On the imperial court, many officials observed Wang Wan's dark expression and Wang Jian's blatant ridicule.
Most of them simply watched the drama unfold with amusement.
Of course…
Some ministers who had originally supported Fusu also chose to withdraw their support, opting to stay out of the conflict.
After all…
Wang Jian had already made it clear that he was openly opposing Wang Wan and his faction.
Under Wang Wan's gloomy gaze, Wang Jian's figure disappeared from the grand hall.
At that moment!
Kui Zhuang approached Wang Wan, exchanging a knowing glance with him. Though he had not been directly mocked by Wang Jian, his expression was equally unpleasant.
Inside Zhangtai Palace
"Hahaha!"
"My king," Wang Jian said with a broad smile as he entered. "Today's court session was truly entertaining!"
The satisfaction on his face was evident today had been immensely gratifying for him.
"Entertaining?" Ying Zheng chuckled lightly.
"Of course, it is all thanks to Your Majesty's wisdom," Wang Jian praised.
"Rather than appointing Zhao Feng as the State Commander, you granted him a noble title instead."
"With this title, Zhao Feng's prestige in the military has soared to unprecedented heights."
"Now, Wang Wan and his faction can only watch helplessly. More importantly, with every new achievement Zhao Feng earns for Qin, no one will be able to stop him from becoming the State Commander in the future."
Wang Jian's words carried obvious admiration.
"Time and again…"
"Wang Wan has truly overstepped."
"And that Chunyu Yue as well."
"They have greatly disappointed me."
Ying Zheng's face darkened slightly.
Perhaps…
For him, Chunyu Yue's remarks today had been the most infuriating.
And Fusu…
Ying Zheng had once held great expectations for his eldest son.
But as time passed, disappointment had accumulated.
Now, his disappointment in Fusu was overwhelming.
Yet despite that, Fusu was still his son.
"My king," Wang Jian said respectfully, "once the unification of the realm is complete, the court must also be cleansed."
After learning Zhao Feng's true identity from Ying Zheng, Wang Jian had fully aligned himself with the king's intentions.
Ying Zheng aimed to groom Zhao Feng as the future heir of Qin.
For Wang Jian, after marrying his daughter to Zhao Feng, his family's fate was now tied to Zhao Feng's success.
If he had known Zhao Feng's true identity earlier, Wang Jian might have hesitated. But now, with his daughter having borne Zhao Feng's children, there was no turning back.
He had made his choice.
Because if Fusu became the heir, Wang Jian's entire family would be doomed.
After all, they had completely severed ties with Wang Wan's faction.
Even if Fusu was benevolent, Wang Wan and his supporters would never spare the Wang family.
This was the reality of court politics!
Of course…
Wang Wan and his allies believed Fusu had the best chance of becoming crown prince, but none of their calculations could compare to Wang Jian's foresight.
Ying Zheng had stated it many times already
The future crown prince of Qin would be none other than Zhao Feng!
"There's no need to act preemptively."
"Once Feng'er's identity is revealed…"
"They will make the first move themselves."
Ying Zheng smirked coldly.
When it came to the officials of the imperial court…
He knew them all too well.
Throughout history…
Every dynasty had its factional struggles.
Ying Zheng managed to suppress the old aristocracy and establish his authority by appointing capable commoners as the new ruling elite.
He had carefully balanced the power dynamics.
By pitting the old aristocracy against the newly appointed officials, he had ensured his control over the court.
But this struggle always required a stabilizing force.
That force was the future heir of Qin.
The old aristocracy supported Fusu, while many new officials backed Hu Hai, and others remained neutral.
Yet as Qin neared total conquest, the court would inevitably become a battlefield for succession, with each faction choosing their candidate for the throne.
That was the nature of imperial politics!
"My king," Wang Jian continued, "with Yan now conquered…"
"Only Qi and Chu remain."
"The unification of the realm is within sight."
"Indeed," Ying Zheng said, eyes gleaming with emotion.
"Unification is near."
"I have not failed the past kings of Qin, nor have I failed the hopes of my people."
With the fall of Yan…
The dream of a unified empire was now within reach.
It was something everyone could see coming.
Shaqiu Commandery, Sha Village
Under the night sky…
Inside the Zhao residence…
Zhao Feng and Xiao He sat across from each other.
A table before them was adorned with fine dishes and exquisite wine from the renowned "Wine Immortal Tavern."
