IDWBE -Chapter 563 Persuasion to Surrender

The previously solemn and serious atmosphere was immediately broken by Lin Yi’s words.

Prince Yong was now like a trapped beast—how could he have the mind to read novels?

Under his helmet, the stubble on Prince Yong’s broad face twitched slightly as he exhaled slowly. “Brother, today… shall we see who prevails between us?”

Lin Yi raised his head, feeling a bit weary.

He wasn’t accustomed to speaking with his head held high. Strolling over to a dual-drive war chariot, capable of carrying a hundred kilograms of hay for a hundred miles, he stepped onto the carriage with Shen Chu’s help.

Once again, the rat banners were waved, forming an impenetrable circle around Lin Yi.

Feeling a surge of security, Lin Yi slowly lifted his head under Prince Yong’s gaze and smiled. “Brother, you jest. I think the contest between us is already decided. What do you think?”

Prince Yong’s voice was cold. “You think you’ve won?”

“Winning isn’t certain,” Lin Yi said from atop the war chariot. Though he couldn’t quite meet Prince Yong’s gaze directly, his neck felt much more comfortable. “But I haven’t lost either. Brother, open the gates. Let us brothers share a drink. Why make it a fight to the death? It will only make outsiders laugh at us, don’t you think?”

Every word Lin Yi spoke was sincere.

Prince Yong was much older, and their relationship was far from close. Lin Yi would have been glad to see him dead.

Yet as a person with modern thinking, he couldn’t bring himself to actually kill his own brother.

Moreover, He Jixiang and the others didn’t entirely agree with killing Prince Yong.

If he killed Prince Yong, what would the other siblings think? How could he maintain their trust? The repercussions would be enormous.

“Brother, if you want to share a drink, why not come into the city?”

Prince Yong asked indifferently.

Lin Yi paused, then sighed. “Brother, you jest. You know I’ve always been timid. Better that you leave the city.”

He couldn’t believe how unscrupulous this broad-browed, sharp-eyed man could be—actually sending him into the city to die!

“You’re timid? Do you think I’m not? I’m scared too. If I leave, with so many executioners around you, can anyone guarantee my life?”

The words startled the generals on the walls and even made Shen Chu and the others below glance at each other suspiciously.

The brave and unyielding Prince Yong—how could he speak in such a cowardly way? It wasn’t his nature!

Even Lin Yi was stunned. “Third Brother, what’s wrong with you? You’re a man of iron and bone, yet you dare claim you’re more timid than me?”

He even wondered if Prince Yong had been possessed by a time traveler—how could he be so shameless!

Prince Yong laughed. “Remember what you once said: pretending to be timid is temporary; losing your life is forever. Now I understand it well.”

“Don’t you have even a bit of trust in me?” Lin Yi said, appearing heartbroken.

Prince Yong rested his hands on the battlements. “Brother, I also remember what you said: money can be discussed, emotions cannot. Truly thought-provoking words. If we brothers don’t even have emotions, how can there be trust?”

Lin Yi was stunned again. His brother remembered his words so clearly?

“So, what do you propose? Must you really force me to attack the city?” he asked anxiously.

“Then act as you wish. I’ll wait here,” Prince Yong replied resolutely.

“Hey, there’s no grain or supplies in the city, right?” Lin Yi shouted. “How long can your starving soldiers hold out? I assume you’ve received Father’s letters. Go north. I won’t stop you.”

Prince Yong said slowly, “Aren’t you afraid of raising a tiger to harm you?”

“Not afraid,” Lin Yi smiled. “I won’t lose today, and I won’t lose in the future.”

“You’re really confident?” Prince Yong asked.

Lin Yi sighed. “Brother, one who wins the hearts of the people naturally wins the world. If I lose this world, it means the people’s hearts no longer belong to me. Then I have no reason to stay; I’ll take my boat to the sea.”

“The people’s hearts…” Prince Yong murmured, then asked, “How am I supposed to trust you?”

