frightfiction Chapter 595 Exile to 8 Ga Island
Chapter 595 Exile to 8 Ga Island
Yan Ju looked up to the sky and sighed deeply. How could he not know that restoration was hopeless? The Yan state was barely able to protect itself, the Qi state's attitude was ambiguous, and the people of Wei had received grain from Qin; why would they support these "loyal ministers"?
But he was unwilling to accept it. The Wei state, with its eight hundred years of history, was about to perish? His family had served as generals of Wei for generations; his grandfather had died in battle at Maling, and his father at Guiling. Now it was his turn—was he to surrender?
"General!" A scout rushed in. "It's bad! The Qin army is coming this way! At least a thousand men, led by Wang Li!"
Wang Li, grandson of Qin general Wang Jian, was young but brave and skilled in battle.
A commotion broke out in the cave. Three hundred against a thousand, and a weary army against an elite force—they had no chance of winning.
"General, let's retreat!" the lieutenant urged.
Yan Ju shook his head: "Where can we retreat to? Qin territory is everywhere." He drew his sword. "Gentlemen, Yan Ju is incompetent and unable to restore the kingdom. Today, I have no choice but to die to repay the King of Wei's kindness!"
"General!"
"Those willing to charge with me, go! Those unwilling, surrender!" Yan Ju mounted his horse. "Though Wei is fallen, its spirit lives on! Kill—"
He charged forward first. More than a hundred assassins followed behind. The remaining two hundred or so looked at each other, then finally laid down their weapons.
Outside the valley, Wang Li looked at Yan Ju and the others who rushed out, a hint of respect flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by coldness.
"Archers, prepare."
Arrows rained down like locusts.
Despite being struck by seven arrows, Yan Ju continued his charge. It wasn't until a crossbow bolt pierced his throat that he finally fell from his horse.
The warhorses neighed and lingered beside his body.
Wang Li rode forward, looked at Yan Ju's body, and remained silent for a moment: "He was a loyal minister. Give him a proper burial."
"And these prisoners..."
"According to the princess's order: those who participate in the resistance will be exiled to Baga Island. Ordinary soldiers will be either dismissed or incorporated into the Qin army after screening."
"Yes!"
On February 12, the first group of exiles set off.
There were more than 500 people in total, including Yan Ju's family, some former nobles and their servants. They were escorted to Langya Port on the coast of the East China Sea, from where they would take a ship to Baga Island.
On the dock, prisoners in shackles stood in long lines. Among them were elderly men with white hair, terrified women and children, and middle-aged men with numb expressions.
"Mom, where are we going?" a seven or eight-year-old boy asked.
The woman hugged the child tightly: "Go...go to a very far place."
"Will you give it back?"
The woman could not answer; she could only weep.
The escort was led by Zhao Wu, a captain under General Wang Ben. Following Ying Wuyou's instructions, he treated the exiles rather harshly—after all, the princess had said it wasn't execution, but rehabilitation.
"Listen up, all of you!" Zhao Wu shouted from his high vantage point. "By order of the King of Qin, you are all to be exiled to Baga Island for three years. There are barracks, fields, and mines on the island. As long as you work honestly and perform well after three years, you may return! But if anyone tries to escape or resist, kill them without mercy!"
The prisoners listened in silence. Some saw a glimmer of hope in their eyes—three years, and there was still a chance of returning. Others were filled with despair—on a deserted island overseas, whether they could even survive three years was a question.
"sail--"
Five large ships slowly sailed away from the port. These were newly built Fujian ships of the Qin state, each capable of carrying two hundred people, and equipped with sailors, doctors, and even several agricultural officials—the princess had said that the island needed to be developed into farmland, and could not rely solely on mining.
The ship sailed further and further away, and the land disappeared from sight. The prisoners were crammed into the cabin, and many began to vomit from seasickness as the waves rose and fell.
The physicians busied themselves distributing medicine and caring for the patients.
An old nobleman, watching this scene, smiled bitterly and said, "The Qin people... they want to exile us, but they also want to cure us? What do they mean?"
