Chapter 30: As expected, heroes emerge from the youth!

“Chancellor!”

“If the brave soldiers who died in battle are mistreated simply because of the expenditures of the national treasury, it will cause the hearts of the entire army to grow cold,” Wei Liao said, turning to address Wang Wan.

“The system of nobility is thus; the system of the logistics corps and the regular army is thus.”

“If everything can be changed, how can we maintain discipline through regulations in the future?” Wang Wan replied, unyielding.

Wei Liao gave a faint smile. “Regulations and discipline should indeed come first, but the logistics corps are also soldiers. Their original duty was to manage supplies, yet they took to the battlefield. They died for the country; they deserve a share of the same compensation provided to the frontline combatants. The strength of Great Qin, the sharpness of its military edge, and the morale of its soldiers all stem from this.”

As his voice fell.

“While it may be feasible in terms of sentiment, it is impermissible under the law of the state.”

“Lord Wei, you oversee military rewards and punishments; you should understand this clearly, and you should know even better that mobilizing troops causes immense depletion of Great Qin's national strength,” Wang Wan remained unmoved.

But at that moment!

Ying Zheng spoke: “Enough!”

“Your Majesty!”

Wang Wan and Wei Liao bowed deeply.

“The laws and regulations of the state must not be greatly violated, but soldiers who die for the country must not be mistreated. Use half of the compensation allocated to the nobility and elite warriors to provide for these soldiers who served the country with loyalty.”

“Consider this my settlement with them,” Ying Zheng spoke slowly.

It sounded casual, but it was a final decree.

“The King is wise!” Wei Liao immediately bowed, his face beaming with joy.

Wang Wan, however, fell into silence.

“Chancellor, did you hear clearly?” Ying Zheng frowned and looked toward Wang Wan.

Facing Ying Zheng's majesty, Wang Wan could only bow: “This old official understands.”

“Very well.”

“If there are no further petitions, the court is adjourned.”

“Great Physician Xia, enter Zhangtai Palace for a discussion,” Ying Zheng stood up and waved his hand.

Then.

Ying Zheng turned and left the Qin King's Hall directly.

“We respectfully see off the King!”

The assembled officials chanted in unison.

Once Ying Zheng had departed.

“Lord Wei.”

“You do not run a household, so you do not know the cost of rice and firewood.”

“Great Qin has been mobilizing against Han for three months. Do you have any idea how much grain and fodder a 300,000-strong army consumes daily during these three months?”

Wang Wan walked up to Wei Liao's side and let out a cold snort, visibly dissatisfied.

“Though I do not run a household, I do know the national strength of Great Qin.”

“While conquering Han will deplete some of our strength, it is far from the 'great loss' the Chancellor speaks of.”

“In all these years, has the former Chancellor's reserve of grain and supplies been entirely exhausted by the current Chancellor?”

“Or is the current one simply inferior to his predecessor?” Wei Liao sneered, flicking his sleeve and turning to leave.

Mocked by Wei Liao, Wang Wan's face turned ashen, but he ultimately endured it.

Perhaps.

This was the collision between the old aristocracy and the new nobility beneath the seemingly calm and united surface of the Qin court.

Since the King's personal rule began, Great Qin had undergone a massive transformation.

Originally, the imperial clan and the old nobility of Qin dominated the court, but Ying Zheng adhered to the principle of employing the talented regardless of status, seeking virtue from across the world and employing even foreign guests.

Now, the Qin court was divided into two factions.

The old nobility and the new elite, entangled in interests and struggles for power, viewed each other with hostility.

Ying Zheng naturally saw everything, yet he did not intervene. Such is the nature of royal power: to harness one's ministers.

***

The King's private quarters.

Zhangtai Palace!

“Great Physician Xia has arrived!”

Outside the hall, Zhao Gao shouted loudly.

Xia Wuqie strode into the palace.

