Upon hearing this, King Yan's expression changed, and he quickly said, "Present it to me at once."
In his mind, the Qin State would never go to war without reason something must have happened.
The dangers of waging an unjustified war were something even the King of Qin must understand.
King Yan simply could not believe that the King of Qin would be so foolish.
A palace attendant swiftly stepped down from the great hall, carefully holding up the memorial and respectfully presenting it to King Yan.
King Yan, unable to contain his urgency, immediately unsealed and opened it.
But as soon as he read the contents, his face turned deathly pale, and his hands trembled as they held the document.
"Doomed… we are doomed."
"The Yan State is finished."
His pupils contracted as his entire face twitched with fear.
The civil and military officials in the court all looked at King Yan in confusion.
To them, the king's expression was far too unusual.
"Your Majesty,"
"What is the reason for Qin's attack on Yan?"
"Has something truly happened?"
Qing Qin stepped forward, his curiosity piqued.
Having served under King Yan for many years, Qing Qin could tell that something was seriously wrong.
But upon hearing Qing Qin's question, King Yan's lips trembled he didn't even know how to respond.
Under the watchful eyes of his entire court, King Yan's face grew even paler.
"Report!"
"Audience with His Majesty!"
"The envoy from Qin requests an audience!"
An official loudly announced.
"The Qin envoy?"
"How dare they?"
"They have attacked our Yan State without cause, and yet their envoy dares to seek an audience with His Majesty?"
"Does he truly think we won't dare to kill him?"
"This Qin envoy must be courting death!"
"Outrageous "
The moment they heard that the Qin envoy had arrived, the officials of the Yan court erupted in anger.
To them, Qin had already torn up all pretense of diplomacy by launching an invasion.
Normally, before war broke out, a nation's stationed envoys would withdraw. However, since the Qin army had attacked without warning, the Qin envoy remaining in Ji City had not yet left.
Originally, King Yan had intended to have this Qin envoy executed after the court session as a declaration of war.
But now, things had taken a drastic turn.
"Your Majesty."
"There is no need to summon this Qin envoy just have him dragged away and torn to pieces."
A Yan official spoke coldly.
"I second this."
"Qin has acted arrogantly, launching an unjust war against our Yan State. They must be punished."
One by one, Yan officials voiced their agreement.
However, King Yan's expression remained grim. With a wave of his hand, he silenced the hall.
If Yan had held the moral high ground, executing the Qin envoy might have been a justified act of retribution.
But now, Yan was no longer in the right.
If they killed the Qin envoy now, the consequences would be far more severe.
"Enough."
King Yan raised his hand, and the court fell silent.
"Summon the Qin envoy," he commanded, his tone heavy.
Upon hearing this order, the officials of Yan looked at each other in bewilderment.
But seeing the grim expression on King Yan's face, none dared to question further.
"By royal decree,"
"The Qin envoy is summoned to an audience!"
A palace attendant announced loudly.
As his voice echoed, a man clad in the black official robes of Qin strode confidently into the grand hall, a document held firmly in his hand.
His gaze was steady and unwavering, utterly unfazed by the hostile glares of those in the court.
He carried himself with an air of complete composure as if he were walking into a hall devoid of adversaries.
"How dare you, Qin envoy! You stand before our king and kneel at once!"
"This is the court of Yan. How dare you be so disrespectful?"
"Outrageous!"
"Your Qin State launched an unprovoked attack against Yan, and yet you still dare to remain in our capital? Are you not afraid we will tear you to pieces?"
"If you do not flee, then today will be your last day!"
"Our Yan State may not be as powerful as Qin, but we are not to be humiliated so easily!"
"Your reckless aggression will not go unanswered Qi and Chu will not stand by idly!"
"The tyrannical Qin State will one day fall due to its excessive militarism…"
One by one, Yan officials pointed at the Qin envoy and shouted furiously.
They spoke as if Qin had committed an unforgivable sin as if its downfall was imminent.
Despite the barrage of furious accusations, the Qin envoy's expression remained unmoved.
