Chapter 149

First Volume, Chapter 149: Bribing in Public

"Three hundred against a thousand and still win? Hah! If Xu Mo actually wins, I'll run naked through the streets!"

"No need to be so cautious—everyone knows Xu Mo's backer is Qin Feng. Isn't Qin Feng always full of petty cleverness? I don't believe he can turn decay into wonder with those odd skills and tricks."

"The disparity in numbers is bad enough, but the one who made it to the Finals alongside him is Little Marquis Ning Hu of the Yong'an Marquis Mansion."

"Hehe! This is Ning Hu's chance for revenge. In scheming and intrigue, Ning Hu is no match for Qin Feng—but in leading troops and fighting battles, Ning Hu can leave Qin Feng in the dust! I bet five hundred taels of silver: Qin Feng will lose for sure!"

These noble youths, always eager for spectacle, began setting up betting pools; since the outcome seemed so obvious, nearly everyone bet against Qin Feng.

Traditionally, young ladies wouldn't involve themselves in such vulgar matters, but to demean the Qin Family, Gao Yulan joined in: "This lady bets one thousand taels of silver that Qin Feng won't last even one cup of tea time!"

Given Liu Hongyan's nature, she naturally wanted to cheer for her younger brother—but before she could speak, Shen Qingci stepped forward and tossed down a silver ingot.

"Ten taels of silver—I bet on Qin Feng winning."

Shen Qingci was always refined; aside from buying books and calligraphy, she had almost no expenses, and even the profits from Qingya Pavilion were fully accounted for under the Qin Residence's ledger—so being able to produce ten taels of silver was already no small feat.

Yet this act drew roaring laughter.

Shen Qingci paid it no mind, calm and detached: "My Qin Family has always been frugal—how could we compare with you all?"

Meanwhile, the Xu Mo Army and Ninghu Army had already formed ranks on the ShiZhen field.

Behind Ning Hu stood a thousand elite troops of the Imperial Guard, and an additional thousand sets of Heavy Armor had been hastily requisitioned from the Garrison Army; with overwhelming numerical superiority and evenly matched equipment, everyone felt there was no need to continue the contest.

The Liang Emperor watched both sides, also believing Xu Mo's army had no chance of victory—he had assigned this impossible task merely to test how far Qin Feng's abilities extended.

Though Qin Tianhu felt deeply helpless, he understood the Imperial Will could not be defied, and could only grit his teeth and declare the contest open.

But before he could speak, a voice interrupted him.

"Wait!"

Everyone turned to look—and saw Qin Feng, left arm clutching a Dried Fruit Tray, right armpit pinning a few stalks of Raw Sugarcane, scampering down the City Wall to the front of the two armies.

Seeing Qin Feng's "gluttonous appearance," the officials present couldn't help laughing.

Qin Tianhu frowned: "That brat—always making me look foolish! That lazy, insolent hooligan demeanor—where's the dignity of a scholar-official's son?"

But Qin Feng paid no mind to their stares, smiling as he studied Ning Hu with his precious snacks in hand: "Little Tiger, I knew you'd make it to the Finals. My judgment was right—you're clearly a natural-born commander."

Hearing this, Ning Hu couldn't help recalling what had happened at the Wine House yesterday, and his face flushed red.

Though deeply grateful to Qin Feng inside, he refused to admit defeat on the surface, letting out a dry grunt: "W-Well, of course—my Ning Family doesn't produce cowards."

Qin Feng enthusiastically gave a thumbs-up, then turned to scan the seating area, spotted the Yong'an Marquis, and shouted loudly: "Marquis! Ning Hu is a talent—even if he loses, I'll find a way to get him into the army!"

As he spoke, Qin Feng turned to the Liang Emperor and grinned foolishly: "Your Majesty, ten thousand taels of silver to buy Ning Hu a position—would that be acceptable?"

Qin Tianhu wanted to rush forward and strangle Qin Feng right then and there—bending the rules was one thing, but openly flaunting it? And bribing the reigning Emperor in public?

Even the Liang Emperor, who had seen it all, paused in surprise, then laughed and scolded: "How dare you bribe me in public? You're utterly reckless! The war against the North Di is a matter of state policy—how can it be treated as a joke? Get out of my sight before I charge you with high treason!"

The Liang Emperor scolded aloud, but inwardly he was delighted—he had been worried before.

Ning Hu was the most outstanding young reserve general; if he truly lost and couldn't be sent to the North Di, it wouldn't just be the Yong'an Marquis who felt regret—the Liang Emperor himself would find it a great loss.

Qin Feng's reckless words had struck exactly the right chord with the Liang Emperor.

At this moment, the Yong'an Marquis's expression shifted between dark and light.

In recent times, the Ning Family and Qin Family had accumulated many grievances, and with what happened at Ji Wang's birthday banquet, they were now outright enemies.

But that boy Ning Hu was straightforward—he had gone home and told his father everything that happened at the Wine House, in full detail.

The Yong'an Marquis knew well: the Ning Family owed the Qin Family a massive debt. If the Wine House incident became public, there'd be no need to wait for Ning Hu to inherit the title—the Emperor would strip the Ning Family of their rank outright.

The Yong'an Marquis was torn: on one hand, grateful for Qin Feng's mercy; on the other, fearful of the Hubei Party.

Qin Feng's words now, though seemingly insane, were effectively a public recruitment.

The Yong'an Marquis was already inclined to take the easy way out—to reconcile with the Qin Family and mend ties.

After all… after all this fighting, the Ning Family's title was already precarious, and with the Qin Family blocking the way, Ning Hu's future in the military would likely be severely limited.

If he could switch sides—from the Hubei Party to the Ministry of War—not only would the title be secure, but with a cunning little devil like Qin Feng protecting him, Ning Hu's prospects would be limitless.

Thinking this, the Yong'an Marquis had made his decision—yet outwardly he shouted at Qin Feng: "Ning Hu's promotion to Regimental Commander depends on merit—he has no use for backdoors!"

Hearing this, Qin Feng grinned broadly.

He sounded fierce, but avoided the core issue entirely—clearly, the Yong'an Marquis understood the situation perfectly.

Qin Feng had spared Ning Hu originally—not out of pure kindness.

Alone, Xu Mo might struggle to establish himself in the military; if Qin Feng could also secure Ning Hu, train and support both, his own influence in the army would be further solidified.

Then all sorts of military supplies procurement? That's easy money!

And reconciling with the Ning Family would also relieve Old Qin of considerable pressure at the Imperial Court.

If the Ning Family was willing to Qi An, it would serve as a public example to others: follow the Qin Family, and you'll have meat to eat!

In high spirits, Qin Feng pulled a stalk of Raw Sugarcane from under his armpit and shoved it forcefully into Ning Hu's hands, grinning: "Go easy on them later—overwhelming numbers and full force? That'd be truly unsportsmanlike."

Ning Hu's mouth hung open—he thought Qin Feng was simply bizarre.

Bribing the Emperor in public was one thing—but openly telling Ning Hu to hold back?

Ning Hu flushed red and threw the sugarcane aside.