The midsummer days are getting hotter and hotter, even in the Jicheng area north of Yan State. The sun is shining across the sky, shining down on everything, and everything is so hot.
On such a day, there were not many pedestrians on the wide streets in Jicheng, but now... it seems more and more silent. Yan Dan is standing in front of the crenellation of the South Gate Archery Tower.
Looking into the distance, there were very few pedestrians in the vast area there. His eyes were wide open and he kept looking into the distance, motionless, for three hours.
Sweat was already flowing on his forehead, even the thin gauze was soaked through at this moment, and his legs and feet were already numb, but... Yan Dan seemed unaware.
Yannan was defeated!
Most of the hundreds of thousands of coalition forces of the Yan State were defeated by the Qin army, and the remaining power of Zhao was almost non-existent. The same was true for the main force of the Yan State. If it were not for the protection of the Mohist giant Lu Zhenlang, it would be difficult to return to Jicheng.
The three scattered armies also suffered losses.
Along the way, including those who were chased by the Qin army and those who were scattered, there were less than 100,000 troops when they returned to Jicheng. At this moment, they were all within Jicheng.
"Sir,...Yan Guo...what should we do next?"
Suddenly, a different kind of vitality penetrated the body, making Yan Dan's somewhat stiff body relax a lot. He moved slowly, turned his head, and there was already a man wrapped in black beside him.
"Your Highness, I'm afraid we can't defend Jicheng here."
"Wang Jian's army is already three hundred miles away. It will march thirty miles in one day. In ten days, the army will reach Jicheng. If they fight the Qin army here, they will not be their opponent."
"In my opinion, leaving 30,000 people in Jicheng is to block them as much as possible. We will lead our troops eastward to the left and right counties of Beiping, Liaoxi, and Liaodong."
"There... there are nearly 100,000 troops from Yan State, which may be able to provide support, and we may have plans for the coming year."
Lu Zhenlang's voice was a little hoarse. He followed Yan Dan's gaze and looked into the distance. There was no one there, but... his line of sight stretched for hundreds of miles, and there was the dark Qin army.
With the marching speed of the Qin army, they should be able to march faster, but they only marched thirty miles a day, which was very slow and not in a hurry.
The more this happens, the more it shows the critical situation of Yan State.
"Maybe there's a plan?"
"Sir, is there still hope for Yan State?"
Hearing this, Yan Dan's withered face, a glimmer of brilliance burst out from the depths of his red eyes, and he quickly looked at Lu Zhenlang, Yan Guo...is there still hope?
"Your Highness, now that we have more than 100,000 soldiers from the Yan Kingdom, we have no hope."
"When the five kingdoms destroyed Qi, Qi was left with only its last two cities and was almost destroyed. What happened in the end?"
"Qi's counterattack against the five countries has become more and more powerful. The fact that Yan could do that back then shows that Yan has such power. How can the tiger and wolf Qin have it?"
Lu Zhenlang cupped his hands and bowed slowly.
There is still hope for Yan State, although the hope is not great, there is still hope.
"If the Qin State was sure of conquering the Yan State in one fell swoop, why would their march be so slow? Therefore, they were also worried about the remaining strength of the Yan State."
"Your Highness, that is our hope."
Lu Zhenlang continued what he said before, he himself had not given up, and His Highness had no reason to give up. What's more... the current situation showed that the Qin State was not completely sure.
Then you can't give up.
"really?"
Yan Dan's as-reddened eyes once again burst out with a little brilliance, looking deeply at Lu Zhenlang.
"nature."
Lu Zhenlang bowed deeply again.
"good!"
"excellent!"
"Ying Zheng, I will never forget this hatred in my life."
Immediately, Yan Dan clapped his hands and smiled, mixed with hatred, and looked westward. Thousands of miles away, there was the place where Ying Zheng of Xianyang of Qin State was located. He only regretted that Han Shen did not assassinate him at that time.
But... no matter what, I vow to fight it to the end.
The State of Yan will never succumb to the inheritance of the state of Zhou for 800 years.
"Sir, come with me to Yanshan Palace."
"When the Qin army comes, the matter between my father and Shui'er should also be dealt with."
His emotions revived, and the strength all over his body appeared for no apparent reason. Yan Dan moved with steps. Although his body was staggering, he had a lot of energy and spirit returned to him. His thoughts started to circulate and he came to another place.
"That's fine."
Lu Zhenlang nodded, it would be a great thing for His Highness to be able to regain his guilty conscience.
******
Yanshan Palace!
It has always been a favorite place for King Yan to stay. It occupies a very large area and is not inferior to the royal city. In addition, the palace does not have the restrictions of the ceremonial standards of the royal city, and all kinds of luxury are available on it.
For several years, all state affairs were entrusted to Yan Dan, and King Yan Xi even enjoyed himself here, beauties, fine wines, rare delicacies... everything, imagining the ultimate happiness in the world.
