Chapter 331: First Volume, Chapter 331: A Dog That Bites Doesn

First Volume, Chapter 331: A Dog That Bites Doesn't Bark

At this moment, the two had arrived outside the Li Fu gate.

Qin Feng glanced at the gate but did not stop walking; he merely waved at Li Xu, his face once again wearing its old, carefree expression: "In some ways, Lord Li should learn from Minister Wu of the Ministry of Personnel. That Wu Mian was sent out of Jingdu and now lives a carefree, blissful life in the provinces—even if he has a few small flaws or imperfections, with the emperor far away and the sky high, who has nothing better to do than bother with him?"

"This Jingdu is nothing but a golden bridge, extravagantly built—and those who wish to stand secure on this bridge are as countless as fish crossing a river. Precisely because of this, one misstep and you'll be shattered into fragments…"

Watching Qin Feng walk away with his hands behind his back, his gait like that of a seasoned official.

Li Xu stood outside the gate, silent for a long time.

Finally, Li Xu took a deep breath, turned, and entered the residence, addressing the Manager standing nearby in a low voice: "Pack up your things. Send the young master… back to the Ancestral Land…"

At the same moment, in the imperial harem's flower pavilion.

The Imperial Consort stood before the flowerbeds, delicately flicking insects off the branches, speaking casually: "How is the lowly slave detained by Qin Feng?"

The maid behind her bowed her head: "Your Grace, the Tianji Camp is impregnable, nearly impossible to infiltrate. Even the spy the Emperor planted inside the Tianji Camp, Xu Chang, has been killed. Eradicating that slave's tongue is harder than climbing to heaven."

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Consort showed no disappointment; her gaze remained serene: "I merely wished to avoid trouble. Since we cannot silence him, let him be. A single slave's mouth cannot harm me. But Qin Feng Xiao'er daring to seize my people—that boldness is worthy of praise."

As she spoke, the Imperial Consort pinched a bee's wing, watching its stinger dart in and out of her fingertip, her eyes half-lidded: "A bee's sting may not kill, but it burns fiercely."

"Carry my order: with so many starving people wandering the realm daily, they are all sources of unrest and must be properly resettled. Redirect all starving masses into Beixi County—this gives them a path to survival and eases Liang's burdens. Even Qin Feng will earn a reputation as a benevolent man. All three sides win—why not?"

"Also, inform the Emperor that I have not visited my father in over half a year. Today, I shall return home for a visit."

As she finished, the Imperial Consort released her grip—the bee flew away like a fugitive—and her lips curled slightly: "I shall wait here at the palace, and see whether Qin Feng has the courage of his mother, Cheng Shi, to sting me."

…………

Returning from Li Xu's residence, Qin Feng detoured to visit the Fuyas of other ministers.

After friendly conversations with the Jingdu ministers, he returned to the Tianji Camp gleefully, carrying his "harvest" to carefully tally it.

Stacks of Silver Notes lay on the table.

Qin Feng was now utterly obsessed—he stared at the Silver Notes, occasionally letting out a few idiotic chuckles.

Liu Hongyan watched him, and softly teased: "Seventy percent of this money is to go to the National Treasury—what's there to be so happy about?"

Qin Feng shrugged: "Who said it's going to the National Treasury?"

Liu Hongyan frowned slightly: "What do you mean? Are you planning to embezzle this money? Remember—this is the Emperor's money. How dare you…"

Before Liu Hongyan could finish, Qin Feng slumped back in his chair, sprawled out: "Dare? Why not? He can cheat me, but I can't cheat him? That's nonsense! I've written down every detail of the Liuli Workshop and the five million taels."

"Besides, this Zhengyi of official conduct is under my full authority. I say how much money was found, that's how much was found. When I report to the Emperor, I'll say every Jingdu official is as clean as a whistle, their conduct noble—thanks entirely to the Emperor's wise rule. Would he dare undermine his own reputation?"

Hearing this, Liu Hongyan's mouth hung open in utter disbelief.

Indeed, Liu Hongyan had severely underestimated Qin Feng's audacity.

This man, when he goes all out, dares to steal from the Emperor himself!

Liu Hongyan couldn't help but remark: "This money is meant to aid famine victims!"

Qin Feng remained nonchalant: "Second Sister, let me be clear: given the Emperor's character, even if I handed this money over obediently, he'd still think I secretly kept some. Once I hand it over, I'll still have to pay out of my own pocket to aid the Changping County victims—wouldn't that be a loss?"

"So, I'll be the one to aid the victims. As for the relief funds—ha ha—he can forget about them."

Liu Hongyan still couldn't smile; she was deeply worried: "Changping County is a huge problem. The relief funds will be at least a hundred million taels—will you really bear it all? Aren't you afraid of bankrupting the entire Tianji Camp?"

At this, Qin Feng straightened up instantly: "Do you think I'm the kind of man who does losing trades? Just watch."

Merely rectifying official conduct in Jingdu would be nothing more than using a chicken feather as a command.

But the problem is—in Qin Feng's eyes, this chicken feather is a royal sword of authority!

The relationship between officials and merchants is much like that between a man and his mistress.

No matter how upright or clean a merchant may seem, all have received some covert protection from officials.

Qin Feng eagerly anticipated how much silver could be unearthed by tracing these connections.

But such matters need not be handled by Qin Feng himself—he only needed to send Qin Xiaofu.

Qin Feng stretched out with great effort, then looked at Liu Hongyan with feigned remorse: "Second Sister, you've worked hard these days."

Liu Hongyan replied casually, distracted: "What can I do? You're my…"

Liu Hongyan meant to say "younger brother," but Qin Feng cut in first: "Man?"

Liu Hongyan's face instantly flushed crimson; she glared at Qin Feng: "Don't talk nonsense!"

At this moment, only Qin Feng and Liu Hongyan were in the Account Room.

And the obnoxious Xu Chang had already been eliminated.

Seeing no one around, Qin Feng stepped toward the Shushu.

Liu Hongyan immediately sensed what he intended; her cheeks burned even redder, and she stammered: "W-what are you doing? Feng'er, calm down—this is the Tianji Camp!"

Qin Feng acted as if he hadn't heard; he stepped forward in one swift motion, his face lowering closer and closer.

Liu Hongyan's heart pounded wildly; in her nervousness, she felt an unprecedented fear, lowered her head, and whispered weakly: "Don't do anything reckless."

As the pillar of the Qin Residence, Liu Hongyan had always been, in Qin Feng's mind, an inviolable, sacred presence.

Without her silent sacrifices, the Qin Family could never have been so harmonious.

How had Qin Feng ever seen Liu Hongyan like this—like a shy, inexperienced girl?

Instantly, his mouth went dry; he longed to leap forward.

But in the end, reason prevailed.

Qin Feng raised his hand and gently wiped the ink from Liu Hongyan's cheek, grinning: "Second Sister, what are you thinking? I treat you as my sister—how could you imagine such things? Eww…"