Chapter 1289: First Volume, Chapter 1289: Obstinate and Foolish Official

First Volume, Chapter 1289: Obstinate and Foolish Official

Under Chen Huai's gaze, Qin Feng slowly stood up, paced back and forth in the DaTang with his hands behind his back, analyzing the pros and cons to himself.

"I poured immense effort into opening trade routes between Shedynasty and the Di, and between Gaoshan Country and Yuezhao Kingdom."

"Though called four directions, the foreign lands and kingdoms trading through Beixi County total at least ten plus in number."

"The improvement of life on the Northern Border is naturally due to Beixi County, and Beixi County relies on these trade routes."

"Once I hand over power and the Northern Border changes hands, whether these trade routes can be maintained remains a huge question mark."

"Once the trade routes are lost, the pace of the region's decline will surpass your imagination."

"And this is only regarding People's Livelihood."

At this, Qin Feng turned to look at Chen Huai and found Chen Huai had fallen completely silent, saying nothing more.

Qin Feng did not stop, continuing: "What allows Shedynasty to maintain peace with the Di?"

"Isn't it precisely because the Northern Border stands between us?"

"If I, this stumbling block, were gone, the Di's return would be merely a matter of time."

"The Di lack material resources; their southward raids are inevitable."

"At that time, Shedynasty and the Di will again sink into endless war."

"Moreover, the border landscape has been shattered; neighboring states like Gaoshan Country and Yuezhao Kingdom have shifted their political positions—will they stand with Shedynasty, united in hatred against the Di, or join the Di to exploit the chaos?"

"Have you considered any of this?"

"No! You haven't. You cling blindly to some damn plaque of 'loyal minister,' utterly clueless!"

"Everything I've done is for the people of the Northern Border; everything you've done is only for yourself."

"What 'righteousness casts no shadow,' what 'better to break than bend'—in the end, isn't it just because you can't let go of your pitiful pride, chasing some false sense of integrity at the cost of dragging the entire Northern Border populace to their doom with you?"

"Chen Huai, I ask you: who among us is truly the traitor, and who is the loyal minister?"

Faced with Qin Feng's question, Chen Huai had no reply and was utterly humiliated.

In this moment, he finally understood how naive, even ridiculous, his thoughts had been.

The Northern Border cannot do without Qin Feng—everyone knows this; once Qin Feng is gone, all prosperity of the Northern Border will vanish in an instant.

If so, what reason does Chen Huai have to oppose Qin Feng?

If he clings stubbornly to his views, won't he truly become the foolish official Qin Feng described?

But now that he understands this, what good does it do? He has already sent the Impeachment Letter upward; even if nothing changes, he has already become Qin Feng's enemy in the Northern Border.

Stubborn and obstinate, all he gains in the end is his entire family suffering Qin Feng's retribution—with no other meaning whatsoever.

Holding the Impeachment Letter, Chen Huai lowered his head and spoke dejectedly: "Prince Qin's rebuke is correct; this official indeed oversimplified the matter."

"Since Prince Qin arrived in the Northern Border, though this subordinate has achieved no great feats, he has always worked diligently, endured hardship without complaint, and never made a single mistake."

"Please, Prince Qin, consider this subordinate's hard work despite lack of merit, and punish only me—spare my family's lives."

Chen Huai knew Qin Feng's style: anyone daring to stand against Qin Feng would face thunderous retribution.

Just as Chen Huai sank into despair, Qin Feng reached out and patted Chen Huai's shoulder.

"What's the hurry?"

"When did I ever say I would punish you?"

Hearing this, Chen Huai froze, quickly turned to look at Qin Feng, eyes wide.

"Does Prince Qin not intend to punish this subordinate? This subordinate sent multiple Impeachment Letters to the court."

Qin Feng burst into loud laughter: "Hahaha, at this point? I am already on equal footing with His Majesty—what meaning do a few Impeachment Letters hold?"

"You old man, though stubborn, are a good official."

"No matter how tyrannical I may be, I would never strike down an official the people regard as good."

"Just continue serving as An Yuan County Magistrate in peace."

Chen Huai could hardly believe his ears; the ever-decisive Qin Feng, betrayed by him, had not only refrained from revenge but hadn't even uttered a single curse.

Before Chen Huai could recover from his shock, Chen Huai's wife, who had been hiding behind the door, rushed in and fell to her knees before Qin Feng, weeping bitterly.

"Thank Your Highness for your mercy!"

Chen Huai's wife's emotions had been utterly turbulent.

She had feared her entire family would be dragged to death by Chen Huai's actions, yet now Qin Feng showed such magnanimity—her near-desperate heart instantly revived.

Seeing Chen Huai standing frozen, she could no longer hold back and shouted: "What are you standing there for? Quickly thank His Highness for sparing your life!"

"What can I even say about you? Without His Highness, where would the Northern Border be today? And yet you secretly impeached him!"

"If His Highness hadn't been so forgiving, your entire family would be dead because of you."

Only then did Chen Huai snap out of his daze; his face flushed red as he immediately knelt before Qin Feng: "Thank Your Highness for your mercy."

But before Chen Huai's knees touched the ground, Qin Feng had already stepped forward.

Chen Huai's knees were precisely supported by Qin Feng's right foot.

Chen Huai froze again: "Why, Your Highness?"

Qin Feng did not answer immediately; he reached out, gripped Chen Huai's shoulder, and pulled him up from the ground.

"Though I stand on equal footing with His Majesty, I have never intended to betray Shedynasty—I remain Prince of Shedynasty."

"And you, naturally, remain an official of Shedynasty."

"From now on, no official of the Northern Border need kneel."

Hearing this, Chen Huai first felt profound admiration, then deep shame.

He must have been struck by madness—how could he have schemed to impeach Qin Feng? To topple a prince who cares for Heaven itself—wasn't that a sin?

Chen Huai took a deep breath and nodded firmly: "I understand!"

"From this moment on, this subordinate's heart holds only Shedynasty."

In Qin Feng's heart, he had long separated Shedynasty from the Liang Emperor; Qin Feng remained loyal to Shedynasty, but no longer to the Liang Emperor.

Moreover, the reason he did not punish Chen Huai was precisely because of Chen Huai's stubborn nature.

Someone like this, once convinced of a principle, cannot be pulled back even by nine oxen.

Appointing Chen Huai to guard Anyuan County is simply the most suitable choice.

After all, before long, Anyuan County will become the most important battlefield between the Northern Border and Shedynasty, and also the most intense one.

If someone with a "smooth" personality were placed to guard Anyuan County, Qin Feng would truly not feel at ease.