It was like purgatory. After all, not everyone possessed the formidable strength of Zhao Feng, who was capable of breaking down city gates single-handedly. He was truly an exception.
Within the Zhangtai Palace, Ying Zheng stood before a map in the rear hall. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stared at Wu’an City with a grave expression.
"Pang Xuan’s speed in returning to reinforce his position was much faster than I had anticipated," Ying Zheng said slowly.
"Wearied soldiers are not a concern," Yu Liao said with a smile. "Wu’an City is not a major military stronghold, either. The General will surely breach it. Once this battle is won and Pang Xuan is crushed, our forces can march directly on the Zhao Capital, Handan."
"Three hundred thousand of the Zhao Jun are garrisoned at Wu’an," Ying Zheng mused. "This will be the final battle for the state of Zhao. We just need to wait for Wu’an City to fall. Based on what I know of Zhao Yan, he will either flee north into Dai Territory or forcefully order the army from Dai Territory to come to his aid." A faint smile touched Ying Zheng’s lips, confident that he had seen through his rival completely.
Yu Liao nodded. "Your Majesty is truly wise."
"However," Yu Liao added with a smile, "the better scenario for Zhao would be for Zhao Yan to summon troops from Dai Territory. That would leave Dai Territory vulnerable, and Qin could save both time and effort when we eventually take it."
"With Guo Kai as our mole, Zhao Yan won’t flee to Dai Territory," Ying Zheng sneered.
"Your Majesty’s decision to spare Guo Kai’s life to serve as a mole was truly sagacious. Guo Kai played a role in Lian Po’s death. The breach of Jinyang, the layout of the city’s defenses, the deployment of troops—these were all intelligence he provided," Yu Liao said with a smile.
"Guo Kai is a petty man, and that makes him useful," Ying Zheng remarked with a laugh, very satisfied with the decision to turn him. "If he were an honorable man, he would have been useless."
"Pang Xuan’s rapid return indeed confirms your suspicions, Your Majesty. Yan does not wish to see Qin annihilate Zhao, so they did not dispatch a large army to pursue the Zhao Jun, allowing them to retreat so swiftly. If not for Qin, Yan would not even exist. Such behavior is truly reprehensible," Yu Liao stated, his voice tinged with anger. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
"Since Yan has acted this way, we can use this matter as leverage in the future. I will make the King of Yan give me an explanation," Ying Zheng declared coldly, naturally infuriated by Yan’s actions.
"That matter can be discussed after Zhao is conquered. I have already ordered the Shaofu to ensure that intelligence about the Zhao state is relayed promptly. With General Wang Jian on the front lines, there is no need for concern," Yu Liao assured him with a smile.
「Meanwhile, in Ji City of Yan.」
Inside the sleeping quarters of the King of Yan’s palace, King Xi of Yan glared with a face full of rage at the person kneeling in the hall.
"Do you realize your mistake?" King Xi of Yan demanded.
"Where did I go wrong? Please enlighten me, Father," Yan Dan replied, genuinely confused.
"The Zhao Jun retreated, and you ordered the entire army not to pursue, letting them just walk away! Is that not a mistake?" King Xi of Yan snapped, his brows furrowed in anger.
"Father, Qin did not send troops to attack Zhao merely to save us; they intend to annihilate Zhao completely. If Qin truly succeeds, our state of Yan will have no peace. Qin will become an even greater danger than Zhao. The reason I did not pursue the Zhao Jun was to prevent Qin from succeeding. All of this was for the sake of Yan," Yan Dan explained, speaking with an air of self-righteousness.
Hearing this, the anger on King Xi of Yan’s face intensified.
"Nonsense!" he roared, slamming his hand down. "Even now, you still don’t see your mistake?
"Do you honestly think the King of Qin cannot see through your intentions? Do you think he will not be enraged?
"With this act, you have antagonized not only the King of Qin, but the entire state of Qin!"