Cavalry!
In this era, they were unquestionably the top combat force. On the plains, they were a crushing force against foot soldiers. Once they closed in, it was a slaughter.
However, warhorses were extremely rare in this era. The most prolific horse breeders were the states of Zhao and Qi. Now that the Zhao state has been annexed by Qin, all their horse pastures belong to Qin.
"Rest assured, General," Zhang Han immediately guaranteed. "I have dispatched 10,000 Sharp Warriors to guard these warhorses. There will be absolutely no incidents."
"Now that the great war is settled, the injured should focus on recovering, and the uninjured should rest well," Zhao Feng said with a smile to the generals. "In a few days, I will lift the alcohol ban and let you all drink to your hearts' content."
"I'm waiting for the day the ban is lifted!" Zhang Han said with a laugh. "Last time, the General outdrank me, but this time I refuse to admit defeat."
"Me too!"
"We have to outdrink the General this time!" the generals all chimed in, their voices full of mirth.
At that moment, a trusted aide hurried in to report. "The Senior General requests your presence!"
Looks like there's a mission. Zhao Feng waved his hand at the generals. "You all go on with your duties." He then stood up himself.
"We take our leave, General." The generals withdrew one after another.
Zhao Feng then strode out of the tent, heading toward Dai City.
"Gentlemen," Tu Sui said, looking at the other generals with a serious expression. "It seems the General's promotion is a certainty this time. At this critical moment, we must not bring shame upon him."
"That's right," Zhang Han immediately added. "We absolutely cannot bring shame upon the General. Military discipline is strict. All of you must keep your subordinates in line. Do not permit any acts of arson, killing, or looting. If any such acts occur, the officers and soldiers involved will share the same guilt."
With so many men in the army, it was inevitable that not all were pure of heart. Some were bound to commit outrageous acts after a city fell. No matter how strictly Wang Jian and Zhao Feng enforced the rules and forbade slaughter after breaching a city, some still plundered property. Even with command over his entire army, Zhao Feng could not completely control the actions of every single man.
"We understand."
"We will enforce strict discipline. Anyone who violates military regulations will be severely punished," the generals replied at once.
「The Senior General's Main Camp!」
"Senior General," Zhao Feng said, arriving with quick steps and offering a bow.
"Sit," Wang Jian said with a slight smile.
"Are General Wang and General Yang not here today?" Zhao Feng asked, looking around with some surprise.
"They are still leading troops in various parts of Dai Territory and have not yet returned," Wang Jian smiled.
"It seems the Senior General has official duties for me," Zhao Feng asked directly. In the military camp, Zhao Feng did not use his personal relationship to call Wang Jian his father-in-law, but adhered to their respective ranks.
"This is a Royal Edict. Take a look." Wang Jian smiled, picking up a scroll from his desk and handing it to Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng took it without ceremony. A single glance was all he needed to understand.
"Select the elite and discard the dregs," he said, nodding. "This is indeed advisable. After all, we captured 400,000 Zhao soldiers in this campaign, a number not much smaller than at the Battle of Changping. If all of them were to be reorganized into the army, I'm afraid Qin's national power would not be able to support it."
Supporting a soldier cost not only an annual salary but also food. While the Penal Battalion did not receive an annual salary, they still required daily meals, the same as the Sharp Warriors. But slaves were different. It was considered good if they received even one meal a day, and they were forced to labor continuously. Countless slaves died from exhaustion. For slaves, ensuring their basic survival was optional. If they died, they died.
"I will leave this matter for you to handle," Wang Jian said gravely, picking up a prepared writ. "The surrendered troops are currently in five locations: Dai City, Handan, Wu'an, Lincheng, and Xucheng. Here is the writ I have prepared. You may send men to begin the selection when the time is right. The Imperial Court has sent only one requirement: select the surrendered troops for reorganization using the same standards as for new recruits and Sharp Warriors."
"So the fates of nearly 400,000 surrendered troops are now in my hands?" Zhao Feng asked with a slight smile.
"Indeed, they are in your hands," Wang Jian nodded, smiling back. "The power of life and death."
"Wait a minute." Zhao Feng suddenly thought of something.
"What's not right?" Wang Jian asked, his expression quizzical.
"When the Great King left Handan, he promised me leave after the conquest of Zhao. Why has that promise not been kept?" Zhao Feng asked, a hint of resentment in his voice.
"You may take your leave as soon as you have finished selecting these surrendered troops," Wang Jian smiled.
"Really?" Zhao Feng's expression brightened.
"Furthermore, once you have finished the selection, you will be granted at least two months of leave," Wang Jian added with a smile. "It is also time to arrange your wedding with Yan'er."
"Rest assured, Senior General," Zhao Feng nodded at once. "I will give this matter my full attention."
Selecting the surrendered troops... this is perfect. It's a chance to personally pick a group of battle-hardened elites from the surrendered soldiers and make the training and recruitment for Yanting even stronger. This is a great turn of events.
"Alright, you may go," Wang Jian nodded. "I have already transferred 10,000 troops to secure Dai City. You may lead your own forces and depart."
"Senior General," Zhao Feng said, looking at Wang Jian with a grin. "I have one more thing to ask."
"Out with it," Wang Jian said, looking as if he already knew what was coming.
"I'll be taking those warhorses we captured when we broke through Dai Territory," Zhao Feng said cheerfully. "It would save a great deal of time."
"You want to take all of them? Over fifty thousand warhorses?" Wang Jian asked, surprised.