Chapter 1024

First Volume, Chapter 1024: Enthrone a New Monarch

Upon learning Qin Feng had entered the city, the Northern Di Monarch showed no great reaction; he sat listlessly on the Dragon Throne, though Li Yu and the Eunuch still stood beside him, his eyes long since lost their former luster, as if he had aged fifteen years in an instant, solitary and desolate.

Now, the Imperial Palace was completely surrounded; despite its sturdy walls and ten thousand Imperial Guard troops stationed within, everyone knew the outcome was sealed, there was no turning back—defeat was merely a matter of time.

The Northern Di Monarch actually hoped Qin Feng would order a direct assault on the palace, at least so he could fight to the death before dying, displaying the dignity of a Monarch.

Unfortunately, Qin Feng had no intention of attacking the palace at all.

Qin Feng understood the situation too well—he was unwilling to waste even a single soldier, waiting instead for the Northern Di Monarch's psychological defenses to collapse, for him to open the gates and surrender voluntarily, or… be bound by his own equally driven Imperial Guard soldiers and handed over outside the palace.

The notion of holding out for several years was pure nonsense; even with ample Materials and Supplies, human morale could not withstand the test.

Li Yu's expression was also unprecedentedly gloomy; compared to other Officials, Li Yu had no chance of surrendering—he could only grit his teeth and play the role of the final loyal minister before the fall of the nation.

He looked at the demoralized Northern Di Monarch and felt his despair as if it were his own.

"His Majesty, while the Imperial Guard still has fighting spirit, why not open the Palace Gate, carve a bloody path northward? Though the North is barren and wild, at least it is free land—after all, as long as the green hills remain, firewood will never be lacking."

"There are still over ten thousand Imperial Guard troops inside the palace; their Morale and Combat Effectiveness are no worse than Qin Feng's army—if we fight to the death…"

Before Li Yu could finish, the Northern Di Monarch waved his hand, cutting him off.

Under Li Yu's complex gaze, the Northern Di Monarch spoke weakly: "It's useless. Before Qin Feng's army entered Jingji, there was still a chance to move north—but now it's too late."

Ten thousand Imperial Guard troops could not break through Qin Feng's layered encirclement.

After all, this was the Imperial Palace, at the heart of the Di Royal Capital, surrounded on all sides not just by Streets and Alleyways, but by four City Walls.

Once they exited to fight, constrained by buildings and streets, they would inevitably be scattered, drastically slowing their breakout speed; even if they reached the City Gate, they would face attacks from soldiers atop the City Wall.

Thus, a forced breakout was utterly impractical.

And even if they did break out, what then? So many people inside the palace—Hou Gong Consorts, descendants—would they all be left here to die? People must be taken, money must be taken, Materials and Supplies even more so; if only the Northern Di Monarch fled alone to the North, he would merely be a fallen royal, without Authority, without troops, without wealth.

What grounds would a lone man have to command obedience from the northern tribes?

A comeback was pure nonsense—failing to move north at the first opportunity was already a dead end.

The Northern Di Monarch's fate could only be one of three: either commit suicide, taking the Hou Gong Consorts with him in death;

or hold out for a while before being killed by mutinous Imperial Guard soldiers, or open the gates and surrender, spending the rest of his life imprisoned by Qin Feng as a prisoner.

Whichever fate awaited him, it made no difference to the Northern Di Monarch.

Seeing the Northern Di Monarch had become numb, Li Yu said nothing more.

Leaving the Grand Hall, Li Yu wandered through the silent Imperial Palace, watching the equally demoralized Imperial Guard around him—he now understood that so-called "Morale" was merely an excuse for self-deception.

Now, more than half of Northern Di had fallen into Qin Feng's hands, the Wang Du had been captured, and the Imperial Palace was sealed like an Iron Barrel.

Chen Si and Wu Kang had fled to Bozhou; the remaining Garrison Troops across the land were struggling to survive themselves and had no strength to support Wang Du.

If even the Northern Di Monarch had lost hope, how much less could his subordinates hold on?

Li Yu, hands behind his back, shook his head with a bitter laugh: "Qin Feng, Qin Feng—why did you strike so ruthlessly? In a single winter, you brought down the entire Great Di, leaving this vast nation utterly unable to react."

One household mourns, another rejoices—the entire Imperial Palace was shrouded in oppressive gloom, while Qin Feng's side buzzed with lively activity.

Shen Qingci and others had been separated from Jing Qianying for too long; now that the Sisters had reunited, they naturally needed to spend time together.

Meanwhile, Northern Di Officials who came to pay homage gathered in the DaTang, where Qin Feng received them.

Li Zhang's professional competence was exceptional; since entering the city, merely a few days had passed, and he had already memorized every single Official, big or small.

As Qin Feng's right-hand man, Li Zhang now acted as an intermediary, continuously introducing Northern Di Officials to Qin Feng.

"Lord Qin, this is the Assistant Minister of Justice, this is the Minister of Rites, this is…"

After Li Zhang introduced them one by one, the Northern Di Officials all bowed deeply to Qin Feng, as if paying homage to the former Northern Di Monarch.

To be honest, Qin Feng had no affection for these Officials who had defected—he despised them in his heart—but this nation needed these Officials to keep functioning; if he killed every one who surrendered, the country would collapse into utter chaos.

Qin Feng nodded, feigning ease: "My lords, the tide of Heaven and Earth has already turned. Though the Northern Di Monarch still resists stubbornly, he is no longer a threat. Have any of you considered installing a new Monarch?"

The Officials were utterly unprepared for Qin Feng's directness.

He hadn't even offered the slightest pleasantries—he'd launched straight into such a grave topic.

Given the gravity of the matter, the Officials stammered, unable to respond for a long while.

Qin Feng had anticipated this: it was easy to get them to surrender, but far harder to get them to enthrone a new Monarch—because the former only required personal gain, while the latter demanded responsibility.

Qin Feng let out a cold snort: "It seems your loyalty isn't as sincere as you claim."

The Officials present—from the Minister of War down to the Prefect—were all high-ranking court figures, yet now, facing Qin Feng, they were more nervous than when facing the Northern Di Monarch.

After all, even if the Northern Di Monarch hated them, he wouldn't kill them outright.

But if they angered this man before them, they would likely be dragged out and beheaded on the spot.

The phrase "not sincere enough" sent cold sweat pouring down their backs.

The Assistant Minister of Rites, seeing he could no longer avoid it, gritted his teeth and spoke up.

"Lord Qin, installing a new Monarch is not impossible—but may I ask, Lord Qin, do you have a suitable candidate in mind?"

Heaven and Earth knew Qin Feng had launched this war for Jing Qianying.

The Assistant Minister of Rites pretended ignorance—he simply could not accept Jing Qianying ascending the throne.

Qin Feng understood the Old Fox's thoughts instantly and sneered: "I am an outsider—how could I interfere in such a matter? I'd like to hear your opinion instead."