The Prodigal Son

As noon approached, Yan Li finally arrived late, accompanied by Feng Shu and several officials from various prefectures.

"Qin Yu!"

Yan Li jogged to the pavilion, looking at Qin Yu with a face full of enthusiasm, "We've finally met again!"

"Yes! It's so nice to see you again! But you're not the same person you used to be."

Qin Yu responded with a smile and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

I must say, being a crown prince really makes a difference.

Her complexion is much better than before, and she exudes a stronger air of nobility.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Song Xian and the others also bowed in greeting.

Whether they like it or not, Yan Li is the Crown Prince of Yan, so they still have to pay their respects.

"No, no!"

Yan Li helped Qin Yu up, and said with deep emotion, "Speaking of which, I have to thank you for making me the Crown Prince!"

Qin Yu grinned and joked, "Don't just thank me verbally! Give me something real!"

"Haha! I knew you'd say that!"

Yan Li laughed heartily, "I actually brought you a gift today, I'm sure you'll like it!"

"Oh?"

Qin Yu looked up and glanced behind Yan Li. "You didn't bring any beauties, did you?"

beautiful?

Yan Li was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter, "When have you, Qin Yu, ever lacked beauties? This gift of mine will definitely please you more than giving you a beauty!"

As she spoke, Yan Li clapped her hands.

Yan Li's accompanying guards immediately stepped forward carrying a long box.

Yan Li opened the box himself and took out a jeweled sword.

The sword wasn't long; it was just an ordinary sword.

The scabbard appears to be made of ivory, with a coiled dragon pattern carved on it. Some parts are wrapped with sharkskin and inlaid with gold thread to create patterns. The hilt is also wrapped with sharkskin, and behind the hilt is a gemstone that is entirely red.

Yan Li slowly drew his sword.

The sword gleamed with a sharp, cold light; just looking at it made it seem incredibly sharp.

Yan Li sheathed the sword again and handed it to Qin Yu with both hands: "How is it? Do you like this gift?"

Actually, I still prefer beautiful women.

Qin Yu said it, but his body language betrayed his words as he accepted the sword.

He disliked using swords and preferred using knives.

Using such a gorgeous sword to kill someone is a bit of a waste.

But it's still pretty cool as a sword!

However, Yan Li probably has ulterior motives!

Did he deliberately act so close to her so that Zhao Luan would become suspicious of her?

"no problem!"

Yan Li laughed heartily, "If you like, I'll send you ten beauties later!"

"OK!"

Qin Yu readily agreed, "My greatest virtues are greed and lust."

"I'm also greedy for money and lustful!"

Yan Li smiled knowingly, then said with a sigh, "But in my position, I often have to put on an act, unlike you who are so carefree and at ease."

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it. You're the crown prince, after all."

Qin Yu laughed heartily and then invited Yan Li and the others to take their seats.

"Yes! Who told me I'm the crown prince? In my position, I must govern!"

Yan Li sighed and slowly sat down. "Shall we talk about business first, or catch up?"

"Let's have some tea first!"

Qin Yu picked up the teapot and poured Yan Li a cup of tea. "This is a fine spring tea that a tea merchant gave me when I was reorganizing the salt administration a while ago. Please try it!"

Upon seeing this, the person next to Yan Li immediately reached for the teacup, intending to test whether the tea was poisoned.

Snapped!

Yan Li slapped the other person's hand away and glared coldly at them, "Don't think of Qin Hou as stupid as you! He's never been a gentleman, but he wouldn't stoop so low as to poison me at this time!"

The bystanders quickly withdrew their hands, lowering their heads and remaining silent.

"Or perhaps you could say you understand me?"

A smile flashed across Qin Yu's face as he picked up his teacup and drank the tea in one gulp.

Yan Li also picked up his teacup, drank the tea in one gulp, and nodded, saying, "Hmm, not bad, indeed good tea!"

Qin Yu smiled, "I still have some left, shall I bring it to you later?"

"That's great! Saves me the trouble of asking for it."

Yan Li smiled and agreed, "Since we parted last year, I've heard quite a bit about you. To be honest, when I heard that your empress ordered you to reorganize the salt administration, I hoped you would make a mess of it. But I didn't expect that you would not only handle it beautifully, but also uncover that shocking case..."

Speaking of this, Yan Li couldn't help but sigh repeatedly.

He made no secret of his desire for internal strife to break out in Da Ning.

There's really nothing to hide about it.

He didn't expect Da Ning to prosper, and Qin Yu certainly didn't expect Yan to prosper either.

"It's all luck!"

Lu Si, standing next to Qin Yuchong, nodded and said, "We have to thank him for that."

The two chatted casually while drinking tea.

They talked about things from last year, then about this year, and then about each other's current situations.

The two looked like old friends who had known each other for many years.

After chatting for a while, Qin Yu steered the conversation back on track, "Alright, we can catch up anytime! Let's get down to business first!"

"good!"

Yan Li was waiting for Qin Yu to speak first.

Of course he's not in a hurry!

Qin Yu is the one who's in a hurry right now!

If Qin Yu is willing to chat, he could chat with Qin Yu here for three days and three nights without any problem.

"Our dynasty has three requirements!"

Qin Yu cut to the chase: "First, both sides should continue to coexist peacefully. I do not wish for your country to launch another surprise attack on Dingzhou while my dynasty is at war with Northern Qi!"

"Of course, no problem!"

Yan Li agreed without hesitation, "You should also know that our dynasty is happy to see you at war with Bei Qi! You fight your war, and our dynasty's trade with your country will continue. This is beneficial to both of us!"

Qin Yu nodded and continued, "Secondly, our dynasty will dispatch a naval force to circle around the coastline to the rear of Bei Qi. The journey is long, and our dynasty hopes that your country will not obstruct this naval force. If they need supplies, please make it convenient for them!"

"this……"

Yan Li frowned. "This request isn't too unreasonable, and logically I shouldn't refuse you! But this matter involves many aspects, so allow me to think it over carefully before giving you an answer!"

"no problem!"

Qin Yu readily agreed, "Thirdly, His Majesty hopes that your country can send troops from Panshan Pass to attack Xianzhou in Beiqi. However, I am also aware that it is basically impossible for you to send troops to attack Xianzhou! Therefore, I would like to settle for second best and hope that your country can send troops from Panshan Pass to launch a feigned attack on Xianzhou, thus restraining Beiqi for our dynasty!"

Hearing Qin Yu's words, Yan Li couldn't help but smile. "I guessed that your country would have such a request, but I didn't expect you to settle for second best."

Qin Yu smiled calmly, "Let's not beat around the bush, there are some things we all understand! Even if you agree to send troops to attack Xianzhou, I'm still not entirely at ease! Rather than everyone suspecting each other, let's be frank."

"I love your straightforward personality!"

Yan Li gave Qin Yu an approving look, "The first request doesn't need to be discussed; that's only fair!"

"I need to think about my second request more and discuss it with others!"

"As for the third request, we can agree to it, but as the commander, you should know that large-scale troop movements require food and supplies..."

Yan Li's meaning is quite clear.

If the benefits are right, anything is negotiable!

"Speak!"

Qin Yu smiled helplessly, "I also hope you can be more honest and not make exorbitant demands! If we reduce the stalling and both show some sincerity, it shouldn't be difficult to reach an agreement!"