GBP Chapter 519 Xiang Yan Returns to Chu
Chapter 519 Xiang Yan Returns to Chu
Zhou Xun rose and left behind a scroll: "This is Princess Jiayang's 'Records of the Four Seas,' which records her ideas for exploring overseas worlds. If the general is interested, he may read it carefully."
Three days later, the King of Chu urgently sent an envoy, offering three border cities and ten million taels of gold as conditions for the release of Xiang Yan and the members of the delegation.
At Ying Wuyou's suggestion, the King of Qin agreed to the terms of the peace talks.
Three days later, Xiang Yan and all the captured members of the Chu delegation were released. Before their departure, Ying Wuyou did not appear in person, but only sent a handwritten letter through Zhou Xun.
Xiang Yan unfolded the letter and saw that it was written in strong, vigorous handwriting:
"To General Xiang: The world is vast, not limited to Chu and Qin. The ocean is boundless, not confined to rivers. I urge you to broaden your horizons and not be confined by your own mind. If one day you wish to explore the world together, I will gladly await your presence. Respectfully yours, Jiayang."
Xiang Yan held the letter, speechless for a long time. As he boarded the carriage and left, he glanced back at Xianyang, his gaze complex.
The city he once regarded as a barbarian capital now held a different meaning in his eyes.
The carriage rumbled forward as Xiang Yan closed his eyes in deep thought. He thought of the current state of Chu—corrupt government, power struggles among nobles, and suffering among the people. Compared to Qin, Chu appeared powerful, but in reality, it was all bark and no bite.
"The will of the people..." Xiang Yan murmured to himself, "So this is the secret to Qin's strength."
He opened his eyes, his gaze resolute. Upon returning to Chu, he would not only advise the King of Chu to cease hostilities, but also vigorously promote reforms to win over the hearts and minds of the people. Otherwise, in the near future, Chu might truly find it difficult to withstand the military might of Qin.
Sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting golden rays that illuminated the road ahead. Xiang Yan stood in this brightly lit space, yet her heart was far from at ease.
He knew that upon returning to the State of Chu, he would face a fierce contest no less intense than a battlefield. The ever-changing political landscape and the open and covert struggles for power would be the challenges he would have to confront.
Nevertheless, Xiang Yan had a clear direction in his heart. He knew that he bore the mission of the State of Chu, and no matter how rugged the road ahead, he had to persevere.
However, a voice suddenly echoed deep within him: "Don't you want to see further places?" This voice seemed to come from the deepest desire in his heart, making him stop in his tracks.
What does the distance truly mean? Is it an unknown world, or more challenges and opportunities? He recalled his days on the battlefield, those days of living in the open and facing uncertainty of life and death. Although filled with hardship and danger, they also made him feel the infinite possibilities of life.
Perhaps, the distant horizon is indeed a place full of unknowns and possibilities. It draws people forward to explore unseen landscapes and challenge unprecedented difficulties.
A surge of emotion welled up within Xiang Yan; he wanted to travel further and experience lives he had never known before. However, he also knew clearly that his responsibilities and mission did not allow him to leave the State of Chu so easily.
Despite his inner struggle, Xiang Yan ultimately chose to continue his journey. He knew that no matter how alluring the future might be, he could not forget his original aspirations and mission. The State of Chu needed him, and he could not betray the expectations of the people of Chu.
So Xiang Yan took firm steps and headed towards the State of Chu.
On the city wall of Xianyang, Ying Wuyou gazed in the direction where Xiang Yan's convoy had departed, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Why did the princess release the tiger back into the mountains?" Zhou Xun asked, puzzled.
Ying Wuyou had a far-sighted view: "Xiang Yan is a loyal minister. After returning to Chu, he will surely advise the King of Chu to reform the government. But this will only intensify the internal conflicts in Chu and accelerate its internal division."
She turned and descended the city wall, her black cloak billowing in the wind: "Moreover, this incident has planted a seed of doubt in Xiang Yan's heart. He will constantly ponder why the people of Qin are so united, while those of Chu are not. This kind of thinking is itself a weapon."
Zhou Xun suddenly realized: "The princess is wise."
Ying Wuyou's lips curled slightly into a faint smile, then he fell silent. In this chaotic world, strategy and tactics prevail, and winning hearts and minds is paramount.
After Xiang Yan returns to his country, he may be able to temporarily stabilize the situation in Chu. However, in the long run, the seed that Ying Wuyou planted in Xiang Yan's heart will eventually take root, sprout, and bear fruit.
After all, what man could resist the temptation to explore uncharted territories? That vast world undoubtedly held endless novelty and challenges for Xiang Yan. And how could the small kingdom of Chu possibly confine Xiang Yan, who already yearned for a wider world?
As Xiang Yan's curiosity about the unknown grew, he realized the insignificance of the State of Chu, and his ambition swelled accordingly. By then, the time would be ripe for the State of Qin to unify the world.
Ying Wuyou slowly turned around, her gaze sweeping across the vast land and landing in the distant east. In that direction lay an endless sea.
"Our fleet should have arrived safely in the New World by now," she murmured, as if she could see the ships cutting through the turbulent sea. It was a fleet carrying dreams and ambitions, destined to expand Qin's territory and bring endless wealth and glory.
“When Xiang Yan finally understands, we will definitely need someone like him,” Ying Wuyou continued, a confident smile playing on her lips. Xiang Yan was a man of extraordinary talent. Although he might still have doubts at the moment, Ying Wuyou believed that one day he would understand.
Sunlight streamed down on Ying Wuyou like a golden veil, gilding her entire being with a soft golden edge. Standing there, she resembled a noble goddess, radiating an undeniable brilliance.
Zhou Xun stood quietly to the side, gazing at the young princess. A surge of boundless admiration welled up within him. This woman, with her wisdom and courage, was quietly changing the course of the world.
Xiang Yan, perhaps, was merely an important pawn in her grand scheme. In this chaotic world, some people only focus on the immediate struggle for territory, while Ying Wuyou had already set her sights on the vast world. Although Xiang Yan's departure today was somewhat regrettable, Ying Wuyou knew that the seed in his heart had been planted, waiting only for the right time to take root, sprout, and bloom into a magnificent flower.
The carriage moved slowly, finally arriving at the border between Qin and Chu. Xiang Yan suddenly ordered the carriage to stop; he wanted to see this special economic zone with his own eyes.
Xiang Yan alighted from the carriage and slowly walked towards the border market. The market was bustling with activity, teeming with people. Merchants from both Qin and Chu had gathered here, engaging in busy transactions. A dazzling array of goods were on display. The people chatted with each other, their faces beaming with smiles, completely devoid of the tense atmosphere that usually characterized the border region.
Xiang Yan quietly observed everything, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He couldn't help but recall the past, the tense relationship between the Qin and Chu states, and the heavy security along the border. But now, the establishment of this special economic zone had brought life and vitality to this place.
"General, are we really going back to Chu like this?" The deputy general walked up to Xiang Yan and asked in a low voice.
Xiang Yan did not answer immediately. His gaze crossed the border and looked towards the far south. There lay a vast land, a boundless ocean, and endless possibilities.
Xiang Yan took a deep breath and then slowly said, "Let's go back to Yingdu first." His voice was calm, but it contained a sense of determination and anticipation.