Chapter 1044: First Volume, Chapter 1044: The False Doctrine of Bloodline

First Volume, Chapter 1044: The False Doctrine of Bloodline

Faced with Qin Feng's questioning, all the officials present fell silent.

Even the Old National Preceptor's face flushed red, his mouth opening and closing without a word.

He had intended to stand on the moral high ground and condemn Qin Feng fiercely, branding him a "thief of the state" and a pariah despised by all.

But he never expected Qin Feng would turn the people of Heaven against the imperial clan, directly severing the imperial family from the common folk, treating them as two separate entities.

Qin Feng gave the Old National Preceptor no chance to recover, pressing his advantage.

"Don't bore me with your false righteousness—ultimately, whoever can make the common people live well is the legitimate ruler."

"What use are imperial or noble bloodlines? Your authority comes from the people's grant."

"When you can no longer provide the people with the decent life they deserve, you should step down quietly."

"Let the capable rise—not bloodline!"

In the past, Qin Feng's words would have stirred no ripple at all.

But the situation has changed.

The Di King himself dragged this nation into an irredeemable abyss; even if Qin Feng had never come, the long-simmering grievances of the Di people and clans would have united to overthrow him.

Qin Feng merely accelerated this process.

As Qin Feng said, the people are the foundation of all—without their support, the Jing Imperial Clan, no matter how pure their bloodline, has no right to lead this nation.

And the facts prove the Di people have already abandoned the Jing Clan: now, the people of Wang Du have appeared on the streets, resuming their livelihoods, not a single soul mourning the fall of the Jing Imperial Clan.

Wu Fangxu pondered for a moment, then clenched his teeth and raised his arm in a loud cry.

"The Marquis of Qin is right!"

"Whoever brings prosperity to the people has the right to lead this nation."

"The Beixi County under the Marquis of Qin has long been famed far and wide—this alone proves his governing ability."

"In Beixi County, people don't pick up lost items on the road, and doors are left unlocked at night—they live like immortals."

"In contrast, the Jing Imperial Clan, to secure their power, utterly ignores the people's suffering."

"How many common folk froze or starved to death this winter?!"

Wu Fangxu had completely switched sides, fully backing Qin Feng—only this path could finally end Di's turmoil.

Seeing the other officials still hesitating,

Wu Fangxu raised his voice even louder, his presence more commanding: "Gentlemen, are you loyal to the people—or to the imperial clan?"

This question shattered the officials' psychological defenses.

A Ministry of Works official clenched his teeth and growled: "H-he's right!"

"We must prioritize the people!"

With one official responding, a second followed.

"The millions of common folk suffer beyond endurance—if the people all perish, what nation remains?"

"Keep the people, lose the land, and both remain. Lose the people, keep the land, and both are lost."

"Everything must serve the hundred million lives!"

"We must pledge loyalty to the citizens, not to any single individual."

Watching the Northern Di officials finally awaken, Qin Feng felt a surge of satisfaction—this was how it should be. A nation is built from countless small households; if the rulers care nothing for the people's lives, the state ceases to be a state.

Qin Feng looked at Wu Fangxu, who had been driving the crowd forward, and grew even more appreciative.

He needed officials like this—wise and clear-headed. Wu Fangxu's emergence proved at least this nation still had hope.

The Old National Preceptor's face flushed crimson as shouts echoed from all sides; he clenched his fists and growled bitterly: "You're all mad!"

"You actually believe Qin Feng's heretical lies!"

"You officials, who have lived under imperial grace for generations, have collectively betrayed the imperial clan—you're a pack of shameless scoundrels!"

No matter how the Old National Preceptor cursed, the officials remained cold-faced.

They had rediscovered their purpose: to serve the people. Their guilt had been replaced by resolve, and they would no longer be swayed by the Old National Preceptor's words.

Seeing his position beyond repair, the Old National Preceptor made up his mind to make one final gamble.

He glared fiercely at Qin Feng, teeth gritted: "His Majesty is the only legitimate ruler of this nation!"

"Without His Majesty's Shan Rang, no one may lawfully inherit this country!"

Qin Feng had anticipated this. He said nothing, simply raised his hand—Liu Ming handed him the evidence seized from the Ye Xiao Zong Bu.

Qin Feng flicked his wrist, and the secret letters of the Di King fluttered down like snowflakes before the Old National Preceptor's eyes.

"If even the Di King seized power illegitimately, what right has he to perform Shan Rang?"

Not just the Old National Preceptor—the other officials, previously unaware, exchanged stunned glances, then scrambled to pick up the scattered letters and passed them around.

Seeing the letters' contents, learning the truth—that the Di King had murdered the former emperor, slaughtered his sons, and seized the throne—the room erupted in gasps.

"What?! His Majesty murdered the former emperor?!"

"This… this can't be true?"

"What's impossible? The letters are written in black and white!"

"All of you recognize His Majesty's handwriting—these letters are forged nowhere."

"Heavens, I never imagined His Majesty would do such a thing."

"All these years, every time I thought of the former emperor, I sensed something wrong—now, with these letters, everything makes sense."

"If this becomes public, it will be the greatest stain in the history of Great Di."

Even though the Old National Preceptor was one of the Di King's fathers-in-law, he knew nothing of this level of secret.

He clutched the letters, his hands trembling violently, his face as pale as paper.

He never dreamed Qin Feng had secured such irrefutable proof—and had held it so calmly, waiting until this moment, with all officials gathered, to unveil it.

Looking at the Old National Preceptor's ashen face, Qin Feng let out a cold laugh.

"What do you have to say now?"

"Shan Rang? The Northern Di throne needs no thief who seized power to bestow it!"

"If you had cooperated willingly, this secret would have remained buried. I gave you chances. Since you insist on seeking death, don't blame me."

Thud…

The Old National Preceptor collapsed onto the ground, his eyes glazed and vacant.

With these earth-shattering secrets exposed, not only was the Northern Di King's legitimacy overturned, but all who remained loyal to him—or were so-called Imperial Relatives—would be Implicated.

In other words, even if Qin Feng now unleashed a bloody massacre, it would be restoring order, lawful and justified.

At this moment, the Officials, led by Wu Fangxu, looked at Qin Feng with no further hesitation.