Chapter 301: First Volume, Chapter 301: Not Executed, But Rewarded

First Volume, Chapter 301: Not Executed, But Rewarded

Meanwhile, the Ministry of War's Assistant Secretary and the City Patrol Bureau's Colonel walked side by side toward the Ministry of War, chatting and laughing, utterly unlike the deadly tension they had shown earlier.

The City Patrol Bureau's Colonel shook his head with a bitter smile: "Assistant Secretary, if you hadn't arrived in time, I truly wouldn't have found a good excuse to let the Tianji Camp Guards leave."

The Ministry of War's Assistant Secretary shrugged: "My lord long anticipated that pulling one hair would move the whole body—every department in the city would be forced to unite in action, so he stepped in to mediate. Any trouble that follows? The Ministry of War will bear it."

Hearing this, the City Patrol Bureau's Colonel lowered his voice and asked quietly: "Aren't you afraid the Emperor will fly into a rage?"

The Ministry of War's Assistant Secretary snorted: "You don't understand! My lord has served the Sage for years—he knows perfectly well what he can and cannot do."

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

The Minister of Works knelt on the ground, loudly denouncing Qin Feng's heinous crimes.

Yet the Liang Emperor didn't even lift his head—he was writing something on an Imperial Edict, occasionally murmuring absentmindedly, "Oh, is that so? I see."

Finally, the Liang Emperor handed the Imperial Edict to Li Zhan: "Is the messenger from Beixi County still at the Tianji Camp?"

Li Zhan smiled obsequiously: "He is."

The Liang Emperor nodded: "Good. That saves effort. Have that messenger take this Edict back to Beixi County. Appoint Lin Quqi as County Magistrate of Beixi County. Strip Qin Feng of his magistracy and demote him to Ten Households."

Upon hearing "Ten Households," Li Zhan nearly laughed out loud: "Your Majesty, Ten Households? That's the lowest rank of noble title!"

In the Liang Kingdom's noble ranks, beyond Wang, Gong, Hou, Bo, Zi, and Nan, what remains are Wan Household Marquis, Battalion Commander Marquis, Hundred Household Marquis, Ten Household…

Ten Household is technically a noble title, but it hardly deserves the word "Marquis."

Hence, it is simply called Ten Household.

The Liang Emperor snorted irritably: "That fellow, emboldened by his achievements, has been arresting people in Jingdu with his troops. I haven't exterminated his Nine Clans—that's already leniency! What, does he dare complain about being granted Ten Household?"

The kneeling Minister of Works stared in shock.

Wait…

So, Qin Feng committed a crime so grave he deserved death—and instead of executing him, you're rewarding him?

Ten Household… is still a Marquis!

Don't treat a bean bun as if it's not real food!

The Liang Emperor seemed to have already forgotten the Minister of Works. He narrowed his eyes and sighed: "Even I didn't expect that Beixi, a miserable backwater town, could hold out against ten thousand Northern Di troops. Most crucially, the commander was Chen Si."

Li Zhan quickly chimed in: "In reputation, Chen Si is equal to Zhong Ling. In rank, Chen Si is Deputy General, while Zhong Ling is only a Tooth General… Moreover, Zhong Ling excels in ambushes and hit-and-run tactics, but Chen Si is the left and right arm of the Northern Di Vanguard Commander—he commands with divine brilliance."

The Liang Emperor nodded, a rare look of admiration in his eyes: "Beixi County, the poorest town in the region, first killed Zhong Ling, then forced Chen Si to retreat without glory—it has greatly uplifted the prestige of Shedynasty! In half a year at most, three months at least, the Northern Di will make no further major moves, granting us precious time to prepare."

"Besides appointing Lin Quqi as County Magistrate and Qin Feng as Ten Household, exempt Beixi County from land taxes for three years."

Li Zhan immediately fawned: "Your Majesty is wise."

The Liang Emperor was about to resume reviewing Imperial Memorials when his peripheral vision caught the Minister of Works still kneeling. He remembered Qin Feng's disturbance in the capital and waved him off: "You may leave. Qin Feng's offenses will be dealt with by Dali Temple."

The Minister of Works looked as if he'd seen a ghost, but had no recourse—he could only sullenly withdraw…

At this moment, the Tianji Camp was surrounded like an iron barrel.

The Commander of Longhu Army sat atop his horse, bellowing into the camp: "Qin Feng Xiao'er, open the Camp Gate and surrender! If we break through, we'll execute you on the spot!"

Qin Feng had already collapsed onto his Reclining Chair, swaying gently, holding a Teapot in his left hand, sipping from its spout, ignoring the Longhu Army's shouts.

Seeing Xie Yun'er standing beside him, no longer trembling as before, Qin Feng grew curious: "Why haven't you left yet?"

Xie Yun'er lifted her chin and sniffed: "I come when I please, I stay when I please—what's it to you?"

Qin Feng smirked irritably: "My crimes are enough for Nine Clans Extermination! Aren't you afraid you'll get burned along with us and drag your Xie Family down too?"

Xie Yun'er glared: "Stop talking! Since I'm betrothed to the Qin Family, I stand with the Qin Family. If you dislike me, leave."

Seeing Xie Yun'er act so out of character, Qin Feng felt uneasy—had this woman been kicked in the head by a donkey? Or had Second Sister enlightened her?

Fine then!

Since Xiao Xiangxiang isn't around, I need someone to serve me.

Qin Feng slapped his thigh and said carelessly: "Come on, rub my legs."

Xie Yun'er pulled a Whip from her waist and sneered: "I say, let me loosen your bones instead."

Qin Feng scrambled backward, too frightened to dare speak again.

Just then, Wu Wei returned.

"Young Master, Sun Feng has confessed."

Qin Feng stretched lazily, half-listening: "Took you this long to break Sun Feng? Your interrogation skills are still lacking—you'll need more practice. Battlefield conditions change in an instant—the sooner you get military intelligence, the better."

Wu Wei frowned slightly: "Aren't you going to ask who ordered Sun Feng?"

Qin Feng shrugged, as if it were obvious: "Who else but Gao Ming?"

Wu Wei's eyes darkened: "Not Gao Ming. It was… Lin Taibao."

Upon hearing "Lin Taibao," Qin Feng spat out the tea he'd just swallowed, leapt to his feet, realized he'd lost dignity, sat back down, and feigned calm: "That's unexpected—it's that old ass."

Qin Feng had just publicly called Lin Taibao "old ass."

Xie Yun'er slapped him hard on the back of the head and snapped: "Watch your tongue!"

Qin Feng clutched his head, grimacing—just as he was about to lash out, he heard the Whip in Xie Yun'er's hand snap sharply, and instantly cowered, forcing a smile as if nothing had happened.

Wu Wei, still haunted by Qi Meng's death, learned that Lin Taibao was the one responsible—his spirits plunged: "Young Master, while both Lin Taibao and Gao Ming hold positions among the Three Dukes, yet…"

Before Wu Wei could finish, Qin Feng narrowed his eyes and waved him off: "I know. Lin Taibao is a Powerful Clan—how could he compare to Gao Ming? But it's nothing to fear. Last time I beat his grandson black and blue, that old ass—ahem, that old Taibao—didn't even make a sound."

"I will avenge Qi Meng's injustice!"

Hearing this, Wu Wei felt reassured—he knew he had not followed the wrong man.

He immediately asked: "Young Master, what should be done with that dog Sun Feng?"

Qin Feng waved his hand, blunt and decisive: "Cut off his limbs and throw him out."