We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Li Lin looked at Huang Jin, who was on the verge of tears, and couldn't help but shook his head.

What is this old guy thinking?

If the roads outside the Great Wall were easier to travel, Emperor Yang of the previous dynasty would not have suffered repeated defeats in his attacks on Goryeo.

In order to support the army, Emperor Yang of Sui conscripted twice as many civilians as troops during his first expedition to Korea. The number of people who directly or indirectly participated in the war exceeded 500 million!

Because of the extremely long transportation line from the Central Plains to the outside of the Great Wall and the dangerous geographical environment, Huan's army was unable to obtain logistical supplies.

The army didn't even have winter clothes and could only fight the Koreans wearing thin clothes in winter. It would be strange that they were not defeated.

There is at least a road from the Central Plains to Yanfan, but there is no road from Yanfan to the outside of the Great Wall, so one can only walk through the wilderness.

Li Lin looked at Huang Jin, whose face was as pale as death, and comforted him:

"Although the journey is difficult, we have already reached Yandi, which means we are halfway there. Let's rest here for a few days and get enough energy. It won't be too late to continue on our journey."

"Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Your Highness." Huang Jin wiped her tears and thanked him quickly.

Huang Jin has been having a hard time these days. He has been with Emperor Qing all year round. He can't be said to have lived a life of luxury, but he has never been exposed to the wind and rain.

He was over fifty years old, and the bumpy journey almost cost him his life.

Huang Jin brought more than 20,000 slaves and exiled criminals, plus several thousand imperial guards, and the team was very long.

After half an hour, there were still a few stragglers who had walked out of the city.

Li Lin asked his men to warmly entertain the imperial guards, prepare a place for the slaves to set up camp, and distribute food and water from the city.

The imperial guards were all grateful for this and praised Li Lin for being the famous chivalrous king.

Li Lin personally took Huang Jin and the accompanying officials to the city embassy to settle them down, and prepared a banquet to welcome them in the evening.

Everyone thanked him, but Li Lin just smiled back.

After leaving the house, the warm smile on his face disappeared immediately. He stretched out his hand and called a guard over: "Keep an eye on them. If you come into contact with anyone in the city, report to me immediately."

"If anyone from an aristocratic family approaches here, they will be killed without mercy!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The chivalrous king?

The Yan vassal state is a vassal state bordering the grassland. If he was really just a kind-hearted chivalrous king, he would have been wiped out in such a dangerous place long ago. How could he have defended the country's borders?

It is true that he is a "hero", but if he really encounters a situation where he needs to kill someone, Li Lin will never hesitate.

Not long after returning to Prince Yan's Mansion, Li Lin received news that Huang Jin was coming to visit.

Li Lin was not surprised. Huang Jin represented the will of Emperor Qing, and he was the only one in the entire delegation who could be considered half his own.

A moment later, Huang Jin was led to the back hall by a servant. Li Lin looked at him with a smile and said, "Dear Huang, do you want to see me for something?"

"Your Highness, do you know the purpose of this imperial mission?"

"Aren't you going to Ninggu County and passing through Yanfan?"

"That was just an excuse. There were too many people here just now, so it was difficult for me to tell you the truth." Huang Jin leaned over and said, "Now, let me tell you some heartfelt words from your family on behalf of Your Majesty."

Huang Jin’s meaning was very clear. He just represented the imperial court, and now he represented Emperor Qing.

The court is the relationship between the emperor and his subjects, while Emperor Qing’s words are the relationship between father and son.

"Please speak, my dear." Li Lin said seriously.

"The Fourth Prince attacked the aristocratic families a while ago. The aristocratic families launched an attack in the court, so His Majesty had to send people to investigate the matter thoroughly. There is a person from the Ministry of Justice in the delegation, who is in charge of this case."

Li Lin's expression remained unchanged: "What does Father mean?"

Huang Jin smiled and said, "His Majesty said that these two guys were not careful in their work and left some flaws. He will have to clean up your mess."

Li Lin smiled knowingly.

As expected, I was right. When it comes to suppressing the aristocratic families, my father and I have the same stance.

Although the Li family was once a noble family, the two sides' camps were no longer consistent from the moment Emperor Qing ascended the throne.

"Your Highness, if anyone asks you about this, you only need to deny it. I can leave the rest to you."

"In that case, thank you very much, my friend."

Li Lin bowed and tried to greet him, but Huang Jin quickly stepped aside and refused to accept his greeting.

What a joke! Ever since the Crown Prince framed the Sixth Prince, Huang Jin knew that he must never take sides in advance again.

The matter of the crown prince is not clear. His Majesty's heart is as deep as the sea. Until the last moment, no one knows which prince he has chosen.

His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince is famous and well-known in the army. Who knows if he can compete for that position?

Even the Sixth Prince, who was once looked down upon by himself and his ministers, might...

In short, I dare not accept the gift from His Majesty the Fourth Prince.

After the topic was opened up, Li Lin felt much more relaxed.

After motioning Huang Jin to sit down and having the maidservant pour tea, he gently asked, "My dear companion, how is my father these days?"

Except for Li Che and the Crown Prince, the other princes have deep feelings for Emperor Qing.

Although Emperor Qing is strict with his children, he is actually not bad.

It can be seen from the fact that every prince who has been enfeoffed has real power in his hands that compared to those meritorious generals, Emperor Qing still trusts his son more.

"Your Majesty is in good health, but the recent busy state affairs have made him even more tired."

Huang Jin sighed, "The Central Plains has had good weather this year, but the South has suffered from floods and locust plagues. The people are suffering terribly, and we have no choice but to dispatch food relief."

"The Tartars on the grasslands are restless, Japanese pirates are attacking fishermen in coastal areas, and even the barbarians of Nanyue are in turmoil... Fortunately, our Daqing soldiers are brave, so they dare not act rashly."

"But once the army is mobilized, military rations will have to be increased. The harvest was already poor this year, ah..."

Huang Jin changed the subject: "Your Majesty sent me here this time, not only to resolve the issue of the aristocratic family, but also to see with my own eyes the situation on the side of the Ninggu County Prince."

"Sixth Brother?" Li Lin asked doubtfully, "What happened to him?"

"If all the countries along the border are not behaving properly, how can the barbaric tribes outside the Great Wall, such as the Mohe, Khitan, and Goryeo, remain in peace?"

"Prince Ninggu has just arrived in his fiefdom and is short of soldiers and food. Your Majesty is worried that he will be severely bullied by the barbarians, so you sent the imperial guards along with this old slave."

"If those barbarians go too far, let the Imperial Guards intimidate them. That will make life easier for His Highness the Sixth Prince."

Thinking of the hardships along the way and the reputation of the barbarians outside the Great Wall, Huang Jin couldn't help but empathize.

"The Sixth Prince has a hard life!"