Chapter 89: Accumulate strength! Mother's birthday!
Zhao Feng naturally understood that the strategy of the prisoner army would inevitably become the trend of the Qin Dynasty in the later period, so he proposed it first. If the prisoner army made meritorious deeds in the future, he would be the first to take the lead!!!
Looking at Zhao Feng’s serious look.
Meng Yi and Li Teng were both very surprised.
The other generals in the hall were also very surprised and shocked by Zhao Feng's statement.
It has been said that the reorganization of surrendered soldiers is extremely difficult, and it can even be said that it is impossible to form combat power.
"General Zhao, are you serious?" Meng Yi asked in surprise.
"Replying to the County Magistrate, I am serious."
"If the surrendered soldiers can be reorganized, we will be able to obtain a steady stream of fresh troops to serve our Qin in the future."
"This matter is worth exploring." Zhao Feng replied with a serious face.
"Do you know how serious this matter is?"
"If there really is a mutiny among the surrendered soldiers or riots in the military camp, it would be a serious crime," Li Teng said seriously.
"I am willing to issue a military order and give me 20,000 surrendered soldiers as pioneers."
"If there really is a mutiny or a military riot, I will take full responsibility." Zhao Feng bowed and clasped his fists, very firmly.
Others saw these surrendered soldiers as hot potatoes, but for Zhao Feng, who knew history, as long as the surrendered soldiers were well trained, reorganized and given hope, they could still fight for Qin. More importantly, Zhao Feng could also secretly recruit his own death squads from among the surrendered soldiers.
Looking at Zhao Feng who was still determined.
Li Teng couldn't help but look at Meng Yi again, his expression quite helpless.
"General Lee."
"I think General Zhao might actually have a way to change the surrendered soldiers and reorganize their combat effectiveness."
"Why not give him a chance?" Meng Yi smiled and said to Li Teng.
"But does this matter need to be reported to the king?" Li Teng said hesitantly.
According to past practice, surrendered soldiers were directly demoted to slaves, and when war broke out they were forced onto the battlefield to be cannon fodder, but reorganization had never happened before.
"After I came to Yingchuan, the king has already given instructions."
"The surrendered soldiers can be deployed by me."
"Since General Zhao is willing, let him give it a try. If it doesn't work, we can suppress him with our army."
"This matter."
"I will make the decision for General Li." Meng Yi smiled slightly.
Then he looked at Zhao Feng and said, "I will give General Zhao 30,000 surrendered soldiers. No matter how you train or reorganize them, General Li will not ask about it. But General Zhao must remember the Battle of Changping."
Under the words.
The meaning is very clear.
In the Battle of Changping, more than 400,000 Zhao troops were captured.
Why not reorganize? Why slaughter them all? After all, surrendered soldiers cannot be reorganized, let alone used as one's own.
Keeping them as slaves would be too much and would waste the national treasury's food.
Letting them go would not harm the State of Zhao.
If there had been other options, the 400,000 Zhao soldiers who surrendered would not have died.
"Please rest assured, County Magistrate Meng."
"I understand." Zhao Feng replied immediately.
"General Lee."
"The war has been settled, and the imperial court's rewards have also come down."
"You should go and reorganize the army first." Meng Yi said to Li Teng with a smile again.
"good."
Li Teng nodded.
A war to destroy Korea.
Although it seemed like a beautiful victory, many brave soldiers died in the battle, and many had to retire and return home due to injuries.
And these elite warriors are not all ordinary soldiers, there are officers, even military marquises, captains, and generals.
The vacancies left by officers killed in battle must be filled by meritorious soldiers, and then the battalions will be reorganized to form combat power.
After the new soldiers arrive, the troops will be replenished.
Time passes by.
A day passed just like this.
Inside the military camp in the city.
Council Hall.
Zhao Feng sat in the main seat, while five generals and ten captains stood in the hall.
Among the five generals.
The person Zhao Feng was most familiar with was naturally Zhang Han, and the other one was Chen Tao.
Before, Chen Tao was Zhao Feng’s superior, but now he has become Zhao Feng’s subordinate.
perhaps.