His posture remained upright, as if the enraged outbursts of the Yan officials were nothing more than empty noise.
After a moment, the Qin envoy finally spoke.
"I bring a decree from His Majesty, the King of Qin."
"A formal declaration of war against Yan."
The envoy raised the document high and announced in a firm voice.
At this, the Yan officials' fury only grew.
"Outrageous!"
"The war has already begun! Qin launched a surprise attack against us what is the point of declaring war now?"
"Your Majesty."
"Please have this man executed at once!"
"He deserves death!"
"Qin has invaded our Yan State without reason. His blood must be spilled to avenge our fallen soldiers!"
Seeing the Qin envoy slap them in the face with such a declaration of war, the ministers of Yan were once again enraged.
Yet the Qin envoy remained completely unshaken.
He turned around and coldly swept his gaze over the Yan officials on both sides.
"Unannounced war?"
"After what your Yan State has done such despicable, shameless acts you think my Great Qin still needs to formally declare war before taking action?"
"Hiding assassins within your diplomatic mission under the guise of presenting a map, attempting to assassinate my Qin King?"
"If not for our Great Qin's Grand General returning in time and stopping the assassin's strike with a single sword, our king would have already lost his life to your Yan assassin."
"Such vile, treacherous behavior an assassination attempt right in the palace hall!"
"Do you think my Great Qin has no wrath of thunder?"
The Qin envoy raised his hand, pointing at the ministers of Yan, then turned his gaze toward the high-seated Yan King, his voice cold and stern.
At this moment, he held the official war declaration in his hands.
He had come to deliver it in person.
He did not fear death.
If the Yan dared to kill him, then when the Qin army arrived, the entire capital of Ji would be reduced to a living hell.
Upon hearing the Qin envoy's words, the entire court of Yan was struck with shock, each person showing disbelief.
"What assassination?"
"What envoy's assassination attempt?"
"What is going on?"
"There were assassins hidden among our Yan diplomatic mission? And they attempted to assassinate the King of Qin?"
"Impossible!"
"Was this arranged by His Majesty? Did he send men to assassinate the Qin King?"
"Seeing how the Qin envoy is acting, and how Qin suddenly mobilized its army could it be because of this assassination attempt? If that's the case, then our Yan State is doomed."
"Our envoy attempted an assassination Qin now has just cause for war. Qi and Chu will have no reason to intervene and aid us."
"This is bad!"
"How could His Majesty be so reckless? How could he send assassins?"
"What do we do now?"
Just a few words from the Qin envoy, and the Yan ministers who had previously been loudly cursing fell completely silent.
Now they were all terrified.
Judging by how calm and composed the Qin envoy appeared, this matter was likely true.
And that meant their Yan State was in the wrong!
"Envoy of Qin,"
"Is there... is there no way to undo this?"
The Yan King's tone carried a hint of weakness, even a plea.
And the moment these words fell,
The faces of all the Yan ministers completely changed.
From the king's attitude,
It was clear the assassination attempt was real.
"Yan King,"
"If the situation were reversed if it were my Great Qin's diplomatic mission attempting to assassinate you, nearly taking your life would you forgive us?"
The Qin envoy sneered.
His eyes carried a biting coldness, undisguised.
As the Qin envoy stationed in Yan, he represented the face of Qin.
The dignity of an envoy unafraid of death.
He was here for the honor of Qin and his honor as a Qin official.
If the ruler is humiliated, the minister must die.
It has always been so.
"Qin envoy, this matter was not ordered by me."
"If I hand over the one responsible for this, will this matter be salvageable?"
The Yan King's voice remained low.
This time,
Their Yan State had truly brought disaster upon itself.
"Yan King, there is no need for this."
"Your envoy's chief and deputy both knew of the plan the assassination attempt was carried out by your diplomatic mission. In the eyes of my Great Qin, that means it was done by your Yan State."
"If the assassination had succeeded, Qin would have fallen into chaos would that not have been exactly what your Yan State wished for?"
"And now, you think just a few words can make this go away? Yan King, you are too naïve."
