General Qin

Don't make it up!

When hearing the caller announce Zhao Tuo's title, although everyone was prepared, at this moment, the eyes of all the officials in the palace still fell on the young general.

Their eyes were either surprised, sighed, or full of envy.

Shao Shangzao, the fifteenth rank of Qin's 20th rank of military merit, is already at the upper level of the military merit system.

You must know that even a veteran like Li Si is only a middle-ranked noble.

As for Zhao Tuo, at such a young age, he is only nineteen years old this year, and he has already reached such a height.

Most importantly, Zhao Tuo's title was not inherited from his father's generation, but he got it from his own fighting on the battlefield. Even the most picky person can't say anything except praise at this moment.

Zhao Tuo immediately kowtowed his thanks and was satisfied.

"Almost as expected."

Zhao Tuo had already estimated this. He defeated 100,000 Qi troops in Zhencheng and captured Qi's Grand Sima, which was enough for him to be promoted to the title of You Geng.

But there were not many decisive credits afterwards. In defeating Xiang Qu's army, only more than 10,000 people were captured, and no enemy generals were captured. The Huai River was besieged on all sides, and most of the Chu army fled, with few gains. Moreover, Feng Wuze shared the merits in that battle, and the important person Xiong Qi even ran away. The two battles looked very powerful, but in fact they didn't add up to much merit.

What played an important role was the capture of Shouchun Waiguo, which is a great achievement.

But after he surrendered the king of Chu, Zhao Tuo distributed the credit to the Qin generals. Among them, Wang Jian took the lead as the coach, and Zhao Tuo and the generals shared the small merits.

There is also the merit of defeating Xiang Yan, but Xiang Yan's army only has tens of thousands of people, and Zhao Tuo has Feng Wuze to accompany him, so he has to share part of the merit with the other party, and the remaining credit is not enough for Zhao Tuo to be promoted.

Immediately after that, Jiangdong and Yuedi were determined. Among them, Jiangdong voluntarily surrendered and did not gain anything, and Zhao Tuo did not take all the merits, because there was still general Baimeng who helped General Baimeng, and then Baimeng mainly guarded Wudi. At most, Zhao Tuo could only get half of the merit, and the remaining half belonged to Bai Meng.

In the battle of Yuedi, the Qin army was quite beheaded, but Zhao Tuo only forced the Queen of Yue to surrender and left with Xiong Qi's body. He did not participate in the subsequent Qin army reoccupying Yuedi and establishing Kuaiji County. Only half of the credit for opening up the frontier and expanding the territory.

Of course, the most important thing is to capture and kill the false king Xiong Qi, which is a decisive achievement.

Adding up all the credits, it is more than enough for Zhao Tuo to be promoted to the rank of junior master, but if he wants to be promoted to a higher level, he is still not qualified.

After all, Qin's military rank is really more difficult to advance to the later stage.

Back then, Li Xin, after participating in the battle to exterminate Yan and gaining meritorious service in researching and developing giant cannons, he also captured the nobles of the entire Yan Kingdom, captured Prince Dan who assassinated the King of Qin, and emptied the nobles of the Yan Kingdom. Only in this way can he be promoted to a young master.

Teng, the current governor of Nanjun, personally led his troops to destroy South Korea, one of the six kingdoms in Shandong. For the achievement of destroying the country, the title is only You Geng, which is lower than that of Zhao Tuo today.

Wang Jian defeated the powerful enemy Zhao State, and his title was only as long as the leader of Siche. The reason why he was able to seal Chehou this time was that apart from defeating the 400,000 Chu army and destroying Jingchu, Qin Wangzheng deliberately let him go home with a full-level title, which was also the reason.

Although Zhao Tuo's contribution is great, it is not as good as the prefect Teng's contribution to destroying a country alone.

Zhao Tuo was in a daze when he thought that he had been promoted to the title of Shaoshangzao.

Because just over three years ago, he and Li Xin made great contributions in the land of Yan. Right above the main hall of Xianyang Palace, Li Xin was promoted from noble to young master, just like he is now.

At that time, Li Xin was very high-spirited, and at the celebration banquet afterwards, he even uttered the bold words of "200,000 destroy Chu".

Thinking of this, Zhao Tuo couldn't help trembling.

He must not follow the old path of General Li.

While the audience continued to read out the imperial edict to reward Qiang Li and other generals, Zhao Tuo quietly raised his head and looked towards the side of the hall.

That's where the generals of Qin State stood.

Wang Ben, Meng Wu...

They all looked at Zhao Tuo, smiled and nodded to show goodwill.

Until Li Xin.

The two looked at each other.

This is the first time they have met since the night of Pingyu two years ago.

