amaotonovel Chapter 81 The Death of Prince Dan
Chapter 81 The Death of Prince Dan
Prince Dan was currently lying in bed recovering from his injuries, his face pale and his expression haggard. His once handsome face was now shrouded in pain and worry, his eyes tightly closed, his brows furrowed, as if he were bearing endless pressure. His body was weak and powerless, and each breath seemed difficult and labored.
However, despite his severe physical injuries, Prince Dan was filled with deep concern for the future of the Yan state. The Yan army had suffered heavy casualties, with the remaining old, weak, and disabled fleeing to the harsh and desolate Liaodong. Moreover, he himself was seriously wounded and unable to personally lead the army against the enemy. The fate of the Yan state was as precarious as a candle flickering in the wind.
In the quiet room, Prince Dan pondered the future of the Yan Kingdom. He thought of the loyal and brave soldiers who had fought alongside him, and a sense of guilt welled up in his heart. They had fought valiantly for their country and made enormous sacrifices, while he was powerless to lead them to victory.
At the same time, Prince Dan realized that the State of Yan needed new strength to resist the invasion of the State of Qin. He began to consider how to cultivate more generals, strengthen the training of the army, and improve the military strength of the State of Yan. But all of this required time and resources, and the State of Yan was now in a predicament. Without money, how could it support its army? Thinking of this, Prince Dan felt even more pain in his body.
However, as darkness fell, a heavy blanket of night enveloped Liaodong, and a troop of elite soldiers, as swift as ghosts, silently surrounded Prince Dan's residence. They were clad in armor as black as night, wielding gleaming blades, their eyes revealing a coldness as sharp as ice and a resolve as firm as a rock.
Prince Dan of Yan snapped out of his deep thoughts. His keen intuition made him realize the unusual atmosphere. Some thoughts suddenly flashed through his mind. He smiled bitterly, but as he smiled, tears welled up like a burst dam.
In Prince Dan of Yan's heart, grief and indignation surged like a raging tide, and despair was as deep as endless darkness. He knew that his father had sacrificed his life to save the state of Yan. He recalled how he himself had risked his life to send Jing Ke to assassinate the King of Qin for the future of Yan, only to meet such a tragic end. He felt that his ideals and ambitions had vanished like fragile bubbles in an instant, and his heart was filled with endless resentment.
He stared at his men who came to kill him, a resolute glint in his eyes. He knew he couldn't escape the shackles of fate, but he refused to give up so easily. He decided to fight for his ideals and beliefs in his final moments.
The soldiers stormed into the room, and Prince Dan stood up like a pine tree, facing them. There was no fear in his eyes, only helplessness and sorrow for the fate of the Yan Kingdom.
“Crown Prince Dan, you have committed a grave crime. The Prince of Yan has ordered us to take your life,” a general said coldly, his voice unusually icy.
Prince Dan smiled slightly and said, "I am only working hard for the future of Yan. What crime have I committed?" The general said no more, waved his hand, and the soldiers rushed forward like a tide.
Prince Dan of Yan took a deep breath, his eyes revealing a resolute and fearless spirit. Looking at those ordered to kill him, a surge of intense anger welled up within him. He proclaimed loudly, "I, Prince Dan of Yan, was born a citizen of Yan, and I will die a ghost of Yan. Though I die today, my ideals and beliefs will forever remain in the hearts of the people of Yan!" With that, he drew his sword and charged towards his men. Prince Dan fought valiantly, but ultimately, outnumbered, he was hacked to death by the soldiers.
When King Yan learned that Crown Prince Dan was dead, he breathed a sigh of relief. He hurriedly ordered his men to deliver Crown Prince Dan's head to Wang Jian at top speed. Wang Jian gazed at the head of Crown Prince Dan, his heart filled with countless emotions, but he did not utter a word. He simply ordered his men to send the head back to Xianyang for the king to decide.
