The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 824: Jie Li's Test (Part )
"No, Li Yan, do you think I'm drunk?"

Jie Li was not drunk at all. His face was full of solemnity. He stared at Li Yan blankly, his old eyes full of unwillingness. Finally, he sighed and said, "Li Yan, I am old now. I can't hold on for much longer."

"The Turks need a new Khan, a powerful leader who can support this half of the Turkic world."

"I have observed him for a long time. Shi Luodie is cowardly and lacks courage. He is inconsiderate and indecisive. He is simply not the right person for the job. If we hand over the Turkic Khanate to him, it won't be long before it is either annexed by the Tang Dynasty or overthrown by the various tribes."

"And the day Shiluodi is deposed from the Khanate, the entire Ashina clan will face a huge disaster."

"For the long-term development of the Khanate, for Shiluodi to live a peaceful life, and for the prosperity and decline of the Ashina clan, I have thought again and again that it is most appropriate to hand over the Khanship to you. Don't think that you are stealing his position. In fact, you are saving him."

"What kind of power do you enjoy? What kind of responsibility do you have to bear?"

"Others only see the king's domineering and self-centeredness. Only the true king knows that there are mountains of bones under the throne, and the throne bears countless ups and downs, honors and disgraces, as well as the expectations of millions of people."

Jie Li's eyes flashed with a frightening look: "Once you fail them, they can also pull you down from the throne, tear you into pieces, and grind you into pulp. I fell from the throne and climbed back up with great difficulty."

"I also know the dangers involved. It is definitely not something that ordinary people can handle."

Jie Li shook his head, as if he didn't want to recall that terrifying memory.

He turned his head and looked at Li Yan with a sincere look in his eyes and a sincere attitude: "Besides, since we met five years ago, I have never treated you as an outsider. You can say that in my heart, you have long been my family, just like Shi Luodie."

"Shi Luodie also treats you as a family member, I believe you can feel it,"

"If you are worried that Shi Luodie will be upset, I can go and persuade him. He is a man of temperament. If it were someone else, he would definitely not agree. But he regards you as his brother. If you take over the position of Khan, Shi Luodie will definitely assist you wholeheartedly in the future."

After saying that, Jie Li looked at Li Yan expectantly.

Li Yan frowned and refused decisively: "Khan, the prince is your only son and the only one who can succeed the Khan. No one on the grassland can replace him, not even me, and I have never thought about the position of Khan."

"No, you can do it. The grassland is a place where the strong prey on the weak, and the strong are respected. You are both wise and brave, decisive in killing and fighting, and your outstanding military exploits are unmatched."

Jie Li seemed to be showing some genuine feelings, and said with emotion: "You are a Han Chinese, but you can govern those unruly people in the Right Wise King's tribe obediently. This shows that you are also good at controlling your subjects. If so, then you can shoulder the burden of the entire Turkic people."

"I believe that under your leadership, we will be able to unify the entire grassland. By then, I will be satisfied if you can grant Shiluodie the position of Second Khan and let him live in peace and multiply under your protection."

"In fact, the current Turkic Khanate only occupies the eastern grasslands, and the Khan is equivalent to the leader of a large tribe. Perhaps when the grasslands are unified, the area ruled by the second Khan of Shiluode will not be smaller than the current eastern grasslands?"

At this point, Jie Li was already in tears, looking at Li Yan pleadingly: "Apart from the glory of the Great Khan, I am just an old father, and I really don't want to see my son being put on the stove and forced to bear a burden that he can't bear."

"That would not only harm the Khanate, but also him! Li Yan, just promise me."

Jie Li appealed to people's emotions and explained things with reason. His words made people feel sad and helpless, and his earnest words fully demonstrated the worry and concern of an elderly father for his children.

Seeing the hero who was so majestic and supreme in front of people, now crying like a helpless child, with a lost expression and sad tone, looking at himself pitifully, the pleading in his eyes was moving.

Li Yan's iron heart softened, and he sighed deeply. Under Jie Li's expectant gaze, he slowly and firmly shook his head.

No matter Jie Li's feelings were sincere or just a test, Li Yan would not accept it.

What's more, Li Yan dared to conclude that Jie Li's behavior was most likely to test him. If he wavered in the slightest, he would probably be hit by a blow as huge as a landslide.

Jie Li thought that he was just a kid who had never seen the world. Perhaps he was just stronger in martial arts, but he had never been in the political arena and did not understand the art of power. He thought that if he put on a frank attitude and found reasonable reasons, he could get himself off the hook.

Reveal your true thoughts.
But Li Yan, as a human being for three lifetimes, knows that when it comes to interests, one should never overestimate human nature.

When it comes to acting, Li Yan is not inferior to Jie Li, so he put on an expression of inexplicable emotion, as if a scholar is willing to die for his friend.

