Chapter 201

First Volume, Chapter 201: Spending Money to Pull Strings

Liu Hongyan and Shen Qingci racked their brains but could not understand.

As if sensing their confusion, Lin Quqi quickly pointed at Qin Feng—only to find Qin Feng had already vanished from his side, leaving him to let out a bitter laugh: "Ladies, this Mingyue Zhuan is indeed written by Brother Qin, but since everyone is familiar with Brother Qin's handwriting, I took the liberty of copying it by hand and submitted this version to the Book Bureau to be carved into movable type for mass printing."

Hearing Lin Quqi's explanation, Liu Hongyan and Shen Qingci exchanged a glance, both opening their mouths wide in shock.

Qin Feng certainly had talent, but the subtle emotions between the protagonists in this book—unless one had experienced a heart-wrenching, soul-deep love—could never be written so convincingly!

Who in all of Jingdu didn't know that Qin Feng was a free-spirited wanderer? Even when the Xie family came to inspect his home, he hid and refused to meet them.

How could such an inexperienced "greenhorn" possibly possess such profound emotional depth?

The two women simply did not believe it!

But Qin Feng had already slipped away, leaving no chance for a direct confrontation; they could only set it aside for now and ask him tomorrow morning what exactly was going on with this Mingyue Zhuan!

At this moment, Qin Feng had already taken Qin Xiaofu straight toward the Training Ground.

This prototype must be delivered to Lu Ming as soon as possible, so the printing blocks can be carved early and the Book Bureau can open without delay.

Due to the state of wartime readiness and to prevent BeidiSpies from infiltrating, Jingdu had imposed a curfew: after nightfall, the streets were nearly empty except for City Patrol Bureau guards on military patrol, with only occasional government officials returning from official duties.

According to the Great Liang Code, anyone violating the curfew would be punished with at least twenty staff strikes, or, if deemed a traitor, executed on the spot.

Not even common people dared to venture out during this tense period—let alone noble youths.

Except Qin Feng…

Fully armed City Patrol Bureau guards, two squads per unit, patrolled the streets—and happened upon Qin Feng heading toward the city gate. Instead of arresting him, they immediately surrounded him, bowing and flattering him endlessly.

"Young Master Qin, so late at night—where are you headed? Not to the city's Training Ground, are you?"

"Hehe, I heard from Xu Colonel that you're planning to make a big splash this time."

"I wonder… are there still openings in the New Army?"

Li Colonel, who had once presided over the Battlefield Simulation, beamed with a smile, his eyes gleaming brightly under the night sky.

The Emperor has now entrusted Qin Feng with the Canjiang Appointment authority—in other words, whether one can be sent to the Front Line to fight the Beidi depends entirely on Qin Feng's word.

Not just Li Colonel—even the young officers of the Longhu Army and the Western and Eastern Camps—had begun scheming, trying every means to contact Qin Feng.

Unfortunately…

Ever since the Qingyi Ceremony, Qin Feng had vanished like a dragon's tail—impossible to catch a glimpse of him.

To encounter Qin Feng on tonight's patrol, Li Colonel could not help but feel ecstatic.

He immediately slung an arm around Qin Feng's shoulder, avoiding the surrounding eyes, and smiled obsequiously: "Brother Qin, has Xu Colonel mentioned me to you these past days?"

How could Qin Feng not know the ambitions of these young officers?

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been dodging and hiding these past two days.

They were all noble youths from Jingzhong—constantly crossing paths; if they came begging to his face, refusing them would be rude, but helping them would mean filling ranks with unqualified men. So avoiding them altogether was the safest solution.

Now that he couldn't dodge anymore, Qin Feng decided to play dumb: "He mentioned you!"

At this, Li Colonel's excitement surged: "What did he say?"

Qin Feng secretly gave Li Colonel a thumbs-up, while a sly grin curled on his lips: "He said you've got strong arms, a good worker—right now the Training Ground is fencing off land, and if they need laborers, you can go help out."

Li Colonel's face twitched.

Work?

He had no time for that!

He immediately pulled out a military dispatch he'd prepared for days, slipped it secretly into Qin Feng's hand, and whispered: "Brother Qin, yesterday the Qin Family hosted a grand banquet; technically, I should've attended to offer congratulations, but official duties kept me tied up. A small gift—please accept it."

