r18novel Chapter 376 The Yan State Relocates its Capital, Existing in Name Only
Chapter 376 The Yan State Relocates its Capital, Existing in Name Only
Jicheng, the Palace of the Prince of Yan.
When news of Jing Ke's death reached King Xi of Yan, he was extremely uneasy and immediately summoned Yan Chunjun, Yan Yi, Ju Wu, Yan Dan, and others.
"Not only did Jing Ke fail, but the King of Qin was also furious. What should be done?"
The King of Yan asked anxiously.
His palms were sweaty, and he had no appetite at all.
A ruler who loses his country will be infamous for eternity, which is not what he wanted!
"Father, there is no need to worry."
"Your subject is willing to go to Wei and Chu to explain the advantages and disadvantages and ask for their assistance."
Yan Dan cupped his hands in greeting.
He remained calm, because being anxious was pointless; since things were as they were, he might as well make the best of it.
The probability of Jing Ke successfully assassinating the King of Qin was already very low, so Yan Dan was not very surprised by it.
There was another reason why Yan Dan remained calm: he had a way out. Although the leader of the Mohist school, Six-Fingered Black Knight, did not support his sending Jing Ke to assassinate the Qin emperor, he had already taken Yan Dan as his disciple.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the position of leader of the Mohist school will undoubtedly belong to him.
Therefore, he has many options.
"Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst."
"I have heard that the Qin army is heading towards Ji City and will arrive soon."
King Xi of Yan paced back and forth.
Jing Ke's death gave him a sense of foreboding.
Actually, it wasn't just him; Yan Chunjun was also somewhat panicked.
The granary of the Yan state was Dukang, which was ceded to the tyrannical Qin state as early as last year.
Now that Jing Ke's assassination attempt has failed, the Qin army has a legitimate reason to attack. How can the Yan state resist?
He was a powerful minister of the Yan state; would the Qin state spare him?
Even if he were to defect, his final fate would likely be dire.
For example, Guo Kai of the Zhao state was not killed at first, but he died of illness not long ago. He really died of illness.
Yan Yi lowered his head and remained silent; he was a man who knew his own limitations.
"Your Majesty."
"At this point, only moving the capital can solve the immediate crisis."
Ju Wujin said.
We wouldn't have been in such a passive position originally; Jing Ke died too quickly, and the Qin state acted too swiftly.
"Move the capital?"
"Where to move to?"
The King of Yan asked with delight.
In the past, he would have been furious upon hearing the words "relocate the capital." "I am the King of Yan, how can I surrender without a fight?"
Now, King Xi of Yan has a clear understanding of the situation.
As long as we can live, we'll move the capital at will!
So he had the eunuch bring over the map.
"I believe Liaodong is more suitable."
Ju Wu raised the bamboo staff in his hand and placed it on Liaodong.
Liaodong was far from the Qin state and was a harsh, cold land, so it was not an easy task for the Qin state to conquer Liaodong.
"it is good."
Shortly after, the King of Yan agreed.
In his view, living is more important than anything else.
reputation?
What's more important than being alive?
When a person dies, everything is gone!
Therefore, King Xi of Yan went to Liaodong first, while King Dan of Yan and Lord Yanchun stayed behind to guard Jicheng.
Yan Dan felt that he would be blamed for Jing Ke's actions sooner or later, so he also chose to leave.
He chose to seek help from the states of Wei and Chu, and King Xi of Yan could not say anything about it.
If the states of Wei and Chu are willing to help, that would be best. If not, Yan Dan plans to flee to the Mo family's mechanical city.
……
the other side.
Xu Lin and Mei San Niang entered the former territory of the Zhao Kingdom.
Mei San Niang ran out of money and, since she couldn't practice her martial arts in the carriage, she chose to share a room with Xu Lin.
"Aren't you afraid I'll do something improper?"
Xu Lin joked.
Mei San Niang's muscle definition was even more pronounced than his.
"Does the master think I would surrender without a fight?"
Mei San Niang disagreed with this.
She has a fiery temper, so she is not afraid of Xu Lin at all.
"It's getting late, let's rest."
Xu Lin waved his hand.
Mei San Niang was a tough woman, unlike Madam Hu and others, so we had to use other methods.
After a quick wash, Xu Lin lay down on the soft couch and began to sleep soundly.
