Chapter 182: Chapter 182

Against all expectations, this war began swiftly and ended just as quickly.

Despite facing enemy forces several times their size in what should have been a grueling battle, the losses suffered by Great Qi didn't even amount to a fraction of what one might imagine from such carnage.

Only when the banners symbolizing Zhou's army finally fell and the remaining troops fled in disarray did the defenders atop the towering city walls finally snap out of their daze after a long pause:

"We won! We actually won..."

"It's our Great Qi that's victorious!"

The news spread like wildfire, instantly setting the entire capital abuzz. Citizens who had kept their doors and windows tightly shut now peeked out excitedly, with people of all ages running through the streets sharing the joyous news.

Long before the triumphant army returned to the city, rows of large iron cauldrons had already been set up along the streets. The rising steam carried mouthwatering aromas of fresh meat...

These were livestock freshly slaughtered from nearby estates - mutton and poultry, with some local farmers even voluntarily contributing their free-range chickens, ducks, fish and eggs.

With times being prosperous now, no one wanted to be stingy, especially when it came to honoring the heroes who had defended their homeland.

As the tantalizing meat aromas wafted from their chests, the soldiers who had been too focused on battle to notice their hunger now felt their stomachs growling fiercely: "......"

Damn, never realized the military camp could feel so far away.

"This... this is the people's hearts speaking!"

Astride his towering warhorse, General Ye looked down at the jubilant citizens lining the streets. Once again, he felt profoundly grateful for the choice he'd made back then.

How wonderful that even the lowest-ranking soldiers under his command could now eat their fill and dress warmly.

The generals behind him shared similar thoughts.

In turbulent times, survival itself was difficult enough - many of those who had pledged allegiance to their current territory, aside from General Ye and some minor weak states, were former "heroes" who had been forced into banditry when backed into corners by local authorities.

Amidst the steaming meat aromas along their path, thoughts of the impending rewards for their military achievements and the substantial merits they'd earned in this campaign filled their eyes with excitement.

Meanwhile in the imperial palace, Xiao Qi - now Emperor Jianyuan - did not disappoint their expectations.

The very next day after the army's return, rewards for the meritorious officials were promptly announced.

The greatest contributor was undoubtedly Chu Zi'an, the current Left Chancellor of the Secretariat.

Though everyone knew the Chancellor hadn't personally participated in the war, not a single voice of dissent arose throughout the entire court or even all of Qi.

Nonsense! Without Lord Chu, did they expect to fight Great Zhou's formidable cavalry on empty stomachs wearing thin clothing? Moreover, everyone knew exactly why they'd achieved victory despite numerical inferiority.

The Agricultural Ministry established by the Chancellor, the Ministry of Works, and even the previously overlooked Medical Department - their contributions were visible to all.

The towering city gates that withstood repeated battering from enemy chariots, the transport vehicles with far superior speed and load capacity than the enemy's, even their blades and arrows - after years of intense research by the Ministry of Works' fanatical developers, these were leagues sharper than Great Zhou's counterparts.

But the real star this time was the Medical Department, previously dismissed by everyone...

Thinking about how they'd neutralized Great Zhou's proud cavalry in one fell swoop, everyone couldn't help but shudder. Those were tens of thousands of cavalry troops that had struck fear into countless hearts!

"Chancellor's foresight is truly remarkable!"

"Indeed, history proves our Chancellor's decisions are never wrong!"

Not far away, a newly converted fervent supporter of the Chancellor nodded vigorously.

But in Great Qi nowadays, such devoted followers of the Chancellor were hardly rare.

"M-my lord! Is... is this really for me?" She couldn't be seeing things, could she?

With trembling hands, the young woman carefully touched the bright yellow imperial edict and the accompanying fourth-rank official robe embroidered with tiger patterns. Overwhelmed by the unexpected honor, her entire body shook with emotion.

"My lord... this humble girl..."

"Still calling yourself 'humble girl'?"

"Y-yes... This official thanks the Chancellor for your promotion! Should you ever require anything, this official would gladly die ten thousand deaths for you!" Quickly correcting herself at the hint, Bai Zhi responded passionately, only to receive an almost imperceptible head shake in return.

An Ning didn't look directly at her, speaking gently instead:

"Since the establishment of the various ministries, I've always maintained that regardless of background, those who achieve results will receive due recognition without bias."

"Moreover, your contribution to effortlessly neutralizing their cavalry was indispensable.

"In truth, many like you distinguished themselves on the battlefield - women weren't the exception. Today I merely fulfilled my promise, and His Majesty rewards merit accordingly..."

So from beginning to end, the person you should thank most is yourself.

Understanding the implication, Bai Zhi clutched the edict tightly as tears welled up in her eyes.

In this moment, she thought of her father still at the medical clinic, her two younger brothers who had died years ago, the endless voices over the years urging her to marry to preserve the family legacy, and her father's disappointment and cutting remarks when she refused to wed her senior brother.

All those years of arduous study without respite, her medical skills surpassing even her senior brother's - she had thought her father teaching her the family's medical arts meant he intended her to inherit them, but...

Wiping her tears fiercely, Bai Zhi met the Chancellor's gaze with newfound determination: "But... without your recommendation, my lord, many of us would never have gotten this opportunity. Those ancient medical texts too - you went through great pains to acquire them at significant cost."

"I gave you opportunities, and you repaid them in full, did you not?" Meeting the young woman's slightly reddened eyes, a faint smile surfaced on An Ning's features.

Meanwhile, in stark contrast to Great Qi's jubilation, Great Zhou's court presented a far different scene.

Observing his ministers shifting blame on the throne, Emperor Zhou Xuan nearly laughed in exasperation:

"So what my esteemed ministers are telling me is that all of Great Zhou's civil and military officials combined can't measure up to a single Chu Zi'an from the opposing side, is that it?!"