eurekapd Chapter 616 The Surrender of Yan Kingdom 2
Chapter 616 The Surrender of Yan Kingdom 2
Xiang Yan looked at Ji Yan. The child's eyes were clear, filled with unease, but he tried his best to straighten his back and maintain the dignity of a prince.
Xiang Yan knelt on one knee and said to Ji Yan, "Xiang Yan swears: I will protect the young master's safety. As long as Xiang Yan has a breath left, I will never let the young master suffer any injustice."
Ji Yan looked at the unfamiliar general and asked timidly, "General... do you have sugar figurines in Xianyang?"
Xiang Yan was taken aback, then smiled: "Yes. Not only will there be sugar figurines, but also better pastries, better toys, and a better teacher to teach you to read."
"Then...can I go to Xianyang to study?"
"Yes," Xiang Yan said solemnly. "Young master can not only study, but also learn literature and martial arts, and will become a useful person in the future."
Ji Yan smiled; it was the innocent smile of a child. Looking at his son's smile, King Yan Xi let go of his last remaining resentment.
The surrender document was sent out, and the Qin army began to take over the city's defenses. There was no resistance, no bloodshed, and the handover was peaceful.
After the play ended, he stood on the city wall, watching the Qin army's banners rise, tears streaming down his face. He unfastened his sword and handed it to Xiang Yan: "General Xiang, this sword has been with me for twenty years, and today I give it to you. Please... treat the people of Yan well."
Xiang Yan took the sword and solemnly said, "General Ju, rest assured. I hereby swear that if any of the people of Yan suffer the slightest injustice, I will bring my head to face you."
After finishing the play, he bowed deeply, turned, and left. He did not return home, nor did he go to Xianyang; instead, he disappeared in Liaodong. Some say he went into seclusion, others say he died for his country; no one knows for sure.
Xiang Yan stood atop the city walls of Xiangping, gazing at the city that had just submitted to him. He suddenly recalled a similarly overcast day last year in Chu, when he made the most difficult decision of his life.
Now, he has witnessed the end of another nation.
"General, let's enter the city," the deputy envoy whispered.
Xiang Yan shook her head: "Stand a little longer."
He gazed at the unmelted snow in Liaodong, at the Yan people beginning to receive their rations, and at the Yan soldiers returning to their fields after their armor was removed. At that moment, he suddenly understood what Princess Jiayang had once told him:
"General Xiang, the world will eventually unite after a long period of division. This process of unity will inevitably be accompanied by growing pains, but after the growing pains come long-lasting peace. Our generation endures the growing pains so that our descendants will not have to suffer them."
Yes, for the sake of future generations. For children like Ji Yan to be able to grow up peacefully in a unified world, without experiencing war, suspicion, or waiting to die in a bitter, cold land.
"Issue the order," Xiang Yan turned around, "According to the King of Qin's decree: Liaodong will be exempt from taxes for one year, and grain, seeds, and farming tools will be distributed. All surrendered soldiers who wish to return home will be given travel expenses, and those who wish to join the army will be selected based on merit. No one is allowed to oppress the people or plunder property; violators will be punished according to military law!"
"promise!"
Xiang Yan took one last look into the distance, then turned and entered the city.
His mission was accomplished. The State of Yan had surrendered, and the unification of the world was imminent. And he, the former general of the State of Chu, now an envoy of the State of Qin, had done his part at this turning point in history.
When the news reached Xianyang, the King of Qin was playing chess with Ying Wuyou.
The official rushed into the hall: "Reporting—a victory in Liaodong! The Prince of Yan has surrendered with joy, and General Xiang Yan has taken over the defense of Xiangping. The entire Liaodong region is now pacified!"
The chess piece in the King of Qin's hand landed with a "thud" on the chessboard. He slowly rose, walked to the window, and looked eastward.
The state of Yan was also destroyed.
Five of the six states have been destroyed, leaving only Qi. The unification of the world is just around the corner.
“Jiayang,” the King of Qin turned around, his eyes gleaming, “Xiang Yan… did a great job.”
Ying Wuyou smiled: "General Xiang experienced the destruction of the Chu Kingdom, and he understands the pain of national subjugation best, as does he know how to persuade others to surrender. That is why I chose him."
