Chapter 336
Li Si Refuses to Retreat Half a Step
Three days later.
The capital of Yan, Jicheng.
Li Si entered the Yan King's palace carrying a staff.
When the increasingly obese King Xi of Yan saw the black Qin imperial staff in the distance, his heart tightened and he immediately stood up.
Although it was only the Qin State's Chief Justice who came, he was still very nervous.
He had no grand ambitions, but he also did not want to be a ruler who would bring about the downfall of his country and be remembered with infamy for eternity.
"Your Majesty need not worry."
Seeing this, Yan Chunjun comforted him.
He was dressed in luxurious clothes and had an elegant demeanor; at this moment, he resembled the Prince of Yan more than the Prince of Yan himself.
The King of Yan nodded in delight and sat back down.
"Your humble servant Li Si greets the King of Yan!"
Li Si strode up to King Xi of Yan and bowed deeply.
His voice was strong and resonant, neither humble nor arrogant.
"No gift."
The King of Yan smiled and waved his sleeve.
"Brother Tonggu, it's been a long time!"
Yan Chunjun looked at Li Si and began to try to get closer to him.
Tonggu was Li Si's courtesy name, but not many people know it.
Therefore, Li Si was slightly surprised when he heard this.
He was merely a minor official in the Court of Justice; how could any people of Yan know his courtesy name?
"May I ask who you are?"
Li Si looked puzzled.
He didn't know much about the State of Yan because, in his view, Yan was just a lamb to the slaughter, so there was no need to spend time studying it.
Of the five states in Shandong, only Zhao and Chu require time to study.
"Yan Chun Jun".
Yan Chunjun's words were concise and to the point.
He was the most powerful minister in the Yan state, yet Li Si didn't know him?
This displeased Lord Yanchun.
But for the sake of the Yan state, he had no choice but to endure it.
"So you are the renowned Lord Yanchun! I've heard so much about you!"
Li Si complimented.
Yan Chunjun suppressed his displeasure and returned the greeting.
"I heard that Brother Tonggu is from Shangcai in the State of Chu."
"He once studied under the Confucian scholar Xunzi."
"How did you suddenly become the Qin State's Chief Justice?"
Yan Chunjun started chatting casually.
He wanted to get closer to Li Si by trying to establish a rapport.
In his view, every human being has weaknesses, such as lust, greed for money, or desire for fame.
I wonder which type Li Si was?
……
Half an incense stick later.
Li Si stopped being polite to Yan Chunjun.
He doesn't have that much time to waste.
"It's getting late, let's get down to business."
Li Si gripped the staff in his hand tightly.
Then he looked up at the drowsy Prince Yan Xi.
"it is good."
"It's time to get down to business!"
The Prince of Yan nodded in delight.
Then he took the honey water offered by the eunuch and drank a big gulp.
He loves drinking honey water, and he drinks it no matter the season.
Upon hearing this, Yan Yi, who was standing to the side, also perked up.
He's going to fall asleep if we don't get down to business soon.
He was invited over, but not allowed to speak, which greatly displeased Yan Yi.
"I'm sure you all know Mr. Xu Lin, the Grand Preceptor of the Great Qin State."
"The Grand Tutor personally went to your country, but was almost killed. It is said that this matter also involves your country's Crown Prince."
"I wonder how the Prince of Yan intends to handle this matter?"
Li Si asked calmly.
His voice was not loud, but it was firm and resounding.
"It's all a misunderstanding!"
"My son has been deceived by the Xiongnu thieves!"
The King of Yan exclaimed in delight.
Although he didn't particularly like Yan Dan, blood is thicker than water after all.
Where is your country's crown prince now?
Li Si's face was gloomy.
He didn't want to hear Yan Wangxi's explanation.
If explanations are useful, what's the point of having soldiers?
“My son has been unwell recently and went to another country for treatment.”
"Your Excellency wishes to see him?"
The Prince of Yan was pleased with what he had to say as he wrote.
There was another reason why he was unwilling to hand over Yan Dan: he was afraid of damaging his reputation.
Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. If he were to push Yan Dan forward to shield him from the sword, what would the people of Yan think of him? "Not so."
