Inside the carriage, Han Fei suddenly opened his eyes.
"For an outsider minister, His Majesty wouldn't need to be so attentive, let alone give such specific instructions."
"His words just now were as if he was asking me to thank someone most dear to him."
"Could it be… Zhao Feng is His Majesty's son?"
Han Fei was somewhat astonished at the thought.
But in just an instant, he shook his head with a helpless smile.
"I'm overthinking this. My mind must be playing tricks on me."
"How did I even come up with such an idea?"
He patted his forehead and chuckled self-deprecatingly.
After all…
That possibility was nearly nonexistent.
Or rather, it was completely impossible.
If Zhao Feng were His Majesty's son, wouldn't that be the biggest joke in history?
There was no way it could be true.
"Perhaps this is just His Majesty's way of showing special regard for Zhao Feng."
"As a minister, to receive such favor is already unheard of."
"Oh, right."
"I heard that Zhao Feng just had another child."
"I should pay him a visit at his residence."
With that thought, Han Fei immediately instructed the carriage driver, "Head to Zhao Feng's residence."
"My lord," the driver asked at once, "are we going to the Supreme General's mansion?"
"Besides Zhao Feng, do you think I have any other close acquaintances?" Han Fei said irritably.
Since arriving in Qin, Han Fei had never made connections with court officials and had always acted independently.
"Understood, my lord."
The driver responded immediately and turned the carriage toward the Supreme General's residence.
Zhao Feng's Residence
"Yan'er, Wuyang."
"Come here."
"These are elixirs that replenish blood and energy."
"Take them, and your bodies will recover much faster."
Zhao Feng smiled as he handed over two pills to Wang Yan and Wuyang.
"Thank you, husband."
Without hesitation, the two women accepted the elixirs and swallowed them.
As soon as the pills entered their mouths…
They dissolved instantly, transforming into pure energy that surged into their bodies.
This was a true spiritual elixir
Not the kind of poisonous pills that required water to swallow.
"Husband, the elixirs you refine are truly incredible. Back in the Yan royal palace, I had taken spiritual pills before, but none of them had the same effect as yours," Wuyang said in admiration.
"Those so-called alchemists refine nothing but poison pills. What I make are genuine spiritual elixirs, with miraculous effects." Zhao Feng chuckled.
"Husband is truly amazing," Wang Yan said gently.
"Originally, you both needed a full month of rest to recover, but after taking the elixirs, you should be fully healed within a few days. We will then prepare to return to Shachou." Zhao Feng informed them.
"Mm." Wang Yan nodded, a trace of longing appearing on her face. "It has indeed been a long time since I last saw Mother."
"Thank you, husband, for taking me with you," Wuyang said, feeling touched.
"Though you are my concubine, you have given birth to my daughter. That alone is enough." Zhao Feng smiled warmly.
Seeing Zhao Feng's genuine care…
Wuyang hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice. "Husband, there is something I have kept from you. Before I left Yan, my father gave me an order."
As she spoke, she lowered her head, not daring to look at Zhao Feng.
"Speak."
Zhao Feng, however, simply smiled, as if he had already anticipated it. His eyes even carried a hint of appreciation.
"My father said…"
"If one day Qin and Yan go to war, I must… I must assassinate you."
"But… husband treats me so well… How could I ever bring myself to do it?" Wuyang said with deep shame, her head hanging even lower.
"This matter…"
"I've known all along."
"I was simply waiting for the day you would confess it yourself."
"The maids around you each one of them is a Yan spy."
"I knew that too." Zhao Feng said calmly.
Wuyang's eyes widened in shock. "Husband, I… I…"
She was at a loss for words.
"The moment you admitted it, you became truly mine."
"Yan Wang forced you to target me by using your mother as leverage."
"You don't need to worry about that anymore."
Zhao Feng reassured her.
Then
With a wave of his hand, Zhang Ming immediately understood.
"Take them!"
Zhang Ming shouted coldly.
At once, the personal guards sprang into action.
The panicked maids behind Wuyang were seized on the spot.
Shortly after, all the maids in Wuyang's quarters were captured as well.
Before long…
A dozen maids were forced to kneel before Zhao Feng.
"Master, we are innocent!"
"Master, what crime have we committed…"
The captured maids cried out, some with pleading expressions.
