The Prodigal Son

Yunpan Mountain is a large mountain that stretches across the border of the three kingdoms of Daning, Beiqi, and Yan.

The moment Ji Lianhuan stepped out of Yunpan Mountain and onto the territory of Beiqi, he knelt down with a thud, like a wild man. He grabbed a handful of snow and threw it into the air, shouting excitedly, "Beiqi! I'm back! I'm finally back..."

ten years!

He was away from his hometown for a full ten years!

From infiltrating the inner circle of the King of Chengyang, he rose from an insignificant nobody to become the King's most trusted strategist, until the King of Chengyang was executed, after which he fled to the State of Min.

Now that the Min Kingdom has nowhere for them to stay, they have been forced to cross mountains and valleys, fleeing back to Bei Qi in a sorry state...

Thinking about the hardships of the past ten years, Ji Lianhuan couldn't help but burst into tears.

No one knows the hardships he endured over the past ten years except himself!

Shen Tu Hong couldn't understand Ji Lianhuan's emotions, so he gently tugged at Ji Lianhuan, who was kneeling on the snow, and said with a forced smile, "Lord Ji, let's hurry on our way!"

Shen Tu Hong used to look down on Ji Lianhuan, who only knew how to talk big.

After learning that Ji Lianhuan was a spy for Bei Qi, he even wanted to strangle Ji Lianhuan.

It was at that time that he learned that Ji Lianhuan was involved in both the rebellion of the Prince of Chengyang and the marriage alliance between the Min and Chu states.

It could even be said that Ji Lianhuan was the one who arranged the marriage between Yu Wu and the seventh princess of Chu.

If it weren't for this bastard stirring up trouble everywhere, how could the Min Kingdom have ended up like this, and how could he have abandoned his wife and children to wander in another country?

But now, he has no choice but to try to please Ji Lianhuan instead.

According to Ji Lianhuan himself, he is Empress Murong's cousin.

If this is true, his future in Beiqi will depend on Ji Lianhuan.

Ji Lianhuan grabbed a handful of snow and wiped it on his face to calm himself down before slowly standing up. "Don't worry, once we step onto Northern Qi territory, we'll be safe! When we see His Majesty, I'll definitely put in a good word for you!"

"Thank you very much, Lord Ji!"

Shen Tu Hong quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

"Don't call me Lord Ji!"

Ji Lianhuan gazed at the snow-covered distance and said, "Call me Lord Lian!"

His surname is Lian!

Lian Xingzhi is his real name!

Now he has returned to his homeland and no longer needs to live in anonymity!

From then on, he was called Lian Xingzhi!

"well!"

Shen Tu Hong readily agreed, then asked ingratiatingly, "Lord Lian, are you really Empress Murong's cousin?"

Lian Xingzhi raised an eyebrow, looking at Shentu Hong with a half-smile, "What, you think I'm lying to you?"

"No, no!"

Shentu Hong waved his hands repeatedly, "I'm just curious, isn't the Murong royal family supposed to have the compound surname Murong? How come your surname is Lian?"

"madness!"

Lian Xingzhi glared at Shen Tu Hong, annoyed. "Does Empress Murong only have a paternal clan and no maternal clan?"

Shen Tu Hong was taken aback, then suddenly realized, "Your Excellency is Empress Murong's maternal uncle?"

"Don't ask so many questions! Once you see Empress Murong, you won't have any doubts!"

Lian Xingzhi was too lazy to say anything more to him.

Shen Tu Hongqian smiled and immediately said no more.

Afterwards, the two, accompanied by a dozen or so personal guards, continued their journey.

They were lucky; within half a day, they encountered patrolling soldiers from Beiqi.

Although Ji Lianhuan revealed his identity, the soldiers were unable to verify it and could only send someone to "escort" them to the Eastern Capital, Dapan City.

Two days later, they finally arrived at Dongdu Dapan.

Upon receiving the news, Empress Murong immediately summoned the two.