"This matter arose because of him, and he had to go to Qin as a hostage."
Li Si shook his head.
He wasn't discussing it with Prince Xi of Yan.
"To be sent to Qin as a hostage?"
"May I have a few days to consider this matter?"
"Or should we find someone else?"
"I am getting old, and Dan'er is..."
The King of Yan was surprised.
Yan Dan had only returned from Zhao a few years ago, and now he was going to Qin as a hostage, which was something he didn't want to see.
But before he could finish speaking, Li Si interrupted him.
"Don't even mention considering it for a few days, it can take several years."
"But the elite troops of our Great Qin are already close to the Yi River."
"The Qin sword, once drawn, has always been known to drink human blood; surely the King of Yan is aware of this?"
A smile appeared on Li Si's lips.
Although he studied under Xunzi, not Guiguzi, he was also very good at negotiation and using his power to intimidate others.
"The Qin army is already near the Yi River?"
How could I not know about this?
Prince Yan was startled again and looked at General Yan Yi, who had remained silent.
"I was just about to report this matter."
Yan Yi explained.
After speaking, he took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to the eunuch.
After reading the contents of the letter, Prince Xi of Yan had a splitting headache.
Upon witnessing this scene, Yan Chunjun immediately devised a plan.
As the saying goes, "Haste makes waste," and since Your Majesty is currently unwell, this matter can be postponed for a few more days.
What are you all standing there for?
"Why aren't you calling the imperial physician right away?"
Yan Chunjun reprimanded.
"Brother Tonggu."
"This is a matter of great importance and cannot be resolved overnight."
"My king has a splitting headache. Could we discuss this matter another day?"
"I have long admired Brother Tonggu. I wonder if Brother Tonggu would do me the honor of coming to your residence for a chat tonight?"
Yan Chunjun spoke as he thought.
He didn't believe Li Si's claim that being without desires made him invincible.
Even Xu Lin has weaknesses, so why doesn't Li Si?
Yan Chun Jun had heard the rumors about rats in granaries and rats in toilets.
Therefore, in Yan Chunjun's view, Li Si should be a person who values profit.
"can."
"But the spears of our Qin warriors are already thirsting for blood."
"Aren't you afraid of something going wrong?"
Li Si reminded him with a smile.
No matter what cards Lord Yanchun and King Yanxi play, he will always choose to use his power to intimidate them.
My Qin has an absolute military advantage, and the Yan state is in the wrong regarding Xu Lin's matter, so why should I waste my breath arguing with you?
"Even if something happens, it wouldn't happen this quickly, would it?"
"Surely you have a couple of days?"
Yan Chunjun narrowed his eyes.
His eyes were already small, and they were practically slits.
Although the Yi River is not too far from Ji City, it is not an easy task to conquer Ji City.
Jicheng was a city with walls several zhang high, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Unless the Qin army outnumbered the Yan army several times over, it would be impossible to capture Jicheng in less than a few months.
"Need not."
"I am fine."
"Please speak freely, Your Excellency, what are your requests?"
Seeing that the situation was not good, the Prince of Yan suppressed his discomfort and said.
Jicheng is easy to defend and difficult to attack, but if the Qin army makes a move, the state of Yan will be in danger of being destroyed.
At most, Qin would only demand that Yan Dan be sent as a hostage, and Yan would cede a few cities to Qin.
If war breaks out, it won't just be a matter of a few cities.
With the example of South Korea before him, how could Prince Xi of Yan dare to be arrogant?
"First, your prince Dan has entered Qin."
"Second, cede Jicheng and Dukang to Qin."
Li Si took half a step forward.
Jicheng was the capital of the Yan state, and Dukang was a fertile land in the Yan state.
With these two cities ceded to the Qin state, the Yan state effectively ceased to exist.
"Ji City is the capital of my Great Yan."
"Can we change it...?"
The King of Yan wanted to get angry, but he didn't dare.
He was interrupted halfway through his sentence.
"The King of Yan may move the capital."
Li Si made the suggestion.
The State of Chu had moved its capital several times; this was not a difficult task. (End of Chapter)