Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 373: Chapter 167: Return to Zhao!

”Greetings, Senior General.”

Upon arriving, Li Si immediately offered Zhao Feng a fist-and-palm salute.

”I pay my respects to the Senior General,” Li You added, bowing deeply.

Li You was only in his twenties and still quite inexperienced. Based on his qualifications alone, he had no chance of becoming a Main General. It was only because Li Si had put his own reputation on the line, leveraging the many contributions he had made to Qin, that he managed to secure the Great King’s gracious appointment. Anyone else would never have received such an opportunity. A Prefectural Governor may be the chief official of a county, but attaining such a rank in one’s twenties showed just how much effort Li Si had expended. Otherwise, Li You’s experience would have been far from sufficient.

”Greetings, Tingwei.” Zhao Feng smiled slightly, returning the salute.

He did not know Li Si well; their interactions had been fleeting at best.

”Today in the Imperial Court, the Great King decreed my son’s transfer to your command, Senior General,” Li Si said warmly. ”My son was originally a Prefectural Governor, but he is also well-versed in military affairs. Of course, compared to your ability to command troops, his skills are nothing. I have come today to earnestly request that you guide my son strictly, in the hopes that he can mature quickly and be of genuine assistance to you.”

As the current Tingwei, one of the Nine Ministers, and a man the Great King of Qin held in high regard, his tone was now pleading, almost subservient. Perhaps only for his son would Li Si behave this way.

”I had assumed you came to ask me to take special care of your son, but you’re asking me to discipline him strictly instead,” Zhao Feng said with a smile. ”Frankly, I am quite surprised.”

”You jest, Senior General,” Li Si replied candidly. ”The military is not the court; discipline and regulations are paramount. Even I cannot be the one to disrupt military regulations. If I did, I would be unable to face the Great King.”

Zhao Feng nodded. ”Tingwei, rest assured. Since Li You is now a commander under my authority and the Great King has decreed it, I will not treat him any differently. He will receive what he is due and be expected to do what is required.”

”In that case, I am greatly indebted to you, Senior General.” Li Si breathed a sigh of relief.

”I set out for Zhao Territory tomorrow,” Zhao Feng said, turning to Li You. ”Will General Li accompany me, or will you need to delay your departure?”

Without hesitation, Li You immediately cupped his fist. ”It would be this humble general’s honor to travel with you, Senior General.”

Li Si did not object. In fact, he saw it as a good opportunity for Li You to grow closer to Zhao Feng on the journey.

Seeing that Zhao Feng did not intend to speak further, Li Si was somewhat surprised. He took the initiative to speak first. ”Aren’t you curious, Senior General, why the Great King assigned my son to your command?”

”Why should I be curious?” Zhao Feng replied calmly. ”I have no objections to whomever the Great King assigns me.”

Looking at Zhao Feng’s calm demeanor, Li Si was inwardly startled. I’ve underestimated Zhao Feng’s temperament. I originally thought his youth would lead to some oversights in handling matters, but now it seems I was mistaken. Zhao Feng is calm and composed, leaving no openings. Many ministers in the court claim he is a mere Martial Artist, ignorant of political maneuvering, but now that seems to be a complete falsehood.

After a momentary pause, Li Si spoke. ”The truth is, my son has the honor of serving under you because I went to Zhangtai Palace to beseech the Great King. It was a measure of last resort to ensure my family’s survival. This way, no matter what happens in the future, as long as my son is under your command, Senior General, the Li Family’s bloodline can be preserved.”

When he finished speaking, Zhao Feng remained composed. Of course, he understood Li Si’s true intentions.

”You may be overthinking things, Tingwei,” Zhao Feng said with a calm smile. ”You are one of the Nine Ministers; you shouldn’t have to worry about such misfortunes.”

”While the Great King lives, the Li Family can prosper. But what about a century from now?” Li Si’s voice was heavy. ”You must be aware, Senior General, that while the court isn’t a battlefield, it is in fact a bloodless one—more brutal than any real war. As the leader of the new aristocracy, the old guard would love nothing more than to see me dead. I had no choice but to have my son join the military.”

In that moment, he offered a rare glimpse into his true feelings, a bitter smile on his face.

”You are thinking too far ahead, Tingwei,” Zhao Feng said with a faint smile.

”Perhaps, but it is something I must consider,” Li Si insisted. ”In any case, from now on, my son is in your care, Senior General. Furthermore, should Wang Wan and his cohort dare to move against you in court, I will not stand idly by.”

This was clearly another reason for his visit: to extend an olive branch to Zhao Feng. In the court, Han Fei had once spoken up for Zhao Feng. Han Fei was currently governing Zhao Territory and needed time before he could return. However, it was foreseeable that the day of his return would also be the day he was elevated to the Nine Ministers. The merit gained from governing Zhao Territory was immense. Furthermore, Han Fei’s reputation was already known throughout the land, making his promotion to the Nine Ministers a natural progression.

”Then I shall have to trouble you, Tingwei,” Zhao Feng smiled, accepting the gesture. He did not reject the offer. After all, Li Si had made the overture, and Zhao Feng saw no reason not to accept his goodwill. It cost him nothing, after all.

Standing to the side, Li You listened to their conversation. His gaze toward his father was filled with deep filial love. For his sake, his father had already given everything.

”Actually, I have one more question for you, Senior General, though of course, you need not answer,” Li Si said with a smile.

”What is it, Tingwei? Feel free to ask,” Zhao Feng said with a wave of his hand.

”Are you and Han Fei close?” Li Si inquired.