Shao Shang Zao!
When they heard the visitor announcing Zhao Tuo's title, although everyone had been prepared, at this moment, all the eyes of the officials in the palace fell on the young general.
Their eyes were either surprised, sighing, or full of envy.
Shaoshangzao, the fifteenth level among the twenty-level military meritorious officials of the Qin State, is already at the upper level of the military meritorious system.
You must know that even a veteran like Li Si is only a middle-aged knight.
As for Zhao Tuo, at a young age, only nineteen years old this year, he has already reached such a height.
The most important thing is that Zhao Tuo's title was not inherited from his father's generation, but obtained by his own fighting on the battlefield. Even the most picky people can't say anything except praise at this moment.
Zhao Tuo immediately kowtowed and thanked him, feeling satisfied.
"It's about as expected."
Zhao Tuo had already estimated this. He defeated a hundred thousand Qi troops in Zhencheng and captured Qi's Grand Sima, which was enough for him to be promoted to the title of Yougeng.
However, his subsequent decisive achievements were not many. He defeated Xiang Qu's army and captured only more than 10,000 people, without capturing any enemy generals. The Huai River was besieged on all sides. Most of the Chu army fled and captured very little. Moreover, Feng Wuze shared the credit for that battle, and the important figure Xiong Qi 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 attack on Shouchun Waiguo, which was a great achievement.
But after he surrendered to the King of Chu, Zhao Tuo divided the credit among the Qin generals. Among them, Wang Jian took the lion's share as the coach, while Zhao Tuo and other generals shared the minor contributions.
He also had the merit of defeating Xiang Yan, but Xiang Yan's army only had tens of thousands of people, and Zhao Tuo was accompanied by Feng Wuze. Part of the merit had to be given to the other party, and the remaining merit was not enough to promote Zhao Tuo.
Immediately afterwards, Jiangdong and Yue were defeated. Among them, Jiangdong surrendered voluntarily and did not gain anything, and Zhao Tuo did not get all the credit, because there was still Bai Meng, the general of Bi. Later, Bai Meng mainly guarded Wu. In Jiangdong, Zhao Tuo could only take half of the merit, and the remaining half belonged to Bai Meng.
In the Battle of Yue Territory, the Qin army killed many people, 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's reoccupation of Yue territory and the establishment of Kuaiji County. Therefore, The credit for opening up new territories is only half of it.
Of course, the most important thing is to capture the false king Xiong Qi, which is a decisive achievement.
All the merits added up, it is more than enough for Zhao Tuo to be promoted to the rank of Shaoshangzao, but if he wants to advance to the next level and become the Dashangzao, he is still not qualified.
After all, it is really difficult to rise to the rank of military meritorious rank in the Qin State as one goes to the back.
At that time, Li Xin participated in the battle to destroy Yan and obtained the merit of developing a giant cannon. He also captured the entire Yan Kingdom's public officials and nobles, captured the Prince Dan who assassinated the King of Qin, and completely emptied the Yan Kingdom's aristocracy. Only then can he be promoted to the rank of Young Master.
Today's governor of Nanjun, Teng, personally led his troops to destroy South Korea, one of the Six Kingdoms of Shandong. He was responsible for the destruction of the country, but his title was only Yougeng, which was lower than Zhao Tuo today.
Wang Jian destroyed the powerful enemy Zhao State, and his title only reached the rank of concubine commander. After conquering Yan State, he was also the concubine commander. The reason why he was granted the title of Marquis of Che this time was not only the defeat of 400,000 Chu troops and the destruction of Jingchu, but also the reason why Qin Wangzheng intended to let him go home with a full-level title.
Although Zhao Tuo's contribution was great, it was not as good as the governor Teng's contribution to destroying a country alone, so it was reasonable to promote him to the rank of Young Master.
Zhao Tuo was a little confused when he thought that he had been upgraded to the title of Young Master.
Because just over three years ago, he and Li Xin made great achievements in Yandi. It was in the main hall of Xianyang Palace that Li Xin was promoted to the rank of Young Master, just like he is now.
At that time, Li Xin was very high-spirited, and at the subsequent celebration banquet, he even made the bold statement of "two hundred thousand to destroy Chu".
Thinking of this, Zhao Tuo couldn't help but shuddered.
He must not go back to General Lee's old ways.
While the audience continued to read out the edict conferring rewards on Qiang Yu and other generals, Zhao Tuo quietly raised his head and looked to one side of the palace.
That is where the generals of the Qin State stood.
Wang Ben, Meng Wu...
