The Prodigal Son

After daybreak, Song Ling led a few people to Yuwang Pass to meet Qin Yu.

When Song Ling saw Qin Yu, he didn't say anything, but just stared intently at Qin Yu.

This young man, not even twenty years old, led ten thousand cavalrymen and completely disrupted the entire battle, causing them to suffer a crushing defeat despite having an overwhelming numerical advantage, ultimately forcing them into a desperate situation.

Without Qin Yu, this battle would never have turned out this way.

Even if they ultimately cannot escape defeat, they will never be defeated in such a humiliating way.

It was this young upstart who caused a massive mutiny within his army, resulting in heavy losses and bringing him endless humiliation.

For a fleeting moment, he even considered rushing forward recklessly, to perish together with Qin Yu, who had brought endless humiliation to the Chu army.

However, his reason told him that he couldn't do that.

Even if he rushed in, he would only be throwing his life away.

Moreover, it would cost the lives of 20,000 Chu soldiers.

The Marquis risked his life just to minimize the cost and let these 20,000 Chu soldiers go home.

Seeing Song Ling staring intently at Qin Yu, Qi Dachui immediately glared at Song Ling with a fierce look on his face.

"Big hammer!"

Qin Yu stopped Qi Dachui and turned to Song Ling with a calm expression: "General Song, you didn't come to Yuwang Pass just to see what I, Qin Yu, really look like, did you?"

"Of course not!"

Song Ling withdrew his gaze. "I've come on behalf of the Chu army to discuss surrender with General Qin!"

"What's there to discuss?"

Qin Yu smiled, "If you surrender, we will ensure your safety and guarantee that you will not be mistreated! As for the rest, to put it bluntly, not even Liang Jingzhe has the right to talk to me, let alone you!"

Hearing Qin Yu's arrogant words, Song Ling couldn't help but clench his fists.

After suppressing his anger, Song Ling slowly loosened his fist and said in a deep voice, "What are General Qin's conditions for letting us return to Chu?"

"I told you, you have no right to talk to me about this."

Qin Yu stared calmly at Song Ling, "This is a matter for the Emperor of Chu and the ministers in the court; it's not your concern!"

Song Ling's face stiffened slightly, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "I need to know the gist of it! General Qin, you and I are both sensible people; you should understand my concerns! What should we do if General Qin makes exorbitant demands, setting conditions that His Majesty cannot accept?"

"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid, and neither is His Majesty." Qin Yu smiled calmly. "Interests on the table are never true interests! Only interests that are in your own hands are real interests! Don't you agree?"

Song Ling remained silent.

He understood what Qin Yu meant.

Qin Yu meant that they would offer terms acceptable to both sides.

After a moment of silence, Song Ling spoke again: "If we surrender, can General Qin truly guarantee our safety?"

Got it!

I knew they still didn't trust their own character.

Damn it!

I have always kept my promises, and my character is impeccable!

It's a pity that Lü Si isn't here, otherwise I would have made him give me a good talking-to about his character.

Qin Yu silently scoffed inwardly, then said seriously, "I know that the killing of prisoners has made you distrust me! But killing prisoners was not my intention, but rather a necessity due to the circumstances! If General Song had been in my position, you would have chosen to kill prisoners in the same way!"

"There are rules on the battlefield, and there are rules off the battlefield."

"I'm sure you're aware of the situation in Gongzhou. If I were truly so bloodthirsty, the two eastern prefectures of Gongzhou would already be awash in blood!"

"I'll give you a chance to send someone to Gongzhou to find out if, apart from borrowing some grain from Gongzhou, we've massacred any of the people there!"

Song Ling lowered his brows.

He doesn't deny that.

If he were Qin Yu, given Qin Yu's situation at the time, he would indeed have chosen to kill the prisoners.

Nobody wants to be carrying a bunch of burdens during a quick raid.

However, despite their agreement, the hurdle in their hearts will never disappear.

Song Ling took a deep breath. "I will send a few men to Gongzhou. If General Qin's words are true, we will surrender to him immediately!"

"good!"

Qin Yu readily agreed.

Seeing Qin Yu's quick agreement, Song Ling felt reassured and asked again, "Yu Wu has been captured alive. General Qin, what do you think Yu Wu's value is?"

"What? You actually captured Yu Wu alive?"

Qin Yu suddenly raised his voice, looking at him with disbelief.

No way?

With Huang Dengxing's strength, even if he is injured by Ning Huang, as long as he is not surrounded by a large army, it shouldn't be too difficult for him to escape with Yu Wu, right?

Could it be that Huang Dengxing is too lazy to bring Yu Wu along as a burden?

"right!"

Song Ling nodded and then told Qin Yu what had happened in their camp.

Upon hearing Song Ling's words, Qin Yu's eyes widened in surprise.

In order to capture Yu Wu, Liang Jingzhe was willing to risk his life to launch a sneak attack on Huang Dengxing.

That shameless old man Huang Dengxing, even after being stabbed in the back, still didn't forget to take Yu Wu's birth mother away?

Damn it!

He wasn't thinking Yu Wu was a burden!

It's obvious they think Yu Wu is a third wheel!

Is this old rogue really having an affair with Yu Wu's biological mother?

After a long period of shock, Qin Yu sighed inwardly.

Liang Jingzhe is dead?

What a pity!

Liang Jingzhe alone can fetch a good price!

"Although we are on opposite sides, I must say that Marquis Liang is indeed a qualified general!"

Qin Yu snapped out of his thoughts and said seriously, "I, Qin Yu, have never been a good person, but I keep my word! No matter how our negotiations with Great Chu go, Yu Wu can be valued at 200,000 taels of silver! However, if Yu Wu dies, he'll only be worth 20,000 taels!"

"Two hundred thousand taels?" Song Ling frowned slightly. "Isn't that a bit too little?"

Is the ruler of a country only worth 200,000 taels of silver?

"That's quite a lot!"

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, "To be honest, Yu Wu is of no use to us! The only reason I want Yu Wu is because Yu Jing wants to use him to vent his anger!"

Song Ling hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded gently.

Yu Wu is useless to them now!

If we can exchange Yu Wu for 200,000 taels of silver, we can at least make up for some of the losses.

"Then it's settled!"

Qin Yu gave Song Ling no chance to back out, "Furthermore, I will personally send a fine coffin to Marquis Liang as a sign of respect! The weather is still warm, so you can send someone to escort Marquis Liang's coffin back to Chu for a proper burial!"

Song Ling was shocked and looked at Qin Yu in disbelief.

He really hadn't expected that.

No matter how much he hated Qin Yu, Qin Yu's actions in this matter were still admirable.

But that's all!

After a moment, Song Ling slowly stood up and solemnly bowed to Qin Yu: "Thank you, General Qin!"

"General Song, there's no need for that!"

Qin Yu waved his hand, "On the battlefield, we each serve our own masters, and our lives are predestined; we can't blame others! But off the battlefield, we are all just ordinary people with flesh and blood! However, those who escorted Marquis Liang's coffin should be counted as prisoners!"

"That's only right!"

Song Ling nodded solemnly...