That evening, Yan Dan's horse was in front of him, Lu Zhenlang, Xiaoyaozi, Tian Guangjiexia and others came running towards him.
"Father!"
After half a stick of incense, and going through complicated etiquette, Yan Dan entered the side hall of the palace alone, where King Yan Xi was enjoying delicious food alone, flanked by eight beautiful palace maids.
Not far away, there was the music of silk and bamboo orchestral music, and in the hall in front of them, there were ten young women wearing tulle dancing gracefully, with flowing sleeves and graceful postures, which was quite attractive.
"Um."
Prince Xi of Yan was half-lying on the soft couch at the top. The windows around the side hall were open, and the cool air flowed in. The palace maid was half-kneeling, holding two chopsticks, and put the delicacies on the jade plate into King Yan's mouth.
Watching Yan Dan walk in, he nodded without saying much.
"Father, the Yan Kingdom...has been defeated."
It has become an established fact. When the troops were mobilized, they were discussed with the father. Now they should give feedback. The music is slightly high and overpowers the orchestral music.
"Defeated?"
"Failed?"
"Failed!"
"Failed, defeated."
King Yan's old expression changed. He raised one hand. Immediately, the music disappeared and he murmured in his mouth. After a few breaths, he returned to his previous appearance.
Opening her mouth, the palace lady took another piece of delicate and delicious food into her mouth.
"Father, the Yan Kingdom has been defeated."
"There are only less than 100,000 people left in Jicheng."
"I think that my father should lead the remaining elite troops to retreat to Liaodong. Waiting for autumn and winter, we should be able to slow down and have no fear of Qin's tigers and wolves."
Yan Dan grabbed the ground with his head. Although he was somewhat relieved during the day after being instructed by his husband, but... thinking about this, he still felt heartbroken. Hundreds of thousands of troops perished in the hands of the Qin army.
It's really a shame.
"Everyone go!"
"There are many capitals in Yan State, so move them to Liaodong."
King Yan seemed to have already thought about it and directly stated the result without commenting on the defeat.
"No, my father, I want to stay in Jicheng. No matter what, we cannot let the Qin army take Jicheng easily. We also want to buy time for my father and you to go to Liaodong."
Yan Dan suddenly raised his head and looked at Yan Wangxi.
"Please keep all your people."
After a long silence, Yan Wangxi finally sat up from the soft couch and nodded.
After saying that, he left the side hall with the help of the maid.
Not long after, news came from the guards that the father was preparing to return to Jicheng to pay homage to the Ancestral Temple, and was already preparing his car.
"Father!"
Suddenly, Yan Dan felt a little sad in her heart.
Everyone in the Yan Kingdom said that his father was confused and fatuous, but Yan Dan felt that his father was not very confused when it came to protecting his life and power. Even after he was defeated, there was nothing strange about his father.
There was nothing strange about how he returned to Jicheng.
Today, he said that he wanted to return to Liaodong in order to find a way out. Here at the Yanshan Palace, my father seemed to have suddenly woken up and was preparing to drive back to Jicheng and Liaodong.
No matter what, the State of Yan...cannot be destroyed by the State of Qin!
"Your Highness, how is it?"
An hour later, Yan Dan, who looked calm, walked out of the side hall, looked at Lu Zhenlang and others who had been waiting under the moonlight, and smiled slightly.
"My father has agreed to retreat to Liaodong."
"Preparations are already underway at the palace."
"Where's Shui'er?"
Yan Dan responded slowly.
"That's fine."
Lu Zhenlang and others looked at each other, but there was nothing serious about it. In the face of life and death, everyone would make the wisest decision.
"Princess Shui'er is playing in the front hall and is fine."
Then, Lu Zhenlang pointed with one hand to a palace in the distance, which was where Princess Shui'er lived at the moment. This was where the peasant family and the Mohist family had placed Princess Shui'er after they rescued her from Jicheng.
No more than five people knew the news, so Princess Shui'er was fine.
Coupled with the secret technique used by Nangong of the Yin Yang family, Princess Shui'er has recovered from the secret technique in recent months. She is now fine and there should be a follow-up plan.
"Where is Nangong?"
Yan Dan nodded.
"Nangong has left long ago."
The road pillow should be filled with waves.
"Nowadays, the Yan Kingdom is in chaos. Shui'er is a direct descendant of the Yan Kingdom. This place... is no longer suitable for her to stay."
"Where do you think she should go, sir?"
No matter who Shui'er's mother was, she had no connection with Shui'er. Yan Dan stepped forward, heading towards the location where Lu Zhenlang pointed to Shui'er. The Yan country was not suitable for her to stay.
She should go to Chu or Qi!
At present, among all the Xia, only those two places are still safe.