In an era when girls typically married at the age of thirteen or fourteen, Zhao Ying was indeed considered an old maid. Though beautiful, she had very high standards.
Ever since Zhao Feng rose to prominence and became a Great Qin Main General, many nobles and prominent families in Shaoqiu County had visited their home. Many came specifically to propose marriage to the Zhao Family, yet Zhao Ying had not set her heart on any of them.
「Turning one's gaze elsewhere.」
Dai City was the Prefectural City of Dai Territory. Now, more than two hundred thousand soldiers of the Qin Army had encircled the city. They were rapidly gathering their forces, ready to attack at any moment.
Inside the Royal Palace in the city.
"Reporting to the Great King," a Zhao general announced as he rushed in frantically. "The Qin Army has surrounded Dai City and may attack at any moment. Please make a decision, Your Majesty."
On the throne, Zhao Yi's face had become extremely grave.
It had been several months since he had fled to Dai Territory. After Zhao Territory was completely conquered by the Qin Army, they had immediately advanced on Dai. Every day, Zhao Yi received news of another city falling.
Even though Dai Territory still had over two hundred thousand men—including its Prefecture Soldiers and the troops who had fled from Zhao Territory—there were no capable leaders to command them. Influenced by the deserting soldiers, morale was extremely low. Furthermore, there was a severe shortage of food and provisions, which led to a growing number of deserters. Zhao Yi was powerless to turn the tide.
Zhao Yan. You are to blame for all of this. If you hadn't forced General Lian Po to his death, if you hadn't secretly harmed General Li Mu, how would our Zhao have fallen to such a state? Even in Hell, Father will never forgive you.
Zhao Yi cursed inwardly with immense resentment. The state of Zhao once had so many talented officials and generals, but now that it was in his hands, there was no one capable left. All of this had been ruined by Zhao Yan.
"Great King..." the Zhao general in the hall spoke again, seeing that Zhao Yi had not responded.
At this moment, Zhao Yi slowly stood up, his King's robe adding to his regal majesty. He looked at the mere dozens of officials gathered in the hall.
SHINK!
Zhao Yi drew the sword at his waist.
"Zhao Yan's incompetence brought disaster upon Zhao! That our state has fallen to such a degree is entirely due to his ineptitude! As a son, he was unworthy! In his loyalty, he was unworthy! And to his country, he was even more unworthy! I, Zhao Yi, Crown Prince of Zhao, following the royal decree, vow to live and die with Zhao! In the battle today, I will not flee! I will fight the Qin Army to the death! Loyal subjects of Zhao, are you willing to face the enemy with me?" Zhao Yi pointed his sword forward, filled with a resolve to meet his death.
From this, one could see the difference between Zhao Yi and Zhao Yan. It also revealed just how formidable Ying Zheng was. If not for his early scheming that allowed Zhao Yan to successfully seize the throne of the King of Zhao instead of Zhao Yi, it would not have been so easy for Qin to conquer Zhao. Lian Po and Li Mu would have been utilized to their fullest potential under Zhao Yi, unlike under the suspicious Zhao Yan, who constantly targeted his own officials.
"We swear to follow the Great King to our deaths!" the Zhao officials in the great hall declared one after another, though their true intentions varied.
"There are still one hundred thousand soldiers in the city!" Zhao Yi declared loudly. "I will fight the Qin Army to the bitter end!"
Then he strode out of the hall.
「Outside Dai City.」
The Qin Army was already arrayed in formation. Wang Jian stood with the central army, gazing at Dai City. He knew that taking this city would mean the complete fall of Zhao. The remaining cities would no longer pose a problem and could all be conquered within a month.
"Where are the Daqin Elite Soldiers?" Wang Jian roared, drawing his sword and pointing it directly at Dai City.
"WIND! WIND! WIND!"
The war cry seemed to break through the Void and rush to the Heavenly Vault.
"Today's battle is the final one to exterminate Zhao! Once this city falls, Zhao will be no more!"
"Pass down my command!"
"Attack!"
"Exterminate Zhao!"