Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 371: Chapter 166: Bestowing the Name Wu’an! Ying Zheng Shocked: Are These Spirit Pills Poisoned? (Part 2)

"How many new recruits do you need for reinforcements?" Ying Zheng asked. "I can issue a decree to the Shaofu to provide as much as possible for your camp’s initial establishment."

"There are still over 200,000 integrated surrendered soldiers from Zhao in the Penal Battalion. I don’t need new recruits; I will use the Penal Battalion as its foundation," Zhao Feng said. "Zhao has perished, so these surrendered soldiers are like trees without roots. Just like the surrendered soldiers from Han, they can all be put to use by Qin. As long as we subdue them, their combat strength will be greater than that of new recruits. They only require a little training."

"Over 200,000 surrendered soldiers... can your sixty thousand-plus Sharp Warriors control them?" Ying Zheng said gravely. "Although the strategy of using a Penal Battalion is feasible, a mutiny would be a disaster." With this, Ying Zheng still showed his concern.

"Rest assured, my Great King," Zhao Feng said with great confidence. "The men of the Penal Battalion are constrained by their families, and they still have hope within the army. Motivated by the system of military merit and threatened by what could happen to their families, they won’t dare to act rashly. If they truly do, then I will simply make an example of one to warn the others. I have my methods."

"In any case, it is better to be cautious," Ying Zheng said. "The troops from the Lantian Camp stationed in Zhao Territory have not yet been redeployed. I will leave a main contingent there. Once the Wu’an Military Camp is fully formed, I will have them transferred back."

"Thank you, my Great King." Zhao Feng would not refuse Ying Zheng’s kind gesture.

"Zhao Gao, bring me the Tiger Talisman," Ying Zheng commanded authoritatively.

In response, Zhao Gao walked over with a bow, holding a brocaded box, and presented it to the Great King. Ying Zheng slowly opened it, revealing a Qin Tiger Talisman.

"This is the Tiger Talisman for the Wu’an Military Camp. You will depart for Zhao tomorrow to begin establishing it," Ying Zheng said, holding the box out to Zhao Feng. "I bestow this talisman upon you. Return it when you come back to the Capital in the future."

Seeing the Tiger Talisman, Zhao Feng accepted it with the utmost solemnity.

"Furthermore, military affairs will be exceedingly busy when you arrive at the camp. Stop by the Elixir Hall on your way out; I will bestow some Spirit Pills upon you," Ying Zheng said, his face filled with an almost wistful reverence. He was clearly captivated by these Spirit Pills.

Upon hearing the words "Spirit Pill," Zhao Feng frowned. "Does the Great King consume these pills daily?"

"I must attend to so many Petitions. If I did not take the pills to stay alert, how could I possibly endure?" Ying Zheng chuckled. "Speaking of which, I have you to thank. After you conquered Han, we found a great many Spirit Pills in their secret vaults. Otherwise, my own supply would have been depleted long ago."

Seeing Ying Zheng’s fervent attitude toward the Spirit Pills, Zhao Feng could tell he had truly come to see them as Immortal Pills.

Historically, although Emperor Qin Shi Huang was said to have died of illness, his death was strongly linked to these so-called Spirit Pills. They say he died of heavy metal poisoning. Should I warn him? If I do, will it change history? Pfft, what do I care about changing history? I’m not some Yi Xiaochuan. The world I’m in probably isn’t the same Earth from my past life anyway. The King of Qin has been so good to me. If he lives longer, it benefits me. Besides, the end of the Qin dynasty is inevitable. Him living a little longer is also to my advantage.

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Feng made his decision. He was a deeply loyal and righteous person. He had initially assumed the young and vigorous King of Qin was not consuming the so-called Spirit Pills, but today proved him wrong. Zhao Feng simply could not stand by and watch the Great King continue to take what he knew to be poison.

"My Great King," Zhao Feng began hesitantly, "I have something to say, but I’m unsure if it’s appropriate."

Ying Zheng glanced at him and smiled faintly. "You’ve long since dropped all pretenses before me. Speak your mind. If you have to fart, just let it rip."

"It would be better if the Great King did not consume these Spirit Pills," Zhao Feng said.

"Why?" Ying Zheng asked, looking surprised.

"They’re poisonous," Zhao Feng stated quietly.

At this, Ying Zheng was stunned. "What did you say? The Spirit Pills are poisonous? Hahaha!" he laughed, looking at Zhao Feng as if he were an ignorant child. "Zhao Feng, you worry too much. I have been taking these Spirit Pills for years. If they were poisonous, I would have been dead long ago."

"That is because the poison in these so-called Spirit Pills is not potent in small doses. However, it accumulates over time. If the Great King continues to consume them, sooner or later your body will be unable to suppress the toxins," Zhao Feng explained, looking at Ying Zheng with some exasperation.

Is this a case of my good intentions being treated as ill will? No, it’s more likely just ignorance.

"Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?" But seeing Zhao Feng’s solemn expression, Ying Zheng began to sense this was no jest. After all, he knew Zhao Feng well.

"If the Great King truly wishes to die young, then by all means, continue taking them," Zhao Feng said gravely. "If you wish to live to a ripe old age, then you had better stop."

Hearing the words "die young," Zhao Gao, who was standing to the side, was so frightened his face turned deathly pale. He never expected Zhao Feng would be so audacious as to say such a thing to the Great King.

What nerve! How dare he speak to the Great King like that! Zhao Gao thought in shock, stealing a glance at Ying Zheng’s face. To his astonishment, however, the Great King showed no sign of anger. Instead, his expression had simply grown serious.

"How can you prove it?" Ying Zheng asked earnestly.

"It’s simple," Zhao Feng replied. "Find a rabbit and feed it a few Spirit Pills. The Great King will soon know whether they are poisonous. Of course, the results won’t be visible in a single day. It will take several days to see the effects."