Senior General has arrived. He has already set up camp and invites Your Lordship over to speak."
"The Senior General and his army have finally arrived," Zhang Ming said with a smile, his tone tinged with pride.
After all, Zhao Feng had arrived in Handan a full ten days ahead of them—a truly grand achievement