Yan State, Jicheng!
"Your Majesty!"
"Wei has fallen."
"Qin's Wuan Army flooded Daliang, Prince Wei Wuji perished in battle, and King Wei surrendered."
"Wei no longer exists."
"The Wuan Army has withdrawn from Wei and returned to Yunzhong City."
"The entire Three Jin region now belongs to Qin."
A Yan minister responsible for intelligence stood in the grand hall, his voice heavy as he reported the news.
On his high throne, King Xi of Yan wore an exceptionally grim expression.
Most of the officials in the Yan court also looked deeply troubled.
"Your Majesty,"
"Now that Wei has been destroyed and the Qin Wuan Army has stationed itself in Yunzhong, will Qin set its sights on our Yan state?"
"If Qin attacks, we may not be able to withstand them."
"Your Majesty, please decide on a course of action."
Ministers throughout the court voiced their concerns.
"Our Yan is weak, even weaker than Wei. If Qin truly wages war on us, we will have no means to resist."
"This matter must be decided immediately."
…
One after another, the court officials spoke up.
To them, the situation was dire one of national survival.
Against Zhao, even though their armies suffered defeat after defeat, they still had hope. But if Qin marched upon Yan, they would have none.
"Has the unrest in Chu been settled?" King Xi asked solemnly.
"Your Majesty,"
"The new Chancellor of Chu, Li Yuan, has taken full control of the state's military and political affairs and has established a new king."
"Chu has now stabilized." A minister responded.
"Send envoys to Chu to present tribute."
"Express our intent to ally with Chu."
"In addition,"
"Dispatch another envoy to Qi, stating our wish to ally." King Xi ordered firmly.
"Your Majesty is wise."
"If Yan allies with Qi and Chu, Qin will not dare to act against us."
"Your Majesty is wise…"
The officials praised in unison.
"Aside from these alliances,"
"There is another crucial matter."
"I decree"
"All border generals must strictly control their troops and avoid any conflict with Qin."
"If Yan wishes to survive, we must not give Qin any excuse to attack."
"If Qin has a legitimate reason to declare war, even with Qi and Chu's support, they would have no grounds to intervene." King Xi spoke with grave determination.
"Your Majesty is wise!" The ministers chorused once more.
Justification for war!
In this era, it was crucial.
Especially for King Xi, who had just witnessed the destruction of the Three Jin states.
When Qin destroyed the Han, its excuse was that the Han had provoked them by aiding Zhao in an invasion.
That was true.
When Qin attacked Zhao, the reason was even clearer Yan itself had formally requested Qin's help as an ally, appealing to Qin multiple times.
Qin had first sent diplomatic warnings to Zhao, demanding they withdraw from Yan. Only after repeated appeals from Yan did Qin finally launch its campaign.
As for Wei's demise, it was a consequence of its past actions.
When Qin attacked Zhao, Wei supported Zhao by sending troops against Qin.
This sealed its fate.
With such justifications, no other state could intervene, for doing so might make them Qin's next target.
Thus, King Xi was now extremely cautious as long as he gave Qin no legitimate cause for war, Qi and Chu would not stand by idly while Qin attacked Yan.
After Court Dismissal
Inside the Yan Palace
"What has the Crown Prince been up to lately?"
King Xi looked at Qing Qin and asked.
"Your Majesty,"
"The Crown Prince has remained in his residence, though he has gone hunting in the mountains a few times." Qing Qin reported.
"As long as he stays out of trouble, that is enough." King Xi nodded with relief.
Ever since the disastrous campaign to seize Zhao's cities bringing Yan into direct conflict with Qin King Xi had been deeply disappointed in his son.
Of course, even though he had approved the campaign, as a king, he would never admit that he had been wrong.
"Your Majesty, rest assured."
"I will continue to monitor the Crown Prince's movements." Qing Qin pledged.
"It has been some time now. The Crown Prince should have matured there is no need to watch him too closely."
"Today, I summoned the general…"
"Because of Qin."
"Now that Qin has completely annexed the Three Jin states, its power has surged."
"Yan may be weak, but our military must not be."
