Chapter 278: First Volume_Chapter 278 Bad News in Succession

First Volume_Chapter 278 Bad News in Succession

The second letter came from the convoy.

The first convoy carrying grain and weapons had already reached Chengzhang County; by fast horse, it was only two days' journey away, but the convoy moved slowly, so it would take another ten days or so to arrive at Beixi County.

The third letter was the reply to the earlier Beidi War Mobilization—just as expected, the Piaoqi, Cheqi, and Border Army factions all refused Qin Feng's request in unison, claiming under the guise of "a major enemy looming, no troops may be moved arbitrarily."

In plain terms, they were treating Beixi County as cannon fodder.

What impact Beixi County's fall might have on Qin Feng—what did that matter to them?

All three letters in succession were bad news.

Qin Feng stared at the last letter in his hand, hesitating for a long time before finally summoning the courage to open it; upon reading its contents, he let out a bitter laugh.

Qin Tianhu furrowed his brow slightly: "Is it bad news too?"

Seeing Qin Feng shake his head, Qin Tianhu exhaled in relief: "Finally, some good news."

But Qin Feng's laugh grew even more bitter: "Not bad news—worse. It's a death knell."

"Father, are you aware of the Pingyao County case?"

At these words, Qin Tianhu's expression turned grave: "Just this morning at Early Court, the Emperor mentioned it—Pingyao County has appointed three County Magistrates in barely a year. The first died suddenly after less than half a month on the job, struck down by a vile illness. The second drowned after falling into a canal while inspecting irrigation. The third was murdered by mountain bandits en route to take office."

"Even the Emperor wonders: how could such a small county be so deadly?"

Since even the Emperor had brought it up, Qin Feng's letter was no surprise.

Qin Feng immediately handed the letter to Qin Tianhu: "This came from the Ministry of Personnel—they're about to assign me, and they're giving me advance notice."

Hearing this, Qin Tianhu took the envelope and asked casually: "Another County Magistrate appointment?"

Qin Feng gave another bitter laugh: "Not this time. They're sending me to Pingyao County to collect grain tax. Since the County Magistrate has failed to take office for two years straight, Pingyao County hasn't paid grain tax in that time—so Gao Ming advised the Emperor to send me to inspect the situation."

Qin Tianhu glanced at the letter, then tossed it aside, his eyes flickering with helplessness: "Beixi County's war is dire—Northern Di forces haven't given up and could launch a major attack at any moment. You should be stationed in Jingdu, ready to coordinate at all times. Yet now, at this critical deadline, they're sending you to Pingyao County to inspect—it's clearly Grand Commandant Gao sabotaging your command."

The hidden motives weren't hard to guess.

In the past, Qin Feng would have rushed to the Imperial Audience and refused outright to leave Jingdu.

But this time, things were different.

Pingyao County isn't far from Jingdu—a round trip takes only two days—and the mission is merely to inspect grain tax records. This easy task gives Qin Feng no valid reason, morally, legally, publicly, or privately, to refuse.

Moreover, this order came directly from the Emperor, after Gao Ming had petitioned him.

Qin Tianhu pondered for a moment, then nodded: "The more reasonable something seems, the harder it is to refuse. You'll have to go to Pingyao County—three to five days at the shortest, six to seven at most, then return. But I must warn you: the Official Road to Pingyao passes through Fuyun County."

"Last time you beat Li Lang half to death, you made an enemy of Prince Ming. Stay alert on the road—avoid him if you can. As for Beixi County's situation, I'll have the Ministry of War secure all the Yizhan along the route; if you encounter any messengers from Beixi County, intercept their Beixi County War Report and deliver it directly to Pingyao County."

With Qin Tianhu's words, Qin Feng felt reassured and no longer hesitated—he turned and left.

Leaving the Book Room, Qin Feng did not head straight to Tianji Camp; instead, he went to the Back Courtyard to find Fourth Sister Jing Qianying.

He told her everything truthfully and asked her to accompany him.

Qin Feng wasn't afraid of Prince Ming's family—he feared the hidden Fourth Elder Jin. If they met, Shu Feng's fists and feet stood no chance.

Jing Qianying closed her eyes calmly, seated in quiet meditation for a long while before finally saying: "If you can afford the fee, I'll go with you."

Of course!

In Fourth Sister's eyes, only silver mattered now!

For his own life, Qin Feng had no choice but to agree; after intense haggling, they settled on a fee: Five Thousand Liang for the round trip.

So damn steep!

After meticulous preparation, a convoy of three horses set out through the City Gate, traveling along the flat Official Road toward Pingyao County.

Besides Jing Qianying, Qin Feng also brought along Liu Hongyan and Shen Qingci.

Liu Hongyan managed all accounts for the Qin Residence and Tianji Camp; though not a brilliant merchant, her financial accounting skills far surpassed Qin Feng's.

Qin Feng suspected that the three dead County Magistrates of Pingyao County hid some secret—and that secret was almost certainly tied to the county's finances.

As for Shen Qingci, she was simply going out for a breath of fresh air.

Shen Qingci herself had forgotten when she'd last left Beijing—this was a perfect chance to get out and wander.

Thus, aside from Qin Tianhu,

Qin Feng had brought nearly all his family along.

Three sisters, two personal maid attendants, one sycophantic servant.

At Qin Feng's strong insistence, he and his three sisters rode in the lead carriage; Shu Feng and Xiao Xiangxiang rode in the middle carriage; Qin Xiaofu dragged all the daily supplies and materials, driving the rear carriage alone.

Listening to the chatter and laughter from the first two carriages, Qin Xiaofu scowled, muttering under his breath: "This isn't a mission—it's a picnic!"

Though the war in Beixi County constantly weighed on Qin Feng's mind,

yet…

As the fragrance in the carriage filled his senses and the three celestial-immortal-like sisters surrounded him, Qin Feng instantly forgot the war, stretched his arms wide, and leaned back with a sigh.

He assumed at least one of the sisters would catch him.

Instead,

Thud.

A dull thump—Qin Feng's head slammed into the carriage wall; he rolled around in pain: "Sisters, you're heartless! Couldn't you at least catch me? If I break my neck, how will you explain it to Father?"

Shen Qingci recalled that night at Qingya Pavilion, wrestling with Qin Feng until dawn, and blushed: "Catch you? Why didn't you just die? Be still! This carriage is already cramped—if you thrash around, I'll kick you out."

Watching Qin Feng's pitiful expression, Liu Hongyan burst out laughing, reaching out to pat the back of his head: "You can't sit still for a second! You're Commander of Tianji Camp and County Magistrate of Beixi—holding two key posts—and still you act like a child. Hehe, if Elder Third were here, you'd get a proper scolding."

Hearing this, Qin Feng perked up: "Second Sister, you seem to know Elder Third pretty well?"