"How does it feel to see all the critically wounded soldiers in the Wounded Soldier Camp being saved?"

At that moment, Xia Wuqie walked over slowly and asked Zhao Feng with a smile.

"Saving a life is more comforting than taking one," Zhao Feng replied with a smile. "The feeling that a life has been spared by one's own hand can console the soul."

Xia Wuqie nodded in agreement. "This is the true heart of a healer. However, a physician can only save a few. If the world were united, then thousands, even millions, could be saved. That would be true salvation, saving all the people of the world."

Zhao Feng smiled and said to Master Chen, "Mr. Chen, did you hear that? This is the realm of a great physician. You should study it well."

"Of course," Master Chen retorted. "I always take my teacher's words to heart. And I have some good news for you. Once the conquest of Zhao is complete, I can be promoted to a great physician!" he boasted proudly to Zhao Feng.

A nation's great physician. That was the genuine pinnacle of the medical profession. In the entirety of Qin, there was only one who held such a title—Xia Wuqie. To be ranked as a great physician, while not conferring power, granted a status not inferior to that of the Nine Ministers.

"Promoted to a great physician? It looks like Mr. Chen will be transferred to Xianyang soon," Zhao Feng said with a slight smile.

"Hahaha. Don't worry," Master Chen said, laughing heartily. "Even if I go to Xianyang, I will definitely attend your grand wedding, Mr. Zhao."

"General Zhao hasn't married yet?" Xia Wuqie asked with interest.

"Teacher," Mr. Chen intervened. "Mr. Zhao joined the army at sixteen, and it's been almost four years now. How could he have had the chance to marry? However, Mr. Zhao has a most enviable marriage engagement. General Wang Jian's daughter is betrothed to him, and they say she has even borne him a son and a daughter," Master Chen said, winking meaningfully.

"Is that so? Then, General Zhao, might an old man like me ask for a cup of celebratory wine at your wedding?" Xia Wuqie asked cheerfully.

"Is Doctor Xia serious?" Zhao Feng asked with a trace of amusement.

"What? Would General Zhao not welcome me?" Xia Wuqie said with a chuckle.

"How could that be! If Doctor Xia were to come, it would be a great honor for the Zhao Family. It's just that my hometown in Shaoqiu County is very far from Xianyang. The journey will be a long one."

"I felt an instant connection with you, General Zhao. Now that I have the chance to witness your wedding, I certainly won't miss it. You must inform me when the big day comes," Xia Wuqie said with all seriousness.

Seeing his sincerity, Zhao Feng nodded. "Certainly."

"My Lord," Zhang Ming reported, approaching briskly. "A summons from General Wang Jian."

"Then I must take my leave of you two," Zhao Feng said, cupping his fist in a salute. "After resting for so long, it seems we're about to mobilize again."

"Go on, Mr. Zhao," Master Chen quickly responded. "The Wounded Soldier Camp has already passed its most difficult time; things should be easier from here on."

Subsequently, Zhao Feng took his leave.

「In Handan City, in the grand hall for deliberations of the former Chancellor Mansion.」

Wang Jian took his seat at the head of the hall. The commanders of the three main divisions, along with dozens of other officers, were all assembled.

"Handan City is now fully under our control," Wang Jian began, his expression grave. "The main divisions have also completed their reorganization. Ten days may not seem long, but it has been a significant delay. Although King Zhao Yan of Zhao has been captured by Qin and is returning to Xianyang with our Great King, not all of the Zhao nobility and their hundred officials have been caught. Many have escaped.

"Specifically, the former Crown Prince of Zhao, Zhao Yi, the head of the Zhao nobility, has fled to Dai Territory. He has gained the support of the local commanders there, proclaimed himself King of Dai, and is now gathering troops to defend the region. Furthermore, the essential roads connecting to Zhao Territory are guarded by the Zhao Border Army's cavalry.

"In addition, the state of Yan has amassed an army of one hundred thousand men. They've invaded Zhao and used these past ten days to seize several of its cities."

At these words, the officers all cupped their fists toward Wang Jian. "We volunteer for battle!"

Wang Jian lifted his hand, and the officers fell silent.

"Handan has fallen, and the King of Zhao has been captured. The Zhao forces stationed across Zhao Territory have lost all morale and won't pose much resistance before we complete our conquest. They will either surrender directly to Qin or flee to Dai Territory. As for those who flee, let them go. The more people that crowd into Dai, the more chaotic it will become, and the deeper the blow to their morale.

