Chapter 252: First Volume_Chapter 252: Bold Request

First Volume_Chapter 252: Bold Request

Qin Tianhu's brows were tightly furrowed. Though he did not rebuke him aloud, he was deeply worried in his heart.

Li Xu stepped forward directly and rebuked loudly: "How dare you! If this were so, would Beixi County not become Qin Feng's personal possession? This Shedynasty spans ten thousand li — is it not all royal land? The rules regarding the fiefs of feudal lords were abolished several hundred years ago; how could they be revived for one man alone? Moreover, Beixi County concerns the lifeblood of the nation — how could it be controlled by a single person? When that day comes, the very safety of all Shedynasty will rest on a single thought of yours. Where would that leave Shedynasty? Where would that leave the Sage?"

"I see clearly that this fellow is plainly trying to seize power!"

Once such a tall hat was placed upon him, Qin Feng's very life hung by a thread.

Though Qin Tianhu understood that Qin Feng was also acting for Shedynasty's good, this move was far too rash — it defied the great taboo under Heaven, and the slightest misstep could invite the Sage's suspicion.

Qin Tianhu dared not hesitate. He strode forward in a single step, raised his foot, and kicked Qin Feng sprawling to the ground, roaring angrily: "It is true you have performed a great feat, but if you grow arrogant because of it and need not wait for the Sage to act — your father will break your wretched legs!"

Qin Feng raised both hands, squalling and shrieking. While warding off Qin Tianhu's great foot, he wailed toward the Liang Emperor: "This humble minister only had Shedynasty's welfare at heart. If the Sage does not agree, then so be it — pretend this minister never said a word."

The Liang Emperor had already fallen into deep thought. Only after a long while did he wave his hand: "This matter shall be discussed further!"

So-called "discussed further" meant it had already been taken under consideration.

How could Li Xu let it rest? He hurriedly stepped forward to remonstrate: "Sage…"

But before the words were finished, the Liang Emperor cut him off with a cold glance: "What other matter does Lord Li have to memorialize?"

Li Xu was rendered speechless. He could only lower his head in unwillingness: "I merely ask the Sage to take care of the Dragon Body."

The Liang Emperor gave a cold snort: "This Emperor knows."

Seeing the situation, Li Zhan at the side hurriedly called out loudly: "If there are matters to memorialize, present them; if not, the court is dismissed."

Seeing that the Manchu Civil and Military made no move, the Liang Emperor rose and departed.

The originally joyous atmosphere, because of Qin Feng's final bold request, ended on a sour note.

Leaving the Grand Hall, Qin Tianhu seized Qin Feng by the back of his collar, his eyes bulging wide as if he could have eaten Qin Feng alive, and rebuked him in a low voice: "You wretched boy! You could have reaped no small benefit from your great feat, but now look — because of your words, you've greatly displeased the Sage. What possessed you?!"

Qin Feng hunched his neck, his face a picture of cowardice: "Father, loyal words grate on the ear."

Hearing this, Qin Tianhu raised a great bear-like palm and brought it down on Qin Feng's spine: "Even loyal words require method! You raised such an unreasonable demand before everyone — how could the Sage possibly agree to it?"

Just then, a Imperial Eunuch suddenly came running over in a great hurry and said softly: "Lord Qin, the Sage summons you to the Imperial Study."

Only then did Qin Tianhu release Qin Feng's collar, and jerked his chin at the Imperial Eunuch: "Lead the way."

But the Imperial Eunuch did not leave in haste; instead, his face was full of embarrassment: "The Imperial Secretariat has misunderstood. The Qin the Sage invites is the esteemed young master."

Qin Tianhu was stunned. Only then did he recall that Qin Feng had already become the Beixi County Magistrate, held an official rank, and was no longer the mere commoner he once was. His old face immediately reddened. He raised his foot and kicked Qin Feng, saying testily: "Lord Qin, if you please!"

