Chapter 242: Yan Dan is Hit Hard, Indeed People are Different!
The horn to attack Zhao sounded, shaking the world once more.
The enmity between the two great states had long been brewing.
In everyone’s view, this battle was inevitable.
Xianyang.
This towering and solemn city retained its imposing presence.
As the war between Qin and Zhao commenced, compared to the panic in Zhao, Qin appeared more relaxed.
Xianyang city remained bustling.
The city walls stood tall, and the gates were open.
Merchants came and went, and the streets were crowded with people.
The streets were busy and prosperous, with people brushing past each other.
Amidst the bustling crowd, a particularly distinct sound arose.
Someone stopped to look and saw a luxuriously decorated carriage speeding by.
Several mounted guards followed behind the carriage.
The group headed towards the city gate.
The rough-looking coachman raised his whip high and shouted loudly, “Make way, everyone make way.”
“People in front, don’t block the road, move to the side!”
Passersby quickly stepped aside.
The carriage sped past the crowd, stirring up dust.
Someone covered their nose and coughed a few times, then cursed, “Your mother, rushing to your death?”
“Who gave you the guts to ride recklessly in Xianyang city?”
The reckless carriage team drew the ire of the crowd, with many cursing aloud.
A vendor nearby shook his head and laughed, “Say less, that’s the carriage of Crown Prince Dan of Yan. Not someone we can afford to offend.”
The most vociferous person scoffed and said disdainfully, “What about the Crown Prince of Yan?”
“This is Qin, not Yan.”
His words were immediately echoed by those around him.
“Indeed, isn’t he just a Crown Prince of Yan? Speak nicely, he’s a Crown Prince, but speak bluntly, he’s just a hostage from Yan!”
“After we deal with the Zhao State, Yan State will be next.”
“By that time, whether the crown prince will still be alive is a question. What’s he putting on airs for?”
Some time ago, Qin State swiftly conquered Han State.
And they have been winning successive battles against Zhao State.
The entire Qin State was greatly invigorated; the officials and citizens were united.
The national strength of Yan State is not much stronger than Han State’s.
Yan Dan galloped through the city, causing a lot of dissatisfaction among the people.
However, they only complained verbally.
Although Yan State was not as strong as Qin State, and Yan Dan was just a hostage,
Ordinary people couldn’t do much to him.
Not only was Yan Dan himself a top-level expert, but the guards around him were also not ordinary.
They were elite members from the Mohist School.
Yan Dan had apprenticed to the Mohist leader, Six-fingered Black Hero, in his early years, and was highly regarded.
Coming to Qin State as a hostage was extremely dangerous.
If friction arose between Qin and Yan States, he would be the first to die.
Therefore, Six-fingered Black Hero had specifically assigned several elite Mohist disciples to protect him.
Inside the carriage, a thirty-something man sat serenely amidst a fragrant ambiance.
Yan Dan’s eyes were slightly closed, and his expression was solemn.
He appeared rather grave.
At this moment, the speeding carriage suddenly slowed down.
Soon after, a voice was heard from outside.
“Stop, move aside and line up for a routine inspection.”
A guard stopped the carriage and ordered coldly.
A person from the entourage following Yan Dan’s carriage stepped forward and gestured to the guard: “This is the carriage of the Crown Prince of Yan State, inside is the Crown Prince himself, there’s no need to queue up like the others, right?”
Larger cities generally had three entrances and exits.
The central one, called the main gate, was the largest.
The ones on either side were side gates.
Usually, only the smaller side gates were allowed for daily passage.
The main gate was only opened for the arrival of the monarch or important events.
The other two side gates were used for daily life.
Xianyang, being the capital of Qin State, had many people entering and exiting the city.
When the main gate was closed, people had to queue up to get in and out.
The escort glanced at the long line of people and considered cutting in.
After all, Yan Dan was the Crown Prince of Yan State; it would be a disgrace to queue up.
If word got out, wouldn’t it be a laughingstock?
The guard at the gate remained sternly unresponsive.
He coldly stated, “Even if the Crown Prince of Yan is here, without an order from our Emperor, you must queue and use the side gate.”
