Chapter 298: First Volume, Chapter 298: Rage Soars to Heaven

First Volume, Chapter 298: Rage Soars to Heaven

What?!

Qin Feng felt a sudden whirring sound in his skull.

Originally, when he led the thousand-li raid on Beixi County to rescue his mother, Cheng Shi, Qi Meng had rendered great service and fought side by side with Qin Feng through life and death.

Such a living, flesh-and-blood man… died in military death?!

This news was, to Qin Feng, no different from a thunderclap on a clear day.

Qin Feng stood with his mouth open, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

After what seemed an eternity, Qin Feng finally snapped back to himself, his voice now icy cold: "Tell me, in full detail, everything that happened in Beixi County during these days."

Though the messenger bore no responsibility for military defense, he was native to Beixi County, and it was only because of Qin Feng's arrival that the once-corrupt Beixi County had regained vitality.

The messenger naturally grieved deeply over Beixi County's devastation.

Now, sensing the blazing killing intent in Qin Feng's gaze, he felt no fear whatsoever—only intense excitement!

For he knew clearly that Qin Feng would never let this go; he would surely seek justice for the soldiers and civilians who died in Beixi County.

According to the messenger's account, Qin Feng gradually learned the full picture of the battle, his fist clenching tightly, then relaxing slowly, then clenching again.

For the first time in his life, Qin Feng felt such heart-wrenching anguish, such furious rage!

"Had the Beidi War Intelligence not been delayed, Beixi County would never have suffered mass slaughter, and Qi Meng would never have died in military death!"

Qin Feng's face turned ashen, wishing he could sprout wings and fly straight to Beixi County right now.

But official duties bound him—he could only crush this hatred deep into his heart.

Qin Feng stared at the messenger before him, each word deliberate: "What is your name?"

The messenger knew Qin Feng would not punish him, but the boundless fury hidden in those eyes still made him tremble: "Your servant's name is Zhao Cheng."

Qin Feng nodded: "You need not rush back to Beixi County. I will send guards to escort you to Tianji Camp to meet my second sister, Liu Hongyan. From this moment on, you are appointed Yizhan Chief of Beixi County, fully responsible for all station affairs. From the day you return to Beixi County, train one thousand fast horses and expand the messenger corps to five hundred men—all expenses may be reimbursed by my second sister!"

"Should there be any further delays in communication between Beixi County and Jingdu, I hold you solely accountable!"

Zhao Cheng's eyes blazed with fervor; he immediately knelt on one knee: "Your servant will not fail your great trust!"

After dismissing Zhao Cheng, Qin Feng did not hurry to Dali Temple—he called Qin Xiaofu to his side.

Qin Xiaofu had never seen Qin Feng so serious; he dared not joke even slightly, lowering his head in nervous restraint.

Qin Feng had originally intended to build Beixi County step by step, solidly and steadily.

But today's terrible news proved that some people were eager to witness the instant devastation of Beixi County.

In times of crisis, extraordinary measures!

Qin Feng said grimly: "Qin Xiaofu, go notify Ning Hu. Have him gather one hundred guards and prepare to escort the Engineering Team to Beixi County!"

Upon hearing the term "Engineering Team," Qin Xiaofu looked utterly confused: "Master, what is the Engineering Team?"

Qin Feng had no patience for roundaboutness: "Lu Ming is chief of the Engineering Team. Draw five hundred craftsmen from Tianji Camp, covering all trades. Lightly equipped, list all required tools and building materials. Upon arrival at the local Zhou Fu, procure them on-site."

"I have already handed the Beixi County planning blueprint to Lin Quqi. Tell Lu Ming to begin construction according to the blueprint."

"Also… on the way to Beixi County, have Ning Hu hire civilian laborers along the route. Anyone willing to enlist and join the ranks in Beixi County shall receive superior treatment! There is no limit to the number—recruit as many as you can."

Qin Xiaofu did not dare delay; he rushed off toward Tianji Camp with Qin Feng's military order.

After giving his orders, Qin Feng did not board his carriage—he walked on foot toward Dali Temple, his face still grim, issuing a new command every few steps.

By the time he reached the gates of Dali Temple, only a dozen guards remained beside him.

Standing outside Dali Temple, before several officials, Qin Feng gave his final order without hesitation: "Go find my elder sister, Shen Qingci. Organize fifty merchant caravans, each with ten to twenty men. Procure iron, copper, hemp, oil, and ox sinew—all at prices ten percent above market rate. Transport all acquired materials directly to Beixi County."

Under the astonished stares of the officials, Qin Feng stepped without delay into Dali Temple.

Because the Pingyao County case involved one of the Three Dukes.

Dali Temple dared not delay a moment—it was the Chief of Dali Temple himself who met Qin Feng.

The handover of stolen goods and charges proceeded with extraordinary ease, taking less than two hours.

As for when to interrogate Gao Ming.

And how to convict him.

Such matters were no longer Qin Feng's concern—he might only serve as a witness later.

When Qin Feng stepped out of Dali Temple, daylight still lingered; he did not hurry home but headed straight for the Ministry of Personnel.

Minister of Personnel Wu Mian seemed to have anticipated Qin Feng's arrival and had been waiting long.

The moment Qin Feng stepped through the Door, Wu Mian immediately handed him a list.

The Pingyao County case had become the final straw that broke Gao Ming's back.

The official document from Dali Temple was merely a matter of time.

With Gao Ming removed as an obstacle, Wu Mian had no further reservations—he spoke plainly: "All personnel movements in Jingdu this month are recorded. Whatever you wish to investigate, examine the records yourself."

On the way here, Qin Feng had expected to spend considerable effort persuading him.

He had never imagined Wu Mian would be so open.

Taking the list, Qin Feng scanned it from start to finish—he now understood.

All Jingdu officials, whether traveling for private or official business, must register their entries and exits with the Ministry of Personnel.

According to the personnel movement records, only seven or eight officials had left Jingdu recently for official duties—and among them, only one had traveled near Fuyun County.

That man was Sun Feng, Ministry of Works Director.

Fuyun County lies west of Jingdu, guarding a critical pass—all merchant caravans and messenger corps must pass through Fuyun County.

The Fuyun County Yizhan is also the mandatory stop for messengers to change horses and rest.

The Beixi messenger's murder was linked to this—Qin Feng could think of no other reason…

Qin Feng silently memorized the name, then bowed to Wu Mian: "Thank you, Minister, for your cooperation."

Unbeknownst to him, Wu Mian's face remained calm, but his heart was filled with unease.

After all…

The Beixi County Battle has spread among the officials of Jingdu.

Even if just a Tianji Camp Guard dies, Qin Feng holds a Military Funeral, causing a citywide uproar.

Now that Qi Meng, captain of the Tianji Camp, has suffered Military Death, won't Qin Feng turn the city upside down?

At this critical moment, Wu Mian has no intention of provoking bad luck.

Wu Mian said nothing more, merely gestured "after you," signaling Qin Feng to proceed as he wished.

As Qin Feng stepped out of the Ministry of Personnel's Door, his roar echoed down the Street: "Bring that dog Sun Feng to the Tianji Camp!!!"

Since the Young Master gave his order, the Tianji Camp Guards had no hesitation—they followed it without delay.

The Tianji Camp Guards had barely left when a sharp cry came from behind.

"Qin Feng, calm down!"

"Don't turn small matters into big ones, or make big ones uncontrollable!"