Qin Camp
"Report!"
"General, scouts report that Lian Po is engaged in battle with another force."
Yang Duanhe strode quickly into the command tent, speaking with urgency. He had rushed over as soon as he received the news.
"Lian Po is fighting?"
Wang Jian was taken aback. His gaze fell on the map before him, fixing on Lincheng.
"If the army engaging Lian Po came from Lincheng, then everything makes sense," Wang Jian said slowly, a faint smile forming on his face.
"From Lincheng?"
"Zhao Feng?"
Yang Duanhe immediately caught on, but his expression was one of shock and disbelief.
"It's only been a short time."
"How could Zhao Feng have taken Lincheng so quickly?"
"That's impossible!"
Yang Duanhe exclaimed in astonishment.
"To you, it might seem impossible, but Zhao Feng managed to pull it off."
Wang Jian chuckled faintly, a hint of pride evident on his face.
After all, the one who accomplished this feat was his son-in-law.
"Keep a close eye on the battle situation, and mobilize our forces to attack Jinyang," Wang Jian ordered solemnly.
This was an excellent opportunity. Even if they couldn't directly conquer Jinyang, they could at least intimidate its defenders.
"Understood," Yang Duanhe replied, quickly departing to carry out the orders.
After Yang Duanhe left, Wang Jian could no longer suppress his excitement, and a gleeful smile appeared on his face.
"My son-in-law has given me quite the surprise."
"How did he breach Lincheng in such a short time?"
"Our prior intelligence indicated that Wei Wuji had reinforced the city's defenses. With Zhao Feng's limited forces, breaching Lincheng should have been impossible. How did he do it?"
"This kid," Wang Jian mused, shaking his head. "He must have a few secrets up his sleeve."
Even Wang Jian himself hadn't held much hope that Zhao Feng could breach Lincheng and set foot in Zhao territory. His expectation was merely for Zhao Feng to pin down Wei forces to prevent them from interfering with Qin's conquest of Zhao. But now, it seemed he had underestimated him.
"Lian Po."
"It seems you won't meet your end at my hands after all."
"And that's fine."
"If you die at the hands of Zhao Feng, it will still be a contribution to Qin. It will also pave the way for Zhao Feng's future credentials."
A pleased expression lingered on Wang Jian's face as his thoughts wandered.
On the Battlefield
Zhao Feng's troops clashed fiercely with Lian Po's 20,000-strong army.
Though Lian Po's forces were battle-hardened veterans, Zhao Feng held the advantage in both numbers and strength. His troops, renowned for their discipline and combat prowess, quickly turned the tide of battle.
Within an hour, Lian Po's army was surrounded, reduced to fewer than a hundred men around him.
"I didn't expect defeat to come so swiftly."
"My Zhao soldiers... When did we become so powerless?"
Lian Po surveyed the remaining soldiers around him. Standing on his war chariot, he let out a bitter laugh.
The 20,000 soldiers under his command were seasoned veterans who had survived countless battles. He had believed that, even at the cost of their lives, they could at least make Zhao Feng pay dearly. Yet, the battle turned out to be utterly one-sided.
"We were crushed," Lian Po muttered bitterly.
"Old General."
"You've lost."
Zhao Feng spurred his horse forward, spear in hand, and approached Lian Po.
"Yes."
"I have lost."
"Still, this is the end I desired."
"Lian Po was not meant to die of old age. A warrior must fall on the battlefield."
Lian Po let out a tragic laugh.
Though there was no fear in his expression, there was a resolute determination. He drew his sword, stepped off his war chariot, and fixed his gaze on Zhao Feng with eyes full of unyielding spirit.
"I, General Lian Po of Zhao fight!"
With a final roar, Lian Po mustered all his remaining strength and charged at Zhao Feng.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng dismounted, planting his spear into the ground. Drawing his sword, he moved forward to meet the old general.
