As Zhao Feng turned and left, the border troops on the city walls erupted in an uproar.
"General Gongsun!"
"Is what that Qin general said true?"
"Has His Majesty colluded with the foreign tribes?"
"We are all from the northern frontier if the foreign tribes invade, what will happen to our families?"
"If His Majesty has truly allied with the enemy, then he is unworthy of the throne."
"Outrageous! Colluding with foreign tribes is treachery against our people!"
"The one who came just now was none other than Zhao Feng, a top general of Qin! He would not use such a lie to deceive us. Besides, for someone like Zhao Feng, taking Ji City would not be difficult at all."
"If the King of Yan has indeed betrayed his people, then he is a traitor to our race!"
"General..."
All eyes turned to Gongsun Guang, waiting for his response.
"Commander of the Guards, what do you think?"
Gongsun Guang looked at the commander of the royal guards beside him.
After a moment of hesitation, the commander took a deep breath and said, "If His Majesty has truly committed such an act of treachery against our people, then he is not fit to be king."
"The world knows what kind of man Zhao Feng is."
"With his capabilities, taking this city and slaying our soldiers would earn him great merit."
"In Qin's military merit system, if this were not an urgent matter, he would not have come here alone."
"There are so many of our troops still inside the city each one of them is a potential kill for the Qin army. Yet Zhao Feng came alone. This alone is proof enough."
Gongsun Guang nodded slightly, showing that he had fully believed Zhao Feng's words.
"What do you plan to do?" The commander of the guards looked at him.
"I was born in Xiangping, and most of the soldiers under my command are also from Xiangping and the surrounding cities."
"If the King of Yan has indeed allied with the foreign tribes, then our families are already dead or will soon die at their hands."
"Such a king does not deserve our loyalty."
Gongsun Guang's voice was cold and resolute.
As soon as he spoke, the soldiers around him gripped their weapons tightly.
Their eyes turned toward the commander of the guards and his few hundred royal troops, filled with hostility.
It was clear that if the commander of the guards opposed Gongsun Guang, the surrounding border troops would immediately attack him.
After Zhao Feng revealed the King of Yan's betrayal, the hearts of the border troops had already wavered. Most of them were born in the northern frontier, and with the foreign tribes invading, their families were in grave danger.
Many of them were already feeling desperate.
"Betraying one's people is an unforgivable crime among the Huaxia states."
"If this is the kind of ruler we serve, then he is not worthy of our loyalty."
Under everyone's gaze, the commander of the guards finally spoke, his tone filled with determination.
At this point, he understood that he had no other choice.
Zhao Feng had personally come to deliver this message, and the city's defenders were all border troops. If he resisted, he would not leave this place alive.
By siding with them now, he could not only ensure his survival but also earn a favorable position in the future under Qin's rule.
After all, the fall of the Yan Kingdom was inevitable.
"Commander, your righteousness is commendable."
Gongsun Guang cupped his hands toward the commander of the guards before turning to look at Zhao Feng in the distance.
Without hesitation, he gave his order.
"Open the gates!"
"The King of Yan has lost his way and betrayed his people he is a sinner of our Huaxia civilization!"
"Such a ruler is not worthy of our service. Ending this war now will allow us to march north and defend against the foreign invaders before it's too late!"
Gongsun Guang's voice rang out.
At his command, the soldiers on and off the walls shouted in unison:
"At your command!"
At that moment, all the soldiers felt a weight lifted from their hearts.
They had feared that Gongsun Guang might insist on defending the city.
But if the King of Yan had truly withdrawn the border forces and left their families to die at the hands of the enemy, then how could they continue to serve him?
Now, all they wanted was to rush back to the northern frontier to defend their homeland.
At that moment
The gates of Ji City swung open.
Gongsun Guang immediately led his officers toward the approaching Qin army.
In the Qin camp
When they saw the city gates suddenly opening, General Zhang Han and the others were stunned.
"General!"
"What did you say to them? Why would they open the gates?"
"Are they surrendering?" Zhang Han asked in shock.
A faint smile appeared on Zhao Feng's face.
"Not everyone is heartless and disloyal."
"The King of Yan has lost his way and colluded with the enemy this is the greatest betrayal of our people."
"But the soldiers defending Ji City are border troops. Most of them are from the northern frontier, and with the foreign invaders already in their homeland, their families are in danger."
"How could they ignore that?"
"The King of Yan sought to use the foreign tribes against Qin, but in the end, he brought destruction upon himself."
"The foreign tribes are the ultimate enemy of the Huaxia people."
"Anyone who allies with them, no matter who they are, will be condemned and cast down even if they are a king!"
Zhao Feng had revealed the King of Yan's betrayal before attacking, hoping to end the battle quickly.
To betray one's people and collude with foreign invaders
In the future, such a person would be labeled a traitor.
In this era, he would be called a race traitor.
No matter who they were, they would be despised by all.
Even if they were a king.
"Move!"
"Lead the troops into the city in an orderly fashion!"
"The King of Yan has allied with the foreign tribes."
"I will cut him down myself!" Zhao Feng declared coldly, spurring his horse forward toward Ji City.
