"Yes."
"Those Zhao people are all very hostile toward us."
"This can't go on," Zhang Han said in a deep voice.
"We military commanders are responsible for expanding territory and annihilating enemy forces. Governance has nothing to do with us, so you needn't dwell on it," Zhao Feng said to Zhang Han. "Now that the Zhao state has fallen, I'm sure the Imperial Court will soon send Civil Servants to take over its administration."
To eat the ruler's grain is to bear the ruler's worries.
Zhao Feng was not a Civil Servant, nor were the commanders under him, so he had no intention of considering matters of governance.
In my view, there are too many flaws in Qin's current national policies and even in its laws. A strict legal system that uses the law to oppress people... Forget about the subjects of the conquered states—even the people of Qin feel this way. If it were up to me, the Qin Law would have to change. Then there's the military merit system. As long as there are wars and enemy states, it remains the foundation of Qin's strength. But if Shenzhou were unified and Huaxia consolidated, the military merit system would become a detriment. It will also need to be changed in the future. And then there's the matter of appointing and dismissing officials.
Why did Qin fall? Besides the misdeeds of Qin Er Shi, Hu Hai, there was another critical reason: a severe shortage of local officials after the unification. In this era, not everyone is literate; almost only the scholar-gentry have the opportunity to read and write. Qin's annihilation of the Six States killed countless officials and scholar-gentry from those states. Furthermore, many of the survivors hated Qin, which is one reason for the shortage of officials. Another reason is the very foundation of education itself.
Of course, none of this had anything to do with Zhao Feng for the time being.
Besides, I have my own plans for when the End of Qin arrives and I truly begin my own campaign for supremacy. With Yanting's help, I will slowly cultivate my own talent.
"The General is right." The other commanders nodded in agreement. They really had been worrying too much; matters of governance were indeed none of their concern. The territory of Zhao was still under military control, but once the ministers sent by the Imperial Court arrived, they could wash their hands of it completely.
"Of course," Zhao Feng said gravely, "although governance has nothing to do with us, we cannot allow any mistakes to occur before we hand over control. If anyone dares to defy military regulations and refuses to heed our counsel, execute them."
"Your subordinates understand," the commanders replied in unison.
"General," Tu Sui said excitedly, "the rumor everywhere is that you're going to be promoted to Senior General! It's coming from the Senior General's own camp, so it's almost certainly true."
Upon hearing this, excitement shone in the other commanders' eyes as well. Without a doubt, everyone present was fanatically loyal to Zhao Feng, each one a war general who had fought alongside him to the death. They would resent the promotion of any other commander, but they were wholeheartedly convinced of their own general's worthiness. Looking across Lantian Camp, or even the whole of Qin, which general's battle record could compare to their commander's?
"This matter isn't settled until the final moment," Zhao Feng said with a faint smile. "So for now, don't get ahead of yourselves."
"General," Tu Sui said with an unconcealed grin, "if you're promoted, doesn't that mean we'll have a chance to advance further?"
"You certainly don't hide your thoughts, do you?" Zhao Feng scolded with a laugh.
Tu Sui chuckled. Based on the military merits they had amassed in the campaign to annihilate Zhao, they certainly had earned a promotion. However, this was all contingent on their general advancing first, which would then open up positions of command for them.
"Alright, I'll tell you the truth," Zhao Feng said, seeing the eager anticipation in his subordinates' eyes. "Back in Handan, I had a private conversation with the Great King. He said that he would have a surprise for me after I return to Xianyang. What kind of surprise could that be? I'm sure you can all guess, right?"
At his words, joy spread across the faces of all the commanders. They clasped their fists and said in unison, "Congratulations, General!"
"I've already tallied your military merits," Zhao Feng said solemnly. "After this campaign, each of you here can be promoted by at least two noble ranks. As for promotions in official positions, a final decision will have to wait until my return to Xianyang."
"Hearing you say the Great King has a surprise, I'm no longer in a hurry," Tu Sui said with a smile.
"That's right," Zhang Han added. "We'll know everything once the General goes to Xianyang."
"How many of the Zhao warhorses were saved?" Zhao Feng asked, turning to Zhang Han.
"Reporting to the General," Zhang Han immediately replied. "During the battle at Handan, General Wang Ben managed to save over 10,000 of them. After we pushed into Dai Territory, which was the primary cavalry garrison for the Zhao state, we gathered more. Our army now possesses over 50,000 warhorses, and the Zhao state's horse farms have fallen under our control."
"Good, very good," Zhao Feng declared. "Over 50,000 warhorses—that's a cavalry force of over 50,000 men. You must have these horses watched closely. If I truly do become a Senior General, they will be the foundation for building my own cavalry. We can't afford to lose a single one of these horses," he finished, his expression serious.
"Of Qin's three major army groups, only the Northern Frontier has an 80,000-strong cavalry, which is our most powerful cavalry force," Tu Sui interjected, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "As for Lantian Camp, our entire army has fewer than 10,000 cavalrymen. With these 50,000-plus warhorses, we can build a new cavalry force of the same size. If you truly take command of a major army group, General, won't our combat strength become even more formidable?"