Inside the city!
A messenger, holding a command flag, stood in the heart of Xianyang. All eyes in the city turned toward him.
"Great victory on the Wei frontier!"
"Supreme General Zhao Feng of the Wu'an Camp broke through the Wei capital by diverting the waters of the Great River and the Honggou Canal, flooding the city!"
"The entirety of Wei's 400,000-strong army was drowned in the deluge!"
"Our mighty Qin army seized the Wei capital without shedding a drop of blood!"
The messenger galloped through the streets, his shouts echoing throughout Xianyang.
Though his words remained the same repeating the triumph, the flood, the fall of Wei the citizens of Xianyang heard them loud and clear.
"Did our Qin army claim victory over Wei?"
"Yes! I heard it too!"
"General Zhao Feng of Wu'an Camp flooded the Wei capital using the river and canal does that mean the entire city is now underwater?"
"Forget whether it's underwater or not the sheer brilliance of Zhao Feng's strategy! To drown the enemy capital! Who could have imagined such a tactic?"
"Indeed! It's unimaginable!"
"Wei had General Wei Wuji commanding its forces, with hundreds of thousands of troops defending the city yet Zhao Feng managed to break through without even fighting? And he annihilated so many Wei soldiers? He truly is a god of war!"
"A god of war worthy of Qin!"
"Since General Zhao Feng took command, he has never lost a single battle! He was undefeated before, and he remains undefeated now!"
"What an awe-inspiring general!"
"With the Wei capital taken, their kingdom will follow the fate of Zhao and Han, fully absorbed into Qin's territory!"
"Heaven blesses Great Qin! The dream of generations of Qin people is finally becoming reality!"
"Heaven blesses Great Qin!"
As the messenger rode through the city, shouting the news, Xianyang erupted into jubilant cheers.
This victory sent even greater shockwaves through the city than Zhao Feng's conquest of Handan.
Today was not a scheduled day for court assembly.
But with the triumphant cries resounding through Xianyang, ministers and nobles across the city received word.
At the Residence of Wang Wan
"Master!"
"Major news! A victory report has arrived from the frontier!"
"It appears the Wei capital has fallen!"
The steward rushed to Wang Wan, urgently delivering the news.
"What did you say?"
"The Wei capital has fallen?"
Wang Wan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly sat up in shock.
"The messenger is already spreading the news throughout the city," the steward confirmed.
"Prepare my carriage! I must go to the palace!"
Without hesitation, Wang Wan waved his hand.
"Yes, sir!" The steward hurried off.
Wang Wan's expression darkened, flickering between disbelief and resentment. "Could Zhao Feng have truly taken the Wei capital?"
"Impossible! Impossible!"
"With Wei Wuji's steadfast defense, how could the city fall in just over a month?"
"Could something unexpected have happened?" Wang Wan furrowed his brows. He neither believed nor wanted Zhao Feng to have succeeded.
If Zhao Feng had truly conquered Wei's capital, his position would become unshakable.
Not only that, he might be promoted once again.
At the Residence of the Supreme General, Wang Jian
"Hahaha!"
"My son-in-law is truly remarkable!"
"To flood the Wei capital, annihilating their army without bloodshed!"
Upon hearing the news from his steward, Wang Jian burst into laughter.
"Master, shall I prepare your carriage for the palace?" the steward asked respectfully.
"Today is not a court assembly day, but with such a grand victory, His Majesty will surely summon the ministers."
"Prepare my official robes!"
"Ready the carriage!"
"And send word to the Zhao residence tell my daughter to bring the children home for the day."
Wang Jian laughed heartily.
"Yes, sir!" The steward quickly obeyed.
As the victory report spread through Xianyang, carriages departed from noble residences, all heading toward the palace.
At the Palace Gates
Carriages lined up in orderly rows.
However, the vehicles belonging to the high-ranking Nine Ministers and military commanders were granted special privileges, allowing them to proceed directly into the palace.
In the Epang Palace
"Your Majesty!"
"A victory report has arrived from the Wei frontier!"
"Supreme General Zhao Feng has flooded Daliang and achieved a grand victory!"
Zhao Gao strode swiftly into the palace, bowing respectfully as he delivered the news.
Any other person, upon hearing such news, would have shown either great joy or great dismay.
But Zhao Gao remained calm as if this was merely an insignificant matter.
Before the King of Qin, Zhao Gao always maintained a demeanor of utmost humility, never daring to display personal sentiment.
