Chapter 31: Wang Yan: Don't you have anything to ask?

"I originally thought that damn bastard Baoyuan had escaped, so I led the troops in pursuit, determined to take him down. I never imagined that wretch was lurking in Yangcheng, nearly ruining everything."

"If it weren't for you this time, I might have been stripped of my position as commander directly."

"Because of me, ten thousand soldiers of the logistics army were harmed."

Recalling the events of these past few days, Li Teng felt a sense of helplessness, though more so, a deep sense of self-reproach.

Regarding this, Zhao Feng did not offer words of comfort. This matter was indeed Li Teng's responsibility; it was his greed for glory and reckless advancement that led to the failure to station troops to guard Yangcheng, which in turn gave Baoyuan the opportunity to strike.

Had Li Teng left even ten thousand elite soldiers to garrison Yangcheng, Baoyuan would not have been able to stir up such trouble, and so many soldiers of the logistics army would not have died in battle.

While it is said that "a single general's success is built upon ten thousand withered bones," in this instance, Li Teng had achieved no glory, only error.

Furthermore, in the depths of Zhao Feng's heart, when he was being hunted and ambushed by Baoyuan's forces, he had also been cursing inwardly. To think that even when the battle had reached such a stage, they could still be ambushed by the Han army—it was truly absurd.

"If General Li truly feels guilt, you may go to the graves of those soldiers one day to pay your respects," Zhao Feng spoke slowly. "Or, you could submit a memorial to the King, requesting increased pensions for their families."

Hearing this, Li Teng raised his head and looked at Zhao Feng with a hint of surprise. It seemed he had not expected Zhao Feng to be so blunt, showing no fear of his status as commander.

Li Teng was not angry; instead, he nodded with a solemn expression. "After the war, I will go. As for the pensions for the fallen soldiers of the logistics army, the Grand General has already submitted a memorial to request them."

"If the pensions are indeed increased, the deceased soldiers might find some small measure of solace," Zhao Feng added.

In this era, many things were beyond one's control—being conscripted, joining the army, going to the battlefield, and dying. But beneath the silence, everything was for the sake of survival, and for their families to survive.

Though the soldiers were dead, their pensions were the final gift they could leave to their families. Even a ten percent increase could allow their families to live a slightly better life; after all, for ordinary people in this era, besides working in workshops, most relied on farming to earn a living.

"Rest assured," Li Teng said. "Great Qin will never mistreat anyone who has rendered meritorious service. I have already received word from the Grand General; he has submitted a memorial regarding your military merits as well as those of the logistics army. Within ten days, a royal decree may arrive. By then, you should no longer be part of the logistics army, but an elite soldier of my main combat camp. The Grand General's intention is for you to be placed under my main command."

"Once the decree arrives, I shall fulfill my duty accordingly," Zhao Feng replied calmly, cupping his fists.

"Don't worry. I know your injuries have only just healed. Take this time to rest well. Currently, our army is pursuing the remnants of the enemy and gradually approaching the Han capital. There are no major battles for the time being, so you need not worry," Li Teng said with a smile.

"Understood," Zhao Feng nodded immediately.

"General Li," Wang Yan suddenly spoke from the side.

"Speak, Military Marquis Wang," Li Teng looked toward her.

"I hope to have Zhao Feng transferred to the unit under my command," Wang Yan said, lifting her head.

"Transferred to your unit?" A look of surprise crossed Li Teng's face. When his eyes met Wang Yan's, he realized something and asked slowly, "Have you decided?"

"I have," Wang Yan nodded. Once the words were out, she seemed to relax significantly.

"Very well, I will report this to the Grand General," Li Teng said.

"Thank you, General," Wang Yan expressed her gratitude. She then turned to Zhao Feng. "Since you will be transferred to the main combat camp soon anyway, how about I take you to familiarize yourself with the camp?"

Zhao Feng did not refuse. "Very well. I also wish to see how the main combat camp differs from the logistics army."

With that, Wang Yan led Zhao Feng out of the hall.

*This boy holds a grudge against me,* Li Teng thought, watching Zhao Feng's retreating back. *Perhaps this is of my own making. Because of my own actions, the logistics army suffered. Sigh...*

Looking at Zhao Feng's back, Li Teng could naturally sense the coldness in the boy's words. Perhaps this was simply Zhao Feng's temperament—he had no love for hypocrisy. To ask him to flatter Li Teng or curry favor was something Zhao Feng truly could not do; furthermore, the power he currently possessed meant he had no need to flatter others.

On the road, Wang Yan walked in front and Zhao Feng followed behind. The two walked toward the camp in silence.

Under this atmosphere, Wang Yan suddenly stopped walking. Zhao Feng also came to a sudden halt, looking bewildered.

Wang Yan turned around and said with a hint of resentment, "Do you have nothing to say? Nothing to ask?"

"What could I possibly have to ask?" Zhao Feng replied, puzzled.

"How did you realize I was a woman?" Wang Yan stared at him and asked.

Zhao Feng gave her a strange look and then smiled. "Is it not obvious to anyone with eyes? There are few 'fair-faced scholars' like you in the army, and no matter how much you try to make your voice sound coarse, you cannot hide a woman's voice. Furthermore..."

Zhao Feng's gaze swept toward Wang Yan's chest. "No matter how much you wrap yourself, how could a man have such exaggerated pectoral muscles? Do you think I'm a fool?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Yan instinctively looked down, and her fair face instantly turned crimson with shame.

"You lecher!" she hissed.

"You were the one who asked," Zhao Feng replied, exasperated.

"Do you want to go home that badly?" Wang Yan suddenly asked.

"What nonsense are you talking about now?" Zhao Feng glanced at her and said irritably, "Don't tell me you don't want to go home?"

"I don't," Wang Yan replied, shaking her head with a bitter smile.

Seeing her like this, Zhao Feng did not know how to respond. After a moment of thought, he said, "I am just an ordinary commoner; I don't understand the affairs of noble families. Perhaps there are just more trivial matters within great clans."

"Yes," Wang Yan said with a bitter smile. "If it were possible, I wouldn't even want to be born into the so-called 'great family' you speak of. Perhaps then, I wouldn't be so helpless."

Zhao Feng remained silent, but he already had a suspicion in his heart: *It seems this girl is definitely being targeted for a political marriage. Otherwise, she wouldn't have run off to the army to hide. Perhaps she wants to earn military merits to change her fate. But that is nearly impossible. Her surname is Wang; she might be the daughter of Wang Jian. If that is the case, his daughter is destined for a political marriage—perhaps even promised directly to a prince of the royal family by imperial decree. However, for the women of this era, most are subject to the commands of their parents and the words of matchmakers. It is difficult to defy.*