"Why is everyone out here?"
"What's going on today? Why all this commotion?"
"You don't even know what's happening and came out anyway?"
"I just saw everyone heading toward the city gates, so I got curious and followed. But it's been a while, and I still don't see anything happening."
"You do enjoy sticking your nose in everything."
"Well, I heard that today, the great Zhao General, who's achieved countless victories for our Qin, is coming to Xianyang to report on his accomplishments. General Zhao Feng is a legendary figure! Rising from the logistics corps, he's secured countless victories and is now the youngest commander of our Qin army. How could anyone not want to catch a glimpse of such a man?"
"Oh, that makes sense now."
"General Zhao Feng, a 19-year-old commander he truly is a legend of Qin! Even the great General Bai Qi of the past might pale slightly in comparison."
"And I've also heard that upon his return to court, General Zhao might rise even higher in rank."
"Really?"
"General Zhao Feng is already a commander, ranking just below our Qin's three supreme generals. If he rises further, wouldn't that make him one of the supreme generals? That seems impossible, doesn't it?"
"Why not? Think about the magnitude of his contributions! Nearly every critical battle in the conquest of Zhao was won under General Zhao Feng's command. Even the fleeing King of Zhao was captured by him. Such monumental achievements certainly justify being made a supreme general."
"Of course, this is just a rumor circulating from the court. Whether or not it happens depends on His Majesty's decree."
...
Crowds of people gathered both inside and outside the city gates, many discussing fervently.
Some had no idea why they were even there they simply saw others gathering and joined out of curiosity. The love for excitement and crowds, it seems, has been a part of the Chinese spirit for thousands of years.
At that moment, a loud and reverent cry came from within the city.
"Long live the King!"
...
The sound of the cry spread, and the citizens inside the city instinctively knelt and bowed.
Outside the city, the people turned their attention toward the gates, where they saw an imposing carriage pulled by nine horses slowly making its way out of the city, followed by a procession of court officials.
The sight stunned everyone.
"Is the King personally coming out to welcome someone?"
"No way!"
"The King, riding in his royal carriage with the court officials trailing behind, is coming out to greet General Zhao Feng?"
"What an extraordinary honor!"
"In the history of Qin, King Huiwen once personally welcomed General Ying Hua, and King Zhaoxiang welcomed General Bai Qi. Now, our King is personally greeting General Zhao Feng. This is an unparalleled distinction!"
"Maybe General Zhao Feng truly has a chance to rise to the rank of supreme general after this."
...
The royal carriage approached, and the streets were lined with bowing citizens. The significance of the King personally leaving the palace, with court officials in tow, was clear to everyone.
"Isn't His Majesty giving too much favor to Zhao Feng? Personally leaving the city to welcome him?" muttered Marquis Wei, clearly displeased.
"Precisely," sighed Prime Minister Wang Wan. "The Grand Tutor Chunyu made a terrible move back then."
As Zhao Feng's power and influence grew, Wang Wan could only feel increasingly frustrated with Chunyu Yue's past attempts to suppress Zhao Feng.
It was precisely those actions that likely severed any chance of pulling Zhao Feng to their side.
"Prime Minister," Marquis Wei suddenly said in a low voice, "there's another matter the Bai family intends to impeach Zhao Feng."
"Impeach him? For what?" Wang Wan asked, startled.
"Zhao Feng acted on his own authority in Hangu Commandery, punishing a branch member of the Bai family harshly. He even executed the county magistrate."
"He carried out such actions without imperial authorization? Was there a valid pretext?"
"According to the Bai family, Zhao Feng used private punishment and executed the magistrate directly."
Hearing this, Wang Wan chuckled. "It seems these military men truly have their quirks. Just like General Bai Qi in the past, they become arrogant in their high positions. Zhao Feng is no exception."
"Our faction is aligned with the Crown Prince, and that's well known. The Bai family, however, has no direct ties to the Crown Prince on the surface."
"Perhaps we can use this opportunity to suppress Zhao Feng a little. If the King withdraws his intention to promote Zhao Feng to supreme general, it would be to our advantage."
"A wise plan, Prime Minister," said Marquis Wei, smiling in agreement.
Meanwhile, on the military faction's side, General Wang Jian was grinning ear to ear.
"Can you rein it in a little?"
