Chapter 1126: First Volume, Chapter 1126: Audience and Promise

First Volume, Chapter 1126: Audience and Promise

In the entire Grand Hall, every gaze converged sharply on Qin Feng; all awaited his response.

Qin Feng knew well that the relationship between Liang and Bei Di was a practical issue—there was no avoiding it.

Thus, he did not dwell on it, but spoke plainly what he truly felt.

"Liang is my country; no matter what happens, I will remain loyal to Liang, without wavering!"

"Bei Di is the country of my fiancée, Jing Qianying; even for her sake, I will not lightly wage war against Bei Di."

"Since I am caught between them and cannot aid either, I will aid neither!"

"The Northern Border and Sangzhou shall forever remain a buffer land between the two nations; neither side's army shall ever enter this territory."

"As long as the two nations do not share a border and their armies cannot make contact, war will never break out."

"Once war begins, it is always the common people who suffer. I, Qin Feng, am weak and alone—my single strength cannot save all living beings. Thus, the only thing I can do is prevent the spread of war."

Preventing war…

These words spoken by Qin Feng sounded harsh.

After all… in Heaven and Earth, who did not know Qin Feng was skilled in slaughter?

But Qin Feng did not care for public opinion; he only needed to uphold the principle of "Chen Huo Yi Zhi Sha"—only when all feared him would war not spread easily.

"The Northern Border and Sangzhou shall continue to obey Liang in matters of commerce, economy, and people's livelihood."

"Only in military affairs will they operate autonomously."

"Whether the army comes from the south or the north, I shall meet it with a crushing blow!"

The Liang Emperor's smile gradually froze; Qin Feng's answer was not what the Liang Emperor wished to hear.

The Liang Emperor's most desired response was Qin Feng's absolute loyalty to Liang—so that upon one command, Qin Feng would lead his army straight against Bei Di.

But now, Qin Feng demanded military autonomy—clearly a move to escape Liang's control.

Thus, Liang's border security would rest entirely on Qin Feng's shoulders.

Even if Qin Feng swore lifelong loyalty to Liang, the risk could not be erased—for he was still only one man; if he were gone, who could restrain the immense power in his hands?

"Qin Feng, I certainly trust you."

"The Civil and Military Ministers trust you too."

"But many things are not enough with mere trust."

"Once the Northern Border implements military autonomy, it is equivalent to entrusting the safety of the state entirely to an outsider. As the saying goes, heaven's weather is unpredictable—if some accident arises in the future, will not all of Liang perish with it?"

Qin Feng had long anticipated the Liang Emperor would think this way.

It was not the Liang Emperor's fault; as a sovereign, he must consider the greater good.

This was not a conflict between Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor, but the natural tension between national authority and regional autonomy—anyone else would have refused Qin Feng's "unreasonable demand."

The two strongest forces in the Northern Border and Sangzhou were economy and military power.

The best solution would be to hand full command authority over to the court, while favoring Bei Di in economic matters.

In this way, Liang could rest easy, and Bei Di could use this economic strength to recover.

It seemed an ideal outcome.

But…

Problems arose: if military power fell under Liang's control, the buffer land strategy would become meaningless.

If the Hawk Faction seized power, they could station troops at the Northern Border at any time and launch an offensive against Bei Di.

Likewise!

If Bei Di wished to reclaim Sangzhou and launched an attack, Liang would be forced to send troops to the Northern Border.

Then, the grudges between the two nations would endure forever, and all sacrifices and efforts made thus far would vanish into thin air.

It was easy to imagine that, for a long time ahead, both Liang and Bei Di would strive to seize control of the Northern Border and Sangzhou.

And this, was one of the challenges Qin Feng must face.

Qin Feng knew well that Liang's next national policy was to fully confront the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing; even if the Liang Emperor resented it, he would never pressure Qin Feng at this deadline.

Qin Feng could have avoided this issue, but since it had been raised, it must be faced sooner or later.

Qin Feng did not wish to evade it.

He took a deep breath, fixed his gaze on the Liang Emperor, and said softly: "War is always the last solution."

"The fires of war have just been extinguished; no one wishes to fight another great war."

"For the sake of the common people, rest and recovery are needed."

"Bei Di's national strength is nearly exhausted; it cannot recover to its former strength in less than ten years."

"Meanwhile, Liang must soon face war in Nan Jing; having just endured a National War, to immediately fight another war in the south will strain manpower and consume national strength greatly."

"I believe that within ten years, no war will break out between Liang and Bei Di."

"I can make a pledge to His Majesty."

"First, within ten years, I will find the best solution; if I fail, I will voluntarily relinquish my authority."

"Second, if one day I fall suddenly ill and leave no qualified successor, all of the Northern Border's holdings shall return to the court; likewise, Sangzhou shall return to Bei Di."

"Third, I will never expand the army; I will retain only the Beixi Expeditionary Brigade as the sole Regular Army."

"With only the Beixi Expeditionary Brigade, conquering Liang's countless fortified cities and towns is like a madman's dream—but if Liang seeks to seize the Northern Border by force, the Beixi Expeditionary Brigade will respond. Likewise, this force can deter Bei Di."

"Fourth, the Northern Border shall be open to the Black Guard; His Majesty may freely gather military intelligence there."

"But Beixi County City and Sangzhou remain forbidden zones for the Black Guard."

"Moreover, the Black Guard shall not establish any branch offices in the Northern Border, nor hold any real authority."

"If the Black Guard attempts to form factions, intrigue, or plot within the Northern Border, I shall still carry out a Great Purge against them."

"Fifth, I am forever a subject of Liang; unless His Majesty launches an attack on the Northern Border, I shall forever obey His Majesty's orders."

Qin Feng listed five safety measures in one breath, hoping to gain the Liang Emperor's trust and secure ten years of respite for the people of Heaven to recover and rest.

The Liang Emperor did not answer immediately, but fell into thought.

Qin Feng's Loyalty to Shedynasty was beyond doubt; these five pledges were already the best way to quell the current situation.

The Liang Emperor knew he too must know when to stop.

But at the same time, the Northern Border could not remain autonomous forever, for that would be irresponsible toward Shedynasty.

Ten years!

The Liang Emperor nodded heavily: "I grant you ten years!"

The Officials present had held their breath, fearing Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor would break relations; now that the sovereign and minister had reached an agreement, all sighed in relief.