Chapter 110 Funeral

As for the border soldiers who died in the battle, they meant nothing to the Yanzhou nobles. Before this battle, no one cared about the life and death of the border soldiers.

Some of them died every year, some froze to death, some starved to death, some died at the hands of bandits or horse thieves, and some died in the mouths of wild beasts. However, it was of no importance to the Yanzhou gentry.

Even now that Prince Li wants to hold a grand memorial service for the border soldiers who died in battle, the nobles feel that Prince Li's real purpose is to publicize his own military achievements. How could a dignified prince truly want to hold a memorial service for a tiny border soldier?

The only family that believed that the King was sincere was the Yan family. The three brothers and sisters of the Yan family all changed into mourning clothes and brought valuable gifts to the border town to attend the funeral.

The Yan family's steward and clan members all advised Yan Jiu that it would be enough to send someone and there was no need to be there in person. Everyone knew that King Li wanted to take the opportunity to cause trouble.

Yan Jiu said firmly: "No matter how much trouble the Li King makes, he will never make trouble for the Yan family. I really admire the Li King, I want to be present at this funeral in person."

As for Yan Shiyi and Twelve Niang, Yan Jiu said that they didn't have to go, but they insisted on going.

Especially Yan Shier Niang, she was heartbroken when she heard that King Li was seriously injured. She had few opportunities to see King Li, and she cherished every meeting with them.

Zheng Pengpeng was the second nobleman to arrive at the border town. He was dressed in mourning and was carried in a sedan chair by his clansmen. When he arrived at the border town, he was pushed in a wheelchair.

Most of the treasures of the Zheng family were transferred by Zheng Yun. As for the land and shops that could not be transferred, the Zheng family took the deeds of thousands of acres of fertile land near the border town and prepared to give it to King Li.

This was Li Heng's advice to the other members of the Zheng family. If they wanted to survive, they could only beg King Li with the most humble and respectful attitude.

Although King Li was cruel, he was soft-hearted and would not tolerate tough measures. The conflict between him and the Zheng family was mainly caused by Zheng Yun. Zheng Pengpeng fell ill after he came out of the tomb, and he knew nothing about what Zheng Yun had done.

I believe that if we tell the truth to King Li, give him valuable gifts, and sincerely pay tribute to the border soldiers, he will not kill them all.

When they heard that the Yan family, the Zheng family and the governor of Lizhou were all setting out with valuable gifts, the Yanzhou gentry all took action, fearing that they would fall behind and be held accountable by King Li.

When they arrived at the border town, they saw the present border town with their own eyes and the corpses of the Tartars piled up like a Jingguan, and then they realized how tragic the battle was.

At this moment, thick smoke was still rising from the border town, and the bodies of burnt war horses could be seen in the scorched earth. In the unburned areas near the city wall, the land was dyed black and brown by blood.

It seems like if you step on it, your flesh will bleed.

In the dry grass burned by the flames, there were broken arrows and knives covered with blood and flesh, and even pieces of limbs and flesh.

The feeling of seeing it with your own eyes is more shocking than any description or language.

The brutality and cruelty of the Tartars, the bravery and fearlessness of the border soldiers, the destructive power of firearms, and the desperate attempt of King Li to burn down a city in exchange for peace in the entire border.

At this moment, everyone who witnessed it was filled with admiration. How many people in the world can have such courage?

In just two months, he was able to train the border troops who were used to farming and hunting into an elite force that could compete with the Tatars.

Turn the dilapidated border camp into the burial place of the Tartar army!

Not a single Tartar escaped! They were Tartars!

In the past, they could only tolerate and allow the Tartars to plunder outside the city and rob the people on the border. They were even afraid that the Tartars would be dissatisfied, so they secretly sent some food and grass.

I just hope they leave as soon as they are satisfied, and I have been doing this year after year.

Now the King of Li is using a real battle to tell them that in the future, guarding the border will no longer be about compromise or sacrificing civilians for peace.

Instead, we will fight back with fire! Anyone who dares to invade our border will never return!

The nobles looked at each other, and a thought emerged in their minds: the sky in Yan was really going to change.

In the past, in their eyes, the King was arrogant and had no manners, like a clown, which made people hate him but helpless.

He watched coldly the absurdities of King Li and the Zheng family, waiting to see that King Li could not even control the Zheng family and had to survive like a beggar in Yan.

But in this battle, this city still emitting thick smoke and wildfires, and the mausoleum built with the corpses of the Tartars told them.

It's not that King Li doesn't have the ability to deal with the nobles in Yan, he just doesn't want to turn his fist against his own people. But if you dare to despise him, you will be asking for trouble.

Some families only sent a steward or a branch, and immediately sent someone home to send a letter to the head of the family, asking them to come and pay their respects in person! Jin Sui brought Gu Changxiao with her, and the first person she met was Yan Jiu. Even when Li Heng asked to see her, she told someone to reply, "The prince is busy, you can just go to the mourning hall to pay your respects."

That’s right, King Li set up a mourning hall specifically for the soldiers who died in the war. Countless tablets of soldiers were densely packed from high to low. No matter who the visitor was, they had to burn incense and worship respectfully.

Yan Jiu gave Jin Sui the promised reward and asked him with concern, "How is the prince's injury?"

Jin Sui forced a smile and raised his hand: "It's just a minor injury, it will be fine after some rest, Jiulang, don't worry about it."

Yan Jiu glanced at Gu Changxiao and gave Jin Sui a subtle wink. Jin Sui's heart moved and he signaled the others to go out first.

She saw Gu Changxiao pursed his lips. This was a micro-expression that she could only interpret after she became familiar with Gu Changxiao. Our King Zhenli was very unhappy.

Jin Sui guessed that he must have regretted not changing his identity back. He was mistaken for the real guard of King Li and had to avoid him when talking about things.

When there were only two people left in the tent, Yan Jiu took out a piece of paper from his sleeve with an address on it.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

"Zheng Yun's hiding place." Yan Jiu said softly.

Jin Sui was delighted. Although she was confident that she could find Zheng Yun, it would definitely take some time. With Yan Jiu's help, it would save time and effort.

She also understood the reason why Yan Jiu sent the others away. After all, they were all Yanzhou nobles, and the Yan family certainly could not openly help King Li deal with other nobles.

He said gratefully: "Thank you Jiulang, don't worry, this matter is known to heaven and earth, you and I know it."

Yan Jiulang changed the subject naturally: "Border Town Reconstruction, if Your Majesty needs Yan Jiu, just let me know."

Jin Sui said bluntly: "I do need manpower. My men are all injured. Can you lend me a thousand or eight hundred strong men?"

"It's getting cold, so we have to build a winter shelter."

"Don't worry, I won't detain you in the border town. If you come to work, you will be provided with food and wages."

Yan Jiulang smiled and lowered his head, thinking of the rumors in the city before, that no matter whether it was a human or a dog passing through the border town, they had to be forced to work.

"No need to ask for wages. I will bring people here tomorrow at 11 o'clock."

At this time, Gu Changxiao coughed outside the tent, and Jin Sui hurriedly said, "Thank you, Jiulang. I'm busy today, so I won't entertain you."

Yan Jiu stood up and said, "I will go and burn some incense for the soldiers."

When he left, he passed by Gu Changxiao. The two looked at each other and nodded lightly.

For some reason, Jinsui felt a sense of tension at that moment.

Gu Changxiao did not directly ask what the two were talking about, but said meaningfully:

"Yan Jiulang is smart and cunning, so you should seldom meet with him alone."

(End of this chapter)