Chapter 21: Wang Yan: I cannot meet this condition

Outside the infirmary!

Wang Yan was sitting by a campfire, with a whole sheep roasting over the flames.

A perimeter of personal guards had been drawn up around her to provide protection.

"Who is the Military Prefect Wang Yan?"

At that moment, Zhao Feng emerged from the infirmary. Upon seeing the situation outside, he immediately spoke up to ask.

A personal guard approached, glanced at Zhao Feng, and then asked, "Are you Zhao Feng?"

"I am," Zhao Feng nodded.

"Follow me," the guard immediately led the way.

*The authority to command personal guards is only held by those above the rank of General. Could this Military Prefect be that little girl I saw once in Yangcheng?*

Looking at the imposing presence of the surrounding guards, Zhao Feng thought to himself. After all, he had a very deep impression of these personal guards.

Under the guidance of the guard, Zhao Feng arrived at the campfire.

"It really is that little girl."

"One look and you can tell she's a woman disguised as a man," Zhao Feng thought, recognizing her instantly.

Why could he tell at a glance? Although this girl, like the other elite soldiers in the army, had her hair tied up, her fair complexion and petite stature were unmistakable. Furthermore, if one looked closely, it was evident she had no Adam's apple.

As Zhao Feng approached, the guard beside her bowed deeply.

"Military Prefect, the man has been brought."

Wang Yan stood up immediately and turned around. When she saw Zhao Feng, a flash of astonishment crossed her face. She seemed surprised by his appearance—or perhaps she had misjudged his age and looks.

*How is he so young?* Wang Yan thought to herself.

In yesterday's battle, Zhao Feng had fought covered in blood and grime, making it impossible to see his face clearly.

"Are you Zhao Feng?" Wang Yan asked tentatively.

"I am."

Zhao Feng nodded, then cupped his fists in salute. "May I ask what the Military Prefect requires?"

"You all may withdraw," Wang Yan waved her hand to the guards.

"Understood."

The guards dispersed one by one.

Once they were alone, Wang Yan smiled slightly and bowed to Zhao Feng. "I have come specifically to thank you for saving my life. Had you not acted yesterday, I might have died under the enemy's spears."

"I acted?"

Zhao Feng was stunned for a moment, searching his memories. When he killed Bao Yuan yesterday, it did seem like he had incidentally saved someone. However, he hadn't paid much attention; after all, he had saved quite a few people yesterday.

"We are comrades-in-arms. Killing the enemy was merely a matter of course. There is no need for such formality, Military Prefect," Zhao Feng said very calmly.

Hearing this, Wang Yan was even more surprised by his composed demeanor. She thought that if an ordinary person realized they had been saved and had received such a great favor, they would at least show some joy, if not complete composure. After all, Zhao Feng was merely a logistics soldier, while she was the Prefect of the main camp; the gap in their status was immense.

"To you, it may have been a matter of course, but to me, it was a life-saving favor."

"I owe you a life. Tell me what you want, and I can grant you a request within my power," Wang Yan said, looking at him.

"I do not want anything," Zhao Feng shook his head.

"Wealth? Power?"

"You may ask for either," Wang Yan insisted, unwilling to give up.

She had summoned him specifically to repay the debt. She was the daughter of the Great Qin General Wang Jian, and she had been raised with the values of repaying kindness and being loyal to the sovereign. If she failed to repay this debt, how would others perceive her?

"I have no great need for wealth; my annual salary is sufficient to support my family."

"As for power, it would be useless for me to have it."

"Furthermore, by killing Bao Yuan this time, my rewards under the military merit system will not be small," Zhao Feng said, still shaking his head calmly.

Hearing this, Wang Yan grew anxious. The Zhao Feng before her looked very young, roughly her own age, yet his temperament was not that of someone his age.

"Do you truly want nothing at all?" Wang Yan pressed.

"If you ask if there is something I want... then there actually is one thing."

"But can you manage it?" Zhao Feng suddenly smiled.

"Speak," Wang Yan said immediately.

"I want to discharge from the military and return home."

"Can you do that?" Zhao Feng asked, his eyes searching hers with anticipation.

If this one thing could be accomplished, he would truly be grateful to her. Rather than making a name for himself or gaining power in the military, Zhao Feng's true desire was to serve his mother.

Of course, with his current strength, if he followed the trend of Qin unifying the world, he indeed had the chance to reach the highest ranks of officialdom. But Zhao Feng knew the trend of Qin, and more importantly, he knew its future: the death of Qin Shi Huang, the succession of Huhai, and the fall of the Qin Dynasty in its second generation.

He knew it all too well. It seemed far away, but in reality, it was only about twenty years. That was the extent of Qin's destiny. If Zhao Feng wanted to, he could easily build an empire during the late Qin period.

However, Zhao Feng had no lingering attachment to military power. The real reason was his mother's poor health. He and his sister were twins; after giving birth to them, his mother's body had become extremely frail and prone to illness. Zhao Feng wanted to fulfill his filial duties and care for her. In this era, childbirth was like stepping one foot into the gates of hell, and twins were even more dangerous. He did not want to be the son who wishes to provide for his parents only after they are gone.

"What?"

"You want to discharge and go home?"

Wang Yan looked at Zhao Feng in disbelief.

"Yes," Zhao Feng nodded.

"Do you realize what you are saying?"

"In this battle, you killed nearly three hundred enemies single-handedly. That is a massive military achievement in itself."

"And you killed Bao Yuan; that is merit upon merit."

"The reason our supply lines and grain routes were not successfully raided by Bao Yuan's surprise attack is largely due to your efforts."

"These achievements alone are enough to promote you several ranks in both office and nobility. Your future is limitless."

"And yet you say you want to discharge?" Wang Yan said in astonishment.

Facing her shock, Zhao Feng remained calm. To others, wanting to retire after such great achievements might seem like madness, but Zhao Feng simply did not care.

"Indeed," Zhao Feng replied.

Seeing that Zhao Feng was not joking, Wang Yan was stunned, at a loss for words.

Seeing the mutton roasting over the fire, Zhao Feng did not stand on ceremony. "Is that mutton being roasted for me?"

Wang Yan said nothing, looking at him strangely, as if his words made her doubt her own reality.

Zhao Feng did not wait for an answer; he sat down by the fire, took out a small knife, and began to slice the meat.

"The Great Qin military service system mandates a basic service limit of two years, and five years for elite soldiers."

"No one may alter this, and no one may allow a soldier to end their service early, otherwise the Qin laws will impose heavy punishment."

"You are right. I cannot fulfill this request," Wang Yan said.