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

National affairs are complicated and simple at the same time.

Although what is happening today is the biggest crisis since the founding of Feng State, the decision has been made and all that remains to be done is pre-war mobilization.

Gunpowder sealed, weapons shipped out of the warehouse, the Ministry of Works summoned craftsmen to repair armor...

Everything is going according to plan and in good order.

The next day, Qian Bin took up his post.

Originally, Li Che wanted to wait for some time until Qian Bin had handed over all the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue before letting him go to Goryeo to take up his post.

But time is of the essence. Goryeo's stability is very important, and we need an important figure to take charge.

When Qian Bin went on a trip, Li Che personally saw him off. Originally, he only agreed to see him off to the city gate, but Li Che was reluctant to let him go, so he only said he would see him off for another mile.

After walking another mile, Li Che still looked reluctant and said he would walk him for another three miles.

In this way, they went on until they were ten miles outside Chaoyang City. Qian Bin refused to let them go any further and started to persuade them:

"Your Highness, after sending you a thousand miles, we must finally say goodbye. Furthermore, with the war imminent, Your Highness has a lot of official duties to attend to. How can you waste all your time on me?"

Li Che sighed and said, "It is my incompetence. Master Qian is already old and should be enjoying a peaceful life in Chaoyang City. But now I have to trouble you to travel a long distance to the remote and impoverished land of Goryeo..."

Qian Bin smiled and shook his head, interrupting, "Your Highness, please don't say that. I've been in officialdom for decades, but I've spent half my life in a muddle-headed state, accomplishing nothing. In the past year since I've followed Your Highness out of seclusion, I've accomplished more than I did in the entire first half of my life. I can die without regrets."

Li Che remained silent and just sighed.

The officials accompanying him remained silent, but thought to themselves, "Your Highness is so respectful to his teachers and values ​​friendship and loyalty. No wonder so many people are willing to follow him through thick and thin."

"It's getting late, and I should be leaving soon. Your Highness, do you have anything else to tell me?"

Li Che pondered for a moment and said seriously, "Master Qian is steady and has a plan that leaves nothing to chance. This prince is at ease."

"Only Wang Hu, the Korean garrison commander, though a talented general, has no experience leading an army. He is brave but lacks wisdom. I'm afraid he might act impulsively when faced with a major event. Although Korea is small, the stakes are high. If he loses, our entire army will be in danger."

"I know that General Qian is cautious, so I'm entrusting him with this important task. General Qian, please tell Wang Hu to be extremely careful and guard the city walls. Don't attack first. Set up camp in a strategic location to prevent the enemy from sneaking through. Consult with him on everything, and don't take any risky actions."

Qian Bin's face was solemn: "Your Highness, I will remember every word you said in my heart!"

"Well, the journey is long, please take your time, Master Qian."

Seeing Li Che's eyes slightly red and every word he said was sincere and heartfelt, Qian Bin was also moved.

He bent down tremblingly and bowed, and Li Che hurried to help him.

"I am leaving now, Your Highness, please take care."

"Take care, Master Qian."

Qian Bin bid farewell in tears. Li Che stood on horseback by the woods, watching Qian Bin go away.

As he was watching, Qian Bin's back was suddenly blocked by a forest.

Li Che gnashed his teeth and said to Qu Jinshan beside him, "Tell someone to cut down all the trees in this forest tomorrow!"

Qu Jinshan looked puzzled: "Your Highness, why is this?"

"It prevented me from seeing Master Qian's back clearly, blocking my view!"

Qu Jinshan was stunned when he heard this.

The accompanying officials also glanced sideways into the distance, their hearts deeply moved.

It’s a pity that Qiu Bai is not here, otherwise he would definitely complain inwardly that his prince’s tricks have finally changed.

. . . . . .

On the third day after Qian Bin set out, Zhang Fan's delegation also set out.

The ceremonial specifications of this delegation were even more luxurious than those of the trip to Goryeo, with hundreds of people alone participating.

Half of them were elite soldiers of the Fengtian Army, and half were followers who were fluent in the Mohe language. All of them were carefully selected by the Ministry of Rites.

This mission was a life-threatening one, and the civil and military officials of the Fengguo court respected Zhang Fan's loyalty and most of them came to see him off.