Qin Feng scratched the back of his head, his face wreathed in apologetic smiles: "Father, I'm just a tiny County Magistrate — a mere Nine Rank sesame official — how would I dare call myself 'Lord' before you, the Imperial Secretary of the court? Besides…"

Before Qin Feng could finish his flattery, Qin Tianhu's tiger eyes were already glaring round: "Say one more word and I'll thrash you! Enough nonsense — hurry off to pay audience to the Sage, and come back to the manor early afterwards. Those three girls are waiting for you, counting the stars and the moon!"

Qin Feng clutched his head and fled toward the Imperial Study as if escaping for his life.

Upon meeting, the Sage pulled a long face and let fly a barrage of questions: "You stinking boy! If it weren't for the fact that you slew Zhong Ling and performed a great feat, just now in the Imperial Court this Emperor would truly have punished you for the crime of great disrespect. Demanding a fief before the entire Manchu Civil and Military — that's plainly asking this Emperor to sell off the ancestral estate and betray the forebears of the late Emperor!"

At these words, Qin Feng collapsed onto the ground on the spot, his face full of horror: "Sage, this humble minister is faint of heart — please don't frighten me. This humble minister only wished to solve the Sage's troubles; I never thought so deeply."

The Liang Emperor gave a light snort, his eyes bulging wide: "Don't try that trick on me! What sort of stuff you're made of — does this Emperor still not know? The three demands you raised just now, this Emperor absolutely cannot agree to any of them! Setting aside the fact that the Three Dukes would never agree — even a堂堂王爺 has no fief. What, you rank higher than a prince?"

Qin Feng lowered his head, hunched his neck, and muttered softly: "I'm just a tiny sesame official — how could I compare to a prince?"

The Liang Emperor snatched up the paperweight and hurled it at Qin Feng, saying testily: "You still dare to whine! Between sovereign and minister, we need no empty pretense. Those Three Hundred guards — granting them to you is no problem. Transporting Materials and Supplies to Beixi County, however, must be reported to the Ministry of Works. If there is nothing sensitive, this Emperor will naturally issue orders and grant you convenience. As for your wanting to inherit the Beixi County Magistrate position by heredity and control Shedynasty's gateway — I advise you to give up that notion. Even if this Emperor agreed, Heaven's reason would not!"

"However…"

The Liang Emperor suddenly shifted his tone: "This Emperor can grant you a term of ten years. If there is no grave fault, this Emperor will absolutely not interfere in Beixi's affairs. After ten years, this Emperor will look at your performance and then decide whether you stay or go."

This was already, in effect, an agreement to Qin Feng's demand.

After all, Beixi County's situation was complicated. If Qin Feng could step forward to intervene and govern it, for the Liang Emperor it would also be a matter off his mind.

How could the Liang Emperor not know what Qin Feng was thinking?

First, open with an outrageous demand — a condition he himself could never accept — then gradually pare it down. In the end, no matter what, it would meet Qin Feng's expectations.

Under this Heaven and Earth, only this stinking boy would dare to scheme against him!

The Liang Emperor shook his head and waved his great hand: "Get out! This Emperor does not wish to see you again for three days!"

Qin Feng scrambled up from the ground and ran off with a twist of his head.

Li Zhan hurriedly shouted: "Qin Feng, how dare you turn your back on the Sage — how rude!"

But Qin Feng pretended he hadn't heard, and vanished without looking back.

Li Zhan turned his head toward the Liang Emperor and said softly: "The Sage is far too indulgent with Qin Feng. Qin Feng is rude in every way — if it were anyone else, he would have died hundreds of times over."

The Liang Emperor merely gave a light snort, unimpressed: "You said it yourself — if it were anyone else. This Emperor has always been pragmatic, not given to empty gestures. If Qin Feng can, as promised, forge Beixi County into a stronghold as solid as an Iron Barrel, how would this Emperor stoop to his level? Besides, this fellow only gets cocky here in the Imperial Study; in the Imperial Court, he is quite proper and knows his place."

Leaving the Imperial Study, Qin Feng thought of the three elder sisters at home, as well as little Xiao Xiangxiang, and his heart flew homeward.

But before he had run a few steps, a thick and powerful great hand seized him by the back of his neck from behind.

Qin Feng was about to roar in anger, but the words died on his lips — he swallowed them back in fright…