: A Logistics Soldier Killed a Han General!

Hearing Wei Quan's shout, the soldiers around all turned, looking toward Zhao Feng, who was about a hundred feet away.

Witnessing this scene, Wei Quan immediately understood and burst into laughter. "Zhao Feng, you little rascal, that was a nice throw! I was almost sent to see King Yan by that dog."

"It's good that you're alive, Senior Captain."

"I'll get back to carrying the bodies," Zhao Feng replied with a chuckle.

He was still immersed in the excitement of all his attributes breaking the two hundred mark. He had also received a Treasure Box reward and planned to open it in secret.

"Mr. Zhao," Wei Quan shouted, annoyed. "Stand right there. Do you know who you just killed?"

"Senior Captain, wasn't it just a particularly fierce Han soldier? Who else could it be?"

The surrounding soldiers looked at Wei Quan with surprise. The Han soldier lying on the ground was only wearing ordinary battle armor and had no distinguishing features.

Zhao Feng stopped and looked at Wei Quan.

From the panel's recent notification, I already know this was a Wanjiang of the Han army. But seeing Wei Quan's reaction, could this Wanjiang have some incredible identity?

Wei Quan raised the military token in his hand, laughing loudly. "This man is Bao Qiu, the son of Han's Senior General, Bao Yuan! He originally commanded tens of thousands to guard the Han border. Our Qin army broke through but never captured him. I never thought he'd be playing dead in a pile of corpses."

"Zhao Feng, you've made a great contribution," he continued. "You've killed a general! And not just any general, but the son of Han's Senior General, Bao Yuan!"

Then, Wei Quan tossed the military token to Zhao Feng.

Zhao Feng caught it and looked. It bore the name Bao Qiu, written in Han characters. On the battlefield, the military token was the sole means of identification.

After hearing Wei Quan's words, Zhao Feng remained calm, while the soldiers around him were stunned.

"My heavens!"

"The Han border commander was killed by Zhao Feng just like that?"

"This is a tremendous feat!"

"This military achievement will let Zhao Feng rise three ranks, won't it?"

"Killing a general... he won't just be promoted, he'll be ennobled, right?"

The surrounding soldiers all cast envious looks toward Zhao Feng. Who wouldn't want such a great merit?

In the Qin Army, soldiers who went into battle were known as Sharp Warriors. Simply by joining a battle, they would receive a first-rank title of nobility. However, logistics soldiers were not entitled to nobility and received only half the annual salary of a Sharp Warrior. This was a clear case of you reap what you sow. Sharp Warriors risked their lives on the battlefield, while logistics soldiers faced far less danger.

"Aren't you the least bit happy about this, you rascal?" Wei Quan asked, approaching the composed Zhao Feng with a look of bewilderment.

"Senior Captain," Zhao Feng said with a smile, handing the military token back to Wei Quan. "It was purely an instinct to save you. I wasn't thinking about anything else. You should rest well after your close brush with death. I'll go back to carrying bodies."

He then turned around and went back to his work.

I might as well use this time to carry a few more bodies and collect more attributes.

As for the rewards for killing a general, Zhao Feng truly wasn't as enthusiastic about them as he was about collecting attributes.

"You rascal," Wei Quan said with a helpless smile as he watched Zhao Feng leave.

However, his eyes filled with gratitude. If it weren't for Zhao Feng's sword throw just now, he really would be meeting King Yan. How could Wei Quan not be grateful for having his life saved?

"A few men, over here!" Wei Quan commanded loudly. "Lift up Bao Qiu's body. We're reporting this to the Junhou."

"Yes, sir!"

Several soldiers immediately complied, lifting Bao Qiu's body. Wei Quan then led them to report to their superior Junhou.

"There might be more survivors!"

"Search carefully! Maybe we can make a major contribution too!"

Watching Wei Quan leave, the soldiers of the company grew eager and began searching among the corpses, hoping to stumble upon another great merit like Bao Qiu.

However, Zhao Feng, the one who had actually killed the general, was simply carrying corpses while checking his attributes.

Host: Zhao Feng

Age: 15 years old

Strength: 316 (The stronger you are, the greater the force you can unleash.)

Speed: 206 (The higher the number, the faster you are.)

Constitution: 208 (The stronger your constitution, the faster your injury recovery and the more inexhaustible your stamina.)