"I want the Grand General to recruit at least another 200,000 soldiers."
King Xi's expression was solemn.
"Your Majesty,"
"Yan already maintains an army of 400,000, which is nearly the maximum our state can support. Recruiting another 200,000 will affect agricultural production and greatly strain our resources."
"I fear… this is unwise." Qing Qin immediately objected.
Raising an army was no simple matter.
And for King Xi to demand an additional 200,000 troops this would be a massive drain on the kingdom.
"Qin must be guarded against."
"If Qin truly disregards the other states and attacks Yan, we must at least be able to resist."
"With only 400,000 soldiers, we stand no chance."
"As for resources…" King Xi's expression hardened.
"From this day forth, I decree that taxes be increased by another ten percent."
"Your Majesty!"
"Our current tax rate is already 70 percent!" Qing Qin's face turned pale.
He was not truly concerned about excessive taxation. However, if they raised it any further, the tax burden on the people of Yan would reach eight out of ten, leaving countless citizens to starve many forced into selling their children for food.
But...
King Xi of Yan cared little for such matters. His expression was resolute as he declared,
"If the Great Yan ceases to exist, then nothing else holds any meaning."
"This is the recruitment edict."
"General Qing Qin, take the decree."
With a wave of his hand, the King picked up an official edict from the table.
Qing Qin dared not refuse. He stepped forward and respectfully accepted the decree with both hands.
"Your subject accepts the decree."
King Xi nodded. "You may go. I will order everyone to cooperate with you. You must train these 200,000 soldiers as soon as possible and ensure their combat effectiveness."
"Understood." Qing Qin sighed inwardly.
Training an army was it ever that simple?
It was not just about time.
It was about real combat experience on the battlefield.
As soon as Qing Qin left, a masked man dressed in black entered the chamber and knelt before the king.
"Sneak into Qin and deliver a message to the princess."
"Remind her of what I instructed her to do. She must keep it in mind."
"She must not disappoint me." King Xi spoke in a deep voice.
"Understood."
The black-clad figure bowed before swiftly departing.
"Qin..."
"Ying Zheng..."
King Xi murmured, his eyes filled with both dread and concern.
Prince's Residence, Ji City
"Two years."
"And this... is all you've trained?"
With furrowed brows and an expression of fury, Prince Dan of Yan glared at the group of elite assassins before him, his face clouded with disappointment.
"Your Highness," a servant beside him spoke respectfully, "this is the result of full-scale training."
"Relying on them to accomplish the grand task? Impossible!" Prince Dan's face was cold and dark.
"Please calm your anger, Your Highness."
The servant immediately knelt and dared not say more.
"Leave."
With a wave of his hand, Prince Dan dismissed them all.
The dozens of black-clad assassins swiftly withdrew.
Just then, a trembling voice spoke:
"Your Highness..."
"News has just arrived."
"The State of Wei... has fallen."
Prince Dan's expression changed drastically, his brows tightening.
"So, the day has come after all..."
"From the moment Qin attacked Wei, only half a year has passed."
"Wei couldn't even hold out for a single year?"
"Qin... has grown even stronger."
His tone was heavy, filled with a sense of urgency.
The servant hesitated before continuing.
"In truth, Prince Wei Wuji originally intended to defend the city for the long term, avoiding direct combat with the Qin army."
"But Qin's General Zhao Feng was ruthless."
"He ordered the diversion of the Grand River and the Honggou Canal, flooding Daliang City causing hundreds of thousands of Wei soldiers to be routed without a fight."
Prince Dan's gaze sharpened.
"Zhao Feng... Qin..."
"Wei has fallen."
"And Qin's next target will surely be the Great Yan."
"There is no time left. If we do not act now, we will have no chance at all."
Seeing Prince Dan's grave expression, his servant dared not utter a sound.
"These assassins may be skilled, but they are too full of killing intent anyone can tell what they are at first glance."
"If they are sent on a mission, they will be filled with arrows before they even get close to Ying Zheng."
"To approach Ying Zheng, one must carry no murderous intent, one must not appear as an assassin at first sight."