General Li has lost weight, and his beard is longer than before, but his eyes are no longer full of confidence and pride, but full of loneliness and exhaustion.

Zhao Tuo's eyes are very good, he can even see some silver threads in Li Xin's black hair under the crown.

"General Lee..."

Zhao Tuo murmured in his heart.

Seeing Zhao Tuo looking over, Li Xin's face turned red.

He turned his head sideways, not daring to look at Zhao Tuo.

Two years have passed, and he is still not ready to meet Zhao Tuo.

In addition to the shame caused by the defeat of Chu because Li Xin did not listen to Zhao Tuo's advice.

What's more important is that today's Zhao Tuo personally defeated Xiang Yan who defeated Li Xin, and also captured and killed the traitor Xiong Qi who made Li Xin fall into such a field.

Zhao Tuo avenged Li Xin and enjoyed unlimited glory in Qin State, from which he was promoted to Shao Shang Zao.

As for him, Li Xin, because of his defeat in the war, he became a disgrace to the Qin State, and his title was cut from a young one to a middle one.

"Zhao Tuo, you are better than me."

Li Xinxin whispered, and met Zhao Tuo's gaze with his profile.

He couldn't face it.

"General Li's ability is still very strong. Among the generals of Qin, he can be called the top. It was only because of his pride that he lost his composure, and when he met Xiang Yan and Xiong Qi, he suffered a big defeat. "

"I have been greatly favored by General Li, and I cannot let him sink. In the future, I should look for opportunities, ask the king, and give General Li another chance to go out."

Zhao Tuo made up his mind and withdrew his gaze from Li Xin.

Just when he turned his head, he found that someone had been watching him.

On the high imperial couch, Qin Wangzheng was looking at him with a smile on his face.

"King."

...

Just as the general Wang Jian and the other generals were accepting the awards in the hall, dozens of school lieutenants and military marquises who had destroyed Chu this time also knelt down outside the hall.

Everyone looked excited and full of anticipation, and the audience read out the rewards from the king.

Two years of fighting is precisely for today's glory.

"The five senior officials, together with General Zhao, defeated the Qi army, attacked Shouchun, blocked the enemy in Huaiyin, and enjoyed the merits of overcoming Wuyue.

"Fifth doctor Zhao Guang...specially entered the second rank of Jue, and is the head of the right concubine."

"Meng Tian, ​​the head of the left concubine... entered the first rank of noble, and became the head of the right concubine."

"The five great officials with black buttocks... have entered the rank of noble, and are the head of Zuoshu."

"Gong Cheng Ren Xiao followed General Yang to defeat the other divisions of the Chu army. Ru Shui defeated the enemy and captured the right Sima of the Chu State. He also captured several cities in Keyi.

When I heard that because of Ru Shui's defeat of the enemy and the capture of the Right Sima of Chu State, Ren Xiao was promoted two ranks in a row, jumping directly from the eighth rank to the tenth rank Zuo Shuzhang.

The generals couldn't help but make voices of envy and admiration.

In the crowd, Li You looked bitter.

If he succeeded in his last stand, then Li You would be the one who defeated the enemy in Rushui and captured the Right Sima of Chu State.

Li You can not only be promoted to the title of Zuo Shuzhang today, but also get an incomparably great honor, which is enough to wash away all his previous shame.

Let the Qin people in Xianyang know that Li You is not a "Li Paopao", but like Zhao Tuo, he is good at fighting Qin generals with less victory.

This is also the reason and motivation why he chose to fight more with less and fight with his back.

But now, everything is empty.

Li You has already asked the military officials in charge of the division of merit, as well as the superior lieutenants and generals.

Because considering Li You's defeat in Rushui, it played a great role in Ren Xiao's subsequent defeat of the enemy and the capture of the right Sima of Chu State. In addition, Li You also captured several small cities afterwards.

The final result is that most of them will not be promoted or degraded, and they may get some monetary rewards.

But in such a situation where all the generals have been promoted in such a great victory, Li You is the only one whose title has not changed. Isn't this the greatest irony?

"Father, king, princess... I have let you down."

Li You murmured in his heart, his heart was ashamed.

At this moment, the audience who read out the imperial edict also read Li You's name.

"The public ride Li You followed General Yang to defeat the other divisions of the Chu army, and Rushui blocked the enemy. He helped capture the right Sima of Chu, and conquered several cities. He was promoted to the first rank and became the fifth doctor."

When the visitor's voice fell, Li You was stunned.

"I, have I been promoted to the fifth doctor?"

Li You blinked, and his heart, which was as dead ashes, jumped excitedly.

His eyes are blurred.