"How can I hold it in?" Wang Jian replied with a laugh. "My son-in-law is returning to court and may even be promoted to supreme general. How could I not be proud? And you, old boy, don't even have a daughter to marry off!"
"Ugh, I knew I shouldn't have said anything," grumbled Meng Wu, standing behind him, annoyed but unable to refute.
"You're asking for it. Wang Jian's riding high right now," General Huan Yi said with a chuckle.
The three top generals of Qin appeared to be getting along, but each had their ambitions.
As they bantered, the royal carriage continued its journey toward the city gates.
Before long, it arrived at its destination.
The King stepped out of the carriage, and all the officials who had followed it stopped behind him.
For the King himself to come out to welcome General Zhao Feng, not a single court official dared to be absent.
This grand occasion certainly requires witnesses.
"My king."
"Perhaps we've arrived early."
"An hour ago, the guards reported that General Zhao was still some distance away from Xianyang. It seems we'll have to wait a bit longer," Ren Xiao said respectfully.
"We are here to welcome the hero of our Qin."
"I, for one, can wait," Ying Zheng said with a slight smile.
"I understand," Ren Xiao replied, saying no more, though a trace of envy flickered in his eyes.
To be treated with such royal favor was an immense honor for any minister.
Moreover, this was no ordinary act of favor.
For the King of Qin to leave the city to personally welcome someone, accompanied by a procession of court officials what an unparalleled honor!
Time passed slowly.
Before long.
The time it takes to burn an incense stick elapsed.
In the distance.
The gates of Xianyang were now less than a kilometer away.
"My lord," a voice called.
"Why are so many people gathered outside the city gates?"
Zhang Ming looked on in astonishment.
"Could it be that they are here to welcome you, my lord?" the captain of the personal guards joked.
"The capital, welcoming my lord? That can't be," Zhang Ming replied.
"And there are so many commoners present. Could they have come here of their own accord to greet my lord?"
"Has my lord's renown already spread to Xianyang?" Zhang Ming said, filled with admiration.
Zhao Feng gazed ahead toward the city gates. With his abilities far surpassing ordinary men, he could see the scene miles away clearly as if it were in front of him.
"There's even a royal carriage stationed outside the gates."
"Could it be that the King of Qin himself has come to greet us?" Zhao Feng thought to himself, slightly surprised.
"Pick up the pace," he instructed.
"The king is waiting at the gate; we must not show disrespect," Zhao Feng reminded his men before spurring his horse toward Xianyang.
His guards, hearing this, exchanged glances and immediately displayed expressions of shock and excitement.
"The king himself, waiting at the city gates this is an honor beyond compare!"
With that thought, every one of them felt a surge of pride and vigor as they followed Zhao Feng, riding swiftly toward Xianyang.
Before long.
Zhao Feng, leading his guards, approached the city gates.
When they were less than twenty meters from Xianyang, Zhao Feng dismounted, and so did all his guards behind him.
"My king, General Zhao has returned," Ren Xiao announced respectfully.
He then lifted the curtain of the royal carriage.
Ying Zheng, dressed in regal robes, stepped down from the carriage with a composed grace.
As Zhao Feng approached, he looked ahead at Ying Zheng and then glanced at the court officials assembled behind him.
Even Zhao Feng, who prided himself on being steady, felt a wave of emotion.
No wonder they say that when a king descends from his dais to greet someone, no amount of loyalty from his subjects can ever repay such favor.
For a king to leave the city with his officials to welcome someone, this honor was even greater than descending from his dais.
With that thought, Zhao Feng calmed his emotions, quickly walked forward, and bowed deeply to Ying Zheng. "This minister greets the king."
"General Zhao truly lives up to the rumors, so young and capable," murmured some bystanders.
"Sigh, one cannot compare oneself to others. My son is also twenty, joined the military for two years, then quit, and now runs a business. It's just no comparison."
"Someone like General Zhao, a once-in-decades prodigy how could anyone compare?"
"Indeed."
"A true prodigy."
...
Seeing Zhao Feng, as young as the rumors suggested, the onlookers' admiration grew even more fervent.
Ying Zheng smiled faintly and stepped forward, personally helping Zhao Feng up. "General Zhao, you've finally returned."