"General!"
"The King of Yan is still a sovereign he should be left for His Majesty to decide."
"If you kill him, the consequences will be severe."
Zhang Han gritted his teeth and tried to dissuade Zhao Feng.
But Zhao Feng ignored him.
He simply rode forward.
"Follow the general!"
"Form a defensive formation!" Zhang Han shouted.
Then, he spurred his horse forward.
Behind Zhao Feng, 2,500 elite guards followed closely, with the cavalry unit trailing behind them.
Upon reaching the city gates
"General Gongsun Guang pays respects to Supreme General Zhao Feng. I am willing to lead my 70,000 border troops in surrendering to Great Qin," Gongsun Guang knelt on the ground and declared.
"I only ask that the Supreme General allow me to lead my troops to the northern frontier to fight the invading foreign tribes and rescue our people."
"I will personally lead you to battle once Ji City is secured," Zhao Feng replied, dismounting from his horse and helping Gongsun Guang to his feet.
"Thank you, Supreme General Zhao Feng," Gongsun Guang responded with gratitude.
"Commander of the Yan Kingdom's Imperial Guards, Wei Zheng, pays respects to Supreme General Zhao Feng," another voice rang out.
"I, too, am willing to lead my 50,000 Imperial Guards and 100,000 newly recruited troops in surrender," Wei Zheng said, kneeling just like Gongsun Guang.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng nodded and helped him up as well.
Then, he turned his gaze toward the generals behind them and the many Yan soldiers atop the city walls.
"The Yan King has betrayed his people by colluding with foreign invaders," Zhao Feng declared loudly.
"I have witnessed your loyalty with my own eyes soldiers of Yan who have chosen to surrender."
"As Supreme General of Great Qin, I now proclaim to all who have submitted in Ji City:
'None shall be demoted. The forcibly conscripted soldiers of Yan shall return to their homes. The border troops and Imperial Guards shall follow me to the northern frontier and eradicate the invaders!'"
"Long live the Qin King! Long live Great Qin!"
"Long live the Qin King!"
A chorus of excited shouts erupted from the Yan soldiers.
"The contributions of you two generals have been duly noted," Zhao Feng told Gongsun Guang and Wei Zheng.
"This victory was achieved without bloodshed, without any loss of life. This is a great accomplishment."
His words were meant to reassure them.
Unlike the battle at Yuyang City
There, the defending Yan forces had fought against Qin's elite troops, inflicting significant casualties before surrendering. Because of this, even after they yielded, they were considered criminals.
But Ji City's defenders were different.
Qin's forces had not yet launched an attack, and no harm had come to them. Their surrender, therefore, was a great merit rather than a sin.
Even after the war, Zhao Feng would petition to ensure they would not be enslaved.
"Thank you, Supreme General!"
Both men bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Supreme General, please enter the city," Gongsun Guang said.
"The Yan King is still in the royal palace."
"I have already ordered the entire city's forces to surrender to Great Qin. There will be no resistance."
Gongsun Guang's voice carried deep resentment.
"Let's go," Zhao Feng responded without hesitation, mounting his horse and riding into the city.
Gongsun Guang and Wei Zheng flanked him, ensuring his safety with their presence rather than with guards.
Zhang Ming led Zhao Feng's guards in escorting them.
Inside the city, the Yan soldiers who had been stationed for defense now stood along the main road, their weapons laid down.
From atop his horse, Zhao Feng could see their faces.
Relief.
Excitement.
The joy of surviving a disaster.
They had all experienced a wave of emotions when their generals announced their surrender.
Because every soldier in Ji City understood
They could not withstand the Qin army.
Especially not when led by the legendary Qin war god, Zhao Feng.
Had the Qin army stormed the city, they would have either perished in battle or been enslaved.
But now
The Supreme General himself had assured them: that they would not be killed, nor enslaved.
For them, this was the greatest possible outcome.
Inside the city, 200,000 Yan troops stood watching as the Qin army entered without harming a single person.
With Gongsun Guang and Wei Zheng by his side, Zhao Feng rode toward the royal palace.
The path was completely unobstructed.
The Yan King sat tensely upon his throne, his expression grim and filled with unease.
"What's happening?"
"There are no battle cries outside. The Qin army hasn't attacked today, have they?" he asked, glancing at the half-empty court before him.
Many ministers had already been imprisoned for opposing him.
The only ones remaining were those who feared his authority or, like him, cared little for colluding with the foreign tribes.
At that moment
"Report!"
"A grave emergency, Your Majesty!"
A terrified Imperial Guard burst into the hall.
"What is it?" the Yan King demanded, his brow furrowing.
"The Qin army has entered the city!"
"They're marching toward the palace as we speak!"
"No... they might already be inside!"
The Imperial Guard's voice trembled with fear.
Hearing this
The Yan King shot to his feet, his face twisted with terror and despair.
"What did you say?"
"The Qin army has entered the city?"
"Impossible!"
"What were Wei Zheng and Gongsun Guang doing?"
"There are still 200,000 soldiers in the city! How could they not hold out for even half an hour?"
"You must be joking!"