"This truly lives up to the reputation of Wine Immortal Tavern!"
"Even just smelling this wine is delightful," Xiao He said with a chuckle, bringing the cup close to his nose.
"Governor Xiao," Zhao Feng laughed.
"I invited you for a feast, not just to smell the wine."
"Drink to your heart's content."
Zhao Feng found Xiao He's free-spirited demeanor quite agreeable.
It was no surprise Xiao He was a historical figure renowned for his abilities.
In just half a day…
Through their discussions, the initial stiffness in their interaction had disappeared.
Or rather…
After spending time with Zhao Feng, Xiao He realized that the general was not one to rigidly adhere to formalities.
So Xiao He had let loose as well.
"To be personally invited by the famous General Zhao Feng…"
"I can only imagine how many people would envy me," Xiao He chuckled, raising his cup before drinking.
Zhao Feng took a sip of his wine and then asked, "Governor Xiao, what is your view on the state of governance in the empire?"
"Chaotic."
"Orderly."
Xiao He responded instantly with just two words.
"Oh?"
Zhao Feng raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Care to elaborate?"
"The Qin Empire is governed by strict laws whoever violates them faces punishment accordingly."
"But laws, though established, are enforced by officials."
"And officials… are mere mortals, not saints devoid of self-interest."
"Many use the law to oppress the people."
"Many exploit it for their gain."
"The farther one is from the capital, the more disorderly the enforcement of the law becomes."
"The farther from the king's authority, the greater the corruption and injustice."
"I have heard that when you first became a general, you wielded your sword to execute villains and personally punished corrupt officials."
"This story has spread across Qin."
"But such cases are not isolated they are widespread throughout the empire."
"Not everyone is as fortunate as the soldiers under your command, General."
"They do not all have someone to stand up for them."
Xiao He raised his cup, his tone filled with reflection.
"The chaos in the legal system, the disorder among officials."
"This is the chaos that Governor Xiao speaks of."
"And what about the second word, 'order'?" Zhao Feng asked with a smile.
"The second word? It's simple."
"There are too few officials in Great Qin, and most officials and scholars are recommended from among the nobility."
"This situation has been set in place since the Zhou dynasty divided the land among its vassals."
"Commoners have little opportunity to receive an education, let alone rise to prominence or become officials."
"The nobility governs, the nobility controls knowledge this has been the established order, and it is difficult to break." Xiao He sighed.
Seeing the ambition and unwillingness to accept the status quo on Xiao He's thirty-something-year-old face, Zhao Feng simply smiled.
"Do you think there is a chance to break these two situations?"
"Difficult, very difficult."
"But to be honest,"
"Great Qin has already taken the first steps to break this system."
"The military merit system."
"It has already shattered the barrier preventing commoners from becoming nobility. It allows those with military achievements to rise in rank, become new elites, and then have the resources to educate their descendants."
"In this regard, Great Qin is ahead of the rest of the world."
"But, it is still not enough."
"Even if Great Qin unifies the world in the future, if this situation remains unchanged, stability will not last. Chaos will still be widespread."
"As for the chaos, it ultimately stems from insufficient oversight by the imperial court."
"Although the court has censors who have the power to impeach officials and supervise them across the empire, these censors are all high and mighty. Do you think they will truly see the suffering of the common people with their own eyes?"
At this point, Xiao He chuckled, but it was a bitter laugh filled with concern. He lifted his wine cup and took a deep drink.
"Xiao He."
"Born in Luoyi."
"A man of the late Zhou era, yet you do not resent Great Qin. You are knowledgeable, capable, and thus took office as an official." Zhao Feng smiled slightly.
Hearing Zhao Feng accurately deduce his origins in an instant, Xiao He was slightly shocked, though he kept his expression unchanged.
"The great tides of history weak nations do not survive."
"What resentment could there be?"
"If we trace it back far enough, all of this land once belonged to the Shang dynasty."
"The rise and fall of nations is inevitable; no individual can stop it."
"If Great Qin can end the centuries of warfare in China and put an end to the internal conflicts of the Huaxia people, then it is all worth it."
"Looking at the current war situation, it is clear that Great Qin is on the verge of unifying the land."
"If the Qin king can bring prosperity to the people, strengthen the rule of law, improve oversight of officials, and foster talent, then Great Qin will surely achieve unprecedented greatness." Xiao, He said earnestly.
