"Rest assured, Captain,"
"We've been looking forward to tonight's wine."
"Today, we'll drink to our hearts' content with you."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but tonight we're determined to drink you under the table!"
"Haha, exactly!"
The soldiers burst into laughter as they replied.
Though the army had strict hierarchies, the camaraderie forged between comrades-in-arms transcended ranks. After surviving life-and-death situations together, the bonds of brotherhood became even stronger. Zhao Feng, though their superior officer, was also their comrade.
"Drink me under the table, huh?"
"We'll see if you have the guts for it!" Zhao Feng replied with a hearty laugh.
The atmosphere in Zhao Feng's company was lively, even as they cleaned up the battlefield and dealt with the remains.
"Ah, I'm so envious of the soldiers under Captain Zhao's command. He treats them like brothers, not with that strict coldness you see elsewhere."
"Exactly."
"It was Captain Zhao himself who led his men in breaching the city. He charged ahead, fighting alongside them. Our captain commands from the rear it just doesn't feel the same."
Soldiers from other units couldn't help but voice their admiration and envy when they saw the camaraderie within Zhao Feng's group.
Meanwhile, at the Qin-Han border, inside the grand camp of the Supreme Commander:
"Father!"
"Great news! Fantastic news!"
Wang Ben rushed into the command tent, his excitement palpable.
Frowning slightly, Wang Jian looked up, his face stern.
Realizing his mistake, Wang Ben quickly adjusted his demeanor, offering a respectful bow. "General Li has sent back a triumphant report."
"You're almost thirty now too old to act so impulsively. Do you know what it takes to sit in the position of a commander?" Wang Jian chided, not taking the report right away.
Wang Ben stood straight, his tone humble. "Father's teachings are clear. My position as a commander owes much to our victory in suppressing the Lü Buwei rebellion and, more importantly, to His Majesty's grace. If we were to compare merit and seniority, I would fall far short of Meng Tian. Without these factors, I have no right to hold this command."
"It's good that you understand." Wang Jian nodded approvingly. "Do you know why His Majesty didn't send you to lead the campaign against Han, but instead appointed Li Teng?"
"Our family has already received great favor from His Majesty. If I were to lead another campaign, it would invite criticism and unrest in the court," Wang Ben answered honestly.
"Exactly, Ben'er."
"No matter what happens, remember to remain composed. Whether in the military or the court, one must stay calm and measured."
"Our family's current glory is undeniable, but under royal authority, we could just as easily be crushed."
Wang Ben nodded solemnly, his father's words weighing heavily on his mind.
Only then did Wang Jian take the report, opening it with measured care.
"Excellent!"
A smile spread across Wang Jian's face. "The capital of Han has fallen, and Han Fei has surrendered with his officials. The Kingdom of Han is no more!"
"I knew it would be good news," Wang Ben said with excitement.
"General Li did not disappoint His Majesty, nor did he disappoint me," Wang Jian said, laughing heartily.
"Yes, the original plan was to capture the capital within two months, but General Li completed the task over a month ahead of schedule. This is truly great news for His Majesty," Wang Ben said, his pride evident.
"The fall of Han seals the fate of Zhao and Wei, even if they intended to act. Han's demise is now irreversible. The next priority is to secure Han's lands and maintain stability," Wang Ben added.
After the initial excitement, Wang Jian's expression grew serious as he continued to read the report. His brows furrowed slightly.
"Father, what's wrong? Is there another matter of concern?" Wang Ben asked immediately.
"Did you know that the King of Han fled?" Wang Jian said, his tone slightly grim.
"The King of Han fled?"
"A king abandoning his capital and officials to save himself? Is he even worthy of being called a king?" Wang Ben exclaimed, clearly shocked.
"Hmph."
"When it comes to sovereign brilliance, who can compare to His Majesty? The other monarchs are little more than gluttonous fools," Wang Jian sneered, his disdain for the other rulers evident.
"Father speaks the truth," Wang Ben agreed.
"But if the King of Han escapes to Zhao, they could use his name as a pretext to rally against us in the future."
"Li Teng will give me an explanation for this. If the King of Han truly escaped, the merits of this campaign will only be halved," Wang Jian replied firmly.
Continuing to peruse the report, Wang Jian's expression became increasingly peculiar.
"Father, what is it? Is there something else?" Wang Ben asked again.
"Do you know who led the charge to breach Han's capital?" Wang Jian asked, his tone slightly strange.
"Who?" Wang Ben asked curiously.
"Zhao Feng!" Wang Jian replied.
"That Zhao Feng who transferred from the logistics corps to the main combat unit?" Wang Ben asked, astonished.
"The very same," Wang Jian affirmed.
"Li Teng initially assigned a vanguard of 10,000 men, but they suffered over 7,000 casualties and still failed to breach the gates. When Zhao Feng's unit was sent in, he cut down the gates and led his men to victory."
"Han's new Supreme Commander, Cao Yi, and Prime Minister Zhang Ping both fell by Zhao Feng's hand."
"This entire victory its first and greatest merit belongs to Zhao Feng."
"He's that formidable?" Wang Ben was stunned, clearly not expecting this.
"This young man stood out even while in the logistics corps. His first merit might have been luck, but his second pursuing and defeating Bao Yuan was no coincidence. Zhao Feng is both a fierce warrior and an exceptional talent."
"This latest campaign only proves it further," Wang Jian said gravely.
Wang Ben took a deep breath. "Father, in all my years, I've only heard you speak this highly of one other person: Meng Tian of the northern frontier. Now you've placed Zhao Feng on the same pedestal."
Wang Jian turned to his son, his gaze steady. "Do you know whose shadow I see in Zhao Feng?"
"Whose?" Wang Ben asked eagerly.
"The shadow of the great Wu'an Lord," Wang Jian said with reverence.
In the entirety of Qin's military history, Wang Jian himself, though a senior commander, held no one in greater esteem than Wu'an Lord Bai Qi.
Back in his youth, Wang Jian had served under Bai Qi and witnessed the unparalleled genius of the man firsthand. patreon.com/LordoftheReader