"This Zhao Ji is truly beyond saving. Every time she sees me, she acts like I'm out to take her life. It's terrifying," Zhao Feng muttered under his breath as he watched Zhao Ji's erratic behavior.
But on second thought, Zhao Feng couldn't blame her. Having personally witnessed her two sons being brutally killed, it was no wonder she had gone mad.
After Zhao Ji was escorted onto the warship of the Yongcheng Imperial Guard, Tu Sui finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Zhao Ji remained alive, he could return and report his mission as a success.
"General Zhao," Tu Sui said, bowing deeply. "I owe you a great debt of gratitude."
"No need for formalities," Zhao Feng replied with a faint smile. "Take good care of the Empress Dowager. I'm sure the King will want a full account soon. You'd better hurry back and deliver your report."
Tu Sui nodded and bowed again, his gratitude evident in his demeanor. "Thank you, General Zhao, for your understanding. I will take my leave now."
With that, Tu Sui turned and boarded his ship, shouting orders to his crew. "Set sail for home!"
Dozens of ships turned their bows and unfurled their sails, heading back upstream. Zhao Feng stood at the shoreline, watching the retreating fleet. His thoughtful expression gradually softened.
"Tu Sui... so that's who he is."
Zhao Feng suddenly recalled the name. In history, Tu Sui has been a renowned figure. He was the first general dispatched by Emperor Qin Shi Huang to campaign against the Baiyue tribes, achieving great victories before falling victim to a poisoned ambush by the Baiyue. His death led to Zhao Tuo taking over and solidifying control over the southern territories.
"Building a good relationship with Tu Sui might not be a bad thing," Zhao Feng mused, a faint smile on his lips.
In the Qin era, the reputation of most generals was overshadowed by the legendary Wang Jian, but anyone who earned a place in history was undoubtedly remarkable in their own right.
"Unfortunately," Zhao Feng sighed, "I'm stationed here at Weicheng. Without orders from the higher-ups, I can't leave my post. Otherwise, I'd love to visit Xianyang and see Emperor Qin Shi Huang in person."
As Tu Sui's fleet disappeared from view, Zhao Feng felt a tinge of regret. He was genuinely curious about this figure hailed by later generations as the first emperor of China.
However, as a commander entrusted with defending the border at Weicheng, Zhao Feng was bound by strict regulations. Leaving his post without orders would be considered treason a binding rule to prevent commanders from abandoning their stations and potentially inviting disaster.
"Commander, the Wei forces appear to be retreating," Zhang Ming reported with a chuckle, his gaze fixed on the distant enemy.
Zhao Feng turned to see the Wei army, once a formidable mass, now withdrawing like a receding tide.
"Wei is no longer what it once was. They wouldn't dare provoke Great Qin," Zhao Feng remarked with a faint smile. "With Han already destroyed, Wei is now living in constant fear. They wouldn't risk giving us a reason to attack them. Any rash move could be seen as justification for war, and the general in command of those troops wouldn't want to shoulder such responsibility."
Zhang Ming nodded in agreement.
"Shall we continue to Hidden Island, or should we return to base?" asked Han Xi respectfully.
"Of course, we proceed to Hidden Island," Zhao Feng said coldly. "There are traitors among the recruits gathered there. They must be dealt with."
For Zhao Feng, loyalty was paramount. His command, Yan Court, could accommodate soldiers of varying talents but had no room for disloyalty. Any disloyal elements would be dealt with severely.
Meanwhile, in the Wei capital of Daliang, at the residence of Lord Xinling.
"Reporting to Lord Xinling," a subordinate said respectfully to an elderly but commanding figure. "General Cao, stationed at the border, has sent word. He arrived too late to assist Zhao Xiang and failed to intercept him."
Lord Xinling, Wei Wuji, one of the famed Four Lords of the Warring States, frowned slightly at the report.
He had been aware of Zhao Xiang's plan to abduct the Qin Empress Dowager, having secretly agreed to it in hopes of weakening Qin's power. The plan was to escort the Empress Dowager through Wei territory and return her to Zhao.
However, the plan had failed.
