The Prodigal Son

Liang Hongqiao was somewhat taken aback when she learned that Qin Yu would be leaving Panyang the next day.

Is it that rushed?

Can't I even stay one more day?

Is he in a hurry to go to Zhenzhou to fight?

Coming to her senses, Liang Hongqiao turned to look at Qi Dachui, "Looks like we won't be able to fight tomorrow! Hopefully we'll have a chance to meet again in the future!"

"Um."

Qi Dachui nodded slightly, his expression instantly darkening.

Liang Hongqiao naturally noticed Qi Dachui's expression and lightly punched him in the chest, saying, "With a size as big as you, stop acting like a girl!"

Qi Dachui remained silent, trying hard to force a smile, but he couldn't manage it.

Liang Hongqiao glanced at him, then instructed Yue Hanshan: "You must immediately return to the East Camp and invite Sao Jigong and the thousand generals of the camp to a farewell banquet for Marquis Qin and the others!"

"yes!"

Yue Hanshan immediately accepted the order and left.

"Let's go, let's head to General Yuan's residence first."

Liang Hongqiao called out to Qi Dachui and spurred her horse forward.

Qi Dachui looked dejected and silently followed behind Liang Hongqiao.

Watching Liang Hongqiao's retreating figure, Qi Dachui wanted to speak several times, but he held back.

As they neared Yuan Ji's official residence, Qi Dachui couldn't help but call out to her, "Pretty Master!"

"What's wrong?"

Liang Hongqiao turned around.

Qi Dachui blushed and stammered, "You...you'd be willing to work under Thirteenth Young Master?"

Liang Hongqiao was amused by his expression. "You think I'll just be transferred wherever you want?"

"You can do it, Thirteenth Young Master!"

Qi Dachui lowered his eyes and said, "The Thirteenth Young Master has a very good relationship with His Majesty."

Hearing Qi Dachui's words, Liang Hongqiao couldn't help but chuckle.

What an idiot!

Is that what I meant?

He knew, of course, that Qin Yu could transfer him to his command.

His grandfather was the Duke of Wei, who was in charge of military affairs in seven states. The transfer of generals in the seven northern states was just a matter of his grandfather making a call to the Ministry of War.

Liang Hongqiao's smile faded, and she said seriously, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying in Panyang! My deceased husband is also buried in Panyang!"

Qi Dachui opened his mouth slightly, and after a moment, mustered his courage and asked, "Can I come to see you in the future?"

"sure!"

Liang Hong smiled and said, "If you want to drink or fight with me, I'm always happy to oblige! But let's not talk about matters between men and women."

Qi Dachui's face darkened, but he nodded slightly. "I'll come find you after the war with Bei Qi is over! Then...I'll bring you a gift!"

"OK!"

Liang Hongqiao readily agreed, "If I ever have the chance to visit the capital, I will bring you a gift!"

Qi Dachui thought for a moment, then said with utmost seriousness, "Then let's pinky swear!"

"what?"

Liang Hongqiao was taken aback for a moment, then leaned out from the horse's back. "Okay, pinky promise!"

As she spoke, Liang Hongqiao extended her hand.

Qi Dachui immediately rode forward and extended his hand as well.

Under the setting sun, the two hooked their little fingers together and touched their thumbs.

……

Because Qin Yu and the others returned quite late, the banquet also started rather late.

Upon learning that Qin Yu would be leaving the next day, everyone repeatedly toasted him.

The banquet lasted until late at night.

After the banquet ended, Qin Yu called Yuan Ji, Liang Hongqiao, Song Xian, and Lü Si into Yuan Ji's study.

Before entering the study, Qin Yu gave a stern order: "Set up a perimeter of guard at least 100 paces. No one is to approach without my command!"

"yes!"

Zhao Wu loudly accepted the order.

Hearing Qin Yu's words, everyone except Song Xian looked puzzled.

Qin Yu didn't say much and led the group into the study.

As the study door closed, Qin Yu quickly produced the secret edict Zhao Luan had given him: "His Majesty's secret edict!"

