"What news has you so panicked?"
Lian Po asked sternly as he noticed the messenger trembling in fear.
"Jinyang has closed its gates. They didn't even let me into the city to deliver the message," the messenger reported, his voice quivering.
"I informed them that the Grand General was being pursued by Qin forces. However, General Yan Ju, who is in charge of guarding the city, stated that the Grand General had already written a farewell letter. The King wishes for the Grand General to fight the Qin forces to the death until the last soldier falls."
"Now, the entire state of Zhao knows of the Grand General's bravery in confronting Qin. The people of Zhao harbor great hatred toward Qin, and if the Grand General were to return, it would not bode well for Zhao... So... so..."
The messenger's voice faltered, and he lowered his head, clearly too afraid to continue.
Hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on Lian Po's aged face before he suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
His laughter echoed throughout the tent, but those around him could hear the sorrow within it.
"Grand General," the surrounding Zhao officers murmured, their expressions filled with grief.
At that moment, they all shared Lian Po's pain they too had been abandoned by Zhao.
Lian Po's farewell letter had shaken the royal court. With the deliberate efforts of certain individuals, it spread throughout the state of Zhao, igniting intense hatred for Qin and rallying the people's fighting spirit.
For this reason, Lian Po had no choice but to die.
If he returned alive, what would become of his farewell letter? It would turn into nothing more than a joke.
Of course, there was another crucial reason: King Zhao Yan did not want Lian Po alive.
To outsiders, Lian Po was a general who could single-handedly rival thousands of troops an invaluable asset to any nation. But Zhao Yan saw him as a threat. Even in Zhao's dire circumstances, the king prioritized eliminating perceived enemies.
Lian Po, the most formidable of these threats, had to go.
"My life should have ended decades ago during the battle of Changping. These extra years I've lived are merely borrowed time," Lian Po said with a bitter laugh.
"The farewell letter is written. I truly have no face left to live."
His voice carried a tinge of sorrow, but as his gaze fell on the officers who had loyally followed him, his eyes filled with guilt.
"I have failed you all," he said, his voice heavy with regret.
"Because of your closeness to me, you have been dragged into this predicament."
"The Qin forces are pressing hard, and our retreat is cut off."
"I won't force you to follow me to your deaths. This nation might already be beyond saving," Lian Po said bitterly.
"If any of you wish to leave, I will not stop you."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding Zhao officers immediately knelt before him.
"Grand General!"
"We have followed you for over a decade. Our lives already belong to you."
"If you fight to the death, how can we abandon you?"
"We will fight alongside you against the Qin forces until our last breath!"
"We swear to follow the Grand General, even unto death!"
The officers cried out in unison, their voices filled with determination.
Seeing them kneeling before him, Lian Po's face softened with a smile, though guilt still lingered in his eyes.
"Although we fight against Qin," he said softly, "perhaps if you were in Qin, you wouldn't be facing such dire circumstances now."
"If Prince Chunping had inherited the throne, Zhao might have had a chance to resist Qin and even unify the world."
"But now, it is too late," Lian Po lamented.
In his heart, he had always hoped for Zhao Yi to inherit the throne. However, Zhao Yan had seized it through political maneuvering.
Now, it was all too late.
Reflecting on it, Lian Po felt a pang of regret. Perhaps he should have raised an army to support Zhao Yi when Zhao Yan usurped the throne.
But now, all of that was just idle thought.
"The Qin forces are no more than ten miles away."
"Continue retreating toward Jinyang," Lian Po ordered.
"Grand General," a deputy officer interjected angrily, "Jinyang will never open its gates to us. Why head there?"
"The Qin forces have already taken Quyang and are in pursuit. Their next target is Jinyang," Lian Po explained calmly.
"What impact would it have on the Qin forces if we stationed ourselves east of Jinyang?"
The Zhao officers contemplated this for a moment before realization dawned on them.
"If we hold our position east of Jinyang, the Qin forces would be hesitant to attack," one officer concluded.
"When the Qin forces assault Jinyang, we can launch a flank attack, thwarting their siege."
