Chapter 219: First Volume_Chapter 219: A Thousand-Li Rescue

First Volume_Chapter 219: A Thousand-Li Rescue

Jing Qianying never expected Qin Feng would, in front of so many people, speak such shocking words without restraint.

She froze for a moment, then snatched up a sword scabbard and brought it down hard on the horse's rump.

The startled warhorse bolted straight ahead.

Watching Qin Feng's retreating figure, Jing Qianying shot him a fierce, contemptuous glare, yet muttered under her breath: "Only a true hero is worthy of me. Want to marry me? Defeat the Northern Di first."

Qin Feng and Ning Hu galloped onto the Official Road, leading a hundred guards, racing through the night toward Beixi County, thousands of li away.

Almost the moment Qin Feng left Beijing, Li Zhan hurried into the Imperial Study.

Just as he was about to report, the Liang Emperor cut him off: "Qin Feng Xiao'er has left the capital?"

Li Zhan was stunned, asking in disbelief: "How does Your Majesty know? Could it be that Your Majesty can foresee the future?"

The Liang Emperor held a Military Strategy in his hands, fully absorbed in studying the Defensive Counterattack plan Qin Feng had devised during the Qingyi Ceremony, and replied casually: "Foresee the future? I'd say it's only natural. Qin Feng Xiao'er has always valued his family above his own life. Now that Madam Qin is in trouble, how could that fellow not be anxious?"

"Moreover, though this fellow appears lawless and acts outrageously, he is in fact meticulous. Knowing that privately mobilizing military horses is a grave offense, he took only a hundred men to Beixi County, turning a military matter into a private one. Even if I wished to rebuke him, I would find no excuse."

Hearing this, Li Zhan looked at the Liang Emperor with nothing but admiration and awe.

As if nothing under Heaven could escape the Liang Emperor's discerning eyes.

After much hesitation, Li Zhan still ventured to ask: "Rescuing Madam Qin will inevitably involve clashing with the Northern Di. If something goes wrong, what shall we do?"

The Liang Emperor merely snorted, dismissive: "If he dies, it's his own recklessness—what has it to do with me? If he succeeds, I will pardon Madam Qin and let the Qin Family Members... reunite."

Li Zhan lowered his head slightly and flattered: "Your Majesty is right."

Beijing, Gao Fu.

A pot of fine yellow wine was brewing, steam rising, its intoxicating fragrance filling the spacious reception room.

Minister of Revenue Li Xu raised a cup of hot wine, blew on it twice, sipped lightly, his eyes full of praise: "This wine is mellow on the palate, with an endless aftertaste. Even compared to tribute vintages, it is in no way inferior. Grand Commandant, you have excellent taste."

Across from him, an Village Elder with white hair and beard, sitting as steady as an ancient bell, revealed a modest yet profound smile: "With Minister Li visiting, how could this old man neglect his duty? I heard the young master of Qin Residence left the capital last night for the Ancestral Land, and today the auspicious purple aura from the east has brought Minister Li here. What a coincidence."

Li Xu's face was full of smiles, though he understood the Grand Commandant was mocking him—only daring to show his face when Qin Feng Xiao'er was not in the capital.

Li Xu was not angered.

After all, the Grand Commandant was one of the Three Dukes, the most venerable elder in the Imperial Court. Anyone who could gain the Grand Commandant's aid would find their path at court Half the Effort, Double the Result.

Li Xu raised his Wine Cup again, his face neither flushing nor his heart racing, and said calmly: "Now, all of Shedynasty is united, with the National War as the priority. Even though we disagree with Qin Tianhu's policies, we can only temporarily avoid his edge and not interfere in military affairs. But now the Northern Di have taken an unorthodox approach, striking directly at the Qin Family Ancestral Land in Beixi County. Once Madam Qin falls into Northern Di hands, for the sake of the war situation and the Great Plan of the nation, Qin Tianhu is no longer suitable to Command this battle."