This feeling was extremely unpleasant for Chen Tao, but he could do nothing about it.
original.
Before Zhao Feng accomplished the feat of capturing the king, perhaps the greatest promotion Zhao Feng could have received would have been General Wan, a promotion of two levels in rank. After all, that was the reward for the feat of breaking a city.
Chen Tao, a general, also enjoyed the same merit.
But after he achieved the feat of capturing the king, the position of deputy general that was originally supposed to belong to Chen Tao was lost. In other words, Zhao Feng squeezed out Chen Tao's position of deputy general with his military merits.
In the Qin army, everything is based on strength.
As for the ten captains, Zhao Feng was familiar with four of them, and also knew Liu Wu, who was also a captain before.
Perhaps in the minds of Chen Tao and Liu Wu, now that Zhao Feng has become their immediate superior, they must be very nervous.
"Meet General Zhao."
All the generals bowed and saluted Zhao Feng.
"Generals, please take your seats."
Zhao Feng smiled slightly and waved his hand.
"Thank you, General Zhao."
The generals bowed and sat on both sides according to their ranks.
"In one day, the five battalions of 10,000 generals under my command will be reorganized into an army. Each battalion now has a strength of about 7,400 people. There is a temporary shortage of troops and an incomplete military system, but after the new year, the new recruits will enter the camp and this problem can be solved." Zhao Feng said slowly.
"General."
"Now that the war is decided, the lack of troops is naturally not a problem. I wonder when we will set off for Weicheng?" Zhang Han asked with a smile.
"Generals, when do you think we should set off?" Zhao Feng did not make a direct judgment, but looked at several generals.
"Everything is subject to the general's orders." The other four generals replied in unison.
"The army is moving out, and we need food and fodder that need to be dispatched. Weicheng is five days away from Xinzheng cavalry, and it will take our army half a month to move there."
"And there are 30,000 surrendered soldiers accompanying us, so it will take even longer."
"Then let's set off tomorrow." Zhao Feng thought for a while and said.
"General Zhao."
"I think so."
"The reorganization of the surrendered soldiers can be discussed later."
"Our army has less than 50,000 soldiers. If these 30,000 people mutinied, the consequences would be disastrous."
"Even if we take them under control in Weicheng, there will inevitably be huge disturbances in the subsequent reorganization." A general stood up and said in a very serious tone.
"I second the motion."
"The danger of surrendered soldiers is not only known to our Great Qin army, but also to the whole world." Another deputy general stood up.
"I second this motion."
Except for Zhang Han, all four deputy generals under Zhao Feng stood up to persuade him.
In their opinion.
No.
Or perhaps, in the eyes of all the generals of the army, Zhao Feng's plan to reorganize the surrendered soldiers was a stupid move, which was just looking for trouble.
Looking at the four people in front of me.
Zhao Feng smiled slightly: "General Chen, will you introduce these three generals to me?"
"This is General Zhao Tuo."
"General Wu Yue."
"I will be promoted together."
Without waiting for Chen Tao to speak, the three generals introduced themselves.
"Zhao Tuo?"
As soon as I heard the name.
Zhao Feng instantly fell in love with the general who called himself Zhao Tuo, and felt a little strange in his heart.
"King Wu of Nanyue, Zhao Tuo."
"The Zhao Tuo who seized the Qin Dynasty's 500,000-man army and established his own faction, the Zhao Tuo who experienced the Qin and Han dynasties."
"This guy is actually under my command now."
Looking at Zhao Tuo in front of him, Zhao Feng had an indescribable feeling.
This guy.
I have to say he is quite clever and a smart person.
Late Qin Dynasty.
The Qin Dynasty was on the verge of destruction, but Zhao Tuo had been watching from the sidelines. After the Qin Dynasty was destroyed, he was even more happy to see it become completely independent.
"King Wu of Nanyue guarded the Baiyue and eventually established his own country. This is a good job."
"After Qin conquers the six kingdoms, I will ask to guard Baiyue."
"Then I will wait for the changes in Shenzhou until the end of the Qin Dynasty, and then lead the garrison army to the north and take over Shenzhou."
