Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 127, Section 126: Descendants of Yan and Yun
Qin Shi was satisfied after inspecting the three newly recruited low-cost talents under his command (whose daily salary was only three meals a day).

If it weren't for the disproportionate time efficiency, she would really want to start a large-scale selection as soon as possible. So many talents are buried in just one Ironworks; if a nationwide selection were held...

Wouldn't that mean she could run multiple projects simultaneously and develop several large projects at the same time?
However, while it's all just wishful thinking, ultimately, recruiting from the whole society still requires Ji Heng's permission.

Qin Shi boarded the carriage again, and this time, they were still heading to Zhangtai Palace.

But halfway there, a messenger arrived on horseback:

"King Qin! The King urgently summons you!"

Everyone was startled. Then, the driver urged the horse forward, while Qin Shi held onto the fixed table in the carriage, enduring the violent jolting once again.

Less than ten minutes later, another messenger announced from the road ahead: "Enter the palace road! Exit Xianyang Palace!"

The chariot was steered by the driver to turn quickly, and as it turned around, the King of Qin's chariot could be vaguely seen on the palace road ahead.

Inside the car, Qin Shi frowned deeply.

Amidst the swaying, Chi Nu exchanged a glance with Yi Ming: "Your Majesty, why are you in such a hurry to leave the palace? Where are you headed?"

Qin Shi looked out the carriage window. As the carriage sped along, a huge, lush green willow tree flashed past.

"The General's Mansion!"

She suddenly came to her senses.

Ji Heng has not used the miraculous medicine so far. The only dose of oral morphine he took was only enough for 15 days.

And now...

A moment of silence fell over the carriage.

……

Qin Shi guessed correctly.

Not long ago, a servant from the General's mansion entered the palace and presented a box to the King of Qin.

Ji Heng opened it and saw that inside a strange, transparent box were three and a half pills.

The most powerful monarch of the Qin Dynasty sat on the high platform. In a daze, he could still feel the other party's strong and powerful hand, like an eagle's claw, gripping his arm, slightly tight and slightly stinging.

Then he swung his sword down!
"Prince Heng, if you want everyone to obey, your sword and your body must be more resolute and stronger than others—come on!"

That marked the beginning of his resolute and fearless campaigns on the battlefield.

But now... the General has reached the end of his road.

He suddenly stood up: "Someone! Prepare the car!"

He paused for a moment, then ordered, "Summon Qin Qing here immediately!"

……

Inside the chariot, Ji Heng sat with his eyes closed, his tall and taut body swaying with the chariot, yet his back remained straight.

The departure of the Supreme General was not only an emotional blow to him, but also a political and military dilemma—as the God of War of Qin, his existence was like a pillar of Mount Buzhou, supporting the Qin Dynasty with exceptional stability.

Now, once Yan Yun passes away, although he has ordered that there is no need to observe mourning, his children will probably still come back. Wouldn't the south and the Xiongnu territory then face a situation where no one can defend them again?
He stroked the short sword hidden in his sleeve, recalling what Qin Shi had mentioned before: to train more generals for the army.

They definitely need to be trained.

In the future, the Xiongnu, Baiyue, and the surrounding areas of the Western Regions will all be incorporated into the territory of the Great Qin! Qualified and excellent generals are hard to come by and require long-term planning.

And then there's Qin's Time...

Ji Heng gripped the hilt of the short sword again, the slightly warm touch stimulating his clear mind.

Qin Qing was sincere and kind. General Yan Yun had mentioned the matter of the successor to the throne last time, and now he was taking Qin Qing to see it one last time...

Master Yan, you can rest assured!
...With the royal carriage in front, all vehicles and people outside the Xianyang Palace made way for it. Then, the journey was unimpeded, and they quickly arrived at the General's Mansion.

Time was of the essence, and the outdoor threshold had been removed, so the carriage sped inside. Qin Shi had to hold on even more firmly to avoid being jolted and hitting the roof of the carriage.

Then all around was silent, and the only sound was that Ji Heng had gotten out of the carriage.

Qin Shi also quickly took this opportunity to come out.

To my surprise, as soon as I looked up, I saw men, women, young and old standing solemnly all around me, perfectly illustrating what a large family is.

They all looked somewhat haggard, and then a faint, mournful cry rose from the crowd.

And there was also a whispered reminder from the Red Woman:
"Lord Qin, we've arrived."

At this moment, Ji Heng had already swept past the numerous family members and children of Yan Yun, and strode inside—

"Master Yan!"

But to Ji Heng's surprise, Yan Yun was not bedridden and emaciated like before, his life force nearly exhausted.

Instead, he sat upright in the armchair that Ji Heng had brought back, with thick cushions behind him and on his seat. He looked energetic and his eyes shone brightly, clearly in high spirits.

"The King is here."

Yan Yun'an sat there, his beard meticulously groomed to look exceptionally upright, yet his words were anything but serious.

Ji Heng's heart grew even heavier.

"Master Yan..."

He opened his mouth, already realizing this was a final burst of energy before death.

Yan Yun, however, remained calm and simply laughed, saying, "Your Majesty need not worry. This old minister has a carbuncle in his skull, yet he can still sleep peacefully every day. This is already a great merit and a sign of Your Majesty's deep affection for this old minister."

"Now, let this old minister give his last bit of strength for Your Majesty and for our great Qin Dynasty!"

After he finished speaking, he pointed to the huge pile of bamboo slips placed against the wall:

"What you say makes sense, Qin Qing. I have not accomplished much in my life, except for my martial arts skills, which I am quite proud of. Now, I have ordered my scribes to compile all my experiences, knowledge, battles, and experiences throughout my life."

"If in the future these things truly have produced unparalleled generals for my Great Qin, I hope Your Majesty will send someone to allow me to have a proper discussion at your tomb."

His eyes shone brightly, full of anticipation. At that moment, the old man's hand gently pressed against the back of Ji Heng's hand:

"Your Majesty, this old minister has finally managed to live up to your kindness."

Ji Heng remained silent for a long time.

The attention and attitude he thought he could easily bestow were now stuck in his throat, a thousand words choking him. His swordsmanship, his horsemanship, his first time on the battlefield…

For more than half of my life, I have been inseparable from the figure of this elderly general.

But in the end, he only asked softly, "I wish to make Qin Qing my Queen. What does the Yan army think?"

Yan Yun's eyes instantly lit up with a broad smile: "I observe that Qin Qing is kind-hearted and benevolent, and is also of celestial status. With such a queen, Great Qin will surely enjoy eternal prosperity."

After saying this, his spirits seemed to slowly dissipate, and the light in his eyes dimmed considerably.

Even my back, which was leaning against the cushion, relaxed slightly.

Ji Heng grasped his thin, cold hand.

The other person looked at him with a smile, as if still gazing at his young and stubborn disciple: "Your Majesty, after I die, please temporarily place my coffin in my hometown of Pinyang."

"My two sons and two daughters, Yan Lang is the king who guards against the Xiongnu, and I have already sent word that there is no need for him to return. Yan Ying and Yan Xuan are stationed in the Baiyue region, so I will send one of them back to Pinyang."

"My youngest son, Yan Cong, is young and impetuous, inexperienced in important matters, but he is fit to serve under the Queen. When he has completed his studies, he will lead troops for the Queen."

　Coming!
　　(End of this chapter)