"Yan spies."
"You have been secretly reporting information about this mansion, Qin's affairs, and my whereabouts to Yan."
"Did you think I wouldn't know?"
Zhao Feng said coldly.
Hearing this…
The faces of all the maids turned deathly pale.
"Yan Wang truly is a fool."
"Not a single one of the maids he sent was clean every one of them was a spy." Zhao Feng scoffed with disdain.
Then, with another wave of his hand…
"Dispose of them."
His tone was indifferent.
"Understood!"
Without hesitation, Zhang Ming led the personal guards to drag the maids away.
Their fate was sealed there was no chance of survival.
"Steward."
"Assign some new maids to serve the Fourth Madam."
After handling the situation, Zhao Feng turned to his steward.
"Yes, my lord."
The steward responded at once.
"Also, prepare our belongings."
"We will depart for Shachou in a few days." Zhao Feng instructed.
"Yes, my lord." The steward acknowledged.
At that moment
"My lord."
"Han Fei has arrived and requests an audience."
A servant hurried in and reported respectfully.
"This guy…"
Hearing Han Fei's name, Zhao Feng couldn't help but smile. "Bring him to the main hall."
Before long…
Inside the main hall
Han Fei was leisurely sipping tea, with several gift boxes placed beside him.
"Oh my, isn't this Han Fei?"
"Back from your golden tour?"
Zhao Feng teased with a laugh.
"Now, sitting before Supreme General Zhao Feng is none other than one of Qin's Nine Ministers."
Han Fei lifted his head, his expression one of satisfaction.
Being close to vermilion makes one red; being close to ink makes one black.
After frequently chatting with Zhao Feng, Han Fei also picked up quite a few professional terms.
"Nine Ministers, that's quite something."
"Shouldn't you be throwing a grand banquet?" Zhao Feng spoke in his usual teasing manner, then casually sat down beside Han Fei.
"A grand banquet isn't necessary, but you still owe me a drink. I came today to collect."
"Also"
"I heard you've had another pair of children."
"I specifically came to bring gifts for you."
Han Fei pointed to a few gift boxes beside him, smiling.
"Thanks."
Zhao Feng expressed his gratitude.
"No need for thanks."
"Tonight at the Drunken Immortal Tavern, you're treating." Han Fei chuckled.
"Since you're the first newly appointed Nine Minister to visit my residence"
"I must host you properly." Zhao Feng laughed.
"That works."
"Tonight, I'll have the finest wine at Drunken Immortal Tavern." Han Fei smiled.
"Done."
"Drink as much as you want." Zhao Feng nodded with a grin.
The Drunken Immortal Tavern was his establishment. Others might not have access to the finest wine, but as its secret owner, he had no such restrictions.
Time passed in a blur!
Shachiu County.
The village remained the same
Only now, it had grown even more prosperous.
Shacun had transformed from a mere village into a bustling town perhaps even a county.
All because of Zhao Feng's presence.
His name was known across the land.
Everyone knew that this was the hometown of the esteemed Great Qin General Zhao Feng. Naturally, Shachiu became a focal point of rapid development.
Once, Shacun had only a few hundred residents.
But as time passed
With people marrying in and others settling down, the village gradually flourished, becoming a lively and bustling town.
Thus
Shacun was no longer a village; it had become Shazhen.
At the town's entrance
A grand, newly built stone gate stood tall.
Atop it, a plaque bore two large characters: Shacun.
Beneath it, a smaller inscription in Qin script read: Hometown of Great General Zhao Feng.
This was a testament to Zhao Feng's immense influence.
"How long has it been since I last returned?"
"What a transformation."
As Zhao Feng rode his horse to the town's outskirts, he couldn't help but marvel at the sight of the towering gate.
"My lord's name is renowned far and wide. Naturally, his hometown has reaped great benefits from it."
Beside him, Zhang Ming chuckled.
"Indeed."
"When one rises, so do those around them."
"This is the hometown of the youngest Great General in Qin of course, its status has soared."
Han Chenyán, another officer, chimed in.
With the continued expansion of the elite guard, Zhao Feng's troops had grown to two thousand.
Each of them possessed the strength to take on ten opponents. Without exaggeration, even if Zhao Feng never lifted a finger, his two thousand elite guards could fight their way out of Xianyang City.