"Such a pity," Wei Wuji sighed. "If we had succeeded in capturing the Qin Empress Dowager, the King of Qin would have been forced to tread carefully. Using his mother as leverage may have been a despicable tactic, but it could have been effective."
"Perhaps Lord Xinling is overthinking it," a subordinate ventured. "Qin only attacked Han because Han provoked them at the border. For years, Wei has maintained peaceful relations with Qin. They have no reason to attack us. If they did, the other states would not stand idly by."
Wei Wuji's eyes darkened. "It is precisely this kind of thinking that has led us to our current predicament."
He sighed deeply and continued, "When one state becomes overwhelmingly powerful, so much so that it no longer fears the others, principles like 'just cause' and 'legitimacy' become meaningless. Qin has already reached that level of dominance. If they choose to attack Wei, we stand no chance."
Wei Wuji's regret was palpable. "When the King of Han sought aid, I should have sent troops immediately, instead of waiting for Zhao's response. Perhaps then, Han could have survived, and we would have had another ally against Qin."
Now, as an old man nearing the end of his life, Wei Wuji's greatest wish was to protect Wei from being swallowed by Qin's growing power.
"Enough of this," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "What news of Zhao Xiang?"
"General Cao reported that he could not confirm whether Zhao Xiang was captured, killed, or managed to escape. The situation was unclear."
"It would be better for us if Zhao Xiang were dead," Wei Wuji said with a cold smile.
The subordinate was taken aback. "But Lord Xinling, hasn't Zhao Xiang always been respectful toward you? If he dies, wouldn't that weaken Zhao, leaving Wei in a worse position?"
"Zhao Xiang is nothing more than a greedy opportunist," Wei Wuji replied dismissively. "The only reason I associated with him was because of his influence in Zhao. If he dies, power in Zhao's court will shift back to men like Lian Po and Zhao Yi, who are far more trustworthy allies against Qin."
Wei Wuji's analysis was sharp, and his disdain for Zhao Xiang was evident. His subordinate could only nod in agreement.
"What of the Qin commander stationed at Weicheng?" Wei Wuji asked, changing the subject.
The subordinate handed him a bamboo scroll. "This is the latest military report from Weicheng. Please take a look."
Wei Wuji opened it and scanned the contents.
"Zhao Feng," he muttered. "So, it's him guarding Weicheng..."
"It seems that Wang Jian is indeed quite wary of our Great Wei," Wei Wuji said, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Your Highness,"
"This Zhao Feng, isn't he just a bit lucky? How could he possibly deserve such attention from you?" his subordinate asked, visibly puzzled.
"Wei Bo," Wei Wuji turned his head to look at the subordinate, "do you know why the late king placed you by my side back then?"
"I do not know," Wei Bo replied respectfully.
"In terms of status, you are also a member of the royal family of Wei, the younger brother of the king, and my nephew."
"I am already old and have few years left," Wei Wuji sighed deeply.
Hearing this, Wei Bo immediately shook his head, his expression serious. "Your Highness is in the prime of life; please do not speak such things."
"The king has only been on the throne for three years and still relies heavily on me. When the late king placed you by my side in your teenage years, it was to groom you into a pillar of support for the king and someone who could defend our Wei in the future."
"The world today is not what it used to be."
"Qin is strong, the other states are weak."
"The strategic balancing between the states has collapsed."
"You have been by my side for years and should know never to judge matters by their surface appearances."
"Take Zhao Feng, for example."
"You have been with me long enough to be familiar with his situation."
"Tell me, what kind of person do you think Zhao Feng is?" Wei Wuji asked, looking at Wei Bo.
"According to the intelligence we have, Zhao Feng was originally a member of Qin's logistics army. By sheer luck, he killed General Bao Yuan's son and earned a promotion."
"Later, through another stroke of luck or perhaps chance he killed General Bao Yuan himself, which led to his transfer into Qin's main battle forces."
"In the end," Wei Bo continued with a faint tone of disdain, "this man is just unusually lucky."
"If it weren't for the Bao Yuan father and son, he might still be an ordinary logistics soldier."
Wei Wuji shook his head in disappointment. "In your eyes, perhaps all you see is this man's luck."
"Yes, his luck is indeed extraordinary."
"If not for the Bao Yuan incident, he might still be in Qin's logistics army and never have risen to prominence."
