Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 188: Chapter 113: Defeating Wei Wuji! The Prelude to Zhao Feng’s Fame! Judgment! (Part 2)

What an incredible ability to command troops! What immense power! After this battle, their general’s name, and their own names as soldiers under Zhao Feng’s command, would spread throughout the world. The world would soon know that a young general of Qin had defeated Lord Xinling of Wei.

Resounding cheers erupted throughout Wei City. Soon after, Tu Sui, Wei Quan, and the other generals quickly approached Zhao Feng.

”This subordinate pays his respects to the General!” The generals came forward, all bowing to Zhao Feng with excitement. Each man was drenched in blood, scarred and wounded. However, having survived such a bitter battle, it was a blessing they had made it out alive.

”All of you, rise,” Zhao Feng said with a slight smile, gesturing with his hand.

”Thank you, General!” the men replied, looking at Zhao Feng with boundless fervor.

Even Qi Sheng and Wu Yue, who were not part of Zhao Feng’s direct command, now looked at him with admiration. After this battle, Zhao Feng had won their complete respect through his ability. Wei Wuji, known as the War God of Wei, had been defeated so utterly. An army of nearly two hundred thousand had been crushed by Zhao Feng’s command. With such commanding ability and such a victory, who would dare call it anything less than a grand triumph?

”Congratulations, General Zhao, on another illustrious achievement.” At that moment, Central Army Sima Kuaipu quickly approached, his face also full of admiration for Zhao Feng. As the Military Judge responsible for tallying military exploits and reporting victories, Kuai Pu too was truly impressed by Zhao Feng’s capabilities. At a time when victory was uncertain, Zhao Feng had led a mere ten thousand men deep into enemy territory and somehow launched a surprise attack on the rear of the Wei Army, utterly defeating them.

”Mr. Kuai is too kind,” Zhao Feng replied, immediately returning the salute with a clasped fist. Kuai Pu reported directly to the Shaofu and the Shangjiangjun, so there was no hierarchical difference between him and Zhao Feng. Naturally, Zhao Feng could not be discourteous.

”Truly, this was a grand feat, General Zhao,” Kuai Pu said with considerable emotion. ”To launch a surprise attack on the rear of the Wei Army... It was fortunate you arrived when you did. Had the Wei Army continued its assault, I fear the city would have truly been breached.”

”Mr. Kuai, you misspoke,” Zhao Feng said with a laugh, though his expression was gravely serious.

”Where did I go wrong?” Kuai Pu asked, confused.

”I believed that my soldiers could hold their ground, whether they were the Sharp Warriors or the Penal Battalion. From start to finish, I trusted they could hold the line.”

”Even if I had not come, these soldiers would have fought the Wei Army to the last man,” Zhao Feng declared with great solemnity. As his words fell, all the soldiers around looked at him with awe, a profound sense of pride swelling in their hearts. This was their glory.

Upon hearing this, Kuai Pu nodded. ”Indeed. Even though the Wei troops were fierce and breached the gates, your soldiers staunchly defended the outer city, preventing the Wei Army from breaking through completely. I truly respect your leadership, General Zhao.” As he spoke, Kuai Pu’s expression was utterly sincere.

Looking at the generals before him and the blood-soaked soldiers all around, Zhao Feng raised his voice once more. ”Soldiers of Wei City, you have all done well! This time, under Wei Wuji’s command, the enemy’s spearhead was fierce and their assault relentless. An army without morale or confidence would have been crushed by them long ago, but you endured twenty days of unceasing attacks from Wei’s elite forces!”

”Looking across the entire world, only our Qin Army—only you, the defenders of Wei City—possess such combat strength! Without your desperate defense, it would have been impossible for me to launch a surprise attack on the Wei Army, let alone defeat them.”

”Here and now, I, Zhao Feng, thank every brother who defended Wei City!” As he spoke, he dismounted, clasped his fists, and gave a formal military salute to all the soldiers.

In response, every soldier swelled with immense pride. One by one, they returned the salute, showing their profound respect for Zhao Feng. This was the bond of Pao Ze, an honor that can only be truly understood within an army.

Turning his gaze back to his officers, Zhao Feng’s eyes swept over them as he asked with mild surprise, ”Where are Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo?”

Upon hearing the names, the faces of Tu Sui, Wei Quan, and all the other generals who had remained in Wei City filled with anger. ”General,” Tu Sui said coldly, ”Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo took their troops and abandoned Wei City.”

”Not only did they desert, but they also spread the rumor that you had fled in the face of the enemy. They claimed Wei City was indefensible, so they took their troops to set up a defensive line to the south. Except for Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo, who command the Wanjiang Battalion, the rest of us all led our men in a fight to the death. Their desertion is utterly disgraceful...”

The other generals began speaking up one after another, and even Qi Sheng and Wu Yue, who were not from Zhao Feng’s direct command, were filled with righteous indignation. While they had been fighting a bloody battle against the Wei Army within the city, replacing every fallen man and leading from the front, Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo had simply abandoned their posts. Worse, they had done so under the pretense that the city was indefensible and they were setting up an external line of defense.

Hearing these accounts, Zhao Feng’s expression turned cold. ”Did you issue my order to them?” he asked Tu Sui.

”I issued your order to defend, General, but they refused to obey,” Tu Sui replied, seeming somewhat helpless.

”The military order I left you—didn’t you show it to them?” Zhao Feng pressed.

”That was when the Wei Army was breaching the walls. I relayed the order, but they simply ignored it,” Tu Sui replied with a wry smile.

”Ignored it?” Zhao Feng frowned.

”I can testify on General Tu Sui’s behalf,” Kuai Pu interjected. ”I was present when he relayed the command. As they were leaving, they even urged me to take the men from the Central Army and abandon the city as well.”