Is the announcement about my transfer coming? Zhao Feng thought to himself.
Wang Jian’s presence here definitely meant something. On a grander scale, it was likely related to the war; he would never come personally just for one individual, so perhaps he was simply taking advantage of the situation.
This time, I should be able to get several Treasure Boxes, Zhao Feng was filled with anticipation.
All the Sharp Warriors in the camp gathered, forming up and waiting in formation.
"Today, I have come here for two matters!" Wang Jian’s voice boomed. "First, regarding the defeat and subsequent attack at Yang City, the Main General Li Teng is unquestionably responsible. In accordance with the royal decree and military law, I am here to record Li Teng’s offenses."
"The royal decree is issued. Should Li Teng exhibit any further negligence in leading troops, he will be immediately handed over to the Military Judge for punishment," Wang Jian said sternly, his cold expression casting a sense of oppression over every Sharp Warrior.
Li Teng himself stood to the side, not daring to even breathe heavily.
"Second," Wang Jian announced, his voice carrying across the field as his gaze shifted to Zhao Feng, who was standing just outside the formation. "By the Great King’s command, we shall reward the greatest contributor, the one who spared Qin’s supply lines from being damaged and annihilated the enemy forces!"
This came as no surprise to the Sharp Warriors in the camp. News of Zhao Feng’s contributions had already spread far and wide.
"Zhao Feng!" Wang Jian commanded with authority.
"Present," Zhao Feng immediately replied, stepping forward and bowing deeply.
"A Royal Edict from the King of Qin!" Wang Jian declared, producing and unfurling the scroll.
At once, every Sharp Warrior and officer on the parade ground bowed deeply in respect. "We, your subjects, await the King’s command!"
"Zhao Feng of the Logistics Army, you have rendered meritorious service to the nation, bravely fighting the enemy and averting the calamity of their surprise attack. Furthermore, you have created a method of medical treatment that has saved the injured soldiers of Qin. These are all great contributions and deserve to be richly rewarded. Now," Wang Jian read, his voice resonating with power, "Zhao Feng is to be transferred to the main battle camp to take command of troops as an officer of the Sharp Warriors! Promote Zhao Feng four official ranks to Capital Commandant and Junhou, in command of five thousand soldiers! Promote Zhao Feng five nobility ranks, bestowing upon him the title of [Official Gentleman]! Military salary, nobility’s annual stipend, and entitled lands shall all be determined by military merit, to be conferred after the war."
Upon hearing this reward, all the surrounding officers were visibly shocked.
"The Great King’s grace is so profound, promoting Zhao Feng four official ranks and five nobility ranks."
"Indeed, such profound grace."
"A promotion of four official ranks is conceivable, but to receive a five-rank elevation in nobility is truly unexpected."
Many officers couldn’t help but murmur in astonishment. An advancement of four official ranks was not unheard of, but an even greater increase in nobility was beyond their expectations.
It wasn’t just them; even Zhao Feng was visibly astounded.
Qin Shi Huang is being too generous. Did he just hand me nine Treasure Boxes? Zhao Feng thought excitedly. He wasn’t as thrilled about the official position itself, but the Treasure Boxes that came with each promotion were certainly enough to move him. What wonders could these nine Treasure Boxes possibly contain? He was filled with anticipation.
"Zhao Feng, will you not receive the edict?" Wang Jian laughed upon seeing the stunned young man.
"I, your subject Zhao Feng, accept the edict," he declared, stepping forward. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnificent grace!" He then bowed deeply and accepted the Royal Edict.
"Bring up the Capital Commandant’s armor and sword," Wang Jian smiled and called out loudly.
His trusted aide immediately brought forth a box, on top of which lay a striking suit of Black Armor and a sword. Zhao Feng naturally accepted them.
"From this day onward," Wang Jian began, his tone growing solemn, "you are no longer in the Logistics Army but are the Capital Commandant and Junhou of the Qin Army’s main battle camp. Your responsibilities are not limited to fighting the enemy like a common soldier; you must also command five thousand Sharp Warriors under your banner. With this shift in duties comes great responsibility. You must be clear on that."
"This subordinate understands," Zhao Feng replied, ready to receive his orders.
"The Great King values you highly and expects you to achieve new merits for Qin. You must not let the Great King down," Wang Jian said with a slight smile, patting Zhao Feng on the shoulder.
Afterward, Wang Jian turned his gaze toward the Sharp Warriors standing in formation.
"Zhao Feng, as a member of the Logistics Army, has rendered great service to the nation, and his name has already reached the Great King’s ears. This reward is entirely due to the Great King’s grace," he proclaimed. "Zhao Feng’s promotion and ennoblement serve as a message to the entire Qin Army of how our meritocracy functions. Those who kill the enemy and demonstrate merit will be rewarded! Those who serve the country and achieve greatness will be promoted! In the Qin Army, we do not look at your origins, only at your ability and your military merit. With Zhao Feng’s promotion today, every soldier in the Qin Army has the same opportunity! I hope that in the future, more soldiers from our Lantian Camp will achieve great merits and stand before the Great King himself. I hope that I will have the chance to personally bestow ranks and nobility upon them as well."
Hearing these words and looking at Zhao Feng, the Sharp Warriors on the parade ground all wore expressions of longing and aspiration. Clearly, the desire to kill the enemy, earn merit, and rise through the ranks had been ignited within them. They hoped to receive promotions just like Zhao Feng and, one day, be honored by a personal visit from Wang Jian.
So I’ve been made an example! Zhao Feng immediately understood Wang Jian’s intentions: to use him to motivate and encourage the entire army, to make them fight even more bravely. Such is the power of a role model. Indeed, a promotion this rapid had not been seen in years. For now, he was an example just for this military camp, but he would surely become a benchmark for the entire Lantian Camp, and perhaps even the entire Qin Army, to inspire all the Sharp Warriors. It was an intangible form of being used.
I originally wanted to lie low, but it seems I can no longer stay under the radar, Zhao Feng sighed silently. Both times he had acted, it was out of sheer necessity. The first time, he killed Bao Qiu because the man was about to kill Wei Quan, the only true friend he had in the army. Zhao Feng had instinctively flung his sword and ended him. The second time, they were being pursued by the enemy. If he hadn’t acted, he might have escaped alone, but Wei Quan and the brothers around him never would have made it. Forget six or seven hundred survivors; they would have been lucky to escape with a few dozen. But now that everything was out in the open, it would be difficult for Zhao Feng to remain inconspicuous.
Fine, so be it. I’ll rely on the battlefield to grow stronger and prepare for the future. The National Fortune of Qin is finite. The more Attributes I collect now, the easier things will be during the End of Qin. And that thousand-year-old blood ginseng in the Royal Palace... I must obtain it, Zhao Feng pondered.
The assembled Sharp Warriors dispersed.
"May I ask the Shangjiangjun, where do I belong in the main battle camp?" Zhao Feng asked curiously. Now that he was a Capital Commandant and Junhou in command of five thousand soldiers, he had no idea where he was supposed to go.
"General Li, have you made the arrangements?" Wang Jian turned his head toward Li Teng.
"Please rest assured, Shangjiangjun. One day is more than enough," Li Teng replied respectfully.
"After tomorrow, come to this parade ground to take command of the Commandant Camp," Wang Jian told Zhao Feng. "Five thousand soldiers. Not one will be missing."