"But you fail to see this man's ability."
"Bao Yuan led nearly eight thousand elite troops in a covert operation near Yangcheng. Under the cover of night, they launched a surprise attack aiming to cut off Qin's supply route and give Han a fighting chance."
"This plan, though risky, was a necessary move. If successful, it could have extended Han's survival."
"Against an unarmored logistics force of fewer than ten thousand stationed outside the city, Bao Yuan's elite should have been able to slaughter them. But what happened instead? This Zhao Feng managed to rally thousands of logistics soldiers and fought back fiercely against Bao Yuan's elite troops. They fought to the death, utterly foiling Bao Yuan's strategy, and in the end, Zhao Feng himself killed Bao Yuan."
"Afterward,"
"This man came out of obscurity, capturing several cities in Han, breaking their capital, and even capturing the King of Han."
"Such feats are not merely the result of luck."
"If you had this kind of luck, could you achieve what he did?" Wei Wuji asked, fixing his gaze on his nephew.
Hearing this, Wei Bo fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.
After a moment, he shook his head. "I could not."
Wei Wuji's eyes showed a hint of approval. "It's good that you understand. This man is brave, skilled in command, and, as you said, incredibly lucky though that is the least of his qualities."
"What a pity."
"If this man had been born in Wei, how wonderful it would have been. If he were one of us, I would gladly take him as my disciple and pass on everything to him. He could defend Wei in my stead."
"Why is it that Qin is so blessed?" Wei Wuji lamented, his tone filled with bitterness.
Hearing his revered uncle, the God of War in his heart, speak so highly of an outsider, Wei Bo couldn't help feeling unwilling. Despite following his uncle for years, he had never received such praise, yet this foreigner was spoken of as a potential heir to his uncle's legacy. Such words, if spread, would surely cause a stir in the Wei court.
"Your Highness,"
"Is he truly worth such admiration?" Wei Bo asked, unconvinced.
Wei Wuji smiled. "If he were a Wei man, or if he were willing to serve Wei, he would indeed be worth it. But alas, he is of Qin!"
"Your Highness,"
"One day, if I face this Zhao Feng on the battlefield, I will personally cut him down."
"I will prove that he is not superior to me," Wei Bo declared, his voice full of determination.
Hearing this, Wei Wuji did not grow angry. Instead, he smiled. "Then I look forward to that day."
If Zhao Feng could inspire his nephew to strive for greatness, that alone was worthwhile.
"I will make it happen," Wei Bo vowed, his heart burning with resolve. Though he had never met Zhao Feng, a murderous intent toward him surged within him.
"If Wei Bo can truly slay Zhao Feng on the battlefield, perhaps my hopes for a successor will not be in vain, someone to safeguard Wei in my stead," Wei Wuji thought to himself.
He was old.
His years were numbered.
Finding a worthy successor to protect Wei had become his deepest wish, yet so far, it remained unfulfilled.
His nephew, after all, still lacked the necessary ability.
…
In Xianyang, within the Hall of Deliberation!
Ying Zheng sat with a stormy expression, the entire hall suffused with chilling, oppressive anger.
None of the court ministers dared to speak under the weight of his fury.
"How long has it been?"
"Nearly half a month, with a thousand-mile pursuit."
"And yet the Empress Dowager has not been brought back."
"I am greatly disappointed in you all," Ying Zheng thundered.
The ministers stood in tense silence, their brows furrowed, not daring to respond.
"Wei Liao."
"Li Si."
"Tell me when will the Empress Dowager be returned?"
"Do you understand what it would mean for our state if the Empress Dowager falls into enemy hands?" Ying Zheng's voice was icy with rage.
Even Wei Liao and Li Si, who had long enjoyed his trust, found themselves at a loss for words.
At this moment, with half a month gone and no sign of Zhao Ji's recovery, Ying Zheng's patience had worn thin.
It wasn't just because Zhao Ji was his birth mother, but also because, as the Empress Dowager of Qin, her capture would have grave consequences for the state.
"Your Majesty, please calm yourself,"
"This abduction of the Empress Dowager was the result of long-term planning."