Listening to Xiao He speak so fluently and with such insight, Zhao Feng was thoroughly pleased.
"If I were to allow you to reach the highest ranks of power, to play a role in stabilizing the empire, would you take it?" Zhao Feng asked seriously.
Hearing this, Xiao He trembled slightly.
He understood.
This was Zhao Feng extending an offer to recruit him.
If he refused, he would likely remain as the governor of Shacheng County, with little chance of further advancement.
But if he accepted, limitless opportunities awaited him.
His decision took only a moment.
Xiao He immediately stood up and knelt before Zhao Feng.
"Xiao He is willing!"
Seeing Xiao He pledges himself, Zhao Feng was thoroughly satisfied. He stepped forward, personally helping Xiao He up.
"I accept." Zhao Feng said solemnly.
One of history's Three Heroes of the Early Han Dynasty had now been secured.
A brilliant administrator was now in his ranks.
"Rest in my residence tonight. Tomorrow, I will take you to meet two people," Zhao Feng said with a smile.
"Understood."
Xiao He nodded immediately.
"Let's continue drinking." Zhao Feng chuckled.
Inside, he was filled with excitement.
Xiao He was now under his command.
Meanwhile, Han Xin was currently receiving personal tutelage from Li Mu. Given his talent for military leadership, his future was undoubtedly bright.
Two of the Three Heroes of the Early Han Dynasty were now in his grasp.
As for Zhang Liang
Perhaps there was no hope of recruiting him.
After all, Zhang Liang was a noble of the fallen Han state, and he had been indoctrinated with the idea of restoring his nation and overthrowing Qin.
Not to mention, Zhao Feng had personally executed Zhang Liang's father.
There was likely no chance of bringing him into the fold.
At present, Zhang Liang's whereabouts are unknown.
Among the fallen noble families, some had openly submitted to Qin to secure peace, while others lurked in the shadows like rats, hiding from sight.
As long as they did not openly reveal themselves, Great Qin would find it difficult to root them out entirely.
After all, China was vast.
The land was broad, and the population was relatively sparse.
The next day!
Zhao Feng set out with fewer than a hundred personal guards.
Their destination was a forest a dozen miles south of Shacun.
Along the way, Xiao He did not ask any questions.
Now that he had pledged his loyalty, he understood it was not his place to inquire too much.
After about half an hour, they reached a mountainous forest.
"This is the uninhabited mountain of Shacheng. Fierce beasts roam these woods and have attacked people before. The previous county governor ordered the surrounding villages to be relocated."
"Is the master bringing me hunting?" Xiao, He asked curiously, glancing at Zhao Feng.
As the new governor of Shacheng, Xiao He was fully familiar with the area.
Managing a county of a few hundred thousand people was no challenge for him.
"You'll understand once we enter." Zhao Feng smiled faintly.
He continued to ride forward, heading deeper into the seemingly peaceful forest that occasionally echoed with the roars of wild beasts.
Seeing this, Xiao He dared not ask further.
As they entered the dense woods
From the shadows
Several pairs of eyes were watching.
Once their identities were confirmed
Step.
Step, step.
A series of footsteps echoed in the quiet forest.
More than ten men in black appeared and immediately knelt before Zhao Feng.
"Greetings, Master!"
Their faces were filled with reverence and fanaticism as they called out in unison.
"This is where Master trains his secret warriors?"
In an instant, Xiao He understood.
However, he was not surprised.
Once a person reached a certain status, it was common to cultivate a group of hidden warriors to safeguard their power.
Zhao Feng, as a supreme general of Great Qin, naturally had his own.
"Rise." Zhao Feng waved a hand.
"Thank you, Master."
The secret warriors stood up in perfect formation.
They looked upon Zhao Feng with unwavering devotion.
"Lead the way."
Zhao Feng did not waste any words.
"Yes, Master. Please follow us."
The group of black-clad men quickly dispersed, vanishing into the shadows as if they had never appeared.
One of them, the leader, immediately stepped forward to guide the way.
Following his lead, they navigated through twists and turns for nearly half an incense stick's time before finally arriving in front of a wooden encampment.
"The Lord has arrived," the guiding dark warrior called out loudly.
At the sound of his voice
The warriors training within the camp immediately stopped their drills and swiftly gathered together.
