When they heard the audience announcing Zhao Tuo's title, although everyone had been prepared, at this moment, all the eyes of the officials in the palace fell on the young general.
Their eyes were either surprised, sighing, or full of envy.
Shaoshangzao, the fifteenth level among the twenty-level military meritorious officials of the Qin State, is already at the upper level of the military meritorious system.
You must know that even an old minister like Li Si only has a middle-grade title.
And Zhao Tuo, at a young age, only nineteen years old this year, has already reached such a height.
The most important thing is that Zhao Tuo's title was not inherited from his father's generation, but obtained by his own fighting on the battlefield. Even the most picky people can't say anything except praise at this moment.
Zhao Tuo immediately kowtowed and thanked him, feeling satisfied.
“It’s pretty much as expected.”
Zhao Tuo had already estimated this. He defeated a hundred thousand Qi troops in Zhencheng and captured Qi's Grand Sima, which was enough for him to be promoted to the title of Yougeng.
However, there were not many decisive achievements after that. Xiang Qu's army was defeated, and only more than 10,000 people were captured, and no enemy generals were captured. The Huai River was besieged on all sides, and most of the Chu army fled and captured very little. In addition, Feng Wu was present in that battle.
In terms of merit points, the important character Xiong Qi also ran away. The two battles looked very powerful, but in fact they didn't add up to much merit points.
What played an important role was the attack on Shouchun Waiguo, which was a great achievement.
But after he surrendered to the King of Chu, Zhao Tuo divided the credit among the Qin generals. Among them, Wang Jian took the lion's share as the commander-in-chief, while Zhao Tuo and the other generals shared the smaller contributions.
He also had the merit of defeating Xiang Yan, but Xiang Yan's army only had tens of thousands of people, and Zhao Tuo was accompanied by Feng Wuze, so he had to give part of the merit to the other party, and the remaining merit was not enough to promote Zhao Tuo.
Immediately afterwards, Jiangdong and Yue were defeated. Among them, Jiangdong voluntarily surrendered without any gains, and Zhao Tuo did not take all the credit, because there was still General Bai Meng, who later mainly guarded Wu.
Zhao Tuo could only take half of the merit, and the remaining half belonged to Bai Meng.
In the battle of Yue, the Qin army killed many people, but Zhao Tuo only forced the Queen of Yue to surrender and left with Xiong Qi's body. He did not participate in the subsequent Qin army's reoccupation of Yue and the establishment of Kuaiji County. Therefore,
The credit for opening up new territories is only half of it.
Of course, the most important thing is to capture the false king Xiong Qi, which is a decisive achievement.
All the merits added up, it is more than enough for Zhao Tuo to be promoted to the rank of Shaoshangzao, but if he wants to be promoted to a higher level, he is still not qualified.
After all, it is really difficult to rise to the rank of military meritorious rank in the Qin State as one goes to the back.
At that time, Li Xin participated in the battle to destroy Yan and gained the merit of developing a giant cannon. He also captured the entire Yan Kingdom's public officials and nobles, captured the Prince Dan who assassinated the King of Qin, and completely emptied the Yan Kingdom's aristocracy.
, only then can you be promoted to the rank of Young Master.
Teng, the current governor of Nanjun, even personally led his troops to destroy South Korea, one of the six kingdoms in Shandong. He was responsible for the destruction of the country, but his title was only You Geng, which was lower than today's Zhao Tuo.
Wang Jian defeated the powerful enemy Zhao State, and his title was only as high as the concubine commander of Si Chao. After conquering the Yan State, he was also the concubine commander. The reason why he was granted the title of Chehou this time was that in addition to defeating the Chu army of 400,000 and destroying Jingchu, the Qin King's political intention was to surrender.
This was also the reason why he returned home with a full-level title.
Although Zhao Tuo's contribution was great, it was not as good as the governor Teng's contribution to destroying a country alone, so it was reasonable to promote him to the rank of Young Master.
Zhao Tuo was a little confused when he thought that he had been upgraded to the title of Young Master.
Because just over three years ago, he and Li Xin made great achievements in Yandi. It was in the main hall of Xianyang Palace that Li Xin was promoted to the rank of Young Master, just like he is now.
At that time, Li Xin was very high-spirited, and at the subsequent celebration banquet, he even made the bold statement of "two hundred thousand to destroy Chu".
Thinking of this, Zhao Tuo couldn't help but shudder.
He must not go back to General Lee's old path.
While the audience continued to read out the edict conferring rewards on Qiang Yu and other generals, Zhao Tuo quietly raised his head and looked to one side of the palace.
That is where the generals of the Qin State stood.
Wang Ben, Meng Wu...
They all looked at Zhao Tuo, smiled and nodded to show their goodwill.
Until Li Xin.
