Chapter 1033

First Volume, Chapter 1033: Be a Deputy Emperor

"Brother Qin, there's something I need to clarify first."

"Third Miss isn't much of an issue, but Fourth Miss is set to inherit the Beidi Imperial Throne—yet she's pregnant now and won't be able to shoulder such burdens in the short term. Are we really going to wait years in Beidi?"

Qin Feng had already considered this.

Including childbirth and raising an infant, Jing Qianying won't formally take power for at least two years.

But come next spring, the powerful clans of Liang's southern border will stir; Qin Feng can't stay in Beidi forever—he must return quickly to deal with their uprising.

So before the Spring Festival arrives, Qin Feng must return to Liang.

Qin Feng set down the dossier and looked at Li Zhang with deep meaning, smiling slyly: "Prince, how about you become emperor of Beidi for two years?"

At these words, Li Zhang froze, then burst into loud laughter.

"Hahaha, Brother Qin, only you could say something like that."

"Leave me here as emperor? Why don't you be emperor instead?"

Qin Feng smirked, looking disgusted: "Being emperor is a great job—above ten thousand others, enjoying endless wealth and glory. Why are you so reluctant when it's your turn?"

"Besides, as the son of the Ming Prince, you'll never become emperor of Liang—so why not enjoy being emperor here in Beidi? It'll fulfill a lifelong wish."

Seeing Qin Feng grow increasingly serious, Li Zhang's expression flipped a hundred and eighty degrees—he frowned tightly and snapped:

"Enough already, you're not joking?"

"I'm the heir of Liang—what kind of emperor am I supposed to be in Beidi?"

Qin Feng didn't back down—he grew even more serious: "Why the rush? Strictly speaking, you won't be emperor—you'll be Regent… even that's too much. Just be the shadow behind the curtain, pulling the strings."

Li Zhang's face didn't soften: "Still no."

"You have no shame, but I still have mine—if I stay here to seize power, what will the other comrades think of me?"

Qin Feng clicked his tongue impatiently: "Let them think whatever they want!"

"Once Jing Qianying inherits the Herald and completes her coronation, we'll set off for Liang—you stay behind in Beidi as the shadow behind the curtain."

"When Jing Qianying returns to Beidi, you hand power back to her."

Li Zhang laughed bitterly: "What if I don't give it back?"

Qin Feng glared sharply: "Dare you! Don't forget—your father's still in my hands!"

Hearing this, Li Zhang froze, then burst out laughing: "So that's your trap all along!"

Qin Feng looked dead serious: "Prince, I entrust you with this heavy task not just because of our personal bond, but because I'm not afraid of chaos."

"You know Beidi's current state—two years won't restore it to its peak, and even five years won't bring it back to pre-war strength."

"Plus, with new power arrangements, factions will inevitably drift apart; it'll take three to five years just to win back everyone's loyalty."

"With Changshui County as the key gate fortress guarding the Jingji, ordinary chaotic factions won't cause major trouble."

"Add to that Jing Peng and Chen Si's forces still watching from Bozhou, and Gaoshan Country and Yuezhao Kingdom pressing from both sides—Beidi's court is barely holding itself together, let alone fighting for power."

"If worst comes to worst, I'll just send troops to crush them—I just don't want us comrades to face each other on the battlefield."

Li Zhang knew Qin Feng never spoke without reason—he'd already prepared a contingency plan to prevent Li Zhang from seizing power.

Li Zhang sighed heavily, helplessly: "Qin Feng, you've calculated even your own brothers down to the last detail!"

"But… I like your style."

"Even brothers keep clear accounts—lay everything out plainly, so no misunderstandings arise later."

"That's part of your charm—anyone who stays by your side can't even entertain treacherous thoughts."

"Since human hearts can't be trusted, don't test them—just lock them down from the start. That way, our brotherhood stays simple."

"But… you really plan to leave me in Beidi?"

Seeing Li Zhang's reluctance, Qin Feng patted his shoulder and sighed: "You'll have to bear with it—you know I have few choices. If I stay with Jing Qianying, who handles the southern clans?"

In the end, I'm doing this for the Li Imperial Clan's realm and state.

Li Zhang shoved Qin Feng's hand away, sneering: "Don't flatter yourself. No matter how you spin it, you're doing this for yourself—as long as the Li Imperial Clan survives, no one can shake your cultivation foundation."

Qin Feng shrugged, shamelessly: "We're mutually beneficial—we depend on each other."

"When Li Lang's anniversary comes, I'll take the Ming Prince to the Imperial Mausoleum in Jingdu to pay respects—you can return to Liang later and mourn your dead brother."

After all this time, Qin Feng still remembered Li Lang—Li Zhang felt his nose sting.

"That's all I need to hear."

"Without you, our family would still be prisoners—we owe you this debt. Li Lang can rest in peace knowing he had you as a brother."

"I'll stay—but before you leave, stabilize the situation. If you walk out and I get assassinated by Beidi officials the next day, where will I go to plead my case?"

Qin Feng pressed his hand down, signaling Li Zhang to relax.

"The Night Owls are gone—Beidi is now the Anwu Guard's domain. With absolute control of military intelligence, what's there to worry about?"

"Also, I'll leave all the Anwu Guards and Tianji Camp Guards who came with me to protect you."

"In any emergency, these elite among elites can ensure you survive to reach Changshui County—you can even do what I did and hold out there for months."

With that assurance, Li Zhang stopped arguing. He turned, hands behind his back, muttering: "I must've owed you in my last life—I'm your slave this life."

Watching Li Zhang grumble, Qin Feng smiled knowingly—without his brothers' absolute loyalty, he'd never have reached this position.

At that moment, Ning Hu and Xu Mo peeked out, looking sneaky.

"Brother Qin, how about we two stay behind and be emperor?"

Qin Feng rolled his eyes, annoyed: "Go splash some water on your face and look in the mirror—do you have the potential to be emperor?"

"You think being emperor's easy?"

Ning Hu burst into laughter, carefree: "I can't be emperor, but I can be a tyrant—no problem!"

Xu Mo chimed in, stirring up trouble: "I can be a tyrant too!"