Azure Heaven Saber
Chapter 1159 - 1159 51 Meng Marshals Military Records 7 4 in

Chapter 1159: Chapter 51 Meng Marshal’s Military Records 7 [4 in 1]_6 Chapter 1159: Chapter 51 Meng Marshal’s Military Records 7 [4 in 1]_6 “Years of toil for nothing,” someone lamented. “Not only did someone else drink the first toast, eat the main feast, but even the leftovers aren’t ours to claim…”

“Just so,” another agreed. “It’s as if half a lifetime of battle was in vain.”

“It seems that after annihilating Han, Marshal Meng is set to destroy Wei next. Such great feats!”

“He has quite the appetite! Why not just wipe out all six states? Then he’d be the only one left, right?”

“What’s the use of being envious? They’ve been fighting till now; do you really think they’ll leave even the scraps for you? They’ve earned their achievements fair and square, why should they share with you?”

“If only luck had been on our side…”

“The men under Meng Fang’s command sure have had their fill of success—they ascended the ranks like rockets. Damn it… their experience is so limited… I just can’t stand it!”

…

Such grumblings were becoming too familiar to Wu Yun, as though he had grown calluses on his ears from hearing them.

But the heart of the matter was… it really wasn’t their fault.

If the commanding officer isn’t capable and can’t measure up to others, can’t his soldiers at least complain?

Why join the army?

To fight battles, earn distinctions, build careers, get promoted and wealthy, secure titles for the wife, and ensure a legacy for the children!

But thus far, numerous battles had been fought with little to show for them.

It was humiliating to watch others rise to glory and riches while one could barely claim their salary without blushing with shame…

What’s that? You say you’ve got talent?

Please.

You stared down the enemy for months without any progress.

Meng Fang arrived and defeated the Wei forces on the same day.

In just a few days, he took over twenty cities, crumbling them easily, making them surrender at the mere sight of his forces. Meanwhile, you’ve been as slow as a tortoise in your advances.

While Meng Fang bloodily clashed with Wei Wuji’s grand army, you were still taking cities slowly, one by one.

By the time you arrived, the battle was over…

So tell me, where do you take your grievance?

To be fair, General Wu had great respect for Meng Fang’s tactics, although they were incredibly risky. In General Wu’s view, with Wei Wuji commanding the great passes and leading a million-strong army, even if he arrived to create a pincer movement and held the numerical advantage, it would still take time to prevail through strategic contests. Only then could they determine the stronger and weaker forces.

But Meng Fang had taken the risk, choosing the very moment when General Wu was about to arrive and the Wei forces’ morale was at its absolute nadir, poised for a rebound. Meng Fang struck with fierce momentum, achieving victory in one battle—a move that wasn’t just audacious but also incredibly lucky. Out of ten famous commanders, perhaps not even one would make such a choice!

Yet Meng Fang made that choice, succeeded, and triumphed completely. What could anyone do about it?

And now, Marshal Meng had voluntarily given up the glory of conquering a state, which made General Wu breathe a sigh of relief but also turned his face hot with embarrassment and shame.

But he was getting on in years and indeed needed to consider the future of his soldiers.

This campaign had been fruitless, not only shameful but indefensible on all accounts.

Even if Marshal Meng had not insisted, General Wu would have fought shamelessly for his share.

What he hadn’t expected was for Marshal Meng to be so tactful and direct, laying all the cards on the table!

“Marshal Meng, I owe you for this generosity,” Wu Yun said earnestly.

“There’s no need for such formalities, General,” Marshal Meng replied with a nod.

Marshal Meng’s troops rested for a day before bidding farewell to Wu Yun early the next morning, marching straight towards the Three Realms Pass, with an army flowing into the roads of Zhao State like a mighty torrent.

“Meng Fang! A peerless general! I am not his equal!”

Wu Yun watched the direction of Meng Fang’s departure, motionless and silent for a long time.

…

Elsewhere.

The deputy commander finally mustered the courage to ask Marshal Meng, “Great Marshal, why…”

The other generals turned their heads in unison to listen.

This was the glory of conquering a state!

How could he so readily forego it?

“My fellows, we’ve already destroyed Han State, getting glory beyond measure,” Marshal Meng spoke calmly. “This time, annihilating Wei State certainly reflects great achievements on our part. But if we greedily take everything… our standing in the military will inevitably become isolated.”

“That’s only part of it.”

“Our Great Qin’s movement to unify the states is clear now. When the world becomes one and peace prevails post-war, fighting will cease. My ambition does not lie in courtly power—I will retain my military position at most, and I certainly will not hold military power. This will mean we cannot become a faction, and without me to shield you from storms above, we can’t afford to be too greedy now. It will be easier to integrate into the collective in the future.”

Marshal Meng sighed.

“Moreover, we broke the strength of Wei State seemingly by our own power. But without General Wu holding them down so long, we would have found the effort hardly light. General Wu and his soldiers played an indispensable role. If we had seized all the glory for ourselves, we would have made mortal enemies of General Wu’s camp, leaving no room for reconciliation.”

“And then there’s the dispute over credit, which would surely delay our movement to the Zhao State battlefield and involvement in other battles.”

“Since we have already established great achievements, public opinion will recognize them in time. This campaign against the states is a national war. If we have the remaining strength, we should move quickly to the next battlefield, creating opportunities for even greater achievements.”

Marshal Meng continued, “Our assistance in various fronts not only wins us goodwill and broadens our connections for the future, but it also sets us up for building greater and more numerous achievements. Isn’t that better than squabbling over credit with our own comrades-in-arms?”

Marshal Meng smiled warmly, a rarity for him, and said, “We’re all brothers in arms. You have all dedicated yourself to support my success—naturally, I must pave as smooth a path as I can for your future.”