The Prodigal Son

A day later, Yan Li, accompanied by Zong Zhao, the garrison commander of Zhu County, inspected the defenses.

Zongjia was a family of military generals in the Yan state.

Zong Zhao's father was Zong Bi, a famous general and strategist of the Yan state.

At the same time, Zong Bi was also a master of the ninth realm.

Zong Bi's experience is somewhat similar to that of Qin Fumeng.

He joined the army at the age of fifteen and led troops in battles against Daning many times, with both victories and defeats.

Zong Bi's most glorious achievement was a battle twenty-eight years ago.

Today, many famous generals of Daming, including Emperor Xiaowu of Daming, who is revered as a god of war, have suffered defeats at the hands of Zong Bi.

In that battle, Emperor Xiaowu of Daming led many of Daming's generals to attack Yan, advancing with unstoppable momentum.

Just as Da Ning was about to capture the entire Wangzhou, Zong Bi led 10,000 troops to launch a surprise attack on Tushi City, where Da Ning stored grain, and then occupied Tushi City, cutting off Da Ning's logistical supply.

In order to retake Tushi City, Da Ning dispatched 40,000 troops to launch a fierce attack on Tushi City.

Many of the famous generals of Da Ning today, including Qin Fumeng, Xue Chengdao, and Qian Zhui, were among those 40,000 troops.

However, Zong Bi managed to hold out for seven days despite being extremely outnumbered.

In the end, only about 500 of Zong Bi's 10,000 troops survived, but they managed to hold out until reinforcements arrived.

Ultimately, this forced Da Ning to withdraw his troops.

In that battle, both the Yan and Da Ning states suffered considerable losses, resulting in a draw.

But Emperor Xiaowu believed that it was one of the few defeats he had ever suffered.

"Report..."

A messenger rushed in, "Your Highness, Qin Yu has sent a wine flask and a letter!"

As he spoke, the messenger delivered the wine bag and the letter to Yan Li.

"See? Qin Yu is a man of principle."

Yan Li chuckled at the person beside him, "Knowing that I enjoy his brewed wine, he even specially sent it over!"

As they spoke, Yan Li opened Qin Yu's handwritten letter.

However, when he saw the contents of the letter, he was suddenly startled.

Alcohol?

How can this minimize the risk of wound ulceration and infection?

After a moment's thought, Yan Li immediately looked at Zong Zhao, "Are there any newly wounded soldiers in the camp?"

"have!"

Zongzhao nodded and then asked, "Does Your Highness wish to visit the wounded soldiers in the medical tent?"

"Take me there!"

Yan Li said impatiently.

"yes!"

Zong Zhao accepted the order.

As they walked toward the medical tent, Qin Yu, watching from afar in the mountains, saw the whole scene through his clairvoyance.

The distance here is still quite far, and Yan Li's face is completely obscured.

However, his attire revealed that the person was Yan Li.

From the vantage point of the telescope, the situation in the camp was clearly visible.

"This thing is really amazing! It can see things from this far away?"

Beside him, Gui Si was looking at another telescope with great interest, constantly clicking his tongue in amazement.

The usually cold and aloof Gui Si was now acting like a child playing with his favorite toy.

Qin Yu turned to look at Gui Si, "Fun, right? Never played it before?"

"Hmm, actually not..."

Gui Si instinctively answered, but stopped halfway through, glaring at Qin Yu with wide eyes: "Who are you being sarcastic to, kid? Don't think that just because you've climbed into the emperor's bed, I won't dare to beat you!"

Qin Yu was slightly taken aback and asked in surprise, "You know that?"

"nonsense!"

Gui Si scoffed, "You're hiding in His Majesty's palace in the dead of night, are you discussing state affairs with him?"

They are the Secret Guards, responsible for protecting Zhao Luan in secret.

Although they didn't know what Qin Yu was doing in Zhao Luan's palace, and they wouldn't go close to eavesdrop, they were well aware that Qin Yu had stayed in Zhao Luan's palace the night before he left.

Moreover, the lights in the palace were blown out!

A lone man and woman, in the dead of night, with the door closed and the lights off, huddled together discussing national affairs?

Even a three-year-old wouldn't believe it!

Hearing Gui Si's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but grin.

It's okay to discuss scripts with the lights off, so why can't we discuss national affairs with the lights off?

Gui San put down the telescope in his hand, clicking his tongue in amazement, and then turned to Qin Yu: "Is this what you made from the glass that you stole from the Shi family?"

What does it mean to steal?

Qin Yu was displeased. "I took it openly and honestly! If I were stealing, would you two have seen me?"

Gui San chuckled, then gently stroked the Thousand-Mile Eye, "This thing would be very useful on the battlefield!"

"Of course!"

Qin Yu smiled smugly, "Don't you even know who made this?"

"Alright, you win, kid!"

Gui San smiled, "However, what I admire most is that you managed to climb into the Emperor's bed without a sound!"

Qin Yu chuckled, "For someone as talented and handsome as me, isn't this just what I should do?"

Gui San nodded slightly. "Hmm, I admire your shamelessness!"

"I'm just telling the truth."

"No!"

The two answered in unison.

These are the rules that the late emperor set for them.

Without the emperor's permission, they could not let anyone see their true faces.

This is both for the sake of secrecy and to protect them and their families.

Although Qin Yu had climbed into the dragon bed, Zhao Luan had not ordered them to reveal their true faces to Qin Yu, so they could not agree to Qin Yu's request.

"have to!"

Qin Yu shrugged. "Alright, that's enough looking. Let's go back!"

Soon, Qin Yu led the two away from Wanquan Mountain.

Upon returning to Panyang, Qin Yu did not go back to his residence, but went straight to the Eastern Camp.

When he arrived, the soldiers of the East Camp were undergoing training to familiarize themselves with the battlefield environment.

Upon learning that Qin Yu was coming, Liang Hongqiao immediately came to greet him.

Qin Yu ordered, "Let's go, take me to see how you train!"

"good!"

Liang Hongqiao immediately led Qin Yu to the training ground and asked, "What are your plans, Marquis Qin, for negotiating with the Yan Kingdom?"

"I don't really have any specific ideas."

Qin Yu smiled casually, "It's just to see if we can get two or three thousand warhorses from the Yan Kingdom."

Liang Hongqiao asked in surprise, "Does the Marquis of Qin want to purchase warhorses from the State of Yan?"

Qin Yu's lips curled into a smile, and he gently shook his head: "It's not a purchase, it's a gift from the Yan Kingdom!"

"what?"

Liang Hongqiao suddenly stopped and looked at Qin Yu in astonishment.

Should we let the Yan state give them warhorses for free?

Did I hear that right?

Now, Da Ning wants to negotiate with Yan and even ask Yan to send them warhorses?

Isn't that a bit too far-fetched?

Qin Yu also stopped and said with a smile, "Young Master, how about we make a bet?"

Liang Hongqiao was stunned for a moment, then said seriously, "If Lord Qin wants to use my marriage to Qi Dachui as a wager, then there's no need to mention it."

"It's not that bad!"

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, "Da Chui told me everything you said to him! I may not be a gentleman, but I wouldn't let you gamble with this."

Liang Hongqiao felt slightly relieved, then asked curiously, "What kind of stakes does Lord Qin want me to offer?"

"This is also about you and Big Hammer!"

Qin Yu cut to the chase: "If I win the bet, you can date Da Chui normally!"

Whether you become lovers or brothers is entirely up to you!

"However, if you ever develop feelings for Big Hammer, I hope you will not be bound by any moral constraints, nor care about anyone's opinions, and honestly tell him!"

Liang Hongqiao lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment, then nodded seriously...