"Report—"
"Yangdi has been retaken! A battle report from Zhao Cheng!"
The announcement of victory echoed through the great hall, lingering beneath the rafters. Everyone's expression changed at once.
The Chief of the Gentlemen of the Palace looked astonished.
Lord Changping was suddenly dumbstruck.
Wei Liao beamed with delight.
Ying Zheng's brows rose, his long eyes flashing with light!
"Excellent!"
Ying Zheng sat up straight, his back like a sword and his eyes like lightning. "Bring it here!"
The Grand Coachman, Zhao Gao, stepped forward, took the battle report, and presented it to Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng opened the report, and his expression immediately turned a little strange.
There was no other reason. The contents were far too brief.
"General Zhao Cheng led eight thousand Light Cavalry over the remaining ridges of Song Mountain. Upon reaching the upper reaches of the Ying River, he sighted Yangdi and led his troops to break through the city. He slew thirty thousand enemies, piled the defenders' heads beneath the city gate, seized provisions, and launched a sudden attack on Xiang City.
"Military merit: Zhao Cheng took six thousand three hundred and seventy-two heads..."
Fast. Blindingly fast.
Even from this battle report, Ying Zheng could see the army's utterly crisp and decisive style.
I came, I saw, I shattered them.
He had not even intended to leave behind a single soldier to guard Yangdi. He had simply killed every defender, so no one could stab him in the back.
Then his army had eaten a meal and headed straight for the next city.
No hesitation, no concern for anything else. Just charge!
Ying Zheng read it again. There wasn't a single unnecessary detail, so he set it down.
"Chancellor, draft the edict granting him a noble rank."
"This..." Lord Changping had not even seen