Spirit: 201 (The stronger your spirit, the clearer your mind and thoughts. When it reaches a certain level, you can sense nature's spiritual energy.)

Lifespan: 86 years and 68 days

Portable Space: 2 cubic meters

A single punch from me now has over three hundred pounds of force. I could kill a man with one hit. My speed is at two hundred and six, twice that of a normal person. This Constitution must manifest in kidney function, right? If it reaches 1000, would I have the legendary Golden Kidneys?! And Spirit... it says I can sense nature's spiritual energy faster. In my past life, I read tons of novels where cultivation required spiritual energy. Does this mean I'll be able to cultivate in the future? The Corpse-Carrying Soldier... what a great job!

Looking at his current attributes, Zhao Feng was utterly delighted. This was all the motivation he needed to keep carrying corpses!

「At the Senior General's Main Camp」

For the current campaign to annihilate Han, King Ying Zheng of Qin had issued an imperial edict ordering the Lantian Camp to march. The main general, Li Teng, led an army of a hundred thousand to attack, while Senior General Wang Jian was personally overseeing the war from the Qin-Han border.

"Father," Wang Ben, one of Lantian Camp's leading generals, reported excitedly in front of a map of Han. "The war is progressing rapidly. General Li Teng has already reached Yang City. Within three months, Han will be no more."

"Han has a small territory and an army of merely one hundred thousand. Do you know why the Great King had the entire Lantian Camp mobilize?" Wang Jian asked with a smile.

"The Great King's brilliance and strategy have long been aimed at unifying the world," Wang Ben replied immediately. "To annihilate Han requires only the strength of one of our Lantian's main divisions, but to defend against Zhao and Wei requires the full strength of the Lantian Camp."

"It is good that you see this point," Wang Jian said gravely. "Qin could have easily wiped out Han years ago. We waited until today for the right moment to strike unexpectedly."

Just then, a voice called out from outside.

"Report!" A trusted aide rushed into the tent. "Reporting to the Senior General, the Logistics Army has just sent good news."

"Speak," Wang Jian gestured.

"The Logistics Army found Bao Qiu," the aide reported respectfully. "The body is just outside."

"Four days... we've finally found him," Wang Jian said, standing up immediately. "Let's go take a look."

Wang Ben followed closely behind him.

Outside the tent, Bao Qiu's body was laid out, a blood-stained sword still embedded in his chest.

"He only just died?"

Upon seeing the body, Wang Jian immediately noticed that the bloodstains were not yet dry, clearly not from someone who had been dead for days.

"Senior General, this is a Junhou from the Logistics Army," an aide said, gesturing to the man who had delivered the body. "It was his Army Marquis Camp that discovered Bao Qiu."

"Who killed Bao Qiu?" Wang Jian asked the Junhou.

"Reporting to the Senior General," the Junhou replied at once. "It was a logistics soldier from my Army Marquis Camp."

: I Have No Ambition for Promotion; Survival Matters Most

The Qin Army's military merit system was incredibly strict. Aside from mutual oversight among the military personnel, there were officials specifically assigned to supervise military achievements. Anyone daring to falsely claim or seize military merits would be reported directly to the King of Qin for severe and unforgivable punishment. When the system was first implemented, perhaps some of the nobility dared to take such a huge risk, but now, no one did.

"Bao Qiu was killed by a soldier from your Logistics Army?" Wang Ben asked in surprise.

"Reporting to General Wang, it's true," the Junhou immediately replied. "Bao Qiu had taken off his battle armor and was feigning death among the corpses. When our logistics soldier approached, he suddenly burst up and killed two men. Fortunately, this soldier from our logistics camp reacted quickly and killed him."

"Bao Qiu, to die at the hands of a Qin logistics soldier… you truly met a wretched end," Wang Ben sighed, looking at Bao Qiu's wide-open eyes, which were filled with unresolved grievances.

A logistics soldier! Not a combat role, but one that dealt with sundry tasks like cleaning up the battlefield and tending to the wounded. For a Han general to die at the hands of a logistics soldier was indeed a disgrace.

Wang Jian glanced at Bao Qiu without much concern. "Take him away. Bury him with the Han soldiers," he ordered. "As for the logistics soldier who killed Bao Qiu, promote him according to the military merit system. A promotion of three military ranks and an advancement of one nobility rank." After speaking, he turned and walked back to the camp.

For him, a Shangjiangjun, this was merely a trivial matter. It was simply a case of bad luck for Bao Qiu and a stroke of great luck for the logistics soldier who had killed him.