The Qin envoy sneered.
As soon as he finished speaking,
He did not wait for the Yan King's ugly expression, nor his response.
"The war declaration has been delivered."
"I now return to Qin."
"If the Yan King wishes to kill me, go ahead."
The Qin envoy laughed coldly.
He simply placed the war declaration scroll on the floor, whether the Yan King picked it up or not.
To Great Qin,
It did not matter whether he accepted it
The army was already on the move.
As for the Qin envoy's own life, he did not fear for it.
If he died,
Countless others would be buried with him.
That was a national honor.
And an envoy represented the honor of his nation.
Then,
The Qin envoy turned, flung his robe, and strode out of the court hall.
Seeing this,
The Yan officials did not dare say a word, and the Yan King did not dare speak.
The same ministers who had earlier demanded the Qin envoy be torn to pieces,
Now remained utterly silent.
All they could do was watch as he walked away.
Only after a long time did the stillness of the Yan court finally break.
"Your Majesty."
"What exactly is going on?"
"Was the assassination mission truly arranged by Your Majesty?"
Yan Minister Qing Qin raised his head, his tone carrying some apprehension.
The entire court of Yan now looked at their king.
Many of them showed clear resentment in their gazes.
Because of this incident,
The Yan State, which had originally stood on the side of righteousness,
Had now become the one in the wrong.
An assassination attempt
And hidden within a diplomatic mission.
No matter how they argued,
They could not rid themselves of the blame.
Feeling the stares of his officials,
The Yan King sighed.
"Would I be so foolish?"
"If it was not Your Majesty's order,"
"Then who had the authority to arrange assassins in our diplomatic mission?" A minister asked in confusion.
Upon hearing this,
The Yan King's face darkened.
"Summon the Crown Prince to court."
The Yan King's voice was cold, as chilling as the underworld.
And at these words,
The ministers exchanged glances.
"Could it be…the Crown Prince's doing?"
Seeing the Yan King's ashen face,
Everyone sensed the murderous intent along with his fury.
But at this moment,
No one dared to speak.
The court fell into silence once more.
After some time,
The Crown Prince of Yan, Yan Dan, entered the hall.
Seeing the heavy atmosphere,
Yan Dan already knew what had happened.
"Your son greets Father." Yan Dan bowed deeply.
Looking at Yan Dan,
The Yan King's eyes filled with cold fury.
"Kneel."
The Yan King barked.
Without hesitation, Yan Dan knelt immediately.
"Do you know what grave mistake you have made?" The Yan King's voice trembled with rage.
"Though the plan failed, I do not believe it was a mistake."
"If it had succeeded, Qin would have fallen into chaos, and our Yan State would have had an opportunity."
"Our Yan State could have not only avoided destruction but also grown strong."
Yan Dan raised his head stubbornly and spoke resolutely.
With just one sentence, the entire court of Yan fully understood.
This incident was indeed orchestrated by Yan Dan.
As they looked at him, many officials could not hide their disappointment and anger.
"Scoundrel!"
"Even now, you refuse to repent?"
"Do you realize that you have put the state of Yan on the brink of destruction?" King Yan roared in fury.
Yet, Yan Dan still raised his head and responded loudly, "Even if the country perishes, it is merely a matter of sooner or later."
"Ying Zheng harbors great ambition. Even without this assassination attempt, he would inevitably attack our state. With Yan's strength, we could never stand against Qin."
"This time, I took a gamble for the fate of our nation. Though I failed, my actions should still inspire the hearts of our people."
"This matter-"
"Destiny favors Ying Zheng, not Yan."
Even though he had failed, Yan Dan showed no sign of regret.
Because this was his last-ditch effort for the survival of Yan.
Had it succeeded, he would have been hailed as a hero of his nation.
"Even now, you refuse to repent?"
"I truly regret ever giving birth to such a disgraceful son."
"Do you even understand the gravity of your mistake?"
"Because of you, Qin now has a legitimate excuse to attack our nation."