"This battle, win or lose, is the end for me," Lian Po said firmly.
"The King will not spare me."
"But you..."
He looked at his officers with an almost fatherly affection.
"You have fought by my side for years. I see you as brothers, as my juniors."
"I cannot lead you to your deaths."
"By holding the position east of Jinyang, you might have a slim chance of survival."
These words deeply moved the officers.
"Grand General," they cried out, "we are willing to follow you to the death!"
"We do not fear death!"
"Enough," Lian Po waved his hand. "There's no need to say more."
"Prepare to move out."
"We will hold the position east of Jinyang to deter the Qin forces."
"This is the last thing I can do for Zhao," he said resolutely.
"Understood!" the officers replied in unison.
Qin Camp
"Grand General," a scout reported, "Lian Po has continued his retreat toward Jinyang. He is now just a few miles from the city but has set up camp east of it instead of entering."
"It seems he cannot enter the city," Wang Jian remarked after a brief pause.
"What do you mean, Grand General?"
"Lian Po has been avoiding confrontation with us all along, aiming to retreat into Jinyang for defense. Why can't he enter?"
Wang Jian chuckled.
"You've heard about Lian Po's farewell letter, haven't you?"
"It has spread throughout Zhao by now," Wang Jian explained.
"The Zhao King used it to rally the people against us. But there's more to it he wants Lian Po dead."
Wang Jian's insight into the situation left no room for doubt.
"Though old, Lian Po is still a formidable general," he added.
"For any nation, such a talent would be invaluable. But Zhao Yan wants him dead," Wang Jian sneered.
"With such a foolish king, how can Zhao not fall?"
Wang Jian sighed.
"Still, Lian Po's choice to hold his ground east of Jinyang shows his brilliance. He's creating a pincer threat with the Zhao forces inside the city. If we attack Jinyang, he can strike our flanks," Wang Jian noted with admiration.
"What should we do then?" Yang Duanhe asked.
"March forward. Order Wang Ben to flank east of Jinyang and eliminate Lian Po first," Wang Jian commanded.
"Understood."
"Ah, Lian Po. Even now, you fight for Zhao, though its king has abandoned you," Wang Jian thought to himself.
"Very well. Let me, Wang Jian, send you off. To die on the battlefield is the honor of a true general."
The next day…
Just three miles away from Jinyang City.
Tens of thousands of Qin soldiers were lined up in formation, adopting an aggressive stance, as if preparing to attack.
Meanwhile, on the eastern side of Jinyang City, a Zhao army of no more than 20,000 troops was stationed, forming a flanking angle against the Qin forces.
"The Qin army... doesn't seem to intend to storm the city," Yan Ju remarked, gazing at the Qin troops outside the city.
"The Qin army naturally wouldn't dare to attack outright," a deputy general beside him responded.
"With General Lian Po stationed to the east, any assault by the Qin army would be met with a counterattack from the old general."
"Even at this stage, the old general is still considering the stability of Zhao."
Hearing this, Yan Ju cast a sidelong glance at the speaker, refraining from saying anything or showing agreement.
"The Qin army comes with great momentum. Strengthen the city's defenses and prepare for a tough battle," Yan Ju said in a deep voice.
He deliberately avoided any mention of Lian Po and shifted the topic entirely.
One of the Zhao generals couldn't help but ask, "General, are we not going to let General Lian Po into the city? The Qin army numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Even though our forces are forming a flanking defense with the city's garrison, if the Qin army encircles General Lian Po from the side, he won't be able to hold out. It will be a certain death situation."
"That's right, General!"
"General Lian Po has always put the state of Zhao first. Are we truly going to stand by and watch him fall to the Qin army?"
"General Lian Po is the cornerstone of Zhao's security. If he dies, our country will lose its foundation!"
"Please, General, allow him to enter the city and join in the defense…"
Several other Zhao generals also pleaded on Lian Po's behalf, hoping Yan Ju would permit him entry into the city.
Lian Po's reputation was undeniably high, as evidenced by the situation.