"Understood." The Junhou immediately accepted the order and left.

"Have the battle reports and losses been tallied?" Wang Jian asked.

"The count has been finalized and will be urgently dispatched to Xianyang today," Wang Ben replied.

"Include the detail about Bao Qiu being killed by one of our army's logistics soldiers in the report. It will make for an amusing anecdote," Wang Jian said with a smile.

Wang Ben nodded immediately. "Understood."

"Oh, right. Where's that girl, Yan'er?" Wang Jian suddenly asked.

Wang Ben hesitated, unsure of what to say.

"Hmm?" Wang Jian frowned and sharply commanded, "Speak!"

"She went to Yang City with General Li Teng," Wang Ben said helplessly.

"Why didn't you watch her?" Wang Jian asked, slightly angered.

"Father, don't you know what kind of temperament Yan'er has?" Wang Ben retorted, somewhat reproachfully. "You shouldn't have agreed to let her accompany the army in the first place."

Hearing this, Wang Jian glared, feeling rather helpless himself. "You think I wanted to bring her? Ever since she heard we were deploying, she's been pestering me endlessly."

"Don't worry, Father," Wang Ben said with a smile. "She's protected by your five hundred trusted aides, and General Li Teng is also looking after her. She'll be safe."

"Enough," Wang Jian stated, somewhat resentfully. "Let her have her fun. After this campaign, I'll marry her off and let her new family manage her."

Wang Ben just laughed. "Do you have the heart to do that, Father? Besides, with Yan'er's temperament, who in all of Xianyang doesn't know about it? Who could possibly catch her eye?"

「Late at night.」

All the corpses on the border battlefield had been cleared away, and the thousands of soldiers from the Logistics Army had returned to camp to rest.

Outside the tents, it was pitch black. By a small bonfire, Wei Quan and Zhao Feng sat, a piece of meat roasting over the flames.

"Mr. Zhao," Wei Quan spoke up.

"What is it?" Zhao Feng replied.

"Aren't you anxious at all?" Wei Quan asked.

"Anxious about what?" Zhao Feng was puzzled.

"You killed that Bao Qiu today and achieved a great merit. This is an accomplishment that can get you promoted three ranks and even grant you a noble title," Wei Quan said, surprised. "Why are you so calm?"

"I don't have a strong desire for promotions," Zhao Feng said honestly.

Hearing this, Wei Quan's expression was one of great surprise in the darkness of the night. "Do you not know that with a promotion, your annual salary increases? And with a title, you can receive land?"

"I know," Zhao Feng replied with a laugh, "but what's so great about a promotion? I'm going home after two years of service anyway. I have a mother and a younger sister at home, and they're both waiting for me to take care of them. I can't afford to die on the battlefield."

"You really are different," Wei Quan remarked with a sigh.

"It's not that I'm different; I just fear death and cherish my life. No rank is better than just being alive."

"Lieutenant, how long have you been in the army?" Zhao Feng asked.

In the army, Zhao Feng had a policy of not offending anyone, always greeting people with a genuine smile. There wasn't much need for beating around the bush in the military, and Wei Quan was the only real friend he had made.

"I was conscripted at fifteen, so it's been about eight years now, I suppose," Wei Quan said slowly. "If I could, I would want to stay on forever. That way, I could earn a large enough annual salary to support my family.

"It's not an easy world to live in these days. If it weren't for my salary, my family would have starved to death long ago."

Zhao Feng did not reply.

In this era, there wasn't enough food to go around, let alone enough for everyone to eat their fill. People starving to death was a common sight, especially in winter when countless people froze or starved. It was an unsolvable problem.

When Zhao Feng was in his hometown, his family owned just over an acre of land, which was enough for the three of them. Furthermore, Zhao Feng had a good constitution. He could hunt in the mountains and often return with a substantial bounty. He was also skilled in various hunting traps from a later age, which helped him gather even more. By bartering with the villagers, his life was carefree, as long as he didn't crave luxury.

"Mr. Zhao," Wei Quan spoke up again.

"Go ahead, Lieutenant," Zhao Feng replied.

"Don't keep calling me Lieutenant. I'm nearly a decade older than you. Just call me Mr. Wei," Wei Quan said with a smile.

"Mr. Wei," Zhao Feng called out immediately with a chuckle.