In the blink of an eye
Four to five hundred men assembled at the entrance of the camp, kneeling in unison and shouting, "Yan Court's Wuchang greets the Lord!"
Zhao Feng dismounted from his horse and walked calmly into the camp.
"Their killing intent is intense. These men are all elite dark warriors,"
Xiao He was inwardly shocked. He also dismounted and followed Zhao Feng inside.
Zhao Feng strode before the assembled dark warriors, sweeping his gaze across them.
Every single one of their eyes was filled with fanaticism and reverence.
These were death warriors sworn to absolute loyalty.
Any who lacked devotion had long since been weeded out by Zhao Feng.
The warriors of Yan Court were recruited from among the destitute.
In this era, there was never a shortage of people especially those who could no longer survive on their own.
The warriors of Yan Court were selected from among starving children who had no future.
"Rise," Zhao Feng commanded in a steady voice.
"Thank you, Lord!"
The warriors responded in unison.
With a single movement
Hundreds of men stood in perfect synchronization.
"Disperse," Zhao Feng ordered.
He nodded in satisfaction before shifting his gaze toward the depths of the encampment.
A few figures quickly approached.
Among them, one man radiated an air of command. Though he wore simple cloth garments, his presence exuded the discipline of a seasoned soldier.
The two men flanking him were much the same.
They carried themselves with the unmistakable aura of the military.
All three appeared to be in their forties and men in their prime.
"Greetings, Lord," the newcomers saluted Zhao Feng.
"You all seem to be doing well," Zhao Feng chuckled.
Then, he turned to one of them and asked, "General Qing Qin, how do you feel?"
Anyone who had participated in the past war against Yan would recognize this man he was Qing Qin, the former Supreme General of Yan.
To the outside world, Qing Qin was long dead.
Yet here he stood, alive and well.
Just like Li Mu.
Publicly
Li Mu had been executed by King Zhao.
Yet in reality, he still lived.
And behind Zhao Feng
Xiao He was momentarily stunned.
Though he did not recognize Qing Qin, he certainly recognized Li Mu.
Once, before he had entered Qin's service, Xiao He had traveled through Zhao and had the chance to see Li Mu in person.
As the Supreme General of Zhao, Li Mu was an unforgettable figure.
"Li Mu... is still alive?"
"Wasn't it said that he was executed by King Zhao?"
"Did the Lord intervene somehow?"
"And this Qing Qin if I recall correctly, he was the Supreme General of Yan. He supposedly took his own life in surrender... yet he still lives?"
"How did the Lord manage such a feat of deception?"
Xiao He was utterly shaken.
And this was only his first day of service!
Already, he was exposed to such astonishing secrets.
"The Qing Qin of Yan is dead,"
"The only Qing Qin that remains serves the Lord,"
Qing Qin bowed deeply to Zhao Feng, his face filled with sincere loyalty.
"Enough formalities,"
"Take your seats,"
Zhao Feng waved his hand as he stepped toward a chamber within the encampment.
The others followed closely behind.
Once Zhao Feng was seated, the others remained standing at attention.
"Sit,"
Zhao Feng smiled.
"Thank you, Lord,"
The men expressed their gratitude and took their seats on either side of him.
"Xiao He,"
"Allow me to introduce you,"
"This is Li Mu,"
"Former Supreme General of Zhao."
"This is Sima Shang,"
"And this is Qing Qin, former Supreme General of Yan."
"As for the man beside me, he is a brilliant administrator and strategist Xiao He."
Zhao Feng gestured toward each of them in turn.
Xiao He immediately clasped his fists, "I have long heard of the three generals' illustrious names."
"It is a great fortune for our people that you yet live."
His words were spoken with absolute sincerity.
"Brother Xiao,"
The three men returned the salute.
"It is only by the Lord's mercy that we yet draw breath,"
"Had it not been for him,"
"We would have long since turned to bones buried in the earth," Li Mu said with a smile.
By now
Li Mu had fully come to terms with his fate.
His former allegiance to Zhao had perished the moment King Zhao ordered his execution.
Loyalty!
Did not mean blind loyalty!
"Lord,"
"I have heard that you led an army of ten thousand into the northern barbarian lands and slaughtered all in your path,"
"I am in awe,"
Sima Shang spoke excitedly.
Li Mu and Qing Qin exchanged glances
Both of their eyes shone with deep admiration.
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