Chapter 1127: First Volume, Chapter 1127: Qin Wang

First Volume, Chapter 1127: Qin Wang

The atmosphere in the Grand Hall gradually eased.

At this moment, no one wished for a conflict between Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor.

First, the Da Huo was approaching; second, the time to launch troops against Nan Jing was drawing nearer; most importantly, Qin Feng's strength was simply too formidable.

Although Qin Feng's family had gathered in Jingdu due to the Da Huo,

Qin Cheng Clan, Ning Hu, Xu Mo, and the Ming Wang family remained outside.

Especially Lin Quqi, who since becoming Beixi County Magistrate had nearly vanished from sight—now, Lin Quqi was Qin Feng's most reliable arm.

Should any change occur in Jingzhong, Liang would not merely face the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing, but a united onslaught from both Nan Jing and the Northern Border.

If that day came, the fate of Di would be Liang's warning.

The officials' expressions cleared like clouds parting; they stepped forward one after another to petition, urging the Liang Emperor to reward Qin Feng generously.

The Minister of Revenue stepped forward first, bowing with clasped hands.

"This time, Marquis Qin ventured to Di, utterly crushing external threats, enabling Liang to unite as one in confronting the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing. This unprecedented achievement merits promotion and elevation in rank."

No sooner had he finished than the Minister of Personnel stepped forward: "I second that!"

Immediately, all Civil and Military Ministers bowed in unison; cries urging the Liang Emperor to reward Qin Feng rose in waves.

The Liang Emperor had previously been troubled by the matter of rewarding Qin Feng.

Given Qin Feng's merits, he deserved not only a Duke title, but even a Wang title.

The reason the Liang Emperor had withheld the promotion was fear that Qin Feng's status would become too high, overshadowing the throne and undermining imperial authority.

But now, even if the Liang Emperor refused to grant it, Qin Feng was already universally recognized as the North Region King.

His status and position ranked second only to the Liang Emperor.

Moreover, the Liang Emperor realized that Qin Feng's loyalty did not require rewards to secure—it depended entirely on circumstances.

If Liang's governance always prioritized the people, Qin Feng would remain utterly devoted even if not granted a single coin.

Conversely, if Liang's people suffered endlessly, even granting Qin Feng a Wang title and Jinshan Yingshan would not prevent his rebellion.

Furthermore, consistently refusing to promote Qin Feng would invite public condemnation, making the Liang Emperor appear deliberately dismissive and repressive.

In short, not granting the title brings only harm and no benefit; granting it brings no great advantage, but also no harm.

Once he understood this, the Liang Emperor felt utterly at ease.

He no longer hesitated and declared: "Qin Feng has rendered monumental service to Liang's realm and state. I hereby bestow upon Qin Feng… the title of North Region King!"

North Region King…

Though Qin Feng had long been the publicly recognized North Region King, he remained, in title, a Marquis.

Now, this North Region King title, personally granted by the Liang Emperor, meant Qin Feng was no longer a Marquis, but a Wang.

Most crucially, since Liang's founding, no one had ever been promoted directly from Marquis to Wang.

The Duke rank had been skipped entirely!

Though this broke Liang's precedent, none among the officials voiced objection.

For Qin Feng's unprecedented achievements, this extraordinary promotion was fully deserved.

Instantly, the Grand Hall echoed with the congratulations of the Civil and Military Ministers.

"Congratulations, Marquis Qin… no, from now on, we must address you as Qin Wang!"

"Hahahaha! Of all the officials granted a Wang title, I would never accept it—except for Qin Wang, who truly deserves it."

"Indeed! Since Qin Wang entered service, what other official has matched his monumental contributions?"

"In the direst straits, he aided Liang in crushing the Di army, advancing triumphantly and exterminating the Di King—such feats are unparalleled in history."

"The Di King perished for his realm, yet Liang now gains a North Region King."

"Though this may be improper, I still wish to cry out: if His Majesty governs diligently and Qin Wang guards the Northern Border, Di will never again threaten Liang's realm."

"Hail Qin Wang!"

Facing the congratulations of the Civil and Military Ministers, Qin Feng remained as calm as ever, turning to smile at them.

For Qin Feng, the title of Tianlu Marquis had already been sufficient.

After all, titles and official positions held little appeal for him—his actual Authority outweighed all honors!

Yet the Liang Emperor's bestowal of the North Region King title struck deep within Qin Feng's heart.

With the North Region King title, Qin Feng's control over the Northern Border would become absolute.

With the Ten-Year Pact now settled, the Grand Hall once again brimmed with joy.

Simultaneously, the news spread at astonishing speed.

The first to hear it was naturally the Nangong Empress.

She knelt before the Guanyin Statue, palms pressed together, listening to her maid's report.

Even the Nangong Empress, whose cunning ran as deep as the ocean, could not help but sigh.

"The tide of Heaven's will is now unstoppable."

"Previously, Qin Feng was merely the nominal North Region King, his control over the Northern Border resting solely on prestige and military power."

"Now, with the Wang title, Qin Feng is the undisputed master of the Northern Border."

"The military and economic strength of the Northern Border will surely rise further."

Hearing the Nangong Empress's sigh, the maid beside her whispered:

"At his current status and power, Qin Feng is already beyond restraint. Why, then, does His Majesty grant him a Wang title? Does he not fear raising a tiger that will turn on him?"

"Men's hearts are hidden within their chests. Even if Qin Feng speaks eloquently now, should conflict arise later, will it not reduce all of Liang to ashes?"

The Nangong Empress smiled bitterly and shook her head.

"Though His Majesty has relinquished power, do not underestimate him because of it."

"With His Majesty's strategy, this decision was surely made after deep deliberation."

"Ultimately, the issue is whether Qin Feng will betray Shedynasty—at least for now, the likelihood is extremely low."

"After all, apart from the Qin Family, Zhao Yulong and Ning Hu are both descendants of loyal ministers."

"Li Xiaolan is Shedynasty's Mingyue Princess."

"Add to that the Ming King and Li Zhang…"

"To be loyal to Shedynasty is the very foundation of Qin Feng's existence; should he betray it, he would be utterly abandoned by all—he would never be so foolish as to take that path."

"Precisely because of this, Qin Feng has repeatedly stressed that the Northern Border will never betray or switch sides—but correspondingly, if Shedynasty launches an attack on the Northern Border, the Northern Border will fight to the death in Counterattack."

The maid remained confused: "What good is it to fatten the Northern Border so much?"

Nangong Empress smiled bitterly: "The benefits are countless!"

"Who else besides Qin Feng could hold down the Four Nations?"

"Under Qin Feng's management, the Northern Border, centered on Beixi County, has become a trade hub—just this alone is enough to make the Northern Border rich beyond measure."

"If you add in other sources of income…"