As they closed the distance, Lian Po swung his sword in a powerful arc. Though his years had diminished his strength, the blow carried lethal intent.
Zhao Feng sidestepped the attack and countered with a swift thrust.
The blade pierced through Lian Po's armor, running him through.
Lian Po froze, his expression twisted with pain. His grip on the sword loosened, and it fell to the ground.
"I… have lost…"
Lian Po's voice was faint as his gaze drifted toward the direction of Jinyang, his eyes filled with despair for the fate of Zhao.
"Zhao… Zhao…"
"Your Majesty… I, Lian Po, have failed you…" Lian Po murmured, his voice fading with each word.
"Old General, rest in peace."
Zhao Feng spoke calmly before withdrawing his sword.
Lian Po's body crumpled lifelessly to the ground, his blood pooling beneath him.
"General!"
"General!"
The remaining Zhao soldiers cried out in anguish before charging at Zhao Feng in a desperate last stand.
Zhao Feng raised his hand, signaling his troops.
"Leave none alive."
Tu Sui and Zhang Han gave their orders, and the Qin soldiers surged forward, their long spears cutting down the last of the Zhao soldiers in moments.
"Report to the General!"
"All Zhao forces have been eliminated."
"Awaiting your orders." Tu Sui approached to report.
"Carry Lian Po's body onto a war chariot," Zhao Feng instructed quietly.
"Yes, General."
The order was promptly carried out, and Lian Po's body was placed on a war chariot.
Zhao Feng stepped forward, picking up Lian Po's sword.
"In history, Lian Po was stripped of his command, dying of old age in Wei. He never had the chance to die on the battlefield."
"Now, he's fallen in battle. Perhaps this is the ending he would have wanted."
"A warrior's place is on the battlefield," Zhao Feng murmured as he looked at Lian Po's sword.
Qin Camp
"Report to the General!"
"Zhao Feng and his officers have arrived, seeking an audience."
The commander of Wang Jian's personal guard spoke excitedly.
"So it was him."
"Let's go I'll greet him personally."
Wang Jian chuckled heartily, standing up and walking out of the command tent.
Outside the camp, Zhao Feng's soldiers were already pitching their tents in an orderly fashion.
Zhao Feng, flanked by his officers, stood waiting at the camp gates.
Even before Wang Jian appeared, his voice rang out.
"You truly are remarkable, managing to breach Lincheng and carve a path straight into Zhao!"
"News of this victory will cause a sensation in Xianyang!"
Wang Jian's hearty laughter echoed as he approached.
"Zhao Feng greets the General!"
Zhao Feng bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, General!"
Tu Sui, Zhang Han, and the other officers saluted in unison.
"No need for formalities," Wang Jian said, laughing. Then, his gaze sharpened as he asked directly, "Where is Lian Po?"
Zhao Feng wasn't surprised by the question. He knew that, deep down, Lian Po must have been a lingering concern for Wang Jian.
"Bring him forward."
At Zhao Feng's command, his guards carried Lian Po's covered body forward.
Wang Jian stepped closer and pulled back the white cloth to reveal Lian Po's lifeless face.
For a long moment, Wang Jian stood in silence, his expression unreadable.
"Lian Po…"
"If only you had served Qin, you wouldn't have met such an end."
"In the end, you chose the wrong side," Wang Jian murmured.
After a pause, he turned and issued orders.
"Give Lian Po a proper burial."
"Erect a tombstone: Here lies Lian Po, General of Zhao."
The commander of Wang Jian's personal guard stepped forward.
"Yes, General!"
After handing Lian Po's body to Wang Jian's guards, Zhao Feng stepped forward.
"Lincheng was defended by Wei Wuji with over seventy thousand troops. How did you breach it with only six thousand soldiers?"
Wang Jian's curiosity was evident as he studied Zhao Feng.
"General, the Wei soldiers were demoralized upon hearing of your great name. Once we breached Lincheng, their defeat was inevitable. They lacked the will to resist," Zhang Han interjected, a note of pride in his voice.