Qin Feng, right before Li Colonel's eyes, opened the dispatch and glanced at it.

Good heavens!

Three full sheets of Tianyuan Headquarters silver notes—each worth Five Ten Thousand Liang of Silver—totaling Fifteen Wan Liang!

These seemingly honest and loyal young officers had truly gone all-in for their careers!

But…

Fifteen Wan Liang of Silver, just to buy a Canjiang Appointment? Wasn't that a bit naive?

Though the Liang Emperor hadn't set a fixed number, tradition dictated that there were at most four openings for young Canjiangs.

Left Canjiang, From-Left Canjiang.

Right Canjiang, From-Right Canjiang.

The Left and Right Canjiang positions had already been pre-assigned to Xu Mo Ninghu.

As for the two "From-Participant" slots, Qin Feng hadn't yet decided on candidates—and even though he loved silver, he dared not commit such a foolish act as selling appointments for bribes.

If this ever came to light, not only would the Liang Emperor act, but even Old Qin himself would execute his own kin for the sake of justice.

The Beidi war concerns the fate of the nation—no opening must be left for political enemies!

Qin Feng stared at the Headquarters silver notes for a moment, reluctantly slipped them back into Li Colonel's hands, and put on a righteous, indignant face: "Quickly put these away, don't let anyone see!"

"I heard from Xu Mo that your father is a Palace Guard? Though his GovernmentPosition is low, he serves as the Emperor's personal bodyguard—directly connected to the Heavenly Court—and should uphold the highest integrity. Every whisper in Jingdu reaches the Emperor's ears; if he learns of this, it will drag your father down with you."

"Besides, a Palace Guard's annual salary is only One Thousand Liang of Silver—getting you a posting in Jingdu was already a favor. These Fifteen Wan Liang are surely your family's entire fortune, aren't they? Better keep them safe—if one day you can't stay in Jingdu, you'll have something to fall back on. Don't gamble everything!"

"Well… I suppose…"

Seeing Qin Feng refuse, Li Colonel did not resent him—he instead felt Qin Feng was a man of open character, and his admiration grew.

As he quietly tucked the silver notes away, he shook his head and smiled bitterly: "My father is indeed a Palace Guard—but every noble youth in Jingdu is the son of a high official; there's no comparison. I've climbed to Colonel in the City Patrol Bureau—that's already my ceiling. If I stay in Jingdu, I'll remain a Colonel for life."

Qin Feng clapped Li Colonel on the shoulder, his eyes showing genuine appreciation: "Brother, I'll say something blunt—don't take offense—you can't rely on your father! A Palace Guard has little influence. But you still made it to Colonel—that proves your own ability! When the two From-Participant slots open, go compete for them. Understood?"

With Qin Feng's words, Li Colonel gained confidence and immediately bowed: "Thank you, Young Master, for guiding me!"

Under the watchful eyes of Li Colonel and the surrounding guards, Qin Feng walked toward the City Gate with Qin Xiaofu; along the way, they encountered several more night patrol squads—all of whom let them pass without hindrance.

Qin Xiaofu, clutching the prototype, felt the scorching gazes from the guards behind him and frowned in confusion, whispering: "Master, I still don't get it. War means death—shouldn't these precious noble youths be terrified of conscription? Why are they all scrambling to get to the Front Line?"

Qin Xiaofu couldn't understand—it wasn't his fault; no one who hasn't seen a battlefield can truly grasp its brutality and its opportunities.

Qin Feng stood with his hands behind his back, pacing slowly and speaking with calm detachment:

"If you encounter a Siege Warfare or a stalemate, you can only blame your own misfortune—but in most cases, the Battle ends before you even see the enemy. Even common soldiers, risking their lives to fight the foe, can rise through ranks by means of 'scalps, ascension feats, or valor'; even being granted ten households is enough to secure lifelong benefit and blessings for descendants."

Put simply!

Noble Youth go to the Battlefield to gain prestige, paving their way for future official careers.

And common soldiers go to fight, trading their lives for the wealth and honor of their later years, lifting their Clan out of lowly status.

In any prosperous and powerful nation, soldiers never fear the Battlefield; sacrificing their blood and lives for the state is no empty phrase.

Conversely, if the world is corrupt and the court unjust, and everyone seeks only personal gain, no one will be willing to give their all on the Battlefield…