CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: AMBITION GROWS! FOR THE FUTURE!!

After Zhang Han retreated, Zhao Feng eagerly opened the treasure chest he received as a reward for having all his attributes exceed seven hundred.

"Open the First Order Treasure Chest."

"You have obtained [500 taels of gold]." A prompt appeared on the panel.

Adding it all up, I now have five thousand taels of gold in my Storage Space, but I have no way to use it on the battlefield. Seeing that he had received more gold, Zhao Feng wasn’t particularly overjoyed. To him, the gold was currently something to be looked at, not spent.

He couldn’t even send some to his mother if he wanted to. This era lacked convenient transportation, let alone a comprehensive postal service.

This was wartime. It was difficult for a soldier to even send a letter home. A letter from the state of Han back to his hometown, a journey that should normally take ten days, would require at least one or two months to be delivered.

And what if I tried to send gold? If it was discovered by the soldiers under the Military Judge’s command, it would be a serious offense. This gold has to be used, or it’s just a waste. If I can use it to cultivate my own loyal followers, I can not only protect my mother and the others but also build a foundation for my future. The end of Qin will be an era of great conflict.

Looking at the gold in his Storage Space and thinking of the history to come, ambition surged within Zhao Feng’s heart.

Even Liu Bang, a lowly Sishui Pavilion Chief and a scoundrel, could ascend to the path of hegemony. My starting point is immeasurably higher than his. Now that I’m in a main combat camp, I’m confident that with my strength, I can continue to earn merits and promotions. By the time Qin unifies the world, I can’t even imagine what position I might hold. In any case, I’m confident I can rise to the highest possible rank an official can hold. When the end of Qin arrives, if I hold military power, cultivate my own trusted followers, and teach them some basic cultivation methods, sweeping across the land won’t be just a dream. Even if there is some unseen destiny at play, aren’t my abilities sufficient to carve out my own territory?

In history, there was a Qin general named Zhao Tuo. He was sent by Emperor Qin Shi Huang to pacify the Hundred Yue Lands, where he commanded hundreds of thousands of Qin soldiers. He eventually founded the Nanyue Kingdom and even survived into the Han Dynasty, outliving several emperors after Qin Shi Huang. Outlast them? With my ability to collect Lifespan, who could possibly outlive me?

"Are kings and nobles born to their high positions?" That single phrase is truly motivating! I was wrong before. Since I’ve come to this world and can’t go back, I should fully integrate myself into it. When the era of chaos truly arrives, how could I protect my mother and sister without power and influence? How could I marry Wang Yan? Qin’s unification and the subsequent chaos at the end of the dynasty are both inevitable. Therefore, I must fight for my own future, for a chance at true sovereignty.

At that moment, Zhao Feng’s mindset had completely changed. Thinking back on his previous desire to return home in two years and hide from the future turmoil, he found himself ridiculous.

...

「Time flew by!」

More than half a month passed.

Just five miles outside Xinzheng, the Han Capital, over ninety thousand Qin soldiers had made camp, consolidating their forces. The army’s assembly also signaled that all the cities of Han before Xinzheng had been conquered by Qin.

Now, the army was at the city walls.

「The main camp!」

Li Teng sat in the main general’s seat, flanked by more than a dozen commanders from both the combat and logistics camps.

"The Han Capital is right before us. Does anyone have anything to say?" Li Teng asked gravely, his gaze sweeping over the men.

"This humble general wishes to be the vanguard and conquer the Han Capital!"

All ten Wanjiang of the main battle camps stood up, clasped their fists in a military salute, and loudly volunteered.

Seeing this, a faint smile appeared on Li Teng’s face. He picked up a bamboo slip from the table, held it high, and declared, "Back in Yang City, the Senior General ordered us to conquer the Han Capital and capture the King of Han within two months."

"Now, in less than half a month, you have conquered all the surrounding cities. This shows your high morale and the keen edge of our Qin’s Sharp Warriors."

"We still have a month and a half until the deadline set by the Senior General, so there is plenty of time."

"However, the deadline set by the Senior General is not *our* army’s deadline."

"Half a month!"

Li Teng looked up, his eyes scanning his commanders. "Conquer the Han Capital within half a month. Can it be done?"

The generals exchanged glances, none showing a trace of fear. They replied in unison, "Your humble generals will give their all!"

Li Teng nodded and turned to the logistics commanders. "General Song, are the supplies and provisions sufficient?"

"Rest assured, General Li. Supplies and materiel are being steadily transported. The supply lines are secure and will not hinder the army’s needs," replied General Song from logistics.

"And the armaments and materiel are undamaged?" Li Teng asked again.

"Reporting to the general," another logistics commander replied. "The armaments and materiel are undamaged. We have a sufficient supply of arrows, and all siege engines have been brought to the front."

This exchange made it clear that mobilizing an army was not solely the work of the combat camps. It required the full, concerted effort of the logistics divisions and the rear—a single military action that set the entire nation in motion.

"Good!"

"Tomorrow, we will begin by demoralizing the Han army with three hundred thousand arrows and five thousand flaming projectiles. Then, the foot soldiers will attack."

"As for the vanguard of the siege, General Wu Hua will take the lead," Li Teng announced loudly.

At his name, a general immediately stood, bowing with excitement. "This humble general will definitely conquer the Han Capital!"

"Alright."

"All of you, go and make your arrangements."

"Tomorrow is the main event."

"If we can complete the Senior General’s command ahead of schedule, all of you will be heroes of this campaign," Li Teng said with a smile and a wave of his hand.

"Yes, General!"

The commanders all rose, bowed deeply, and then withdrew.

As the commanders departed, Li Teng slowly stood up. He stared at the map of the Han Capital Xinzheng, his eyes filled with resolve. I nearly made a catastrophic mistake at Yang City, and I am still seeking atonement. Only by conquering the Han Capital can I redeem myself for my past failure. It’s my only chance to earn merit, and perhaps even advance in rank and title. If I miss this opportunity, I may never get another chance to lead troops and earn distinction.

After King Zheng of Qin had fully assumed power, he had appointed numerous capable officials and valiant generals. The Wang Family and the Meng Family were the foremost military clans of Qin, a duopoly of power. The opportunity to destroy Han was not given lightly; Wang Jian had fought hard to secure it for Li Teng. If he were to be dismissed, not only would Li Teng be punished, but Wang Jian would also face censure.

「The military camp!」

In the area of the Commandant Camp led by Zhao Feng, he and his subordinate Junhou were seated around a campfire.

"It’s only autumn, but it’s already gotten so cold at night. In a few more months when winter arrives, it’ll be cold enough to freeze a man to death," Zhang Han remarked, holding his hands out to the campfire.

Zhao Feng silently mused, There’s no global warming in this era; it really is bitterly cold.