"You're deceiving me!"
"You dare lie to me?"
"You're asking for death!"
The Yan King's eyes widened in fury as he roared at the terrified messenger.
"Your Majesty..."
"It is said that the soldiers in the city learned of Your Majesty's collusion with the foreign invaders."
"Supreme General Zhao Feng personally came to persuade them, and both Gongsun Guang and Wei Zheng have surrendered."
The trembling Imperial Guard delivered the devastating news.
Hearing this,
The Yan King staggered backward, unable to stand steadily, and collapsed directly onto the ground.
"I have treated them with such kindness, yet how could they betray me?"
"How dare they betray me?"
"Why?" The Yan King's old face was filled with confusion and despair.
He had an army of 200,000 elite soldiers,
Yet they surrendered without even putting up a fight.
At first, he had planned to rely on these 200,000 troops to resist the Qin army while waiting for reinforcements from Donghu.
But now, all his plans had come to nothing.
The next moment,
A voice echoed from outside the grand hall, accompanied by the sound of countless soldiers' armor clanking.
"Because you are neither righteous nor just, neither loyal nor filial."
A thunderous shout resounded throughout the court.
Everyone's gaze instinctively turned towards the entrance.
A Qin general clad in black armor, exuding a terrifying aura of bloodshed, strode into the hall. Behind him followed numerous Qin soldiers in black armor.
They swiftly stormed into the grand hall, taking control of everyone inside.
Seeing this scene, the Yan Kingdom's royal guards in the hall immediately dropped their weapons and surrendered.
"Zhao Feng!"
The Yan King lifted his head, glaring at Zhao Feng with hatred.
"That's right." Zhao Feng stepped into the hall.
With each step he took,
The faces of the Yan officials in the hall grew a shade paler.
"You… you…"
The Yan King pointed at Zhao Feng, trembling in fear, unable to form coherent words.
But when he saw Gong Sun Guang and Wei Zheng standing behind Zhao Feng, he was instantly enraged.
"Traitors! Scoundrels!"
"Haven't I treated you well enough?"
"How dare you betray me?"
"You treacherous, disloyal, and unrighteous traitors!" The Yan King pointed at them, his face turning red with fury.
Faced with the Yan King's accusations,
Wei Zheng lowered his head, unwilling to argue.
But Gong Sun Guang stepped forward, locking eyes with the Yan King and demanding, "Let me ask you just one thing did you collude with Donghu?"
"And for this, you betray me?"
"Qin is determined to destroy our Yan Kingdom. Qi and Chu refuse to send troops. I had no other choice!"
"For the sake of Yan, everything is worth it!" The Yan King spoke with a crazed expression.
"Do you realize that this is a betrayal of your ancestors? Do you realize that because of your selfish decision, over a million civilians on the northern border will suffer?"
"This is all because of you!"
"With such character, with such despicable and shameless conduct"
"How do you deserve to be king? How do you deserve my loyalty?"
"You deserve death!"
Gong Sun Guang pointed at the Yan King, cursing with deep fury.
"The entire Yan Kingdom belongs to me! If sacrificing some lives can save the nation, then everything is worth it!" The Yan King still spoke with madness.
To him, and many monarchs obsessed with power, human lives were insignificant.
They simply did not care.
"You are a madman!"
"I was truly blind to have served you!"
Gong Sun Guang spat in anger, turning away, unwilling to look at the Yan King even once more.
"Why are there so few officials in this court?"
"Did the rest escape?"
Zhao Feng scanned the hall and asked coldly.
"Reporting, my lord."
"When those ministers learned of the King's collusion with the foreign tribes, they furiously denounced him for betraying our people."
"They were all thrown into prison," a trembling royal guard replied.
Hearing this,
Zhao Feng nodded, then turned his gaze to the remaining officials in the hall.
There were about sixty or seventy of them.
"Your fellow ministers still dared to denounce this foolish king yet you all remained silent?"
"If so"
"Heartless and disloyal."
"There is no reason for you to live." Zhao Feng spoke coldly.
With a wave of his hand,
His guards instantly understood.
They drew their swords
And charged at the remaining officials.
In an instant,
The entire court was bathed in blood.
All the Yan officials were slaughtered without exception.
Corpses covered the floor of the grand hall, the crimson blood soaking the ground.
Witnessing this massacre,
The Yan King's face turned deathly pale. Although he held royal power, he had never seen such a brutal scene before.
"You should die as well."
Zhao Feng locked eyes with the Yan King and strode toward him.
"What do you want to do?"
"Even in defeat, I am still a king!"
"Only Ying Zheng has the authority to decide my fate!"
"The crime of killing a king do you dare to bear it?"
"Do you dare to kill me?" The Yan King retreated in terror while shouting threats.
Zhao Feng ignored him.
He reached out and lifted the Yan King with one hand.
"A king? I have never killed one before."
"But today, I will try it for the first time."
"Not only will I kill you, but I will do it before the eyes of your entire army."
"Your crimes"
"I will let the whole world know."
"You will bear the infamy for eternity."
As he spoke,
Zhao Feng carried the Yan King and strode out of the hall.
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