Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 499: Chapter 212: Yan’s Fear! (Part 2)

”I understand,” Li Si respectfully accepted the order.

”If there’s nothing else, you may withdraw.”

Ying Zheng waved his hand.

He wanted to use this time to have a good conversation with his son.

Having just survived a disaster, Ying Zheng was feeling somewhat out of sorts; apart from Zhao Feng, he trusted no one at all.

”Senior General.”

Li Si turned his gaze towards Zhao Feng.

”What does Tingwei want?” Zhao Feng smiled slightly.

Regarding Li Si.

He was merely a colleague in court, not someone Zhao Feng was close to.

Moreover, due to the matter with Han Fei, Zhao Feng preferred to keep his distance from Li Si.

After all, his previous methods had been anything but honorable.

For selfish reasons, he had sought to put his former close friend and classmate to death.

Getting close to such a person might end up being dangerously misleading.

”I wonder how Li You is doing?”

”For over a year now, I haven’t received any news from him,” Li Si said with some concern.

Li Si was naturally very concerned about his only son.

”He’s doing well.”

”He has now got a foothold in the army.”

Zhao Feng calmly replied.

He didn’t deliberately add any further comments.

After all, Li You was not promoted due to military merit; to completely establish himself, he needs the trust and respect of his subordinate soldiers, and that is still far away.

”That’s good, that’s good.”

”Thank you, Senior General, for taking care of him.”

Li Si bowed to Zhao Feng.

Then he bowed to Ying Zheng: ”I take my leave.”

After he left the palace hall of Zhangtai Palace.

”What is your opinion on Li Si?”

Ying Zheng slowly asked.

”He is capable but reclusive, selfish, suitable as a court colleague, not for close association,” Zhao Feng replied without hesitation.

Upon hearing Zhao Feng’s consecutive remarks.

Ying Zheng was somewhat surprised: ”How did you come to know Li Si so well?”

”Haha.” Zhao Feng chuckled, then said: ”A natural talent.”

Regarding Zhao Feng’s casual demeanor, Ying Zheng did not blame him, looking out the hall, he said with a bit of contemplation: ”Li Si!”

”Regarding his inherent nature, let’s not mention.”

”But he is a good minister.”

”Back then, if it weren’t for Li Si, I would have also found it difficult to control the court’s situation, and indeed, his abilities are very remarkable.”

”He likes authority, enjoys fame, but he is faithful to me.”

”And precisely because of his loyalty, whatever he wants, I can satisfy.”

”Even if it means allowing Li You to serve as a main general in the army, after all, all these years, this is Li Si’s first request to me, I cannot refuse.”

”Do you understand?”

Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Feng with a bit of expectation.

These heartfelt words.

Ying Zheng had never spoken to anyone else, except Zhao Feng.

”Naturally, I understand.”

”Otherwise, Li You wouldn’t last a month in the army.” Zhao Feng smiled lightly.

Regarding the King of Qin’s placement of Li You, one purpose was surveillance, to prevent the entire Wu’an Military Camp from becoming a one-man show, while the other was to make Li Si work even harder for him.

That’s what Zhao Feng thought.

But.

Zhao Feng was mistaken.

The second reason for Li Si to continue working tirelessly for Qin indeed had that intention.

But the first surveillance wasn’t considered.

Ying Zheng had never intended that.

Of course.

Even if it was truly surveillance, it would be futile.

The prestige Zhao Feng had in Wu’an Military Camp couldn’t be influenced by a main general and some deputy generals.

As long as Zhao Feng wishes.

With one word from Zhao Feng, these three hundred thousand soldiers would all serve him loyally; Zhao Feng was the soul of the army.

Upon hearing Zhao Feng’s words.

Ying Zheng’s face showed a glimpse of relief: ”I knew you would understand.”

Then.

Ying Zheng picked up a petition from the imperial desk and handed it to Zhao Feng: ”Take a look at this petition.”

Zhao Feng took it.

At a glance.

”Is it regarding the disposition of Wei’s surrendered soldiers?”

Zhao Feng glanced through it, immediately understanding.

”What are your thoughts?” Ying Zheng asked.

”It depends on how the Great King wants to handle it, whether to use force or take a gentle approach.” Zhao Feng closed the petition and replied.

”Wei is gone; if it does not affect the national power of Qin, a gentle approach can naturally be taken,” Ying Zheng responded immediately.

”If using a gentle approach, then one could adopt a civilian version of the penal battalion method.” Zhao Feng smiled.

”Can the penal battalion method also be used among civilians?” Ying Zheng was slightly surprised.

”The reason the penal battalion works tirelessly for Qin is because Qin gives them hope, allowing them not to be enslaved forever, providing them with hope for survival and even the hope of returning home.”

”Similarly.”

”It’s the same for these surrendered soldiers among civilians.”

”Even if they are degraded to slaves, as long as they diligently work for Qin, such as being pardoned from slave status after five years and allowed to return home and reunite.”

”Or if they accomplish notable work for Qin, such as excelling in repairs, city building, or road construction, these can be rewarded, and well-done achievements can be exempted from five years, allowing them to be freed from slave status and return home.”

”Things like this.”

”As long as you give them hope, they will work diligently.”

”If they are enslaved forever, the results certainly wouldn’t be very satisfactory.” Zhao Feng explained slowly.

Upon hearing this.

Ying Zheng’s face revealed a touch of amazement.

”I heard from Han Fei.”

”When you were in Wei Territory, all the new city constructions were planned by you, and you even proposed the concept of work relief.”

”Besides commanding troops, you are exceptionally skilled in governance as well.” Ying Zheng praised.

”That’s just Han Fei boasting.”

”I am only skilled in commanding troops.” Zhao Feng immediately responded, very humbly.

Ying Zheng smiled: ”I have noted the method of handling surrendered soldiers.”

”In a few days, I will announce this matter in the assembly, have them draft procedures, and make these surrendered soldiers completely useful for Qin, even if they cannot go to the battlefield, they should wholeheartedly work for Qin.”