"There you go," Wei Quan answered, quite content. He then moved closer to sit by Zhao Feng.

"In return for that 'Mr. Wei' and for saving my life, I'm going to teach you a few things," Wei Quan said, his face suddenly serious. "Do you want to listen?"

"Go ahead, Mr. Wei. I'm all ears," Zhao Feng immediately nodded.

"I saw it today—that sword strike of yours," Wei Quan said, looking as if he'd seen right through Zhao Feng. "Killing Bao Qiu accurately with a single strike from ten paces away… you've got some serious skill, lad.

"With your abilities, you're stronger than those actual Sharp Warriors.

"During new recruit training, you were holding back, weren't you? Otherwise, how would you have ended up in the Logistics Army?"

"Haha," Zhao Feng neither admitted nor denied. "It couldn't be helped. I don't want to die in battle. The Logistics Army doesn't have to face the front lines or near-certain death. I came to the right place."

Back in the new recruit camp, he had indeed concealed his skills. Outstanding performers were assigned to the main combat battalions to become Sharp Warriors. So, during training, if he was meant to use ten parts of his strength, he would only use five. In the end, he successfully managed to stay in the Logistics Army.

"Mr. Zhao," Wei Quan began. "As someone who has suffered under the boot of the powerful, I want to tell you something…"

: Qin Law Targets the Common People!

"If you truly have the ability and the chance to climb, then you must climb. Climb upwards, no matter the cost."

"This world devours people."

"If you lack power and influence, even if you return home, you will still suffer humiliation. Your fields could be cunningly seized, and your family could even be forced into servitude."

"Cast aside your naivety and your wishful thinking."

"You're still young, so you haven't seen it yet. But when you do, if you have no power or influence, you'll be walking a dead-end road."

Under the veil of night, Wei Quan stared at Zhao Feng, his voice grave.

Feeling Wei Quan's stern gaze, the smile on Zhao Feng's face gradually faded. He could tell that Wei Quan was serious.

"Mr. Wei," Zhao Feng couldn't help but ask, "has something happened in your family?"

"Me? Heh." A look of hatred filled Wei Quan's eyes. "I watched with my own eyes as my sister was abducted by a powerful noble in the county town. She was violated, and now... she's gone mad."

"Mr. Wei, didn't you report it to the officials?" a shocked Zhao Feng asked. "The crime of rape should be punished by castration."

"Report it to the officials?" A mocking glint appeared in Wei Quan's eyes. "Everyone knows that the Qin Law is strict, but they don't realize that its enforcement is in the hands of the powerful. If you are just a commoner, then yes, the law is strict. But if you are from a powerful family, what does the strict Qin Law even mean?"

"Perhaps to the Great King, the Qin Law governs the entire land, but my home is in the Shu Region, too far from the Capital. The Great King's authority doesn't reach us."

"My father and I went to report it. In the end, we were targeted by that nobleman's son. He had my father beaten to death, and I was left seriously injured."

"And he still roams free, beyond the reach of justice."

"Officials? The Qin Law?"

"Perhaps in Xianyang, and in the surrounding areas, the Qin Law is a divine decree that no one dares defy. But the more remote the place, the more useless that law becomes."

"Punishments don't apply to senior officials!"

"The Qin Law is for the common people."

"Young Zhao, don't be so naive."

Hearing this, Zhao Feng fell silent.

He had been reborn in this world for over fifteen years. But his understanding of it was limited to his hometown and this military camp. In his village, the neighbors all looked out for each other; in his life thus far, Zhao Feng had never encountered the things Wei Quan spoke of.

He had always thought of the Qin Law as famously strict; later generations would even call it the Tyranny of Qin. But now, Wei Quan's words had stunned him.

"The Qin Law is for the common people."

"Punishments don't apply to senior officials."

Zhao Feng murmured the words, feeling as if he were finally encountering the true, unvarnished world of this era.

"Alright," Wei Quan said, patting Zhao Feng's shoulder. "Young Zhao, don't dwell on it. I just wanted to tell you not to see this world as too simple or too kind."

"I nearly met King Yan today. I'm going to get some sleep; you should too."

"We set out for Yang City tomorrow." With a faint smile, Wei Quan turned and walked toward his own tent.

Zhao Feng remained seated before the small campfire, Wei Quan's words echoing in his mind.

