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

Zhang Fan?

The generals looked at each other, feeling somewhat unfamiliar.

Everyone was a general who was busy with all kinds of affairs, and they almost forgot about this little man, let alone knew whether he was in the army.

Huo Duanxiao thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, this man is indeed in the army. He should be serving as the military commander of the left wing army."

The military commander was a civilian position in the army, responsible for repairing soldiers' armor and assisting in military affairs.

Qin Jing's death was a great blow to Zhang Fan, and subtly changed his three views.

Zhang Fan couldn't understand why someone was so brave as to risk his life to such an extent.

Just to make Master Feng famous, he even paid the price of his life, with blood spilled under the royal steps.

This experience made him want to join the army and avenge his father.

So he went to Huo Duanxiao and got a civil position as a military commander.

Now that Li Che mentioned Zhang Fan, Huo Duanxiao immediately thought of this person.

Wen Zaiyin also spoke up, "But what about the deputy envoy from the Goryeo delegation?"

Li Che nodded.

"This person has sound reasoning and evidence, is neither humble nor arrogant, and is fearless of death. He's feasible!" Wen Zai Yin praised.

Qin Jing made Wen Zaiyin feel the 'fearlessness of death' of the Fengguo envoy, and Zhang Fan also impressed him.

Li Che nodded slightly: "Send the message to Zhang Fan, the commander of the left wing army!"

The two guards followed the order and returned with Zhang Fan soon.

Li Che looked over and found that Zhang Fan was completely different from when they first met.

When we first met, Zhang Fan was still a nobody. He was chosen as the deputy envoy of the diplomatic mission just because he knew Korean.

At that time, there was still timidity in his eyes, and he felt unnatural when walking, sitting or standing.

Now Zhang Fan has witnessed Qin Jing's selfless dedication and has been training in the army for a month. It seems that he has undergone a transformation.

He walked straight to the center of the hall, facing a room full of intimidating military officers, yet remained composed and bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Li Che nodded with satisfaction and extended his hand to support her: "No need to be so polite."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

He saluted slowly, but raised his head without saying a word. He just stared blankly at the throne under Li Che, his eyes filled with complicated emotions.

Li Che noticed Zhang Fan's strange behavior and asked, "The king summoned you, why are you staring blankly at the throne?"

Zhang Fan took a deep breath, tears welling up in his eyes, and his voice choked: "Your Highness, I lost my composure for a moment... I was just thinking of Master Qin..."

Hearing Zhang Fan's words, everyone was stunned.

Zhang Fan continued, "Envoy Qin Jing...died here, beneath this throne. There seems to be bloodstains on the steps. The sight brings back a deep emotion. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

After hearing this, Li Che felt deeply moved.

Fengguo was able to take over half of Goryeo's territory thanks to the sacrifices and efforts of all the soldiers and civilians.

The only way to legitimately send troops to Goryeo was due to the sacrifice of Qin Jing alone.

Qin Jing’s death was the premise for my launching of the war, and it was time for me to give him an answer.

"Qin Qing's loyalty and righteousness comfort me greatly." Li Che said slowly with a serious expression, "Pass the order to dismantle the bricks and stones under this throne and transport them back to Feng State!"

"This king will use these blood-stained bricks and stones to build a tombstone for Qin Jing, recording his achievements!"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the ministers in the hall were moved.

What an honor it is to build your own tomb with the bricks and stones from under the enemy's king's steps.

They were moved by Li Che's kindness to his loyal ministers, and envied Qin Jing for receiving such an honor.

Zhang Fan burst into tears and knelt down to express his gratitude: "Your Highness is wise! I... I thank Your Highness on behalf of Qin Jing for your grace!"

Li Che stood up and helped Zhang Fan up. He patted his shoulder and said, "Zhang Qing, you have a more important mission this time."

Zhang Fan raised his head, his eyes determined: "I am willing to serve Your Highness at my utmost!"

Li Che nodded and said, "The Park family of Goryeo is still resisting stubbornly in the south. Although I want to march south and conquer all of Goryeo in one fell swoop, I don't have enough troops."

"This king hopes you can go as an envoy to the Park family. This time, you will be the chief envoy!"

"This mission is not to persuade the Park family to surrender, but to demonstrate the authority of our Fengguo so that they dare not act rashly."

"Do you dare to take this matter?"

"Why not?" Zhang Fan said calmly, "I will definitely live up to your highness's expectations!"

"Good!" Li Che was in a good mood. "I will personally host a banquet tonight to see you off."

"Your Highness, please stay for this banquet. I am ready to leave immediately and will attend the banquet when I return from my mission." Zhang Fan bowed and saluted.

"Alright! I'm in Liujing, preparing your celebration banquet!"

Zhang Fan thanked him and left to select the members of the delegation without saying anything more.

That night, he headed south under the escort of fifty knights.

At the same time, the Fengtian Army stopped cleaning up the battlefield and began to take over the defense of Liujing, shrinking and consolidating the front line.

When He Conglong brought his army to the city of Liujing, ready to fight a big battle, he saw his own flag flying on the city wall.

He Conglong was stunned, and Li Che on the city wall was also stunned.

"Liujing City has been taken?"

"Is He Conglong still alive?"

After a brief silence, Li Che was overjoyed and went down to the city in person to welcome He Conglong.

This Eastern Expedition can be said to have gone smoothly. The only thing that left a knot in Li Che's heart was He Conglong's "sacrifice".

Now that he knew He Conglong was not dead, Li Che was relieved. The two met at the foot of the city, and there was no need to say more about the harmonious relationship between the king and his subject.

However, Zhang Fan went straight to the Pu family's base camp and was soon discovered by scouts.

When the scout learned that the envoy was from Feng State, he did not dare to neglect him and respectfully invited him in.

The heads of the Park family were the second son Park Nam-geon and the third son Park Nam-seo. The eldest son of the Park family was an official in Ryugyong. When the Park family rebelled, he was beheaded by the furious King of Goryeo.

When the two brothers of the Pu family learned that the envoy had arrived, they hurriedly and warmly welcomed him.

But Zhang Fan walked into the tent with an expressionless face, without even looking at the two of them, and sat down on a seat nearby.

The two brothers looked at each other, both confused.

Finally, it was Park Nanjian who spoke first: "I wonder what brings you here, Your Excellency?"

Zhang Fan glanced at him and uttered only one word: "Wait."

"What are you waiting for?" Park asked with a puzzled look on his face.

Zhang Fan closed his eyes and stopped talking.

The two brothers of the Pu family were confused, but they didn't dare to offend Zhang Fan. They asked him respectfully again and again, but Zhang Fan didn't say a word.

The two had no choice but to sit in the tent.

After sitting for three hours, their buttocks were sore and they felt uncomfortable all over.

The third son, Park, has a hot temper, and the long wait has exhausted his already limited patience.

He stood up suddenly and was about to yell.

But then a Goryeo soldier rushed into the tent with a look of fear on his face.

"What's the matter?!" Park asked angrily.

"General, the Fengtian Army suddenly launched an attack and captured seven of our northern cities!"

The Pu brothers were shocked and angry, and all looked at Zhang Fan below.

A smile appeared on Zhang Fan's lips, and he said slowly, "Now, we can talk."