Chapter 1288

First Volume, Chapter 1288: Digging Into a Dead End

Chen Huai paused his motion, then, after a moment of surprise, regained his composure; he picked up the brush and continued writing the impeachment letter he had not yet finished.

Standing beside him, Mrs. Chen paced anxiously, stomping her feet.

"It's over—this time it's completely over."

"Prince Qin suddenly visited Anyuan County—he must have heard the rumors and came here specifically to deal with you, Master."

"Master, even if you don't care for yourself, think of me and the children."

"Why are you still writing the letter? Put down your brush at once, go out and beg Prince Qin's forgiveness, and beg for leniency."

Hearing his wife's sobs, Chen Huai remained unmoved; only after finishing the entire impeachment letter did he fold the military dispatch, tuck it into his robe, and walk toward the DaTang.

By the time Chen Huai arrived at the DaTang, Qin Feng had already taken his seat, with Xie Yun'er and others beside him.

Sensing the solemn atmosphere inside the DaTang and Qin Feng's restrained yet piercing gaze, Chen Huai had already prepared himself for death with honor.

He walked to the center of the DaTang, took a deep breath, slowly raised both arms, brought them inward, and bowed deeply to Qin Feng.

"Your servant, Chen Huai, County Magistrate of Anyuan County, pays homage to Prince Qin."

Qin Feng ignored Chen Huai entirely, instead carefully examining the military intelligence delivered by the Brocade Guard regarding Chen Huai.

According to the Brocade Guard's records, Chen Huai had committed no acts of harming the people, nor any offenses of disrespect toward superiors.

Even before Qin Feng returned to the Northern Border, Chen Huai had been virtually invisible in the region.

He was a thoroughly mediocre but upright official.

Chen Huai's change occurred only after Qin Feng returned to the Northern Border.

It could thus be concluded that Chen Huai simply regarded Qin Feng as a Rebel Party member and launched verbal attacks against him.

Having further confirmed Chen Huai's character, Qin Feng finally raised his head, looked at Chen Huai standing before him, and said calmly: "I hear you've been repeatedly impeaching me?"

Facing Qin Feng's question, Chen Huai showed no hesitation—he directly admitted it.

"Correct!"

"Your servant has indeed impeached Prince Qin, and right now, I still carry an impeachment letter I have not yet sent."

Hearing this, Qin Feng's interest stirred; he extended his hand and said softly: "Might I see it?"

Seeing Chen Huai hesitate, Qin Feng immediately smiled: "Don't worry—I'll only glance at it, then return it to you."

Considering that the man before him was the ruler of the Northern Border and would never break his word, Chen Huai finally pulled the freshly written impeachment letter from his sleeve.

Zhao Zhenhai stepped forward, snatched the impeachment letter, and glared at Chen Huai with icy hostility.

In Zhao Zhenhai's eyes, Chen Huai was nothing but a foolish traitor who sided with outsiders.

Zhao Zhenhai despised people like this most of all!

But since Qin Feng had not spoken, Zhao Zhenhai said nothing—only shot him a glare before turning back and placing the military dispatch in Qin Feng's hands.

Qin Feng opened it, scanned a few lines, and nodded slightly.

"County Magistrate Chen does possess some literary talent—his word choice is sharp and incisive; in just a few sentences, he has branded me a traitor."

Qin Feng showed no anger; he refolded the impeachment letter and handed it back to Chen Huai through Zhao Zhenhai.

Then, with the same calm tone, he asked: "You've firmly declared me a traitor—could you please tell me, exactly where have I betrayed Shedynasty? Could you enlighten me?"

Chen Huai had already prepared for the worst; at this point, he had nothing left to hide, and replied without fear or flattery.

"You are a subject of Shedynasty, yet you disregard the Emperor's grace, seize the Northern Border, and intend to stand equal to His Majesty—how is that not treason?"

"This act will inevitably spark war, and the people of Shedynasty will inevitably suffer its consequences—this is not an act of righteousness."

Hearing this, Qin Feng burst into laughter.

Chen Huai frowned: "What are you laughing at? Did I say something wrong?"

Qin Feng inwardly admired Chen Huai's backbone, but lamented that the man was too rigid—no wonder he was only fit to be a County Magistrate.

Qin Feng leaned back in his chair, appearing utterly relaxed.

"I do not deny that I stand equal to His Majesty."

"But I have never betrayed the people of Shedynasty."

"Since I entered service, when have I ever done anything to harm the people of Shedynasty? If you know of any such deeds, please list them."

Chen Huai certainly knew Qin Feng's achievements—he knew how many tangible benefits Qin Feng had brought to the people of Shedynasty.

But a subject is a subject; betrayal is betrayal.

"Prince Qin, isn't this just sophistry?"

"You may have served the people of Heaven well, but you betrayed His Majesty—no matter how you justify it, you remain a traitor."

Seeing Chen Huai so stubborn, Qin Feng felt a spark of determination rise.

He continued: "Let me rephrase it."

"A minister who is utterly loyal to His Majesty but commits every crime to ruin the nation—is he, in your eyes, a good official?"

"And another minister who betrays His Majesty but brings welfare to the people of Heaven—is he, in your eyes, a traitor?"

"Heheh, County Magistrate Chen's definition of good and evil truly opens my eyes."

Faced with Qin Feng's rebuttal, Chen Huai fell silent.

But he quickly calmed himself and argued back: "If the ruler were a fool and the ministers corrupt, then fine."

"But His Majesty cares deeply for the people of Shedynasty—he is a wise monarch!"

Qin Feng did not deny that the Liang Emperor was a capable Monarch—but the Emperor's conduct was unacceptable to Qin Feng.

"So you mean, if a wise monarch wants to kill me without reason, I should just bow my neck and let him execute me—and take my whole family with me?"

Chen Huai answered immediately: "His Majesty has his reasons for killing you."

At these words, Zhao Zhenhai could no longer hold back—he roared: "You fool! How utterly rigid and stubborn!"

"How can you cling so blindly to such a narrow-minded principle?"

"If the Liang Emperor truly were the wise and brilliant monarch you make him out to be, where would all those starving commoners in Shedynasty have come from?"

"The Northern Border has only just had a few good days, and already you've forgotten the pain once the scar has healed?"

Facing Zhao Zhenhai's furious shout, Chen Huai remained unmoved: "Does Prince Qin not realize that his actions will plunge the common people into dire suffering?"

Zhao Zhenhai wanted to say more, but was stopped by Qin Feng.

Qin Feng could tell that persuading someone like Chen Huai would be no easy task.

Once Chen Huai had set his mind on something, it was very hard to change.

Hard... but not impossible!

Qin Feng stopped wasting words and laid out the facts directly.

"If the Qin Family Members become hostages in His Majesty's hands, His Majesty will immediately regain control of the Northern Border, and all the wealth of the Northern Border will flow into Jingdu."

"Does Lord Chen still remember how impoverished life in the Northern Border once was?"

"It won't take long before the Northern Border reverts to how it was before — even more wretched than before."

"And that is only the beginning!"