Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

”Among these five, Zhao possesses the greatest national power, commanding an army of six hundred thousand soldiers and dominating its region. To annihilate Zhao, we must mobilize the full strength of our Great Qin.”

”You should all understand the key to this battle. Zhao Yan has dispatched three hundred thousand elite troops to attack Yan, where they will be pinned down. In the Dai Territory, Li Mu commands a garrison of two hundred thousand soldiers. This leaves only one hundred thousand troops within Zhao’s heartland. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our Great Qin.”

”For the past year, I have laid my plans, luring the Zhao state into a false sense of security, making them underestimate our Great Qin and seek an alliance treaty. All of it was for this very moment.”

”This is an opportunity that must not be missed, for it will never come again. Wang Qing, Minister Meng, Marquis Huan, do you understand?” Ying Zheng’s eyes burned with a zealous fire as he stared at his three Senior Generals.

”Your servant understands,” the three generals replied in unison.

”Regarding the key to this battle,” Ying Zheng looked at the three men, ”do the three Senior Generals have anything to add?”

”Reporting to Your Majesty,” Wang Jian stepped forward to the map, pointing at the state of Wei as he spoke. ”I have been planning for the war against the Zhao state ever since my return. Zhao and Wei are allied nations. If Qin attacks Zhao, Wei will not stand idly by; they will surely mobilize their army.”

”Which is why the Senior General has already positioned an army on the Wei border,” Ying Zheng said with a slight smile.

”Zhao Feng, stationed at Wei City, was your arrangement,” Meng Wu said in a low voice. ”I must say, it was an astute move. If not for your planning, the Tai Hou might have fallen into Zhao’s hands.”

”Zhao Feng’s rescue of the Tai Hou was purely a coincidence. I stationed him at Wei City for the sole purpose of guarding against Wei,” Wang Jian explained, gesturing at the map to illustrate his strategy.

”The Three Jins were originally one entity before splitting into the three states of Zhao, Wei, and Han. For many years, they clashed with one another, but as Wei’s national power declined, it turned to an alliance with Zhao for support. Wei is not as powerful as Zhao, but it can still field an army of over three hundred thousand.

”Once our Great Qin attacks Zhao, Wei will certainly mobilize its troops, though not its entire force. When Wei makes its move, Wei City in Yingchuan County will be their target. The Han nobility hidden within Yingchuan, those who refuse to submit to our Great Qin, will surely rebel.

”Therefore, my strategy centers on Wei City, with Zhao Feng holding it at all costs. I have also positioned Li Teng to defend Yingchuan. Should any unrest arise in the county, Li Teng will immediately lead his army to suppress it.”

”Although Zhao Feng is valiant, he is only a Deputy General with no more than fifty thousand men under his command. Can he truly withstand an assault from Wei’s army of at least one hundred thousand?” Huan Yi asked skeptically. ”If Wei City falls, the entire Yingchuan County will be in peril.”

”Wrong,” Wang Jian shook his head. ”Zhao Feng commands an army of one hundred thousand.”

”Where did he get one hundred thousand men?” Meng Wu asked, just as surprised.

Wang Jian did not elaborate, instead bowing respectfully to Ying Zheng. ”Your servant requests that the remaining twenty thousand-plus surrendered soldiers in Yingchuan be placed under Zhao Feng’s command.”

”An army of surrendered soldiers, especially in a time of crisis? Aren’t you afraid they might turn their coats in battle and cause the fall of Wei City?” Huan Yi frowned, looking at Wang Jian with even greater confusion. This move could be considered a blunder.

Even Ying Zheng hesitated upon hearing Wang Jian’s request. Thirty thousand surrendered soldiers were still manageable under the watch of fifty thousand Sharp Warriors. But if another twenty thousand were added, their numbers would equal those of the elite troops, all while defending a city.

”Your Majesty,” Wang Jian said with a solemn expression, ”regarding the Penal Battalion, I have received reports from Zhao Feng every ten days. Since their induction, all the troops in the Penal Battalion are combat-ready. This battle may be arduous, but I have faith in Zhao Feng’s abilities. If Wei City falls, I am willing to accept full responsibility for the failure.”