Looking at the furious King Xi of Yan, Yan Dan's face showed fear, but he remained very stubborn and resolute.

"Father."

"I believe I have done nothing wrong."

"Ying Zheng has the ambition of a wolf. Once he swallows the Zhao state, our great Yan will be in even greater danger."

"By letting the Zhao Jun return unharmed, we ensure Qin cannot annihilate the Zhao state."

"This is advantageous for our great Yan," Yan Dan said stubbornly.

"You rebellious son! Are you really that foolish?" King Xi of Yan pointed at Yan Dan and scolded angrily. "Even now, do you still not understand what diplomatic relations are? Do you still not know what constitutes national interest? You're right, Qin poses a much greater threat to Yan than the Zhao state does. But the Qin Army was dispatched in response to Yan's call for help! Without Qin, Yan would have perished at the hands of Zhao. Rationally and emotionally, Qin is now Yan's benefactor.

"This time, Yan and Qin are allies. The Zhao Jun retreated and you did not pursue them. To put it harshly, that is treachery.

"Even if you understood the threat from Qin, you should not have done nothing. At the very least, you should have made a show of pursuit so that Qin could not find fault. But you were too foolish."

This son had disappointed him too much. How could he not know the threat of Qin? But Yan Dan is too foolish, too short-sighted. Even if he intended to let the Zhao Jun leave, he shouldn't have just watched from the sidelines. He should have at least created the appearance of a pursuit.

Hearing this, a hint of regret appeared on Yan Dan's face.

"I am at fault," Yan Dan finally admitted, kneeling.

"Alas," King Xi of Yan sighed. "In the future, you must not act so rashly. Discuss everything with Yue Cheng and Ju Xin."

"I understand," Yan Dan replied respectfully.

"You may leave."

"Now that the Zhao state has withdrawn its troops, Yan must also prepare the supplies we promised to Qin," King Xi of Yan said.

"Father," Yan Dan said, lifting his head with a serious expression, "I have a request."

"Speak," King Xi of Yan said.

"If the Zhao state truly reaches the point of collapse, I propose that Yan send troops to invade it," Yan Dan said.

"You want to compete with Qin for the Zhao state's territory?" King Xi of Yan frowned.

"Father, this is not a competition. It is what Yan deserves. The Zhao state invaded our lands, killed so many of our people, and plundered our wealth. Morally and rationally, Yan has every right to take military action against them. In such a rare opportunity, should Yan not take a piece of the pie? We cannot let Qin and Ying Zheng snatch all the benefits," Yan Dan said with a cold sneer.

"This matter..." King Xi of Yan said with hesitation, "requires careful consideration. If Yan sends troops and Qin objects, it would not be a good thing."

Yan Dan had indeed swayed him. If Yan could take this opportunity to capture the territories and cities of the Zhao state, it would be a great boon. However, such an action might offend Qin.

"Father, this is the only chance for Yan to strengthen its national power," Yan Dan continued to plead. "This opportunity cannot be missed!"

"Very well," King Xi of Yan said solemnly. "It shall be as you say. I will issue a decree for Yue Cheng to act when the opportunity arises. However, if our forces come into contact with the Qin Army and they move to retake cities of the Zhao state, our troops must retreat immediately. We cannot engage the Qin Army in battle. At this moment, Yan absolutely cannot afford to make an enemy of Qin."

"I understand," Yan Dan nodded immediately. Now that he had the King of Yan's consent, his ambitions toward the Zhao state's territory grew immensely.

As for being enemies with Qin? Ever since his diplomatic mission to their state, Yan Dan felt only hatred for Qin and for Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng had betrayed their past promises. He had even forced Yan to pay a heavy price before sending troops. Ying Zheng... I will never lose to you. You want to completely swallow up the Zhao state? I will never let you have your way. Yan Dan clenched his fists, his thoughts turning icy.

...

「Within Wu'an City!」

The slaughter continued at West City. The entire gate tower had fallen, with Zhao Feng leading his Sharp Warriors as they cut a bloody path forward. The Zhao Jun guarding the West City gate were being slaughtered, retreating in disarray. Even with Zhao Cong personally overseeing the defense, the retreat of the Zhao Jun showed no signs of slowing.

"General!" a Deputy General reported anxiously. "The third Wanjiang battalion has collapsed! The routed soldiers are charging toward our central army! We can't hold them back!"

"Did you not hear my order?" Zhao Cong demanded, his face cold. "Kill anyone who retreats!"

"General, the Supervisory Team can't stop the rout! The soldiers of the three Wanjiang battalions have been so thoroughly slaughtered by the Qin Army that their morale is gone!" the Deputy General urged. "The Supervisory Team has already executed over a hundred men, but they still can't stop them! Please, General, give us an order!"

"Dammit," Zhao Cong cursed, a look of helplessness on his old face. This battle is an utter humiliation. The Qin Army breached the city gates in less than an hour, and the entire gate tower fell in under two. Now, in just eight hours, the whole outer defensive line has collapsed. Routed soldiers are everywhere, even crashing into our own formations. The Supervisory Team is useless. It just shows what a ferocious attack we've faced. Simply put, morale is gone, and discipline has collapsed. This is already a defeated army.

After a moment of consideration, Zhao Cong bellowed, "Relay my orders! Open three gaps in our formation! Let the routed soldiers pass, and dispatch ten commanders to reorganize them to fight again! I will command this battle myself!"

"Report! The Qin Army has breached the outer defensive line! A large number of routed soldiers are surging this way! We await your orders, General!"

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