Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 208: Chapter 118: Royal Edict Arrives, Promoted to Main General! Wang Yan Goes Into Labor! (Part 2)

They were originally ordered to defend Wei City. Their current move against Wei was because Zhao Feng wanted to press his advantage and build on his achievements, as there was no direct order from Xianyang. What specific victories they achieved and when they would cease hostilities all depended on Zhao Feng.

”Report! A Royal Envoy from Xianyang has arrived!” Zhang Ming’s voice carried over.

”He’s here at last,” Tu Sui and the other generals said excitedly. ”General, you will surely be promoted to Main General this time.”

”It’s not just me who might be promoted to Main General. Perhaps you acting Wanjiangs might have your positions made permanent as well,” Zhao Feng said with a slight smile.

Hearing this, Wei Quan, Liu Wang, and the other generals all beamed with excitement. The thought of going from an acting Wanjiang to an official one was thrilling.

”Let’s go,” Zhao Feng said with a smile, turning to descend from the city tower. ”We must not keep the Royal Envoy waiting.”

Approaching them was a contingent from the Xianyang Royal Palace, led by a Commander of a Hundred from the Imperial Guards.

”General Zhao,” the commander greeted, clasping his fist in a military salute upon seeing Zhao Feng.

”Brother, it seems we are truly fated,” Zhao Feng laughed upon recognizing the man. It was the same commander who had delivered the last Royal Edict, and now here he was again.

”It is my honor to deliver a Royal Edict to you, General Zhao,” the Commander of a Hundred said with the utmost respect.

”What does the Great King’s Royal Edict say this time?” Zhao Feng smiled and got straight to the point.

”A Royal Edict from the King of Qin.” The commander did not hesitate, taking the edict from within his robes.

”Your servant, Zhao Feng, respectfully awaits the Royal Edict,” Zhao Feng immediately announced with a deep bow.

The generals behind him bowed in unison. ”We, your servants, respectfully await the Royal Edict.”

The Commander of a Hundred proclaimed loudly, ”The King of Qin decrees: Deputy General Zhao Feng, for defending Wei City, crushing the Wei Army, and defeating Wei Wuji, has performed a great service. Zhao Feng is hereby granted a promotion of one rank to Main General, entitled to the monthly stipend and authority of a Main General. He is granted the right to form a personal guard of five hundred trusted aides. Furthermore, he is granted one thousand gold pieces, 50,000 coins, one hundred servants, one hundred jade articles, one thousand bolts of fine cloth, and fifty Guards. All rewards will be delivered to the General’s family estate in his hometown. I hope, Minister Zhao, that you will continue to strive and achieve new merits for the great state of Qin. Once the state of Zhao is vanquished, you shall be rewarded again according to your contributions.”

Upon hearing the Royal Edict, Zhao Feng stepped forward without hesitation. ”Your servant, Zhao Feng, thanks the Great King for his immense benevolence.”

Behind him, all the generals were smiling, especially Zhao Feng’s confidants. With Zhao Feng’s promotion to Main General, their own status would naturally rise as well.

The commander promptly placed the Royal Edict in Zhao Feng’s hands. ”Congratulations, General Zhao. From this day forward, you are the youngest Main General in Qin, and indeed, in all the lands. Your fame for defeating Wei Wuji will shake the world,” the Commander of a Hundred said with awe.

Everyone in the army knew Zhao Feng had boundless potential, but no one could have imagined his promotions would come so quickly.

”This is all due to the Great King’s immense favor and protection,” Zhao Feng replied politely.

”General Zhao,” the commander continued, producing another edict, ”this is a Royal Edict bestowing authority. In addition to granting you command over your troops, the Great King also grants you control over the 50,000-strong Logistics Army.”

”I accept the Royal Edict,” Zhao Feng responded immediately.

Promotion to Main General was a qualitative leap in status. Not only could he command two Deputy Generals and ten Wanjiangs, but he could also command a 50,000-strong Logistics Army. One hundred thousand combat soldiers and fifty thousand logistics troops—such was the authority of a Main General.

”Now that I have been promoted to Main General, does this mean I can appoint two Deputy Generals under my command?” Zhao Feng asked with a smile.

”As you are now a Main General, it is only proper for you to have two Deputy Generals. As for the candidates...” The commander smiled. ”The Great King has instructed that all appointments be based on merit.” He then scanned the men present and asked loudly, ”Is the Military Judge present?”

”I am here, my lord,” Kuai Pu immediately stepped forward, his expression full of reverence.

”A Royal Edict from the Great King,” the Commander of a Hundred said, taking out yet another edict.

”Your servant respectfully awaits the Royal Edict,” Kuai Pu said with a prompt bow.

The Commander of a Hundred read aloud, ”The Great King decrees: In the battle to defend Wei City, the officers and soldiers under General Zhao Feng fought valiantly, and their toil and contributions were great. I am deeply gratified. Now, all rewards shall be distributed according to merit, with the Military Judge responsible for implementation. As for the selection of Deputy Generals, they are to be recommended by General Zhao Feng and promoted based on military merit. Furthermore, the request from Minister Zhao to grant stipends to all soldiers of the Penal Battalion who died in battle for Qin is hereby approved. I, the King, grant this.”

”I accept the Royal Edict!” Kuai Pu declared loudly.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang, indeed. He even approved the stipends for the fallen soldiers of the Penal Battalion. Zhao Feng felt a sense of relief. Regarding this request, it was a good thing I was dealing with him. I only dared to ask because it was him. If it were one of those incompetent monarchs, they would have certainly refused. After all, providing stipends for so many fallen soldiers from the Penal Battalion is no small expense.

”Mr. Kuai, accept the Royal Edict,” the Commander of a Hundred said.

”I accept the Royal Edict,” Kuai Pu responded at once.

”Now that all the Royal Edicts have been delivered, I shall take my leave,” the Commander of a Hundred said respectfully.

”Thank you for your efforts,” Zhao Feng replied, returning the fist salute.

Once the Imperial Guards had departed, Zhao Feng turned to Kuai Pu. ”Mr. Kuai, based on military merit, the four acting Wanjiangs under my command can be formally promoted now, correct?”

”The generals’ successful defense of Wei City is a great merit, so they can certainly be promoted. As for promotions in their noble ranks, I will report the matter to the Shaofu,” Kuai Pu replied immediately.

”As for my Deputy Generals, I recommend Tu Sui and Zhang Han,” Zhao Feng stated. ”Their ability to command troops is outstanding, and they are absolutely capable of handling this great responsibility.”

”General Tu and General Zhang are indeed worthy of the position of Deputy General,” Kuai Pu nodded in agreement.