Chapter 330 - 153: The Emperor Personally Welcomes Him

"Why has everyone come out?"

"What’s going on today? Why such a grand display?"

"You came out without even knowing what’s happening?"

"I just saw everyone heading out of the city, so I followed out of curiosity. But it’s been so long, and I haven’t seen anything."

"You really do love watching a spectacle."

"It’s not a special holiday. I heard that General Zhao, who has achieved numerous military victories for our Qin, is coming to Xianyang to report on his duties. General Zhao Feng is a legendary figure in Qin! He rose from the Logistics Army, accomplishing countless feats of valor, and has now become Qin’s youngest Main General. How could anyone not want to see such a man with their own eyes?"

"Ah, so that’s it. I understand now."

"General Zhao Feng, a Main General at the mere age of nineteen, is truly a legend of Qin. Even the famed Lord Wu’an Bai Qi from back in the day might have been somewhat inferior to him."

"Moreover, I’ve heard that there’s a possibility for General Zhao Feng to advance even further upon his return to the court."

"Is that true?"

"General Zhao Feng is already a Main General, his position just below the three Shangjiangjun of our Qin. If he advances further, wouldn’t that mean he’s going to become a Shangjiangjun? That’s impossible, isn’t it?"

"Why would it be impossible?"

"Think about how significant General Zhao’s military achievements have been this time. He led the army to victory in almost all the key battles during the conquest of Zhao and even captured the fleeing King of Zhao himself. With such great merit, it wouldn’t be excessive to appoint him as a Shangjiangjun."

"Of course."

"The things I’ve heard are just rumors from the court. Whether he can advance further still depends on the sacred will of the Great King."

...

The citizens, both inside and outside the city, began to discuss the matter with one another. They had been gathered for so long that some of them didn’t even know what was happening. They had simply seen the crowd and couldn’t help but join in, purely for the thrill of watching a spectacle. This has been a custom of the Huaxia people for thousands of years.

At this moment, loud calls could be heard coming from within the city.

"We pay our respects to the Great King!"

...

Endless shouts of greeting continued as the citizens within the city bowed in salutation.

The citizens outside looked towards the city.

They saw an imperial carriage pulled by nine horses slowly approaching from within the city. Behind it, to their astonishment, followed all the Hundred Officials of Qin.

Seeing this scene, everyone was stunned.

"The Great King is actually coming out to welcome him personally?"

"No way..."

"The Great King is arriving in the imperial carriage, accompanied by the Hundred Officials, all to welcome General Zhao Feng?"

"What an extraordinary honor!"

"Throughout the history of our Qin, there was the Shangjiangjun Ying Hua, who was personally welcomed by King Huiwen."

"And King Zhaoxiang personally greeted Lord Wu’an Bai Qi."

"And now, the Great King personally welcomes General Zhao Feng. This is truly a supreme honor."

"Perhaps General Zhao Feng really can advance further."

"After this, might he become Qin’s youngest Shangjiangjun?"

...

Watching the imperial carriage arrive, countless onlookers bowed in respect while their minds were awash with shock and conjecture.

The arrival of the imperial carriage meant the King was on the move, a fact known to everyone. And with the Hundred Officials accompanying it, the significance was unmistakably clear.

"The Great King regards Zhao Feng far too highly, to personally leave the city to welcome him," Huai Zhuang said, his expression grim.

"That’s why Grand Tutor Chunyu made such a terrible move back then," Wang Wan sighed.

As Zhao Feng’s power continued to grow, Wang Wan felt increasingly helpless about Chunyu Yue’s past foolishness in targeting Zhao Feng. Because of that single act, they had likely lost any chance of drawing Zhao Feng to their side, while others still had a chance.

"Chancellor Wang," Huai Zhuang suddenly said in a low voice, "there’s one more thing. The Bai Family intends to impeach Zhao Feng."

"Why?" Wang Wan was startled, a look of surprise crossing his old face.

"When Zhao Feng was returning to Xianyang, he dealt severely with a collateral branch of the Bai Family in a county town in Hangu County," Huai Zhuang explained.

"He dealt with it on his own?" Wang Wan immediately asked. "Was there a reason?"

"According to the Bai Family, Zhao Feng used private punishment and even beheaded the local County Governor," Huai Zhuang said.

Upon hearing this, Wang Wan suddenly smiled. "It seems these military officials all share the same trait. Just like Bai Qi back in the day, they grow high-handed in their high positions. Zhao Feng is no exception."

"We belong to the Eldest Imperial Son’s faction, and that’s common knowledge. However, the Bai Family has no overt connection to the Eldest Imperial Son."

"Perhaps this is an opportunity to suppress Zhao Feng a bit. Since we’re not involved, we can just watch."

"In that case," Wang Wan said with a faint smile, "it might be to our advantage if the Great King retracts the promotion to Shangjiangjun. Suppressing him a little is still beneficial for us."

"Chancellor Wang’s insight is profound," Huai Zhuang agreed with a smile. "In that case, we won’t interfere."

On the other hand, Wang Jian, standing at the forefront of the military officials, couldn’t contain his smile.

"Can’t you contain your pride even for a moment?" Meng Wu, standing behind Wang Jian, couldn’t help but chide him. "Rein it in a little."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jian turned his head and smiled even more proudly. "You old fellow can just be envious. My son-in-law is returning to the court, and he’s going to be appointed a Shangjiangjun. Do you have such an excellent son-in-law?

"No, wait, you don’t even have a daughter, do you? Hahaha, go on and be envious!"

Looking at Wang Jian’s proud display, Meng Wu was incredibly irritated but had no words to retort.

"I’d leave him be if I were you, Meng Wu," Huan Yi said with a smile from the side. "He’s riding high right now."

The three Shangjiangjun of Qin seemed harmonious on the surface.

"Huan, my old friend," Wang Jian said with a beaming smile, "just for that, I won’t compete with you for command the next time Qin goes to war."