These words are not an exaggeration.
After Zhao Feng broke through the city, he shattered the morale and spirit of the Wei army.
Faced with the ferocious attacks of the Qin army, they could not resist.
In just one day, Lin City fell to Zhao Feng's forces.
Hearing what Zhang Han said, Wang Jian immediately understood and smiled. "It seems that defeating Wei Wuji has struck fear into the hearts of the Wei army."
"That may indeed be part of the reason," Zhao Feng replied with a faint smile.
"For Wei, Wei Wuji was their War God," Wang Jian said in a tone of admiration. "When you defeated Wei Wuji, your fame spread throughout the world. Now that you've slain Lian Po, who in the land doesn't know of you?" His voice carried a sense of wonder, and the appreciation in his eyes was unmistakable.
"All for Great Qin," Zhao Feng replied solemnly, his tone matching the occasion.
At this, Wang Jian couldn't help but glance at Zhao Feng.
If someone else had said those words, Wang Jian might have believed them. But coming from Zhao Feng, he couldn't entirely buy it.
"All for Great Qin" was indeed a lofty sentiment.
But this was the same man who had openly declared his intention to "steal the bride" and not just any bride, but the fiancée of the Crown Prince of Qin.
Even though Wang Jian had only conversed with Zhao Feng once before, he had already observed a subtle trait: Zhao Feng lacked the deep reverence for authority that others exhibited. Instead, there was a sense of fearlessness and confidence in him.
"Wang Xiong," Wang Jian called out.
"Awaiting orders, General," Wang Xiong, the commander of the personal guards, responded promptly.
"Send word to Xianyang of our victory at Lin City and the death of Lian Po," Wang Jian instructed.
"Additionally, the soldiers who marched from Yingchuan have endured many hardships. Instruct the quartermasters to prepare a feast immediately and reward the entire Yingchuan army," Wang Jian commanded firmly.
"Understood," Wang Xiong replied, bowing before leaving to carry out the orders.
"Let's go inside," Wang Jian said, turning to Zhao Feng with a smile. "I'd like to hear more about your accomplishments."
"Yes, General," Zhao Feng responded and followed Wang Jian into the camp with the other officers.
Inside the commander's tent stood a large map of Zhao's territory, displayed prominently in the center.
On it, over a dozen Zhao cities had been marked with Qin flags. However, this represented less than one-tenth of Zhao's vast territory.
The Zhao Kingdom's domain was sizable, with a population exceeding 10 million, making it one of the strongest nations on the continent.
Conquering Zhao would take at least a year and a half, even under optimal conditions; any delays could extend this timeline significantly.
"Defeating Zhao will be a long and arduous journey," Zhao Feng said with a smile as he glanced at the map.
"If Zhao were that easy to defeat, Qin wouldn't have waited until now to mobilize its forces," Wang Jian replied.
"However," he continued, "if we can break through Jin Yang City, the speed of our advance will significantly increase."
"From what you're saying, it seems the King of Zhao still hasn't recalled his troops from Yan," Zhao Feng remarked with a knowing smile.
"The King of Zhao is blinded by his desire to destroy Yan. He's confident that Jin Yang can hold off our forces," Wang Jian sneered, his tone dripping with scorn for the Zhao king.
"In your estimation, how long will it take to breach Jin Yang?" Zhao Feng asked with a smile.
"Jin Yang has over 200,000 troops stationed there, so it won't be easy. However, these are regional troops who rely solely on their defensive positions," Wang Jian explained.
"Would you like me to lead the assault?" Zhao Feng asked, half-jokingly.
"Enough," Wang Jian replied, shaking his head. "You've already achieved great feats for Qin. If I let you take Jin Yang as well, how will the other generals feel?"
"In that case, I'll take this opportunity to rest and recover," Zhao Feng replied casually, showing no urgency.
