For him, becoming a Prefectural Governor meant governing millions of people who had just endured the chaos of war. All of them needed to be pacified.
"I wonder how many people Prefect Meng has brought this time?" Zhao Feng asked again.
Governing a region was not something one person could do alone.
"I’ve brought nearly three hundred clerks and two deputies," Meng Yi said.
"I will have them all protected within the main army to ensure they arrive safely in Xinzheng," Zhao Feng said.
"Thank you for your trouble, General Zhao," Meng Yi nodded.
Afterward, the Commandant Camp under Zhao Feng’s command set off once more, heading back to Xinzheng. Only this time, it was different from their initial deployment. Their mission had shifted from offense to defense.
「By nightfall」
After they had made camp, Zhao Feng retired to his tent early for some rest.
However, this was just for appearances. Now that he had been promoted to Deputy General and his nobility had been raised by four ranks, he had six Treasure Chests to claim. Including the one he received when his All Attributes surpassed one thousand, he had seven in total. Naturally, Zhao Feng was eager to open them.
Promotion to Wanjiang, obtained one First Order Treasure Chest.
Promotion to Deputy General, obtained one First Order Treasure Chest.
Nobility raised four ranks, obtained four First Order Treasure Chests.
As Zhao Feng claimed the rewards for his promotions, he successfully acquired the six Treasure Chests.
Seven First Order Treasure Chests. I hope I get what I want. Zhao Feng thought with anticipation.
He immediately gave the command, "Open all Treasure Chests."
"Opening all Treasure Chests."
"Obtained [1,000 taels of Gold]."
"Obtained [Bone Tempering Powder Formula]."
"Obtained [Refined Iron Forging Skill]."
"Obtained [One Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom Pod]."
"Obtained [1,000 taels of Gold]."
"Obtained [Advanced Medical Skill]."
"Obtained High-Grade Yellow Tier [Breath-holding Skill]."
All seven Treasure Chests were opened.
Zhao Feng immediately focused his attention on the haul.
Two thousand taels of gold. I have six thousand in total now. I need to find ways to spend it in the coming days to cultivate my own force.
Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom Pods... I have two of them now. They’re treasures capable of reviving the dead.
The Refined Iron Forging Skill should be superior to the methods of this era; the ironware made now isn’t nearly as sharp.
Advanced Medical Skill... after I integrate this, my medical skills should be almost on par with Mother’s. We’ll see if that girl Zhao Ying still dares to say I don’t understand medicine.
Breath-holding Skill, a Martial Technique.
As for this Bone Tempering Powder... what is it?
With a hint of doubt, Zhao Feng extracted the Bone Tempering Powder Formula to examine it.
As soon as he saw it, Zhao Feng understood.
This is truly like someone bringing you a pillow just as you’re getting sleepy.
With this Bone Tempering Powder, I can temper sinews and bones. It will be a tremendous help for those in the Martial Arts Houtian Realm. Even those with poor Martial Arts Talent will have a chance to advance. Zhao Feng thought with delight.
Although he only had five subordinates directly loyal to him, Zhao Feng was unclear on their Martial Arts Talent.
In the cultivation of Martial Arts, talent was paramount. Not everyone could walk this path, and the Innate Realm was a major threshold. Those with poor talent had almost no chance of ever stepping into the Innate Realm.
But in this era, if Zhao Feng could field several hundred Houtian Realm subordinates, even if they were only at the first or second level, each one would be an elite warrior capable of fighting ten men at once. With the Bone Tempering Powder, their cultivation would be greatly enhanced.
And this Breath-holding Skill... It’s perfectly suited for the art of assassination. One can move silently, without a sound, leaving not even a footstep. It can be used to train Dead Soldiers.
I’ll just wait until I return to Xinzheng and see where Wang Jian stations me. Zhao Feng thought to himself.
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, five days had passed.
「Xinzheng」
Li Teng and his subordinate generals were already waiting outside the city.
When Zhao Feng and his men arrived at the city gate, Li Teng immediately came forward to greet them.
"General Zhao, you’ve worked hard." Li Teng walked up to Zhao Feng and asked with a smile, "May I ask if Prefect Meng is well?"
Evidently, the news of Zhao Feng’s promotion to Deputy General had already reached Li Teng’s ears.
"Replying to General Li," Zhao Feng said with a smile, "Prefect Meng is doing well. All the officials from Xianyang have been escorted here safely, not a single one is missing."
The next moment, Meng Yi stepped down from the carriage behind them.
"Greetings, Prefect Meng."
Upon seeing Meng Yi, Li Teng immediately went up to him and bowed deeply.
Seeing this, a hint of surprise flickered in Zhao Feng’s eyes. Civil and military officials don’t usually interact like this, yet Li Teng is paying respects as if he were a subordinate. It seems Li Teng is a war general from the Meng Family’s faction. Google seaʀᴄh novel✶fire.net
The current Zhao Feng was no longer a greenhorn; he understood these dynamics now. The Lantian Camp had three main divisions. Wang Jian’s son commanded one, so the other two would certainly not be led by Wang Jian’s confidants. If the entire Lantian Camp were filled with his loyalists, how could that be tolerated? The King of Qin would not stand idly by. Obviously, a monarch must maintain checks and balances.
"General Li, there’s no need for such formalities," Meng Yi said with a smile, waving his hand dismissively.
"Yingchuan County has just emerged from the flames of war. The Great King made a wise decision in sending Prefect Meng to govern," Li Teng remarked, his tone complimentary.
"When trusted by the Great King, it is a subject’s duty to exert their utmost effort," Meng Yi replied with a slight smile.
"How is the Senior General doing?" Li Teng asked respectfully.
"My father is well in Xianyang. Before I left, he specifically instructed me to cooperate closely with you in governing Yingchuan," Meng Yi said with a smile.
Li Teng immediately nodded. "As long as Prefect Meng requires military assistance, I will be ready to obey your command at any time."
"Alright," Meng Yi said. "Let’s not waste any more time. Let’s enter the city."
"Very well," Li Teng nodded, taking the lead to guide them.
Meng Yi went first, with Li Teng following. Zhao Feng instructed his men to enter the city and return to their camp, then fell in behind them.
Meanwhile, the other military officers looked on, their expressions varied as they observed Zhao Feng standing so close to Li Teng.