But hearing their pleas, a flash of disdain crossed Yan Ju's eyes, and anger flickered on his face.
"Silence!" Yan Ju snapped coldly.
"General!"
The Zhao generals looked at Yan Ju with some trepidation.
"Perhaps General Lian Po truly does have the interests of Zhao at heart, but the decision not to allow him into the city is not mine it comes from the king himself."
"Moreover, this situation is one of Lian Po's own making."
"If not for that farewell letter he wrote, if not for his insistence on making things so public, would we be in this predicament? Would the matter have become so widely known?"
"Now, the entire state of Zhao is united against the Qin. If Lian Po survives, the morale of our troops and citizens will be utterly shattered."
"And so..."
Yan Ju spoke slowly, revealing the cruel reality in his words Lian Po was doomed to die, one way or another.
Even if he didn't die at the hands of the Qin army, he would inevitably fall at the hands of Zhao.
Hearing Yan Ju's words, the Zhao generals wore expressions of sorrow and helplessness.
No matter how unwilling or resentful they felt, there was nothing they could do.
"Enough."
"Focus on strengthening the city's defenses. Prepare for a full-scale defense."
"Dismissed," Yan Ju ordered coldly.
"Understood," the Zhao generals could only reply before withdrawing.
Standing atop the city walls, Yan Ju looked toward the east, where Lian Po's forces were stationed.
"Lian Po, you're so old already. It's time for you to die. As long as you live, how can the king truly assert control over Zhao? As long as you live, would Zhao Yi dare act so boldly toward the king?"
"As long as you live, how can Zhao produce new and promising generals? How can I replace you?"
"The king holds me in such high regard, and I will not disappoint him."
"After this battle, once I repel the Qin army, the name of Yan Ju will resound throughout the world. Lian Po is already old. One day, I, Yan Ju, will surpass him." Yan Ju harbored such ambitions as he silently plotted his future.
In the Qin camp:
"General!"
"Our probes confirm it Jinyang's gates remain tightly shut. They have no intention of reinforcing Lian Po."
"As you suspected, the King of Zhao is determined to let Lian Po die," Yang Duanhe reported solemnly.
"Lian Po will inevitably move south to face us, even if it means leaving his post. He knows waiting is not an option," Wang Jian said, pointing at a map.
"Have him closely monitored. If he retreats further, advance on Jinyang."
"Yes, General!"
Yan Ju bellowed in fury and immediately ordered his guards, "Someone, send men to chase after Lian Po at once! Tell him that if he dares to flee or betray the country, the great Zhao will never spare him."
"Yes, sir," the guard responded promptly.
"Lian Po," Yan Ju muttered, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, "if you dare to flee, I will personally kill you."
However, he was completely unaware of the situation unfolding elsewhere.
South of Jinyang City.
"So, it is the Qin army."
"And their armor is still stained with blood they must have marched straight here after breaching Lincheng."
Observing the menacing might of the Qin army from a short distance, Lian Po's heart sank. He realized that his fears were true: the Qin army had indeed come from Lincheng. The Wei forces had fallen.
"The general leading them is that Zhao Feng, the one who defeated Wei Wuji?"
Lian Po stared intently at the figure standing atop a chariot at the Qin army's frontlines. His suspicion quickly turned to certainty.
Meanwhile, on the other side:
"General," said Tu Sui beside the chariot, "this Zhao force isn't large, but their formations are disciplined. They're an elite unit. Why would they be stationed outside Jinyang?"
Zhao Feng glanced toward the Zhao soldiers and replied calmly, "Perhaps... we've walked into a fortunate coincidence."
With a wave of his hand, he gave his orders.
"Understood." Zhang Ming turned his horse and immediately set off, pulling the reins of his chariot toward the front.
At the Zhao army's frontlines.
"General, a Qin war chariot is approaching. Pulled by three horses it must be carrying their commander," Lian Po's deputy reported.
"Hold your fire," Lian Po ordered in a deep voice. After a brief pause, he added, "Open the shield formation. I will meet him."
"Yes, sir."
