The Xiang clan was annihilated, and this also signified the end of Chu's final resistance.
More importantly, it meant Qin had unified the six states.
When this news reached Handan City, the entire Xianyang City erupted.
Countless citizens rushed to spread the joyous tidings.
Qin, through the accumulated efforts of six generations and years of diligent work, had finally unified the realm. This was a momentous occasion for all of Qin.
Especially the old Qin people, who wept tears of joy.
They had sacrificed so much over the years.
Too many sons had been sent to the battlefield, and too many sons had perished there.
In many homes, half the household was gone.
After so many years of effort, they had finally achieved victory. It had been incredibly difficult.
Many admired Ying Zheng immensely. It was precisely because of a ruler like Ying Zheng that Qin could unify the land completely.
Of course, they also knew that Lin Tian was a crucial factor.
If not for Lin Tian's relentless campaigns, which rendered the armies of the other states powerless to resist, Qin could not have unified the six states so swiftly.
On the streets of Xianyang, countless citizens cheered Lin Tian's name.
Lin Tian's name was etched into the hearts of every person.
His prestige even surpassed that of Wu An Jun Bai Qi of old.
He was a figure who had influenced the ruler's position.
Logically, at this point, Lin Tian's position and prestige were too high, likely to provoke the ruler's suspicion.
Anyone else would have relinquished their military command and retired by now.
Even if they didn't, the ruler would have arranged it so.
However, Qin King Ying Zheng made no such arrangements. On the contrary, he wished to elevate Lin Tian's fame even further.
"Guards, announce General Lin's war report to the world, so that all under heaven may know of General Lin's accomplishments!!"
"Concurrently, order every prefecture and county to establish a shrine to General Lin, allowing them to worship him, so that his shrine may forever bless every corner of Qin!!"
"Hiss! Your Majesty, every prefecture and county? Is this not a bit too extravagant? Moreover, if General Lin is made the focus everywhere, it might incite disloyalty among local officials and citizens. Perhaps...!"
"Silence!! Do you presume to interrupt my decree!!"
Hearing Zhao Gao's words, Ying Zheng immediately berated him.
If it were any other general receiving such treatment, their power surpassing that of the ruler might have led to them usurping royal authority.
No other ruler would have bestowed such rewards.
But when it came to Lin Tian, Ying Zheng felt that any reward was acceptable.
This was his eldest son, the future king of Great Qin.
Everything in Great Qin's future belonged to him.
If Ying Zheng were not still so young, he would have gladly abdicated the throne and let Lin Tian become the King of Great Qin.
Therefore, he believed his rewards were entirely appropriate.
He even decided to have all officials, big and small, in Xianyang, and all the citizens of Xianyang, accompany him ten li outside the city to welcome Lin Tian.
Ying Zheng had organized welcomes before.
But ordering the entire city to participate in a welcome was unprecedented.
Once Ying Zheng issued this order, it meant that all men, women, and children in Xianyang must join him in venturing out to behold Lin Tian's army.
This was undoubtedly a tremendous honor for Lin Tian.
Even if Lin Tian himself did not care, his soldiers certainly would.
Any military officer who received such treatment would undoubtedly be remembered for eternity.
Simultaneously, it signified that his reputation had reached its zenith.
Ying Zheng's actions puzzled those who were unaware of Lin Tian's standing in his heart.
They could not comprehend why Ying Zheng would treat Lin Tian with such magnanimity.
Some even maliciously speculated that this would be Lin Tian's final glory before Ying Zheng confined him.
The ministers who had divined Lin Tian's true identity remained silent.
Knowing Lin Tian was Ying Zheng's son, they found Ying Zheng's actions entirely reasonable.
After all, in the future, Lin Tian would be the King of Great Qin.
It was perfectly natural for Ying Zheng to do something for Great Qin's eldest prince.
Therefore, when Ying Zheng ordered them to welcome Lin Tian, they dutifully followed.
When Lin Tian's army arrived outside Xianyang City, they offered no objections. They merely watched Lin Tian, who shone brightly amidst the crowd.
Of course, many among them wished to approach Lin Tian and curry his favor.
However, besides Ying Zheng, Lin Tian was surrounded entirely by soldiers, making it impossible for them to get close.
This left them struggling to find an opportunity to befriend Lin Tian.
Fortunately, no one paid them much attention, so they did not feel overly awkward.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant Lin Tian has not failed his mission. I have destroyed Chu and achieved true unification of the realm!!"
"Good! Good! Good! General Lin is indeed Great Qin's foremost military genius! It is precisely because of General Lin that Great Qin could complete the unification of the realm so swiftly!"
"It would be no exaggeration to call General Lin the foremost general under heaven!!"
Ying Zheng was extremely emotional at this moment. His excitement stemmed not only from Qin's annihilation of the six states and unification of the realm.
It was more so because he could finally announce Lin Tian's identity.
With the realm unified, it was time for the world to know of Lin Tian's status as the eldest prince of Great Qin.
However, Ying Zheng had no intention of announcing it at this moment.
This matter was exceptionally important to him, and he intended to formally declare Lin Tian's identity on a most solemn occasion.
This did not, however, prevent him from praising Lin Tian.
He even held Lin Tian's hand tightly, unwilling to let go.
Prime Minister Li Si then opportunely spoke.
"Congratulations to General Lin on his triumphant return and for laying an immortal foundation for Great Qin for eternity!!"
As these words were spoken, ministers and citizens immediately echoed them.
"Congratulations to General Lin on his triumphant return and for laying an immortal foundation for Great Qin for eternity!!"
"Congratulations to General Lin on his triumphant return and for laying an immortal foundation for Great Qin for eternity!!"
"Congratulations to General Lin on his triumphant return and for laying an immortal foundation for Great Qin for eternity!!"
As these congratulatory voices reached Lin Tian's ears, Ying Zheng, rather than Lin Tian, began to laugh heartily.
"Hahaha! Well said, exceedingly well said! It is General Lin who has laid an immortal foundation for Great Qin for eternity!!"
"Reward! All of you shall be rewarded!"
"Hear my decree! The unification of the realm is a joyous occasion for heaven, and thus, all citizens of Great Qin shall be exempt from taxes for one year, to celebrate universally!!"
"Thank Your Majesty! Long live Great Qin!!"
"Thank Your Majesty! Long live Great Qin!!"
"Thank Your Majesty! Long live Great Qin!!"
Ying Zheng's words brought forth immediate gratitude from all the citizens.
...