The moment I heard Zhao Tuo's name.
Zhao Feng made a plan for his future in an instant.
Because the job of guarding Baiyue is really too good, and it is very suitable for sitting on the mountain and watching the fight between tigers in the future.
As for whether there will be a chance to obtain this job of guarding Baiyue in the future.
Zhao Tuo is already under his command, how can he still snatch it from him? It's funny! "What the generals say is indeed reasonable." Zhao Feng said slowly.
Hearing this.
All the generals looked at Zhao Feng with anticipation.
But Zhao Feng changed his tone and said, "Everyone thinks that the surrendered soldiers cannot be reorganized, and will become a burden, or even a defector army that will harm the entire army. But I don't believe it, because the surrendered soldiers of Han that we captured now are different from the surrendered soldiers of any other country in the past."
"In the past, the surrendered soldiers all had their motherland to rely on. They all had their hopes placed in their motherland, so naturally, it was impossible for them to serve the Great Qin wholeheartedly."
“But it’s different now.”
"Han has perished, and the land of Han has become the Yingchuan Commandery of our Great Qin. Millions of Han people have become the subjects of our Great Qin."
"The families of these surrendered soldiers are already Qin citizens."
"If they dare to turn against their own side in battle! If they dare to create chaos! Aren't they afraid that the laws of the Great Qin will also implicate their families?"
"Generals."
"This reorganization is related to the future military strength of our Great Qin. The Great Qin aspires to unify the world."
"Although our Great Qin is strong, we also need to absorb the power of other countries to make use of it, so that we can become stronger and stronger through fighting."
"Reorganizing the surrendered soldiers into an army is an innovative move. I promise that if an uncontrollable situation really occurs, I, Zhao Feng, will bear the responsibility and will not implicate you."
"But if the surrendered soldiers are reorganized into an army with combat effectiveness, and all the generals fully cooperate, this is the credit of all the generals together."
Zhao Feng spoke loudly to everyone in the hall.
Hear what Zhao Feng said.
The generals in the hall couldn't help but start thinking about it.
"The people of Han have become Qin citizens, and the families of the Han soldiers who surrendered have also become Qin citizens."
“They have lost their motherland.”
“It seems to be true.”
Many generals couldn't help but think about it.
"The general has a point."
"I am willing to follow you with all my strength."
Zhang Han bowed immediately.
"I will follow you with all my strength."
Several of Zhao Feng's men immediately agreed.
See here.
And since Zhao Feng had already said so much, naturally any persuasion was useless, and Zhao Feng's words did move many generals.
"I am willing to follow the general."
All the generals in the hall expressed their opinions one after another.
"We will set off for Weicheng tomorrow. Generals, please go back and make some arrangements."
"As for the matter of food and fodder, I have already reported it to the commander-in-chief of the central army. There will be food and fodder with the army." Zhao Feng said to the generals.
"I will take my leave."
Hearing this.
All the generals retreated.
In the blink of an eye.
More than a dozen generals retreated.
But Zhao Feng did not leave immediately, but sat in his original seat.
Not long after.
A man wearing the uniform of the Qin Bing Huotou Army came in front of Zhao Feng.
"Your servant Han Xi pays homage to the Lord."
The man knelt in front of Zhao Feng, very respectful.
This person.
It was Han Xi, the eunuch in charge whom Zhao Feng rescued in the King of Han’s palace that day.
"Get up."
Zhao Feng smiled slightly.
"Thank you, my lord." Han Xi replied respectfully.
Then he bowed and stood aside, not daring to cross the line.
For Han Xi.
Zhao Feng saved his life.
The thousands of people in the palace.
Whether it was the eunuchs, palace maids, or even concubines, they could not escape the fate of being demoted to slavery.
Into slavery.
It was granted to those who had made great contributions, and they would not be punished by law even if they killed slaves.
Han Xi was a eunuch in his forties, and was not as strong as others. If he was really taken away as a slave, the consequence would be death.
"My Lord."
"During this period of time, I have been searching in Xinzheng according to your instructions and have recruited quite a few people."
"I will report it to you in detail." Han Xi said respectfully.
