Chapter 1194: First Volume, Chapter 1194: Equal Before the Law

First Volume, Chapter 1194: Equal Before the Law

Wu Heli?

Qin Feng frowned, feeling that name was strangely familiar…

Because Qin Feng was overwhelmed with affairs and had encountered too many people and events, he couldn't immediately recall this individual.

Liu Ming quickly reminded him: "Don't you remember? When we returned to Beijing from the Northern Border, passing through Ming County, it was this Wu Heli who gathered a band of bandits intending to harm the Prince."

With Liu Ming's reminder, Qin Feng's memory instantly flashed before his eyes.

He never expected that the fugitive who slipped away right under his nose had also come to Nan Jing.

Not killing him in Ming County back then was undoubtedly Qin Feng's greatest blunder in his life.

"So the tragedy at Datian Village isn't solely Zhao Zhenhai's fault—I too bear responsibility."

"If I had crushed Wu Heli in one strike back in Ming County, this human tragedy would never have happened today."

Speaking these words, under the stunned gazes of all present, Qin Feng undid his coat and began stripping off his garments piece by piece, baring his torso like Zhao Zhenhai.

Qin Feng picked up the whip and handed it to Liu Ming: "I just whipped Zhao Zhenhai a few times—now you whip me the same number of times. Remember, show no mercy whatsoever."

At these words, before Liu Ming could speak, every single officer present refused outright.

They rushed forward, each adopting a stance: whoever dared lay a hand on Qin Feng would have to go through their corpses first.

Some even stepped forward and snatched the whip from Liu Ming's hands.

"Your Highness, this cannot be!"

"You are the King of the Northern Border, the one man beneath the Son of Heaven and above ten thousand others. Whoever dares lay hands on you must first trample over our bodies."

"Exactly! The Prince's dignity cannot be violated."

"How can the Datian Village tragedy be forcibly tied to the Prince? Even if the Prince once clashed with Wu Heli, that was in Ming County—thousands of miles away from here. Who could have foreseen that such a desperate fugitive would become a key pawn in the hands of Nan Jing's Powerful Clans?"

"Since the Qin Prince could not foresee the future, this crime cannot be laid at his feet."

"It's just a few whippings—let me take them for the Prince."

Not only the officers, but even Zhao Zhenhai, whose skin had just been torn open by the whip, turned and pleaded with Qin Feng.

"Your Highness, if someone must bear responsibility for the Datian Village massacre, it must be me."

"Please, Your Highness, abandon this idea!"

"If not, then I beg you to execute me on the spot as an example to others."

Feeling the urgency in their eyes, Qin Feng's heart warmed—he had left all his family women behind in Beijing, even lacking someone to care for his warmth or cold.

Yet he had such loyal subordinates, comrades who would risk everything to protect the Prince's dignity.

Even if Jiangnan was still chilly with the first warmth of spring, it could not cool the fire growing in Qin Feng's heart.

Liang was worth Qin Feng's utmost devotion, even unto death.

As for the Prince's dignity…

Qin Feng paid it no mind; his strength had long reached its peak, so he cared far more about the clear distinction between right and wrong than about authority.

Since the rules were set by Qin Feng himself, no one—directly or indirectly—responsible for the Datian Village tragedy could escape punishment, not even Qin Feng himself.

"Equal Before the Law applies to the Son of Heaven—how much more so to me?"

"Whip me!"

"Whoever dares to plead further will be charged with harboring a criminal."

Despite Qin Feng's absolute resolve, the officers grew even more resolute—they would rather be killed by Qin Feng than allow him to be punished.

Not only because he was the King of the Northern Border, but because he was the very core of the Front Line Battlefield.

Just consider: if Qin Feng were wounded and confined to bed for days, the impact on the Front Line would be immense.

"I dare anyone to move!"

"Then let us die!"

"That's right—even if the Qin Prince kills us, we will not retreat."

The women of Datian Village, having witnessed the entire scene, now fully trusted the imperial troops—such an army could never commit atrocities against civilians.

Especially this unusual Prince, who was so enraged over the tragedy at Datian Village.

He truly cared for the people.

Liu Cui hurried forward, bringing her three children, and knelt again before Qin Feng.

"The disaster at Datian Village has plunged us, widows and orphans, into utter despair."

"If our one good Prince in all of Liang is injured because of this, it would be our fault."

"Though I am but a woman, I understand what it means… for kin to grieve and enemies to rejoice."

"Please, Your Highness, stop blaming yourself. If you truly wish to make amends for Datian Village, give us a path to survive."

A path to survive…

The women present all turned their gazes toward Qin Feng.

If anyone in Heaven and Earth could save them from their suffering, it was none other than Qin Feng before them.

Not only the widows and orphans of Datian Village knelt in plea, but even Qin Feng's own soldiers dropped to one knee.

Human hearts could not be defied—Qin Feng had no choice but to relent.

But his resolve remained firm: "The punishment today is postponed. Within one month, if I do not bring Wu Heli's head, I will punish myself."

"Liu Ming, take men into the village, count the survivors, and bring every remaining widow and child back to camp."

"Once they've regained their strength, take them directly to the Lingzhou Strongholds."

"Though they cannot farm now, once their children grow up and become the family's pillars, their lives will return to peace."

"Therefore, the land allotted to them must not be reduced by a single inch."

Liu Ming had no hesitation—he immediately bowed: "Your Highness, rest assured. Your humble servant will spare no effort to settle the widows and orphans of Datian Village."

Liu Cui realized that she and her orphaned child had come under the protection of the Qin Prince, and she burst into tears of gratitude on the spot.

Originally, she had already prepared herself to die far from home.

Yet, she had encountered Qin Feng—surely her late husband's spirit still watched over them from above, secretly protecting mother and child.

All the women of Datian Village burst into sobs; who would willingly leave their homeland if there were any other way to survive?

Now, they no longer had to endure exposure to wind and rain or suffer abuse.

For the survivors of Datian Village, this was undoubtedly a tremendous blessing.

As Qin Feng began settling the survivors of Datian Village, Wu Heli had already led his troops back to ZhuZhen.

He still chose the most secluded forest as his hiding place.

Layered mountains were the best protection.

Seeing their elder brother return, Chen Yanzong and Wu Cheng immediately rose to greet him.