Watching his nephew, whom he regarded as his successor, speak such words, Wei Wuji sighed to himself. "Do you think Qin is so easy to deal with? Do you believe that Qin doesn't know that our Wei and the Zhao state are allies? Do you think the King of Qin would issue such a threatening National Book without making preparations? I can guarantee that Wei City is defended by a large army. Breaching it will not be simple."

Wei Bo, however, was unconvinced. "What Your Majesty says may be true, but this is also Wei's best opportunity."

"An opportunity it may be, and now we can only mobilize our troops." Wei Wuji sighed, but his eyes turned resolute. "Carry out my command. I am ordering the 150,000-strong army to advance to the border and apply pressure on the Wei River. We will wait only for Qin to move against Zhao, and then Wei will strike immediately."

"Your subordinate obeys the command," Wei Bo immediately nodded.

As he turned to leave and relay the order, he suddenly turned back. "Uncle, I once promised you that I would bring you the head of Zhao Feng. In this battle, I will definitely not disappoint you. I will prove to you that I am capable of protecting Wei."

Wei Wuji nodded. "Good. I will be watching."

Then, Wei Bo quickly strode out of the hall.

An opportunity... a chance, Wei Wuji thought to himself. This is the battle where Wei will gamble its national fortune. One hundred and fifty thousand elite troops, half of Wei's national strength... I hope we can capture the Han Land as I wish. In doing so, Wei's national fortune can be extended.

How could I not be aware of the opportunity my nephew speaks of? But this chance is too perilous. I have lived for so many years and have personally witnessed how Qin grew powerful step by step, becoming the dominant nation it is today.

Compared to Qin, my Wei has lost too many openings and far too many capable officials. This is our last chance, a final gamble on our national fortune. If Qin's attack on Zhao succeeds, Wei will not be able to stand alone. The situation is dire. Moreover, there has been no cause for war between Qin and Wei. If I attack Qin now, it will only give them a pretext. When Qin eventually marches against us, they will have a just cause, and Wei will be in grave danger. That is why this is a gamble on our national fortune.

「Wei City!」

Dozens of Qin scouts on horseback galloped through the city from the outskirts, racing towards the military camp.

「In front of the Military Council Hall.」

"Report!" a scout Shizhang announced as he bowed to Zhao Feng. "A large number of Wei troops have been spotted north of Wei City! The Wei vanguard has already entered the Great Qin Territory and is now marching towards Wei City! We await General Zhao's instructions!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the generals in the hall changed as they all turned to look at Zhao Feng.

"As expected of Wei Wuji," Zhao Feng said with a light smile, completely unfazed. "He took a detour of more than ten miles instead of using the waterway, afraid our army might strike them en route. However, I never intended to defend along the Wei River in the first place." The Wei River was situated on a plain with no defensible terrain aside from the river itself. Furthermore, the river was not endless; within Wei's borders, one only needed to detour about ten miles to make landfall and march.

"How many Wei troops did the scouts spot?" Zhao Feng asked the Shizhang.

"Reporting to the General," the Shizhang replied immediately. "The exact number of Wei troops is unclear, but their banners stretch on endlessly. The force is definitely no less than one hundred thousand strong. Furthermore, we saw the monarch's banner among the Wei vanguard."

"The monarch's banner?" Chen Tao's expression changed. "In Wei, only one man can carry the monarch's banner into battle: Wei Wuji! He is an extremely capable commander, hailed as the cornerstone of the state of Wei. If he is the one leading the attack, our fifty thousand Sharp Warriors and the fifty thousand men of the so-called Penal Battalion will have absolutely no chance of holding out."

Hearing this, Zhao Feng's brow furrowed. "Speaking of defeat before the battle has even begun? You are a fine general indeed. If the Senior General heard you say that, I fear he would punish you severely."

Chen Tao's face paled, and he quickly bowed. "This subordinate has misspoken."

"General," Zhang Han stepped forward and declared loudly, "so what if it is Wei Wuji? With you here, what is there to fear? I volunteer to lead the troops in defense of the city gates and swear that the Wei Army will not break through!"

"I request to go into battle!" Tu Sui, Wei Quan, and several other generals all stepped forward, each of them with a fearless expression.

Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo exchanged a knowing glance. They are underestimating Wei Wuji far too much.

"Zhang Han, hear my command," Zhao Feng said.

"This subordinate is present," Zhang Han immediately responded.

"When the Wei Army arrives, I order you to lead your Wanjiang Camp to defend the city gates as the first line of defense."

"This subordinate obeys the command!"

"Tu Sui, Zhuang Wei, Liu Wang, Luo Hua, you will await orders below the city walls. If casualties become severe, you will rotate in to relieve them."

"As for Chen Tao and Zhao Tuo, lead your troops and await my signal within the city," Zhao Feng commanded with authority.

"We obey the command!" the generals responded in unison.

"Alright," Zhao Feng said. "Prepare the army for battle and seal the city. Until the fighting has subsided, no one is to enter or leave without my express command. During the battle, the entire city will be governed by military law. I will personally oversee the battle from the city walls.

"Those who defy a direct order will be beheaded!

"Those who abandon their posts will be beheaded!

"Traitors who conspire with the enemy will have their entire clans exterminated!" Zhao Feng shouted.

"Yes, sir!" the generals roared in unison.

"Go," Zhao Feng said with a wave of his hand.

The generals dispersed one by one.

At that moment, Wei City was placed entirely under martial law.

Five days earlier, Zhao Feng had received a military report from Lantian Camp. It was a Royal Edict from the King of Qin, commanding Senior General Wang Jian to lead 200,000 troops east to attack the Zhao state. Simultaneously, Senior General Meng Wu of the Northern Frontier Camp was to lead 100,000 troops to attack the Dai Territory of Zhao. A total of 300,000 Daqin Elite Soldiers were on the march.

Upon receiving the news, Zhao Feng had already made his preparations.

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