"Although Yongcheng was once the capital of Qin, its defenses are not as formidable as Xianyang's. Furthermore, there were enemy spies within the palace itself. The abduction was an unavoidable outcome."
"From what we can gather,"
"This plan was meticulously executed, with five diversionary groups drawing our forces while a hidden group escaped down the Wei River."
"At this point, all we can do is place our faith in the soldiers pursuing them. They will not allow the Empress Dowager to leave our borders or become a bargaining chip for our enemies," said Han Fei, now wearing the robes of a Qin official, as he stepped forward and spoke loudly.
Hearing Han Fei's words, Ying Zheng's anger seemed to subside slightly.
Though still new to Qin, Han Fei's reputation as a brilliant statesman had already earned Ying Zheng's respect.
"I would rather see the Empress Dowager die for the state than let her jeopardize Qin's fortunes," Ying Zheng said coldly.
This statement was laden with chilling intent, and all who heard it understood its meaning.
For a ruler, Zhao Ji's death would be less damaging than her capture by a foreign power.
This was the ruthlessness of an emperor.
At that moment
"Report!"
"The commander of the Yongcheng Palace Guard, Tu Sui, requests an audience."
Ren Xiao entered the hall, his face alight with excitement as he announced the request.
Ying Zheng's expression shifted, and he immediately ordered, "Summon him!"
Zhao Gao promptly called out toward the hall entrance, "By royal decree, Commander Tu Sui is granted an audience."
Moments later, Tu Sui, having removed his armor and clad in military garb, strode quickly into the hall. Upon entering, he did not hesitate but knelt immediately in the center of the room.
All eyes in the hall turned to Tu Sui.
"Tell me,"
"Has the Empress Dowager been retrieved?" Ying Zheng demanded, his gaze sharp and voice icy.
Though he concealed it well, the faint traces of murderous intent and tension in his voice were unmistakable.
Should Tu Sui fail to deliver good news, his life would undoubtedly come to an end, regardless of any backing from the Grand Dowager Empress.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has been successfully recovered," Tu Sui said, his voice trembling slightly.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng's previously cold demeanor softened, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
"Tu Sui, are you aware of your crime?"
Ying Zheng's tone remained severe.
Tu Sui knelt in fear, replying, "I am guilty, Your Majesty."
"I was charged with guarding the Yongcheng Palace, yet I allowed the Empress Dowager to be taken by traitors."
"This failure in duty is mine alone, and I am prepared to accept any punishment."
Ying Zheng spoke coldly.
At that moment!
A minister of the Mi family stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, while Commander Tu is indeed responsible for his negligence in the abduction of the Empress Dowager, he did, after all, bring her back safely, which could be considered a merit that offsets his failure. I humbly request Your Majesty to mete out a lighter punishment."
"I second this plea."
"Commander Tu has made amends for his mistake by ensuring the Empress Dowager's safe return. I, too, ask Father to show leniency," added Fusu immediately.
Behind Fusu stood his maternal family, the Mi clan, and Huayang Empress Dowager was also of the Mi lineage. Over the years, Commander Tu Sui had cultivated favor with Huayang Empress Dowager while guarding Yong City. Fusu's appeal on his behalf was made at her behest.
But at this moment!
To the surprise of Fusu and the Mi ministers, another figure stepped forward Li Si.
Li Si said, "Your Majesty, while Commander Tu is indeed guilty of dereliction of duty, reducing his salary and rank should suffice as punishment. After all, the Empress Dowager has been recovered, and this incident serves as a warning, exposing the presence of enemy spies within our Qin palace. I, too, request a lighter punishment for Commander Tu."
As Li Si spoke, many of his faction of court nobles echoed his sentiments.
It was clear that Fusu sought to win over Tu Sui, and Li Si, ever the shrewd observer, saw no reason to let this opportunity for a show of goodwill slip by.
Moreover, Li Si understood Ying Zheng's mind well.
Although Tu Sui was stationed in Yong City, his position was of critical importance. Ying Zheng's appointment of him as commander showed his regard. Now that the Empress Dowager was safely returned, Ying Zheng would likely issue only a minor reprimand, regardless of appeals.
