The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

As Zhao Gao finished speaking, a young man in a brocade robe slowly walked into the hall.

Hu Hai glanced at everyone in the hall.

Xin Qiliu looked directly at Hu Hai and said loudly, "Your Highness, what happened today is extremely unusual. I implore Your Highness to thoroughly investigate the truth and clear the name of Li Xiang and other loyal ministers."

Hu Hai was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Zhao Gao, who hurried forward and whispered something in Hu Hai's ear.

Hu Hai frowned slightly, then said, "Although I am young, I know that something is fishy. However, my father has already made the order, and I cannot easily change it. However, I can promise to imprison Li Si and others first, and then make a decision after the truth is revealed."

Before Xin Qiliu could say something else, Tu You led the imperial guards forward, ready to attack if they disagreed.

Xin Qiliu had no choice but to clench his fists secretly.

Immediately, all the ministers knelt down and kowtowed to Crown Prince Hu Hai.

Southern Xinjiang.

After half a month's journey, the messenger sent from Xianyang finally arrived at the place where the army was stationed in southern Xinjiang.

Dong Yi, the counselor under Feng Quji, and Jiang Huang, the eunuch under Zhao Gao, arrived at Panyu, the residence of Ren Qi and Zhao Tuo, with a team of guards, exhausted.

Inside the prefect's mansion, Dong Yi, dressed in a green robe and with a serious expression, handed the imperial edict to Ren Qi and said, "General Ren, this is the emperor's edict. Please review it."

Ren Qi quickly stepped forward to take the imperial edict, unfolded it, and his face instantly turned pale. He muttered to himself, "Prince Fusu hanged himself... How is this possible?"

Ren Qi stared at the imperial edict with eyes wide open in disbelief. His hands trembled slightly, and his voice became low: "This imperial edict...what on earth is going on?"

Dong Yi and Jiang Huang exchanged a glance. Jiang Huang stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "General Ren, General Zhao, this edict was personally issued by His Majesty, ordering Prince Fusu to hang himself. I'm sure you two generals understand His Majesty's intention."

Ren Qi gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, why do you treat Prince Fusu like this? He is your Majesty's eldest son!"

Jiang Huang said softly, "I don't know the reason behind this."

Then, Jiang Huang carefully took out the handwritten letters from Feng Quji and Zhao Gao from his arms.

Ren Qi and Zhao Tuo looked at each other, a hint of curiosity flashed in their eyes, then they stretched out their hands together and gently took the letter.

They unfolded the letter and carefully read the words. "When Prince Hu Hai ascends the throne, the two generals will be honored with titles of nobility and enjoy wealth and glory."

These words were like a flash of lightning, breaking the silence in the hall.

A hint of greed flashed in Zhao Tuo's eyes, and his fingers trembled slightly, as if he wanted to grasp the upcoming glory and wealth.

However, Zhao Tuo quickly regained his composure, took a deep breath, and looked at Ren Qi. Seeing that Ren Qi remained silent, he said to Dong Yi and the others, "This matter is of great importance. Please rest for a while, angels. I will discuss it with the general before making a decision."

Dong Yi nodded and said with a smile, "That's fine. Thank you very much, Generals."

Jiang Huang continued, "Please, generals, discuss this as soon as possible so as not to delay His Majesty's order." There was a hint of anxiety in his tone, as if time was running out and there was no room for delay.

Ren Qi and Zhao Tuo exchanged a glance, then bowed to Dong Yi and Jiang Huang and said, "Please rest assured, Your Excellency. We will work out a conclusion as quickly as possible."

After Dong Yi and Jiang Huang left the tent, Ren Qi and Zhao Tuo fell silent.

Ren Qi frowned, thinking about the contents of the edict. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a crisp sound.

Zhao Tuo was calculating his own interests in his mind, his eyes sometimes flashing, sometimes lost in thought.

The atmosphere in the tent became extremely solemn, as if a storm was about to come.

Ren Qi and Zhao Tuo both knew that this decision would affect their future and might even affect the situation in the entire world.

After a while, Ren Qi broke the silence. He stared at Zhao Tuo, a hint of worry in his eyes, and said, "Brother Tuo, what do you think about this matter?"

Zhao Tuo glanced at Ren Qi, his eyes firm and decisive, as if he had already made up his mind.

He said slowly: "Brother, His Majesty's will cannot be disobeyed. Moreover, after Prince Hu Hai ascends the throne, we can indeed gain more benefits."

Ren Qi sighed, his brow furrowed, a hint of helplessness in his voice: "But, Prince Fusu has always been kind and righteous. If we force him to hang himself now, I'm afraid the world will blame us. Besides, the 50,000 rear troops led by Li Xin are also quite powerful."

After hearing Ren Qi's words, Zhao Tuo frowned slightly and his hands clenched unconsciously.

He turned to face Ren Qi and said firmly, "Brother, although Prince Fusu is a good man, he has lost his power. The situation in the court is complicated now. If we do not obey the emperor's will, I am afraid we will be in danger."

Ren Qi shook his head, his eyes filled with worry. "Li Xin has always been loyal to Prince Fusu. He will definitely not give up once he learns of this. If he starts fighting, Southern Xinjiang will be in chaos."

Zhao Tuo folded his arms across his chest and paced back and forth, his steps seeming a little anxious.

He stopped, looked at Ren Qi, and said, "Brother, you are wrong. Li Xin leads only 80,000 men, while our Southern Xinjiang army has a full 200,000. If a real battle breaks out, how can he be our opponent?"

Ren Qi was silent for a moment, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

Then he raised his head, looked at Zhao Tuo, and said, "Brother Tuo, you have a point. But if we do this, will we be criticized by the world?"

Zhao Tuo smiled, a smile tinged with confidence. He walked over to Ren Qi, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Brother, you're worrying too much. As long as we can successfully carry out His Majesty's will, we will surely enjoy prosperity and wealth in the future. As for the opinions of the world, what does that matter? Besides, we are only following His Majesty's orders."

Ren Qi sighed deeply and said, "Forget it, forget it. Now that things have come to this, there's no point in saying more. Since His Majesty has issued the order, we can only comply."

Zhao Tuo, standing nearby, nodded solemnly, agreeing, "Brother, please don't worry too much. Although this matter is difficult, I will do my best to arrange everything properly. I hope you have faith in my abilities."

After saying this, he looked at Ren Qi with a firm gaze, as if he wanted to give the other person a little comfort with his determination.

Zhao Tuo then walked towards the door, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Someone! Hurry and invite the two angels, Jiang Huang and Dong Yi, to the meeting room!"

Not long after, a light but hurried sound of footsteps was heard coming from far away.

I saw two figures walking quickly into the conference room.

Jiang Huang and Dong Yi hurriedly clasped their hands and said in unison, "Your humble servants greet the two generals!"

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Tuo had already stepped forward, stretched out his hands with a smile on his face, gently held the two men's arms, and said warmly: "Oh, angels, there is no need to be so polite. Please take a seat!"

After the four of them had taken their seats, Zhao Tuo stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point, stating his thoughts: "Two angels, to be honest, after careful consideration, we are willing to obey Your Majesty's will and act accordingly! I hope you will take good care of us!"