The Prodigal Son

Qin Fumeng?

In that battle, he defended the city while Qin Fumeng launched an attack.

Unexpectedly!

Twenty-eight years later, the scene from back then has reappeared.

"Let's go! Follow me to meet Qin Fumeng! Let me show you the prowess of this famous general of Da Ning! He once blinded Emperor Murong Teng of Bei Qi in one eye with a single arrow!"

As Zongbi spoke, he got up and walked outside.

"General, beware of enemy trickery!"

A general immediately offered a reminder.

Qin Fumeng was able to blind Murong Teng with an arrow more than 30 years ago, which shows his archery skills.

Even if Qin Fumeng has fallen from the Grandmaster level, his strength is still far greater than it was back then.

Who knows if he might suddenly launch a sneak attack on Zong Bi?

"It's nothing more than an attempt to persuade them to surrender; there's nothing to be afraid of!"

Zong Bi didn't care at all, "This commander also wants to see this old friend!"

Yes!

Old friend!

During the great battle a few years ago, Qin Fumeng was in Wuzhou, so he didn't have a chance to meet Qin Fumeng.

This time, of course I have to see this old friend!

Soon, Zong Bi led a group of generals to the city tower at the North Gate.

Below the city, Qin Fu was on horseback, with Zhao Po and Dong Heshang on either side of him.

Zong Bi stood atop the city wall, looking down at Qin Fumeng: "Brother Qin, it's been many years, you've aged quite a bit!"

"If we don't get old now, we'll become immortal!"

Qin Fumeng laughed heartily, "Brother Zong, aren't you getting old too?"

"Yes, we're all getting old!"

Zong Bi sighed with emotion, "Did you bring any wine? If not, brother, I'll have someone open the city gates and send you a jug of wine!"

"How can we meet an old friend without wine?"

Qin Fumeng laughed heartily, untied the wine pouch from his waist, and held it up.

Zong Bi laughed heartily and immediately stretched out his hand to the side.

Zongyuan immediately handed a pot of wine to Zongbi.

"Though we are enemies, we are merely serving different masters! Over the years, there have been few people I truly admire, but Brother Qin is one of them!"

Zong Bi stood atop the city wall and shouted at Qin Fumeng, then raised his wine jug and laughed heartily, "This drink is for you, brother!"

"Alright!" Qin Fumeng also raised his wine flask. "A toast to you, brother!"

The two men, one holding a wine jug and the other a wine bag, touched each other across the air and each tilted their heads back to pour a large mouthful of wine into their mouths.

"Ha ha……"

After taking a big gulp of wine, the two looked at each other and burst into hearty laughter.

It was as if they were not enemies, but old friends who had known each other for many years.

After a long while, Zong Bi's laughter gradually subsided, and he looked at Qin Fumeng calmly: "Alright, we've had our drinks and reminisced! Brother, just say what you have to say!"

"Alright! I'll get straight to the point then!"

Qin Fumeng cut to the chase, "I believe you are already fairly familiar with the situation in the Yan Kingdom!"

"Now, the State of Yan is at its end!"

"There's no point in you staying and guarding Wangzhou Prefecture any longer!"

"As the saying goes, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on. As long as you are willing to surrender, I guarantee with my life that you will be among the Dukes of Ningguo..."

As Zong Bi had predicted, Qin Fumeng had come to persuade them to surrender.

"Haha! Brother Qin, you're mistaken!"

Zong Bi laughed loudly, "We've only fallen for your schemes and tricks, lost some money and supplies, and a few cities and territories. How is my Great Yan truly at its end?"

"As for you, brother, you too have spent your life in bloodshed, your hands stained with the blood of countless soldiers, and you even lost several of your own children and grandchildren!"

"Now that you're so old, don't add to the bloodshed. Quickly withdraw your troops and do some good for your only grandson!"

"Don't let your descendants pay the price for your killings..."

Zong Bi stabbed Qin Fumeng in the heart.

Qin Fumeng understood, of course, that Zong Bi wanted to provoke him, to make him lose his temper and make the wrong decisions on the battlefield.

Even so, Qin Fumeng couldn't help but feel a little downcast.

During the Battle of Wuguan, two sons, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson were killed in action. One of the daughters-in-law died suddenly upon hearing the tragic news.

This is a pain that will forever remain in his heart.

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings!"

Qin Fumeng laughed and replied, "As for you, brother, if you continue to resist stubbornly, when the city falls, even if I wanted to save your life, these tens of thousands of soldiers wouldn't agree!"

"Alright!"

Zong Bi laughed heartily, "If you think you can break through the city with this small force and a day or two's worth of supplies, go ahead and try! If you don't want to see your soldiers die in vain, then retreat now. I'm too lazy to even leave the city to attack!"

Qin Fumeng chuckled, "You're still as confident as you were twenty-eight years ago!"

"I'm just telling the truth!" Zong Bi smiled as well, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

He is certainly confident.

The situation in the Yan state is indeed not optimistic at present.

It could even be described as extremely bad.

But as long as there is no shortage of food in Wangzhou Prefecture, he can defend it.

Panshi Fort has definitely been besieged by Xue Chengdao's troops.

He didn't know if the people of Panshi Fort could hold it, so he was even more determined to defend Wangzhou Prefecture. If Panshi Fort fell, he would have to rely on them to cut off the enemy's supply lines.

A cold glint flashed in Qin Fumeng's eyes as well. "How about we make a bet?"

"Sure!" Zongbi readily agreed. "How do you want to bet?"

Qin Fumeng shouted, "If I capture Wangzhou Prefecture before nightfall tomorrow, you must surrender! If I fail, I will lead my troops to withdraw from Shangxing and retreat to Zhujun!"

Hearing Qin Fumeng's words, Zong Bi couldn't help but curse Qin Fumeng in his heart for being shameless.

If they cannot break through Wangzhou Prefecture, their supply lines will inevitably be cut off. They may be able to occupy Shangxing in the short term, but if they can no longer plunder grain, then holding onto Shangxing will only lead to their demise.

Rather than doing that, it would be better to send the main force back to besiege Rock Fortress.

Bet on their surrender by doing something that benefits them!

Regardless of winning or losing, he'll always profit!

"Alright! Since you're so confident, I'll take the gamble!"

Although he understood Qin Fumeng's scheme, Zong Bi still did not refuse.

Why not gamble when you're guaranteed to win?

If Qin Fumeng can break through Wangzhou Prefecture before nightfall tomorrow, he's not Zong Bi!

Perfect, by first weakening the enemy's forces, we can indirectly relieve some pressure on Rock Fortress.

"readily!"

Qin Fumeng laughed loudly: "Brother Zong, I hope you remember our bet and don't break your promise!"

"certainly!"

Zong Bi nodded and laughed loudly: "Anyone who breaks their promise will be torn to pieces and die a gruesome death!"

"Alright! Then let's meet on the battlefield!"

After saying this, Qin Fumeng turned his horse around and left.

Watching Qin Fumeng depart, Zong Bi couldn't help but shake his head and smile, "That old fellow, still as arrogant as ever!"

Seeing Zong Bi's somewhat dismissive attitude, He Cong couldn't help but remind him, "General, Qin Fumeng dared to make such a bet; could he be planning to breach the city?"

"This is his plan to breach the city!"

Zong Bi smiled calmly, "Qin Fumeng is using the bet to disrupt our morale and make me suspect he has a clever plan. Once I start to overthink things, I'll fall into his trap!"

He has decided to stay put and not leave!

Qin Fumeng's schemes were all useless against him!

If you want to break through the city, then launch a full-scale attack!

He wanted to see just how many lives the Ning army would have to pay for!