A secret decree?

Yuan Ji and the other two were stunned. It was only after Song Xian reminded them that they reacted and quickly knelt down.

Qin Yu solemnly read out the secret edict: "Your Majesty decrees: Since assuming the throne, I have striven to end the war, bring peace to the people, and share the blessings of tranquility. However, the Yan state relies solely on cunning schemes and has repeatedly broken its promises and agreements; its wolfish ambitions are plain for all to see! After much deliberation, I have decided to attack Yan..."

Xue Chengdao is hereby appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Army to Conquer Yan, in charge of all military affairs of the entire army, and fully authorized to preside over the war against Yan. Any general under his command who dares to disobey orders may be executed first and reported later!

Qin Fumeng was appointed as the second-route marshal, assisting in military affairs and commanding the main army.

Qin Yu was appointed as the commander of a detachment and the vanguard in the campaign against Yan. Depending on the battlefield situation, he could also lead an army himself...

Before Xue Chengdao and Qin Fumeng arrived at the front lines, Qin Yu presided over all military and political affairs in Dingzhou...

Qin Yu was still reading the imperial edict, but Yuan Ji and the other two were completely dumbfounded.

To attack Yan?

The imperial court is actually planning to attack Yan?

Qin Yu is still negotiating with the Yan state today, and has just obtained 3,500 warhorses from Yan. Now he wants to attack Yan?

This……

What exactly is going on?

Even after Qin Yu finished reading the secret decree, the three of them were still in a daze.

"Cough cough..."

Song Xian coughed and took the lead in shouting, "Your humble servant obeys the decree!"

Upon hearing Song Xian's voice, the three of them snapped out of their daze and hurriedly accepted the imperial decree.

"Alright, judging from your expressions, you didn't even hear the contents of the secret decree. Take it and read it yourselves!"

Qin Yu smiled and handed the secret decree to Yuan Jicheng.

Lü Si and Liang Hongqiao also quickly went over and checked the secret edict with Yuan Ji.

After reading the secret edict several times, the three of them finally recovered from their shock.

Attack Yan!

We really need to attack Yan!

Xue Chengdao and Qin Fumeng, two of the most renowned generals of Daming, will both participate in the battle!

"no……"

Lu Si was still a little dazed. "Aren't we supposed to be fighting Bei Qi in Zhenzhou? A two-front war, we..."

"The war with Beiqi is a pretense; the real intention is to attack Yan!"

Qin Yu interrupted Lü Si, "Otherwise, did you think I brought Zhu Songlan and the others here just to watch the show?"

"Are they planning to govern the Yan region in the future?"

Yuan Ji suddenly realized what was happening.

"More or less!"

Qin Yu nodded. "However, most of them should be appointed as officials in the seven northern provinces, and then officials will be drawn from the seven northern provinces to govern the Yan region."

Liang Hongqiao's eyes widened. "So, everything the court has done is just to lull the Yan Kingdom into a false sense of security?"

"right!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly: "After the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet last year, the court decided on a plan to attack Yan! Trading with Yan, Your Majesty wearing clothes made of snow-white cotton, and even my teaching Yan how to make alcohol are all part of the plan to attack Yan..."

Qin Yu dropped another bombshell.

Hearing Qin Yu's words, the group couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances.

They've been planning this for so long?

Was everything in preparation for the attack on Yan?

At that moment, they really didn't know what to say. They felt that everything had overturned their understanding, making their heads buzz.

Song Xian looked at Qin Yu with a smile, "You want the Yan Kingdom to produce large quantities of alcohol to exchange for warhorses in Bei Qi, thereby accelerating the depletion of their grain reserves?"

"right!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly. "When the time is right, I will first order a large-scale sell-off of pepper to force its price to collapse, and then I will release the brewing process for the premium wine!"

"After the pepper price collapses, those who profited will definitely set their sights on brewing, hoping to make another fortune through it!"

"This will also accelerate the depletion of their people's food supplies..."