Hearing Ying Zheng's words, Zhao Feng couldn't help but sigh.
"Your Majesty has truly arranged everything well for me," he said.
"However…"
"I am now in a position of great power, second only to one and above all others."
"The road ahead will not be easy."
Zhao Feng sighed deeply.
"Oh?"
"Do you think I will discard you once your usefulness has ended?"
Ying Zheng's expression changed slightly.
"That's not what I mean."
Zhao Feng shook his head.
History has recorded Qin Shi Huang's capabilities and the way he treated his ministers.
After unifying the world, he never purged any meritorious officials.
Every one of them was honored and rewarded, no matter how high their position.
"Now, only the state of Qi remains in all of China."
"Once Qi is conquered, military force can be set aside for a time, and it will be the civil officials' turn to take center stage."
"At that point…"
"There will be many in the court who will not look favorably upon me."
Zhao Feng chuckled softly.
"As long as I am here, what can they possibly do to you?" Ying Zheng's tone carried a hint of protectiveness.
"That is true while Your Majesty is present."
"But what about the future?" Zhao Feng smiled.
Now that the moment had come, he decided to speak plainly with Ying Zheng.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng immediately understood and laughed, "Are you implying that my successor will be an incompetent ruler?"
"Your Majesty's sons I do not know them well."
"That is why…"
"Today, I have a request." Zhao Feng's expression grew serious.
"Speak."
Ying Zheng waved a hand, interested to hear what Zhao Feng would ask for.
"Once Qi is conquered, I would like to lead an army to pacify Baiyue and garrison the region," Zhao Feng stated immediately.
Garrisoning Baiyue…
Zhao Feng had been considering this for a long time.
"Garrison Baiyue?"
Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Feng with an odd expression.
"How could the esteemed Grand Commandant of Qin be stationed in such a barbaric land? Do you wish for the world to mock me, saying that I do not tolerate capable men?" Ying Zheng smiled faintly.
"Your Majesty."
"This is my request."
"It has nothing to do with Your Majesty's tolerance."
"The land of Baiyue, strictly speaking, is also a part of our China."
"Furthermore, the millions of people in Baiyue are not foreigners but are of the same ancestral lineage as us, descended from Chiyou."
"Conquering Baiyue and bringing its people into the fold of Qin, granting them civilization this is a great endeavor that will be remembered for generations." Zhao Feng spoke earnestly.
"This matter will be discussed later."
Ying Zheng waved his hand, firmly rejecting Zhao Feng's request.
What a joke.
Sending Zhao Feng to garrison a remote region like Baiyue? Ying Zheng could never bear to do that.
Even if Zhao Feng weren't his son, Ying Zheng would never allow such a thing.
"Your Majesty."
"Once Qi is conquered, there will be no more wars in China. I won't be able to stay idle in Xianyang."
"I can continue expanding Qin's territory." Zhao Feng added.
At this point, he was getting anxious.
Garrisoning Baiyue was the key to his long-term strategy.
As long as he could establish control over Baiyue, he could develop it into a powerful base.
Then, when the chaos of Qin's downfall began, coupled with the elite forces under his direct command, he was confident that within a few years, he could sweep across the land.
Zhao Feng was certain of this.
"Expanding territory can wait."
"For now, I want you to stay in Xianyang."
"Besides, once the world is unified, the situation might change."
"There may even be a great surprise waiting for you." Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Feng with a meaningful smile.
"What kind of surprise could there be? Are you planning to make me crown prince and hand me the throne?" Zhao Feng muttered internally, feeling exasperated.
"You would rather garrison Baiyue than ask me for a throne?"
"Do you think your military achievements are not enough to claim one?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty does not intend to implement a feudal system. What use would I have for a throne?" Zhao Feng replied calmly.
The flaws of the feudal system were crystal clear to Ying Zheng.
And Zhao Feng had his concerns as well.
If a feudal system were truly implemented, the chaos of Qin's downfall would unfold differently, making it much harder for him to seize power quickly.
Since he couldn't change history, he might as well let it play out.
"You see things quite clearly," Ying Zheng said with a smile.
He was highly satisfied with Zhao Feng's understanding.
In the end
The feudal system!
Ying Zheng had no intention of implementing it. The future of Qin would be based on the commandery system.
All power would remain firmly in his hands.
Ying Zheng had no desire to see his Qin state suffer the same fate as the Zhou Dynasty, which had crumbled due to the decentralization of power.
Therefore
Zhao Feng had never entertained the idea of being made a king, as Ying Zheng's mind was set, and no one could change it.