Seeing so many ministers advocating for Tu Sui's case, Ying Zheng nodded slightly. "Your arguments are reasonable. Indeed, Commander Tu's failure to prevent the abduction was grave, but his subsequent efforts to recover the Empress Dowager mitigated the damage."
"I hereby pardon Commander Tu."
Hearing this, the ministers who had spoken for Tu Sui all praised in unison, "Your Majesty is wise."
At this moment, however, Tu Sui unexpectedly spoke again.
"Your Majesty, it was not I who rescued the Empress Dowager. Another individual saved her, and I merely escorted her back."
"Oh?" Ying Zheng frowned, surprised. "Another individual?"
"Indeed," Tu Sui replied. "The bandits created diversions that misled my search efforts. I later discovered they had descended the Wei River, heading toward Wei. I led my troops in pursuit but failed to catch up. Just as the bandits were about to cross into Wei territory, I feared I would lose the Empress Dowager completely…"
As he spoke, a flicker of fear crossed Tu Sui's face, and he paused briefly.
The court was stunned by this unexpected revelation.
"Commander Tu, who exactly saved the Empress Dowager?" a minister asked in surprise.
"It was General Zhao Feng, who guards Wei City," Tu Sui declared loudly.
In truth, Tu Sui could have easily claimed this merit for himself. As long as he secured the loyalty of his elite troops, even if an investigation ensued, Zhao Feng's side had only a few personal guards who could corroborate the events.
But Tu Sui was not the kind of man to steal credit.
This was a favor he owed Zhao Feng not only for saving the Empress Dowager but also for saving him and his brothers-in-arms from disgrace. To claim the credit as his own would have been dishonorable.
The mention of Zhao Feng's name sent ripples of astonishment through the court.
Even Ying Zheng, seated on the throne, was visibly intrigued.
"How does this incident involve Zhao Feng?" General Wang Jian couldn't help but comment.
Wang Jian himself had yet to inform Zhao Feng of his daughter's pregnancy, as he was still gauging Zhao Feng's attitude toward the situation.
"Zhao Feng?" Han Fei's eyes lit up.
Although he had only spent a few days with Zhao Feng, the man's unconventional behavior and exceptional eloquence leaving Han Fei speechless on multiple occasions had left a lasting impression.
It had been months since he last saw Zhao Feng.
Han Fei found himself missing the man who had bested him repeatedly in verbal sparring.
If Zhao Feng were here, he would undoubtedly retort, "You're such a glutton for punishment. Can't take compliments, but you thrive on insults."
"Commander Tu, did you inform General Zhao Feng in advance, enabling him to intercept the bandits and rescue the Empress Dowager?"
It was Minister Chunyu Yue who broke his silence with this question.
Han Fei frowned slightly but refrained from speaking. He, too, was uncertain of the details.
If Tu Sui claimed he had sent word to Zhao Feng, and it was this information that led to the successful rescue, the credit would ultimately still belong to Tu Sui. After all, without Tu Sui's message, Zhao Feng would not have intervened.
Chunyu Yue was setting a trap.
"If Tu Sui is wise, he'll seize this opportunity to take the credit," Chunyu Yue thought darkly.
"Zhao Feng…"
"When I sent Meng Jia to persuade him to break off his engagement with the Wang family, Zhao Feng dared to beat Meng Jia into such a state."
"This credit must not go to Zhao Feng," Chunyu Yue resolved coldly.
When his disciple Meng Jia returned from Yingchuan battered and bruised, it was a direct affront to Chunyu Yue himself and, by extension, to Crown Prince Fusu. Although Fusu was unaware of the incident, Chunyu Yue saw himself as his representative.
Zhao Feng's beating of Meng Jia had not been forgotten.
Now was the perfect opportunity to undermine him.
However, Tu Sui had no intention of taking undue credit, nor did he detect Chunyu Yue's veiled intentions.
"In truth," Tu Sui said, "I informed only my elite troops and the four divisions of regional forces sent by Your Majesty to hunt down the bandits. I did not inform any outsiders, let alone General Zhao Feng, who was stationed far away in Yingchuan."
"I had not met General Zhao Feng before this incident."
"That General Zhao Feng intercepted the bandits and rescued the Empress Dowager was purely a coincidence," Tu Sui explained earnestly.
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