The two looked at each other.
This was the first time they had met since their one night together two years ago.
General Li lost weight, and his beard under his chin was longer than before, but his eyes no longer had the confidence and pride of the past, instead they were full of loneliness and exhaustion.
Zhao Tuo had very good eyesight, and he could even see some silver strands mixed in Li Xinhe's black hair under his crown.
"General Li..."
Zhao Tuo murmured in his heart.
Seeing Zhao Tuo looking at him, Li Xin's face turned red.
He turned his head sideways, not daring to look at Zhao Tuo.
Two years have passed, and he is still not ready to meet Zhao Tuo.
In addition to the shame caused by Li Xin's failure to listen to Zhao Tuo's advice, which led to the defeat of Chu.
What's more important is that Zhao Tuo personally defeated Xiang Yan who defeated Li Xin, and also captured and killed the traitor Xiong Qi who put Li Xin in this situation.
Zhao Tuo avenged Li Xin and enjoyed unlimited glory in the Qin State, and his title was promoted to Shaoshangzao.
As for Li Xin, because of his defeat, he became a shame to the Qin State, and his title was reduced from junior to senior.
"Zhao Tuo, you are better than me."
Li Xinxin whispered, looking at Zhao Tuo with a profile.
He couldn't face it.
"General Li's ability is still very strong. Among the Qin generals, he can be called the best. It was only because of his pride that he lost his cool, and when he met Xiang Yan and Xiong Qi, he suffered a huge defeat.
"
"I have received great favor from General Li and cannot allow him to perish. In the future, I should look for opportunities and ask your Majesty to give General Li another chance to go to war."
Zhao Tuo made up his mind and looked back at Li Xin.
Just when he turned his head, he found that someone had been watching him.
On the high imperial couch, King Qin Zheng was looking at him with a smile.
"Your Majesty."
…
Just when General Wang Jian and other generals were receiving rewards and titles in the palace, dozens of captains and military commanders who had destroyed Chu this time were also kneeling outside the palace.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Everyone looked excited and full of anticipation as the audience read out the reward from the king.
Two years of fighting are just for today's glory.
"The five senior officials Shejian followed General Zhao to defeat the Qi army, attacked Shouchun, and stopped the enemy in Huaiyin. They enjoyed the victory of defeating Wu and Yue. They were promoted to two ranks and became the right concubine."
"Fifth doctor Zhao Guang... was promoted to two levels of nobility and became the right concubine."
"Meng Tian, the chief of the left concubine... advanced to the first level of nobility and became the chief of the right concubine."
"The fifth doctor, Black Butt..., was promoted to the first level of nobility and became the chief of Zuo Shu."
"The public took Ren Xiao and followed General Yang to defeat the Chu army. He defeated the enemy in Ru River and captured the Chu State's right commander. He also attacked several cities and conquered several cities. He was promoted to two levels of nobility and became the Zuo Shu Zhang."
When I heard that Ren Xiao had been promoted two levels in a row because of his contribution to defeating the enemy in Ru River and capturing the right Sima of the Chu State, directly jumping from the eighth level public chariot to the tenth level Zuo Shu Chang.
All the generals couldn't help but make sounds of envy and admiration.
In the crowd, Li You looked bitter.
If his last-ditch battle succeeds, then it will be Li You who defeats the enemy in Ru River and captures the right Sima of Chu State.
Not only could Li You be promoted to the title of Zuo Shu Zhang today, but he would also receive an incomparable honor, enough to wash away all the shame he had suffered before.
Let the entire Qin people in Xianyang know that Li You is not just "Li Paopao", but like Zhao Tuo, he is a good Qin general who can defeat more with less.
This is also the reason and motivation why he chooses to fight with less and more, and fight against the odds.
But now, everything is empty.
Li You has already asked the military magistrates and superior captains and generals responsible for dividing the merits.
Because Li You's defeat in Rushui played a great role in Ren Xiao's subsequent defeat of the enemy and the capture of the right Sima of Chu State. In addition, Li You also captured several small cities later.
The final result will probably be neither a promotion nor a reduction in rank, and you may get some monetary rewards.
But in such a situation where all the generals had their titles promoted in such a great victory that destroyed the country, only Li You had his title unchanged. Isn't this the greatest irony?
"Father, King, Princess... I have let you down."
Li You murmured in his heart, his heart was filled with despair.
At this moment, the audience who read out the edict also read Li You's name.
"The public took Li You and followed General Yang to defeat the other armies of the Chu army. Ru River blocked the enemy, which helped to capture Chu's right Sima. He also captured several cities and was promoted to the first level of nobility, becoming the fifth official."
When the visitor finished speaking, Li You was stunned.
"I was promoted to the rank of fifth doctor?"
Li You blinked, and his heart, which was originally as gray as ashes, jumped excitedly.