After all, with Zhao's territory still largely intact, there would be plenty of opportunities for Zhao Feng to secure further achievements.
Compared to the glory of slaying Lian Po, capturing Jin Yang was not as significant.
If Zhao Feng were to seize this opportunity as well, it might breed resentment among the other generals.
Military campaigns were, after all, a contest for merit. Zhao Feng wasn't the only one seeking accolades; every general sought to earn distinction.
Qin's military meritocracy was the driving force behind its transformation into a war machine every soldier strived to achieve merit.
"Rest well," Wang Jian said with a smile. "Once Jin Yang falls, I'll assign you new duties."
"Yes, General," Zhao Feng replied, without further contention.
"By the way, you're aware that Yan'er has given birth to twins a boy and a girl, right?" Wang Jian asked with a smile.
"Father-in-law," Zhao Feng said with a solemn expression, "when this campaign is over, I will marry Yan'er."
The surrounding generals Tu Sui, Zhang Han, and others were visibly taken aback.
"What's going on?"
"Did the general just call the commander-in-chief his father-in-law?"
"Could it be that the general is the son-in-law of Wang Jian?"
"This must be a joke, right? I remember the general starting in logistics. I've never heard of him having ties to the commander-in-chief."
"Impossible, right?"
"The general isn't even from Xianyang; he's from Shacheng. How could he have connections to Wang Jian?"
"Could this be true?"
The generals exchanged shocked glances, unable to hide their disbelief.
"It's true," Wang Jian said with a smile, looking directly at Zhao Feng. "I'll wait for the day you marry Yan'er."
To Wang Jian, Zhao Feng was the ideal son-in-law.
"Capturing the King of Han, defeating Wei Wuji, and slaying Lian Po."
"Each one of these feats would shake the world, yet you've accomplished them all," Wang Jian murmured to himself with a smile.
Back at the camp, Zhang Han couldn't help but ask, "General, is it true that you're Wang Jian's son-in-law? How come we never knew?"
"Exactly! Back when I served under you in the logistics corps, I never heard anything about this," Wei Quan added, equally curious.
The other generals all looked at Zhao Feng with eager expressions, waiting for him to explain.
"Looks like none of you will sleep if I don't tell you the story," Zhao Feng said with a wry smile.
The crowd chuckled sheepishly.
"Do you remember Captain Wang Yan?" Zhao Feng asked, looking at Zhang Han and Wei Quan.
"Wang Yan?"
Zhang Han and Wei Quan exchanged glances.
"Wasn't she the captain who nearly lost her entire unit while pursuing Bao Yuan? You saved her back then," Wei Quan recalled.
"Wait, are you saying Captain Wang Yan was a woman?" Zhang Han asked, visibly stunned.
"That's right. Her real name is Wang Yan, and she's Wang Jian's daughter," Zhao Feng said with a faint smile.
"Wow, so that's how it is," the crowd muttered in shock.
"To think Captain Wang Yan was the daughter of the commander-in-chief!"
"And she ended up falling for you?"
The revelation left everyone in awe.
"Alright, enough gossiping," Zhao Feng said, feigning irritation.
"Gossiping? What does that mean?" one of the generals asked, confused.
"Get out and rest," Zhao Feng barked with a stern expression.
"Yes, General," the officers replied, saluting before leaving the tent.
"These guys are like nosy old ladies, always prying," Zhao Feng muttered, shaking his head with a wry smile.
Despite his complaints, Zhao Feng bore no ill will toward his comrades. He had a high tolerance for their antics, treating them as both subordinates and companions.
"This campaign yielded plenty of kills," Zhao Feng mused to himself. "Time to tally up the attribute points."
In the battle for Jin Yang, Zhao Feng killed over 20,000 enemies. Combined with the battle against Lian Po, his total exceeded another 20,000.
This was the key to Zhao Feng's ability to collect attributes from his kills, and he couldn't help but feel excited about the potential rewards.
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