Chapter 62: Lord Chengqiao Flees to Zhao

The allied forces of various states attacking Qin—King Su of Zhao, King Min of Qi, Lord Xinling of Wei, and Lord Chunshen of Chu—had all attempted it. Once united, they would soon disperse; that such undertakings could never succeed was abundantly clear. Among the six states, who did not fear Qin?

"If Your Lordship flees north to the territories of Yan and Zhao, Qin need only dispatch a single envoy, and the state sheltering you will undoubtedly deliver you into their hands. Under such circumstances, can Your Lordship still hope to live?"

These words turned Lord Chang'an Chengjiao's expression deathly pale as he stood beside Yang Duanhe. His entire body trembled involuntarily. As he imagined the scenario Yang Duanhe had just described, he knew it would most likely come to pass.

If it came to that, what could he possibly do? At this thought, Lord Chang'an Chengjiao could not help but display deep sorrow on his face. Turning slightly, he gazed deeply at Yang Duanhe. Since this man had come to see him, he must have a way to help.

"What is your plan for me?"

Chengjiao stepped forward, his foot stumbling slightly. He clasped Yang Duanhe's hands tightly. That ending was not what he desired, yet he truly could not conjure any other stratagem.

"Ha, ha. My Lord need not worry. General Wang Jian knows that Your Lordship was seduced by Fan Yuqi, and thus has entrusted me with a confidential letter to deliver to Your Lordship. Once Your Lordship reads it, you will understand!"

Feeling this, Yang Duanhe smiled faintly. Facing Lord Chang'an Chengjiao's helpless, youthful face, he sighed inwardly. Born into royalty—perhaps this was destiny, something even he could not alter.

Despite this, he still produced the confidential letter entrusted to him by General Wang. Bowing, he presented it with both hands to Lord Chang'an Chengjiao. Matters had reached this point; the rebellion involving Lord Chang'an and Fan Yuqi was drawing to a close.

"As the ruler's own brother, highly honored and enfeoffed as a marquis, why did you listen to preposterous words and commit unfathomable acts, bringing destruction upon yourself? Is it not lamentable? The instigator of this trouble is Fan Yuqi. If Your Lordship can sever his head, present it before the army, and submit to surrender, I shall personally memorialize the throne to plead for your pardon!"

"Should you do this, the King will surely forgive Your Lordship. If you hesitate and fail to decide, your regret will come too late!"

After reading the silken missive that Wang Jian had sent via Yang Duanhe, Lord Chang'an Chengjiao wore an expression of profound sorrow. Although honored as a prince of Qin, at this juncture, his life or death was no longer his own.

He muttered to himself: General Fan had always acted with single-minded devotion toward him and was a loyal and steadfast man. To put him to the sword was more than he could bear. Yet, judging by the secret letter, if he did not execute Fan Yuqi, both of their lives would be forfeited.

Yang Duanhe stood quietly to the side, saying no more. At this point, everything that needed to be said had been spoken. As for the final decision and the choice of his future, it rested entirely with Lord Chang'an himself.

The next day, Fan Yuqi drove his chariot to see Lord Chang'an Chengjiao. In the vast city of Tunliu, the wide streets were entirely deserted. Aside from the patrolling guards passing by from time to time, the houses were all tightly shuttered, with no one daring to show their face.

"The Qin forces are mighty, and the people are gripped with fear. Tunliu cannot be held much longer, by day or by night. I wish to accompany Your Lordship in fleeing north to Yan and Zhao, and plot our course at leisure!"

Wang Jian and Zhang Tang had joined forces, commanding a total of a hundred and fifty thousand troops to besiege Tunliu, making escape impossible by sheer force. Although Fan Yuqi was fierce and valiant, he still possessed sound judgment. With a solemn expression, he realized that nothing more could be done; fleeing Tunliu was the only option.

"I am of the bloodline of Ying and Qin. If I flee to distant states, how can I know whether they will accept me?"

Having spent the entire night in deliberation, Lord Chang'an was still hesitating. To wrongfully murder a loyal and upright man—even if he miraculously survived, how could he ever show his face in Xianyang? Yet if he did not kill him, both of them would likely perish.

"The states have suffered under Qin for long; why worry that they will not take us in!"

"If Your Lordship does not leave now, later you will not be able to escape!"