Such was the terrifying power of his forces.
Han Chenyán had now risen to the rank of Commandant within this elite unit.
As for Zhang Ming, he had already been promoted to Colonel.
"Let's head in."
"It's been over half a month."
"After such a long journey, let's return home and rest." Zhao Feng smiled and spoke casually.
With two thousand elite guards escorting him, Zhao Feng rode forward on horseback, followed by his troops.
Behind them, several carriages trailed along
Naturally, these carried his family.
At the entrance of the town
Several stationed county soldiers noticed something unusual.
"Look!"
"A huge force of black-armored soldiers!"
"Their attire looks like the elite guards' uniforms!"
"Could it be General Zhao Feng has returned?"
One county soldier spoke excitedly.
"It must be him!"
"Go report to Lord Wu quickly!"
The squad leader immediately ordered.
At once, one of the soldiers dashed into town to deliver the message.
The remaining soldiers, standing guard, straightened their backs, suddenly feeling tense.
To ordinary county soldiers, a Five Thousand-Man General was already a figure worthy of reverence
Let alone Zhao Feng, one of the four Great Generals of Qin.
To them, he was a figure beyond reach.
A single word from him could change their fate whether for glory or ruin.
This was the power Zhao Feng now wielded.
He was no longer the young soldier who enlisted at sixteen.
His status had changed.
His power had changed.
As Zhao Feng rode closer to the town gates
The county soldiers stationed outside immediately bowed in unison:
"We respectfully welcome the Great General home!"
Before they could rise
A sudden rush of footsteps sounded from within the town.
An entire battalion of over a thousand county soldiers swiftly marched to the entrance.
Their leading officer immediately stepped forward and knelt:
"We respectfully welcome the Great General home!"
A thousand soldiers followed suit, their voices echoing:
"We respectfully welcome the Great General home!"
The booming chorus
Resounded throughout the entire town.
Moments later
The townsfolk began gathering.
Among them were familiar old faces, once original villagers of Shacun
As well as many newcomers, who had since settled there.
"General Zhao Feng has returned!"
"Indeed!"
"I moved to Shacun just to bask in the Great General's blessings now I can finally see him!"
"This is wonderful!"
"I wonder what the Great General looks like?"
"I heard that during Qin's conquest of Wei, the biggest credit belonged to General Zhao Feng! Even Wei Wuji fell by his hands he's incredible!"
"Exactly! Wei Wuji, the War God of Wei, was defeated by our Great General Zhao Feng! In all the land, who can lead troops better than him? He is the pride of Great Qin!"
"To live in the same town as General Zhao Feng is the greatest honor!"
…
A crowd quickly gathered, eager to witness the return of their town's most revered figure.
Outside Qin's borders
Zhao Feng was known as the God of Slaughter.
But within Qin
He was hailed as a War God.
And in Shachiu, his hometown
He was a living legend.
He had become the model for Qin's military a beacon for every aspiring warrior in the empire.
Each time Zhao Feng returned home
It was nothing short of a triumphant return to glory.
Looking at the lively town
Zhao Feng did not reject the warm welcome. He smiled slightly and dismounted in front of the town gate.
Here, in his hometown, he did not display too much authority.
"Everyone, rise," Zhao Feng said loudly as he stepped forward.
"Thank you, General!"
The thousands of county soldiers responded in unison, their voices filled with excitement.
"You have worked hard to protect Sha Village," Zhao Feng continued. "Now that I have returned, I cannot neglect your efforts in guarding this place."
With that, he turned to Zhang Ming.
"Prepare a feast at the barracks," he ordered. "Ensure there is plenty of food and wine for the soldiers."
"Understood!" Zhang Ming immediately responded.
"Thank you, General!"
The thousands of county soldiers cheered in gratitude, their excitement palpable.
To be rewarded with food and wine personally by the Great General of the Empire was an immense honor.
"I have just returned and will first go home to rest," Zhao Feng said with a smile before remounting his horse and riding into the town.
As he passed, he nodded slightly in acknowledgment of the townspeople who had gathered to welcome him.
Before long, he arrived at his family's residence.
Xia Dong'er was already waiting at the entrance.
"Mother," Zhao Feng called out.
