Chapter 1049: The Bond Between Qin and Li

First Volume, Chapter 1049: The Bond Between Qin and Li

Initially, the Liang Emperor had been uncertain what to bestow upon Qin Feng; now it was clear—this marriage alliance was the greatest reward. Without the Liang Emperor's approval, even if Qin Feng insisted on marrying another woman, she could only be a concubine—not recognized by the Liang Emperor, nor by all under Heaven.

Status and title matter immensely to anyone.

According to the Liang Emperor's knowledge, beyond Li Xiaolan, Jing Qianying, and Xie Yun'er, there were far more women with whom Qin Feng had ambiguous relations.

As long as Qin Feng serves diligently and remains loyal to Shedynasty, the titles and statuses due these women will not be lacking.

For now, the most critical matters for Shedynasty are welcoming Qin Feng's triumphant return and handling the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing.

Thus, the court session ended swiftly.

After returning to the Imperial Study, the Liang Emperor had not waited long before Qin Tianhu arrived.

With Zhang Xiuye gone, the Imperial Study held only the Liang Emperor and Qin Tianhu.

Qin Tianhu was about to bow, but the Liang Emperor waved him off first, smiling lightly: "Grand Commandant Qin need not trouble himself with formalities."

"You have always been Shedynasty's most loyal minister, and soon you shall become family to me. Our sovereign-minister bond shall be a tale for posterity."

"In private, without outsiders present, no need to observe rigid etiquette."

Though granted permission by the Liang Emperor, Qin Tianhu showed no hesitation—he knelt down firmly.

"Your Majesty's ImperialGrace moves this Old Minister to tears."

"Yet sovereign and minister are distinct—that is an eternal truth. How could this Old Minister dare overstep?"

"Rituals are indispensable—they constantly remind this minister that I am, and always shall be, a minister."

Hearing these words, the Liang Emperor was deeply moved.

For the Liang Emperor knew that with the Qin Family's current power, even outright rebellion—seizing the Northern Border and Sangzhou to challenge the court—would leave him powerless.

Or rather…

The Liang Emperor would lose!

For at that time, the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing would surely ally with the Qin Family; these two colossal forces could topple Shedynasty and usher in a new dynasty.

Yet Qin Tianhu never forgot his roots, always remaining a subject. How could the Liang Emperor not be stirred?

The Liang Emperor sighed deeply, murmuring: "Not even the people of Heaven and Earth can believe it—sometimes, even I find it unbelievable."

"With the Qin Family's power today, how can they remain so loyal to Shedynasty?"

"Grand Commandant Qin holds the highest rank, and has such a fine son as Qin Feng. Under Heaven, who dares show him the slightest disrespect?"

"As for Qin Feng—he seized Beidi only by leveraging favorable timing, terrain, and unity."

"Yet even without conquering Shedynasty, his strength alone grants him the power to dominate a region."

"How can Qin Feng willingly submit?"

Qin Tianhu knew the Liang Emperor spoke sincerely—not as a threat or warning. The balance of power had shifted; a man as sharp as the Liang Emperor had no reason to invite trouble.

After much hesitation, Qin Tianhu asked softly: "Does Your Majesty wish to hear the truth—or a lie?"

The Liang Emperor raised an eyebrow: "No need for lies—I know them well: loyalty to me, faithful and righteous. So—what is the truth?"

Qin Tianhu drew a deep breath, speaking slowly, word by word: "Feng… does not serve Your Majesty… he serves the nation."

At these words, the Liang Emperor froze.

Serve the nation?

The Liang Emperor was the Monarch—serving the nation meant serving him. Why split the phrase?

Unless… from the beginning, Qin Feng never believed this nation belonged to the Liang Emperor.

Or rather—this land was never the Li Imperial Clan's to rule.

The true master of this nation is the countless lives, the common people…

The Liang Emperor merely governs it. As long as he is a wise ruler, diligent and devoted to the state, Qin Feng will remain loyal. But if not… Qin Feng could overthrow him in a single day.

Whether Qin Feng is loyal or not depends not on Qin Feng—but on the Liang Emperor.

Understanding the depth of this, the Liang Emperor did not rage—he threw back his head and laughed heartily.

"Hahahaha, Grand Commandant Qin, you've finally told me the truth!"

"Indeed, Qin Feng Xiao'er is exactly that kind of man. I understand him well—I know him inside and out."

"As long as I govern Shedynasty well, Qin Feng will forever be my right arm!"

Qin Tianhu bowed his head in silent agreement. Though the truth was harsh, speaking it plainly made future relations easier—so the Liang Emperor need not constantly guard against Qin Feng.

Moreover, Qin Tianhu believed the Liang Emperor possessed both the ability and the insight.

Looking back, whenever the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng clashed, it was always over state affairs—not personal ambition.

The Liang Emperor's smile never faded, his admiration unceasing.

"Until now, I never believed anyone could be indifferent to imperial power."

"Now, Qin Feng Xiao'er has forced me to believe such fools truly exist."

"Since Qin Feng took charge of Beixi County, has he ever once truly served as County Magistrate?"

Qin Tianhu finally smiled, shaking his head helplessly: "That boy is used to wandering free. Forcing him to sit in the County Yamen would be worse than killing him."

"All affairs in Beixi County are now handled entirely by County Magistrate Lin Quqi."

"That brat is delighted to be idle. Had the situation in Beidi not been so dire, he'd have vanished somewhere long ago."

The Liang Emperor nodded, then asked: "So Qin Feng truly has no desire to become King of Beidi?"

Qin Tianhu sighed deeply and cursed aloud: "If he had even a shred of ambition, I wouldn't be constantly furious!"

"To avoid work, he pushed Elder Fourth Qian Ying onto the throne—making her Beidi's first Nu Huang!"

"That's not all!"

"Earlier, the Brocade Guard's messenger reported that Qin Feng plans to bring Jing Qianying back with him, leaving all Beidi affairs to Li Zhang—and appointing Li Zhang as Acting Chancellor."

"Jing Qianying has barely ascended the throne, and Qin Feng has already dragged her off—what kind of thing is this?"

"To slink off and avoid work, this boy has truly exhausted his wits."

Hearing Qin Tianhu's complaint, the Liang Emperor burst into loud laughter.

"Hahaha, only that boy could pull off each and every one of these deeds."

The Liang Emperor was so delighted precisely because Qin Feng's conduct showed he wouldn't even bother claiming the Di Royal Capital, let alone care about the Shedynasty throne.

The Liang Emperor had come to fully believe in Qin Feng's loyalty to the nation.

Yet there was one matter the Liang Emperor hoped Qin Tianhu would help him advise on.

"Grand Commandant Qin, what do you think... how should I arrange matters for the Ming Prince and the heir?"

Now, the Liang Emperor no longer viewed the Ming Prince's family as a threat, and naturally needed to change his stance toward them.

Qin Tianhu answered promptly and decisively: "His Majesty need not worry—the Ming Prince is content staying in the Northern Border; maintaining the current situation is best."