"So, Your Majesty."
"Please approve my request to garrison Baiyue. If not Baiyue, then at least the northern frontier."
"I would rather lead troops on campaigns that is my calling," Zhao Feng said, his eyes shifting as he made another attempt.
He had not given up.
Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Feng in amusement. "You are truly determined to lead troops?"
"I come from the military. Leading armies and waging war is my duty." Zhao Feng responded righteously.
"Very well. Since you are so eager."
"Once the world is unified, let's see how things stand."
"Then, you can decide whether you still want to go to Baiyue." Ying Zheng smiled.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty."
"My mind will not change."
Zhao Feng responded immediately.
"Excellent."
"The King of Qin has finally relented."
"As soon as the world is unified, I will go to Baiyue to develop and strengthen my forces."
"When the chaos of Qin's downfall arrives, the power I have accumulated will be enough to sweep across the land!"
Zhao Feng thought to himself with great joy.
"This kid…"
"Guarding Baiyue he came up with that idea."
"Once the world is unified, I'll bring your mother here, and you'll finally know who you are."
"The entire Great Qin will be yours in the future who would dare to go against you?"
"Moreover, Qi'er and the others keep mentioning 'martial arts' What exactly is it? This kid has too many secrets."
"But that's fine."
"With him here, Great Qin will not decline for at least a hundred years."
As Zhao Feng was inwardly pleased with himself, Ying Zheng also had a smile on his face.
Father and son shared a knowing smile, each with their thoughts.
"Guigu… you went there, didn't you?" Ying Zheng suddenly asked, changing the topic.
"I did," Zhao Feng nodded.
"What did Guiguzi want from you?" Ying Zheng asked curiously.
"He thinks I am an exceptionally gifted talent and wants to teach me personally."
"He said that if I have the chance, I should go to Guigu to further my studies," Zhao Feng replied casually.
"Guiguzi's offering to teach you is a tremendous opportunity."
"You must not refuse," Ying Zheng immediately said.
Guiguzi was a legendary figure.
A man with unparalleled knowledge and strategic brilliance if Zhao Feng could learn from him, he would only become even more exceptional.
This would be a great benefit for the future of Great Qin as well.
...
Inside the Zhangtai Palace,
Ying Zheng continued to ask questions, one after another.
It was always like this whenever Zhao Feng entered the Zhangtai Palace.
After having a meal in the palace, Zhao Feng finally returned home.
"Husband!"
As soon as he stepped into the residence, his wives and concubines came forward to greet him.
Before his military expedition, three of his concubines had not yet given birth.
But now, upon his return, each of them was holding a months-old baby.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng was not surprised.
While he was in Chu, his household had already sent word to inform him.
Two boys and one girl.
Zhao Feng had already chosen their names.
The boys were named Zhao Wen and Zhao Lin.
As for the girl, she was named Zhao Ya.
"Father!"
The little ones gazed at him warmly.
Zhao Wu and Zhao Pan, who had been born earlier, were now nearly four years old.
They clung to Zhao Feng's legs with joy.
One on each side.
"Good, good."
"Father is back now."
Zhao Feng laughed as he lifted the two children into his arms.
"Father doesn't hold us anymore."
Zhao Ling pouted, visibly displeased.
She had grown quite tall and was now over nine years old.
"Haha!"
"Father used to hold you all the time, but Ling'er has grown up now."
"Father needs to hold your younger brothers and sister too," Zhao Feng said with a smile.
At home,
Zhao Feng did not show much distinction between his legitimate and illegitimate children.
After all, the world was vast.
The future governance of the land would require many capable hands.
He was determined to treat all his children fairly.
Of course,
His eldest son was different he was being groomed as the future heir.
As for the others, they would be given titles of nobility.
Would there be conflict in the future?
Zhao Feng had already stepped into the realm of cultivation.
With immortality within reach, controlling his children would not be an issue.
That was simply out of the question.
"All of you may rise,"
Zhao Feng said to his wives and concubines with a smile.
"Thank you, husband."
They all responded in unison.
Since he had finally returned,
Zhao Feng intended to spend some quality time with them.
A few days later,
Zhao Feng set off for Yunzhong and several other locations.
Due to the war,
The number of refugees had increased significantly.
Gathering them had become easier.
If Zhao Feng did not intervene, even with the court sending relief efforts, at least 50-60% of the refugees would starve or freeze to death during the winter.
It was not due to incompetence on the part of the government.
It was simply the harsh reality of the times.
Roads were not well-developed.
And grain production was insufficient to feed everyone.
