Chapter 25

First Volume, Chapter 25: Indirect Approach

Seeing Qin Feng's evasive, guilty gaze, Li Zhan knew the brat was up to no good again.

Li Zhan didn't press further; as they walked, he spoke casually: "Young Master Qin, entering the palace for the first time, you must understand the rules. How you behave outside is no concern, but if you act this way before the Emperor, it won't just cost you your life—your entire Qin family will be implicated."

Qin Feng already knew all this without Li Zhan saying it, but this old man was the Emperor's close minister, the only person in Jingdu who could "reach the Heavenly Court"—he'd surely be useful again, so the relationship had to be nurtured.

Qin Feng rubbed his hands, beaming with obsequious flattery: "Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong is right—I'll surely keep it in mind."

Right before the entire Imperial Guard, Qin Feng unhesitatingly threw an arm around Li Zhan, nearly giving the old man a heart attack.

Qin Feng didn't care; he lied with no conscience: "In my whole life, the only person I truly admire is you, Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong. If it weren't for the need to carry on the Qin family line, I'd have cut myself already."

Li Zhan was both angry and amused—never before had he encountered such shameless flattery. Just as he moved to push Qin Feng away, he felt something stuffed into his chest. He looked down: a thick stack of silver notes.

Li Zhan froze for a moment, then chuckled as he pushed Qin Feng off, casually adjusting his robe, and smiled lightly: "I was worried you didn't understand palace etiquette and might offend the Emperor, bringing death upon yourself. Now I see I was mistaken. Young Master Qin clearly understands the rules very well."

Qin Feng and Li Zhan's relationship warmed at an astonishing pace—even the Commander of the Imperial Guard accompanying them found it unbelievable.

Still, Qin Feng didn't change his tone; he kept calling Li Zhan "Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong," and Li Zhan didn't mind, chatting warmly with him.

Suddenly, Qin Feng bared his teeth in a snarl: "That Zhao Zhangfu dared to offend me? He's like hanging a lantern in a latrine—looking for shit! Just wait—I'll open my wine house, and in a few days I'll drive Zui Xian Lou out of business. Then I'll kick Zhao Zhangfu's ass hard."

At this, Qin Feng's expression flipped a full 180 degrees; he beamed at Li Zhan with sugary charm: "When that happens, Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong, your drinks will be 10% off."

Ten percent off… Li Zhan laughed. If he wanted, every wine house and restaurant in Jingdu would beg to serve him. This kid didn't flinch when bribing—but the moment business was involved, he turned into a miser.

Still, Qin Feng openly declaring he'd make Zhao Zhangfu pay in front of so many Imperial Guards troubled Li Zhan.

After all, Zui Xian Lou's biggest backer was the Second Prince—and the fact that the Second Prince could privately command the Imperial Guard spoke volumes. Without doubt, within one Envoy, this would reach the Second Prince's ears.

Li Zhan feigned calm: "Big businesses in Jingdu always have tangled interests. Zui Xian Lou, as the capital's largest wine house, isn't so easily driven out of business."

Qin Feng understood perfectly—Li Zhan was warning him to stop there, not to touch the Second Prince's interests, or he'd invite death.

Qin Feng shifted tone, striking a clumsy boxing stance and swinging his fists through the air: "And those damned North Di Barbarians—dare not face our Great Liang armies head-on, only skulking around stealing chickens and dogs. Don't let me catch them—I'll use my military fist technique and punch the North Di Emperor's head into a fart."

At this, Li Zhan couldn't help laughing: "Young Master Qin's willingness to serve Great Liang is admirable, but the opportunity is likely slim."

Qin Feng snorted dismissively: "Don't worry—my old man is pushing hard for an expedition. In a few days, I'll…"

Before Qin Feng could finish, Li Zhan cleared his throat sharply, cutting him off, signaling him to stop speaking recklessly, and urged him to hurry into the palace before the Emperor grew angry.

Unbeknownst to Li Zhan, Qin Feng had observed every reaction. There were definitely the Second Prince's spies among these Imperial Guards. Li Zhan's extreme caution regarding military action made it obvious—he feared the words reaching the Second Prince. Thus, the Second Prince favored peace.

Combined with Zhao Zhangfu of Zui Xian Lou deliberately siding against Qin Feng…

Even a fool could see: the Second Prince and the Ministry of Revenue were cut from the same cloth.

Seeing Li Zhan didn't want to discuss "military action" further, Qin Feng smiled inwardly. Those ten thousand liang of silver weren't so easy to take. He straightened his back, stuck out his waist, marched with arrogant strides, and shouted loudly: "Hey, why should I care so much? Whether we launch an expedition or not—it's the Emperor's decision, isn't it?"

Li Zhan had no desire to engage Qin Feng, but feared this brat might blurt out something shocking, so he endured: "As the saying goes, grain and forage must precede troops. How easy is it to launch an expedition? The National Treasury's financial problems alone are a major headache."

At this, Qin Feng finally understood.

The Liang Emperor certainly wanted to launch an expedition to assert Great Liang's prestige, but years of North Di ambushes, coupled with underdeveloped productivity and fiscal income dependent on Old Heaven's mercy, had left Great Liang outwardly strong but inwardly hollow—the National Treasury could no longer support a large-scale military campaign.

Thus, when the Liang Emperor summoned Qin Feng, it wasn't merely to reward him for the Illustrated Military Strategy—he likely wanted to see whether Qin Feng had any unusual insights on the National Treasury's financial crisis.

Qin Feng vaguely realized the true advocate for war wasn't his father Qin Tianhu, but the Liang Emperor himself. After all, the court's prevailing mood was peace, and with national strength declining, even the Emperor's resolve for war had likely wavered. He now urgently needed someone to strengthen his conviction.

Once Qin Tianhu—the last "justification"—vanished, even if the Liang Emperor truly wanted to wage war, he'd likely retreat under the dual pressures of politics and national weakness.

Qin Feng's assassination attempt was almost certainly tied to this.

With these thoughts clear, Qin Feng felt confident. He stopped talking, hummed a tune, and strode boldly through the Palace Gate under the escort of the Imperial Guard.

Li Zhan had warned Qin Feng more than once: walk with restraint, don't be so arrogant!

Qin Feng ignored him completely, instinctively putting his hands in his pockets—then realized his robe had no pockets, so he casually lifted his robe and shoved both hands into his waistband, adopting the posture of a hired thug.

Since the founding of Great Liang, no one had ever approached the Emperor in such a manner. Li Rui thought Qin Feng was either truly mad or actively seeking death.

But once he delivered Qin Feng to the Imperial Study, Li Zhan's duty was done—Qin Feng's fate was none of his concern.