"Zhao Feng."
"Ah, Zhao Feng!"
"He has not disappointed me."
A knowing smile crossed Ying Zheng's face.
However, he had not expected the victory to come so swiftly.
"The messenger has arrived at the court, and the ministers have gathered."
"Would Your Majesty like to change attire before proceeding?" Zhao Gao asked respectfully.
"No need."
"We go at once."
Ying Zheng chuckled, standing up immediately.
He strode out of the palace, still wearing his royal robe.
Though he had not donned the full ceremonial attire, nor the imperial headdress, his simple crown and regal presence exuded undeniable authority.
Even without formal regalia, his every step radiated an overwhelming majesty.
In the Great Hall of Court Assembly
Before Ying Zheng arrived, the atmosphere was already tense.
In the center of the hall stood a warrior holding a command flag and the victory scroll.
Though he was merely a messenger, he stood rigid, his gaze unwavering, not daring to display the slightest impropriety in the presence of Qin's assembled nobles.
For a simple soldier like him, this moment standing before the highest powers of Qin was likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Meanwhile, the gathered ministers whispered amongst themselves, forming small clusters of discussion.
Only two people stood in front of the steps, dressed in princely robes, without joining in the discussions.
One was the slightly older Fusu, while the other was the younger Huhai.
"Unbelievable."
"Just a month ago, the court was still debating why the Wu'an Camp was stationed outside Daliang without launching an attack."
"But today, the news has arrived that the Wu'an Camp has broken through Daliang and achieved a great victory."
"General Zhao Feng is truly a god of war."
"With this, Wei is essentially finished."
"The lands of the Three Jin states will all belong to our Great Qin. What a joyous and grand event!"
"With Wei gone, only three states remain under heaven besides Great Qin."
...
The court was abuzz with discussion, and many officials felt a sense of national pride.
Although they had never set foot on the battlefield, they were involved in the allocation of grain and military supplies. Now that Wei had been destroyed, they too shared in the glory.
At that moment!
Wang Jian strode into the great hall, his face openly beaming with joy.
The moment they saw Wang Jian arrive
"General, congratulations!"
"General Zhao Feng is your son-in-law. Now that he has achieved the great feat of destroying Wei, it is truly remarkable."
"The common people are already praising General Zhao Feng, calling him the rising god of war of our Great Qin. Now it seems that the title is well deserved!"
"General Wang Jian, your judgment is outstanding. You have chosen an exceptional son-in-law."
"Amazing..."
One by one, the ministers stepped forward, offering their praise.
Hearing these words, Wang Jian smiled broadly and clasped his hands in gratitude. "My lords are too kind. This is all due to my son-in-law's abilities. Even I am astonished by his victory in destroying Wei."
Though he tried to remain humble, the pride in his voice was unmistakable.
Nearby, Meng Wu glanced at the smug Wang Jian and widened his eyes but had no choice but to accept it.
Meanwhile, Wang Wan stood aside, his face dark and silent.
"Brother."
"Zhao Feng has once again accomplished a great feat. What do you think?"
Huhai walked up to Fusu, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
Fusu glanced at Huhai and replied calmly, "Zhao Feng is a great minister of the state. Having achieved such a feat in destroying Wei, I naturally offer my congratulations."
"Do you mean that, brother?"
"But from what I see, you don't seem very pleased." Huhai sneered.
"You jest, Eighteenth Brother."
Fusu smiled faintly, ignoring Huhai's taunts.
"Heh."
Huhai chuckled but said no more, though inwardly he was full of scorn.
"Always pretending to be benevolent and righteous, but who knows what he's thinking inside?"
"Luckily, I never offended Zhao Feng. If he had sided with Fusu, I would have no chance at all."
"But now, there are plenty of opportunities."
As the court buzzed with discussion
A loud cry rang out: "His Majesty arrives!"
At once
The entire hall fell silent.
All the officials swiftly formed neat rows, respectfully turning their gazes toward the entrance of the hall.
Dressed in royal robes, Ying Zheng strode into the grand hall, a smile on his face.
Ascending the steps to the throne
"Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty!"
The assembled ministers and generals greeted him in unison.
"You may rise."
Ying Zheng waved his hand.
"We thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
The court officials responded in chorus.
Ying Zheng did not immediately take his seat but instead turned his gaze toward the herald standing in the center of the hall, holding the military report.
"What are the results of the Wu'an Camp's battle?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Your Majesty."