He was exhausted after a day in the carriage.
The roads in the former territory of Zhao were far inferior to those in Qin, making the journey by carriage very arduous.
Xu Lin fell asleep quickly.
Seeing that Xu Lin seemed to have no improper thoughts about her since leaving Xianyang, Mei San Niang was somewhat surprised.
Although she wasn't as fair-skinned as Jingni, as young as Honglian, or as plump as Mingzhu, she wasn't bad either, was she?
After a moment's thought, Mei San Niang shook her head. If Xu Lin was interested, so be it; she didn't care.
After confirming that Xu Lin had entered a deep sleep, Mei San Niang washed up and changed into her apricot-yellow training clothes.
Her training clothes were homemade; they were not only tight-fitting but also short, making it clear in the bronze mirror which parts of her training were lacking.
She tied her beautiful hair into a high ponytail.
When Xu Lin woke up groggily, Mei San Niang was doing chest exercises.
This made Xu Linjian frown deeply.
Does this area also need practice?
The inverted triangle shape of his clothes made Xu Lin feel a little thirsty.
Long spears, long lances, long swords, bamboo sticks, and halberds took turns on the field.
Xu Lin felt a phantom pain upon seeing this.
This kind of hard skill is too difficult to master.
Even through the clothes, Xu Lin couldn't help but gasp.
How much longer are you going to practice?
After a cup of tea, Xu Lin asked.
He drank too much tea before bed and now needs to use the restroom.
"More than half an hour."
Mei San Niang did not turn around.
I've just reached the climax of the practice, I can't get distracted.
"Do you practice like this often?"
Xu Lin pressed for more information.
He really wanted to try it out.
"Recently, yes."
Mei San Niang nodded.
Her practice clothes and hair were soaked with sweat.
Her master once said, "Only by enduring the bitterest of hardships can one rise above others," a sentiment she wholeheartedly agrees with.
She's not as talented as Xu Lin, Jing Ni, and others. If she doesn't put in the hard work, her life is over.
"Do you need my help?"
After finishing in the restroom, Xu Lin asked while wiping his hands.
Actually, at his level of cultivation, he could go ten days or half a month without sleeping without any problems.
"Need not."
Mei San Niang immediately refused.
The area she's going to practice next isn't suitable for others to help her with.
Upon hearing this, Xu Lin stretched and returned to his bed to continue sleeping.
Does it look good?
It really looks good.
But after watching it for a while, it just doesn't seem like much, for two reasons.
First, Mei San Niang obviously won't go any further, and the training clothes will remain indefinitely.
Secondly, it's just about what it means.
……
Five days later.
Xu Lin arrived in Jicheng.
News of Prince Yan's escape to Liaodong spread like wildfire, causing panic in Jicheng, with nobles and wealthy merchants fleeing the city.
Yan Chunjun ignored this, because he was thinking about his escape route.
He has enough money left to live on for the rest of his life, but how can he avoid dying now?
Defection is not an option.
Fleeing to the State of Qi?
With the king still alive, fleeing to the state of Qi at this time is probably not an option.
Another important thing was that before leaving Jicheng, he wanted to take his relationship with Xue Nu to the next level.
This matter is extremely risky, but as the saying goes, "To die beneath the peony is to die a romantic death."
Since life is already nearing its end, why not take a gamble?
After much deliberation, Yan Chunjun decided to make two preparations.
He used one hand to escape disaster in Qi, and the other hand to obtain the Snow Maiden.
So he sent his trusted confidant with a large sum of money to Linzi, the capital of Qi, hoping to persuade the Prime Minister of Qi, Hou Sheng.
As for the Snow Woman?
Lord Yanchun decided to tell a little lie, just like how the Yan state had previously pretended to offer land and seals to the Qin state while actually sending Jing Ke to assassinate Ying Zheng.
The Snow Woman knows martial arts, so defeating her won't be easy.
It's very difficult to get it at Feixue Pavilion.
Therefore, Lord Yanchun sent someone to Feixue Pavilion to invite Xue Nu to the mansion for a chat, saying that it was to discuss the construction of a new Feixue Pavilion in Liaodong.
Before long, Yan Chunjun's trusted aides arrived at Feixue Pavilion.
The Snow Woman was dismissing her maids at this moment.
