Ying Zheng Personally Bestowed the Rank of Lun Marquis on Zhao Cheng, and Qin Guli Blew Up the Handan Palace

Without making Ying Zheng wait long, an urgent report in Zhao Cheng's own hand arrived three days later.

His handwriting was still a mess.

Ying Zheng found it somewhat exasperating, but the contents were easy enough to make out.

"Your subject, Zhao Cheng, submits this report:

After Li Mu's surrender, I led over ten thousand Blood-Clad Army soldiers north toward Dai Commandery.

We took seven cities, after which the rest surrendered at the first hint of our arrival. There was little fighting.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Dai Commandery,

Zhao Zuo ambushed us with twenty thousand men in a narrow pass. I ordered a detachment to circle around behind them while I led the main force in a direct assault. We beheaded Zuo and wiped out his entire army.

At Fanshi City, Zhao Che drew up his forces and resisted. We broke through, and Che was killed.

We then took Lingqiu and Flying Fox Pass. Ruan Bo of Yanmen surrendered at the first sign of our approach.

In all, over three days, we took nineteen cities, killed more than fifty thousand, and secured the surrender of thirty thousand. The Blood-Clad Army lost fewer than three hundred men.

The Zhao lands are fully pacified. I am returning to Handan and await Your Majesty's orders.

Your subject, Zhao Cheng."

After Li Si read the military report before the assembled officials, they all fell silent.

Ying Zheng glanced over the officials, then fixed his gaze on Li Si.

"Chancellor, what rank do you believe this achievement merits?"

Li Si's eyes shifted. He had already formed an opinion, and stepped forward to report.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Cheng's achievement in pacifying Zhao is indeed without equal in this age. However, the question of reward must follow Qin law and take the greater picture into account.