Fan Yuqi's expression grew somewhat panicked. Despite this, his resolve remained firm. He was about to leave the mansion together with Lord Chengjiao, break through the siege by force, and head north to Yan and Zhao. However, seeing the prince's continued hesitation, he grew somewhat angry.

Just as he was about to say more, a soldier suddenly reported that General Wang Jian was launching a fierce assault. Daring not delay, Fan Yuqi immediately left the mansion and rushed straight to the point of attack. Seeing this, Chengjiao grew even more hesitant. Yang Duanhe stepped forward and, seeing the situation, could only urge Chengjiao to leave the estate and ascend the city gate to observe the battle.

Fan Yuqi was fierce and valiant, leading troops to counterattack. Although Wang Jian had overwhelming numbers, he was still unable to take the city. Fan Yuqi dashed back and forth before the city gates, continually slaying Qin soldiers, even as the outer encirclement grew tighter and tighter.

"Open the gates!"

Feeling his personal guards dwindling one by one, Fan Yuqi spurred his horse back beneath the city gate and shouted aloud. Raising his head, he saw Lord Chang'an Chengjiao standing atop the wall, a trace of joy flashing across his face.

"Lord Chang'an has already surrendered the entire city! General Fan, please go your way. Anyone who dares open the gates will be executed!"

Unfortunately, Yang Duanhe, who had long since figured out Chengjiao's temperament, heard Fan Yuqi's stern shout and immediately drew a banner from his sleeve—upon which the single word "SURRENDER" was written. When the guards on either side saw this, and noticing that Chengjiao remained silent, they did not dare to move.

Those who feared the city would be sacked and the population massacred directly raised surrender flags. Before long, command on the city wall slipped from Chengjiao's hands, leaving him standing entirely alone, tears streaming down his face, unable to look down at Fan Yuqi below.

"A worthless boy, unworthy of assistance!"

Fan Yuqi was filled with fury and extreme disappointment. Gathering the few remaining personal guards around him and rallying his troops, he resolved to break out. Because of Xin Sheng's earlier proclamation that those captured alive would be spared slaughter by the Qin forces, after a fierce struggle, his valor enabled him to escape, riding away in the direction of the state of Yan.

At that moment, Tunliu was breached. Although Wang Jian sent troops in pursuit of Fan Yuqi, they could not catch him. Fortunately, since Lord Chang'an Chengjiao was still in the city, he could at least report back and fulfill his mission. However, an hour later, when they dispatched men to the city mansion to place Chengjiao under arrest, word came out that the secret agent Yang Duanhe, who had been sent there earlier, was severely wounded and on the verge of death, while all the servants in the mansion had vanished. As for Lord Chang'an Chengjiao, he had disappeared into thin air.

"Darn it! Although Tunliu is now broken, Fan Yuqi has escaped, and Lord Chang'an has vanished as well. What are we to do?"

In the main government hall of the city, Wang Jian sat in the seat of honor, his hand clenched into a fist, slamming it heavily against the armrest before him. Anger flashed across his face, while Zhang Tang, Huan Yi, Xin Sheng, and the others wore equally grim expressions.

As long as those two remained uneliminated, this rebellion could not be considered over. Furthermore, they had naturally failed to fulfill all the tasks demanded by the King—especially regarding Fan Yuqi, who had instigated Lord Chang'an.

None of them spoke. For now, the only course of action was to report the matter to the King and await further instructions.

Yet, contrasting sharply with the gloom on the faces of Wang Jian and the Qin generals within the city of Tunliu, along a small path on the border of the state of Zhao a hundred miles away, came the sound of successive stallion neighing. The riders were warriors dressed in tight martial attire, their garments somewhat resembling nomadic Hu clothing, with a brocade-clad youth at their center.

"Lord Chengjiao, do not worry. The Crown Prince had long anticipated this. If anything went awry, we were to forcefully escort Your Lordship out of Tunliu. That Yang Duanhe harbored ulterior motives; his actions served nothing more than his own pursuit of power and position."

"Even if Your Lordship surrendered, given King Zheng of Qin's temperament, you would certainly have met a grim fate. Therefore, traveling to Zhao first is the wisest course. With the Crown Prince's protection, one day you may yet return to Qin and ascend the throne!"

There were no fewer than ten warriors in tight attire, their auras rolling forth and mysterious lights faintly visible. Every single one of them was at the Hunyuan Xiantian level. Wielding curved sabers, they led Lord Chang'an Chengjiao across the Zhao border, heading straight toward Handan.