"Because of you, this time when Qin invades, Qi and Chu have no reason to aid us."
"Because of you, Qin marches against us with just cause."
"You wretched child! Do you realize you have doomed our country to destruction?" King Yan gritted his teeth as he glared at Yan Dan.
If he could, he would have had Yan Dan torn to pieces on the spot.
"Everything I did was for the state of Yan."
"This strategy failed only because the heavens did not favor us."
"Whatever punishment Father sees fit to bestow upon me, I shall accept." Yan Dan bowed his head to the ground.
Though he had failed, he understood the magnitude of his mistake and directly knelt before the King, his attitude making it clear he was ready to accept any consequence.
King Yan's eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Yan Dan.
The court was filled with an oppressive silence.
Yan State Territory, Yundong City
The city was strewn with corpses.
Everywhere, there were fallen Yan soldiers, shattered arrows, collapsed buildings from the impact of massive boulders, and ruined houses and temples.
Apart from the dead, black-armored Qin soldiers patrolled the streets.
Yundong City, the closest border city of Yan to Qin, had fallen.
"Go tally the battle results."
"In this battle, our army will take no prisoners."
"Any Yan soldier bearing arms kill without mercy."
Zhang Han rode into the city and issued his commands to the officers beside him.
"Rest assured, General."
"All soldiers have been given their orders."
"The Yan troops kill without mercy."
"Other than clearing the city, General Zhuang has already led his forces in pursuit of the fleeing enemy." Wei Quan responded immediately.
"Good." Zhang Han nodded, saying no more.
The Yan forces defending the city had numbered fifty thousand.
Once the gates were breached, their army was routed.
Many had fled, but with cavalry in pursuit, they would not escape far.
Just then, a horseman galloped toward them at full speed.
"General!"
"The Supreme General has arrived!"
A bodyguard reported respectfully to Zhang Han.
Hearing this, Zhang Han's expression changed slightly.
"Come, let's go meet the Supreme General at once!" Zhang Han immediately ordered.
His face showed clear urgency.
Without hesitation, Zhang Han turned his horse and rushed toward the outskirts of the city.
Before long, outside the city
Zhao Feng, flanked by five hundred elite guards, was approaching Yundong City.
"Subordinate greets the Supreme General!"
Zhang Han dismounted and bowed deeply before Zhao Feng.
"Greetings, Supreme General!"
The surrounding officers and soldiers also saluted, their faces brimming with excitement.
"At ease."
Zhao Feng smiled slightly and raised his hand.
"Thank you, Supreme General."
The soldiers responded in unison.
"What is the battle situation?" Zhao Feng asked Zhang Han.
"Reporting to the Supreme General."
"Against the full might of our Wuan Army, the Yan forces' morale crumbled."
"This city, though fortified, was successfully breached through coordinated attacks by myself and General Tu Sui."
"In this battle, we have slain more than twenty thousand enemies. Many have fled, but within the city, any discovered Yan soldier will not be spared." Zhang Han reported immediately.
"Good."
Zhao Feng nodded. "Yan State attempted an assassination; thus, our Wuan Army wages war in vengeance."
"We make no distinction with the civilians, but any soldier bearing arms shall be executed without exception."
Such actions were expected.
After all, their invasion was carried out under the pretense of retribution. On the battlefield, there could be no mercy.
"I understand, Supreme General." Zhang Han bowed in deference.
"Where are Generals Tu Sui and Li You? Are they still in the city or elsewhere?" Zhao Feng asked again.
"The two generals, following your orders, have split their forces and advanced separately."
"Our Wuan Army is striking Yan from three different directions."
"This time, we will secure victory and ensure that Supreme General earns even greater merit!" Zhang Han declared firmly.
Hearing this, Zhao Feng smiled slightly. "Yan's military strength is weak; they cannot withstand the might of our Wuan Army."
"This battle-"
"Is not difficult."
"Our sudden assault has left Yan unprepared. They are like frightened birds."
"To destroy Yan in half a year is enough," Zhao Feng said solemnly, his tone brimming with confidence in his army.
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