The Prodigal Son

Tiger Peak.

Starting a few days ago, the Yan Emperor, who had not attended court for a long time, resumed his duties, and Crown Prince Yan Li was punished by being confined to his residence to reflect on his mistakes.

Nowadays, the Yan Emperor no longer discusses with his ministers how to repel the Ning army, how to quell the rebellion, or how to deal with the crisis of food and money shortages.

The ministers knew that it was no longer possible to defeat the Ning army.

As for suppressing the rebellion, the imperial court was willing but unable to do so.

The problem of money and supplies is one that no one can solve.

Right now, they should be grateful if they can hold onto Tiger Prefecture and prevent the capital from falling.

The Yan Emperor was naturally aware of these things.

He doesn't want to worry about these things anymore.

"The coffin of Prince Su has arrived in Huzhou and will reach Huyao in three days at most. Prince Su dedicated his life to the country, but now he died on the battlefield, shedding his last drop of blood for the Great Yan."

"However, the country is in dire straits now, and the imperial treasury is empty, so it is unable to afford a grand funeral."

"By imperial decree, Prince Su, Yan Wujiu, was upright and loyal, and rendered great service to the country! Now that he has died on the battlefield, my heart is deeply grieved! He is hereby granted the honor of being buried in the Imperial Mausoleum northwest of Qiyun Mountain, and his spirit tablet is to be moved to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. He is to be posthumously honored with the title of Wuzhong! His eldest son shall succeed him as Prince Su..."

The Emperor of Yan remained silent about state affairs, only discussing how to arrange the funeral for Yan Wujiu.

Seeing the Yan Emperor's complete lack of fighting spirit, several ministers, led by Gongsun Su and Si Nankong, couldn't help but feel secretly anxious.

"His Majesty!"

Grand Tutor Gongsun Su stepped forward and said, "Although Prince Su has died in battle, our dynasty still has 200,000 elite troops, and the Northern Qi has 100,000 troops to assist us. Our dynasty still has hope. Your Majesty, I implore you to rally your spirits!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Si Nankong also chimed in, "Our dynasty still possesses the strength to fight; Your Majesty should..."

"Alright!"

The Yan Emperor weakly raised his hand. "Do you yourselves even believe these words?"

Do they think this is just the beginning of chaos?

wrong!

This is not the beginning, but the end!

The end of a dynasty!

"Your Majesty, the Ning people have never given up their desire to destroy our Great Yan. Your humble servant suggests that Your Majesty send someone to Northern Qi to request our submission! We would rather surrender to Northern Qi than let the Ning people benefit!"

At this point, a minister stepped forward and offered a suggestion.

In fact, many ministers were considering surrendering.

However, this is the first time we've brought this matter to the forefront.

"fart!"

Si Nankong glared at his opponent, "Our Great Yan still has the strength to fight; how can we surrender to Northern Qi?"

Traitor!

So they're already thinking about surrendering?

"Lord Si, you keep talking about the strength to fight a war, but where is my dynasty's strength to fight a war?"

"Exactly, it's not even winter yet! By the time winter arrives, the soldiers on the front lines will be lucky to avoid freezing and starving to death, let alone have the strength to fight!"

"Do you think the army under Suhe Baoyin's command is still the imperial army?"

"It's better to surrender to Beiqi than to surrender to Ningren!"

"Since our dynasty has voluntarily submitted, Northern Qi will certainly treat Your Majesty and the Crown Prince well!"

"I think you want Bei Qi to treat you, you traitor, well!"

"Since our dynasty has already submitted to Northern Qi, what's wrong with us submitting to Northern Qi again?"

"If our dynasty submits to Northern Qi, Northern Qi will surely send a large army to fight against the Ning people again. This would be a way to avenge our fallen soldiers..."

"Now that the Ning people are powerful, it would be better to surrender to the Ning people than to the Northern Qi!"

"Yes, it's only a matter of time before the Ning people occupy the Chu Kingdom. Once they do, they will become even stronger, and at that time, even the Northern Qi might not be able to protect itself..."

A group of ministers began to offer their advice.

Most ministers recommended surrendering to Beiqi.

After all, the Northern Qi army was only separated from Huyao by the Panjiang River.

Now, if Bei Qi is willing, it can attack Hu Yao at any time.