Perhaps I have been too naive. Still, in two years, the Attributes I've collected should be enough to protect Mother and my sister. If anyone dares to bully them, I'll annihilate their entire clan. For now, staying in the Logistics Army is fine. Ultimately, the state of Qin is incredibly powerful right now. It will unify the world, and the King of Qin will become Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor in history. But who could know that such a mighty dynasty would fall in its second generation? I'm just an ordinary person. I might have the golden finger of a reincarnator, but my current power is nowhere near enough to influence the world. I have to get stronger to secure a future. Gaining rank and title, rising to prominence… it's nice to think about, but I should take it one step at a time. Staying alive is the most important thing.

Wei Quan's words had certainly given him a lot to think about.

Zhao Feng gave the command in his mind, "Open the First Order Treasure Chest."

"Opening First Order Treasure Chest... Obtained First Order Spirit Fruit: Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom," the panel prompted.

Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom... taking one pill can protect the heart's meridians and induce a deep sleep, but it's useless without the other two pills that follow. What a waste of a Treasure Box.

Seeing the Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom, Zhao Feng felt a pang of disappointment.

"Open Attribute Panel."

Host: Zhao Feng

Age: 15 years old

Strength: 336 (The greater the strength, the more power can be unleashed.)

Speed: 216 (The higher the value, the faster the speed.)

Constitution: 218 (A stronger constitution means faster recovery and inexhaustible stamina.)

Spirit: 211 (A stronger spirit brings a clear mind and thoughts. At a certain level, one can sense nature's spiritual energy.)

Lifespan: 86 years and 88 days

Portable Space: 2 cubic meters

These were the Attributes Zhao Feng had gained after carrying hundreds of bodies by himself over the last three days on the battlefield.

Tomorrow we head to Yang City. According to history, that was a major stronghold where Han resisted Qin. The casualties there will surely exceed tens of thousands, several times more than in this border battle. Attributes, oh, Attributes... I'm coming for you tomorrow.

Thinking of the trip to Yang City, Zhao Feng couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

「The next day.」

Bright and early, the Firescout Army was preparing meals. The men of the Logistics Camp ate their fill and prepared to move out.

Before Wei Quan, more than ninety logistics soldiers stood in formation. None of them wore Battle Armor, but each had a sword at his waist. In this era, Battle Armor was expensive, so not every soldier was issued a set, not even in the powerful state of Qin. Logistics soldiers were equipped with swords but no armor. Only the Sharp Warriors who held titles were granted Battle Armor.

"Where is Zhao Feng?"

At that moment, the Junhou of Zhao Feng's unit strode over, holding a set of bamboo slips.

"Here, here!" Wei Quan immediately turned and shouted.

The eyes of every soldier in the company turned to watch. Seeing the Junhou, they naturally assumed Zhao Feng was about to be rewarded. The Junhou approached quickly, followed by two soldiers carrying boxes.

"By order of the Shangjiangjun!" the Junhou announced, holding the reward slips high for all to see. "Zhao Feng, a soldier of the Logistics First Army Marquis Camp, has achieved great merit by beheading the Han Wanjiang, Bao Qiu!"

"In accordance with the military merit system of Qin, he is promoted three ranks to Centurion and granted the first rank of nobility! Furthermore, he is granted a new suit of Battle Armor and a new sword!"

"Zhao Feng," Wei Quan prompted urgently, "give your thanks!"

Zhao Feng stepped forward, his expression calm as he bowed deeply. "Zhao Feng gives his thanks."

The Junhou walked up to Zhao Feng. He took a sword and a suit of Battle Armor from the soldiers behind him and presented them to Zhao Feng along with the bamboo slips. Zhao Feng accepted them with both hands.

The Junhou smiled. "Zhao Feng, you did very well. You've brought great honor to our Logistics Camp before the Shangjiangjun. A Han Wanjiang—and the son of the Han Senior General, no less—killed by one of our logistics soldiers. This is a major event!"

"This subordinate was merely fortunate," Zhao Feng replied.

"Fortunate or not, the deed is done." The Junhou patted his shoulder. "My name is Luo Chao. If you need anything in the future, you can come find me." He then turned to address the other logistics soldiers.

"Zhao Feng earned his promotion and title by slaying an enemy general. This is the military merit system of our great Qin! It doesn't matter who you are. As long as you kill the enemy and earn merit, you will be rewarded! I hope all of you can serve the nation and achieve great things, just like Zhao Feng!" the Junhou boomed, his voice full of encouragement.