No Need to Flee

If they lost even the capital, it would be an unprecedented event in Great Yan's history—a monstrous humiliation. Shang Jianxiong needed something to cover his shame. After weighing his choices, Shang Yongzhong was the most suitable candidate: not only was he an imperial prince, he was also Yan Kingdom's Grand Marshal in charge of military affairs.

Having Shang Yongzhong remain behind to resist would give him an explanation, whether to save face or to answer to those within and beyond the kingdom. Was there anyone more suitable?

Tong Mo and Gao Jiancheng understood the emperor's intentions. They had jointly recommended Shang Yongzhong behind his back. When Shang Yongzhong learned of it, he was so frightened that his soul nearly fled his body. He had nearly gone to greet Tong Mo and Gao Jiancheng's ancestors to their faces. But he also knew those two had merely gone with the current. The real decision rested in the emperor's hands.

How could he dare remain behind to fight? That would be courting death. He went to the emperor to decline, but he could not decline. Shang Jianxiong would not agree.

Shang Jianxiong said he would ensure the safety of his family and take them away with him, so Shang Yongzhong need not have any worries behind him and could guard the Capital City with peace of mind. Yet no matter how Shang Yongzhong heard it, it sounded as though his family was being taken hostage.

Shang Jianxiong also said that as long as he remained behind to defend the Capital City, it would count as merit and as atonement for his crimes. His past mistakes would no longer be pursued.

With the emperor's words having reached this point, Shang Yongzhong understood that he had no way out. The emperor at this moment was