"Our army will capture all the cities in the east of Zhao as quickly as possible, and only then will we move against Dai Territory. We still have two hundred thirty thousand men capable of battle. We will divide into three forces, with each main division attacking along one route. As for the specific deployment of each division, that will be left to you three generals to arrange," Wang Jian said, addressing Zhao Feng and the other two commanders.

"We obey your command!" the officers responded in unison.

Overall, the key to Wang Jian's command was simple: conquer Zhao Territory with the utmost speed. As for Dai Territory, its occupants were now like startled birds, daring not to make a move. Wang Jian concluded that Zhao Yi and the other fleeing Zhao officials were likely focused only on holding their ground in Dai, hoping to secure a small corner for themselves. A counterattack? They wouldn't dare.

---

「Time passed.」

「In a small city within the Zhao state.」

"Hahaha! Zhao Yan, oh, Zhao state!" Yan Dan exclaimed with a broad smile. "You wanted to destroy my Yan, but now it is Yan that has captured more than a dozen of your cities! I, the Crown Prince, have truly expanded the territory of my great state!"

Seeing Yan Dan so pleased, the war general beside him could not share the sentiment.

"Crown Prince," Yue Cheng said with a worried look, "we have already taken over a dozen cities. We mustn't advance further. We are likely to encounter the Qin Army ahead."

"The Qin Army? Do they truly dare to clash with our forces?" Yan Dan declared proudly. "If we do meet them, our army can halt its advance, but the cities we have captured belong to Yan, not to Qin."

Looking at the arrogant and swollen-headed Yan Dan, Yue Cheng was filled with helplessness. Perhaps it was precisely Yan Dan's arrogant nature that led him to conceive the plot to assassinate the King of Qin. In the end, Qin used it as a pretext, giving them a just cause to march their armies!

"But what do we do if the Qin Army attacks?" Yue Cheng pressed, his concern unabated. "With our military strength, we are no match for them." He was well aware of his army's capabilities; they could not even defeat the Zhao Army, let alone the Qin Army that had crushed them.

"They wouldn't dare," Yan Dan insisted confidently.

Just then, dozens of Yan cavalrymen came galloping back to the city in utter terror. Their disheveled appearance suggested they had suffered a great calamity. They had lost their weapons and battle armor, returning with only their warhorses.

"Crown Prince, something is wrong," Yue Cheng said urgently, his expression changing.

Yan Dan's face darkened. He waved a hand. "Quickly, open the city gate!"

The gates opened, and the dozens of panicked Yan soldiers scrambled inside.

"What happened?" Yan Dan demanded coldly, looking at the soldiers kneeling before him. "Where are your weapons and battle armor?"

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince," the leading centurion stammered, his face pale with fear. "The Qin Army... the Qin Army has arrived! They captured us and forced us to surrender our armor and weapons. And... and they had me bring back a letter." He held up a bundle of bamboo slips.

Yan Dan took it with a cold expression. He opened it and read.

"If you wish to avoid war, immediately withdraw from all cities in Zhao. In one hour, Qin will attack. There will be no mercy for the enemy. All who resist will be killed."

Signature: "Great Qin Main General, Zhao Feng."

Seeing this, Yan Dan's face turned ashen. "Qin General Zhao Feng... He dares to threaten me, the Crown Prince, like this?" he said coldly.

"Crown Prince, who did you just say?" Yue Cheng asked, his face draining of color.

"Qin General Zhao Feng," Yan Dan repeated.

"It's really him? Crown Prince," Yue Cheng pleaded, "I urge you, we must retreat at once! We cannot engage the Qin Army in battle, or our forces will be in grave danger! Zhao Feng... Bao Yuan, Lian Po, and Pang Xuan all died by his hand. Even Wei Wuji was defeated by him despite having an overwhelming advantage. This man is hailed as Qin's most promising general, more ferocious and skilled in battle than even the Bai Qi of old. It was he who breached the walls of Handan!"

Hearing this, Yan Dan frowned. "Senior General, although you have been defeated and have surrendered in the past, you should not dampen our army's morale so. Our state of Yan and Qin are, for the moment, still considered allies. If the Qin Army were to attack us, they would offend all of Yan. I do not believe Ying Zheng would be so foolish."

Yue Cheng was both annoyed and exasperated. "Crown Prince, by invading Zhao, we have already snatched meat from the mouth of Qin! We have already offended them! What kind of man is Ying Zheng? Do you really think he will tolerate this?"

"Enough!" Yan Dan snapped. He waved his hand dismissively. "These cities of Zhao now belong to Yan, and I, the Crown Prince, will not relinquish them. Furthermore, Zhao attacked our great Yan. Our retaliation has a just cause."

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