When the King of Qin saw the head of Crown Prince Dan, his heart was filled with a mixture of joy and anger. He was joyful that his greatest threat had finally been eliminated, but angry that the King of Yan had so cruelly killed his own son in order to beg for mercy. The King of Qin clenched his fists tightly, his eyes seemingly burning with rage. However, amidst his anger, a sense of sorrow also welled up in his heart.
He and Prince Dan were once hostages in the State of Zhao, spending a wonderful time together. Back then, they were innocent children, playing and learning together, forging a deep friendship. However, as time passed, they grew up and went their separate ways. For the sake of their respective national interests, they embarked on different paths, ultimately leading to this situation.
The King of Qin was filled with complex emotions. On one hand, he had anticipated this outcome when Prince Dan returned to Yan, but he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. On the other hand, the King was furious. He believed Prince Dan should have fought honorably on the battlefield, instead of resorting to such despicable means as sending assassins. This act not only violated the rules of war but also damaged their former friendship.
The King of Qin stared at Prince Dan's severed head, a cold smile playing on his lips. He sneered, "You devoted yourself entirely to the state of Yan, but what have you gained in the end? Your own father personally killed you and delivered your head to me. Isn't this a profound irony?" With that, the King of Qin's face darkened, his eyes flashing with fury.
A moment later, the King of Qin quickly regained his composure, as if nothing had happened. He turned to the guards beside him and said, "Hang the head of Prince Dan of Yan atop the city wall for three days as a warning to others." His voice was low and firm. The guards exchanged glances, clearly surprised, but obeyed. Then, the King of Qin waved his hand, signaling them to leave. A deathly silence fell over the entire palace, with only the King of Qin standing there alone, silently contemplating everything.
After Wang Jian led the Qin army to conquer Ji, the capital of Yan, he first ordered his soldiers to surround the city and set up checkpoints at each gate, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving. Then, Wang Jian personally led a troop of elite soldiers into the city. They patrolled the streets, surveyed the city, and explained Qin military policies to the local residents.
Wang Jian ordered all the people of Ji City to be gathered together. Once everyone was assembled, Wang Jian dismounted and walked to the center of the crowd, loudly proclaiming, "Fellow citizens of Yan, from this day forward, you are citizens of my Great Qin! Now that you are registered in the household register of my Great Qin, you must abide by the laws of my Great Qin. Anyone who violates the law will be severely punished by my Qin army! But as long as you abide by the law, my Qin army will also protect you."
Upon hearing this, the people of Yan began to discuss among themselves. Some worried that they would not be able to adapt to Qin law, while others doubted whether the Qin army could truly protect their safety. Seeing this, Wang Jian continued, "Gentlemen, there is no need to worry. Now that our Qin army has occupied Ji City, it will naturally not be threatened in any way. As long as you sincerely submit to our Great Qin, you can live in peace and prosperity."
However, some people of Yan still harbored doubts, and some even attempted to rebel. Seeing this, Wang Jian immediately issued a stern warning: "Now that the King of Yan has fled and the state of Yan is destroyed, you should no longer harbor any illusions. The King of Yan was treacherous and cunning; to save his own life, he didn't hesitate to kill his own son—Crown Prince Dan of Yan. Such behavior is truly heinous. Therefore, do not expect the King of Yan to return to save you, and do not attempt to resist my Qin army. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences!" Having said this, Wang Jian surveyed his surroundings, his gaze sharp as lightning, instilling fear in the hearts of those present. Upon hearing this, the people of Yan lowered their heads, indicating their willingness to submit to Qin rule.
Next, Wang Jian ordered his men to bring Yan officials and nobles to the square and announce the abolition of Yan's old system in favor of Qin's. At the same time, he dispatched envoys to various regions to publicize Qin's military policies and appease the people. After these efforts, Ji City finally returned to peace. Wang Jian successfully captured the capital of Yan, taking a significant step towards Qin's unification of the six states.