"Yu Liao, you must closely monitor Yingchuan. Should there be any defensive failures, inform me immediately, regardless of the time."

Yu Liao immediately bowed. "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I have already given the instructions."

"Your Majesty, I have a report," Li Si stepped forward to announce. "With only fifty thousand Sharp Warriors and fifty thousand surrendered troops defending Wei City against Wei Wuji's army of several hundred thousand, Yingchuan could collapse at any moment. I believe it would be best to dispatch Senior General Huan Yi to mobilize troops."

"The Tingwei doesn't know the cost of grain since he doesn't manage the granaries," Wang Wan immediately stood up to refute him. "This time, Qin has mobilized two large camps. Including the able-bodied men transporting supplies and the Logistics Army, the total manpower exceeds six hundred thousand. This six-hundred-thousand-strong army's daily consumption of provisions is incalculable, and all of this is draining Qin's national power. If we were to open another front, add another two hundred thousand troops, and factor in the transport of more supplies and baggage, does the Tingwei truly believe Qin's national power can support it?"

"If Yingchuan falls, Qin's battle line will collapse," Li Si replied coldly.

"If Yingchuan falls, then Zhao Feng is unquestionably at fault," Wang Wan countered, his tone devoid of warmth. "Long ago, the Great King dispatched ample supplies and baggage to Wei City and allocated sufficient forces. One hundred thousand troops to defend a single city is more than enough."

"I second the motion," Chunyu Yue stepped forward to agree. "The Great King has already entrusted Zhao Feng with so many troops. If he cannot hold the city, it would be a dereliction of his duty."

He had never forgotten the grudge from when Zhao Feng had beaten his foremost disciple. If Zhao Feng truly couldn't hold Wei City this time, I'll be sure to submit a memorial thoroughly denouncing him.

"Grand Tutor Chunyu, are your words not too harsh?" Han Fei now stood up and raised his voice. "General Zhao Feng has already rendered meritorious service by defending Wei City. And have you not heard of what kind of man Wei Wuji is? His ability to command troops is comparable to Lian Po's, and this time he is leading an offensive with several hundred thousand of Wei's soldiers. Never mind a new general like Zhao Feng; even veterans such as Wang Jian and Meng Wu would likely struggle to contend with him. Your Majesty, in my opinion, we should set a deadline for General Zhao Feng. As long as he defends the city for that period, we can say he has fulfilled his duty."

Seeing Han Fei once again speak up for Zhao Feng, Chunyu Yue's brows furrowed. But he could find no reason to object. Perhaps this was Han Fei's strength; his words were rational and well-founded, leaving no room for rebuttal.

"How many months can the provisions transported to Wei City last?" Ying Zheng asked.

"Your Majesty, they are sufficient for one hundred thousand troops for three months," Wang Wan immediately replied.

"I will give Zhao Feng three months," Ying Zheng declared authoritatively. "As long as he holds Wei City without loss for three months, I will acknowledge his merit. Similarly, I give Li Teng three months to clear the rebels within Yingchuan County. Afterward, he is to lead all the Sharp Warriors in Yingchuan to reinforce Wei City and ensure Yingchuan does not fall."

"The Great King is wise!" Li Si and Han Fei exchanged a glance and immediately echoed in loud support.

Wang Wan and Chunyu Yue no longer had any opportunity to object. Having the forces within Yingchuan County accelerate the pacification of rebels to then reinforce Wei City was evidently the best course of action.

"Has the Zhao state withdrawn its forces from Yan?" Ying Zheng asked with a hint of a smile. Given the current situation, Ying Zheng hoped that Zhao Yan would remain stubborn and continue his assault on Yan. If those troops returned, it would be detrimental for Qin.

"Your Majesty," Yu Liao replied with a smile, "the Zhao state has not yet withdrawn its troops from the Yan state and is still continuing its attack. The Yan Army is still resisting with all its might."

"Good," Ying Zheng nodded with a smile. "Keep a close eye on the Zhao state's movements."

"I obey the decree," Yu Liao immediately accepted the command.

The court session continued for a while. After it was dismissed, Han Fei slowly walked out of the great hall. Li Si hesitated for a moment before quickly chasing after him.

"Brother Han, wait a moment!" Li Si called out.

Hearing Li Si's voice, Han Fei sneered inwardly.

Ever since the events in the prison, he had not outwardly shown any change in his demeanor toward Li Si, but his heart was filled with vigilance. If not for Zhao Feng's warning, he would have been completely unsuspecting. The day Li Si visited the prison would have been his day of doom. Han Fei was a person who valued loyalty deeply; he had once shared a profound friendship with this former confidant. But after Li Si had tried to have him killed, his heart was filled with bitter resentment.

"What is it, Brother Li?" Han Fei asked calmly as he turned around, his tone now somewhat cold compared to their previous familiarity.

"Suppressing that Chunyu Yue today was truly excellent," Li Si said with a smile. "It also shows the Great King's high regard for you, Brother Han."

"The Great King is a man of great talent and strategy; he can naturally see through the situation. I merely acted accordingly," Han Fei said, not wanting to waste any more words. "I now serve in the Shaofu, and my official duties keep me busy. I must take my leave, Brother Li." He immediately cupped his fist, turned, and walked away.

Watching Han Fei's retreating back, Li Si could not fail to sense the coldness and distance. His expression grew increasingly colder as well.

「Xinzheng!」

"General Li," Sun Ting reported respectfully, "there is chaos in various parts of Yingchuan. As you have instructed, General, I have divided the fifty thousand troops into five groups to suppress the rebels. Judging from the current state of chaos, it seems impossible to completely eradicate them, but a few months should be sufficient to quell the rebellion."

Li Teng sat in the main seat and nodded, but his expression remained worried. "General Sun, has Zhao Feng still not sent a request for reinforcements?"

"We have not received any request for aid from General Zhao," Sun Ting immediately responded. "However, the military reports we have received indicate that Wei City is still secure."

Wei Wuji…

This man is a true veteran. With him leading the assault, Zhao Feng won't be able to hold out. I wonder how long Zhao Feng can last. If Wei City falls and the Wei Army drives straight in, all of Yingchuan will be in danger.

Li Teng's face was a mask of grave concern.

"Our orders are to crush all rebels within Yingchuan County. As for the matter of Wei City, any merit or fault has nothing to do with you, General," Sun Ting ventured carefully.

At these words, Li Teng frowned. "What are you saying? Perhaps the fault for Wei City's fall would lie with Zhao Feng, but Yingchuan County is now the territory of our Great Qin. If Wei City falls, Yingchuan is in peril. How can I stand by and debate matters of merit and fault?"

Sun Ting immediately bowed deeply. "I misspoke. But looking at the current situation, there is nothing we can do even if Wei City is in danger. We must prioritize suppressing the rebels in Yingchuan for now. As for Wei City, if Zhao Feng truly requests reinforcements, the Senior General will surely have a plan."

Hearing this, Li Teng could only nod in agreement despite his anxiety. "Let us hope Zhao Feng can hold out."

While Li Teng worried, a change was taking place elsewhere.

「At Hongze Crossing.」

A vast army was already arrayed before the ferry.

...

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