The highest rank is Marquis, which is divided into nineteen levels of Marquis within the Pass and twenty levels of Marquis of the Thoroughness.
Moreover, even if they die, the merits of their battles will be enough to elevate their titles by two or three ranks, which their descendants can then inherit.
That would be a worthy death, without any worries about the future.
Of course, the title cannot be inherited and can only be used by the person holding it.
This is a measure to prevent aristocratic children from becoming useless yet occupying high positions.
Such a system of awarding titles based on military merit naturally greatly motivated the people of Qin. Ordinary soldiers and officers were rewarded equally based on their merits, and no one dared to embezzle the military merits of others. Even nobles had to start as common soldiers when they joined the army.
It was precisely this level playing field that enabled the Qin state to grow from a weak state in the far west into a superpower that swept across the world.
Now, Ying Zheng's fate has been completely changed, and no one knows what the future holds!
However, Xiao Ning knew that it would definitely be much better than the Qin Dynasty in history, and perhaps even become the Qin Empire that occupied the whole world.
It even became the Immortal Qin Empire, where everyone cultivated immortality and the entire court transcended worldly desires!
Or perhaps they will establish a dynasty and become the Great Qin Heavenly Court!
All of this is still unknown!
Xiao Ning looked forward to this day!
------------
Chapter 3 Court Meeting (10.6k)
Outside Yangwu City, at Bolangsha.
This is a narrow path that can only accommodate a dozen or so people at a time.
Therefore, the massive army of 30,000 Qin soldiers was stretched out and could only pass through in batches. The number of soldiers who could guard Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng was also reduced to a minimum.
The path is flanked by lush trees, making it an ideal ambush spot; it would go unnoticed without careful exploration.
In the jungle, a burly man concealed himself tightly. As the caravan passed by, he whispered, "Zifang, the treacherous Ying Zheng of Qin is here."
Beside him, a handsome young man peeked out, frowning as he said, "A carriage drawn by six horses must belong to that scoundrel Ying Zheng. There are more than a dozen of them. Is that scoundrel so afraid of death?"
The young man looked up at the long Qin convoy and quickly focused his gaze on the dozen or so most luxurious carriages. From the outside, it was impossible to tell which carriage Ying Zheng was sitting in.
This is going to be difficult.
The opportunity only comes once, and once missed, it is almost impossible to encounter such a rare opportunity again.
This young man's name is Zhang Liang!
He was born into an aristocratic family. His grandfather was Zhang Kaidi, who served as prime minister of the State of Han during the Warring States period for three reigns. His father, Zhang Ping, also inherited the position of prime minister.
However, by the time of Zhang Liang's generation...
The state of Han gradually declined and was eventually destroyed by the state of Qin.
The fall of the state of Han deprived Zhang Liang of the opportunity to inherit his family's legacy and stripped him of his illustrious and glorious status.
Therefore, he harbored deep resentment over the loss of his country and family, and concentrated this hatred on one point.
Overthrow the Qin Dynasty! Overthrow the tyrannical Qin!
In Zhang Liang's view, the Qin state was a tyrannical state, and he would not accept any rebuttal.
As the core figure of the Qin Empire, Emperor Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng, once he died, the nobles of the six states would rise up, and Zhang Liang might have a chance to restore the glory of his ancestors.
This narrow passage at Bolangsha was the best location chosen by Zhang Liang.
Now, Zhang Liang, with his ambition to overthrow the Qin and restore the Han dynasty, has almost disregarded all consequences, giving away all his wealth to seek a strongman who can assassinate Ying Zheng.
Finally, they found a strongman with immense strength. Therefore, Zhang Liang specially crafted a 120-pound iron hammer for him as a weapon to assassinate Ying Zheng!
Of course, if a warrior were to directly charge into the formation of 30,000 Qin soldiers, no matter how high his martial prowess, he would only be throwing his life away.
Therefore, Zhang Liang could only choose such a geographically confined place, which was the best location for the assassination.
If they charged fast enough, a dozen or so Qin soldiers would not be able to stop the Wu Lishi's charge in a short time.
The warrior rubbed his bald head and said, "So, which one should we fight?"
A generous reward will surely attract brave men.
As long as Zhang Liang offers enough money, he'd dare to swing his hammer at anyone, even if they were the King of Heaven himself.
Therefore, in the eyes of the warrior, since he had accepted Zhang Liang's commission, he should do his best to complete the mission, even at the cost of his own life.
Zhang Liang's expression was solemn as he shook his head and said, "I didn't know either. That treacherous Ying Zheng is really cautious. He actually prepared so many identical carriage frames."
Faced with this situation, even Zhang Liang, who was later hailed as a strategist, was somewhat at a loss.
Ultimately, he's just a young man.
Without the experience of time and without studying "The Art of War by Taigong," it's normal to feel helpless when faced with such an unexpected situation.
Wu Lishi warned, "The carriage is coming. If we don't make a move soon, they'll be leaving, Zifang."
In no more than five breaths, Ying Zheng's chariot will pass by here.
If we want to take action again then, it will be extremely difficult.