With a firm attitude, he said passionately: "Khan, I was stranded on the grassland, helpless, but you took me in, trained me, and promoted me to the position of wise king. Your kindness is as heavy as a mountain. Li Yanming is deeply grateful but has no way to repay you."

"Li Yan had already secretly sworn in his heart that this life belonged to the Khan. As long as the Khan gave the order, he would never frown even if it meant facing mountains of swords and seas of fire."

"I can agree to everything, Khan, except the position of Khan. I'm sorry I can't accept it." After saying that, Li Yan seemed to be afraid that Jie Li would not believe him, so he explained: "Khan, you also know that I am not interested in this. I will return to the Central Plains sooner or later. The position of Khan is only suitable for Shiluodi brothers. I have never thought about it."

"Even the position of Right Wise King is a gift from the Khan. As long as the Khan needs it, he can take it at any time."

"Don't worry, Khan. I promise to Changshengtian that as long as I am on the grassland for one day, I will serve you and whip you. When you pass the throne to the prince, I will assist him as loyally as I did to you, without any second thoughts."

Seeing that Li Yan still flatly refused despite his desperate begging, Jie Li's face changed, as if he was a little angry out of shame. His sharp eyes like a tiger exuded strong resentment. The air was filled with a suffocating intimidation, and he stared at Li Yan closely.

It was not until he saw that Li Yan's expression remained unchanged, with determination and calmness in his eyes, that Jie Li showed a look of disappointment.

I don’t know if it was the disappointment after being rejected by Li Yan, or the disappointment of not seeing through Li Yan’s true heart.

But Li Yan looked deep into Jie Li's old eyes and saw a trace of relief.

Li Yan's guess was correct, Jie Li was indeed testing Li Yan.

Of course he knew that Li Yan was ambitious, but Li Yan's ambition was the throne of the Tang Empire, not the Khan of the Turks. But Jie Li wanted to know whether Li Yan still adhered to his original ideals.

After all, Li Yan is now the Right Wise King of the Turks and has the opportunity to compete for the position of Khan. He is no longer the man who escaped from the Central Plains with nothing. Power makes people crazy, and the Tang Dynasty in the Central Plains is becoming more and more stable.

Perhaps when Li Yan saw that rebellion was hopeless, he changed his mind and decided to stay on the grassland to develop.

If Li Yan's ambition had not changed, he would not have coveted the position of Khan. Not only would his son not be threatened, but he would also receive Li Yan's heartfelt support and endorsement.

If Li Yan made any move, Jie Li would quietly start making plans. Before passing on the throne, he would find a way to eliminate this scourge and remove all possible hidden dangers for his son to ascend the throne.

But there was no doubt about Li Yan's performance, and everything made Jie Li satisfied.

Li Yan's refusal despite offending him also made Jie Li put down his worries. His expression relaxed and he pretended to be extremely regretful: "Forget it, forget it. Everyone has their own aspirations. Since you are not interested in this, I will not force you anymore."

In order to heal the gap caused by the test just now, Jie Li affirmed: "Li Yan, I know your loyalty. Everything you have done over the years has proved this point. Not only did you save our lives."

"He risked his life and fought for our Ashina clan in many battles."

"You saved our Turkic Khanate and established our current empire. Without you, we wouldn't be in this situation now."

"That's why I value you even more. Just now you said that as long as it's not for you to inherit the Khanship, you will agree to anything I ask for, right?"

Li Yan was stunned, looking at Jie Li, who had a gentle expression and an inexplicable smile in his eyes. He wondered what tricks this old man was going to play next?
But at this moment, Li Yan had no choice but to bite the bullet and said, "Of course, even if the Khan asked me to lead the army to attack the Tang Dynasty, I would not hesitate."

"Hahahaha, not that serious?"

Jie Li smiled brightly, thought for a moment, and seemed to have made up his mind: "I want to grant you a happy event, a great happy event, which is to betroth my daughter to you. From now on, we will be a real family."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jie Li clapped his hands heavily without further ado.

Shortly afterwards, Shi Luodie, who had been waiting outside for a long time and got the hint, walked in with a young girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old.

Li Yan was no stranger to this girl, as she was Jie Li's only daughter.

Jie Li had one son and one daughter. The son was Shiluodie and the daughter was born to his concubine and was named Ashina Jing.

When Li Yan first came to the grassland, Ashina Jing was only eight or nine years old, still a child.

She was very curious about Li Yan, who had integrated into the Jie Li family, and often followed her around, asking Li Yan about the customs and practices of the Central Plains. After a few years, the two became very familiar with each other, and Li Yan even treated this slightly naive girl as his own sister.

After five years, Ashina Jing has grown into a young girl, and it is time for her to fall in love and get married.

Although Ashina Jing is a girl from the grassland, she is as beautiful as a flower and has a graceful figure. She is as delicate and exquisite as a flying swallow in the Han Palace. She is no less beautiful than Li Yan's predecessor Ashina Yun. She is another flower blooming on the grassland.

(End of this chapter)