Chapter 10: Ascending to Great Heights

Are there any living companions left? Fu Ge had no confidence at all

Fu Ge was also concerned that companions might, like himself, be mistakenly killed by the eager-to-claim-credit Qin army

Report! When Fu Ge arrived at the small hill once again, he unexpectedly saw the county governor Li Youzheng strutting out from Zhang Han's central military tent.

"Yes, General!" Fu Ge responded loudly, leaping onto a warhorse brought by a personal guard and galloping towards the battlefield. At that moment, Fu Ge could no longer afford to greet Sima Liang; Zhang Han's words had ignited a new dream and desire within him. Zhang Han, well-versed in military affairs, surely understood the significance of holding Xinyang, and it seemed that his words also hinted at the possibility of taking in Fu Ge and his leaderless army.

"Governor Li, the journey to Lishan is long and fraught with difficulties in escorting these individuals. I see that they are young and strong, and they would be excellent material for assisting in battle. It would be better to incorporate them into our army to serve!" The tent flap opened, and Zhang Han emerged, having removed his armor and dressed in a light robe. Behind him stood Sima Liang.

Fu Ge, Sima Liang has already told me about your deeds, truly commendable. With an outstanding soldier like you in our Qin, the defeat of the rebel forces is just around the corner!" Zhang Han laughed heartily and cast an admiring glance at Fu Ge

Upon hearing Zhang Han's words, Li You's face turned red with embarrassment. With a guilty conscience, he hurriedly bowed and replied, "Since the General has expressed his intentions, I shall certainly comply!" Zhang Han and Li Si served in the same court, making them somewhat peers. Although Li You's self-deprecating reference to himself as 'foolish nephew' was somewhat contemptible, he managed to salvage a bit of his dignity by relying on his father's influence.

Zhang Han strode confidently to the front of Fu Ge and Sima Liang. First, he drew his sword and struck down the cowhide rope, then he shouted loudly at Fu Ge: "The brave fear nothing; only a true soldier of the Great Qin can achieve this. Please tell me your name!"

As for Li You's wild barking, Fu Ge and the others responded with the utmost contemptuous laughter

Fu Ge adjusted his battle robe, took out a banner from his bosom, and then knelt on one knee, saying: "Fu Ge of the Southern Border Defense Army of the Great Qin reports to the General!" After speaking, Fu Ge unfurled the battle flag, which was already riddled with holes, revealing the embroidered character 'Meng' adorned with dragons and phoenixes.

It is evident that he is already aware of the actions of Fu Ge and others last night at https://m.hetushu.com. If it were not for the consideration of Zhang Han's military camp here, he would likely have immediately summoned soldiers to throw Fu Ge and the others into prison

However, after Fu Ge and his team attracted the attention of the rebels, the pressure from the periphery would be significantly reduced. As long as the tactics are appropriate, it should be possible to hold out until the moment reinforcements arrive

While Zhang Han was conversing with Li You, Fu Ge and the others maintained a proper posture and stood solemnly, which is a quality expected of a soldier

The child depicted in this wood carving is the captain's own flesh and blood

In the captain's embrace, Fu Ge found a wooden carving depicting the likeness of a young boy.

When Fuge found his body, he saw that there were four or five sharp arrows embedded in his chest, one of which had pierced through from the front to the back. The captain's body had become a living target, with blood gushing like a spring from the wounds and from his eyes and nose, congealing into a river

Although Zhang Han spoke politely, his words carried an undeniable authority. He was the great benefactor who rescued Xingyang and also the actual commander of the Qin army. Even if Li You's father was the Chancellor Li Si, he still had to give due respect to Zhang Han, who had already become a pillar of the Qin state.

Zhang Han took the blood-stained banner with a grave expression, his eyes filled with sorrow. The fact that this battle flag had fallen into Fu Ge's hands only signified one thing: the lieutenant Meng Ping of the Lintao division had already been killed in battle. From Zhang Han's demeanor, Fu Ge could tell that this was not an act.

In last night's battle, all of the more than seventy soldiers who followed Fu Ge and Sima Liang perished, each of them falling while facing the enemy. They will forever be a source of pride for Fu Ge

You bunch of rebellious scoundrels, how dare you defy my orders! I— I command each of you to go to Lishan and do hard labor!" Li You stomped his foot, chest heaving, pointing at Fu Ge and the others as he berated them.

This dog official is nowhere to be seen when it comes to shedding blood, sweating, and working hard

The General is overly gracious! Fu Ge calmly bowed and performed a military salute. Unlike Zhang Han, who was optimistic, Fu Ge did not share such a view about swiftly defeating the rebel forces. The foundation of the Qin dynasty had already begun to decay during the reign of Emperor Shi Huang. The reason the rebel forces were able to rise in unison was primarily due to the oppressive governance of the Qin state, which left the common people unable to sustain their lives.

The army still has countless major battles to fight, and I need warriors like you by my side. From now on, you will no longer be a regular soldier, but a military marquis of the Qin state!" Zhang Han adjusted Fu Ge's collar and said. The leap from a regular soldier to a military marquis spans four ranks: Wu, Shi, Dui, and Tun. According to the ranking system of the Great Qin military, the title of military marquis belongs to the fourth level, marking a qualitative change from a low rank to a high rank.

When it comes to taking credit and receiving rewards, they certainly do not miss out

This banner has always fought alongside General Meng Ping. When it was time to retreat into the inner city, it was kept by the captain. Later, at the moment when Fu Ge was determined to break out of the city, the captain handed it over to Fu Ge again

There is nothing that can adequately describe Fu Ge's feelings at this moment. In the face of Fu Ge's almost rude provocation, Zhang Han not only did not become angry, but instead personally dismounted to untie both Fu Ge and his companion, speaking with great respect. This demeanor alone was enough to impress Fu Ge.

What pained Fu Ge the most was the death of the captain. Concerned for his wife and children, he could have stayed in the city, but at the critical moment, he still made the decision of a soldier. While Fu Ge was fighting desperately, a small team led by the captain was ambushed while trying to surprise the rebel patrol. As a result, to cover his comrades' retreat, the captain was shot dead by a hail of arrows.

For the comrades who fell on the battlefield, the survivors can only offer the highest respect

After Li You left, Zhang Han first ordered his subordinates to take care of some of the wounded among the soldiers, and then made an exception to invite Fu Ge into the main tent

"Fu Ge, how many surviving soldiers are there in the Lintao division? Gather them together and bring them to see me! Additionally, once we enter the inner city, I will have the quartermaster order a new banner to be made." As Zhang Han spoke, he carefully returned the damaged banner to Fu Ge.

"Hahaha, I, Zhang Han, truly admire such a courageous warrior!" To Fu Ge's surprise, and to the astonishment of everyone around, Zhang Han laughed heartily, leaped down from his battle chariot with practiced ease, his movements swift and decisive, devoid of any unnecessary embellishments or the ostentation typical of nobility.

Relying solely on military force to suppress the rebels may temporarily extinguish the uprising, but it cannot eradicate the various ills afflicting the nation

Resistance may lead to death, but not resisting is also a dead end

Fortunately, the results of the count finally allowed Fu Ge to breathe a sigh of relief. Including the local troops under Sima Liang, there were a total of 516 surviving soldiers, with nearly half of the soldiers having perished. In comparison, the casualties among the southern army were somewhat fewer. Many of the local troops who died in battle had gone into the fray with a resolve to die; they had no intention of surviving.