Chapter 337
Cession of Dukang
"Move the capital?"
The fat on the King of Yan's face trembled.
Wouldn't he become a laughing stock if he moved the capital directly?
"Could we discuss this matter further?"
"Hasn't the King of Qin always wanted Dukang?"
"I can reluctantly part with Dukang and send it to your country."
King Xi of Yan suppressed his displeasure.
In his view, aiming high leads to the middle, and aiming for the middle leads to the low.
In any negotiation, there is room for discussion.
But he was wrong.
Li Si did not come to discuss matters with him.
Are there any conflicts between Dukang and Jicheng?
Li Si feigned ignorance and asked.
Children make choices; adults want it all.
He wants all three things: Jicheng, Dukang, and Yan Dan's hostage in Qin!
Unwilling?
Then go and discuss this with the sharp swords of my Qin warriors.
"This is a matter of great importance. May I have a few days to consider it?"
"Three days from now... no, tomorrow, I will give you my answer, how about that?"
The King of Yan was pleased with his words, which sounded almost pleading.
Haste makes waste; he wanted Yan Chunjun to try again tonight.
Li Si was not a Qin person, so this matter might not be beyond redemption.
"can."
"But the matter of your country's Crown Prince Dan entering Qin must be expedited."
“My king and your crown prince once lived together in Handan, the capital of Zhao, and had a very close personal relationship. I have long wanted to meet your crown prince.”
Li Si nodded.
"it is good!"
The Prince of Yan immediately agreed.
Then he wrote a letter to Yan Dan, asking him to return to Ji City immediately.
He did not mention the hostage situation in Qin in his letter, but his attitude was very tough, completely different from how he was in front of Li Si. He said that if Yan Dan did not return immediately, the position of crown prince would be in jeopardy.
Whether it was Yan Dan being sent as a hostage to Qin or Dukang being sent to Qin, King Xi of Yan could accept it. However, he could not accept the cession of Ji City and the relocation of the capital.
The State of Yan had its capital at Ji for hundreds of years. If Ji were no longer there, where would the State of Yan be?
Thus, Li Si gave King Xi of Yan one day.
……
That night.
Li Si accepted Yan Chunjun's invitation and went to Yan Chunjun's residence.
Lord Yanchun personally went out to greet Li Si and invited him to his study.
The melodious sound of the zither was soothing and delightful.
"Brother Tonggu."
"Jicheng is more than a thousand miles away from Xianyang. Since you've come all this way, take some things back with you."
Yan Chunjun said with a smile.
After he finished speaking, he clapped his hands.
Upon hearing the sound, the woman playing the zither stopped playing and came out from behind the screen, carrying her zither.
Although her looks were not as striking as Nongyu or Tianmi, she was still one in a thousand, and she was only fifteen years old.
It is uncertain whether Li Si married Yan Chunjun, but as the Minister of Justice and one of the Nine Ministers, Li Si was allowed to take many concubines.
"What do you think, Brother Tonggu?"
Yan Chunjun asked with a smile.
"With the lady at home, it would be inconvenient to bring other women back."
"I appreciate your kind intentions, Brother Yan."
Li Si immediately refused.
He refused outright for two reasons.
First, he was not a lecherous person.
Secondly, Yan Chun Jun is his enemy, and he cannot accept the woman Yan Chun Jun sends him.
"understand."
Yan Chunjun nodded.
Seeing this, the woman hugged her zither and retreated behind the screen.
She was raised by Lord Yanchun as soon as she could remember, with the intention of giving her away.
Li Si was afraid that drinking would lead to mistakes, so he did not drink.
Lord Yanchun was not angry about this, since he needed Li Si's help.
……
About half an hour later.
The sun was already setting in the west.
Yan Chunjun had two boxes of money brought over.
"Brother Tonggu."
"I have only one wish, which is that Ji City will return to the State of Yan within three to five years."
"I have lived in Jicheng since I can remember, and several of my residences are also in Jicheng. Moving is by no means an easy task."
"As people get older, it's better to stay still than to move around."
Yan Chunjun sighed.
The box was filled with priceless items; even if Li Si worked as the Minister of Justice until his death, he would not have received such a high salary.
