Upon hearing Ying Zheng's rewards for Huan Yi.

Besides some gifts of gold, silver, money, and beauties, his rank was raised by one level.

This was no surprise.

After all, Huan Yi led Hangu Pass Camp to significant military achievements in this battle.

If there were no rewards or honors, it would be unreasonable.

"Great King, wise and discerning."

The entire court of civil and military officials proclaimed in unison.

However, Ying Zheng's voice did not stop, and with a hint of contemplation, he continued: "As for Zhao Feng."

The attention of all the officials in the court focused on Ying Zheng.

"Zhao Feng achieved the primary merit by eliminating Wei."

"He should be lavishly rewarded."

"Flooded Daliang to avoid losses to our Qin Sharp Soldiers, preserving our Qin's national power; this is an even greater achievement."

"Issue my decree."

"Zhao Feng has rendered great service to the country, promoting him two ranks, and conferring the title [Si Che Shu Zhang], enjoying the annual salary of the rank, and the privilege to establish a trusted aide group."

"Bestow ten thousand pieces of gold, one hundred thousand coins, a thousand jade artifacts, a thousand slaves, and confer upon Zhao Feng's wife, Wang Yan, the title of [Madam], besides the annual salary, further granting ten thousand acres of unclaimed fertile land."

Under the watchful eyes of the ministers, Ying Zheng slowly spoke.

As his words fell.

The entire court was shocked.

Everyone anticipated that Zhao Feng's promotion would be rewarded as such.

But they didn't expect Ying Zheng to promote Zhao Feng two ranks at once.

No one expected it.

"Great King."

"Absolutely not."

"When General Zhao Feng annihilated the Wei Army at Yanggao City, you already generously promoted him one rank."

"To promote him two more ranks now seems overly generous."

"You must know, even our highest-ranking General Wang Jian is only at the sixteenth rank."

"And although Zhao Feng has made military achievements, he is too young, and his qualifications are still shallow."

"I urge the Great King to reconsider."

Wang Wan immediately stood up and loudly presented his argument.

"This old minister seconds that."

"In our Qin, there are twenty ranks, and now General Zhao Feng is already at a highly prestigious position. If such generous titles continue, what will happen when there are no more titles to confer?"

"I urge the Great King to weigh this carefully." Huai Zhuang immediately interjected.

The tone also carried a strong warning.

A rank with no more titles to confer.

These four words.

Throughout history, many ministers have perished because of these four words.

The former Lord Wu'an, Bai Qi, was exactly such a case.

He rose to the position of Grand Commandant, with a title exceeding twenty ranks, as Martial Lord.

For him.

It had reached a point where no more titles could be conferred.

And thereafter.

King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Ying Ji, issued a decree for Bai Qi to lead the troops to eliminate Zhao, and because he claimed it was impossible to eliminate Zhao, Bai Qi refused and was subsequently ordered to die.

Huai Zhuang's seemingly casual remark was fraught with hidden danger.

If a typical emperor heard such words, suspicion would surely arise, consequently leading to wariness.

Moreover.

Huai Zhuang not only mentioned the phrase "a rank with no more titles to confer" but also Wang Wan's earlier mention of Wang Jian's sixteenth rank.

But the true intent was to lay bare the relationship between Wang Jian and Zhao Feng.

Wang Jian, already a Senior General wielding military power, is also related as Zhao Feng's father-in-law.

The two old foxes were just shy of outright stating that combined, their military power could threaten King of Qin's position.

In this court.

Many ministers could clearly understand and comprehend it.

Yet at this moment, no one dared to speak.

"Wang Jian and Zhao Feng wield control over six to seven hundred thousand troops; such a great threat cannot be ignored."

"The Great King should handle this cautiously."

"Holding military power, you cannot be unguarded."

"Under such noble cause, the Great King might even have reservations against Zhao Feng." Wang Wan and Huai Zhuang chuckled coldly in their hearts.

The words were so explicit.

It seemed inevitable to confront such a situation, and no matter how one thought about it, it appeared to be an eventual losing situation for Wang Jian and Zhao Feng.

No emperor could tolerate it!

"According to these two ministers."

"Our Qin Army should not rank based on military achievements but on seniority, observing age?" Wang Jian stepped forward, speaking with several degrees of chill.

Without waiting for Wang Wan and Huai Zhuang to respond.

Wang Jian looked up at Ying Zheng on the high seat and said: "To report to the Great King, from the words of these two Chancellors, it seems they believe that since Zhao Feng and I are father-in-law and son-in-law, it makes us presumptuous, defying the Great King."

"If this consequently causes suspicion in court, thinking that Zhao Feng and I wield too much military power."

"I am willing to resign from my position as Protector-General of Lantian Camp, and retire to my hometown."

Wang Jian delivered a significant blow.

To retire to one's hometown.

As these words fell.

The ministers in the court exchanged looks with one another.

Currently, Wang Jian was in his prime, so how could he be considered aged?

But looking at Wang Jian's words, it was clear he was serious.

Although Wang Wan's words were barbed.

They were indeed factual.

For any emperor, military power is paramount, no matter how potent the emperor; he will always maintain precautions and even implement suppression, and assign eyes around him.

Civil officials may hold power, but not chaotic power, for they wield no troops.

Yet military officials hold military power, especially when a Senior General commands tens of thousands of troops; this influence is significant and cannot be ignored.

You know someone's face but not their heart.

Even for an emperor, this holds true, for he grants power to subjects, but if the subject harbors treasonous thoughts, then it's uncertain.

Wang Jian, as Protector-General of Lantian Camp, and Zhao Feng, as Commandant of the Wu'an Military Camp, together holding military power exceeding six hundred thousand, if the father-in-law and son-in-law conspire to rebel, who within Qin could stop them?

Such a scenario seemed intolerable for any emperor.

Back then.

Ying Zheng could permit his royal daughter to marry Zhao Feng, perhaps as a colossal grace, but fundamentally, at that time, Zhao Feng had not reached such a level of power and influence.

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