They all looked at Zhao Tuo, smiled and nodded to show their goodwill.
Until Li Xin.
The two looked at each other.
This was the first time they had met since their one night together two years ago.
General Li has lost weight, and his beard under his chin is longer than before, but his eyes no longer have the confidence and pride they once had, instead they are full of loneliness and exhaustion.
Zhao Tuo had very good eyesight, and he could even see some silver strands mixed in Li Xinhe's black hair under his crown.
"General Li..."
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 Li Xin's failure to listen to Zhao Tuo's advice, which led to the defeat of Chu.
What's more important is that Zhao Tuo personally defeated Xiang Yan who defeated Li Xin, and also captured and killed the traitor Xiong Qi who put Li Xin in this situation.
Zhao Tuo avenged Li Xin and enjoyed unlimited glory in the Qin State, and his title was promoted to Shaoshangzao.
As for Li Xin, because of his defeat, he became a shame to the Qin State, and his title was reduced from junior to senior.
】
"Zhao Tuo, you are better than me."
Li Xinxin whispered, looking at Zhao Tuo with a profile.
He couldn't face it.
"General Li's ability is still very strong. Among the Qin generals, he can be called the best. It was only because of his pride that he lost his cool, and when he met Xiang Yan and Xiong Qi, he suffered a huge defeat. "
"I have received great favor from General Li and cannot let him sink. In the future, I should look for opportunities and ask the king to give General Li a chance to go to war."
Zhao Tuo made up his mind and looked back at Li Xin.
Just when he turned his head, he found that someone had been watching him.
On the high imperial couch, King Qin Zheng was looking at him with a smile.
"Your Majesty."
…
Just as General Wang Jian and other generals were receiving rewards and titles in the palace, dozens of captains and military commanders who had destroyed Chu were also kneeling outside the palace.
Everyone looked excited and full of expectation as they listened to the audience read out the rewards from the king.
Two years of fighting are just for today's glory.
"The fifth official Shejian followed General Zhao to defeat the Qi army, attacked Shouchun, and blocked the enemy in Huaiyin. He enjoyed the victory of conquering Wu and Yue. He was promoted to two ranks and became the right concubine."
"Fifth doctor Zhao Guang... was promoted to two levels of nobility and became the right concubine."
"Meng Tian, the chief of the left concubine... advanced to the first level of nobility and became the chief of the right concubine."
"The fifth doctor, Black Butt..., was promoted to the first level of nobility and became the Zuo Shu Zhang."
"The public took Ren Xiao and followed General Yang to defeat the Chu army. He defeated the enemy in Ru River and captured the Chu State's right commander. He also attacked several cities and conquered several towns. He was promoted to two levels of nobility and became the Zuo Shu Zhang."
When I heard that Ren Xiao had been promoted two levels in a row because of his contribution to Ru Shui's defeat of the enemy and the capture of Chu State's Right Sima, directly jumping from the eighth level of public transport to the tenth level of Zuo Shuchang.
The generals couldn't help but make sounds of envy and admiration.
In the crowd, Li You looked bitter.
If his last-ditch battle succeeds, then it will be Li You who defeats the enemy in Ru River and captures the right Sima of Chu State.
Not only could Li You be promoted to the title of Zuo Shu Zhang today, but he would also receive an incomparable honor, enough to wash away all his previous shame.
Let the entire Qin people in Xianyang know that Li You is not "Li Paopao", but like Zhao Tuo, a Qin general who is good at defeating more with less.
This is also the reason and motivation why he chose to fight with less and more, and fight against the odds.
But now, all is lost.
Li You has already asked the military magistrates and superior captains and generals responsible for dividing the merits.
Because considering that Li You's defeat in Rushui played a great role in Ren Xiao's subsequent defeat of the enemy and the capture of Chu State's You Sima, in addition, Li You also captured several small cities later.
The final result will most likely not be promoted or reduced, but you may get some monetary rewards.
But in such a situation where all the generals had their titles promoted in such a great victory that destroyed the country, only Li You had his title unchanged. Isn't this the greatest irony?
"Father, King, Princess... I have let you down."
Li You murmured in his heart, his heart was filled with despair.
At this moment, the audience who read the edict also read Li You's name.
"The public took Li You and followed General Yang to defeat the Chu army. Ru River blocked the enemy, which helped to capture the right Sima of the Chu Kingdom. He also captured several cities and was promoted to the first level of nobility and became the fifth official."
When the visitor finished speaking, Li You was stunned.