"Ru Shui blocked the enemy and helped capture the right Sima of Chu... Your Majesty..."

Li You trembled all over his body. No matter how much his Rushui battle played in the subsequent capture of You Sima by Ren Xiao, he was defeated in the end. Many soldiers were killed and injured. According to Qin law, he would be punished. , even if the merits can be offset, it is absolutely impossible to be promoted.

Now, Li You has been promoted to noble.

In the imperial edict, he did not mention his defeat in Rushui, but praised his role and meritorious service in this battle. Isn't this the king's special favor?

"Your Majesty, you actually love me so much!"

Li You raised his head excitedly, this time, confidence appeared in his eyes again.

Even the original resentment towards Zhao Tuo and others in his heart dissipated a lot.

Even if the title is not high, the king still loves me, otherwise how could I be promoted to the title of a defeated general!

...

After rewarding the titles, all the meritorious lieutenants and military marquises were led to a large side hall by the waiters.

Your Majesty is going to hold a grand celebration banquet there for the soldiers who have done meritorious service.

"Li Jun, your contribution has not been buried this time, congratulations."

On the way of the generals to the side hall, Ren Xiao walked up to Li You and sincerely congratulated him.

"Li You's contribution is only minor. In the battle of Rushui, we must thank Ren Juncai. If Ren Jun hadn't led the army to arrive, how could our army have captured the right Sima of Chu State. Ren Jun's contribution is a great achievement!"

Li You responded with a smile. He felt the king's love for him from the imperial edict, and he looked away instantly. He was in a good state of mind. Looking at the big man Ren Xiao beside him, he also felt very pleasing to the eye.

The two chatted and walked.

After the generals arrived at the side hall where the banquet was held, they sat down in order of title.

Although Li You's rank of five senior officials is low among the many lieutenants and military marquises, and he can only sit in the back, but he is not annoyed at all.

Even when he saw Zhao Tuo, who was newly promoted to be the young master, followed Wang Jian, walked in front of him, and sat down in front of the hall.

Although Li You was envious in his heart, he didn't have much jealousy.

One is Zhao Tuo's credit, which is indeed worthy of the name, and even he admires it.

The other is that he, Li Youyou, is favored by the king, and that a defeated general can still be promoted, which is enough to make him feel excited and comforted.

After all the generals were seated, the sound of playing music sounded.

Qin Wangzheng walked in from outside the hall.

"King."

All the generals quickly stood up and saluted.

"This is a celebration feast. To celebrate the achievements of the princes, there is no need to be too polite."

Qin Wangzheng walked to the throne and sat down, smiling at the generals.

All the generals were seated, only one person in the back of the palace was a little slower, which caught Qin Wangzheng's attention.

Qin Wangzheng looked sideways, and saw the man staring at him with burning eyes.

Li You?

Qin Wangzheng was startled.

For Li Jiji, he actually valued him quite a lot, not only because of Li Si's relationship, but also because Li You was very capable, diligent and conscientious when he entered the palace as the general of Zhonglang household, and he was a good man.

Afterwards, Qin Wangzheng promoted Li You to the rank of Zuo Shuchang, and agreed to Li Si's request to let Li You go to the army. In fact, he wanted to see if this person had the ability to fight on the battlefield and whether he could be trained as a future general.

At that time, Qin Wangzheng hadn't made up his mind about Princess Shang's choice.

Until the defeat of Chu Chu, Li You also fell into the name of "Li Paopao".

Qin Wangzheng was disappointed by this, but he could understand Li You and did not blame him.

After all, when Li Youchu went to the battlefield, he was attacked by the veteran Xiang Yan with an army of tens of thousands in the first battle. No one would be defeated in that scene.

Later, Li You was attacked by Zhaoping's army in Qiyi, and he was also beaten more than the few. Li You's defeat this time is also justifiable, and no one can turn the tide in that kind of battle.

So this time when Wang Jian defeated Chu, Qin Wangzheng agreed to Li Yu's challenge again. He also wanted to see how Li Yu would behave under Wang Jian's leadership.

Who knows that the final result turned out to be "all generals win, but Li You alone loses".

That's all, Qin Wangzheng actually understands Li You's desire to fight for merit and wants to be ashamed, so he doesn't have much ill feeling towards him.

Until Zhao Gao said a word that day.

"It is said in the army that Li You is odd."

"The odd number!"

Qin Wangzheng nodded to Li You with a smile, and looked sideways at the others.

He has a plan in mind.

"People with odd numbers will be unfavorable, so they should not go to the battlefield in the future."

Behind the main hall.

Li You saw the king on the main seat nodding and smiling at him, and his heart became more and more excited.

"King."

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