Upon seeing Empress Murong, Lian Xingzhi knelt down with a thud, weeping bitterly: "Your Majesty, this sinful subject Lian Xingzhi pays his respects!"

"Uncle, please rise quickly!"

Empress Murong quickly stepped forward to help him up, holding his hand tightly. "Uncle, you have lived in anonymity for ten years, making great contributions to Northern Qi. Thank you for your hard work! Please accept my deepest respect!"

As she spoke, Empress Murong took two steps back and bowed to Lian Xingzhi.

Seeing this, Shen Tu Hong couldn't help but feel secretly overjoyed.

He wasn't bragging!

He really is Empress Murong's cousin!

You made the right bet!

I finally made the right bet this time!

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Lian Xingzhi quickly helped Empress Murong up, saying, "Although this sinful subject has lived in anonymity for ten years, I have failed to achieve my goal. This sinful subject has failed Your Majesty's trust and begs Your Majesty to punish me!"

"Uncle, don't blame yourself!"

Empress Murong comforted him, saying, "Uncle has done very well, but none of us expected Ningguo to handle things so calmly! The failure to achieve our goal is not Uncle's fault, but my miscalculation..."

Hearing Empress Murong's words, Lian Xingzhi burst into tears, "Your Majesty, I thank you!"

Empress Murong patted Lian Xingzhi's hand, "Someone, bring a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Soon, two chairs were moved behind Lian Xingzhi and Shen Tu Hong.

Lian Xingzhi calmed himself down before slowly sitting down with Shen Tu Hong.

Looking at the weathered Lian Xingzhi, Empress Murong couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

At the beginning of his reign, he sent Lian Xingzhi to infiltrate the Prince of Chengyang's inner circle. His purpose was to incite the Prince of Chengyang to rebel, or to make the Prince of Chengyang side with the State of Chu.

Even their behavior is already very good!

Even after the King of Chengyang was killed, he still managed to arrange a marriage between the State of Chu and Yu Wu, turning Ning's most loyal ally into an enemy.

Unfortunately, things did not go as they had anticipated.

Ningguo was not deeply mired in the war, nor did it suffer significant losses in this battle.

The northern and northwestern borders of Ningguo remain impregnable.

Although the seven states of Min are currently in chaos, if Ning is given a few years to govern them well, Ning will only become stronger.

In a way, they actually helped Ningguo.

Let's take another look at Lian Xingzhi.

He was only in his early thirties when he left Beiqi, but in ten years, he has aged considerably.

It goes without saying that he must have suffered a lot during those ten years.

"Your Majesty, this is Shentu Hong, formerly a subordinate of Huang Dengxing. I was able to return to Beiqi smoothly thanks to General Shentu's help."

At this moment, Lian Xingzhi introduced Shen Tu Hong to Empress Murong.

Shen Tu Hong quickly stood up and bowed to Empress Murong once again.

"General Shentu, please don't be so formal, please have a seat!"

Empress Murong raised her hand to gesture for him to stop, and smiled, "General Shentu has rendered meritorious service in escorting my uncle, and I will certainly not treat him unfairly!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Shen Tu Hong was secretly excited.

Empress Murong pondered for a moment, then said with great interest, "You should know a lot about the war in Min Kingdom, right? I'm very curious about the battles Qin Yu fought in your rear. Tell me, how exactly did Qin Yu fight those battles?"

Although they received some information, it was not comprehensive.

All they knew was that Qin Yu had stormed into the rear of Yiling and turned the Min Kingdom upside down.

As for the specific battle situation, they are not yet clear about it, nor have they received any relevant information.

However, after some time, we should be able to receive relatively comprehensive information.

But now that Lian Xingzhi has returned, they no longer need to wait for news.

Speaking of Qin Yu, Lian Xingzhi gritted his teeth in hatred, "Our grand plan was ruined by that treacherous dog Qin Yu! However, this villain is indeed insidious and cunning. If he is not eliminated, he will surely become a great enemy of our Northern Qi in the future..."