The Prodigal Son

Now that things have come to this, Yan Li has completely let go.

He told Qin Yu all their plans and schemes at once.

"In fact, you lost this war from the very beginning."

Qin Yu said seriously, "When your domestic officials and wealthy merchants use large amounts of fertile land to grow Edelweiss, you have already lost."

"I know."

Yan Li nodded in agreement, "It was our own shortsightedness that harmed us."

Qin Yu clinked glasses with Yan Li, "It's not that you're short-sighted! It's just that people's hearts are too greedy."

If those people had restrained themselves a little, Yan Kingdom would have been defeated, but not so quickly.

"Yes! Human nature is greedy! That's why Father Emperor wanted to poison all the court officials."

Yan Li deeply agreed with the sentiment and drank the wine in her cup in one gulp.

They paid the price for their greed.

Those ministers, too, paid the price for their greed.

"To be honest, although we won, it wasn't as easy as we imagined."

Qin Yu sipped his wine, sighing to himself, "The biggest winner is still Bei Qi!"

Bei Qi truly managed to occupy three prefectures without losing a single soldier!

Blood earned!

"really!"

Yan Li laughed heartily, then refilled his and Qin Yu's glasses. "This cup is to thank you for not letting me get all the benefits!"

"Clang..."

The two men's glasses clinked together.

"Speak up, isn't there anything you want me to do for you, or anyone you want to entrust to me?"

As Qin Yu put down his cup, he asked with a smile.

Yes, but I've already said that.

Yan Li smiled, "I entrust the people of my Great Yan to you!"

Qin Yu gently shook his head. "I'm talking about you personally."

"no."

Without hesitation, Yan Li replied, "If you insist on saying there is, then let's have a good drink together!"

"good!"

Qin Yu said no more and focused on drinking with Yan Li.

Halfway through the drinking session, it started snowing again outside the tent.

The two decided to go outside, light a campfire, and enjoy the snow while drinking.

Neither of them discussed state affairs further, and they chatted casually like two old friends.

When they were having a good time chatting, the two couldn't help but burst into laughter.

It wasn't until late at night that the two returned to the main tent and talked all night long.

The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Yan Li, who hadn't slept all night, covered her face with a veil and prepared to take her leave.

As they parted, Qin Yu unfastened his own sword and tossed it to Yan Li, saying, "This sword is not as good as the one you gave me; I hope Brother Yan won't find it lacking!"

"Thank you!"

Yan Li accepted the sword from his attendant, bowed to Qin Yu, and said, "Remember to come find me for a drink sometime!"

"good!"

Qin Yu agreed, slowly took a step back, and bowed to Yan Li.

"Goodbye!"

After Yan Li finished speaking, he quickly mounted his horse.

"drive!"

With a soft shout from Yan Li, the group rode away.

Watching the figures of the departing group, Qin Fumeng frowned and looked at his grandson, "Are we really just letting him go like that?"

"Then you could kill him or detain him?"

Qin Yu rolled his eyes at the old man. "Besides, he's already a dead man."

If Yan Li doesn't return, Suhe Baoyin won't surrender to them.

The Northern Qi army has already occupied Huyao.

They might start plotting to seize Tiger Pass soon.

If Suhe Baoyin surrenders sooner, they will be able to send troops to Huguan sooner.

We can't let Bei Qi steal the fruits of their victory again.

Qin Fumeng asked in confusion, "Didn't he tell you to come drink with him sometime? How come someone's dead? Did you secretly poison him?"

"Is your grandson really that uncouth?"

Qin Yu looked at the old man speechlessly, "Go drink at his grave."

"Why go to a grave to drink..."

Qin Fumeng was speaking when he suddenly paused, "He's going to commit suicide?"

Qin Yu nodded slightly: "To be precise, it was martyrdom for one's country!"

Are you sure he'll die for his country?

Xue Chengdao looked over in surprise, "This young man already possesses the aura of an emperor. If given the opportunity in the future, he might..."

"He has no chance."

Qin Yu gently shook his head, "You may proceed with the surrender arrangements!"

Both being crown princes of fallen kingdoms, Yan Li saw things much more clearly than Yu Jing.

He knew perfectly well that the Murong family relied on lying low and then making a comeback.

Even if Empress Murong could tolerate him, the crown prince of a fallen kingdom, she would still be wary of him, closely monitor him, and not give him any chance to make a comeback.

His pride wouldn't allow him to become someone who was confined.

His death can be seen as eliminating a major threat to Empress Murong.

In this way, his family and those who went to Yunzhou with him would be better off.

The next time I see Yan Li will probably be at his grave!

……

After leaving the Wild Chicken Ridge camp, Yan Li rode his horse at full speed through the snow.

In the afternoon, they arrived at Huzhou Prefecture and met Suhe Baoyin.

"This humble general, Suhe Baoyin, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Although the Yan state had already fallen, Suhe Baoyin still bowed to him respectfully.

He has a long-standing feud with Bei Qi.

He had no objections to the Yan Emperor and Crown Prince Yan Li.

Yan Li waved wearily, straightened his clothes slightly, and called out loudly, "Su He Baoyin, listen to my command!"

Upon hearing this, Suhe Baoyin immediately knelt down on one knee.

Yan Li took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice, "In the name of the Crown Prince, I order you to lead your troops to surrender to Da Ning!"

Suhe Baoyin raised her head slightly, "This humble general... obeys!"

Get up!

As Yan Li spoke, he helped Su Hebaoyin up and gently patted her hand, "The people of the fallen Great Yan are now in your care, General!"

Upon hearing this, Suhe Baoyin immediately sensed something was wrong. "Your Highness, could it be that you...?"

"I have to go!"

Yan Li forced a smile. "I have to go do what I need to do!"

Suhe Baoyin's expression hardened, and she quickly asked, "Where is Your Highness going?"

"Don't worry about that!"

Yan Li shook his head and smiled, "If we have the chance to meet again someday, I'll share a drink and have a good chat with General Suhe!"

After saying that, Yan Li didn't even drink a sip of tea before quickly mounting his horse.

Watching Yan Li's departing figure, Su Hebao slowly knelt down: "This humble general respectfully sees Your Highness off!"

After leaving Huzhou Prefecture, Yan Li arrived at a desolate mountain covered in snow and silently gazed in the direction of Huyao.

What a beautiful country!

Unfortunately, this empire no longer belongs to him.

The Great Yan Dynasty bears undeniable responsibility for its current predicament.

The country is dead!

The only thing he, as the crown prince, could do was to die for his country.

"call!"

After a long silence, Yan Li slowly drew the sword Qin Yu had given him and instructed the guards around him, "Xiao Yangguang will only be at ease when he sees my corpse with his own eyes! After I die, you must send my body back to Huyao and give it to him!"

"yes!"

The guard bowed and accepted the order, offering no further advice.

Yan Li was determined to die for his country; if they could persuade him, they would have done so long ago.

Yan Li took one last look at the landscape and couldn't help but think of Qin Yu's poem.

"This land is so beautiful, it has attracted countless heroes to bow down before it..."

He murmured to himself, then slowly closed his eyes.

The next moment, Yan Li suddenly swung his knife and slashed at his own neck.

Blood gushed out and splattered on the snow-covered ground, and Yan Li's body slowly collapsed.

"Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince of Great Yan!"

Several guards knelt down on the snow with a thud, crying out...