The officials escorted the delegation to the door, but Li Che was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone looked at each other, and although they didn't say anything, they were confused in their hearts.

Given His Highness's loyal and righteous character, how could he not come to see me off?

Zhang Fan, however, didn't care at all. He stood on the carriage and bowed goodbye to his ministers. Then he ordered the delegation to set off and head north.

When the delegation was halfway there, they heard the sound of horse hooves from a valley ahead.

Zhang Fan smiled, as if he had expected it. He straightened his clothes respectfully and dismounted to greet him.

"Xu."

Li Che pulled the reins of his horse and looked at Zhang Fan standing in the middle of the road, his eyes shining. "It seems that Mr. Zhang knew that I would come here?"

Zhang Fan had a smile on his face, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes: "Last winter, I accompanied Lord Qin on a diplomatic mission to Goryeo, and Your Highness came here to see me off."

"I know Your Highness is nostalgic for the old times. When I didn't see you at the city gate, I knew you would come here to meet me."

"Qin Jing..." Li Che sighed, "Does Mr. Zhang know what Qin Jing and I talked about here last year?"

Zhang Fan shook his head: "Master Qin didn't tell us."

"I told you not to worry about your family. I will take care of the old and the young. I have never broken my promise. I went back to the imperial capital a few days ago and personally visited you. I also asked for a title for the youngest son of the Qin family."

Zhang Fan said seriously, "Your Highness always keeps his word."

"I have also told him that angering Goryeo does not necessarily mean losing his life. He can achieve his goal simply by having Goryeo detain him, or by having the Goryeo king insult me ​​in public."

"However, Qin Jing..."

Zhang Fan smiled bitterly and said, "Master Qin had already made up his mind to die at that time, but we didn't realize it."

Li Che nodded slightly, then said seriously: "I don't want to say the same thing to you again today. You must not be like Qin Jing, who has a suicidal mind!"

"Mr. Zhang, you must know that you are my arm and will be of great use in the future! You must cherish your body. If things become impossible, return immediately and do not let me suffer the pain of a broken arm!"

Zhang Fan bowed deeply, his eyes as steady as ever: "Your Majesty... obeys your command."

Li Che looked at the deputy envoy standing beside him, who turned out to be a burly man with a rough and untamed air.

"Liu Dafeng."

The man was a little surprised and bowed in greeting: "Your Highness actually still remembers me."

Li Che laughed and said, "How could I not remember? You are a ranger from Yuzhou, and you and Ying Bu joined the king together."

Liu Dafeng grinned and said, "Your Highness has a good memory."

"This king knows that you are highly skilled, and you only lack an opportunity. You must protect Zhang Qing well on this journey. When you return victorious, you may be remembered in history."

Liu Dafeng said sternly, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Even if it costs me my life, I will protect Master Zhang!"

Li Che nodded slightly and looked at the members of the delegation.

He suddenly bent down and bowed deeply before anyone could react: "I'm counting on you all for this time."

Everyone quickly reached out to help, their hearts pounding with excitement.

Being treated with such courtesy by the monarch, what would it matter if I died in that barbarian tent?

Li Che straightened up and suddenly saw a square object in the convoy. He couldn't help but ask Zhang Fan, "Zhang Qing, what is that?"

Zhang Fan smiled and said, "Your Highness, these are merely gifts from our subjects to the Mohe tribes. Although the Mohe barbarians may be rude, our Fengguo is a nation of etiquette, and we should treat them with courtesy."

Li Che nodded and waved goodbye to Zhang Fan.

The delegation continued to move forward and walked for several more miles.

Zhang Fan, who was dozing on the carriage, suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Deputy Envoy Liu."

Liu Dafeng rode up and rode alongside the carriage, "What are your orders, sir?"

"Stop and gather everyone. I have something to say."

Although Liu Dafeng was puzzled, he still followed the order.

The delegation stopped and everyone gathered around the carriage.

Zhang Fan slowly got off the carriage and walked to the square cargo carriage.

He reached out and suddenly pulled off the curtain covering it.

Everyone's pupils suddenly shrank and they all gasped.

But I saw a pitch-black coffin lying quietly on the frame.