Saying this, Li Xu took a sip of wine, set down his cup, and made a show of bowing with clasped hands: "Grand Commandant, we should prioritize the Great Plan of the nation."

The implication behind these words was already very clear.

Once Madam Qin becoming a hostage of the Northern Di was confirmed, it would be the perfect opportunity to impeach Qin Tianhu!

Such a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity absolutely could not be missed!

Gao Ming had held his position at the Imperial Court for half a lifetime; such matters of gain and loss were naturally clear in his heart.

But facing Li Xu's utterly undisguised hint, Gao Ming showed little interest. With his left hand brushing his sleeve, his right hand made a gesture inviting Li Xu to drink: "Minister Li, this is not the Imperial Court. Between us, we speak only of private matters, not state affairs. Drink this yellow wine while it's hot; cold wine harms the stomach."

Regarding Gao Ming's cold response, Li Xu seemed to have anticipated it long ago, showing not the slightest surprise. He picked up his Wine Cup with a smile but did not rush to drink. Instead, he shifted the topic and said: "I heard that since your young master left Wuhu Restaurant, he has been in low spirits. Now that Qin Feng Xiao'er has left the capital, I wonder if your young master has improved?"

At these words—

Gao Ming, who had just been calm and composed, instantly stiffened.

It was true that Gao Ming ranked among the Three Dukes, but Li Xu was also a Minister of Revenue. Though their statuses differed slightly, the Authority in their hands was nearly equal. Thus, when Gao Ming mocked Li Xu for fearing Qin Feng, Li Xu immediately returned the favor, mocking Gao Ming's son for being scared out of his wits by Qin Feng.

Though Gao Ming was deeply displeased, he could not show it.

Moreover, the matter of Gao Song had always been a knot in Gao Ming's heart.

Though Gao Ming belonged to the Second Prince's faction, he had always stayed behind the scenes, never directly intervening in court struggles. On this point alone, Qin Tianhu should have been grateful.

But that rascal Qin Feng was born with a rebellious streak, ignoring everything and scaring Gao Song into a nightmare disorder, causing him to shut himself indoors for days.

Gao Ming had his son in his old age and doted on Gao Song immensely.

Though Gao Ming had never said it outright, he had long hated Qin Feng to the bone.

After a moment of silence, Gao Ming set down his Wine Cup and cupped his hands toward Li Xu: "Thank you for your concern, Minister Li. Quan Lang is fine. I suddenly recall I have some private matters to attend to and cannot keep you longer. Another day I shall visit to apologize."

Being given a dismissal by Gao Ming, Li Xu was not angered at all; instead, his heart was filled with joy.

Once Gao Ming intervened, impeaching Qin Tianhu would be as easy as water flowing into a channel!

At this time, Qin Feng was already eight hundred li from the capital.

The long journey had exhausted both men and horses; they had no choice but to rest and reorganize at the nearest County City.

Qin Feng's group rested on the spot. The one hundred and two Warhorses that had come from the capital were all left at the County Yamen. Using connections and money, they exchanged them for a fresh batch of Warhorses. At dawn the next day, they continued toward Beixi County.

Because they had to swap Horses every few hundred li, even though Qin Feng moved as quickly as possible without any delay, by the time they reached Beixi County's borders, they were still a full day past the scheduled time.

Beixi County was located in the remote Bianchui. Due to its vast, sparsely populated land and harsh climate, it was one of the most impoverished counties in Shedynasty.

Although the standoff between Shedynasty and the Northern Di had lasted a long time, with Soldiers continuously dispatched here for transit, the local garrison remained very small.

The County Soldiers in particular could barely be said to exist.

Qin Feng led his hundred guards straight to the County City Door. The lazy garrison County Soldiers only came to their senses when it was too late to stop them. They could only watch helplessly as the hundred riders, Armed to the Teeth, charged down the dilapidated Street toward the County Yamen.

Not until Qin Feng reached the County Yamen Door did the alarm bell sound throughout the County City...