Chapter 163

First Volume, Chapter 163: Great Wisdom Appears Foolish

Seeing Ning Hu ready to fight to the death, Qin Feng feigned nervousness and whispered: "Have you read the problem? A lone city with no reinforcements, no time limit set—clearly its strategic value is minor, long abandoned. Are you planning to sacrifice tens of thousands to storm a city defended by eight thousand? This deal is worth it—do it."

Ning Hu's face flushed red then pale, both admiring Qin Feng's military strategy and resentful; he threw down his pre-written military strategy and nearly screamed: "Then I'll adopt your earlier siege tactic—how do I execute the Xijun warfare?!"

Qin Feng's eyes gleamed; he stood up instantly, pointing at Ning Hu with excitement: "You said it! I was just worried about lacking fertilizer for farming in the city—these corpses are perfect fertilizer; they'll buy us more time."

Ning Hu, chest tight with frustration and enraged, roared: "If so, I'll poison the water supply—what then?!"

Hearing Ning Hu no longer discarded corpses—no more fertilizer—Qin Feng felt disappointed but spoke casually: "Do as you please. With common items like wood charcoal, sand, and cotton, I can make filters to obtain pure water. If that fails, we can simply dig deep wells below ten zhang! The city has many soldiers—we can rotate shifts. What's hard about that?"

"Oh, by the way, you probably don't know—the underground water layers, though connected, are also independent."

Not just Ning Hu didn't know—in the entire hall, everyone present looked utterly baffled.

Back then, most wells were three or four zhang deep; even seven zhang was the limit for water.

Deep wells below ten zhang? Not only had no one ever dug that deep, there was no need to. In everyone's understanding, groundwater was a single source—Qin Feng's claim of "independent layers" was unheard-of.

Seeing their skepticism, Qin Feng spread his hands: "Whoever doubts me can bet with me—we'll start digging right now and see if groundwater is truly layered, zoned, and independent."

At this, even the ministers shrank back.

After all, when it came to betting, Qin Feng had never lost!

Whenever this man proposed a bet, it was as good as won.

The most excited person present was the Liang Emperor—Qin Feng's arguments had produced many shocking yet immensely practical insights; if utilized, Liang's military would gain decisive advantage!

The Liang Emperor turned to Li Zhan, drenched in sweat and furiously writing beside him: "Did you record everything Qin Feng said?"

Li Zhan wiped his forehead, never pausing his brush: "Your Majesty, I've recorded it all."

The Liang Emperor, thoroughly satisfied, reiterated: "After the Qingyi Ceremony, deliver these military strategies to the Ministry of War, inscribe them in the military texts, and distribute them to all garrisoned armies for study. Do not under any circumstances leak them. These strategies alone will secure us multiple victories!"

Though the Wei Wu and Piaoqi Grand Generals disliked Qin Feng, they treasured every word of his military strategy.

The Wei Wu Grand General, face cold but voice tinged with excitement: "This boy may be arrogant, but he is truly erudite—Liang gains a tiger's wing with him."

The Piaoqi Grand General sighed deeply: "Though we disagree with Qin Daren politically, for Liang's benefit, we must give serious consideration. Let the Qin Family and Ministry of Revenue fight among themselves—we two will merely watch, speak but not act."

This struck the Wei Wu Grand General's heart; he immediately wore a sly, calculating smile.

Ning Hu's emotions shifted from anger to helplessness, then to profound admiration; he bowed low to Qin Feng: "Qin Young Master, your talent surpasses mine—I am humbled."

Under everyone's gaze, Qin Feng rose, walked over, and wrapped his arm around Ning Hu's neck, grinning: "We're comrades—no need for formalities. You and Xu Mo get along well, and work together to build glory for Liang."

Qin Feng deliberately pulled Ning Hu and Xu Mo close in front of the Liang Emperor.

First, the Liang Emperor sees everything—even if he tried to hide it, he'd never succeed, and would only invite suspicion and hatred.

Second, Qin Feng is a "Madman"—he holds firm to his madman's banner.

Third—and most importantly—he wants everyone to know: there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

Didn't he and Ning Hu once fight fiercely—and yet now they're good comrades?

It's a warning to the Ministry of Revenue's fence-sitting officials: abandon darkness, embrace light, and turn back before it's too late.

The Liang Emperor silently snorted, uninterested in Qin Feng's petty schemes, and ordered Qin Tianhu to announce the result.

Qin Tianhu's face already glowed with pride. As a Court Heavy Minister, he had always been cautious, fearing any misstep might bring disaster upon the Qin Family. But with a son like Qin Feng, he could no longer stay modest—especially with envious and admiring glances pouring in from all sides; he couldn't help but swell with delight.

His voice boomed with triumph: "Qin Feng… cough, Xu Mo wins!"

The result was universally expected—even Li Xu could only reluctantly accept it; there was no fault to find.

Only Xu Mo sat on the ground, expression blank.

Since the Military Strategy Pass began, he hadn't written a single word or spoken a single sentence—and yet… he'd somehow won?

Before Xu Mo could react, Qin Feng dragged Ning Hu back, slinging an arm around his shoulders and grinning: "After the Qingyi Ceremony, come drink at my Wuhu Restaurant? On my tab."

Ning Hu's eyes lit up: "Perfect."

Xu Mo had been hesitating, but seeing even Ning Hu—the Troublemaker—fully convinced by Qin Feng, he instantly felt at ease: fine, he'd just ask Qin Feng for military strategy advice from now on—he readily agreed, delighted.

Li Xu could no longer bear it; the more Qin Feng gloated, the more he seethed.

He immediately impeached the Liang Emperor: "Your Majesty, Qin Feng openly forms factions—this sets a terrible precedent. If others follow, the Imperial Court will never know peace!"

The Qingyi Ceremony had been highly fruitful; the Liang Emperor was in high spirits. Hearing Li Xu's words, his face darkened instantly: "Minister Li, don't be harsh on others while lenient with yourself. Qin Feng does form factions—but he's a commoner. What harm can he do? As long as officials don't form cliques for personal gain, it's acceptable."

At these words, Li Xu's face turned deathly pale.

The Liang Emperor was clearly scolding him indirectly—hinting he should stop. The Emperor knew full well Li Xu's schemes; he'd tolerated them out of respect for his status as a Court Heavy Minister. But if he pushed further, he'd be digging his own grave.

Li Xu immediately sat back down, silent as a stone. The Ministry of Revenue Officials around him looked like withered eggplants, not daring to breathe.

The Second Prince watched this scene, silently sneering, then turned to Qin Feng—his gaze now even more resolute…