The King of Qin nodded: "Issue the decree: Xiang Yan is enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhendong, with a fief of three thousand households. King Yan is pleased... He is enfeoffed as Marquis of Shun'an, granted a residence in Xianyang, and enjoys a fief of ten thousand households."
“Father is wise,” Ying Wuyou said. “Next, it’s Qi’s turn.”
After placing a piece, Ying Wuyou continued, "Li Sizheng has sent word back that the King of Qi is wavering. Hou Sheng tried to persuade him, but General Tian Chong and other pro-war factions are still resisting. However... when news of the fall of Yan reaches Qi, the King of Qi's last illusions will be shattered."
The King of Qin nodded: "Issue the decree: Order Wang Jian to lead an army of 100,000 and station troops on the border of Qi to bolster our morale. But do not act rashly; await news from Li You."
“Father is wise,” Ying Wuyou said. “With both coercion and enticement, the Qi Kingdom will not last much longer.”
On the same day, the results of the children's examination were announced.
At the posting site in Xianyang, a huge crowd gathered. People crowded around the notice board, searching for their own or their loved ones' names.
Wang Yueniang also arrived, squeezed into the crowd, her heart pounding. She dared not look at the list, closing her eyes and asking Axiu to look for her.
"Moon Maiden! Moon Maiden!" Ah Xiu suddenly screamed, "You've won! Seventy-eighth place!"
Wang Yueniang suddenly opened her eyes and looked in the direction Ah Xiu was pointing. Sure enough, on the "List of Women," the seventy-eighth place read: Wang Yueniang, from Xianyang, thirteen years old.
She won! She really won!
"I won too! Number 103!" Ah Xiu found her name and jumped up excitedly.
Two girls hugged each other, laughing and crying. Some people around them cast envious glances, while others scoffed. But they didn't care. If they won, they would have a future.
The same scene is playing out across the country.
In Yingchuan, Li Yuan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her name ranked third on the women's list. Her family was saved.
In Handan, Zhao Tuo ranked fifth on the list of successful candidates for men, but his expression was complex as he looked at the list. Passing the exam meant he would enter the official school of Qin and learn about Qin's system. Was this a blessing or a curse?
In the Great Liang Dynasty, Wei Shu ranked first on the women's list. She stared at the list, expressionless, but her clenched fist betrayed her inner excitement. Though the Kingdom of Wei had fallen, the people of Wei remained. She would prove the worth of the Wei people in her own way.
In Jicheng, Yan Wan ranked fifteenth on the women's list. She gazed towards Xiangping, tears streaming down her face. The Yan Kingdom had fallen, but she was still alive. She would live on, and live a life of dignity.
In Yingdu, three members of the Jing family passed the imperial examinations, including a woman. Jing Ke looked at the list, tears streaming down his face. The State of Chu had fallen, but the people of Chu had not. As long as the bloodline remained, as long as the spirit endured, the State of Chu would live on forever.
In Beidi County, A'duo saw her name among the names, ranking second on the women's list. A'duo covered her face and wept bitterly. She had succeeded. At this moment, A'duo saw a road to heaven.
Inside the Bureau of Personnel and Merit, Zhou Chang and Lü Zhi were compiling data.
"A total of 43,000 people applied, and 4,000 were admitted, a success rate of about one in ten." Zhou Chang looked at the report. "Among them, 820 were women, and 82 were admitted, also a success rate of one in ten. Fair.
Empress Lü nodded: "The youngest woman to pass the exam is thirteen, and the oldest is nineteen. They come from all over the country, and even two of them are from Liaodong. Princess, we have succeeded."
Ying Wuyou took the report, examined it carefully, and smiled: "Yes, it's a success. But this is just the beginning. These four thousand people will enter the official schools, study for two to three years, and then participate in the provincial and metropolitan examinations. Only those who can stand out in the end will be the true talents."
She paused for a moment, then said, "These eighty-two women, in particular, deserve special attention. They are the sparks that can ignite hope in many more women."
"Your humble servant understands," said Lü Zhi. "It has been arranged. Those who pass the exam will report to the official schools in their respective regions in five days. The official school in Xianyang will accept three hundred people, including twenty women."
“Alright.” Ying Wuyou stood up. “Next, we should prepare for the cleanup of the Qi Kingdom.”