Peace Order

Outside the Eastern Capital, the grand army gathered, the crimson-patterned Qilin Big Banner fluttering, encircling this capital city of the Ying Country completely. The strongest warriors in the world were almost all here, might overwhelming, and the fall of the Ying’s capital was inevitable.

Yet there was no forceful advance, instead, they retreated five hundred paces.

Between the capital city of the Ying Country and the army, a simple platform was erected in the middle of those five hundred paces. The big banner was planted by the side, like a large umbrella, as if clouds were rolling down. Emperor Qin rode up on a divine steed, sitting calmly on one side of the platform.

Emperor Ying, Jiang Gao, sat opposite, sitting before the capital of the Daying Kingdom.

Jiang Gao placed the imperial seal beside him, then took out two cups and poured wine from a pot into them. The wine was amber-colored, and Jiang Gao looked at the fine wine in the cup, saying: "More than ten years ago, Your Majesty was only thirteen years old at that time."

"Back then, Old Chen still existed, the southern city of Jiangzhou in Chen, with its misty rain and beautiful scenery, left people mesmerized. I had been the Crown Prince for a long time, while Your Majesty was still in the Imperial Guard of Chen Country, with the rank of Founding County Knight, considered a rising star."

"At that time, I still wanted to recruit you. It’s a pity, because of Yuan’er, we never truly had a good talk. Before that grand event of the Chen Country’s grand sacrifice, I remember hoping we could share a drink."

Li Guanyi looked at Jiang Gao in front of him.

Looking at the old acquaintance before him.

Could they be called friends? It didn’t seem that close.

Reflecting on the twelve years from their first meeting to now, Li Guanyi and Jiang Gao hadn’t met frequently or for long periods.

And if counting from when Li Guanyi truly stepped onto the world stage at fourteen, there were only a few meetings: during the hunting inspection in Central State City, at the borders of Ying Country rescuing Yuan Zhi’s mother.

They also briefly spent time together in the Western Regions.

In those more than ten years, they were mostly separated, with few conversations or letters exchanged.

Yet to say they weren’t friends either.

That couldn’t be said.

Sometimes, relationships between people, positions, the time spent together don’t have a direct correlation. Li Guanyi picked up the cup, his Martial Arts Legend energy had already surpassed the physical prowess of the former overlord, his vigor domineering.

But the key was, he knew what kind of person Jiang Gao was.

Li Guanyi’s eyes carried compassion.

Jiang Gao raised his cup, gazing at Emperor Qin: "I once said, truly wishing for peace in the world, a time when there is no need for war on all sides, you and I, as friends, in the breeze of the bamboo forest, and I would become a teacher, you come find me, and we drink wine."

"A few years ago, I thought, this time’s wine of agreement might be you pouring wine on my grave, but I never expected it to be like this..."

Jiang Gao’s eyes shifted, looking at the not-so-distant Qilin Army, the crimson banners and big banner ignited heaven and earth. Li Guanyi said: "Changes in the world, how can people like us see clearly?"

Li Guanyi said: "Gao Xiang once begged me to spare your life."

Jiang Gao looked at Li Guanyi and said: "Do you want to spare me?"

Li Guanyi answered: "In this campaign, only in this battle, our army and Ying Country’s, more than 400,000 were killed or injured, and if counting from Tianqi 11th year autumn until now, the casualties are innumerable."

"Countless people’s blood flows on the earth, the land has been dyed red."

"The deaths and sacrifices have been far too many."

"Li Guanyi hopes Jiang Gao can truly be himself."

Jiang Gao said: "But!"

He gazed at Li Guanyi, speaking softly: "In this battle, more than 400,000 were killed or injured, in my Daying Kingdom’s million-strong army, over 200,000 were dead, with countless wounded, blood soaking the ground, weapons broken, falling into rivers, left for history to cleanse over the ages."

"In such circumstances."

Li Guanyi said: "Do you want to live?"

Jiang Gao said: "Jiang Gao wants to live."

"But the Emperor Ying, cannot live."

Jiang Gao, holding the cup, saw his eyes reflected in his pupils, looking at the friend, old acquaintance, confidant, enemy before him, he spoke cruel words in a friend’s tone, saying:

"But, Emperor Qin, bearing the world’s burden, Emperor Qin should not allow Emperor Ying to live."

Jiang Gao softly said: "This point, I know, you also know."

"If Jiang Gao is not dead, there will always be ambitious people."

"Perhaps if Jiang Gao surrendered to Emperor Qin, it could represent an era of peace, enough to allow a past emperor to become a commoner, but Jiang Gao is not such a person, I too have my pride."

"Is life and death really the most important thing?"

"Could I stay here when my father, the Grandmaster, Yu Wen, He Ruo, Prime Minister Wei, and all of them have gone? Your Majesty Emperor Qin, grant Ying Country, grant me a dignified ending."

"To open up an era with knives and weapons, it must be done boldly."

"Just like back then, between you and me, drinking for peace!"

Li Guanyi closed his eyes.

Emperor Qin slowly nodded.

"Let us drink."

He offered a toast.

Jiang Gao smiled, stood up, swept his sleeves, holding the cup in both hands, bowed deeply, then lifted his neck and drank the wine, the strong liquor burning his throat. The imperial seal suddenly struck, Jiang Gao held a weapon in his hand.

It was the imperial sword of the Ying Country, with a fierce stance, stabbing toward Emperor Qin’s heart.

"Your Majesty!!"

"Lord, be careful!!"

Many renowned generals in the Qilin Army reacted, instantly gripping their weapons, the sounds of weapons sharp and fierce, that sword struck against Li Guanyi’s armor, Jiang Gao’s gaze on Li Guanyi, with a pleading emotion in his eyes.