"Wait until they are all here before you tell me." Zhao Feng said slowly and calmly.
"Yes." Han Xi nodded respectfully and then fell silent.
After a while.
Zhang Han, Wei Quan and other four people who had just left came back again.
After arriving.
They immediately closed the palace door and left trusted warriors outside to guard it so that outsiders could not get close.
"Greetings, my Lord."
As soon as the five people arrived, they immediately bowed to Zhao Feng excitedly.
"Everyone, please sit down."
Zhao Feng smiled slightly.
"Thank you, my Lord."
The five people immediately stood up, but did not sit down, and stood in front of Zhao Feng.
"Go ahead."
"How is the recruitment going?" Zhao Feng looked at Han Xi and said.
"promise."
Han Xi responded respectfully.
Then she said, "This time I secretly recruited and found veterans among the people. I secretly recruited 300 boys and girls around the age of ten, as well as the elite guards of the former King Han's palace, totaling 58 people. I also recruited 26 blacksmiths, 18 winemakers, and 13 carpenters."
Hear this number.
Zhao Feng nodded in satisfaction: "Han Xi, you did a good job. Originally, I only wanted you to collect about 200 boys and girls, but I didn't expect you to collect 300 people."
"My Lord."
"The war in Korea has just ended. Because of the war, there are displaced people everywhere. Let alone looking for 300 slaves, if the master needs more slaves, we can find them."
"It seems like we are taking these boys away, but in fact we are saving their lives." Han Xi sighed.
“Why so pessimistic?”
"Now the Han land has become Yingchuan County, and the Qin Dynasty has also sent capable officials to serve as county magistrates. Yingchuan will soon be stabilized." Zhao Feng asked in surprise.
"My Lord."
"I have been serving the King of Han for a long time, so I naturally know some of the situation."
"Over the years, the King of Han has spent countless gold and silver in order to protect the country's capital, going back and forth between Qin and Zhao, and all of this was plundered from the common people."
"The taxes of the people of Yingchuan have been collected for several years. Winter is about to come. I don't know how many people will starve to death or freeze to death."
"Before the war broke out, countless people starved to death or froze to death, not to mention the number now." Han Xi sighed, his face filled with sadness.
Although he was a eunuch, he was also a man who lost his country.
But perhaps there is also kindness in my heart, and I can't help but feel sad when I think about the future scenes.
Through Han Xi’s words.
Zhao Feng also thought of this scene.
In the midst of ice and snow.
There were starving people everywhere and countless people froze to death. It was a tragic scene.
Their deaths were more painful than the war.
"well."
Zhao Feng sighed: "My ability is limited now. It is impossible to save so many people. Besides, there are already hundreds of people now. The target is already very large. I can't recruit more for the time being, otherwise it will definitely cause trouble."
"but."
"After we get to Weicheng, we can recruit more people. I can only do my best."
"As for the rest, we can only wait and see what the court does. I believe the King of Qin will not sit idly by."
Hearing this.
Han Xi knelt on the ground and bowed his head: "My Lord, you are kind and virtuous. I swear to obey you until my death."
"I am not benevolent, I just take what I need."
Zhao Feng waved his hand and refused this so-called benevolent title.
The reason for recruiting is all for future planning. He may not be able to bear the reputation of benevolence.
He is clear about his position and responsibilities.
Now he is just a deputy general of the Qin army. What does it matter to the whole country and the world? If he is the king of a country, he will seek a way out for his people, but he is not.
"You all heard what Han Xi said."
"Zhang Han."
Zhao Feng spoke again.
"Please give your orders, my lord." Zhang Han said immediately.
"Quietly arrange these recruited people into the army and take them to Weicheng together." Zhao Feng said in a deep voice.
“There are only a few hundred people. It’s very simple.”
"I will arrange them into the baggage escort team, and all of them will be our former commander's confidants," said Zhang Han.
"You decide on the arrangements." Zhao Feng nodded.
Just a few hundred people.
Even if you are discovered, it’s no big deal, this is equivalent to being a slave.
"Brother Wei."
Zhao Feng looked at Wei Quan again.
"My Lord."
