If they spared the surrendered soldiers, Zhao Feng's ten-thousand-strong surprise attack force would be rendered useless. The true path to victory was to show no mercy and utterly annihilate the Wei army stationed in Shangwei City.

"We will obey the general's command!" the soldiers of Qin responded in unison.

Led by Zhang Han, the Capital Commandants, and the Junhou, tens of thousands of soldiers charged into every corner of Shangwei City.

The city was not large, but the cries of battle soon enveloped it completely. This city was breached by Zhao Feng's surprise attack, which caught the Wei army as completely off guard as his river crossing had. Furthermore, this was a night raid, making it even harder to defend against.

Zhao Feng led his troops in a relentless charge. As his warhorse thundered past, his long spear reaped the lives of one Wei soldier after another.

Under the cover of night, Zhao Feng held nothing back. He swept with the spear in one hand while using the other to channel True Qi, blasting it toward the dense ranks of Wei soldiers before him. With a single palm thrust, a powerful wave of True Qi exploded outward. In an instant, a dozen Wei soldiers were engulfed by the force and killed on the spot.

"Killed a Wei soldier. Gained 5 Strength."

"Killed a Wei soldier. Gained 5 Speed."

...

A series of notifications echoed in Zhao Feng's mind, spurring him to kill with even greater fury. At that moment, he was like a grim reaper, furiously reaping souls.

With his power fully unleashed, he alone was a match for a thousand soldiers. Wherever his warhorse passed, it left behind a purgatory of corpses.

Slaughter shrouded all of Shangwei City!

「Xianyang!」

「The Morning Discussion Hall!」

"Report!" a messenger called out. "Urgent news from Yingchuan! Wei Wuji has dispatched the Wei Wu Troops, his strongest elite force. They are now engaged in a fierce battle with the defenders of Wei City!"

"The current state of the battle is unknown," Yu Liao reported loudly.

"The Wei Wu Troops," Ying Zheng mused with a smile. "So this was Wei Wuji's final card. It seems he's truly been pushed into a corner to use them at Wei City this early."

As the King of Qin and master of the Heibing Platform, he was naturally aware of the Wei Wu Troops' power. However, Wei City had withstood consecutive attacks. For Wei Wuji to deploy the Wei Wu Troops now showed that he had no other way to breach the city's defenses. This was precisely why Ying Zheng concluded that Wei City was indeed secure under Zhao Feng's defense.

"The Wei Wu Troops are Wei's finest," Yu Liao added with a smile. "For Wei Wuji to use them proves how formidable Wei City's defenses are. I believe General Zhao Feng will not disappoint Your Majesty."

"Commander Wei, do not speak so hastily."

Just then, Huai Zhuang stepped forward. After rebutting Yu Liao, he raised his court tablet high and announced, "Reporting to the Great King! I have received a secret report concerning Wei City and, by extension, the security of the entire Yingchuan County."

"Speak," Ying Zheng said, turning his gaze to Huai Zhuang.

"Zhao Feng may no longer be in Wei City," Huai Zhuang declared.

As these words were spoken, shock was evident on the faces of everyone in the court. For the defending general to be absent from his post during a fierce enemy assault constituted a grave dereliction of duty.

From his high throne, Ying Zheng also frowned slightly. "If Zhao Feng is not in the city, then where is he?" he asked.

"Regarding that... I am not certain. All the secret report confirms is that Zhao Feng is not in the city," Huai Zhuang replied immediately.

Yu Liao immediately stood up. "Perhaps Huai Xiang is being overly concerned. Zhao Feng was ordered to defend Wei City; all defensive matters are his to command. He must have his reasons for his arrangements."

"Reporting to the Great King," Huai Zhuang said, his expression one of utmost loyalty to Qin. "This old servant is worried that Zhao Feng has not only abandoned his post, but that he might have betrayed our state and defected to the enemy. That is why I have brought this to your attention."

"Right Chancellor, you overstep," Ying Zheng said reproachfully.

Huai Zhuang bowed at once. "May the Great King quell his anger. This old servant has indeed spoken out of turn, but everything I have mentioned is for the good of Qin."

Clearly, he was not raising these concerns to hold Zhao Feng directly accountable, but rather to lay the groundwork for what might follow. If Wei City were to fall, Zhao Feng could then be charged with dereliction of duty, and possibly even more serious offenses.

"Yu Qing, continue your report on the war," Ying Zheng said, dismissing Huai Zhuang and turning his attention back to Yu Liao.

Yu Liao immediately reported, "Replying to the Great King. In the Dai Territory of the Northern Frontier, General Meng Wu has engaged Li Mu. He is currently fighting a retreating action, avoiding a decisive entanglement. General Meng Wu reports that there is no need to worry about the Northern Frontier, as he will keep Li Mu firmly pinned down."

"As for the Zhao state border, General Wang Jian has led his army to the walls of Quyang City and commenced the siege. However, Lian Po is a master of defense, so the city cannot be taken quickly."

At this, Yu Liao's tone held a hint of resignation regarding Lian Po. The veteran general's reputation was well-earned. If he were easy to deal with, Bai Qi would not have been locked in a stalemate with him at Changping for several years. Ultimately, Lian Po was not only adept at commanding troops but also exceptionally skilled in defensive warfare.

"I know what kind of man Lian Po is," Ying Zheng said authoritatively. "Deliver my edict to General Wang Jian. Tell him that when a general is in the field, I will not interfere from the capital. He may deal with Lian Po as he sees fit. I will guarantee his supply lines remain open, and I will also guarantee his absolute authority to command the army."

"The Great King is wise!" Yu Liao proclaimed.

"The only reason Zhao Yan has not yet withdrawn his troops from Yan is because Lian Po is defending the border. Once that border is breached, Zhao Yan will have no choice but to retreat from Yan."

"That is when the true great war will begin," Ying Zheng said somberly.

Ying Zheng placed exceptional importance on this campaign to annihilate the Zhao state. Once the Zhao state was absorbed, Qin's future conquests of other states would become much simpler, and its path of eastern expansion would be wide open.

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