As Xia Wuqie entered, Ying Zheng, who was waiting inside, waved his hand.

Zhao Gao immediately bowed his head and slowly closed the palace doors.

“Father-in-law,” Ying Zheng called out warmly.

“Your Majesty,” Xia Wuqie replied with a bow.

“The last time I saw you was a month ago. Does Father-in-law truly dislike seeing me that much?” Ying Zheng said with a hint of helplessness.

“Your Majesty overthinks it.”

“You know my character; I have never liked the court, much less the royal palace.”

“Studying medicine is my only desire,” Xia Wuqie replied with a smile.

Hearing this!

Ying Zheng only smiled faintly, a trace of melancholy in his eyes. “If possible, Father-in-law, please visit the palace more often. Over these years, I have no one left by my side to whom I can speak my true heart.”

“Very well!”

Xia Wuqie did not say much and simply nodded.

Seeing this, the smile on Ying Zheng's face deepened.

“How many people know about the new medical techniques in the Military Medical Camp?” Ying Zheng asked.

“That Zhao Feng passed the suturing technique and the sterilization method to Master Chen, and his disciple has since taught them to many military physicians,” Xia Wuqie said.

“Such medical skill has actually reduced our military casualties by so much.”

“It is truly unprecedented,” Ying Zheng remarked with emotion.

“If it were not so, this old official would certainly not have requested a reward for him from Your Majesty.”

“And did this lad make any demands when teaching these techniques?”

“My disciple has only one thing to say about him: a physician possesses a benevolent heart,” Xia Wuqie said with a smile.

“Father-in-law, you are thinking of taking him as a disciple, aren't you?” Ying Zheng laughed, seeing through him instantly.

“Indeed!”

“I originally thought my medical skills had reached their peak in this life, but I did not expect there to be someone greater out there.”

“Master Chen said his skills are not necessarily profound, but he has unique insights into the Way of Medicine. With proper guidance, he will surely become a great physician,” Xia Wuqie said with certainty.

Hearing this, Ying Zheng felt a sense of regret. “The boy is incredibly brave; even Wang Jian personally submitted a petition to request him. It is a waste to use his abilities merely as a military physician. Since Father-in-law has spoken, I cannot fulfill your wish this time.”

“Your Majesty overstates it.”

“Compared to a fierce general, cultivating a great physician is indeed nothing,” Xia Wuqie smiled.

“Father-in-law.”

“I have already begun my journey to unify the world.”

“Conquering Han is only the first step.”

“The second step is Zhao.”

“Soon, I will grant you your wish,” Ying Zheng gazed at Xia Wuqie, his voice carrying the weight of a promise.

***

Yangcheng, the Governor's Mansion!

“Reporting to General Li.”

“The logistics corps sergeant, Zhao Feng, has arrived.” Wang Yan led Zhao Feng into the hall and cupped her hands in greeting.

“Greetings, General Li.”

Zhao Feng immediately bowed and cupped his hands.

Had he been an ordinary member of the logistics corps without a title, he would have been required to kneel before a superior. But now that Zhao Feng held a title, even when meeting the King of Qin, he only needed to bow.

Hearing the voice, Li Teng raised his head and looked at Zhao Feng. After scrutinizing him for a moment, he smiled. “I did not expect you to be so young. Truly, heroes emerge from youth.”

*In history, the conquest of Han was led by Qin Shi Huang with Li Teng as the general. Is this man Li Teng, who later held the office of Neishi (Imperial Secretary)?*

Looking at the Li Teng before him, Zhao Feng couldn't help but wonder.

To Zhao Feng, the man before him was a living historical figure.

He was a character recorded in history.

Thinking back carefully, this was arguably the first famous historical figure Zhao Feng had truly met in person.

What about Bao Yuan?

That probably didn't count.

After all, he had been decapitated by Zhao Feng in a single encounter.

“General Li overpraises me,” Zhao Feng replied, neither humble nor arrogant.