By actively taking in refugees, Zhao Feng was practically a saint in their eyes.
Inside his small world,
In the past year,
The population had already surpassed 100,000.
All under the age of fifty.
Though fifty was considered old in these times,
These individuals still possessed valuable knowledge and skills.
At the center of the small world,
A large city had already formed.
Various crafts and techniques from the outside world have also been introduced here.
To survive in this small world, one needed a skill.
Those without one would work the fields.
In this place, there were no natural disasters, no wars
Everyone could live in peace.
It was truly a land of purity.
A few days later,
In the Yunzhong region,
Another group of over 10,000 people was brought into the small world.
"Newcomers again."
"Come, arrange them quickly."
"Each household will be assigned a home, given 300 coins, and registered in the records."
Seeing so many people arrive,
The Yan Court's hidden guards, who had long been prepared, immediately sprang into action.
They began organizing and distributing resources in an orderly manner.
Everything proceeded smoothly.
This small world was now brimming with vitality and human presence.
Moreover,
Everyone here had been taught the basics of martial arts. Particularly, children under the age of ten could start cultivating from the age of eight.
"Now, the small world has gained a real population."
"It's like a miniature kingdom."
"And the grain grown here is already self-sustaining."
"This will also serve as my family's retreat in the future."
Watching the development of the small world, Zhao Feng was extremely satisfied.
He was already planning for the future.
If one day, Shenzhou (China) could not develop according to his vision and was truly unable to resist those so-called immortals, then this small world would be his last refuge.
Without people, the small world would be dull and meaningless.
Thus, Zhao Feng created a world within it where humans could thrive.
This way, his family would never feel lonely in the future.
In short,
He had already secured a path of retreat.
His consciousness returned to reality.
"Master,"
"The number of refugees continues to grow. So far, we've taken in over a hundred thousand people. Should we continue?"
Tu Sui looked at Zhao Feng and asked.
"Continue."
"Focus on those who cannot survive in the outside world."
"No need to be overly selective."
"My world can accommodate tens of millions of people what we have now is far from enough," Zhao Feng said firmly.
"Understood," Tu Sui replied without further questions.
"At this point, I have already been appointed as the State Commander."
"Before long, the Wu'an military camp will be under your command."
Zhao Feng turned to Tu Sui with a smile.
"I will lead Wu'an?"
Tu Sui was completely taken aback upon hearing this.
He had never expected such a thing.
"What's wrong?"
"Surprised?" Zhao Feng chuckled.
"Indeed, I am."
"I never thought His Majesty would entrust me with the Wu'an military camp," Tu Sui nodded, still astonished.
"His Majesty asked me to recommend someone, so naturally, I recommended my people."
"I didn't expect him to approve so readily," Zhao Feng laughed.
"His Majesty truly has immense trust in you," Tu Sui sighed.
"Yes, his trust is almost excessive I can't quite understand it myself."
When it came to the word "trust," Zhao Feng found it rather odd.
He felt that Ying Zheng treated him with more than just a ruler's trust in his minister.
It was as if his faith in Zhao Feng surpassed what he had in any of his other subjects.
Even though Zhao Feng knew a fair amount about Qin Shi Huang after all, he was the first emperor in history, known for his extraordinary vision it was still shocking that he would entrust military power so freely.
Zhao Feng simply couldn't make sense of it!
"Perhaps…"
"His Majesty wants you to be a key figure in safeguarding Great Qin's future," Tu Sui speculated.
"That may be the case."
"But while His Majesty is a great ruler with grand ambitions, none of his sons are particularly outstanding."
"When His Majesty passes away, Great Qin will undoubtedly fall into chaos," Zhao Feng said with certainty.
"That is true."
Tu Sui nodded in deep agreement.
"Alright then."
"You must guard Yunzhong well."
"I have other places to visit."
Zhao Feng instructed Tu Sui before rising into the air.
He soared into the sky and vanished into the distance.
"Master is becoming more and more like the immortals of legend…"
Watching Zhao Feng depart, Tu Sui thought with great reverence.
As time passed,
Winter arrived.
Most of Shenzhou was now covered in snow.
The southern regions fared better.
Inside the court's assembly hall,
"Your Majesty,"
"The state of Yan has been hit by heavy snowfall, and numerous cities have reported freezing disasters."
"We request Your Majesty's decision on relief measures."
"Your Majesty,"
"The King of Qi has sent an envoy with a state letter."
"He proposes that both he and Your Majesty declare themselves emperors"
"He as the Northern Emperor, and Your Majesty as the Southern Emperor."
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