Chapter 184

First Volume, Chapter 184: The Tide Turns

Turning around, Lin Feimo's gaze shifted from fury to shock.

Four Deputy Generals—the "third hands" of each camp—arrived simultaneously outside the camp.

They were from the Longhu Army, the East and West Camps, and the Garrison Army.

Earlier, when dealing with Lin Feimo, all four camps had sent only Colonels.

But now, facing Qin Feng, they had sent Deputy Generals—several ranks higher.

Lin Feimo's face instantly flushed red with shame and rage.

The four Deputy Generals dismounted and bowed in unison to Qin Feng.

Qin Feng merely returned the gesture with a casual wave of his hand.

Little Marquis Ning Hu stepped forward warmly and said, "Why have all four generals come in person? Sending a Colonel would've sufficed."

At these words, Lin Feimo's face burned even redder.

Send a Colonel?!

Lin Feimo's face felt as if it had been slapped hard, again and again.

The Longhu Army's Deputy General clasped his fists tightly, grinning: "Since Qin Young Master summoned us, how could we dare be negligent? In the future, please, Little Marquis, speak well of us to Qin Young Master—this northern campaign against Di has four slots; aside from the two From-Participants, aren't there still two more 'From-Participants' left? My Longhu Army has countless sons who are more than capable!"

The West Camp's Deputy General shot the Longhu Army's Deputy General a scathing look and snapped, "What nonsense! Just because your Longhu Army can handle it, does that mean my West Camp cannot?"

The East Camp's Deputy General shoved both of them aside and bowed to Ning Hu: "The Commander-in-Chief said that if any of my West Camp men earn the 'From-Participant' position, this favor will be remembered forever."

Though the Garrison Army held slightly higher status than the three major camps, its elite strength and combat power were inferior. Seeing the three camps bickering fiercely, the Garrison Army's Deputy General shouted: "If Qin Young Master later trains the New Army and needs to draw troops, my Garrison Army will fully support!"

Seeing the four Deputy Generals clustered around Ning Hu, faces flushed, arguing passionately—completely ignoring him—

Lin Feimo's aristocratic arrogance had vanished entirely; his cheeks flushed crimson as he growled at Qin Feng: "This is outrageous! Qin, you just accused me of privately mobilizing troops—then what are you doing now?!"

Seeing Lin Feimo finally lose his composure, Qin Feng couldn't help smirking inside: You loved playing the composed, cultivated chosen one—why stop now?!

At Lin Feimo's outburst, Chen Cheng and Lü Qian immediately chimed in.

After all, they had bet everything on Lin Feimo—if he lost to Qin Feng, their fates were obvious.

Chen Cheng pointed at Qin Feng and shouted: "Qin, you illegally mobilized troops—what crime is this?!"

Lü Qian, teeth clenched, added: "The Longhu Army, East and West Camps, and Garrison Army are all Imperial Capital Garrison forces—only the Emperor may command them. Qin Feng, you dare usurp imperial authority—your intentions are worthy of death!"

Seeing Chen Cheng and Lü Qian escalate the matter to treason,

Qin Feng sneered: "What's all this shouting for? These Deputy Generals came to discuss war preparations. But you two—do I have reason to suspect you're here to eavesdrop?"

"You—!"

At these words, Chen Cheng and Lü Qian fell utterly silent.

The Longhu Army's Deputy General barked at Chen Cheng: "Qin Young Master acts under imperial decree to form the New Army and has long cooperated with my Longhu Army—many of the New Army's elite are Longhu Army men. When the New Army achieves glory, it will be our Longhu Army's honor. As Deputy General of the Longhu Army, I come to discuss New Army matters with Qin Young Master—it's perfectly justified. When did you get the right to meddle?"

The West Camp's Deputy General glared contemptuously at Chen Cheng: "War preparations are now paramount—everything must yield to military needs. How dare a commoner like you insert yourself into such a critical matter? That's real usurpation. City Patrol Bureau brothers—how should Chen Cheng be punished?"

Compared to the four major camps, the City Patrol Bureau held lower status—but it was the only institution on-site with enforcement authority in Jingdu.

The Deputy Commander of the City Patrol Bureau immediately coldly declared: "By law, he deserves execution!"

Chen Cheng's face turned as white as paper; he staggered backward, nearly collapsing.

Lin Feimo's face darkened as he growled: "Who dares?!"

Qin Feng, who had been watching from afar, smiled sweetly and replied: "Who dares? Deputy Commander, have this man's head severed for meddling in military affairs and usurping authority, then deliver it to the Jingzhao Yin for disposition."

Deliver it to the Jingzhao Yin?!

Only then did Chen Cheng realize: though he was the son of the Jingdu Merchants' Guild Chairman, he was still a commoner—Jingzhao Yin's level was more than enough to handle him.

At that moment, Qin Feng suddenly changed tone: "Or perhaps he can redeem himself by serving the state. Liang is short on silver now. Your Chen family is wealthy—don't you think ten thousand li of silver to support the war effort would be easy?"

Hearing this, Chen Cheng felt as if reborn.

Chen Cheng was about to kneel and thank Qin Feng for sparing his life, but he felt Lin Feimo's icy glare beside him—he hesitated, then gritted his teeth and bowed to Qin Feng: "Qin Young Master, I shall return immediately to raise the silver."

Without daring to glance once at Lin Feimo's murderous stare, Chen Cheng, under immense pressure, turned and ran away without looking back.

As a merchant, Chen Cheng was no fool.

With all four camps siding with Qin Feng, it was clear Lin Feimo couldn't win.

If he didn't defect now, was he waiting for the New Year?

Seeing Chen Cheng betray him without hesitation to save his own skin, Lin Feimo ground his teeth in fury—but could do nothing.

Liu Hongyan, who had witnessed the entire scene, covered her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief.

Surely…

The Qin Family couldn't possibly defeat the Lin Family.

Even Qin's mother, Lady Qin, had fallen victim to the Lin Family.

How, then, had the tide turned?!

Thinking of this, Liu Hongyan looked at Qin Feng—laid-back, never once acknowledging Lin Feimo—and felt a surge of excitement: "When did this brat gain such power?!"

Unbeknownst to her…

Ever since Qin Feng began recruiting elite troops from the four camps to form the New Army, he had already been in secret accord with them.

Had the four camps opposed Qin Feng, even if they didn't openly block him, they'd have sent only the old, weak, and sick.

Their cooperation now clearly came from the influence of four people.

One was, of course, the Emperor; the second, Chang Princess.

After all, Chang Princess had personally arranged Qin Feng's marriage to Xie Yun'er.

The other two were the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince.

The Lin Family's status was terrifying, and the Imperial Consort was untouchable.

But Qin Feng moved like a fish in water among the Li Imperial Clan—no matter how foolish the Manchu Civil and Military might be, anyone with even a shred of sense wouldn't dare oppose Qin Feng.

Lin Feimo could no longer bear his anger and shame, and let out a low roar: "I don't believe all the Civil and Military Officials of Jingdu are aligned with that scoundrel Qin Feng!"

"Ministry of Justice! Ministry of Works! Ministry of Rites! Ministry of Personnel! Guanglu Temple, Weiwu Temple, Red Furnace Temple, Sinong Temple…"

"I don't believe no one can rein in Qin Feng!"

Just as Lin Feimo was about to send messengers to the residences of the various officials,

Lü Qian stopped him, his face grim, and said reluctantly: "Young Master Lin, the officials you just mentioned... I'm afraid none of them will be able to come..."

Lin Feimo froze for a moment, then roared: "Why on earth?!"