"And these men you've trained lack precisely that."
Prince Dan had seen all kinds of people in his life.
Assassins.
Warriors.
Those not properly trained were easy to identify at a glance.
Even he could tell.
Would the talented minds of Qin fail to see it?
At that moment, his servant suddenly lowered his voice.
"Your Highness..."
"Have you ever heard of the name Jiang Qing?"
"Speak."
"The greatest wandering swordsman. A man of righteousness, known for his peerless swordsmanship."
"Countless evildoers have died at his hands."
"According to our latest intelligence he has entered our Yan State."
Prince Dan's expression grew serious.
"Where is he?"
"Take me to see him immediately. If he truly has the skill, I will personally reward you."
Xianyang, Qin State
A thousand elite guards rode in formation.
At the front, the leading general sat tall on his horse, his presence awe-inspiring a sharp aura of battle-hardened menace radiating from him.
Behind them, several prison carts rumbled forward, rolling steadily toward Xianyang's city gates.
At this moment
The entire city entrance was cleared.
The Imperial Guards had taken control, ensuring no obstacles in their path. On both sides of the main road, countless citizens gathered, watching in awe.
"General Zhao Feng has returned!"
"As expected of General Zhao Feng!"
"What an imposing presence!"
"To destroy Wei in half a year only General Zhao Feng could accomplish such a feat! It is a privilege to witness his return today!"
"Indeed!"
"Look inside the prison carts those are nobles of Wei! Look at their fine robes!"
"Once, they were kings and ministers... and now, they are prisoners of our Great Qin!"
"That's the King of Wei! He still wears his royal robes!"
"A king surrendering... what a disgrace! If I were him, I would have perished with my kingdom!"
"If enemies ever breach Qin's capital, I vow to fight to the death!"
"Yes! The people of Qin will never live in humiliation!"
As Zhao Feng entered the city, the whispers of admiration and pride spread among the crowd.
To the people of Qin
The stronger the nation, the greater its glory.
The bloodline of Qin, the spirit of Qin these were things only Qin people could understand.
Historically
Had Hu Hai shown even a shred of competence had he not oppressed the tens of millions of Qin people his empire would not have fallen in just two generations.
Zhao Feng continued forward, guiding his horse toward the royal palace.
Before long
He arrived at the palace gates.
Outside the grand court assembly hall
Ying Zheng stood tall, hands clasped before him. Dressed in full royal robes and ceremonial headdress, he gazed down from the palace steps.
Below him, the assembled officials stood in solemn formation.
"To ride into the palace an honor reserved for the greatest of warriors."
"The King's favor for Zhao Feng... is unmatched."
Under the watchful eyes of the court
Zhao Feng rode forth.
His horse's hooves echoed across the great courtyard, a space never before touched by a warhorse.
Such an honor
Unprecedented.
"Feng'er."
Ying Zheng's gaze softened as he looked upon the commanding figure in the square.
A rare warmth filled his eyes.
Once
Ying Zheng had placed great expectations on his many sons.
But as time passed...
Great expectations only led to greater disappointments.
Many of his sons never truly impressed Ying Zheng.
But now, for Ying Zheng, it seemed like a ray of hope had appeared.
He had a son who was just as capable as himself, and this son was born from his own wife's bloodline.
Ying Zheng paid little attention to the children born from his concubines anymore.
A tiger cub like this, just one is enough.
The Fall of the Three Jin States!
It was all related to his son every single state's collapse was caused by his son.
Looking across the world, who could achieve such a feat? Only his son, Ying Zheng's son.
"It can be confirmed."
"Ying Bu's report about my father-in-law's dark mood must hide some deeper truth."
"If not, Qin Wang would never bestow such great favor upon me."
Seeing such a grand welcome, with the king's steps leading up to the palace, this was no simple honor.
Although it wasn't quite the same as when Qin Wang Ying Zheng personally came out to meet him the first time he returned to the capital, the scale was still rare.
As Zhao Feng approached the steps, he dismounted from his horse.
A guard immediately stepped forward to take the reins.
