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

Hearing Li Che's words, everyone was slightly stunned.

They knew very well where the civil servants of Feng State came from.

Except for a small number of impoverished families and poor children who had fled to the outside of the Great Wall, the rest were either kidnapped or deceived.

Anyway, it's all about deception and trickery, using all sorts of tricks.

Li Che never concealed this fact. He knew that he had done something wrong and that many people were forced to join Fengguo because of his threats.

But, extraordinary times call for extraordinary things!

The situation at that time did not allow me to visit the thatched cottage three times and recruit talents through formal means.

Li Che knew that kidnapping people was wrong, but if he were given another chance to choose, he would still let Qiu Bai and the others kidnap them!

The main thing is, if you know you are wrong, you will dare to do it again next time!

The military generals of Daqing were completely different. They were either loyal confidants like Hu Qiang.

They were all from the criminal camp like Wang Sanchun, and they all regarded Li Che as their benefactor who saved them from suffering.

Li Che had never done anything to let them down, so the generals would repay him with their lives, and those who sacrificed in the battles were all military men.

In comparison, the lives of civil officials were much better.

They either became pure scholars or powerful officials, and lived a respectable life in Fengguo.

Only Qin Jing died on the road to Fengguo Daxing.

Although he made mistakes, those mistakes disappeared with the end of his life.

Those who sacrifice their lives for their country will have their crimes reduced several levels during their lifetime!

The cold wind of early winter swept through the streets of the imperial capital, and the thick fog made even the sky look hazy.

Li Che changed into plain clothes, put on a heavy black cloak, and walked out of Prince Feng's Mansion.

His brows were furrowed, and there was a hint of complexity in his eyes.

Hu Qiang, Qiu Bai, Huo Duanxiao and others followed behind cautiously, all in silence.

The Qin Mansion is also in the East Market, but it is far away from the Fengwang Mansion and is located in a more remote area of ​​the East Market.

The Qin family is considered a scholarly family, not a prominent family, but their ancestors have produced several third and fourth rank officials.

However, the Qin family has a very strict family tradition. They are the kind of family that rigidly abides by the morality of the saints, rather than using the words of the saints as a means to pass the imperial examination and become an official.

Perhaps only a family like this can raise a stubborn person like Qin Jing.

Qin Jing was born a civil official. It was not his destiny to die for the country, but it was his choice.

When he reached the gate of Qin's mansion, Li Che suddenly stopped.

"Your Highness." Huo Duanxiao stepped forward, "Or, should you let me go?"

Li Che pondered for a moment and shook his head: "Go and knock on the door."

Qiu Bai walked up and knocked on the door gently.

Soon, an old servant came out with a trembling gait.

Qiu Bai revealed Li Che's identity. The old servant looked at him hesitantly, but saw that Li Che had a handsome face and felt that he was indescribably noble.

Naturally, he did not dare to be negligent and quickly invited Li Che and others into the mansion to wait.

The Qin Mansion was completely silent. The servants who were supposed to be coming and going were nowhere to be seen. Only the faint laughter of a few children could be heard in the yard.

When the Qin residence's steward came out and saw that it was Li Che, he was startled and immediately knelt down to salute.

Li Che raised his hand to let him off the hook, but he didn't explain his purpose. He just said in a deep voice, "Is Madam Qin in the mansion?"

"My wife is here, Your Highness. May I ask what happened to my young master?" The old butler's tone was filled with worry.

Li Che then realized that the housekeeper calling Qin Jing "Young Master" meant that Qin Jing was not yet the head of the family.

This Mrs. Qin should not be his wife, but his mother.

Seeing Li Che's puzzled expression, the butler explained.

It turned out that Qin Jing's father died early, and his two brothers also died young, leaving behind only a few children.

He was the only one among his peers, and it was Old Madam Qin who raised him with great difficulty.

After Qin Jing became an official, he had no time to take care of household affairs, so Old Madam Qin was still in charge.

With Qin Jing gone, there was no man in charge of the Qin Mansion, only a group of women remained.

This is also the reason why Li Che and others had been here for a long time but no member of the Qin family came to greet them.

After hearing this, Li Che fell even more silent.

"Please inform me that I would like to meet Old Madam Qin. Is this convenient?"

Seeing Li Che being so polite, the housekeeper waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, Your Highness, please wait in the main hall. I will go and invite the lady."

Li Che nodded and walked into the Qin family's main hall with Huo Duanxiao and others.

The decoration of the Qin family is very simple, not the kind of simplicity of the Prince Feng’s Palace, but simplicity in the true sense.

Even the wood used for the beams is of the worst quality, and you can see some burrs if you look closely.

In ancient times, it was extremely difficult for a widow to gain a foothold in the capital and raise a scholar.

The Qin family will not have an easy life.

Seeing this, Li Che felt mixed emotions and found it even more difficult to speak.

Soon, tea was served in the main hall of the Qin Mansion.

Qin Jing's old mother, Lin, sat upright in the main seat. Although her complexion was dry due to old age, her face was still dignified. One could tell at a glance that she was once a dignified mistress.

Next to him was Qin Jing's wife, Zhao, whose face was gentle but hinted at worry. In her arms was Qin Jing's three-year-old son, Qin Luo.

The little child looked at the stranger in the house at a loss, biting his fingers and hiding timidly in his mother's arms.

"The Qin family doesn't know what has alarmed the prince and is truly terrified." Lin's voice was low and steady, without a trace of flattery or fear in her tone.

Li Che was silent for a moment, his eyes swept over the child in the woman's arms.

Fortunately, Qin Jing still has a descendant.

He pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "I came here today to pass on a message for Qin Jing."

Lin frowned slightly, as if he sensed something unusual.

She turned around and told the servants not to let the children in to play. Then she sat up straight and looked at Li Che intently: "Your Majesty, what is so important that you have to come here in person?"

For a moment, Li Che found it difficult to look her in the eyes.

He lowered his eyes and whispered, "Qin Jing...died his life for his country."

The hall was dead silent, no one spoke, and even the crackling of the charcoal fire burning in the copper stove, which had been there for years, sounded inexplicably harsh.

Zhao first hugged the child tightly in her arms, opened her mouth but could not utter a word.

Her eyes were red, but her shocked gaze was fixed on her mother-in-law.

To everyone's surprise, Lin didn't cry, didn't scream, and didn't even make any sobbing sounds.

Her wrinkled eyelids trembled slightly, and her chest rose and fell slightly: "I ask you, Your Highness, was my son's death... worth it?"

When she finally asked the question, her eyes remained steady, as if it were just a calm conversation.

Li Che felt his chest stagnate, but he quickly cupped his hands and said decisively:

"Qin Jing's death is heavier than Mount Tai! When historians write about it one day, it will surely be recorded in history!"

"The details have not yet reached the court. I have informed the old lady that you please keep it confidential for the time being."

Lin nodded gently: "Your Highness, please feel free to speak. I know the seriousness of the matter."

"With the destruction of Goryeo, Fengguo's southeastern border has enjoyed at least a hundred years of peace. Qin Jing is the primary contributor to this monumental event!"

In the end, Li Che chose to cover up the mistakes made by Qin Jing.

Although merits and demerits cannot be offset, there is no need to rub salt into the wounds of the family members.

Upon hearing this, Lin sighed and looked up at the ceiling of the hall.

There were tears in her eyes, but they didn't fall.

She suddenly slapped the armrest and shouted, "Good! Good! Good! My son died a worthy death. It's a blessing for Daqing and an honor for our Qin family!"

Zhao bit her lip. The child in her arms was still young and was frightened by her grandmother. She looked at the adults in front of her blankly.

Lin turned her head, her eyes as cold as iron as she swept over Zhao and the surrounding women and maids:

"My Qin family is a family of scholars. How can we lose our integrity today because of my son's death? My son served his country with all his heart. This is not a funeral, but a happy occasion!"

"Pass on my order, no one in the family is allowed to cry, wear mourning clothes, or hold funerals!"

"Everything is normal in the Qin family. Don't let any rumors spread about what's happening here. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several women in the room had already burst into tears, but they forced themselves to hold back their voices, and could only cover their faces with their sleeves and wipe away their tears silently.

Li Che looked at this scene, and his stomach felt like it was hit hard by a punch, and his heart was churning.

"Madam, you are so prudent and kind. It's admirable." Li Che slowly stood up and said solemnly, "I promised Qin Jing that I would take care of his parents and family."

"The situation in Fengguo is very good now. Please ask the old lady to bring the Qin family with me to Fengguo. I will ensure that the Qin family will be prosperous and wealthy for a lifetime."

Lin nodded gently and said, "Since this is an agreement between the prince and my son, I will not stop it."

"I will have my family pack their luggage right away, and when the prince leaves, they can just come to the Qin residence to greet him."

"As for me..."

Lin took a deep breath and glanced at the furnishings in the hall: "This house is the last thought my late husband left me. I can't live without it for the rest of my life..."

"Your Highness has taken the children away. I only want to stay here. Please grant my wish, Your Highness."

As soon as these words were spoken, the women in the mansion were immediately in an uproar.

"Mother, how could you abandon your daughter?"

"Absolutely not, old lady, please think twice!"

"Without Madam here, how can we go to Fengguo and enjoy wealth and glory?"

Even Zhao, who had just experienced the pain of losing her husband, fought back tears and said, "If mother doesn't go, then your daughter-in-law won't go either. I will stay here with mother and raise Luo'er."

Lin scolded them several times, but to no avail. These women refused to leave the old lady alone at home no matter what.

Li Che looked at this scene and sighed silently in his heart.

"Well, well," Li Che said, "The old lady is reluctant to leave her hometown, and I will not force her."

Li Che slowly stood up and said solemnly, "I came here today to report the death of a deceased person. But seeing the Qin family's family tradition, if Qin Jing's spirit is still alive, he will surely be proud."

"Please take these gold and silver items, old lady. This is Qin Jing's salary for the past year, plus a little gift from the king."

Qiu Bai, who was standing by, handed over a heavy brocade box, and this time Lin did not refuse.

He only nodded slightly to Li Che and said, "Your Majesty, this is a generous gift. I will accept it for now. I hope that one day, my Qin family can also contribute to the national strategy."

Upon hearing this, Li Che looked at the child in Zhao's arms and said, "When this child is a little older, he can be sent to Feng State. If I have a son by then, I will let this child be my study companion."

Hearing this, Lin stood up tremblingly: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness."

Li Che exchanged a few more pleasantries with Lin, comforted Zhao, and then said goodbye.

When leaving the Qin family, Li Che's face was calm, but his heart was heavy.

He considered himself a man of great strategy and might, but in this old house, he was left speechless by the spirit of an octogenarian woman.

As he walked out of the yard, his pace quickened.

For some reason, Li Che just wanted to stay away from this yard.

But just as he stepped out of the door, a scream-like cry came from afar, breaking the dead silence of the entire Qin Mansion.

Li Che turned around and saw that the door was covered by mist. There was no one in the yard, but the faint sound of crying could be heard.

He looked up at the sky, sighed deeply, and left silently.