Chapter 330

First Volume, Chapter 330: Open the Roof and Speak Plainly

Not long ago, how illustrious was Li Xu in this capital?

He held the post of Minister of Revenue, controlling the empire's financial power, with Grand Commandant Gao Ming and the Second Prince as his backing.

Not only did civil and military officials defer to him, but even the Liang Emperor regarded Li Xu as a trusted pillar, consulting him on all matters of state.

Looking back on the past.

Ever since Qin Feng this brat "fell into the water" and damaged his brain, the winds in the capital gradually shifted.

First, Qin Feng gained the Liang Emperor's attention through clever inventions.

Then, with his almost monstrous talent for amassing wealth, he gradually replaced Li Xu's importance.

To the point that now, the Liang Emperor sees only Qin Feng Xiao'er.

Today in the Imperial Court, could Li Xu not feel the Liang Emperor's contempt and disdain in his gaze?

When the rabbits are dead, the hunting dogs are cooked; when the birds are gone, the fine bow is put away.

Even Grand Commandant Gao Ming, once he stumbled, became a eternal regret—how much more so Li Xu?

Li Xu's mood grew heavier, especially seeing Qin Feng's brazen arrogance, leaving him gloomy and despondent—beneath all the glory lay nothing but scattered feathers and chaos!

Li Xu had already sensed, faintly but surely, that his official career was nearing its end.

With Gao Ming's fall, the Hubei Party lost its patron and its strength was severely diminished.

Qin Tianhu had gone ten consecutive days without any dispute with Li Xu in the Imperial Court.

It was not reconciliation or peace, but because Qin Tianhu no longer regarded Li Xu as worthy of notice.

Leaving the Imperial Palace, on the way back to his mansion, Li Xu did not ride in a carriage but walked side by side with Qin Feng, hands behind his back, his face expressionless.

After walking a long while, Li Xu finally glanced at Qin Feng with the corner of his eye.

Once they entered the mansion, this brat would take a feather and treat it as an imperial edict, surely turning the household upside down, sending chickens flying and dogs barking.

Even the smallest trivial matter would be blown out of proportion and whispered into the Liang Emperor's ear.

Given Li Xu's current position, even the most insignificant flaw would be magnified infinitely into an unforgivable crime.

Ah!

Li Xu sighed deeply, utterly unable to fathom how he had come to this pass.

At that moment, Qin Feng's carefree voice suddenly came from his side.

"Uncle Li, you've been a veteran of the capital—you must know every official, top to bottom, as if counting your own fingers. May this humble nephew ask: what is your opinion of Minister Lin?"

Humble nephew?!

Qin Feng called himself humble nephew?

Li Xu was caught off guard, secretly wondering if this brat was mocking him—but Qin Feng's tone held no trace of sarcasm, even revealing a hint of sincerity.

Li Xu could not fathom Qin Feng's intentions, so he gave up trying and blurted out: "Minister Lin holds the highest rank, yet he has always been low-key, cautious in speech and conduct, never making enemies in court, deeply trusted by the Emperor and revered by senior officials."

Hearing Li Xu's evaluation of Minister Lin, Qin Feng turned his head and blinked: "Uncle Li, do you yourself believe what you just said?"

"We've been outmaneuvering each other for years—we know each other's depths. There's no one nearby. Why don't we, for once, speak from the heart?"

In the past, Li Xu would have swept away in anger, too lazy to waste words on Qin Feng.

But today, Qin Feng is no longer the same naive youth.

After much hesitation, Li Xu sighed deeply and said gravely: "Ever since the court erupted in fierce factional strife over the National War, Minister Lin has claimed illness and remained bedridden, not attending court for months. Yet the Emperor shows no concern—and if even the Emperor is indifferent, how much more so the civil and military officials?"

Though Li Xu's words were restrained, the meaning was clear.

Even the Emperor fears Minister Lin, dare not challenge him openly; court officials can only pretend "reverence" while actually cowering in fear.

Though the Ministry of Revenue disagrees with the Ministry of War, it is not allied with Minister Lin, so there's no need to defend him.

After learning Li Xu's attitude toward Lin Tianbao, Qin Feng changed tack and asked: "Do you know why Grand Commandant Gao Ming ended up like this?"

Hearing this, Li Xu let out a cold snort: "Qin Feng, you do have some tricks, but to lecture me? How laughable. Even in my lowest state, I will never bow to you!"

Seeing Li Xu's resentment, even anger.

Qin Feng bowed deeply, performing a full salute to Li Xu: "Uncle Li is right—I lack manners, I deserve scolding. Please instruct me."

Qin Feng had lowered his posture so completely.

Li Xu could hardly believe his eyes—was this really the same wastrel who flaunted himself daily?

Considering Qin Feng's nature, Li Xu grew even more wary, fearing Qin Feng had set a trap, and snapped coldly: "Gao Ming ruined Pingyao County, causing the people to suffer—his fate is entirely his own doing, no one else to blame!"

As he spoke, Li Xu sneered inwardly.

"Trying to make me defend Gao Ming, then use it to label me as his ally? You're still too green!"

Just as Li Xu thought he had figured out Qin Feng and felt smugly satisfied—

Qin Feng shifted tone abruptly and said bluntly: "The Pingyao case was merely an excuse. Gao Ming's downfall stems from two things. First, he stood against the Emperor, fiercely obstructing the National War, making it impossible for the Emperor to implement policy—effectively a stumbling block. How could the Emperor not remove him? Second, as one of the Three Dukes, he should have spoken cautiously, retreated to the Second Line, ideally withdrawn from politics entirely, maintaining strict neutrality."

"Yet he reached too far. Today he interferes in the National War; tomorrow he could dictate imperial succession. The Imperial Ancestral Precedent was meant for the Three Dukes to restrain the Emperor, preventing tyranny. Now the Emperor is wise and diligent, yet Gao Ming dares to meddle and obstruct policy—this disrupts the court's order."

"Publicly and privately, Gao Ming must be removed!"

"And I, this humble nephew, am merely a pawn in the Emperor's hands!"

Could Li Xu not understand these truths?

But… no one dared speak them so plainly.

Even though no one was nearby, Qin Feng had the audacity to voice these dangers openly on the street—Li Xu did not know whether to marvel at Qin Feng's boldness or his stupidity.

Li Xu's suspicion of Qin Feng began to replace his caution: "What are you really trying to say?"

Qin Feng took a deep breath, his gaze more serious than ever: "From the moment the war ignited in Beixi County, no subjective or objective justification matters anymore. The war between Shedynasty and the Di is now inevitable! To oppose the National War now is to defy HeavenlyDao and the will of the people!"

"The era of factional strife between the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue is over."

Qin Feng's final words struck Li Xu like a sledgehammer, hitting deep within his soul.

Though Li Xu had always refused to admit it, facts spoke louder than words.

Whether the Liang Emperor or Qin Tianhu, neither could see Li Xu anymore.

At this point, clinging to outdated political views and prejudices was Li Xu's own blindness and self-inflicted trouble.