Ying Zheng waved his hand.
"Welcome General Zhao Feng back to the capital in triumph."
All the officials bowed in respect.
Over a hundred officials simultaneously raised their fists in salute, their voices filled with awe.
Even Fusu and Hu Hai, who were handling court matters, felt the same.
"Zhao Feng."
"A true hero."
Looking at Zhao Feng's imposing return, even Fusu couldn't help but think to himself, "If I could gain Zhao Feng's support, that would be wonderful. With his deep favor in front of Father, if I have him backing me, the position of Crown Prince is most likely mine."
"Now that Fusu's followers have offended him, this is my chance." Hu Hai's mind raced, thinking about how to bind Zhao Feng to his faction.
Amid the officials' greetings, Zhao Feng slowly made his way to the center of the steps.
When he saw Ying Zheng at the top of the stairs, Zhao Feng bowed deeply.
"Your servant, Zhao Feng, has returned from the expedition to the State of Wei. I now come to pay my respects to the King."
"Your servant salutes His Majesty."
As the words were spoken, Zhao Feng bowed again.
Ying Zheng smiled and gestured for him to rise. "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhao Feng straightened up.
Then, Zhao Feng turned and shouted to the plaza, "Bring the King of Wei!"
In response, Zhang Ming and several personal guards stepped forward, escorting the King of Wei, who looked fearful and uneasy, holding a box that likely contained the royal seal and map of Wei's territories.
Under the watchful eyes of all the officials, the King of Wei, trembling, slowly approached the steps.
When he reached the base of the stairs, the King of Wei knelt without the grandeur expected of a monarch.
His voice quivered, "The Wei Kingdom, of the Ji family, submits. I greet King Qin."
The King of Wei placed the box on the ground and bowed his head.
Ying Zheng took a step forward, towering over the King of Wei with a tremendous aura.
"Hm." Ying Zheng nodded slightly.
"Today."
"I, the servant, wish to surrender the entire nation. The Kingdom of Wei shall cease to exist and be incorporated into the Great Qin."
"This is the royal seal and the territorial map of Wei."
"Please, Your Majesty, accept them."
The King of Wei opened the box, revealing the royal seal and the map.
"I, accept your surrender."
Ying Zheng's voice was firm.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The King of Wei bowed his head again, still nervous as he looked up at the King of Qin.
"King Wei surrenders to the Great Qin."
"To avoid the clash of armies and further bloodshed."
"This is your merit."
"I will grant you a place to live in Xianyang, with all provisions and wealth, never lacking."
"You will be housed in a noble mansion and allowed to preserve the Wei royal family's ancestral temple."
"Within Xianyang City."
"You are free to go anywhere."
Ying Zheng spoke slowly.
This was the punishment for the King of Wei.
Upon hearing this, the King of Wei's face revealed an indescribable expression of excitement, and he bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness."
This kind of treatment was not afforded to the Kings of Han or Zhao.
Before the Qin forces had even attacked Wei, the King of Wei had already learned of the fate of the Kings of Han and Zhao.
Both were captured by Qin, and ever since, they had been imprisoned in Xianyang, with Zhao Wang suffering in a dark, lightless dungeon.
But now, he not only received such kindness, he was also allowed to preserve his royal family's ancestral temple, and he could move freely within Xianyang.
This was something the Kings of Han and Zhao could not compare with.
As long as he stayed in Xianyang, he would live like a wealthy noble.
Naturally, this made the King of Wei ecstatic.
Originally, he had despaired of the future, thinking he would live the rest of his life in eternal imprisonment, but now this unexpected turn of events filled him with excitement.
The ministers did not oppose Ying Zheng's arrangement.
The deeper meaning behind this move could only be understood by the wise.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng smiled lightly.
"Prime Minister," Ying Zheng spoke.
"Your servant is here," Wang Wan immediately responded.
"Arrange a mansion for the King of Wei, his wives, concubines, and children. Send a hundred Imperial Guards to protect him," Ying Zheng commanded.
Wang Wan bowed. "Your servant obeys."
Soon after, the King of Wei was escorted away.
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