"The victory report is here."
"It is submitted by the central army Sima of Wu'an Camp."
"May Your Majesty read it."
The Herald respectfully presented the report.
With a wave of his hand, Ying Zheng signaled for Zhao Gao.
Zhao Gao stepped forward, received the report, and presented it to Ying Zheng. However, Ying Zheng did not take it. Instead, he scanned the assembled court and said in a commanding voice, "Since all my ministers are here, let the report be read aloud."
"As you command."
Zhao Gao bowed respectfully.
He then opened the war report and began reading:
"Submitted by Wu'an Camp's central army Sima, Kuai Pu."
"Over a month ago, our Wu'an Camp reached the gates of Daliang, the capital of Wei. Wei's general Wei Wuji had spent three years reinforcing the city's defenses and sealing the gates. A frontal assault would have been nearly impossible, and even if we managed to breach the city, Wu'an Camp would have suffered immense casualties, with less than one in ten surviving."
"Thus"
"General Zhao Feng devised a plan to flood Daliang."
"The army was mobilized to excavate and breach dikes. Over a month, channels were dug, redirecting the river's flow."
"In the end"
"On the appointed day, the river and the Honggou Canal were breached, submerging Daliang beneath the floodwaters."
"The floodwaters crushed three years' worth of fortifications, causing them to collapse. Forty thousand Wei soldiers and the citizens of Daliang were drowned."
"In this battle, our Great Qin claimed victory without shedding a drop of blood, utterly defeating Wei."
"Wei Wuji sought a duel with General Zhao Feng. General Zhao Feng personally beheaded him."
"Upon storming the royal palace, the Wei king surrendered, and all his officials followed suit."
Zhao Gao read the report in a loud, clear voice.
"Brilliant!"
"We must celebrate the Wu'an Camp!"
"And even more so, General Zhao Feng!"
"Such a victory, such a stratagem, has never been seen before!"
"With this battle, Wei is no more!"
"The lands of the Three Jin states will now belong to our Great Qin forever..."
Hearing the report
Even though they had only listened, the ministers could clearly understand the genius and audacity behind the plan to flood Daliang.
"Your Majesty!"
"Although General Zhao Feng has achieved great success, this strategy seems to go against the natural order."
"The flood wiped out countless lives in Daliang, drowning countless souls."
"This act is even more brutal than the massacre at Changping in the past!"
At that moment, Chunyu Yue stepped forward, wearing a solemn expression of righteous indignation.
He spoke as if he were the very embodiment of virtue, as though Zhao Feng had committed an unforgivable atrocity.
The moment his words fell
The entire court fell silent.
Many officials turned to look at Chunyu Yue with expressions of disbelief as if he were a fool.
Especially the military officials nearly all of them regarded Chunyu Yue with sheer bewilderment.
Even Wang Wan, who was reluctant to see Zhao Feng claim such great merit, couldn't help but give Chunyu Yue subtle warning glances.
There is a time to speak and a time to stay silent.
Chunyu Yue seemed to understand neither.
He appeared completely possessed by the so-called virtues of his Confucian ideals.
"According to the Grand Tutor Chunyu's reasoning,"
"Would it only be just if tens of thousands of our Great Qin soldiers died instead?"
Wang Jian furrowed his brow and coldly rebuked Chunyu Yue.
Although Meng Wu and Wang Jian were not particularly close, at this moment, he also glared at Chunyu Yue with anger.
"Grand Tutor Chunyu,"
"You have lived in luxury in Xianyang for too long and have never witnessed the true battlefield."
"It is a place where lives are lost every moment."
"Wei Wuji's fortifications in Daliang were nothing more than a slaughterhouse, waiting for our Qin warriors to throw their lives away. If we had launched a frontal assault, the Wu'an Army would have lost at least 200,000 men, and we might not have even taken the city."
"If Wei Wuji sought to cut off the lifeblood of our Qin state, does that not also violate the so-called heavenly principles?"
"Once war begins, how can there still be talk of divine will?" Meng Wu rebuked sternly.
"Truly, you are like Zhao Kuo of old discussing the war on paper."
"You have no understanding of battlefield dangers, yet you speak reckless words."
"It is truly disheartening."
"Ridiculous..."
Many military officials also voiced their outrage in unison.
At this moment, Chunyu Yue's words had stirred up collective fury.
Facing the sudden wave of denunciations, Chunyu Yue, who had initially expected his statement to resonate in court, found his face turning pale.
