To the First Emperor of Qin: The state has decreed this!

However, the official hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting around, as if he were looking at a battle report that he himself did not believe.

"Reporting to...Reporting to Lord Shaofu..."

"Based on the final ruling of the judges at the front lines of the military exercise... the defenders of Tower Nine!"

"Only...only General Wang Li."

"..."

If the news just now was a thunderous bombshell!

Now, that phrase means the sky is falling and the earth is collapsing!

The entire city gate fell into an even more eerie silence once again!

Everyone stared wide-eyed at each other.

His face was a picture of utter disbelief, as if to say, "Who am I? Where am I? What nonsense are you spouting?"

"One...one person?"

Feng Quji's expression was incredibly complex; he was so nervous that his beard began to tremble.

"You mean, Wang Li is guarding an entire city all by himself?"

"Haha...hahahaha!"

Suddenly, a burst of loud laughter broke the silence.

Meng Tian could no longer hold back!

He clutched his stomach, pointed at Wang Ben, whose face was ashen, and laughed until tears almost streamed down his face.

"Old Wang, Old Wang! Listen to this! Listen to this!"

"Your son, Wang Li, is truly remarkable!"

"One man single-handedly defends a lonely city, facing Zhang Fan's seven hundred fierce soldiers!"

"What a tragic grandeur, what a heroic spirit!"

He laughed as he patted Wang Ben on the shoulder and exclaimed in praise:

"But it's okay! Even in defeat, there's honor!"

"Your son, Wang Li, has the makings of an emperor! Hahahaha!"

"Meng Tian!"

Wang Ben's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

He slapped Meng Tian's hand away and roared at the other officials who were also looking bewildered:

"Why is Li'er stationed alone on the ninth city gate tower?"

"What about his two thousand troops? Were they just for show?"

"You lot, tell me everything from beginning to end, in perfect detail! Don't miss a single word!"

The officials were startled and quickly gathered together, taking out their bamboo slips of records. They looked at each other and began to compare their accounts.

The situation was so bizarre that they themselves had to figure it out before they could report it.

A moment later.

The leading official cleared his throat and explained the whole story:

"Reporting to all generals, the situation is as follows... The Immortal Master first feigned an attack on City Tower Number Nine, luring General Wang Li to lead his exhausted troops to encircle and annihilate him!"

"Then, he ordered men to impersonate Wang Lijun, take over the ninth city gate, and hold a banquet, adding... human venom to the chicken soup!"

"Ultimately, General Wang Li's two thousand troops were sentenced to collective death after mistakenly consuming 'poisoned' rations!"

"So, according to the rules, when Zhang Fan's army launched its general offensive, there was indeed only General Wang Li, who was deemed a 'survivor,' left in the city... just one person!"

"..."

The words fell.

On the city wall, you could hear a pin drop.

Meng Tian's laughter stopped abruptly. He stood there with his mouth agape, his expression incredibly complex.

Feng Quji's mouth was big enough to fit an egg.

All the generals, including Wang Ben who had just been furious, were now frozen in place.

A picture simultaneously appeared in their minds:

Wang Li led two thousand troops into the city in a grand procession, then ate a meal in high spirits, and finally... his entire army was wiped out.

This...this is war?

Is this some kind of shoddy job?!

While everyone was still immersed in this absurd battle report.

Shaofu Zongyu's face turned deathly pale!

He didn't expect Zhang Fan to actually win. Wouldn't that mean he could rightfully lead the troops?

Then wouldn't the coal mines and steel mills that I wanted to acquire be...

He was extremely anxious and, without making a sound, nudged Ding Chen, the newly appointed Imperial Censor, who was standing next to him.

He lowered his voice and said:

"Lord Ding, Zhang Fan's victory was not honorable!"

"How can war be fought like this?"

"If everyone followed his opportunistic ways, where would the might of our Great Qin army be?"

Ding Chen understood immediately, and the two hit it off right away.

"thump!"

The two immediately knelt down one after the other and kowtowed to Ying Zheng, saying:

"Your Majesty! I have a memorial to present!"

Ding Chen spoke first, his voice sharp and stern:

"Your Majesty! Although Zhang Fan won, he used nothing but tricks and schemes; his methods were utterly underhanded!"

"This is not the proper way to wage war!"

"If such a trend is allowed to spread within the army, it may shake the very foundation of our Great Qin Kingdom!"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you investigate this matter thoroughly and rescind your decree!"

Zong Yu also chimed in:

"Your Majesty, Lord Ding is absolutely right!"

"War is a matter of vital importance to the state; how can it be treated like child's play!"

"Zhang Fan is completely ignorant of military strategy. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

The moment the two knelt down, everyone's thoughts were instantly brought back to reality.

Suddenly, the atmosphere on the city wall became tense again.

However, Ying Zheng, sitting on the dragon throne, remained expressionless and didn't even lift his eyelids.

His gaze passed over the two kneeling figures and slowly landed on Marquis Wang Ben of Tongwu.

I can feel His Majesty's gaze!

Wang Ben took a deep breath and gestured for everyone to be quiet.

He stepped out of the ranks, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Ying Zheng, and spoke in a loud and resounding voice.

"Your Majesty, it was I who underestimated the Immortal Master!"

These words shocked the entire audience!

Everyone stared in shock at this pillar of the Qin military.

Wang Ben ignored the gazes of the crowd and continued speaking:

"Warfare is based on deception!"

"The Immortal Master's military strategies are full of deception and deception, like a deer's horns hanging in the air, leaving no trace. His skill is no less than mine!"

He then changed the subject and mentioned his son.

"My son, Wang Li, possesses the courage of ten thousand men!"

"But his straightforward nature ultimately made him a bit too shrewd!"

"To be defeated by the Immortal Master in this battle is no injustice!"

Finally, he bowed deeply to Ying Zheng once again.

"I am completely convinced!"

Wang Ben's words were like a stabilizing force, instantly silencing all dissenting voices.

Even the family of the biggest "victim" is so supportive, what else can anyone else say?

Zong Yu and Ding Chen, who were kneeling on the ground, immediately turned ashen-faced as corpses.

Ying Zheng nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction finally appearing on his face.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet it carried throughout the entire city wall.

"In that case, Zhang Fan shall be appointed as the Protector-General of the Nation!"

"An additional three thousand households will be granted, effective immediately, and you may lead an army of five thousand."

The First Emperor's gaze swept across the entire room.

"My lords, does anyone have any objections?"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, and finally all bowed their heads before Wang Ben's calm face.

Even Meng Tian stopped smiling and became solemn.

For a long time, no one protested.

Just take it as the default.

At that very moment, the investiture was finalized!

As everyone was lost in their own thoughts, a loud shout, completely out of place with the surrounding atmosphere, suddenly came from the entrance of the city gate!

"Your Majesty! I have an objection!"

This roar was powerful and full of unwillingness and stubbornness!

Everyone on the city wall, including Ying Zheng who was just about to get up and return to the palace, turned their heads in surprise.

I want to see which one is reckless!

How dare you raise objections after His Majesty has spoken so eloquently.