coobybook Chapter 559 Xiang Yan Arrives in Xianyang
Chapter 559 Xiang Yan Arrives in Xianyang
In Xianyang, the stone gates of the imperial prison slowly closed with a dull thud. Xiang Yu stood before the gates, two guards closely following behind him, their presence a constant reminder that his freedom was still restricted.
These two guards were one of the conditions that allowed him to leave his cell for some fresh air. Although his range of activities had recently expanded, he was still not entirely free to move about. However, today was an exception; he was allowed to walk the streets of Xianyang under tight "escort."
Xiang Yu took a deep breath, savoring the sense of freedom in the air. His steps were steady and powerful, with his guards following closely behind, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily to ensure that Xiang Yu had no chance of escape.
The market was orderly, vendors operated in accordance with the law, and although pedestrians hurried along, few looked sickly. On the walls of the market, the latest edition of the "Great Qin News" and legal articles were posted, and a special clerk read and explained them to the illiterate people. He heard people talking about this year's taxes, the newly built canals, and even occasionally mentioning that "Her Highness the Princess" had proposed some new policies that would benefit the people.
This was far removed from the image of the "tyrannical Qin" he had heard in Chu, and from the image of widespread suffering he had imagined. This sense of cognitive dissonance made him even more troubled.
What unsettled him even more were the several "chance encounters".
On one occasion, just as he stepped out onto the street, an old man who claimed to be an "old friend from Jixia" "chancely met" him and they began to discuss philosophy. The old man did not talk about poetry, books, or romance, but instead spoke at length about the convenience of "standardized cart tracks and unified writing," and envisioned a world unified with no more wars, where merchants could travel freely and students could travel to study in all directions.
"Young friend, do you know that if the nine provinces were unified and the laws were standardized, they would be as easy to control as one's own limbs, the people's strength could be gathered, and the nation's power would grow daily? Even if there were external threats, the whole country could resist them. Wouldn't that be better than the current situation where various countries stand side by side, fighting each other and wasting the vitality of China?" The old man stroked his beard as he spoke, his eyes deep and profound.
On another occasion, a retired Qin army captain who had fought against the Hu people on the border met him at the First Tower of Qin. After drinking, the man spoke passionately: "Brother Xiang, I have seen the Hu people riding and shooting on the border. They come and go like the wind, and plunder like fire! If the states of the Central Plains continue to fight among themselves, who knows when those barbarians who eat raw meat and drink blood will take advantage of us! I really hope that one day, there will be a great ruler who can unite the strength of China, drive the Hu barbarians northward, and expand our territory by thousands of miles! I have heard Princess Jiayang say that there are still fertile lands and powerful countries with different customs overseas. If China is not strong, how can we stand on our own feet?"
These statements constantly challenged Xiang Yu's established beliefs. Phrases like "unification of the world," "unity of the Chinese people," and "jointly resisting foreign enemies" were completely different from the education he received from childhood, which emphasized "the supremacy of Chu" and "the destruction of the tyrannical Qin."
In the past, he would have scoffed and denounced it as Qin people's deception. But now, after experiencing the excruciating pain of being betrayed by the King of Chu, and after witnessing firsthand the order and vitality of Qin that differed from the rumors, these words seemed to have thrown a boulder into the turbulent lake of his heart.
His hatred for the King of Chu grew deeper and deeper, and his aversion to the State of Qin was unknowingly mixed with a complex curiosity and... a longing that even he himself was unwilling to admit.
As midnight approached, the east gate of Chencheng slowly opened a crack with a creaking sound.
There were no expected bugle calls for a charge, no desperate shouts. Xiang Yan removed his armor, donned a plain robe, and, surrounded by his core generals Xiang Liang, Long Ju, and others who had also laid down their weapons, walked out of the city gate on foot. Their figures, bathed in the thin moonlight, appeared exceptionally desolate and tragic.
Outside the city, the Qin army stood in orderly ranks, torches blazing like dragons, yet all was silent. Wang Jian sat upright on his warhorse, his aged face revealing neither joy nor anger, only the composure of someone seasoned in battle. He had already received a secret order from the King of Qin: Xiang Yan's surrender must be treated with courtesy, and not humiliated.
"The defeated general Xiang Yan is willing to lead his troops to surrender to the Great Qin." Xiang Yan's voice carried far in the night wind, trembling slightly, yet exceptionally clear. He knelt on one knee, lowering his head, which he had never bowed to the enemy before. Behind him, Xiang Liang, Long Ju, and others also knelt down.
At this moment, among the remaining Chu soldiers on the city wall, some covered their faces and wept, some stared blankly at the sky, and most felt a numb sense of relief.
Wang Jian dismounted and personally helped Xiang Yan up: "General Xiang, please rise. Your ability to understand the overall situation and save thousands of soldiers from death is truly meritorious. The King and Princess Jiayang have been waiting for you for a long time."
Xiang Yan stood up and looked at Wang Jian with a complicated expression: "General Wang, I have a request. I am willing to fully cooperate with the surrender, but before that, I hope to meet Princess Jiayang."
A look of "I knew it" flashed in Wang Jian's eyes, and he nodded and said, "Her Highness the Princess has given instructions that if the General wishes to see her, a carriage can be arranged to send the General and his family to Xianyang immediately."
Xiang Yan shook his head: "I can go alone. Xiang Liang and Long Ju need to stay here to appease the troops and cooperate with your army's reorganization." He had to ensure a smooth surrender process, not giving the Qin people any excuse to slaughter his men, nor allowing Yingdu to have the opportunity to accuse him of leading his troops to defect to the enemy.
In Xianyang, at Princess Jiayang's residence, the side hall was elegantly and exquisitely decorated. Ying Wuyou, dressed in a simple blue robe, sat upright in the main seat, with a beautiful tea set in front of her.
Ying Wuyou gently lifted the teapot and slowly poured hot water into the teacup. Then, she gently stirred the tea leaves with a teaspoon, letting them unfurl and dance in the water.
This is a habit Ying Wuyou developed after discovering tea. Even in modern society, she had a deep affection for tea; its slightly bitter taste always made her feel refreshed. Now, she brought this love to ancient times, allowing the scholars and literati of the Qin Dynasty to appreciate the charm of tea.
Drinking tea has now become an integral part of the lives of scholars and literati in the Qin Dynasty. In their leisure time, they often gather together to savor the aroma of tea and discuss poetry and songs.
Just then, Xiang Yan strode in. He was travel-worn and looked exhausted, clearly having rushed from Chencheng to Xianyang without a proper rest. His eyes were bloodshot, and the area around them was marked with dark circles, revealing extreme fatigue and anxiety.
Logically, Xiang Yan should have washed up and rested before visiting Ying Wuyou. However, he could no longer suppress his urgency; he had too many questions weighing on his mind, eagerly awaiting answers.
Xiang Yan bowed slightly, performing a standard greeting to Ying Wuyou, his movements elegant and dignified. However, his gaze remained fixed on Ying Wuyou, revealing his unwavering resolve without any attempt to conceal it.
Seeing this, Ying Wuyou smiled slightly and gestured for Xiang Yan to sit down. Her voice was calm and gentle, without the arrogance of a victor or any deliberate attempt to appease, as if she were simply receiving an ordinary guest.