Chapter 23: Wang Jian's Shock!

“Families of the military elite may have ambitions for territorial expansion, but as a woman, one should avoid the battlefield whenever possible; it is not a place to prove one's worth,” Zhao Feng said to Wang Yan, before turning to walk toward the wounded camp.

Those words sent a shock through Wang Yan's entire body.

Her eyes widened, staring fixedly at Zhao Feng's retreating figure.

It wasn't until Zhao Feng had left that Wang Yan regained her senses, a look of unexpected realization crossing her face.

After a long silence.

“He actually realized I am a woman. And it seems he also guessed why I am on the battlefield.”

“As a woman, I don't want to be here either.”

“But if I do not take to the battlefield, if I do not earn merit, if I do not change...”

“Even if I am the daughter of a grand General of Great Qin, even if my status is noble, I will ultimately be unable to escape the fate of an arranged marriage.”

“I do not want to become a victim of political marriage; I want to master my own destiny,” Wang Yan murmured to herself.

The greatest secret hidden deep within Wang Yan's heart had been spoken aloud, though Zhao Feng was not there to hear it.

In elite families, if one were a man, nobility might be predestined; but as a woman, one was bound to become a sacrificial pawn in marriage alliances.

At this moment, ripples were stirred in Wang Yan's heart by Zhao Feng. Between the debt of his life-saving grace and this moment of heartfelt connection, she felt a sensation she had never experienced before.

...

The Qin-Han Border!

Wang Jian stood before a map, his brow deeply furrowed.

As the curtain of the command tent was pulled aside, Wang Ben ran in quickly, a smile spreading across his face.

“What is the status?” Wang Jian asked directly.

“Father,” Wang Ben said, sounding immensely relieved, “the crisis has been resolved.”

“How was it resolved?” Wang Jian asked in a heavy voice. “Did Li Teng redeploy troops for reinforcement? But that would have been too late.”

He had learned of the hidden Han army's surprise attack on Yangcheng the previous night. Upon learning the situation, Wang Jian had immediately halted the transport of grain and supplies and mobilized the main camp's troops to respond.

As a renowned General of the State of Qin, and the one responsible for the first step in the destruction of Han, Wang Jian naturally possessed capabilities that could not be compared to Bao Yuan. Even if Bao Yuan's army had truly broken through the perimeter of Yangcheng, Wang Jian would not have sat idly by waiting to have his supply lines severed.

“Father, the details of this battle might be difficult to believe even if they are told.”

“I do not know much myself. It is best to look at the military report submitted by Yan'er first,” Wang Ben said without further ado, handing a bamboo slip to Wang Jian.

Wang Jian took the report and read it.

The expression on his face immediately became colorful.

As he grasped the cause and effect, a smile appeared on Wang Jian's face. “In other words, these eight thousand Han soldiers have all been annihilated. The reason they failed to break out of Yangcheng to raid our main supply lines was because they were held back by our logistics troops, which gave Yan'er the opportunity to lead her troops to intercept the Han army.”

“Precisely. This logistics unit has performed a great service.”

“However, out of ten thousand logistics troops, only about six hundred survived,” Wang Ben said with a hint of lament.

“Treat this logistics unit with great generosity,” Wang Jian said solemnly. “They have proven with their fierce and fearless courage that besides the main combat troops of Great Qin, the logistics troops are also men of valor. I will petition the King; the pensions for all fallen logistics soldiers in this battle shall be increased by thirty percent on top of their original amount. This is what they have earned through their bravery.”

“Father is wise,” Wang Ben immediately echoed.

Wang Jian nodded and continued reading the report.

But after reading about the logistics troops holding back the Han army, his expression became even more peculiar as he read the subsequent details.

He stood up abruptly, snapping the bamboo slip shut, but then, as if unable to believe it, he opened it again, his face filled with shock and astonishment.

“Father, what is it?” Wang Ben asked, surprised. He had not reviewed the report himself and only knew of the news regarding the surprise attack and the destruction of the Han army.

“One man killed nearly three hundred Han soldiers,” Wang Jian spoke slowly, his face etched with shock. “And he personally slew Bao Yuan amidst the chaos of battle.”

“What? One man killed three hundred Han soldiers and even killed Bao Yuan?” Wang Ben's expression shifted, mirroring the shock.

“See for yourself,” Wang Jian said, handing the report directly to Wang Ben.

The latter took it with both hands and read it carefully. His expression became incredibly complex.

“With this level of combat power... is he even human? And... he is from the logistics unit? This level of strength is unmatched even among the elite combat troops of the main camp,” Wang Ben remarked with deep emotion.

“And doesn't this name sound familiar to you?” Wang Jian smiled.

“Zhao Feng!” Wang Ben immediately recited the name.

“The day Bao Qiu, the son of Bao Yuan, feigned death at the border, he was also killed by this man. He killed both father and son alone; it seems he is quite destined to cross our paths,” Wang Jian said with a hint of amusement.

“Father, why would a man of such prowess be in the logistics unit? And does such a person truly exist in this world?” Wang Ben remained focused on this point.

As a high-ranking General, Wang Jian was naturally composed.

“The world is vast; there is no shortage of extraordinary talents. Being assigned to the logistics unit is likely because of poor performance during their recruit phase, preventing them from being assigned to the main combat troops. Perhaps he was hiding his strength, or perhaps his physical stamina was lacking; it is a personal choice,” Wang Jian explained slowly.

“Father, the reason our army was able to turn crisis into safety and avoid the Han surprise attack is due to this man's immense contribution. Had he not fought his way out with such ferocity, no one in the logistics unit would have dared to face the Han army. Furthermore, he killed nearly three hundred enemies and even slew Bao Yuan. This merit is too great,” Wang Ben said with great emotion.

“According to the military merit system of Great Qin, how many ranks should he be promoted?” Wang Jian asked.

“Reporting to Father: based on his merit in killing enemies, he should be promoted two ranks. Based on his merit in slaying the Han General Bao Yuan, he should be promoted three ranks. If he is to be granted a peerage, his official rank would be reduced accordingly,” Wang Ben replied truthfully.

In the Qin court, killing enemies earned official promotions and peerages. But promotion and peerage were two different things. Official rank represented power and the number of soldiers one commanded, while peerage represented annual stipends, land, and wealth.

“The merit of slaying Bao Yuan must be reported to the King; this man should be rewarded by the King himself. Once Bao Yuan's head is delivered, I shall personally write a memorial to the King,” Wang Jian said heavily.

“A man of such courage cannot remain in the logistics unit. I propose he be transferred to the main combat camp to kill enemies for the state,” Wang Ben suggested directly.

Wang Jian did not object to the proposal and nodded immediately.

A talent such as this, with such ferocity—how could he be left in the logistics unit?