With the Qin army pressing in, the fall of Ji City was only a matter of time.
After King Xi of Yan fled to Liaodong and Jicheng fell, the Yan state existed in name only, which made Xue Nu no longer want to stay in Jicheng.
She is going to Xianyang.
Just like before the change of power in Xinzheng, Korea, Zilanxuan's mistress, Miss Zinu, went to Xianyang.
"elder sister."
"Lord Yanchun invites you to his residence for a chat, saying he wants to discuss the matter of the new concubine, Xuege, in Liaodong," the maid said respectfully.
After speaking, she raised her hand and pointed to the man in black at the door.
It was called a discussion, but it was actually coercion.
If the Snow Woman doesn't go, these men in black definitely won't leave.
The assassins from Luo Wang have been busy dealing with the Yan Kingdom lately, and with Xue Nu about to leave Ji City, Fei Xue Ge's protection has become much weaker than before.
The men in black blocked the doorway, preventing the maids of Feixue Pavilion from leaving.
Clearly, if Xue Nu doesn't go to Yan Chun Jun's residence, none of the maids will be able to leave.
"it is good."
"Tell them to wait a moment, I'm going to change my clothes."
Seeing this, the Snow Woman said coldly.
What Yan Chunjun was thinking was self-evident.
The Snow Maiden has been scheming against Yan Chunjun for many years, and now that the Qin army is pressing in, it is the perfect opportunity to get rid of him.
……
A short while later.
Snow Maiden changed into a white dress and took a carriage to the residence of Lord Yanchun.
She held a jade flute in her hand, her killing intent palpable.
Before long, she met Yan Chunjun as she had wished.
Yan Chunjun was dressed in a gorgeous and festive manner, just like a groom on his wedding night.
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
The snow girl bowed.
There were many experts standing beside Yan Chunjun, so killing him would not be easy.
The Snow Woman not only wants to kill Yan Chunjun, but also wants to escape unscathed.
"A beauty need not act like this."
"Please come in!"
Yan Chunjun was overjoyed.
If the Snow Woman comes, the matter is already half settled.
Nearly a hundred assassins were lying in ambush outside the study. If Xue Nu dared to disobey, Yan Chunjun would immediately have his trusted men cripple her martial arts.
Of course, Yan Chunjun doesn't want to break ties with Xue Nu for the time being.
After entering the study, Yan Chunjun personally poured Xue Nu a bowl of tea.
Although the tea smelled wonderful, Yuki-onna's intuition told her that there was something wrong with it.
"please."
Yan Chunjun behaved very gentlemanly.
"it is good."
The Snow Woman nodded, but did not accept the tea.
This made Yan Chun Jun a little embarrassed, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he placed the tea in front of Xue Nu.
"It's only a matter of time before Jicheng falls."
"Before I leave, would you be so kind as to dance one last song for me, my beauty?"
Yan Chunjun asked.
Although he had been with countless women, he couldn't bring himself to be rough with the Snow Maiden.
"can."
The Snow Woman readily agreed.
She planned to kill Yan Chun-jun while she was dancing, and then leave from the rooftop.
Although there are many assassins lurking in the shadows, it is not impossible for them to leave alive.
Although the Snow Woman did not want to be injured, it was clear that she would have a difficult time escaping unscathed.
Yan Chunjun shook the wine cup in his hand, full of anticipation.
The Snow Maiden lightly lifted her jade-like leg, her cold beauty captivating.
……
After more than ten heartbeats.
The Snow Maiden made her move suddenly, and by the time Yan Chunjun reacted, it was too late.
The blue ribbon, like a sword, sliced open Yan Chunjun's neck.
Blood gushed out instantly.
Yan Chunjun clutched his neck, struggled a few times, and then collapsed dead in a pool of blood.
After Yan Chunjun's death, the assassins lying in ambush did not break in through the window to avenge him, because their opponent was Jueying.
With the help of the assassin Jueying from the Luo Wang organization, Xue Nu easily left Yan Chun Jun's residence.
Upon returning to Feixue Pavilion, Xue Nu immediately dismissed all the maids.
She changed into casual clothes, intending to leave Jicheng under the cover of night and head to Xianyang.
Should we write a letter to Xu Lin?
Let's wait until the Qin Dynasty to write it.
Before the Snow Maiden even left the city, she encountered Xu Lin.