The escort’s face darkened, and he clenched his fists tightly.
The guard’s words were too arrogant.
How dare a mere soldier speak so boldly?
“What? Not convinced? Do you want to hit me?”
Upon hearing this, more guards gathered around.
The head guard was simply following protocol, acting reasonably.
If Yan Dan had the Emperor’s order or decree, he would have opened the main gate without hesitation.
Without it, he couldn’t just let them through.
Seeing conflict brewing, a calm voice suddenly came from the carriage.
“Stand down, don’t be rude.”
Yan Dan lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage.
This was not the time for complications.
If conflict arose with the guards, leaving the city would become difficult.
Dressed in luxurious garments, Yan Dan, though a hostage, still exuded some regal presence.
His demeanor was gentle and approachable.
After waving off his guards, Yan Dan walked to the guards at the gate.
His master had assigned loyal but stubborn guards.
In such a situation, it was clear that force would not work.
“Brothers, I have urgent matters requiring me to leave the city. Could you do me a favor?”
Yan Dan politely handed a few coins to the head guard.
The guard leader glanced at the coins, then raised an eyebrow, “What’s this supposed to mean, Crown Prince?”
Yan Dan smiled, hinting towards the tightly shut main gate.
He said, “The weather is getting hotter, get some wine for the brothers, can you make an exception?”
As the saying goes, money can make the devil turn millstones, the more money, the more millstones turn devils.
Opening the city gate can earn some wine money, and I wouldn’t have to queue here.
This is a win-win situation for everyone.
Surely no one will refuse, right?
“Oh~”
The corporal immediately smiled, with an understanding look.
Yan Dan also smiled broadly.
See, isn’t it settled?
“No!”
Suddenly, the corporal’s smile quickly vanished, and he shouted sternly.
“Do you think our Qin soldiers can be bought with small favors? Wishful thinking!”
“Step back, line up, or don’t go through!”
“Either show the king’s decree or get in line, stop causing trouble here!”
The corporal raised the long spear in his hand to drive Yan Dan back.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested in money.
But because the Qin army’s discipline was strict.
If he was found making such decisions on his own, he would be imprisoned!
His military career would also come to an end.
This commotion drew the attention of many citizens queuing to leave the city.
Some even started pointing fingers at him.
Everyone’s queuing, why should you get special treatment without a decree?
Because you have a big face?
Holding the money in his hand, Yan Dan felt extremely embarrassed.
His face felt like it had been slapped a few times, burning with pain.
At this moment, a rumbling sound was heard.
Yan Dan turned his head and saw a much more luxurious carriage speeding towards the city gate.
The carriage was lavishly decorated, and the driver appeared composed.
It was nearing the city gate but showed no signs of stopping.
“Whose carriage is this?”
Yan Dan frowned at the carriage and muttered to himself.
But no matter who it was, without the Qin king’s decree, they had to queue.
The city guard had just said so himself.
Seeing another high-profile person queuing would make Yan Dan feel somewhat better.
Just as he thought this, he saw the corporal’s expression change dramatically as he looked at the approaching carriage.
Turning around, he shouted to his colleagues guarding the main gate, “Open the main gate, quickly!”
Several soldiers immediately struggled to open the heavy main gate.
As soon as the gate opened, the carriage arrived just in time.
Without any delay, it left swiftly, leaving Yan Dan stunned.
“Phew, just in time,” the corporal wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
His frightened demeanor was entirely different from how he had just stopped Yan Dan.
Yan Dan was dumbfounded, pointing at the closed main gate.
He complained, “Didn’t he also have no decree? Why didn’t he queue?”
Not only did he not queue, but he also didn’t pay!
That’s favoritism!
Currently, Qin is governed by law, with equal punishment for officials and commoners.
Who would dare break the law now?
The corporal looked at him askew and snorted.
“That’s our Qin National Advisor, a person who doesn’t bow to the king, is conferred a high seat in the palace, and is equal to the king and the Empress Dowager.”
“Stop him? Do you think I’m stupid?”
Some people need to adhere to the law, but some people are the law.
So people truly aren’t the same.
Yan Dan, the crown prince’s status, was worthless in Qin!
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