From Yan Dan’s tone, it was clear he was filled with hatred and, even more, apprehension toward Ying Zheng. In his view, Ying Zheng was an even more fearsome existence than Zhao Yan. If the Zhao state were to perish, his state of Yan, which bordered Qin, would be in even greater danger.
"But my Yan and Qin are now allies. Qin sent troops to save Yan. If we don’t pursue and strike the Zhao Jun now, will the King of Qin not become enraged?" Yue Cheng asked worriedly.
"Ying Zheng and the state of Qin are more terrifying than the Zhao state."
"As for this so-called alliance, it was obtained through the sacrifice of our national power. My Yan owes Qin nothing."
"Listen to me. Do not press the pursuit. Let the Zhao Jun withdraw on their own. We will gradually reclaim the cities captured by the Zhao state until we’ve restored Yan’s territory."
"If Zhao truly faces annihilation, perhaps my Yan can also march troops into their lands and capture cities," Yan Dan said in a deep voice, his eyes shimmering with ambition.
"Should we report this to the Great King?" Yue Cheng was still hesitant. Listening to Yan Dan’s words, he felt they were far too reckless.
Yan Dan’s eyebrows knitted as he looked coldly at Yue Cheng. "Do as I say."
"Without my command, you are not to engage the Zhao Jun. Just force them to leave the territory of Yan."
Seeing this, Yue Cheng nodded reluctantly. "This subordinate obeys."
Ying Zheng. You broke your promise, making my Yan pay such a heavy price. Countless subjects have died. I will absolutely not stand by and watch you annihilate the Zhao state. One day, I will make you regret this. Yan Dan clenched his fists, his heart filled with indignation.
Inside the Border City, Li Mu held the newly arrived Royal Edict, his expression grim.
"Senior General, what’s wrong?" his Deputy General, Sima Shang, asked.
"The Great King has decreed that I am to crush the invading Qin Army within three months, or my military authority will be revoked," Li Mu said solemnly, putting down the Royal Edict.
Sima Shang’s expression changed drastically. "How can the Great King do this?"
"Does the Great King not know what kind of man Meng Wu is?"
"Defeating Meng Wu within three months is clearly impossible."
"Meng Wu isn’t even initiating attacks. He employs a fighting retreat; when our army attacks, they withdraw. How can we possibly crush them?"
"This is clearly the Great King targeting you, Senior General," Sima Shang said in a low voice.
"He is the king, and I am his subject," Li Mu sighed with a sense of resignation.
"But Senior General, this is an impossible task! It cannot be completed, no matter what."
"Changing generals on the eve of battle is a major taboo for military strategists."
"Surely the Great King knows this?" Sima Shang said, his voice tinged with anger.
Li Mu shook his head. "Qin is using Meng Wu’s army to tie down our Frontier Army. The moment we leave the city, the Qin Army retreats. The moment we return, they advance again. It’s an unsolvable situation."
"Then what do we do?" Sima Shang looked at Li Mu.
"Since the Great King wants an attack, then we shall grant his wish."
"If Qin comes, our Frontier Army will fight them to the death."
"If they invade our Zhao, then our Zhao can invade them." Though a skilled commander, Li Mu also had a very headstrong nature.
「Qin, Xianyang Royal Palace」
Fusu and Han Fei had returned.
"So, you have seen Zhao Feng," Ying Zheng said from his throne, continuing to review memorials as he spoke.
"Reporting to Father King, yes, I have," Fusu replied.
"What were your impressions?" Ying Zheng asked, lifting his head to look at Fusu.
Although Zhao Feng’s military exploits were known throughout the land, Ying Zheng himself had never met the man, having only heard of him in military reports. He was, however, very curious about him.
"General Zhao is free-spirited, with a touch of arrogance," Fusu replied with a smile.
Although Zhao Feng’s attitude toward him hadn’t been the best, Fusu reported the facts without speaking ill of him.
"For one so young to possess such ability and battlefield merit, it would be strange if he *wasn’t* arrogant," Ying Zheng said with a faint smile.
Arrogance... A capable person is entitled to it. But for someone without ability to be arrogant, that is simply incompetence.
"Father King’s words are most true."
"From what your son has seen, General Zhao is exceptionally valiant and a truly capable minister of the state. I believe he will achieve even greater merits for Qin in the future," Fusu said with a smile.
"Minister Han, you had met Zhao Feng before. Was this trip partly a reunion?" Ying Zheng then turned to Han Fei.
"Indeed, my lord, part of the reason I requested to go was to reminisce a little. However, I also completed the task the Great King assigned me. I asked General Zhao what he desired, and he did in fact make a request."
"I am simply not certain if the Great King will be willing to grant it," Han Fei added with a smile.
"Whether *I* am willing to grant it?" Ying Zheng’s interest was piqued. "What did he ask for?"
"The Blood Ginseng," Han Fei replied, smiling.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng was quite surprised. "He certainly dares to ask. That is a great treasure of our Qin. There were once two stalks of Blood Ginseng. In the past, when King Wu of Qin was crushed by a tripod, one of them was used to save his life, which allowed King Zhaoxiang to return to the state and succeed to the throne. Now, only one remains."
"General Zhao is indeed daring," Han Fei said, smiling in agreement.
"What does he want it for?" Ying Zheng asked.
"General Zhao said that his mother’s body was left greatly weakened after giving birth to him and his sister. He wishes to use the Blood Ginseng to nourish her health," Han Fei explained.
Ying Zheng nodded. "A filial son indeed."
"Since he has such intentions..."
"I shall certainly grant his wish." The most update n0vels are published on nοvelfire.net
"Zhao Gao," Ying Zheng called out loudly.
"Your servant is here," Zhao Gao immediately responded.
"Issue my edict. Take the Blood Ginseng from the treasury and dispatch the Imperial Guards to escort it to Shaqiu. Bestow it upon Zhao Feng’s mother," Ying Zheng commanded solemnly.