The frontline soldiers opened a path in their shield formation. Lian Po's charioteer urged their horses forward, heading toward the center of the battlefield.
Between the two armies.
The two war chariots stopped a mere ten paces apart.
"It is him," Zhao Feng thought as he studied the figure on the opposite chariot. Though aged, Lian Po exuded an imposing aura befitting a renowned general of history. Zhao Feng immediately recognized him.
"Zhao Feng of Great Qin greets General Lian Po," Zhao Feng said, clasping his fists with respect.
"So, it is you," Lian Po said with a composed expression, though his heart was heavy with shock.
"To be remembered by General Lian Po is an honor," Zhao Feng replied with a faint smile. Despite facing an enemy, he held immense respect for this historic military figure.
In this era, war had no right or wrong. Generals fought for their respective nations. Hatred and anger had no place on this battlefield.
"You defeated Lord Xinling. Even if I didn't wish to know your name, it would've been impossible to ignore it," Lian Po said. "And now, you've done the unthinkable: breached Lincheng and entered Zhao territory so swiftly."
Hearing this, Zhao Feng confirmed that there was no need to wait for Wang Jian to maneuver their forces for an encirclement. Today would mark the end of Lian Po's journey.
"General Lian Po," Zhao Feng said, "though I don't know why you are stationed here with this unit of Zhao soldiers, it's clear you've faced injustice in Zhao."
Lian Po raised his brows in surprise. "Zhao Feng, true to your name. I didn't expect you to discern my plight so quickly."
"Great Qin owes its success not to divine favor but to reforms and the vision of our king," Zhao Feng replied. "You must know that I rose from the ranks of logistics. Had I been born in Zhao, I would never have had the chance to become a general."
"Perhaps so," Lian Po conceded, not bothering to argue.
"General, you are old now. You deserve to enjoy your twilight years in peace. You still have a choice," Zhao Feng said earnestly.
"Lian Po may be old, but I can still draw my bow. I may be old, but I still understand loyalty and righteousness," Lian Po replied with a faint, resolute smile, ready to face death.
Hearing this, Zhao Feng stopped trying to persuade him. Though he had wished to preserve the legacy of this great general, he understood Lian Po's unwavering resolve.
"General Lian Po, your loyalty is admirable, though it has been misplaced," Zhao Feng said, his tone laced with disdain for King Zhao Yan.
Lian Po didn't respond, merely smiling. "Zhao Feng, you are a remarkable figure of Qin. I may never know how you breached Lincheng, but to face a hero like you on this battlefield marks a fitting end to my career."
Zhao Feng stared at Lian Po for a long moment before bowing slightly. "Zhao Feng respects the general's loyalty and righteousness."
With that, he turned and gestured for his chariot to return to the Qin ranks.
As he watched Zhao Feng's retreating figure, Lian Po sighed internally. "Truly a great talent of Qin. It's a shame he isn't one of us. Or perhaps he was right if born in Zhao, he would never have had the chance to rise."
Lian Po pushed these thoughts aside and returned to his formation.
When both generals had rejoined their respective armies, Zhao Feng dismounted from his chariot and mounted a warhorse. Gripping his mighty Overlord Spear, he raised it high.
"Warriors of Great Qin!" he roared.
"Victory! Victory! Victory!" Five thousand Qin soldiers responded with deafening cries.
"Follow me attack!"
With a mighty charge, Zhao Feng led the Qin forces into battle.
"Follow the general!"
"Kill!" Five thousand Qin soldiers roared as they charged forward, exuding overwhelming killing intent and invincible momentum.
"Brave warriors of Zhao!" Lian Po unsheathed his sword, his aged voice ringing out with one final command. "Fight!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Kill!" The remaining two thousand Zhao soldiers responded, charging forward with determination.
The two armies clashed. Qin's arrows rained down, killing swaths of Zhao soldiers. Soon, the two forces collided in brutal hand-to-hand combat.
Though both armies were composed of elite troops, the outcome of this battle had been determined from the start.
Lian Po, and the Zhao forces, were destined for defeat.
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