Chapter 1309: First Volume, Chapter 1309: Chen Zheng Resigns His Post

First Volume, Chapter 1309: Chen Zheng Resigns His Post

Facing a situation already settled beyond reversal, Zhao Zhenhai showed not the slightest reaction.

Looking at the Black Captain who came to deliver the message, Zhao Zhenhai didn't even dismount, merely looking down with contempt, his tone dripping with disdain.

"What is your purpose in coming here to notify me?"

Feeling the terrifying aura radiating from Zhao Zhenhai, the Black Captain swallowed hard, quickly clasped his hands in salute, and said cautiously: "The new monarch has ascended the throne; the Northern Expedition will end completely."

"The Northern Border Army no longer needs to advance toward Jingdu. General, please withdraw your forces."

The Black Captain's reply was exactly what Zhao Zhenhai had anticipated.

From the beginning, Li Yong was merely a pawn Qin Feng placed in Jingdu, meant to remind the Liang Emperor that as long as he did not cross Qin Feng's line, Liang would remain the Li Family's Liang.

After the Liang Emperor stepped down in triumph, the throne would naturally pass to Li Yong.

Even in the not-too-distant future, the Northern Border would fully return under Li Yong's direct rule.

But all this depended on mutual peace between monarch and minister.

Now that war has begun, you wish to reconcile? Too late!

Zhao Zhenhai let out a cold snort, his face expressionless: "Order me to withdraw? You overestimate me. I am merely a soldier following orders."

"I have no authority to order a withdrawal."

"Unless the Qin King gives the command, everything will proceed as planned."

"Want to withdraw? Go report to the Qin King first. Wait for his order—until I receive it, nothing changes."

Zhao Zhenhai's tone left no room for negotiation; he gave the Black Captain no room to argue.

The Black Captain panicked—under the current situation, even if a court minister wanted to see Qin Feng, it would be as hard as climbing to heaven.

And unless the news reached Qin Feng directly, Qin Feng could simply claim ignorance of the new monarch's ascension.

As the Black Captain stood paralyzed between advance and retreat, Zhao Zhenhai ordered the army to continue forward.

The massive army surged forward, unstoppable.

The Black Captain immediately fell to his knees, pleading desperately: "General Zhao, please grant me a few more days—I will return immediately to report the truth and send a fast rider to the Northern Border to inform the Qin King."

"The Qin King will surely order a withdrawal."

Zhao Zhenhai tugged the reins, and his warhorse charged straight toward the Black Captain. The Black Captain reacted quickly, dodging sideways just in time to avoid being trampled to death.

Zhao Zhenhai's eyes remained cold and empty: "I already said—without the Qin King's command, everything proceeds as planned."

"If you dare block my path again, I will execute you on the spot."

With that, Zhao Zhenhai ignored the Black Captain entirely and led his army forward along the Official Road from Fuyun County to Jingdu, vast and relentless.

The Black Captain was utterly hopeless.

Clearly, Qin Feng had long foreseen the court would act first to install Li Yong, making the deed irreversible.

So Qin Feng could, in turn, use their own method against them.

Send troops to storm Jingdu and dethrone Li Yong.

The Black Captain collapsed on the ground, his eyes hollow and vacant, muttering to himself: "It's over. Everything is over."

"We've enraged Qin Feng beyond redemption—there's no turning back now."

News of the Northern Border Army's continued advance spread like wildfire through Jingdu.

The court and the Folk reacted in completely opposite ways.

The people of Jingdu felt no despair before the coming war; they carried on as usual, going about their daily lives, showing almost no fear at all.

After all, they knew clearly: Qin Feng would never slaughter the innocent.

But inside the Imperial Court, chaos erupted—officials once aligned with the Taolin Party demanded opening the City Gate to negotiate with Qin Feng.

Meanwhile, Chen Zheng and other officials who supported Li Yong adamantly refused, knowing that if the gates opened, Li Yong was finished.

As the two sides argued endlessly, Li Yong rubbed his cheek and waved his hand dismissively, cutting them off.

"Stop arguing."

"Listen to me."

All Civil and Military Ministers turned to Li Yong—though the Northern Border Army was already at their doorstep, Li Yong showed no fear.

As if certain he would weather this crisis.

Chen Zheng frowned tightly and asked urgently: "Your Majesty, what plan can make Qin Feng withdraw?"

Li Yong's lips curled slightly, shrewdly: "Of course there is a plan."

"In my youth, I endured years in the Hou Gong, finally waiting until my elder brother fell."

"Then I was placed under soft detention, endured even longer, before finally gaining the throne."

"Through all these years of patience, I've grown accustomed to it—even if I must endure a few more years, what difference does it make?"

Hearing this, Chen Zheng felt a dark premonition stir in his chest.

Yet he still clung to a sliver of hope, pressing: "What exactly does Your Majesty intend to do?"

Li Yong rose slowly, stepped down from the throne, and spoke with serene calm: "Naturally, I will sign a gentleman's agreement with Qin Feng."

"I will abdicate the throne to Li Zhang. Qin Feng will spare the Li Imperial Clan entirely and withdraw to the Northern Border."

"As long as Li Zhang reigns, there will be no more Northern Expedition—this benefits everyone."

"Whether the throne can one day be restored to me depends on whether Qin Feng keeps his word."

Li Yong's words were nothing short of surrendering sovereignty—a profound disgrace.

Chen Zheng did not hesitate a moment, shouting: "Disgrace!"

Yet only Chen Zheng's voice echoed through the Imperial Court.

To every other minister, this was clearly the only option left—though Li Yong had just ascended and now abdicated, it was indeed a disgrace, but if it preserved the Li Imperial Clan, then… it was the only option available.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Grandee Chen, though you are a upright minister of pure stream, you refuse to show even the slightest flexibility—do you truly wish to bury the entire imperial clan before you are satisfied?"

"Who in all of Heaven does not know Qin Feng's character? If Qin Feng agrees to this gentleman's pact, he will never break his word."

"Let Prince Li Zhang inherit the throne; the realm of Shedynasty shall remain in the hands of the Li Imperial Clan."

From the Monarch down to the court ministers, all made concessions to appease Qin Feng's wrath.

Even if Chen Zheng persisted further, what ripples could one man's voice possibly stir?"

Chen Zheng had no choice but to strip off his official robe and declared in a resounding voice: "I, your servant, will never compromise—I would rather resign and return to my hometown than serve an illegitimate Monarch."

With that, Chen Zheng swept his sleeve and left, yet no one stopped him.

It is said that ancestors plant trees so descendants may enjoy their shade, but for the Li Imperial Clan, it is ancestors who dug trenches for descendants to fill.

All of this could have been avoided, but alas, the Liang Emperor could not tolerate Qin Feng, ultimately bringing about this catastrophe.

Li Yong was remarkably detached—or rather, since his soft detention, since he witnessed Qin Feng's terrifying power, he had already come to terms with it.