“Brother, you know if I wanted to attack the city, you couldn’t stop me. But I have conditions—you and your men may leave, but all gold, silver, and treasures must remain. Not a single piece can be taken,” Lin Yi said bluntly.

If they took everything, his efforts would have been in vain.

“You are my brother—why push me so hard?”

Following the voice, Lin Yi saw a thin figure on the battlements: the Seventh Prince, Prince Nanling. Behind him stood the Grand General Mei Jingzhi, if he guessed correctly.

He hadn’t expected this man to still be so clueless.

He laughed. “Ah, Seventh Brother. Long time no see. I’ve missed you. I think you’re mistaken. I’m not forcing you; it’s just that in Yuzhou and Nanling, you never treated me well. I had no choice but to resist. Times have changed, but you shouldn’t distort the facts. General Mei, what do you think?”

If he hated Prince Yong, he disliked Prince Nanling.

Prince Yong was talented and capable, but he had the misfortune of facing Lin Yi.

As for Prince Nanling, he was ambitious but incompetent—a fool trying to join the fray.

“Your Highness, you’re mistaken,” said a middle-aged man in a white robe with a small mustache on the battlements.

Lin Yi laughed again. “Ah, Fourth Brother. Speak freely, I’m all ears.”

Prince Jin spoke loudly, “Jinzhou is my fief. I have no grudge against you. Why attack it?”

“Oh, the reason is simple,” Lin Yi deliberately drew out his words. “I just don’t like you.”

Straight from the heart.

Prince Jin was extraordinarily talented in literature and art and was arrogant due to his abilities and his grandfather Han Wenhu’s wealth. In the palace, he never gave Lin Yi respect, often calling him a fool.

Although Lin Yi preferred a low profile, he often argued with him.

After leaving the palace, he lived like a local tyrant in Jinzhou, even stealing brides on their wedding day, claiming to be a refined gentleman. People in Jinzhou dared not marry during the day; brides had to sneak out at night. His other misdeeds were too many to list. The locals were angry but afraid to speak.

“You!” Prince Jin turned pale with rage.

Lin Yi waved it off. “I speak bluntly, as you know. Don’t be angry. Third and Seventh Brothers may leave. Generals Yang and Mei may also leave. But you, Fourth Brother, must respectfully kowtow three times to the people of this city before leaving.”

“You insolent child!” Prince Jin was furious, unable to respond. Kowtow to the city’s people? How dare he!

“Stop this nonsense,” Prince Yong said calmly, though it wasn’t clear if he was addressing Prince Jin or himself.

“Third and Seventh Brothers, have you decided?” Lin Yi asked with a smile.

“Ninth Brother, you really won’t make things difficult for us?” Prince Nanling asked.

Prince Yong frowned.

“Seventh Brother still doesn’t trust me? Am I really that untrustworthy?” Lin Yi said, then shouted, “Give the order: withdraw ten miles. Soldiers along the route must not harass Prince Yong’s army.”

“Your Highness…” Shen Chu was stunned. This command from Prince He was sudden.

Seeing Prince He’s firm expression, he said nothing more and had the army withdraw ten miles.

Prince Yong watched the orderly retreat of the rat-bannered army below and sighed. “He’s still the same.”

His subordinate general, Chu Liang, asked, “Your Highness, what should we do?”

Prince Yong glanced at the frowning scholar in long robes, Yang Changchun. “What do you think, Mr. Yang?”

“Your Highness, we can only give it our all,” Yang Changchun said bitterly.

Even facing the Wadan, he had never been so cornered. “It’s all in Your Highness’s hands.”

Prince Jin shouted, “At worst, we perish together! What glory!”

Prince Yong didn’t lift his head. “Fourth Brother, can you bear death?”

“I…” Prince Jin retorted stubbornly.

“Fourth Brother, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood,” Prince Nanling comforted him. “You are learned. Don’t you understand patience? And Ninth Brother… you know his nature. If he says you cannot leave, you really cannot.”

Prince Jin sighed and lowered his head. Between life and pride, he chose life.