“From the time of Duke Xiang, Ji City was the capital of the Yan State.”
“Your country has a million armored soldiers; my Yan country is no match for them.”
"But as the saying goes, even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone with the State of Zhao in between?"
"Yan Dan and Dukang are both easy to deal with, but what about Jicheng? Is there any way to negotiate?"
"Brother Tonggu has come all this way, he certainly doesn't want to return empty-handed."
"The fact that Li Si is willing to come see him tonight means that the matter is half settled," Yan Chunjun continued.
If Li Si is unwilling to compromise, he won't come at all tonight.
"How do you plan to resolve this?"
Li Si asked.
Ceding Jicheng would indeed be very difficult.
Furthermore, with the State of Zhao standing in the middle, it's not impossible to settle for a less desirable option.
"Pay back money."
Yan Chunjun replied without hesitation.
Anyway, it's not like he's the one paying for it.
At this moment, what is more important than Jicheng?
Li Si remained noncommittal, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of tea.
Wei Liao said that in the future, when Zhao and Chu are destroyed, money will be needed to win over the enemy, so it is not unreasonable to pay money.
……
Two days later.
Li Si feigned reluctance but accepted Yan Chunjun's proposal.
King Xi of Yan ceded Dukang to the State of Qin.
Li Si was not in a hurry to return to Qin; he wanted to return to Qin with Yan Dan.
The map of Dukang and the money were escorted back to Qin by Luo Wang.
……
the other side.
Wu Kuang and Tian Mi went to the Qin State together.
"Why do you insist on following me?"
Seeing Wu Kuang following closely behind, Tian Mi frowned deeply.
Although Wu Kuang treated her very well, she did not like him.
If you treat me well, I will love you, even if I get married before I'm ten years old!
"I have nothing to do lately, so I'm giving you a ride."
Wu Kuangdao.
He didn't care whether Tian Mi was angry or not, because women's minds are hard to fathom.
Tian Mi acted angry, but she was probably secretly pleased.
He may appear happy, but he could be quite annoyed inside.
Do you know what mission I'm on?
Tian Mi placed her hands on her waist.
If Wu Kuang were a chivalrous leader, as outstanding as Xu Lin, she would have married him long ago.
"Know a thing or two."
Wu Kuang replied.
He had heard about this from his sworn brother Chen Sheng.
Chen Sheng had a good relationship with the Zhu family, so Wu Kuang knew all the secrets of the peasants.
"Are you willing to wait for me?"
Seeing Wu Kuang's serious expression, Tian Mi pretended to be pitiful and bit her thin lips.
She really enjoys manipulating men.
But not every man is as easy to handle as Wu Kuang, so even now, among the upper echelons of the farming family, Wu Kuang is still her only suitor.
"of course."
Wu Kuang replied without hesitation.
After speaking, he took a few steps forward, about to reach out his hand but then stopped.
He was afraid that Tian Mi would be offended if he made any physical contact with her rashly.
"it is good."
"Go back."
I understand your feelings.
Tian Mi said in a deliberately gentle tone.
Wu Kuang was startled upon hearing this, and hesitated before speaking.
What does Tian Mi mean by this?
Did she agree?
"it is good!"
Wu Kuang could not hide his joy.
Then he strode away from there.
He had been pursuing Tian Mi for so long, and that was exactly what he wanted to hear.
Watching Wu Kuang's delighted back, Tian Mi smiled charmingly and shook her head.
They're really easy to handle.
I just don't want to go with you. I'm afraid Mr. Xu will misunderstand and really think that I will marry you after I complete my mission.
……
The next day.
Xu Lin entered Qin territory.
The security of Qin was far superior to that of Zhao and Yan, so Xu Lin stopped staying in the carriage as soon as he entered Qin territory.
After showering and changing, Xu Lin was soaking his feet when there was a knock on the door.
Upon hearing the sound, Nongyu, whose long hair was tied up high, retied the green sash around her waist, picked up the long sword beside her, and slowly walked towards the wooden door.
"Who?"
Nongyu pressed the scabbard against the door bolt, her voice cold and clear.
"I am Tian Mi."
Is Mr. Xu here?
"Tian Mi said softly." (End of Chapter)