"Now that I have pledged my loyalty, I cannot call you my elder brother anymore." Wei Quan's face changed and he immediately said in panic.
See this scene.
A strange feeling that he had never felt before arose in Zhao Feng's heart, but when the words came to his lips, Zhao Feng did not say anything else.
"Now I have been promoted to deputy general and have a hundred personal guards."
"Select one hundred loyal and reliable warriors from among the old brothers in the Duwei Camp to serve as my personal guards," said Zhao Feng.
Under military regulations.
Only the commander-in-chief can have his own personal guards, and he can have five small camps of one hundred generals, totaling five hundred men.
The deputy general does not have such qualifications.
But Zhao Feng, the deputy general, was not an ordinary deputy general, but a deputy general with a tenth-level title.
The laws of titles.
The Zuo Shuchang can have one hundred private soldiers.
In the army, they are called personal guards.
It was Li Teng who told this. Although it was not in line with military regulations, it was also a favor from the royal power to those who had made meritorious contributions.
"I obey your command." Wei Quan accepted the order respectfully.
"Tell me about the promotions of our brothers in the army below the rank of captain." Zhao Feng looked at Luo Hua again.
Zhao Feng knew everything about the rank of captain and above.
Those below the rank of Duwei had to report directly to the Sima of the Central Army and then be promoted. Zhao Feng naturally wasn't very clear about this.
"My Lord."
"In this battle to capture the capital of Han, it was our lord and his brothers who first breached the city gate, so we were the first to achieve the credit. Later, it was our Duwei Battalion that captured the King of Han, which was another great achievement."
"Our former Duwei Battalion is also the largest Duwei Battalion in the entire army that has been promoted."
"Nine people were awarded the title of military marquis, fifteen people were awarded the title of five hundred lords, and a total of eighty-nine people were awarded the title of one hundred generals."
"Of course, many people who have not been promoted to higher official positions due to their military merits have also been successfully promoted to a higher level of nobility." Luo Hua said excitedly, his eyes looking at Zhao Feng fanatically.
Of course he understood.
The reason why so many people in their Duweiying were promoted was all due to Zhao Feng’s powerful and brave strength.
"We are all brothers who came from the same captain's camp. Don't lose contact with each other in the future." Zhao Feng said to everyone meaningfully.
"Please rest assured, my lord."
Everyone responded immediately.
"Han Xi."
Zhao Feng looked at Han Xi again.
"I'm here." Han Xi immediately bowed and replied.
"Do you know about Weicheng?" Zhao Feng asked.
"I once went to Weicheng with the King of Han." Han Xi replied.
"Then do you know any hidden places in Weicheng? It's best to be far away from human habitation." Zhao Feng said.
"My Lord."
"This kind of place is easy to find." Han Xi replied immediately.
"very good."
Zhao Feng nodded with satisfaction: "Go find a few hidden places for me, and use them as places for me to train those death warriors in the future."
"I obey your command." Han Xi nodded immediately.
"My Lord."
"I have a question, which may be a bit disobedient." Zhang Han said hesitantly.
"explain."
Zhao Feng looked at Zhang Han.
"Now that the Lord has been promoted to deputy general, although not the highest position among the officials, he is still in a high position of power in the army. I wonder why he is training death squads?"
"These are big taboos. If they are discovered and reported to the court, the lord will be in great trouble." Zhang Han said with a worried look on his face.
Hearing this!
The others couldn't help but look tense.
Keeping assassins in captivity is indeed a big taboo for an official.
Although there are no laws to restrict it, once discovered, one will be suspected of having rebellious intentions.
Although Zhao Feng was not the only one who kept assassins in captivity, looking around the world, there were definitely many powerful people who kept assassins in captivity.
In the Qin State, the death soldiers had a unique name, called Menke.
In the past, when the Qin State had the most retainers, it was during the reign of Lu Buwei, who had three thousand retainers in his mansion.
after.
It’s Lao Ai.
He took advantage of the favor of Qin Queen Mother Zhao Ji and was granted the title of Marquis of Changxin. After setting up his government, he kept thousands of retainers, who eventually became the capital for his rebellion.