Prince Yong sighed. “Send the order: open the city gates.”

Chu Liang hesitated. “Your Highness, now? What if—”

Prince Yong shook his head. “No ‘what if.’ He’s right. If he wanted to attack, I couldn’t stop him. Besides, our supplies are lacking. Even though I pride myself on managing the army well, I cannot guarantee they won’t rebel.”

Chu Liang was silent.

They had fought hundreds of battles against Sanhe’s forces without a single victory. The civil laborers of Sanhe could even disarm an entire vanguard battalion. Morale was low.

If there had been any solution, they wouldn’t be cowering inside the city.

“Your Highness, shouldn’t we wait for them to withdraw ten miles?” Chu Liang asked.

“Does it make a difference?” Yang Changchun slammed his fist on the battlements, drawing blood without concern.

“Exactly, does it make a difference?” Prince Yong sighed deeply.

Mei Jingzhi, silent until now, said, “Leave it all to Prince Yong.”

Lin Yi, with his back to the walls, watched the army retreat. Suddenly, there was a loud thud. Startled, he thought something had happened.

Shen Chu came over. “Your Highness, Prince Yong has opened the city gates.”

“Opened the gates?”

Lin Yi turned to see the drawbridge lowered. Soon the gates were half-open, revealing piles of sacks filled with earth, bricks, and rolling logs.

A tall horse emerged from the dim gate. Lin Yi then saw the rider clearly: a thin, formidable Prince Yong.

“My good brother, aren’t you afraid now?”

Lin Yi laughed, then looked at the Seventh Prince, Prince Nanling. “Seventh Brother, you’ve lost weight. Hardship, huh?”

“Thanks for your concern, Regent Prince,” Prince Nanling replied, instantly changing his form of address.

Prince Yong said, “I started this matter alone. You needn’t trouble them.”

Lin Yi smiled. “At this moment, you’re still playing at sowing discord? That’s not fair.”

Prince Yong met Lin Yi’s gaze. “I speak sincerely.”

“Then I trust you?”

Lin Yi waved toward the gathering soldiers behind him. “Continue the retreat.”

“Yes,” the generals led by Shen Chu roared in response.

“Third Brother, you must go north,” Lin Yi said to the Seventh Prince and Mei Jingzhi. “As for you two, go north if you wish, return to the capital if you wish. But let me warn you: once in Ankang City, you won’t be as carefree as before. Behave as proper wealthy citizens, alright?”

Prince Nanling was torn, glancing at Mei Jingzhi.

Mei Jingzhi dismounted and bowed to Prince Yong. “I am old, unfit for heavy duty. I wish to follow the Regent Prince to meet the sage in the palace, then retire to a quiet life. Please take care in the north.”

Prince Yong laughed heartily. “You too, General, take care.”

Mei Jingzhi approached Prince He again, bowing respectfully. “Leave it all to the Regent Prince.”

Prince Nanling immediately knelt as well. “Leave it all to the Regent Prince!”

“All family, everything is negotiable,” Lin Yi said, waving his hand. “Help the old general and Prince Nanling up.”

“Thank you, Regent Prince,” they said almost simultaneously.

“Your Highness, General, this way please,” Shen Chu led them down.

“General Yang, what will you choose?” Lin Yi asked out of curiosity.

Yang Changchun sighed. “The rewards gained by the pen and the sword were all in vain. I neither wish to go north nor to Ankang. I just want to reunite with my family and live out my remaining days here. I hope the Regent Prince will allow it.”

Lin Yi smiled. “Granted.”

The notion of dying for a friend is for ordinary people. A cunning man like Yang Changchun wouldn’t die for Prince Yong.

“I’ve disappointed you,” Yang Changchun said, turning to the moody Prince Yong.

“Do as you wish,” Prince Yong said and rode off.

“Third Brother, wait for me!” Prince Jin tried to follow, but a lasso came flying, his horse tripped, and he fell, dust-covered, pinned to the ground.

“Fourth Brother, please come over,” Lin Yi said with a smile.