"gentlemen?"
The snow woman was very surprised.
Why is Xu Lin in Jicheng again?
Who is the woman next to Xu Lin?
Mei San Niang has a fiery temper and is clearly not easy to get along with.
But it must be said that Mei San Niang has a really good figure.
"Snow Maiden?"
Where are you going?
Xu Lin was also taken aback.
The Snow Woman's disguise skills were quite good; if she hadn't called him, he would have missed her.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xue Nu told Xu Lin about how she killed Yan Chun Jun and how Jue Ying secretly helped her.
Are you planning to go to Xianyang?
Xu Lin asked.
"Correct."
The Snow Woman nodded.
She was more aloof than gentle, and all the tenderness she had was reserved for Xu Lin.
Gao Jianli, who was hiding in the shadows, was heartbroken when he saw this scene.
Why was the Snow Maiden so cold and seldom uttered to him, yet so gentle and charming to Xu Lin?
"Do you still want to be the mistress of Feixue Pavilion?"
Xu Lin pressed for an answer.
The snow woman shook her head, indicating that she hadn't decided yet.
Unlike Zi Nu, she wasn't as career-driven.
She preferred art to her career, and she wanted to become someone like Bo Ya.
Xu Lin expressed his understanding.
So he wrote a letter and asked Xue Nu to take it to Xianyang to find Zi Nu.
"it is good."
Thank you, sir.
The Snow Woman took the letter and put it in her bosom.
The appearance of the letter made Xue Nu's chest swell a little, which Gao Jianli couldn't stand.
Is that faith?
That was clearly Xu Lin's hand!
Why did the Snow Woman choose to put it in her bosom when she could have simply put it in her sleeve or her bag?
After leaving, Gao Jianli thought of what Jing Ke had said before his death.
Perhaps he should have given up on Xue Nu long ago, just as Jing Ke gave up on Li Ji.
After Xue Nu left Ji City, Gao Jianli also left.
However, Xue Nu went to Xianyang, while Gao Jianli went to the Mo Family's Mechanical City.
The Mohists advocated universal love and non-aggression, which was completely opposite to the Qin state's ambition to expand eastward and unify the world.
Gao Jianli harbored resentment towards Qin and its people, and thus planned to become its enemy.
Xu Lin and Mei San Niang settled down in Jicheng.
Mei San Niang has gradually gotten used to having Xu Lin help her practice her skills.
……
More than half a month later.
The Qin army captured Ji City, and the Yan state existed in name only.
Li Xin's advance was unstoppable, and his army marched straight towards Liaodong.
He wanted to press on and completely destroy the Yan state.
Xu Lin then focused more of his energy on people's livelihood and Mei San Niang.
The Qin army came to save lives, not to indiscriminately kill innocent people.
The soldiers under Li Xin's command were far less disciplined than those under Wang Jian and his son Wang Ben. If Xu Lin hadn't been in Ji City, there would likely have been trouble.
With Xu Lin's help, Mei San Niang's cultivation level improved by leaps and bounds, and she was able to walk on the tip of a sword.
"You don't seem to like drinking?"
Mei San Niang asked as she walked.
She is a grateful person. Without Xu Lin, she estimated that she would not be able to walk on the tip of the sword as if it were flat ground until next year, so she wanted to thank Xu Lin.
"You can drink less."
Xu Lin replied.
"It's my treat tonight!"
Mei San Niang said loudly.
She is a straightforward person, so she doesn't have as many twists and turns as Madam Hu, Mingzhu, and Zhao Ji.
"it is good."
Xu Lin readily agreed.
Instead of going to a tavern, they chose to drink at Feixue Pavilion.
There was a lot of wine left in Feixue Pavilion, which Xue Nu and the others did not have time to take away.
Even though Mei San Niang had an excellent alcohol tolerance, she became a little dizzy after drinking several pots of liquor.
Mei San Niang was very happy today, not only because her cultivation had improved, but also because Xu Lin's words and actions had recently suited her taste.
Only today did Mei San Niang understand why so many women liked Xu Lin.
If she weren't a Wei person...
Mei San Niang shook her head, deciding to continue drinking and not think about anything else.
She and Xu Lin drank until late into the night.
Finally, Xu Lin helped her to a soft couch. (End of Chapter)