Chapter 25: Promoted Two Ranks, Appointed as Major!

As the sound faded, the gazes of the numerous soldiers shifted toward Zhu Zheng, who was wandering aimlessly among the heaps of corpses. Zhang Yu’s eyes also turned in that direction.

"I’ll reach 600 points in all attributes very soon," Zhu Zheng thought to himself. "I must strive to reach it before tonight. Strength is the easiest attribute to obtain; if only I could keep them all perfectly balanced."

Immersed in the joy of collecting attributes, Zhu Zheng was so captivated by his steadily rising stats that he did not even notice Zhang Yu’s arrival.

Just then, Zhu Gaoxu hurried over. "Brother Zhu, General Zhang is here."

Hearing this, Zhu Zheng snapped back to reality and looked up. Sure enough, it was Zhang Yu.

"Your subordinate pays respects to General Zhang," Zhu Zheng immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Zhu Zheng," Zhang Yu said, "I have already learned of your accomplishments. Breaking through the city defenses with such ferocity, being the first to charge in, and slaying over a hundred enemy soldiers—such bravery and combat prowess truly take me by surprise."

Looking at Zhu Zheng, who was drenched in blood, Zhang Yu felt a surge of emotion. When he first met Zhu Zheng, it was due to two imperial decrees issued by Zhu Di. Furthermore, Zhang Yu had heard that Zhu Zheng was the son-in-law of Guo Zi, the Minister of the Administration Office, which led the Prince of Yan to show him special favor. However, Zhu Zheng’s performance today was far beyond what Zhang Yu had expected.

"Slaying the enemy on the battlefield is the duty of your subordinate," Zhu Zheng replied modestly. Though he appeared calm, he was inwardly waiting for Zhang Yu to fulfill his promise of rewards.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Zhu Zheng. He walked to the front of the government office and produced a head wrapped in black cloth, dripping with blood. Ignoring the gore, he handed it to Zhang Yu.

"This is the head of the city’s defending general. Please, General, take a look," Zhu Zheng said, holding up the severed head. This, too, was a military achievement.

Seeing this, Zhang Yu’s astonishment deepened. He had truly underestimated Zhu Zheng. Not only had he broken through the city and fought with incredible strength, but he had even slain the enemy commander. Zhang Yu had assumed the defending general had fled, never expecting him to have died at Zhu Zheng’s hands.

"Zhu Zheng," Zhang Yu said, looking at him with earnest praise, "I have truly developed a new respect for you."

He then scanned the surrounding troops and declared, "When I issued the order to attack the city, I decreed that whoever broke through first would be promoted two ranks, for any officer below the rank of Thousand-Man Commander. Since you have also slain this treacherous enemy general, this promotion is beyond doubt. Where is the Guard Pacification Commissioner?"

A commander quickly stepped forward and bowed. "I await your orders, General."

The Guard Pacification Commissioner was an official assigned to every battalion, responsible for calculating military achievements and casualties; they were non-combatant administrative officers.

"Quickly compile the results of this battle: our casualties, the number of enemies slain, and the spoils of war. As for the achievements of Zhu Zheng, report them directly to the Prince. Effective today, Zhu Zheng is promoted to Military Commandant, with command over two thousand troops," Zhang Yu ordered.

In the army, a general’s command is law, immutable and absolute. Since Zhang Yu had declared this the primary achievement of the siege, it could not be changed. This was also a strategy to inspire the army; siege warfare was brutal, and without such incentives, there would be no morale.

Hearing this, Zhu Zheng was overcome with excitement and bowed. "Your subordinate thanks you, General Zhang."

"This is what you earned through your own bravery and merit," Zhang Yu said with a smile. "Since you also slew the enemy general, I will personally report this feat to the Prince of Yan and request that he bestow further rewards upon you."

Zhang Yu then addressed the surrounding troops in a loud voice: "Soldiers! Our Beiping Army rewards and punishes with clear distinction, and military merit has its established rules. Let me tell you a fact: when the Prince of Yan first launched the Jingnan Campaign, Commandant Zhu was merely a bailiff in the Beiping government office. After being reorganized into the logistics corps, he fought with great valor, slew the treacherous enemy commander, and achieved a great victory. For that feat, he was promoted three ranks."

"Commandant Zhu could have chosen to remain in the logistics corps, far from the slaughter and danger of the front lines. Yet, he resolutely chose to join the main combat force, following the Prince of Yan to clear the monarch’s side and pacify the nation’s crisis! And now, he has achieved further merit and is promoted another two ranks. This is how the Beiping Army rewards merit. Anyone who follows the Prince to clear the monarch’s side and slay the enemy will be rewarded according to their deeds. In the Beiping Army, there is no greed or neglect of merit. This is the order of the Prince of Yan, and it shall never change."

Zhang Yu’s voice echoed throughout the area. He was clearly using Zhu Zheng’s promotion as a benchmark to inspire the entire army. With the Jingnan Campaign just beginning, he needed such a paragon of virtue—someone who fought specifically to "clear the monarch’s side"—to motivate the troops. The soldiers nearby listened, looking at Zhu Zheng with shock. To be promoted five ranks in less than a dozen days was unheard of.

The gazes of the surrounding soldiers grew fervent, filled with ambition. They were clearly stirred, their fighting spirit ignited. Seeing this, Zhang Yu smiled, knowing he had achieved his goal. Zhu Zheng’s story would soon spread throughout the entire army, serving as a powerful incentive.

"Miyun City is secured," Zhang Yu announced. "The treacherous enemy's web against us has been torn, but we must continue to strive. Soldiers, hear my order: quickly clear the battlefield. I will have the cooks prepare a meal to reward the entire army."

With that, Zhang Yu strode into the government office to handle military affairs.

"Host promoted to Thousand-Man Commander. Reward: Tier 1 Treasure Chest."
"Host promoted to Military Commandant. Reward: Tier 1 Treasure Chest."
"Would you like to manifest the [Military Commandant’s Seal]?"

With the promotion, the system panel’s notifications arrived on cue. Beyond the two treasure chests, there was an opportunity to manifest a higher-level military seal.

"Manifest," Zhu Zheng thought, immediately communicating with the panel.

"Military power seal manifesting. [Military Commandant’s Seal] successfully manifested. Equipped."

A moment later, Zhu Zheng felt the properties of the seal:
*Military Commandant’s Seal: When commanding troops, grants a 30% bonus to combat power, a 30% bonus to morale, and a 30% bonus to stamina.*

"Excellent," Zhu Zheng thought, feeling a surge of excitement. "A 30% boost to command attributes—this will make us even stronger in battle. The impact of this is immense."

However, he showed nothing on his face. "Back to looting corpses. I must break 600 points in all attributes tonight."

Without resting, Zhu Zheng continued to wander the battlefield, looting corpses and collecting attributes, seizing every moment to make himself stronger.