A young man nearby whispered, "I heard this was the princess's idea. She said exile is punishment, not torture. As long as one sincerely repents, there is still a chance."
"Princess? Ying Wuyou?"
"Correct."
The old nobleman remained silent for a long time before sighing, "This woman... if she were a man, she would surely be a great ruler."
The sea voyage was long and tedious. But Ying Wuyou's arrangements worked—ample food, timely medical care, and even books to read (though they were mostly Qin law and agricultural texts). This gradually changed the exiles' mindset.
Maybe I really can come back in three years?
Perhaps this really is a chance to turn over a new leaf?
Between the sea and the sky, the fleet sailed eastward. Behind them, the cleanup work in Wei was proceeding in an orderly manner. Groups of former nobles were found to have problems, and groups of exiles embarked on their journeys.
By mid-February, more than 3,000 former nobles and their families had been exiled from Wei. The remaining nobles either completely submitted or kept a low profile.
The flames of rebellion in Wei were extinguished before they could even be lit.
All of this was written down in a report and sent to Xianyang.
February 14th, Xianyang Palace.
The grand court assembly was still a day away on February 15th, but preparations in the palace had already begun. This was the grandest court assembly in the history of the Qin state, with not only all the officials of Xianyang gathering, but also the surrendered officials and noble representatives from the former states of Han, Zhao, Chu, and Wei, who were ordered to attend.
More than 500 people are expected to attend the meeting, and the line will stretch all the way to the entrance of the hall.
The Ministry of Rites was extremely busy. From seating arrangements, ceremonial specifications, and the order of worship, to dress requirements and speech norms, everything had to be carefully considered.
As the scribe of the Ministry of Rites, Empress Lü hadn't been home for three days. She led a group of officials to check lists, arrange seating, and review procedures.
“The surrendered officials from Wei should sit here, and the surrendered officials from Zhao should sit there. They should be separated to prevent conflict.”
"Where is the representative from Chu? Has he arrived yet?"
"We've arrived. We arrived yesterday and have been settled in the post station."
"South Korea...Does South Korea still have a representative?"
"Yes, a few distant relatives of King Han An. Although they don't have much real power, they are of great symbolic significance."
As Lü Zhi handled the affairs, she couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gan3kai3, deep emotion). Two years ago, she was just an ordinary young lady confined to her chambers. Now, she held the title of Duke and was in charge of such an important ceremony.
All of this is thanks to the princess.
Just then, Ying Wuyou arrived.
"Greetings, Princess!" Lü Zhi quickly bowed.
Ying Wuyou helped her up: "No need for formalities. How are the preparations going?"
“It’s basically ready,” Lü Zhi reported. “As instructed by the princess, a seat has been arranged for Marquis Guiming, Wei Jia—although it’s the last seat, it’s a signal. When the other surrendered officials see this, they will understand the king’s magnanimity.”
“Very good.” Ying Wuyou nodded. “Tomorrow’s grand court assembly will not only be about rewarding meritorious service, but also about showing the world that Great Qin not only wants to unify the land, but also the hearts of the people. People from the six states, as long as they sincerely submit, can all find a place in the new dynasty.”
Empress Lü Zhi wholeheartedly agreed. Coming from humble origins, she knew that ordinary people didn't care who was king; they only cared about living a good life. The Qin system and its policies were indeed more beneficial to the people's livelihood than those of the other six states.
"Princess, what about Young Master Wei Ji...?" Lü Zhi asked cautiously, "Is he going to attend tomorrow?"
“Yes,” Ying Wuyou said. “Not only will he attend, but Father will also bestow honors upon him.”
Lü Zhi exclaimed in surprise, "A reward? He is..."
"A prince of a fallen kingdom?" Ying Wuyou replied, "It is precisely because of his identity that the reward is all the more meaningful. We must show the world that even the crown prince of Wei can be highly valued in Qin, so what else is there to worry about?"
Empress Lü Zhi suddenly understood. The princess's strategies were always so far-reaching.