"Your Majesty, I am at fault for keeping you waiting," Zhao Feng replied immediately.
"You've returned from the battlefield; there is no fault in that," Ying Zheng said warmly.
"Come, ride with me in the carriage back to the palace."
"The royal carriage is Your Majesty's domain; this minister dares not offend. I will walk alongside it instead," Zhao Feng replied firmly.
Ying Zheng's gesture of personally leaving the city was already an extraordinary display of favor. To ride in the same carriage would simply be too much. Zhao Feng understood the boundaries he needed to maintain.
Seeing Zhao Feng's response, Ying Zheng smiled gently and did not insist. "Then I shall walk with you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Zhao Feng said, no longer declining.
"The king is on the move, officials, return to the palace," Ren Xiao called out loudly.
Ren Xiao then turned to Zhang Ming. "Escort General Zhao's guards to the guest house to settle."
"Understood," Zhang Ming replied without delay.
With that, Ying Zheng took Zhao Feng's hand and began walking into Xianyang.
"General Zhao, this is your first time in Xianyang, isn't it?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. I grew up in Shaqiu County, and this is my first time in the capital," Zhao Feng replied with a smile.
Ying Zheng chuckled, gesturing ahead to the city. "The capital of our Qin what do you think of its grandeur?"
"I have visited two capitals before Xinzheng and Handan."
"Both of those cities are far less magnificent than Xianyang," Zhao Feng replied promptly.
Since Ying Zheng had asked, Zhao Feng naturally offered a compliment.
Though Zhao Feng had seen grander modern metropolises with towering skyscrapers and endless cityscapes, he knew it was neither the time nor place for such comparisons.
"Once we unify the realm, Xianyang will become even more prosperous and magnificent," Ying Zheng said with a confident smile.
Amid the escort of officials, they gradually made their way toward the royal palace.
"Your son-in-law truly enjoys the king's favor," someone commented.
"So long as your son-in-law does not overstep, he may one day reach the same heights as the legendary Lord Wu'an," another remarked.
Watching Ying Zheng, so delighted and holding Zhao Feng's hand, Meng Wu couldn't help but feel it was the first time he had seen the king so genuinely pleased.
"How curious. The king and Zhao Feng share a certain resemblance. Their height, their build they could be mistaken for father and son if one didn't know better," Huan Yi mused silently, finding it rather peculiar.
"Such exceptional favor is unprecedented," Wang Wan remarked to Kui Zhuang.
"Indeed, never seen before," Kui Zhuang agreed.
"The last time I saw anything close to this was when King Zhaoxiang honored Lord Wu'an," he added with a sigh.
"However," Kui Zhuang continued, "the times are different now. Zhao Feng is still so young. The higher he rises, the harder he might fall. Let's just watch how this unfolds."
Wang Wan smirked coldly. "Indeed, we'll watch and see."
Before long.
Within the grand court hall of the Qin Palace!
The court officials had taken their places, standing in orderly rows.
Ying Zheng sat high on the throne, while Zhao Feng stood in the center of the grand hall.
"So, this is the famed Zhao Feng," mused someone silently.
"I must win him over for Young Master Hu Hai. With his support, we can contend against Fu Su," Zhao Gao thought as he glanced subtly at Zhao Feng, his mind calculating.
"Zhao Gao, the notorious traitor of history he already looks so conniving. But now that Qin Shi Huang is still alive, he's no more than an insect, completely unable to reveal any ambitions," Zhao Feng thought, his gaze lingering on Zhao Gao.
"The arrogance behind his 'pointing to a deer and calling it a horse' trick is nowhere to be seen. For now, he hides his claws and bides his time."
As Zhao Gao secretly sized up Zhao Feng, the latter returned the favor.
In the court hall, many figures from history were present renowned names etched in the annals of time.
There was Wei Liao, Li Si, Feng Quji, Meng Wu, and Huan Yi.
Scanning the room, Zhao Feng couldn't help but marvel at the concentration of talent that symbolized the brilliance of this Qin era.
However, Zhao Feng didn't simply use his eyes. His divine sense unfolded.
"Why is that man glaring at me so hatefully?"
"And there are others... Jealousy, resentment all sorts of emotions are plain to see."
With his divine sense, he observed everything, and nothing escaped his notice. But when Zhao Feng attempted to extend his senses upward
Boom!
