Chapter 1310

First Volume, Chapter 1310: The Curtain Falls

Since Zhao Zhenhai led his troops into the Jingji Region, his pace had slowed, deliberately giving the court time to "ponder deeply."

Even if one dragged one's feet, the journey from Fuyun County to Jingdu should take no more than a day.

Yet Zhao Zhenhai took a full five days!

When Zhao Zhenhai finally arrived beneath the city walls, the anticipated Jingdu Defense Battle never erupted; instead, the city gates swung wide open, and the people lined up to welcome the Northern Border Army.

The people of Jingdu had no reason not to welcome the Northern Border Army.

For it meant Jingdu would not fight, the civilians would not be implicated by war, and more importantly, Qin Feng had reached some understanding with the court.

Though the people did not know what that understanding was, one thing they knew for certain: Shedynasty was finally about to embrace peace.

…

Beixi County, the inner courtyard of the County Yamen.

Liu Ming hurried in and saw Qin Feng sitting on a chair, sipping tea; he immediately exclaimed excitedly: "Your Majesty, Zhao Zhenhai has led the army into Jingdu, and Li Yong has agreed to Shan Rang."

Qin Feng had already guessed most of it—after all, Li Yong had no choice.

Yet hearing Liu Ming's report aloud, Qin Feng still felt deep joy; avoiding war was the best outcome possible.

"It seems this long war has finally come to an end."

Liu Ming, still brimming with excitement, quickly asked: "Your Majesty, when do you plan to depart for Jingdu?"

Qin Feng merely smiled and shook his head: "I won't go. As long as Zhao Zhenhai is in Jingdu, nothing will go awry. When the Crown Prince arrives, he can take over the Imperial Court."

Hearing this, Liu Ming's face darkened with confusion.

In his view, Qin Feng was the one who most needed to go to Jingdu; even if Qin Feng had no ambition to overthrow the dynasty, his mere presence would prevent any upheaval.

Qin Feng could read Liu Ming's thoughts instantly and smiled: "If I went to Jingdu, it would only make Li Zhang's position more precarious. After all, public opinion is fierce—everyone would assume Li Zhang is merely a Puppet in my hands."

"I truly have no interest in the Imperial Throne; there's no need to stir up unnecessary trouble."

Saying this, Qin Feng turned and glanced toward the inner courtyard, a soft smile crossing his face: "What I most want to do now is spend more time with my family."

Since Qin Feng had made his decision, no one could change it; Liu Ming said no more.

Under Liu Ming's deeply reverent gaze, Qin Feng slowly rose and walked toward the inner courtyard.

With his hands behind his back, Qin Feng's taut nerves finally relaxed.

Since entering official service, Qin Feng had exhausted himself for this nation—waging war everywhere, never having time to be with his family.

Now that everything had finally settled, Qin Feng refused to waste another moment; he only wished to stay with his family and savor the remaining time.

"Shen Qingci, Liu Hongyan, Li Xiaolan, Jing Qianying…"

"Father, Mother…"

"From now on, I'm going nowhere. We'll live together, peacefully, as a family."

…

Half a month later, in the Grand Hall of Jingdu, Li Zhang, clad in the Dragon Robe, sat upon the Imperial Throne.

The Ming Prince, elevated to Taishang Huang, had finally returned to Jingdu—the place he had longed for.

Li Zhang gazed at the assembled Civil and Military Ministers and sighed deeply; he never imagined he would become the ruler of Shedynasty…

Only now, seated upon the Imperial Throne, did Li Zhang finally understand Qin Feng's painstaking intentions.

Li Zhang's governance of the Northern Border had been precisely to accumulate experience for this moment.

Recalling all that had transpired since meeting Qin Feng, Li Zhang's nose suddenly stung.

Li Lang had died in Military Death; Qin Feng had returned Li Lang's body to the Imperial Ancestral Hall, and now had placed Li Zhang upon the Imperial Throne, fulfilling the Ming Prince's long-held wish—to return to Jingdu.

One could say Qin Feng was the great benefactor of their entire family.

Li Zhang took a deep breath and said solemnly: "I hereby appoint Qin Feng as the Martial King of Shedynasty, his rank above all other Princes; though he holds no military command, his lineage shall forever enjoy the privileges of a King's title."

"Do any of my ministers have objections?"

Everyone knew the bond between Li Zhang and Qin Feng; they all answered in unison: "Your Majesty is wise."

Not long after, the Eunuch bearing the Imperial Edict crossed a thousand li and finally reached Beixi County; gazing at the thriving Beixi County, the Eunuch inwardly marveled.

"This is Beixi County? Under Qin Feng's… no, under the Martial King's governance, it has grown to such a state."

"No wonder he alone could secure the Imperial Throne for His Majesty."

When the Eunuch entered the County Yamen, prepared to deliver the Imperial Edict to Qin Feng, he discovered Qin Feng was not there.

The one who came out to greet him was County Magistrate Lin Quqi.

The Eunuch dared not show the slightest disrespect and asked carefully: "County Magistrate, where is Qin Feng?"

Lin Quqi, hands behind his back, replied calmly: "What business do you have with the Prince?"

The Eunuch hurried to explain: "His Majesty has appointed Qin Feng as the Martial King. I've come all the way from Jingdu to deliver this good news to the Martial King."

Lin Quqi let out a long "Oh," then smiled and shook his head: "Whether Prince or Martial King, I understand. I'll inform him when the time comes."

"Return to His Majesty and report that Qin Feng has retired and will no longer involve himself in any state affairs."

"The Northern Border will obey the court's orders, but aside from military campaigns, all other matters will remain self-governed for fifty years; after that, it will return to direct imperial control."

"Do not come looking for Qin Feng again."

Though the Eunuch had come in vain, he dared not speak further and left dejectedly.

Lin Quqi, hands behind his back, gazed toward the South and smiled: "Brother Qin, I hope we meet again someday."

In the depths of the Qilian Mountains, Southern Border of Shedynasty.

Through Qin Feng's lavish investment, the mountain's interior had been transformed into a paradise beyond the world.

There were a thousand mu of good fields, countless Lou Ge, and every kind of domestic facility imaginable.

Once the invincible warrior who had conquered every battlefield, Qin Feng now scrambled desperately—each hand holding a baby, he pleaded toward Jing Qianying and Li Xiaolan, who lay reclining on Tengyi Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chairs in the distance: "My ladies, you can't leave all the childcare to me alone!"

"You two enjoy your leisure while I suffer? It's not fair!"

Li Xiaolan gave Qin Feng a withering look and said irritably, "That's your child— if you won't look after him, who will?"

Jing Qianying laughed too: "Hehehe, for your sake, I gave up the Northern Di imperial throne— all I ask is that you watch the children, and still you're not satisfied?"

Shen Qingci and Liu Hongyan, not far away, also burst into soft laughter.

Xie Yun'er sat beside Qin Feng; Qin Feng had thought she meant to help, and was just about to sigh in relief when she turned her head and ran off.

As for Qin Tianhu and Cheng Clan, they naturally lived a heavenly, retired life.

Qin Feng silently sighed at how bitter his fate was, yet as he looked at his son and daughter in his arms, he smiled with the tender satisfaction of an old father.

End.