His remarks were meant to discredit Zhao Feng, but he had never anticipated such a strong reaction from the military officials.
Even he now felt his face burning with embarrassment. If there were a crack in the ground, he would have gladly crawled into it.
From the high seat, Ying Zheng cast a cold and displeased gaze upon Chunyu Yue.
Such a grand victory!
A triumph achieved without the loss of Qin soldiers.
Such an achievement…
And yet, it was being condemned as a violation of heavenly principles?
Just then
"Triumphant report!"
"A great victory in Wei territory!"
A resounding voice echoed from outside the great hall.
Shortly after, a messenger soldier, carrying a military dispatch, strode swiftly into the hall.
In the blink of an eye, the soldier had reached the center of the court.
"Another triumph report?"
All the court officials turned their eyes toward the newly arrived messenger, their faces filled with anticipation.
"The Wei capital has fallen, and the Wei king has surrendered."
"Could it be that the battle on Wei's western front has also yielded results?"
"If so, the Wei state will be completely pacified."
…
"Zhao Gao,"
"Read it aloud," Ying Zheng commanded with a wave of his hand.
Zhao Gao promptly stepped forward and took the latest military dispatch.
Then, standing atop the stairs, he unfolded the report.
"From Minister Zhao Feng, Supreme General, reporting to His Majesty."
"On the previous day"
"I, your servant, directed the flooding of Daliang with river waters, capturing the Wei capital, seizing countless prisoners, slaying Wei Wuji, and forcing the surrender of the Wei king."
"With the Wei king's surrender decree in hand, I proceeded to Qiushacheng and successfully secured the submission of the 100,000-strong remnant forces under General Pang Wu."
"As of now"
"Except for a few stubborn loyalists, Wei no longer possesses any significant resistance."
"Within two months, the entire territory of Wei will be incorporated into our Qin domain."
"The state of Wei shall cease to exist."
Zhao Gao's voice trembled slightly as he read the proclamation aloud.
Upon hearing this
The entire court fell into silence.
Then
Ying Zheng spread his arms wide and laughed heartily:
"The Three Jin territories are now part of Qin!"
"With Zhao Feng by my side, Heaven truly favors Great Qin!"
This declaration alone was enough to reveal Ying Zheng's excitement at that moment.
Among the Six States of the Warring States period
Qin had now conquered three.
Now, apart from Qin, only the states of Qi, Chu, and Yan remained.
Among them, only Chu could barely muster the strength to challenge Qin.
The other two were no longer capable of standing against Qin's might.
The unification of the realm was now within sight!
"Heaven favors Great Qin!"
Seeing the awe-inspiring figure of Ying Zheng on his throne,
All the officials fervently echoed his words.
Nearly every minister's face bore an expression of shock and exhilaration.
At this moment
The unification of the world had drawn even closer.
"Your Majesty,"
"Supreme General Zhao Feng has rendered such extraordinary service securing victory in Wei, capturing the capital, and extinguishing the state nearly all the credit belongs to him."
"He should be rewarded handsomely."
"Of course,"
"Although Supreme General Huan Yi's achievements in this campaign were slightly lesser, he too has fought for Qin and earned merit he deserves to be generously rewarded as well," Wei Liao stepped forward and declared loudly.
In this war,
Huan Yi had led his troops well.
But compared to Zhao Feng's achievements, his contributions seemed less remarkable and not as aggressive.
Thus, his glory appeared somewhat dim in comparison.
"What does Minister Wei propose?"
"How should Zhao Feng be rewarded?" Ying Zheng smiled at Wei Liao.
"Your Majesty,"
"Supreme General Zhao Feng's rank and position have already surpassed what can be measured by ordinary military merits. Everything must be decided by Your Majesty's decree."
"I dare not make any rash suggestions," Wei Liao replied with a smile.
Having already reached the rank of Supreme General,
And holding a nobility rank of the fifteenth degree,
Zhao Feng was undeniably one of the most powerful figures in the Qin court.
It was no longer feasible to reward him according to the standard military merit system.
"Supreme General Huan Yi, for his contributions in attacking cities and defeating the enemy in this campaign,"
"I hereby grant him a promotion of one noble rank."
"Bestow upon him one thousand pieces of gold and ten thousand strings of coin…"
Ying Zheng spoke slowly, officially granting rewards to Huan Yi.
This was setting the stage for Zhao Feng's greater honors.
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