An invisible force erupted, immediately repelling Zhao Feng's divine sense.
For a brief moment, Zhao Feng saw a black dragon coiled above Ying Zheng's head, its gaze sharp and intimidating.
"Could this be the power of destiny?"
Staring at the dragon's shadow, Zhao Feng was momentarily stunned before realization struck.
Such an existence had been mentioned in myths of his past life.
"Zhao Feng, you've returned from Zhao. I trust the reorganization is complete?"
Ying Zheng's voice resounded from above.
Despite his usual cold and commanding demeanor with his officials, Ying Zheng felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to Zhao Feng a feeling he couldn't quite articulate.
Thus, his treatment of Zhao Feng was unusually warm.
"My king," Zhao Feng said as he retrieved a scroll from his robes, "this is the record of the reorganization."
Zhao Gao stepped forward, ready to take the scroll.
"Zhao Feng read it aloud," Ying Zheng instructed, his tone steady. "With over 400,000 Zhao soldiers surrendered, I'm eager to hear how many elites remain after the screening."
"As you command."
Zhao Feng unfolded the scroll and read loudly:
"Following the conquest of Zhao, our Great Qin received 410,000 surrendered Zhao soldiers. Over a month, I led my troops to screen and eliminate 160,000 unfit individuals due to poor physique. The remaining 240,000 can be reorganized as penal battalions."
"Zhao Feng has been thorough," Ying Zheng praised with a nod. "And how do you propose to reorganize these soldiers?"
"I propose replenishing the depleted troops of the Blue Field Camp with these surrendered soldiers. Should there be any excess, I await Your Majesty's further instructions."
"Very well."
Ying Zheng smiled, satisfied. "We shall discuss the matter of reorganizing these troops later. For now"
"Back in Handan, I promised you a surprise once you returned victorious from Zhao. It is now time to fulfill that promise."
As Ying Zheng spoke, a minister suddenly stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I wish to impeach Zhao Feng!"
The hall fell silent.
The middle-aged official, his face brimming with anger, raised his ceremonial tablet and declared loudly.
"Oh?"
Ying Zheng's smile vanished. His expression turned cold as he looked at the minister. "What did you say? Impeach Zhao Feng?"
"I accuse Zhao Feng of violating the law and abusing private punishment!" the official, named Bai Wu, proclaimed loudly.
"Do you realize what you're saying?" Ying Zheng's brows furrowed. "When has Zhao Feng ever abused private punishment?"
"Lord Bai," said Wang Jian, stepping forward with a frosty expression. "Zhao Feng has never even met you and has been managing military affairs in Zhao. If your accusation is false, it constitutes baseless slander."
"I speak only the truth!" Bai Wu retorted, presenting a scroll. "This impeachment is based on a joint petition from my Bai clan members in Lin Guan County. I implore Your Majesty to review it."
Zhao Gao quickly stepped forward, retrieving the scroll to present it to Ying Zheng.
In the court, shock, schadenfreude, and curiosity filled the air as officials reacted to Bai Wu's sudden impeachment of Zhao Feng.
"This move, whether it succeeds or not, serves two purposes: it suppresses Zhao Feng, and I can then offer to plead on his behalf, gaining his gratitude. A masterstroke," Wang Wan thought smugly.
Ying Zheng, his face dark, took the scroll from Zhao Gao.
At that moment, Zhao Feng spoke.
"Your Majesty, if this impeachment comes from someone with the surname Bai, I know precisely what it pertains to."
"There's no need for Your Majesty to review their accusations. I request that the confession of Lin Guan County's constable be presented instead."
Having been publicly accused, Zhao Feng saw no need to hold back. He immediately produced a bamboo slip from his robes the written confession of Lin Guan County's constable.
This document detailed not only the crimes of the county magistrate and the Bai clan's corruption and oppression but also implicated all their wrongdoings.
Hearing Zhao Feng's words, Ying Zheng placed the Bai clan's petition aside and turned to Zhao Gao.
"Bring it here."
"At once, Your Majesty," Zhao Gao responded, hastily moving to take the bamboo slip from Zhao Feng and presenting it to Ying Zheng.
Seeing this, Bai Wu's heart sank, and the once-confident Wang Wan began to feel a twinge of unease.
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