His eyes were like lakes.
"Rushui blocked the enemy and helped capture Chu State's right Sima... Your Majesty..."
Li You's whole body was trembling. You must know that no matter how important his battle at Rushui was for Ren Xiao's capture of You Sima, he was defeated after all. There were many casualties among the soldiers. According to Qin law, he would be punished.
, even if you can offset your merits, you will never be promoted.
Now, Li You has been promoted.
In the edict, his defeat at Ru River was not mentioned, but his role and achievements in this battle were praised. Isn't this the king's special favor?
"Your Majesty, you love me so much!"
Li You raised his chest and raised his head excitedly. This time, confidence appeared in his eyes again.
Even the original resentment in his heart towards Zhao Tuo and others has dissipated a lot.
Even if the title is not high, it doesn't matter, the king still loves me, otherwise why would he let me, a general who has failed, be promoted to a title!
…
After being awarded titles, all the meritorious captains and military commanders were led by waiters to a large side hall.
Your Majesty will hold a grand celebration banquet there for the meritorious soldiers.
"Li Jun, your contribution has not been forgotten this time. Congratulations."
On the way to the side hall, Ren Xiao walked up to Li You and congratulated him sincerely.
"Li You only made a small contribution. In the battle of Ru River, we must also thank Ren Juncai. If Ren Jun hadn't led his army to arrive, how could our army have captured the right Sima of the Chu Kingdom. It is Ren Jun's contribution that is the greatest achievement!"
Li You responded with a smile. He felt the king's favor for him from the edict. He looked away instantly and was in a good state of mind. Looking at the big man Ren Xiao next to him, he also felt very pleasing to the eye.
The two walked while chatting.
After the generals arrived at the side hall where the banquet was held, they took their seats in order of rank.
Although Li You's fifth rank was lower among the many captains and military officers, and he could only sit at the back, he was not annoyed at all.
Even when he saw Zhao Tuo, who had been newly promoted to the rank of Young Master, he followed Wang Jian, walked in front of him, and sat down in front of the hall.
Although Li You felt envious in his heart, he didn't have much jealousy.
One is Zhao Tuo's contribution, which is indeed worthy of the name. Even he has to admire it.
The other is that he, Li Youyou, is favored by the king, and the defeated general can still be promoted to a noble rank, which is enough to make him feel excited and comforted.
After the generals took their seats, the sound of music began to play.
Qin Wangzheng walked in from outside the palace.
"Your Majesty."
All the generals stood up quickly and saluted.
"This is a celebration banquet to celebrate the merits of the ministers. There is no need to be too polite."
Qin Wangzheng walked to the main seat and sat down, smiling at the generals.
The generals sat down, but the one at the back was a little slower, which attracted the attention of Qin Wangzheng.
Qin Wangzheng looked sideways and saw the man staring at him with burning eyes.
Li You?
Qin Wangzheng was startled.
He actually valued Li You quite a lot, not only because of Li Si's relationship, but also because when Li You entered the palace as Zhonglang household general, he was very capable and diligent in his work, and he was a good person.
Later, Li You, the political general of the King of Qin, was promoted to Zuo Shuchang, and he agreed to Li Si's request to let Li You go on an expedition. In fact, he wanted to see whether this person had the ability to fight on the battlefield and whether he could be trained as a future general.
At that time, Qin Wangzheng had not yet made up his mind on the choice of Princess Shang.
It was not until later that the attack on Chu failed miserably, and Li You also became known as "Li Paopao".
Qin Wangzheng was disappointed with this, but he could understand Li You and did not blame him.
After all, when Li Youchu went to the battlefield, he was attacked by veteran Xiang Yan with tens of thousands of troops in his first battle. Anyone in that situation would have been defeated.
Later, Li You was attacked again by Zhao Ping's army in Qiyi. He was also defeated by more people than by fewer troops. Li You's defeat this time was excusable. No one could overturn the situation in that kind of battle.
So this time when Wang Jian attacked Chu, faced with Li You's request to fight, Qin Wangzheng agreed again. He also wanted to see how Li You would perform under Wang Jian's leadership.
Unexpectedly, the final result turned out to be "all generals won, but Li You alone lost."
That's all. Qin Wangzheng actually understood Li You's desire to strive for merit and avenge his previous shame, so he didn't have much ill feelings toward him.
Until Zhao Gao's words that day.
"Everyone in the army said that Li Youshu was strange."
"What an odd number!"
Qin Wangzheng smiled at Li You and nodded, looking sideways at the others.
He already had a plan in mind.
"There are many strange people who encounter many disadvantages. It is better not to go to the battlefield in the future."
Behind the main hall.
Li You saw the king on the main seat nodding and smiling at him, and his heart became more and more excited.