Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 341: Chapter 156: Ying Zheng: If He Were Her Son, He Would Have Been Crown Prince Long Ago!

"The Great King will definitely find her."

"If she’s not in the Zhao state, then she might be somewhere else."

"Once the Great King unites the world, he will surely find her."

"Even if it means scraping the earth to its core or searching for a needle in the vast ocean, I will help the Great King find her," Zhao Feng said with an earnest tone, his words like a solemn promise.

Hearing Zhao Feng’s words, a smile of accord appeared on Ying Zheng’s face. "I will await the day you find Dong’er for me."

"If you find her, you will be my greatest benefactor for life."

Zhao Feng smiled. "Let’s hold off on the ’greatest benefactor’ title. You can call me that once she has been found, Great King."

"You little rascal..." Ying Zheng chided with a chuckle, continuing to drink.

Watching Ying Zheng drink alone, Zhao Feng also picked up his wine jar and drank straight from it.

"Who do you think I will designate as Crown Prince?" Ying Zheng asked, his interest piqued.

"Great King," Zhao Feng replied immediately with a smile, "you mustn’t ask me such a question. Deciding who to appoint as Crown Prince is not something a subject like me should consider."

This is a question that could cost me my life. I’m not foolish enough to answer it.

Seeing Zhao Feng’s non-response, Ying Zheng changed his approach. "Then who among my many sons do you think is the best?"

"I have only met Mr. Fusu. As I have not seen the other princes, I naturally do not know which one is best."

"From what I have observed, Mr. Fusu shows an excess of benevolence. He constantly speaks of kindness and virtue, yet seems naive to the ways of the world."

"If he could change this aspect of his character, it would be an improvement. If not, then things will simply remain as they are," Zhao Feng said vaguely.

In any case, I don’t believe Fusu is up to the task of being the Prince of Qin. Should Emperor Qin Shi Huang pass away in the future, Fusu’s capabilities would certainly be far superior to Hu Hai’s—the latter is a complete fool. But the impending chaos would still descend upon the world. Fusu is no Emperor Qin Shi Huang. He might prolong the Qin Dynasty’s fortune for a few more years, but if he persists in this soft-heartedness and fails to bring stability, the dynasty will eventually fall.

"Yes, indeed!" Ying Zheng sighed. "Fusu is too pedantic. He’s too committed to his rigid principles."

"Your Majesty is in the prime of life; there’s no need to rush the selection of a Crown Prince. Things can always change in time," Zhao Feng consoled appropriately.

In truth, I know how history is likely to unfold. I’m pessimistic about the ultimate fate of the Qin Dynasty. Unless the King of Qin can live on indefinitely, this Chapter of history seems unlikely to change. Of course, I sometimes wonder what it might be like if I could show the Great King a vision of the future—like Hu Hai slaughtering all of his siblings. What would happen then? Would Hu Hai be put to death on the spot? And what if the Great King saw Fusu being tricked into suicide by a forged edict? Would he be even more disappointed?

These, however, were just Zhao Feng’s fleeting thoughts.

"If my wife had not left, perhaps the son I had with her would be your age by now," Ying Zheng’s tone shifted suddenly, his eyes filled with reminiscence.

"If she were still in the Royal Palace, would you have made her the Queen?" Zhao Feng asked curiously.

Ying Zheng looked at him, his tone exceptionally firm. "No one is worthy of the title of Queen except for her."

"Yet it was this very position that brought her harm."

"When I first ascended the throne, I was full of ambition. I thought everything was within my control, but that proved to be nothing more than an illusion."

"I proposed to make her my Queen, but I was met with opposition from the full court."

"It was because of this that she left me," Ying Zheng said, his voice heavy with sorrow.

"If she had truly borne you a son, the Great King would surely have appointed a Crown Prince by now," Zhao Feng remarked with a sigh.

"Of course," Ying Zheng confirmed with absolute certainty.

"Now I understand why the Great King has not appointed a Queen for so many years. But I am puzzled. Why would you tell me all this?" Zhao Feng asked curiously, taking a sip of wine.

Hearing this, Ying Zheng smiled and gave Zhao Feng a deep look. "I don’t know why I’m telling you this. Perhaps it’s because I see a reflection of my younger self in you."

"Once, I too was a filial son."

"Once, I too was a man who feared nothing."

"But now, everything has changed."

Zhao Feng shook his head. "You’re mistaken about me, Your Majesty. I’m not fearless. If nothing else, I am afraid of death."

"Afraid of death, yet you lead troops into battle and charge first?" Ying Zheng said with amusement. "That’s not something a man who fears death would do."

Human nature! I’ve seen it all. Some betray the people of Qin for profit. Others sell themselves for power. Some even trade away their own wives and children for money. Fear of death is only human. It is rare for someone not to fear it. This is especially true for those in high positions; once they acquire power, they become even more terrified of dying.

So when Zhao Feng admitted his fear of death, Ying Zheng naturally laughed.

In his days as a common soldier, with enemies ahead and the Supervisory Team behind, a man had no choice but to charge forward. Subordinates of a Deputy General might still understand this. But at the rank of Deputy General and above, one commands larger forces, even tens of thousands of soldiers. They would not readily rush into battle, as their rank implies significant status and power. Even upon retirement, they could be assigned to a local post and become a Prefectural Governor.

Once a man became a Main General, he could serve as a Military Official in court upon retirement, commanding troops and becoming a person of power and privilege. He would be even less likely to charge into the fray.

And yet, Zhao Feng—whether as a Wanjiang, a Deputy General, or even now as a Main General—always charges at the forefront of every major battle.