"I was promoted to the rank of fifth doctor?"
Li You blinked, and his heart, which was originally as gray as ashes, jumped excitedly.
His eyes were like lakes.
"Rushui blocked the enemy and helped capture Chu State's right Sima...the king..."
Li You's whole body was trembling. You must know that no matter how important his battle at Rushui was for Ren Xiao's capture of You Sima, he was defeated after all. There were many casualties among the soldiers. According to Qin law, he would be punished. , even if the merit can be offset, it will never be promoted.
Now, Li You has been promoted.
In the edict, he did not mention his defeat in Ru River, but praised his role and achievements in this battle. Isn't this the king's special favor?
"Your Majesty, you love me so much!"
Li You raised his chest and raised his head excitedly. This time, confidence appeared in his eyes again.
Even the original resentment in his heart towards Zhao Tuo and others has dissipated a lot.
Even if the title is not high, it doesn't matter. Your Majesty still loves me. Otherwise, how could I, a general who has failed, be promoted to a title!
…
After being awarded titles, all the meritorious captains and military commanders were led by waiters to a large side hall.
Your Majesty will hold a grand celebration banquet there for the meritorious soldiers.
"Li Jun, your contribution has not been forgotten this time. Congratulations."
On the way to the side hall, Ren Xiao walked up to Li You and congratulated him sincerely.
"Li You only made a small contribution. In the battle of Ru River, we also need to thank Ren Juncai. If Ren Jun hadn't led his army to arrive, how could our army have captured the right Sima of Chu State. Ren Jun's merit is the great merit!"
Li You responded with a smile. He felt the king's favor for him from the edict. He looked away instantly and was in a good state of mind. Looking at the big man Ren Xiao next to him, he also felt very pleasing to the eye.
The two walked while chatting.
After the generals arrived at the side hall where the banquet was held, they took their seats in order of title.
Although Li You's rank of fifth doctor was relatively low among the many captains and military commanders, and he could only sit at the back, he was not annoyed at all.
Even when he saw Zhao Tuo, who had been newly promoted to the rank of Young Master, he followed Wang Jian, walked in front of him, and sat down in front of the hall.
Although Li You felt envious in his heart, he didn't have much jealousy.
One is Zhao Tuo's contribution, which is indeed worthy of the name. Even he has to admire it.
On the other hand, he, Li Youyou, was favored by the king, and the defeated general could still be promoted to a noble rank, which was enough to make him feel excited and comforted.
After the generals took their seats, the sound of music began to play.
Qin Wangzheng walked in from outside the palace.
"Your Majesty."
The generals quickly stood up and saluted.
"This is a celebration banquet to celebrate the merits of the ministers. There is no need to be too polite."
Qin Wangzheng walked to the main seat and sat down, smiling at the generals.
The generals sat down, but the one at the back was a little slower, which attracted the attention of Qin Wangzheng.
Qin Wangzheng looked sideways and saw the man staring at him with burning eyes.
Li You?
Qin Wangzheng was startled.
He actually valued Li You quite a lot, not only because of Li Si's relationship, but also because when Li You entered the palace as Zhonglang household general, he was very capable and diligent in doing things, and he was a good person.
Later, Li You, the political general of the King of Qin, was promoted to Zuo Shuchang and agreed to Li Si's request to let Li You go on an expedition. In fact, he wanted to see whether 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 had not yet made up his mind on the choice of Princess Shang.
It was not until the later defeat in the attack on Chu that Li You became known as "Li Paopao".
Qin Wangzheng was disappointed with 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 veteran Xiang Yan with tens of thousands of troops in the first battle. Anyone in that situation would have been defeated.
Later, Li You was attacked again by Zhao Ping's army in Qiyi. He was also defeated by more people than by fewer troops. Li You's defeat this time was excusable. No one could overturn the situation in that kind of battle.
So this time Wang Jian attacked Chu, and faced Li You's request to fight, Qin Wangzheng agreed again. He also wanted to see how Li You would perform under Wang Jian's leadership.
Unexpectedly, the final result turned out to be "all generals won, but Li You alone lost."
That's all. Qin Wangzheng actually understood Li You's desire to strive for merit and avenge his previous shame, so he didn't have much ill feelings toward him.
Until Zhao Gao's words that day.
"Everyone in the army said that Li Youshu was strange."
"What an odd number!"
Qin Wangzheng smiled at Li You and nodded, looking sideways at the others.
He already had a plan in mind.
"There are many strange people who encounter many disadvantages. It is better not to 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.
"Your Majesty."
