Chapter 37: Promoted to Marquis of the Vanguard, Commanding Five Thousand Troops! Peerage Raised by Five Ranks!

“Is he about to announce my transfer?” Zhao Feng thought to himself.

Wang Jian’s personal presence here absolutely meant something was happening.

In the grand scheme of things, it was likely for the sake of the war effort; he wouldn't have come personally just for one man, unless he was seizing a timely opportunity.

“This time, I should be able to get a few treasure chests,” Zhao Feng thought, his heart filled with anticipation.

Before long.

The elite soldiers within the military camp gathered, standing in formation and waiting.

“Today!”

“I have come here for two matters!”

“First.”

“Following the defeat and ambush at Yangcheng, the commander Li Teng bears undeniable responsibility. By royal command, I shall record Li Teng's crimes according to military law.” Wang Jian spoke with a grave expression, his coldness instilling a sense of oppression in every soldier.

Li Teng stood to the side, not even daring to breathe heavily.

“Second.”

As soon as Wang Jian finished speaking.

His gaze shifted toward Zhao Feng, who was standing not far away, outside the main formation.

“By royal command, we shall bestow honors upon the greatest contributor to preventing the loss of our Great Qin's logistics and grain routes and to the annihilation of the enemy forces,” Wang Jian shouted again.

To this.

The soldiers in the camp were naturally not surprised.

Zhao Feng's achievements had long since spread.

“Zhao Feng!”

Wang Jian commanded威严ly.

“Present!”

Zhao Feng immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply.

“The Decree of the King of Qin!”

Wang Jian produced a royal decree and unfurled it.

Instantly.

All the soldiers and officers on the training grounds bowed in salute: “We await the King's decree!”

“Zhao Feng, Logistics Camp Sergeant, has rendered great service to the state, fought bravely to kill the enemy, resolved the threat of enemy raids, and even created medical methods to save the wounded of our Great Qin. These are all great merits and deserve heavy rewards.”

“Now.”

“Zhao Feng is transferred to the Main Combat Camp to command troops as an elite officer!”

“Zhao Feng is promoted four ranks to the position of Commandant Military Marquis, commanding five thousand troops!”

“Zhao Feng is promoted five ranks in nobility, being granted the title of [Official Grandee]!”

“His military salary, annual nobility stipend, and entitled lands shall all be determined by the military merit system and shall be granted upon the conclusion of the war,” Wang Jian announced loudly.

Upon hearing this reward.

All the surrounding officers were filled with shock.

“The Great King is so generous, promoting Zhao Feng by four ranks and increasing his nobility by five levels.”

“It is indeed a profound grace.”

“A four-rank promotion is conceivable, but a five-level jump in nobility was unexpected.”

...

Many officers couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

A four-rank promotion in office was not strange, but the five-level jump in nobility was something they had not anticipated.

It wasn't just them.

Even Zhao Feng was currently wearing a look of shock.

“Qin Shi Huang is being way too generous.”

“Did he just give me nine treasure chests at once?” Zhao Feng thought excitedly.

Regarding the official rank.

Zhao Feng wasn't actually that excited, but the treasure chests obtained from every promotion were enough to move him.

How many good items could these nine treasure chests yield? Zhao Feng was full of anticipation!

“Zhao Feng, why haven't you received the decree?”

Seeing the stunned Zhao Feng, Wang Jian immediately smiled.

“Your servant, Zhao Feng, receives the decree.”

“I thank the Great King for his immense grace.” Zhao Feng immediately stepped forward and bowed to accept the decree.

“Bring out the Commandant's uniform and armor,” Wang Jian smiled and shouted again.

The personal guards behind him immediately brought forward a box containing a striking set of black armor and a sword.

Zhao Feng naturally accepted them directly.

“From this day forward.”

“You are no longer in the Logistics Corps, but the Commandant Military Marquis of our Great Qin's Main Combat Camp.”

“Your duty is no longer merely to fight on the front lines like a common soldier, but to command five thousand elite troops under your banner.”

“You must understand the shift in your role and the weight of your new responsibility,” Wang Jian cautioned in a serious tone.

“Your subordinate understands,” Zhao Feng naturally accepted the command.

“The Great King thinks very highly of you and expects you to achieve new merits for Great Qin.”

“Do not let the Great King down,” Wang Jian smiled slightly and patted Zhao Feng on the shoulder.

Then.

Wang Jian turned his gaze toward the soldiers standing in formation.

“Zhao Feng.”

“By rendering service to the state while serving in the Logistics Corps, his name has reached the ears of the Great King. This reward for Zhao Feng is the King's grace.”

“Furthermore, Zhao Feng's promotion serves to show the entire army of Great Qin the utility of our military merit system.”

“Kill the enemy and earn merit, and you shall be rewarded; serve the state and earn merit, and you shall be promoted.”

“In the army of Great Qin, we do not look at your background, only at your ability and your military merits.”

“Just as Zhao Feng was promoted today, every soldier in our Great Qin army has the same opportunity.”

“I hope that in the future, within our Lantian Camp, there will be more soldiers who achieve great merits and stand before the Great King. I hope that next time, I can personally bestow ranks and titles upon them myself.”

Wang Jian spoke to all the soldiers with a sense of exhortation and encouragement.

Hearing these words.

And looking at Zhao Feng.

The soldiers on the training ground were all filled with longing and aspiration. Clearly, they were all struck by the desire to kill enemies, earn merit, and rise in rank, hoping to receive such a promotion as Zhao Feng did, and even more so, hoping that Wang Jian would personally visit them one day.

“I've become a role model!”

Seeing this, Zhao Feng immediately understood Wang Jian's intention.

Using him to motivate and inspire the entire army.

To make them fight even more fiercely.

Such is the power of an example.

After all, someone rising as quickly as Zhao Feng had not been seen in years.

Currently, it was just this camp, but it would undoubtedly become a standard for the entire Lantian Camp, and eventually the entire Great Qin army.

To inspire all the elite soldiers.

This was a form of intangible utilization!

“I originally wanted to keep a low profile, but it seems I can't anymore,” Zhao Feng sighed silently in his heart.

Both times he had acted, it was out of necessity.

The first time, when he killed in Baoqiu, it was because he had almost killed Wei Quan, his only confidant in the army.

Zhao Feng had instinctively thrown a sword strike to resolve him.

And the second time.

That was naturally while being pursued by the enemy. If he hadn't acted, perhaps he could have escaped alone, but Wei Quan and the brothers beside him wouldn't have made it.

Forget surviving with six or seven hundred men; if even a few dozen could escape, it would be a miracle.

But now that everything was out in the open, it would be difficult for Zhao Feng to stay low-profile.

“Fine then.”

“I will grow stronger through the battlefield to prepare for the future.”

“The destiny of Qin is only so long. The more attributes I pick up now, the easier the end of the Qin dynasty will be.”

“And that thousand-year-old blood ginseng in the palace—I must obtain it,” Zhao Feng thought secretly.

Afterward.

The gathered soldiers dispersed.

“May I ask, General,”

“Where will I be stationed within the Main Combat Camp?” Zhao Feng asked curiously.

He was now a Commandant Military Marquis commanding five thousand troops, but where he would lead them had not been mentioned.

“General Li, have you made the arrangements?” Wang Jian turned to look at Li Teng.

“Please rest assured, General,”

“One day will be sufficient,” Li Teng replied respectfully.

“After tomorrow, come to this training ground to take over the Commandant's Camp.”

“Five thousand soldiers, not one less,” Wang Jian said to Zhao Feng.

...

PS: Seeking recommendation votes, monthly tickets, and follow-up reads. Deeply grateful.

(End of Chapter)