Chapter 1287

First Volume, Chapter 1287: Impeachment of the Prince of Qin

"Miss, you simply don't understand."

"The Prince of Qin is a good man—a truly great one. It is our blessing as common people to live under his rule in the Northern Border."

"But the problem is, the County Magistrate is also a good official."

"He just has a foul temper and has long held resentment toward the Prince of Qin—especially since the Prince returned to the Northern Border. The County Magistrate has even declared that the Prince of Qin is… is…"

Seeing the vegetable seller seemed to have something he dared not say, Qin Feng gently soothed him.

"Speak boldly—we are outsiders; we won't bring you trouble."

Confirmed that Qin Feng would not betray him, the vegetable seller gathered his courage and whispered: "The County Magistrate says… the Prince of Qin is a traitor."

The words "traitor" did strike Qin Feng with some force.

He had poured his heart and soul into the Northern Border; even when he broke ties with the court, it was not only for his family's sake, but also for the sake of the local people.

If the court took control of the Northern Border, all its wealth would flow to Jingdu.

In no time, the Northern Border would be squeezed dry, and the common people would be forced back into hardship.

Qin Feng's painstaking efforts had earned him nothing but the label of "traitor"—a heavy burden on his heart.

Yet Qin Feng immediately restrained Xie Yun'er and the others, fearing they would fly into a rage and tear apart Anyuan County.

Qin Feng looked at the vegetable seller and smiled bitterly: "The Anyuan County Magistrate was appointed by the court and has drawn court salary for years. To see the Prince of Qin as a rebel is understandable."

"But what do you, sir, think? Do you also believe the Prince of Qin is a traitor?"

The vegetable seller raised his hand and waved it frantically: "Ah!"

"How can you say that? Don't we common people know what kind of man the Prince of Qin is?"

"Without the Prince of Qin, how could we have the good life we enjoy now?"

"Compared to the court, we would rather live under the Prince of Qin's rule."

"But this is still Anyuan County—just south of here, you leave the Northern Border. Living here, we inevitably feel the court's influence."

"But no matter what, if one day the Prince of Qin goes to war with the court, this old man of mine will stand with the Prince."

At these words, Xie Yun'er and the others' anger finally subsided, their expressions returning to calm.

Qin Feng smiled. That was enough!

At least it proved that all his sacrifices were worthwhile.

As for how other so-called officials viewed him, Qin Feng didn't care at all. As long as the people trusted him, that was all that mattered.

Qin Feng took out one liang of silver and handed it to the vegetable seller, smiling lightly: "Thank you, sir."

The vegetable seller cheerfully accepted the silver, not even surprised by its value.

This composure further comforted Qin Feng.

It proved that one liang of silver was not a large sum to the people of the Northern Border—and that their lives were steadily improving.

After bidding farewell to the vegetable seller, Qin Feng did not linger and headed straight for the County Yamen.

When they reached the County Yamen's door, two Yamen Runners hurried forward to block Qin Feng's path.

"Who are you? What business do you have here?"

Facing the Yamen Runners' interrogation, Qin Feng did not hesitate—he gave Zhao Zhenhai a glance.

Zhao Zhenhai understood and immediately declared his identity.

"The Prince of Qin has arrived! Go summon your master at once!"

Hearing this, the Yamen Runners sized up Qin Feng—he dressed decently, but bore no resemblance to the legendary Prince of Qin.

"Prince of Qin? If you're the Prince of Qin, then I'm His Majesty!"

"Get lost, or I'll throw you all into the Prison—you'll regret it."

Seeing the Yamen Runners' boldness, Zhao Zhenhai didn't waste words—he swept back his robe, revealing the waist saber beneath, and said coldly: "Believe me now?"

The waist saber was exquisitely crafted—clearly not something an ordinary man could wear.

As the Yamen Runners stared in shock, the ten-plus Tianji Camp Guards accompanying them simultaneously pulled open their coats, revealing their armor beneath.

They all growled in unison: "Believe me now?!"

The Yamen Runners' faces turned pale!

This young man was surrounded not only by armed guards but also by over a dozen soldiers in armor, disguised in civilian clothes—who else could he be but the Prince of Qin?

"Good heavens! It's really the Prince of Qin!"

"What are you waiting for? Go call the Magistrate!"

The stunned Yamen Runner snapped out of it and stumbled inside.

The once-belligerent Yamen Runner collapsed onto his knees, bai tou ru dao.

"Your humble servant had no eyes and failed to recognize the Prince of Qin! Please, Prince, forgive me!"

Qin Feng naturally did not hold a lowly Yamen Runner accountable—he simply stepped forward and entered.

Meanwhile, An Yuan County Magistrate Chen Huai sat in his Book Room, furiously writing a letter to the court, detailing a long list of the Prince of Qin's alleged crimes.

Chen Huai had no personal grudge against Qin Feng—he did this purely because his Chen Family had long received imperial grace.

But by Chen Huai's generation, the family had declined, reduced to holding only the lowly post of County Magistrate in the Northern Border.

Even so, Chen Huai had not forgotten his duty to repay Shedynasty's patronage.

Though serving as a Northern Border County Magistrate, impeaching the Prince of Qin seemed like courting death—but Chen Huai was determined to do it, without fear.

Even his wife could no longer bear it, pleading with him constantly.

"My lord, please stop! Why on earth must you impeach the Prince of Qin?"

"You yourself are a County Magistrate under the Prince of Qin's rule—how can a subordinate impeach his master?"

Hearing this, Chen Huai slammed his brush down on the table with a sharp crack and turned to glare at his wife.

"Damnable bastard!"

"I am an official of Shedynasty—when did I ever become Qin Feng's official?"

"Even Qin Feng's Army was conferred by His Majesty. Now that Qin Feng has seized power and influence, he has completely broken with the court—what difference is there between that and Traitorous Talk?"

"Since I am an official of Liang, I absolutely cannot sit idly by. If I do not impeach Qin Feng, I won't be able to sleep soundly even when I go to bed."

Madam Chen's face was full of despair. Once these matters reached Qin Feng's ears, Qin Feng himself might not come to deal with Chen Huai, but those people around Qin Feng were no pushovers.

"Isn't this just refusing to live a good life and insisting on seeking death?"

"Master, how can you be so stubborn?"

"Even if Qin Feng has committed Betrayal against the court, that doesn't mean he has betrayed Liang. Without Qin Feng, where would the Northern Border be today? Where would Shedynasty be today?"

"What is now called an impeachment has instead become ingratitude."

Chen Huai had just wanted to retort, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back. After all, Qin Feng's merits were beyond doubt—even Chen Huai would never deny Qin Feng's contributions to Liang.

But as an Official of Shedynasty, he had to impeach Qin Feng—there was no choice!

Just then, a Yamen Runner came running over: "Master, bad news—King Qin has arrived."