It was also from then on.
The King of Qin took power and issued an edict to establish laws, which prohibited all officials of the Qin Dynasty from keeping retainers. If they were found doing so, they would be severely punished without mercy.
Since then, the practice of keeping retainers has become less common.
But those powerful people are also keeping some of them in captivity in secret, but not in many numbers, and not as blatantly as before.
"I keep these warriors in captivity for the future."
"And once we really start keeping them in captivity, I can see clearly whether the death warriors are loyal or not."
“You don’t need to worry about leaks.”
"Even you guys, I can see through it."
Zhao Feng spoke slowly.
What does the future hold?
No one in this world knows, but Zhao Feng is familiar with history and he knows it clearly.
In the future, the Qin Dynasty will fall.
If I say this now, no one will dare to believe it.
Besides, there was no need for Zhao Feng to say anything.
"See loyalty?"
Everyone immediately heard the profound meaning of Zhao Feng's words.
See loyalty clearly.
What kind of power is this?
However, when they thought of the skills bestowed upon them by Zhao Feng, as well as the ability to summon creatures out of thin air, their hearts were filled with awe.
"I understand."
Zhang Han immediately bowed.
"alright."
"These things have been decided for now. You all go down and prepare." Zhao Feng said to everyone.
"promise."
Everyone accepted the order respectfully and then slowly retreated.
After everyone left.
Zhao Feng walked slowly out of the hall.
It is now night.
There were hundreds of sharp soldiers on duty outside the palace.
The bright moon hangs high in the sky, casting a faint moonlight.
"Today is my mother's birthday. I wonder how my mother and sister are doing."
"I've been away from home for nearly eleven months."
"When I was in the logistics army, I thought I would be discharged and return home after two years. I never thought I would be transferred to the main combat battalion, let alone reach my current position as Deputy General Qin."
"Maybe even my mother and the others won't believe it if they hear it."
“I don’t know when I can go home and take a look.”
"This is the first time since I was born that I haven't celebrated my mother's birthday with my sister."
Zhao Feng looked up at the bright moon in the sky, a look of longing appearing on his face.
Unconsciously.
He had been away from home for nearly a year. Before he knew it, he had arrived at the main combat camp, and even before he knew it, he had become the deputy general of the Qin Dynasty thanks to his military exploits.
If this news spread back to the village, it would probably cause surprise among the villagers.
Look at the bright moon.
Zhao Feng could feel that perhaps his mother and sister were watching him at this moment.
Turning my eyes, I saw Sand Village!
Under the moonlight.
Zhao's mother and daughter were sitting in the yard, Zhao was mending clothes and Zhao Ying was grinding herbs.
"mother."
"I told you I'll come down and sew it, you should go in and rest quickly."
"Today is your birthday, and I've prepared a good dinner for you. Although it's not as delicious as your brother's, it's not bad. Now go to sleep and have a good rest."
Looking at her mother who was sewing non-stop, Zhao Ying said gently.
"Okay, okay."
"Mom knows Ying'er is filial."
"But Mom really can't sleep."
Zhao put down her clothes and smiled kindly at Zhao Ying.
"mother."
"You are already weak. If you don't go to rest now it's so late, your body won't be able to take it." Zhao Ying said with concern.
"Mother is not that weak."
"It's just that mom is thinking about your brother."
Zhao smiled slightly and looked up at the bright moon in the sky.
"You just turned sixteen not long ago. Mother always celebrates your birthdays, and your brother always comes up with different ways to make Mother happy on her birthday."
"This time it's mother's birthday, but your brother is not by her side." Zhao said with a look of longing and concern on her face.
"mother."
"Just one more year and my brother will be back."
"By then, our family will still be able to live together." Zhao Ying said with a smile.
"kindness."
Zhao nodded, her eyes full of worry: "When your brother comes back, our family will live together forever."
Just as the mother and daughter were talking.
Outside the yard.
But a figure slowly walked towards them.
When Zhao Ying heard the noise, she looked over and immediately stood up and shouted, "Grandpa Wu, why are you here so late?"
…
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(End of this chapter)
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