Chapter 1256

First Volume, Chapter 1256: A Critical Moment

The Liang Empire's throne can only bear the Li surname; anyone who seeks to replace it shall be crushed by thunderous retribution!

Now, Liang's external threats have been quelled; the only internal unrest remains the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing, but their defeat is merely a matter of time.

If the Qin Family returns entirely to Jingdu and, under His Majesty's surveillance, fulfills their duties faithfully, His Majesty will surely allow them a peaceful end—after all, the Qin Family has rendered great service, and a dignified retirement is what they deserve.

But now, everything the Qin Family has done has undoubtedly touched His Majesty's forbidden scale.

Qin Feng returned directly to the Northern Border, and Qin Tianhu even relocated his entire household en masse.

What are they trying to do? Escape His Majesty's control and start anew?

His Majesty let out a cold snort: "Think you can just leave? It's not that easy!"

At these words alone, Zhang Zhonghai understood His Majesty's intent and immediately withdrew.

Leaving the Imperial Study, Zhang Zhonghai immediately summoned the Black Captain and ordered sharply: "Deploy cavalry at once to block Qin Tianhu and his party—Qin Tianhu may leave, but no one else may take a single step from Jingdu without His Majesty's command!"

Hearing this, the Black Captain frowned slightly and ventured: "If the Qin Family refuses to comply and insists on leaving, what then?"

Zhang Zhonghai's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he coldly replied: "Kill them all!"

The Black Captain froze for a moment, then instantly understood—this was surely His Majesty's will—and said nothing further, immediately taking his orders and departing.

At the moment Zhang Zhonghai gave his order, Zhang Xiuye stood nearby, witnessing the entire scene.

Realizing that the Qin Family and His Majesty were finally about to break ties, Zhang Xiuye's gaze grew complex, his heart heavier than ever before.

He said nothing, merely turned away with his hands behind his back, inwardly sighing endlessly.

"Just as Liang has resolved its internal and external threats, and the Common People are about to enjoy peace—why is His Majesty so impatient? Has the Liang people truly no fortune for peace?"

"Qin Feng is no fool loyal to the throne…"

"He serves the people of Heaven, not His Majesty. If we force him, bloodshed will surely follow—alas!"

Zhang Xiuye sighed deeply. Though he was a close attendant of His Majesty, his voice carried little weight; even if he dreaded another storm, what could he truly do?

As Zhang Zhonghai dispatched cavalry to intercept the Qin Family, news reached Qin Tianhu within half a day.

After all, the Taolin Party within court and the brocade-clad spies scattered across Jingdu were the Qin Family's eyes and ears—no whisper or movement in the city escaped Qin Tianhu's notice.

Learning that His Majesty had moved, Qin Tianhu's heart grew heavy.

"What must come, comes."

At this moment, the wisest choice was clearly to accelerate departure—given their network of informants, Qin Tianhu could easily slip beyond His Majesty's reach.

But Li Xiaolan and Jing Qianying were both pregnant; they could not endure hardship. Any mishap would be unbearable.

After much deliberation, Qin Tianhu chose to proceed north at the original pace while dispatching brocade-clad spies to contact reinforcements as swiftly as possible.

Within less than two days, Qin Feng received word of the change in Jingdu.

He had never rushed back to the Northern Border; instead, he had traveled slowly, deliberately waiting to reunite with his family. Upon learning His Majesty had sent troops to block them, Qin Feng gave no hesitation—he immediately ordered his entire force to change course and march toward Jingdu.

For safety, Qin Feng issued two urgent commands to mobilize troops.

By the fastest courier, he dispatched orders to the Northern Border: first, summon one thousand Beixi Light Cavalry to ride hard and join him without delay; second, notify the Chariot and Cavalry General to detach five thousand troops to advance slowly from north to south.

Thus, combining Qin Tianhu's and Qin Feng's forces, they totaled nearly seven thousand men; with the arrival of Beixi Light Cavalry and the Che Ji Army reinforcements, the total reached thirteen thousand.

Though this force could not directly challenge His Majesty in open battle, it was more than sufficient to ensure the Qin Family's safe arrival in the Northern Border.

As Qin Feng led his troops day and night toward Jingdu to reinforce them, the Black Captain's eight hundred cavalry had caught up with Qin Tianhu's main force.

Though vastly outnumbered, the Black Captain showed no fear—he rode straight to Qin Tianhu's front and shouted: "Is Grand Commandant Qin present?!"

Soon, surrounded by Tianji Camp Guards, Qin Tianhu appeared before the Black Captain.

The Black Captain bowed immediately: "Grand Commandant, please halt. His Majesty's order permits only you to return home to visit relatives; all other family members must remain in Jingdu."

At this point, Qin Tianhu showed no mercy—he replied coldly: "A general in the field is not bound by imperial commands."

"Moreover, I have resigned my office and retired to my homeland; my heart yearns for home—no one can stop me."

Hearing this, the Black Captain's face darkened with fury, his voice thick with killing intent.

"Are you refusing His Majesty's decree?"

Qin Tianhu did not answer—he countered: "Is His Majesty preparing to turn his sword against his own meritorious subject?"

The Black Captain had received a death order—he cared nothing for Qin Tianhu's merits or the Qin Family's achievements; he knew only that no one except Qin Tianhu could leave Jingdu.

Seeing Qin Tianhu's hostile gaze, the Black Captain cut straight to the point: "If Grand Commandant insists on defying orders, do not blame me for being uncivil."

Facing the Black Captain's threat, Qin Tianhu burst into loud laughter: "Ha ha ha! Uncivil? How exactly do you plan to be uncivil toward me?"

"The Black Captain's Office has already been wiped out once by my son Qin Feng—if my son had not turned a blind eye, would the Black Captain's Office ever have risen from the ashes?"

"You, defeated foes, dare to intimidate me? The greatest joke in the world."

"With just this small force, you think you can stop me? That's pure fantasy."

The Black Captain knew well that Qin Tianhu's forces were strong—he had seen the black cavalry Qin Feng brought back for the New Year, and the Tianji Camp Guards stationed in Jingdu; nearly fifteen hundred men, all elite in tactical advantage.

Long ago, His Majesty had suspected these troops were meant to escort the Qin Family out of Jingdu.

The truth proved His Majesty correct.

Now, Qin Tianhu had three thousand men under his command; eight hundred cavalry could not possibly stop them—but the Black Captain's mission was not to stop them, only to delay them.

If he could hold Qin Tianhu back, preventing a swift retreat, then reinforcements would arrive and trap the Qin Family in Jingdu forever.