It had been so long since he last saw her, and his face was filled with warmth and longing.
"Ah," Xia Dong'er responded gently, nodding as she looked him up and down, just as she had always done.
A mother worries no matter how far her child travels.
Even though Zhao Feng now held a high-ranking position, this had never changed.
In Xia Dong'er's eyes, he would always be her son, regardless of his status.
"Come down from the carriage," Zhao Feng said, turning his head.
The first to emerge was Wang Yan, holding Zhao Wu in her arms.
Then, Zhao Qi and Zhao Ling jumped down excitedly.
"Grandmother!"
"We're back!"
"Grandmother!"
The two little ones called out sweetly as they each clung to Xia Dong'er, their faces full of joy.
"Qi'er, Ling'er," Xia Dong'er said emotionally, holding them tightly.
"Grandmother missed you so much. It's good that you're back."
Not far away, Wu Li Zheng stood watching.
"Grandpa Wu," Zhao Feng called out, bowing respectfully to the elderly man.
Wu Li Zheng quickly stepped forward to help him up.
"Good lad," he said, his eyes shining with pride.
"I've heard of your achievements in Wei," he continued.
"One battle to conquer an entire nation impressive!"
As a former soldier, Wu Li Zheng was visibly excited.
Hearing of such a great victory stirred something deep within him.
"As long as you're happy, Grandpa Wu," Zhao Feng replied with a smile.
"Mother," Wang Yan greeted softly.
Xia Dong'er finally turned her gaze to her daughter-in-law.
At the sight of the baby in Wang Yan's arms, her eyes lit up.
"You've given birth?" she asked quickly.
"A boy or a girl?"
"Mother, it's a boy," Wang Yan replied gently.
"A boy! That's wonderful!"
"Our Zhao family will continue to grow," Xia Dong'er said happily, her already beautiful face looking even more radiant.
"Mother," Wang Yan added with a soft smile.
"I wasn't the only one who gave birth this time."
"A little daughter-in-law of yours has also given you a granddaughter."
As she spoke, she turned her head slightly.
Xia Dong'er's gaze followed and landed on Wuyang, who was holding little Zhao Pan.
"Daughter-in-law greets Mother," Wuyang said, stepping forward and bowing slightly.
"Feng'er," Xia Dong'er said, looking at her son with a smile.
"Aren't you going to introduce her to me?"
"This is Princess of Yan, Wuyang," Zhao Feng introduced.
Xia Dong'er nodded and stepped closer.
"Since you have married into the Zhao family, you are my daughter now," she said warmly.
"Thank you, Mother," Wuyang responded, visibly relieved.
"Have the children been named yet?" Xia Dong'er asked.
"The boy is named Zhao Wu," Zhao Feng replied.
"The King personally chose the name."
"The girl is named Zhao Pan, a name I chose."
"The King named him?"
Xia Dong'er was momentarily stunned before a pleased expression crossed her face.
"Yes," Zhao Feng confirmed.
"Mother," Wang Yan added, smiling.
"When I was in labor, the King himself waited outside the entire time."
"He truly values my husband."
"That is good," Xia Dong'er said, nodding with satisfaction.
"Let's not stand outside any longer," she added, glancing at the curious onlookers.
"Let's go inside and talk."
The family entered the residence and sat together in the small courtyard where they had once lived.
Looking at his mother, Zhao Feng smiled.
"Mother," he said.
"You seem different this time."
Xia Dong'er paused, then asked in surprise, "Different? How so?"
Though she seemed calm, a hint of nervousness flickered in her eyes, as if she was afraid he had noticed something.
"It used to be that you always kept your hair covering your face as if you didn't want anyone to see you," Zhao Feng remarked.
"But this time, you've tied it up neatly."
"Looking at you now, I must say, you are a great beauty!"
Hearing this, Xia Dong'er blushed slightly and gave him a reproachful glance.
"You little rascal, teasing your mother like this!" she scolded lightly.
"I'm only speaking the truth," Zhao Feng laughed.
"Now that you've tidied up, you're an absolute beauty."
Since he was a child, Zhao Feng had always thought his mother was exceptionally beautiful.
Even now, at just under forty, she remained as stunning as ever.
To him, his mother was the most beautiful woman in the world.
-support me on Patreon for more chapters, 375+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LordoftheReader