Chapter 328

First Volume, Chapter 328: Light or Heavy

The Liang Emperor pondered for a moment, immediately adopting the ministers' advice, yet gave no direct response—instead he asked, "Do you all feel this matter is of grave importance? If so, I must treat it with exceptional seriousness."

Li Xu's expression changed.

Exceptional seriousness?!

In other words, just moments ago, the Liang Emperor hadn't taken this matter seriously at all—he merely saw it as a means to extract money; as long as everyone paid up and helped Changping County through its crisis, all would be well and no one would suffer.

Under the ministers' fierce pleading, a minor issue became major, and a major issue turned into disaster?

Li Xu swallowed hard, his voice tense: "Your Majesty, there's truly no need to dwell on this matter. The officials in Jingzhong are all incorruptible, their families strictly disciplined. As Qin Feng said, even if we investigate, we'll find nothing. We stand upright—our shadows don't crook—why should we care?"

The Liang Emperor's eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on Li Xu, his tone clearly displeased: "Minister Li, one moment you urge me to take this seriously, the next you say it's not worth worrying about—do you mean to mock me?"

Li Xu's back turned cold; he dropped to his knees with a thud, crying out: "Even if I had a hundred lives, I would never dare deceive Your Majesty!"

At that moment, a faint "pfft" sound came from the side.

Li Xu's peripheral vision caught Qin Feng barely holding back a laugh, on the verge of bursting.

Li Xu gritted his teeth in fury, yet had no recourse.

Qin Feng found it amusing: since Gao Ming's fall and the Second Prince's retreat into the Hou Gong, the latter had grown even more reclusive, leaving Li Xu without a patron—utterly lost, disoriented.

Qin Feng had already made his meaning crystal clear, offering the ministers a graceful exit—but Li Xu and his faction had charged straight ahead, smashing their heads bloody against the wall.

Served right!

The officials standing at the rear watched Qin Feng stroll boldly through the Grand Hall, grinning slyly, while Li Xu knelt on the floor, silent as a stone.

All felt a deep sense of awe.

In this Grand Hall, ability matters—but what matters most is reading the Emperor's mind.

Grieve when the Liang Emperor grieves; rejoice when he rejoices.

If you fail to understand what the Liang Emperor truly thinks, this is your fate!

Qin Feng, a mere Ten-House Officer, stands tall and proud, while the Minister of State, the pinnacle of power, kneels before him, head bowed.

The most crucial point!

If Qin Feng merely read the Emperor's mind but was morally corrupt, he'd be nothing but a sycophantic corruption—enjoying fleeting power, destined to be cast aside.

Yet…

Qin Feng understands the Emperor's mind, yet devotes himself entirely to the prosperity of Shedynasty; he commands only a small force of Elite Troops, and has poured all his strength into confronting the Di—posing virtually zero threat to the Liang Emperor.

Combined, these three factors have rendered Qin Feng's position as solid as a rock, unshakable.

Especially the Hubei Party officials, who now felt unprecedented pressure, their regard for Qin Feng reaching unprecedented heights.

All present were Third Rank officials—Shedynasty's most trusted ministers.

Yet facing a mere Ten-House Officer, they felt as if confronting a mortal enemy—utterly unbelievable.

Sensing the strange stares converging on him from all sides, Qin Feng found it laughable.

These so-called ministers had all fixed their attention on him.

Shouldn't they be focusing entirely on the Liang Emperor at this moment?

Qin Feng looked up decisively at the Liang Emperor and grinned.

That grin made the Liang Emperor frown, shooting Qin Feng a glare—as if to say: This is the court, a solemn place—don't you dare overstep.

Qin Tianhu remained expressionless, yet absorbed every glance exchanged between Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "Of all the Civil and Military Ministers in this Grand Hall, only Feng'er has truly grasped the Emperor's mind."

At this moment, Qin Tianhu finally understood.

The Liang Emperor summoned Qin Feng to court never intended to dump Changping County's mess directly onto him.

After all, comparing the two, Beixi County's situation was far more critical.

Changping County was like lice—too many to care about.

Beixi County, however, was the first battlefield of the National War—transformed from a disposable bait into a strategic high ground.

How could the Liang Emperor afford to neglect one for the other and invite trouble?

Qin Feng's sole role was to stage a performance with the Liang Emperor—to devise a way to secure the relief funds.

The proof? The Emperor and minister's acting had reached a masterful level.

The Liang Emperor feigned deep thought, sighed heavily, then passed the decision back to his ministers: "I am no autocrat—especially here in court, I must hear your counsel. So, regarding the Zhengyi of Jingzhong's official conduct—do you recommend a thorough investigation or a light one?"

Every official in the Grand Hall, regardless of faction, spoke in unison: "A trivial matter, unworthy of notice! Your Majesty must prioritize state affairs—do not let this distract you."

Ministers who had long been locked in secret rivalries and factional warfare had, for this "trivial matter," united in unprecedented harmony.

The Liang Emperor didn't know whether to be pleased or furious.

He immediately declared: "Then let Qin Feng handle the Zhengyi of official conduct and the relief efforts for Changping County."

Qin Feng feigned reluctance: "Such a heavy burden—how could this humble one possibly bear it?"

The Liang Emperor didn't even glance at Qin Feng—he gave Li Zhan a signal, then announced the court's dismissal and walked out without looking back.

Qin Feng, as always, took advantage and pretended to complain: "Beixi County's affairs alone are enough to give me headaches—now Your Majesty entrusts me with such an important task? Alas, why is my fate so bitter?"

Had it not been for their status, the Civil and Military Ministers would have mobbed Qin Feng on the spot.

What a piece of trash!

Especially Qin Family's political enemies—they felt as if they'd swallowed a fly.

Entrusting this matter to Qin Feng meant he'd extort them mercilessly—lighter outcome: bleed a little; heavier: break bones.

Yet they could only let Qin Feng take it—any other official would face factional retaliation and ruin their career.

As the saying goes: Two Harmful Weights Choose the Lighter…

Qin Feng suppressed his joy—through this Zhengyi of official conduct, he'd surely enrich himself handsomely.

Then, when reporting to the Emperor, he'd split the officials' money three-seven—return the Nobles' money in full…

On the way out of the Grand Hall, Qin Feng hurried a few steps, afraid of being caught by Old Qin, who would inevitably beat him up again.

But he was still a step too slow—he was grabbed by the back of his spine.

Feeling the heavy hand on his back, Qin Feng instinctively shrank his neck, thinking it was Old Qin, but when he turned his head, a familiar face came into view.

Ji Wang.

Qin Feng was greatly surprised: "Your Royal Highness, what do you mean by this?"