For the Sharp Warriors under Liu Wu’s command, they looked on with envy at the lively scene in the neighboring camp. This scene was naturally also seen by Liu Wu. His upper body was wrapped in bandages, and his injuries had only just stabilized.
Liu Wu let out a sigh, a look of helplessness on his face. Although his Wanjiang camp had earned collective military merit, everyone knew who truly deserved the primary credit. If it hadn’t been for Zhao Feng breaching the city gate, he would have lost his life.
Just then, Chen Tao walked over slowly. Looking at the dejected Liu Wu, he understood immediately.
"What’s wrong?" Chen Tao asked meaningfully. "Feeling a bit resentful?"
"General." Seeing the visitor, Liu Wu quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Rise," Chen Tao said with a wave of his hand.
"The army is a place where ability speaks for itself," Liu Wu said with shame. "This time, I have disappointed you, General, and failed to breach the Han Capital."
"As you said, the army is a place where ability speaks for itself. Judging by this battle, it’s not just you—even I am not Zhao Feng’s equal. His promotion from the Logistics Army to a Capital Commandant in a main combat unit was based on true capability. His future achievements are beyond what you or I can imagine," Chen Tao said with some emotion.
"General," Liu Wu suddenly asked, "previously, you appointed me to lead the vanguard assault with Zhao Feng in support. Could this cause him to resent you?"
Before launching the assault, Liu Wu had been arrogant, telling Zhao Feng to keep up, supremely confident that he would be the one to breach the city. Thinking back on it now, Liu Wu could only feel his face burn with embarrassment.
"Appointing you to the vanguard was partly for my own reasons, but it was also a matter of public concern. I know your combat strength, but Zhao Feng had just arrived to take command. How was I to know his capabilities? Even the Shangjiangjun couldn’t find fault with this decision. Besides, Zhao Feng isn’t the type to quibble over such things. You don’t need to overthink it," Chen Tao said with a slight smile.
"That’s good to hear," Liu Wu nodded.
"Come, now that Zhao Feng has performed a great service for Qin, we should go and offer our congratulations," Chen Tao said to Liu Wu. Follow current novels on n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
"Yes," Liu Wu did not refuse. He understood the current situation. If he didn’t go to congratulate Zhao Feng on such a great accomplishment, he would make a mortal enemy of him. Qin’s laws were strict, particularly in the military. But after witnessing Zhao Feng’s combat prowess and his significant accomplishments, who would dare offend such a promising war general?
Over in Zhao Feng’s camp, the scene was boisterous.
It was then that Chen Tao and Liu Wu arrived.
"Hey, Commander," Wei Quan whispered, approaching Zhao Feng and glancing aside. "General Chen and that Capital Commandant Liu are here."
Zhao Feng put down his wine jar and slowly stood up. "You all keep drinking. I’ll go see them," he said to Wei Quan, then walked toward the two men.
"Mr. Wei," Zhang Han said with a smirk, "what do you think General Chen and Capital Commandant Liu want with our Commander?"
"What’s there to think about?" Wei Quan took a drink of wine, his thoughts perfectly clear. "They’re obviously here to get on his good side and apologize. Didn’t you see the look on Liu Wu’s face before? He acted like he was going to breach the Han Capital all by himself and wanted our Commander to clean up after him. And what happened? If our Commander hadn’t stepped in, their entire Commandant Camp would have been annihilated. Now the whole army knows our Commander earned the primary credit for breaching the city and even captured the king. His future is boundless, so of course, they’ve come to apologize."
"Mr. Wei sees things clearly," Zhang Han added with a laugh. "The army is a place where strength speaks for itself. Don’t mind all those who envy our Commander now; there are plenty who are jealous deep down."
Zhao Feng walked slowly toward Chen Tao. "This subordinate greets General Chen," he said, clasping his fist in a salute. Although he had achieved great merit, the official rewards had not yet been handed down, so he was still technically under Chen Tao’s command.
"Commander Zhao, there’s no need for such formality," Chen Tao said with a smile, his words carrying a hint of flattery. "You have performed a great service for Qin. Before long, I’m afraid your military rank will surpass my own."
"General Chen, you flatter me," Zhao Feng replied with a faint smile.
At his side, Liu Wu stepped forward and bowed deeply to Zhao Feng. "Commander Zhao, thank you for saving my life. If you had not breached the city, I might have perished at the hands of the Han army."
"Capital Commandant Liu, you are too kind," Zhao Feng replied with a light smile. "It is the duty of a Qin soldier to face the enemy on the battlefield. Even if it weren’t you, I would have charged to break the city."
"Regardless, it is a fact that you saved my life, Commander Zhao. Please accept this bow from Liu Wu." Having said that, Liu Wu knelt and bowed deeply to Zhao Feng.
Chen Tao, standing to the side, said nothing.
"Capital Commandant Liu, there’s really no need for this," Zhao Feng said, immediately stepping forward to help him up, but Liu Wu remained on his knees.
"This bow is to thank you for saving my life, but also to ask your forgiveness for my past arrogance, Commander Zhao," Liu Wu said again.
"We are comrades; there’s no need for such formalities," Zhao Feng said, forcibly helping Liu Wu to his feet.
Seeing this, Liu Wu offered his thanks. "Thank you, Commander Zhao."
Although Zhao Feng’s expression remained impassive, in his heart, he understood perfectly. It was obvious. Liu Wu was simply afraid of future retaliation. But ultimately, Liu Wu was overthinking things. Other than a few arrogant words on the battlefield, he hadn’t actually done anything to Zhao Feng. Now that he had knelt in apology, Zhao Feng certainly wouldn’t hold a grudge. However, if Liu Wu were to try any underhanded schemes, Zhao Feng would definitely not let him off. Zhao Feng was the type to repay any grudge. A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years, but if someone truly schemed against him, Zhao Feng’s revenge would be swift and relentless.
"General Chen, Capital Commandant Liu," Zhao Feng invited with a smile. "Since you are here, why not join the men for a drink?"
"Haha," Chen Tao laughed. "Today is a special reward for your Commandant Camp from General Li. The honor is all yours. We just came to offer our congratulations. Commander Zhao, we still have military affairs to attend to, so we will take our leave."
With that, he and Liu Wu departed. Zhao Feng didn’t try to stop them. After all, he wasn’t very familiar with them, and it would have been awkward for them to drink together.
"Brothers!" Zhao Feng called out, returning to the crowd. "Let’s keep drinking!"
He plunged back into the festivities and resumed drinking. It was his first time experiencing such a rare, lively celebration in the army, and he enjoyed it immensely.
"So that Liu Wu finally came to grovel before the Commander."
"He didn’t have that look on his face yesterday when we were attacking the city," Zhang Han commented with a touch of mockery. Yesterday Liu Wu had been insufferably arrogant; today he was kneeling in thanks. The man was two-faced.
"It just goes to show that circumstances are stronger than people," Wei Quan observed shrewdly. "Our Commander achieved a great merit that completely overshadowed him. If he had been the one to breach the city, he certainly wouldn’t be acting today."
"We’re all brothers-in-arms. There’s no need to make too much of it," Zhao Feng said with a light smile, not letting it bother him.
Power and influence... Those two words held so much meaning.
Zhao Feng returned to his quarters and lay on his bed. He wasn’t drunk; instead, he was filled with anticipation.
Four First Order Treasure Chests... and I still haven’t claimed the attributes my Sharp Warriors collected while burying the bodies today.