Rather than waiting for Bei Qi to take action themselves, it's better for them to take the initiative.

In this way, they can also strive for preferential treatment.

Only a few people suggested surrendering to Daning, but their voices were quickly drowned out.

Only a handful of people, such as Si Nankong and Gongsun Su, still wanted to persevere and held onto their illusions.

In fact, Si Nankong and the others also knew that the fate of the Great Yan Dynasty was sealed.

But they were still unwilling to give up.

They still held onto a sliver of hope that they could defeat the Ning people with the help of the Northern Qi.

Even submitting to Northern Qi and paying tribute would be better than having the country destroyed!

"That's enough!"

With a low growl from the Emperor of Yan, the courtiers finally managed to quiet down.

Emperor Yan looked up at his assembled ministers, his face weary, and said, "We will not discuss this matter today! Everything will be discussed after Prince Su's funeral! If any of you ministers have any ideas, you may submit your memorials! Alright, court is adjourned!"

After saying this, Yan Li left the court with Wei Jin's help.

Looking at the old and frail appearance of the Yan Emperor, many ministers were secretly pondering.

It was clear that the Yan Emperor had no intention of fighting again.

He also realized that the Yan state had no hope.

However, even though the surrender had been made clear at today's court assembly, he made no comment.

But he didn't get angry!

Moreover, he even made the court officials submit memorials to the emperor!

His attitude is worth pondering!

Could it be that he didn't want to leave a name in future history books as someone who surrendered voluntarily?

Do you want to be "forced" or coerced into surrendering by your ministers?

Ah!

That's most likely the case!

Even an emperor, who doesn't want to save face?

Being forced or coerced into surrendering is better than surrendering voluntarily, isn't it?

With this in mind, many ministers began to make their own calculations.

hum!

If the Emperor of Yan also intends to surrender, then things will be much easier!

If the Yan Emperor has no intention of surrendering, then they have no reason to blame!

Now, whether or not to surrender is no longer up to the Emperor of Yan!

They sought the Emperor of Yan's opinion; that was a gesture of respect for him!

They were all ministers of a fallen state, and from now on they would have to act according to the whims of others.

It's really not good to be known as a minister who murdered his lord!

……

Two and a half days later, Yan Wujiu's coffin arrived at Huyao.

Despite his illness, Emperor Yan led his officials out of Huya to receive the coffin of Yan Wujiu.

Yan Li, who had been punished by being confined to his room to reflect on his mistakes, finally made an appearance.

As the funeral procession approached, Emperor Yan and his son felt a deep sorrow.

This is the last pillar of the Great Yan!

If the pillars of the Great Yan Dynasty fall, the Great Yan Dynasty will also collapse.

Unconsciously, memories of their childhood resurfaced in the Yan Emperor's mind.

Although Yan Wujiu was his royal uncle, he was also his playmate.

Although he was only two years older than him, his grandfather had told him since he was very young that he had to protect himself and not let anyone bully him.

And he lived up to his promise throughout his life.

However, this calamity for the Great Yan Dynasty is far too great!

Even he couldn't protect himself!

As he thought about it, tears welled up in Emperor Yan's eyes and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"Father, please accept my condolences!"

Yan Li, her eyes also red, still forced herself to suppress her grief and persuaded the Emperor of Yan.

Emperor Yan raised his hand to wipe away the tears in his eyes, then turned to look at Yan Li: "Tonight, you and your people will go and keep vigil for your imperial great-uncle!"

Yanli's heart trembled, and he said in a trembling voice, "Your subject... obeys the decree!"

As Yan Wujiu's coffin approached, Yan Li personally stepped forward and read a eulogy.

Then, the Yan Emperor's imperial carriage led the way.

Yan Li and Yan Wujiu's sons, along with eight ministers from the court, helped carry Yan Wujiu's coffin.

The long procession moved slowly through the main street of Huyao towards the Prince Su's Mansion.

The people of Yan on both sides of the street knelt down to bid farewell to the prince who had died on the battlefield.

After Yan Wujiu's coffin was delivered to the Prince of Su's residence, the Emperor of Yan and his officials took turns offering incense and paying their respects.

Afterwards, Emperor Yan ordered Gongsun Su and Si Nankong to assist Yan Wujiu's eldest son in arranging Yan Wujiu's funeral and summoned the officials to the palace for a meeting...