At this point, there were no more choices left.
It was either to fight or to surrender.
Yet Han Fei still requested an hour to consider.
What was he planning? Did they have some secret plan?
"Han Fei,"
"Do you think I'm a fool?"
Li Teng stared at Han Fei with a mocking tone.
"I'll give you only the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn. After that, my troops will storm the palace and leave no one alive," Li Teng said coldly, his tone allowing no argument.
Upon hearing this, Han Fei cupped his hands respectfully but said no more. He turned and walked back into the palace.
Li Teng made no move to order an attack, simply watching as Han Fei disappeared into the Korean royal palace.
The situation was already clear, and there was no need to rush.
Now, it was the people inside the palace who were pressed for time.
"General,"
"Why give them any time at all? Let's just attack and raze this palace to the ground," one of the deputy generals suggested.
"I said one stick of incense, and that's what it will be," Li Teng said, waving his hand dismissively.
Inside the Korean Palace, the Grand Hall.
The throne was empty.
King Han An was nowhere to be found.
In the hall, the once-glorious assembly of ministers and officials was now reduced to less than half their original number. Where had those who were absent gone?
The answer was obvious they had fled.
When a country is on the brink of collapse, not everyone is willing to perish with it. Especially those with wealth and power, who would rather transfer their fortunes and flee to another country to live comfortably.
Now, not only had most of the officials fled, but even King Han himself was nowhere to be seen.
During the fierce battles, as tens of thousands of Korean soldiers fought desperately against Qin's forces, the Korean King had already quietly fled without a sound even his officials didn't know about it.
"Your Excellency,"
"What's the situation?"
When Han Fei entered the palace, the remaining Korean ministers looked at him anxiously.
"The Qin army will attack in the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn," Han Fei sighed deeply.
"The king has already fled."
"What are we supposed to do now?"
"There are only about twenty thousand troops left defending the palace, and their morale is completely shattered. There's no way they can hold off the Qin army."
"Does this mean we have no choice but to surrender?"
The ministers began to murmur, their voices filled with both despair and fear of the Qin forces.
"Our king has already fled," Han Fei said bitterly. "If we don't surrender, what else can we do?"
"I, Han Fei, can die with the nation. You, esteemed ministers, may also choose to do so."
"But what reason do we have to let tens of thousands of soldiers die in vain?"
"We fabricated royal orders to call the troops back to the palace to avoid unnecessary sacrifices," Han Fei said with a faint, bitter smile.
"But if we surrender, how will the Qin army treat us?" one minister asked anxiously.
"What else could happen?"
"We'll become prisoners of war," Han Fei replied with a wry smile but showed no hesitation.
He raised his head to look at the throne above.
Walking slowly, he approached it and opened the box containing the royal seal of Korea.
"To the ancestors of Korea's royal lineage,"
"To the forefathers of the Han kingdom,"
"I, Han Fei, am unworthy."
"I failed to save the nation," he lamented with deep remorse, holding the royal seal in his hands.
"Esteemed ministers,"
"The time for one stick of incense is almost up."
"Let us leave the palace."
Han Fei spoke with a heavy heart, his voice filled with sorrow.
Carrying the royal seal with both hands, he walked toward the palace gates, his steps heavy with regret.
The ministers, seeing his resolute figure, followed behind him silently.
Outside the palace gates.
Li Teng stood on his chariot, staring at the tightly shut gates of the Korean palace.
At this moment
"General,"
"The time for one stick of incense is almost up," a deputy general reported loudly.
"Hmm."
Li Teng nodded, his gaze growing sharper as killing intent began to emanate from him.
He raised his hand slowly.
Around him, the Qin generals and soldiers all focused intently, their bloodlust rising.
As soon as the command was given, a rain of arrows would instantly blanket the palace, and the Qin soldiers would storm in.
Just as this tense moment reached its peak
The previously sealed palace gates creaked and began to open slowly.
"So, they've finally made their decision," Li Teng muttered with a faint smile.
In the chaos of war, anything could happen. If the Korean king were to die in the confusion, it would be a problem. A surrender without resistance was the best outcome.
With that thought, Li Teng lowered his raised hand.
His eyes locked onto the scene before him.
The gates fully opened.
Han Fei emerged, holding the Korean royal seal in his hands, walking slowly with the ministers following behind him.
But seeing this, Li Teng's brows furrowed.
"Han Fei of the Korean royal lineage presents himself, along with the ministers of the royal court, to surrender to Qin."
"I beseech the general to show mercy and spare the lives of the palace defenders," Han Fei said with a sorrowful tone, bowing deeply.
At this moment
Li Teng, standing on his chariot, asked coldly, "If Korea is surrendering, where is your king?"
"Our king has already fled. We do not know his whereabouts," Han Fei replied with a bitter smile.
"What did you say?"
Li Teng's expression darkened with anger.
"Where has he fled to?"
"When our king fled, none of us knew. We have no idea where he might be now," Han Fei said, shaking his head with a look of helplessness.
Li Teng stared into Han Fei's eyes, scrutinizing him for any sign of deceit.
But Han Fei's gaze remained steady, filled only with the bitterness of a defeated nation.
Behind him, the ministers were visibly trembling with fear.
"Han Fei is known throughout the land as a man of integrity. He wouldn't lie," Li Teng finally said.
"I trust you."
"In that case, will the general accept the surrender of the palace's defenders?" Han Fei asked loudly.
"If they lay down their weapons, they will be spared," Li Teng declared.
"Then,"
"Han Fei thanks General Li for his mercy," Han Fei said, his face finally relaxing into a faint smile.
He stepped forward and offered the royal seal with both hands, saying,
"From this moment on, Korea no longer exists!"
Li Teng took the seal with both hands, his expression solemn.
"I hope the general will honor his promise and spare the Korean people from further bloodshed. For that, Han Fei is deeply grateful," Han Fei said.
Then
He stepped back and drew the sword at his waist.
"Stop!"
Around him, Qin soldiers instantly raised their bows and crossbows, aiming at Han Fei.
"Hold your fire!"
Li Teng shouted, halting his men.
Han Fei raised his sword, lifting it to his throat as he spoke with sorrow:
"Korea's fate has ended. As a prince of the royal family, I must perish with my nation!"
With that, he prepared to slash his throat.
Seeing this, Li Teng's expression changed, and he shouted urgently:
"Han Fei, if you dare die, I will slaughter everyone in the Korean palace!"