"Big brother, we can't blame you for this. None of us expected that Da Yu would guess our thoughts so accurately." Gong Liusheng quickly helped Gong Liuming up, but in reality, he was still in pain from the kick Gu Lin had given him.
"It's not that Da Yu figured out our thoughts, it's that we underestimated them."
The head of the Gong family looked solemnly at his two wounded sons beside him. "We haven't fought a war in too long, while Dayu is a country that has fought its way out of a sea of blood step by step."
He had never felt such awe for Chongqing as he did at this moment.
"Father?"
Seeing that the head of the Gong family was still speaking up for Dayu, Gong Liusheng felt his wounds hurt even more.
“They have experienced generals, and even their retired emperor, empress dowager, and emperor can personally lead troops into battle. Da Yu is a formidable opponent, and we need to plan carefully.”
"We absolutely must not act rashly again."
The head of the Gong family didn't say anything further, but he had a vague premonition that only when the major families united as one would they have the resources to fight against Dayu.
"Cough cough cough cough..." Gong Liuming coughed painfully. Seeing this, the head of the Gong family quickly stepped forward to support Gong Liuming on the other side, "You've suffered this time."
"Father, this time... it is I who have disappointed you."
While the Gong family was still able to speak calmly, the Sun family was in an uproar after receiving the news.
"My grandson, my grandson..."
The old lady and her daughter-in-law embraced and wept bitterly. The head of the Sun family sat to the side with a livid face, and the servants in the room all hung their heads and dared not utter a sound.
"Alright, your crying is annoying."
"My lord, I only have one son, Cai'er. Now that he has fallen into the hands of Da Yu, I don't know what kind of humiliation he will suffer. Am I not even allowed to cry?"
Seeing that the two were crying even louder, the head of the Sun family had no choice but to leave the house.
The cold air outside cleared the head of the Sun family's mind somewhat.
"Master, now that the young master has been captured, what should we do?"
"What should I do? I don't know what to do!"
The head of the Sun family had bloodshot eyes. This time, the Sun family had been completely defeated. Now, the young master and young lady of the Sun family were in the hands of Da Yu, just like the Qin family.
Thinking of this, the head of the Sun family staggered.
"Master, be careful."
"I'm fine. I won't let the Sun family end up like the Qin family, so I won't let myself fall."
Da Yu...
He truly underestimated Da Yu.
......
On the way to the capital, Sun Cai attracted a large crowd of onlookers. Chang Qing also had wicked intentions and let the crowd watch Sun Cai.
"This is the young master of the Sun family."
"What's so special about a young master? Didn't we have a young master from the Qin family before?"
"That's right, the former young master of the Yun family is now in our capital."
Seeing no respect whatsoever in the eyes of the people of Dayu, Sun Cai clenched his fists under his sleeves. He wanted to kill them all, but he was powerless to do so.
He was even afraid for his future.
If he were to end up like Qin Zheng... Sun Cai couldn't help but shudder.
The light in his eyes gradually faded; he was now a prisoner.
When Sun Cai arrived in the capital, Gu Lin had not yet returned, so Chang Qing took Sun Cai to the palace to meet the emperor.
"Father must be worried that the noble families will turn back, so he is staying in Gaixian for a while longer."
After Gu Qingyan finished speaking, he looked at Sun Cai and said, "Young Master Sun, we meet again."
"Emperor of Dayu, you first captured Young Master Qin, and now you've captured me. Aren't you worried that the major families will attack Dayu together?"
"Of course I am not afraid."
Gu Qingyan shook his head. "I originally thought the aristocratic families were powerful, after all, they secretly took so many good things from my Dayu. But once the war started, they were as fragile as a tiled house, crumbling at the slightest touch."
"you!"
"I don't like impolite people." Gu Qingyan didn't even look at Sun Cai directly. "If you're not satisfied, then hope that the descendants of aristocratic families can win battles."
"Why?" Sun Cai asked a question that even Gu Qingyan found somewhat laughable.
"There aren't so many whys. Two tigers can't share one mountain. You must understand this principle."
Having said that, Gu Qingyan did not want to say any more to Sun Cai. "Yingzhi, take the person to the prison. According to the old rules, Miss Sun can meet with Young Master Sun."
"yes."
......
Gu Qingyan paid no attention to how Sun Cai and Sun Shu were weeping bitterly in the prison.
After winning the battle, Gu Qingyan issued an edict to reward the soldiers and also to reduce taxes for the following year. The entire Da Yu was filled with joy, as if it were an early New Year celebration.
Zhaoning Palace.
"We don't know when Father will return; we can't stay in Gaixian forever."
At the dinner table, Gu Qingyan had little appetite. Despite winning a major battle, Gu Lin had not yet returned, and Gu Qingyan felt that something was missing.
“When your father was alive, none of you could stand each other. Now that he’s far away in Gaixian, you miss him.” Jiang Yu chuckled. “There must be a reason why he hasn’t come back.”
"Even if the person doesn't come back, surely a letter will be sent."
Gu Qingyan pursed his lips. He's such an old man, and he still doesn't know how to let people know he's safe when he's out and about.
Looking at Gu Qingyan's sullen face, Jiang Yu smiled and changed the subject, "Now that the Sun family and the Gong family have both fallen to their defeats, does Ayan have any other plans?"
"Plans?" Gu Qingyan straightened his expression upon hearing this. "Mother, I think we should focus on the Pei family from now on. Gu Qingfeng sent word that the person who sent him the message only told him to be patient."
"The only people who can make such a decision are undoubtedly from the Pei family."
Jiang Yu nodded in agreement. "Now that the Pei family has separated itself, the aristocratic families have naturally avoided attacking the Pei family several times. This is not good. If Pei Jian takes advantage of the chaos to reap the benefits, that is not what we want to see."
"So, what does Mother mean...?"
"Since the Pei family is good at hiding, then we will force the Pei family to come out."
Jiang Yu twirled the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, which had been polished to a lustrous sheen. "Have someone spread some rumors that, given the current situation, it seems the Pei family should be the head of the aristocratic families."
"Also, send some precious medicinal herbs to the Pei family."
"Mother, wouldn't our intentions be too obvious if we did this?" Gu Qingyan frowned. If we did this, the other families would be able to see that Dayu was deliberately praising the Pei family.
"It doesn't matter. What we want is to bring the Pei family into the sights of the other families, so that the Pei family has nowhere to hide."
A glint flashed in Jiang Yu's eyes, so that the other families would also know that the Pei family was no pushover.
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