Chapter 1032: First Volume, Chapter 1032: Reappointing Wu Fangxu

First Volume, Chapter 1032: Reappointing Wu Fangxu

After Wu Fangxu reached an agreement with Li Yu, he left the palace without delay, heading straight to report the situation to Qin Feng.

When Qin Feng learned that the Northern Di King had become so degenerate, he couldn't help but sigh.

"The Northern Di King was once a mighty hero; who would have thought that even a great man, in his twilight years, could sink so pitifully?"

Yet considering that Wu Fangxu had fiercely protected Li Yu, creating the opportunity to seize the palace without bloodshed, Qin Feng grew even more appreciative of Wu Fangxu.

Of course, as a traitorous minister, allowing him to retain his post as Vice Minister of Rites was already Qin Feng's limit—he would not entrust him with further responsibilities.

Though his career had reached its ceiling, other forms of reward were certainly not to be withheld.

Otherwise, if those below him performed meritorious deeds and Qin Feng offered no recognition at all, who would ever strive wholeheartedly to serve him again?

Qin Feng intended to make Wu Fangxu a model of the new dynasty, making every Northern Di official still harboring lingering hopes understand one truth: supporting Qin Feng and Jing Qianying meant an infinitely bright future; resisting stubbornly or nursing sinister intentions would lead to consequences too obvious to need explanation.

"Senior Wu, if you seize the palace, your merit is unquestionable."

"There's no need to wait until the Palace Gate opens."

"Prince, reward Senior Wu with three thousand taels of White Silver, and issue orders that no one—regardless of rank, status, or military position—shall harass Wu's Jia Guan. Violators will be punished severely without mercy."

Hearing Qin Feng's words, Wu Fangxu knew full well this was an act of winning hearts, yet as the first man in the new dynasty to dare take such a step, he was secretly overjoyed.

He quickly bowed deeply: "Thank you, Marquis Qin, for your recognition. Your humble servant will serve you with even greater diligence!"

Qin Feng waved his hand, speaking with solemn gravity: "Senior Wu, you are mistaken. You do not serve me—you serve the late Emperor's Princess, and the future Bei Di Nü Huang!"

At this, Wu Fangxu nodded repeatedly and corrected himself: "I pledge my life to the Nu Huang—until my last breath."

Qin Feng smiled in response and signaled that Wu Fangxu could leave.

Wu Fangxu no longer lingered, turned away, and as he passed through the Door, he hesitated several times before glancing back at Qin Feng inside the room—his heart had undergone a subtle shift.

Before this, Wu Fangxu had utterly rejected Jing Qianying's succession to the Imperial Throne; but after witnessing Qin Feng's methods, his conviction had begun to waver.

Perhaps Jing Qianying, as a woman, might struggle to command respect—but who among the court could afford to offend the man standing behind her?

As the saying goes: don't judge by the monk's face, but by the Buddha's.

At this moment, Wu Fangxu's mood was much the same: even if he could not bring himself to submit to Jing Qianying's authority, merely remembering that she was backed by Qin Feng brought him a sense of balance.

Moreover, with Qin Feng's covert support, Northern Di's future development would surely advance by leaps and bounds!

Wu Fangxu had long dreamed of visiting Beixi County to see with his own eyes the city governed by Qin Feng—what it looked like, whether it truly was as rumored: even the poorest commoners ate meat three times a day, children attended school, wives received new clothes every month, and parents rested in peace beneath the shade of ancient trees.

If the people of Northern Di could live even one-third as well as the people of Beixi County, it would be enough to comfort the spirits of all past Northern Di emperors.

Thinking of this, Wu Fangxu took a deep breath and made a silent vow.

To hell with political stance!

As long as the people could live well, who cared who ruled?

Wu Fangxu instantly felt light as air—he no longer pounded his chest in despair, nor sank into gloom; he straightened his back and strode out with firm, confident steps.

Qin Feng observed Wu Fangxu's transformation and was inwardly delighted.

At any time, peaceful transition was the most ideal outcome.

If war could be avoided, avoid it; if bloodshed could be spared, spare it—Qin Feng was no lover of war.

He turned his gaze away, took the dossier Li Zhang handed him, and began reviewing Northern Di's internal affairs.

At the same time, he asked casually: "Liu Ming, have those Night Owls been captured?"

Liu Ming, standing beside Qin Feng, replied promptly: "Marquis, all of them are captured. Wang Du was already an iron barrel—every direction was filled with our people. Combined with the relentless pursuit by the Jinyiwei Headquarters and Tianji Camp Guards, all thirty-six Night Owls have been eliminated."

Qin Feng nodded; the stone weighing on his heart finally settled.

The danger posed by the Night Owls was no less than that of the Jinyiwei. Though individually their abilities were unremarkable—intelligence gathering weaker than the Jinyiwei, assassination weaker than the Anwu Guard, communication weaker than Diplomatic Envoys—

the Night Owls absorbed the strengths of many schools, resembling what Qin Feng knew as "special forces."

If not purged, these bastards would remain a headache wherever they went.

Yet even now, Qin Feng still did not believe the Night Owls had been utterly eradicated.

As he read the dossier, he casually instructed: "If this fire is to be extinguished, extinguish it completely—leave no chance for the Night Owls to rise again."

"Liu Ming, prepare yourself, then notify the Jinyiwei Headquarters to draft a Ten-Year Night Owl Extermination Plan."

"The scale need not be grand—treat it as a secondary priority. Whenever you encounter a Night Owl, pursue it; once caught, kill it. Minimize their survival space, leave not a single remnant unaccounted for."

Ten-Year Night Owl Extermination Plan…

Even Liu Ming inwardly marveled at how cautious Qin Feng was—beyond normal human comprehension.

If anyone else had been in Qin Feng's place, they would have already declared the Night Owls utterly destroyed.

But Qin Feng intended to spend ten years hunting down any surviving Night Owls, crushing potential threats at their earliest stage.

No wonder Qin Feng had never been defeated—it was this extraordinary caution that had forged the Marquis Qin of today.

After Liu Ming departed, Li Zhang couldn't help but chuckle.

"Brother Qin, spending ten years chasing a pack of stray dogs—isn't that overkill?"

Qin Feng shrugged: "Overkill? I think it's perfectly reasonable."

"This plan won't cost much—just a few hundred taels of Silver annually from Beixi County's treasury. Over ten years, that's only a few thousand taels of Silver."

"Besides, we may not even need ten years. Perhaps in five or six, the Night Owls will vanish from memory—then we can simply terminate the plan."

"Spending a little money to ensure our peace of mind? That's a wise investment."

Li Zhang smiled broadly; though teasing aloud, he deeply agreed with Qin Feng's cautious approach—but then he suddenly changed the subject.