Chapter 372: First Volume, Chapter 372: Sage's Special Privilege

First Volume, Chapter 372: Sage's Special Privilege

Relying on the list provided by Shen Ke.

Not only within Jingdu City, but across the Thirty-Six Counties of Jingdu and the entire Shedynasty, an increasing number of BeidiSpies have been uncovered and dragged to the Tianji Camp for joint interrogation.

Three days after Qin Feng returned to the capital, over a hundred spies had been detained or were en route to detention, and more than twenty had been cleared of suspicion and released.

Legally, interrogating BeidiSpies falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice.

But both ministries merely sent two Supervising Officials to the Tianji Camp for token appearances, showing not the slightest intention to interfere.

Although Qin Feng had "plowed" through the entire capital.

Yet neither the officialdom nor the Folk were significantly affected.

Civilians stood by the roadside, watching Tianji Camp Guards escort newly uncovered spies toward the Tianji Camp, even pointing and whispering.

"Another one caught! Hmph, BeidiSpies are truly everywhere!"

"It's said BeidiSpies have already infiltrated the court—the highest-ranking traitor captured so far is a Crown Prince's Tutor!"

"Hmph, such corrupt officials deserve to be caught and executed one by one. But come to think of it, the senior ministers in court are surprisingly clean."

"Of course! Senior ministers hold high rank and power—they already enjoy endless wealth and glory. Why would they secretly collude with BeidiSpies?"

"I don't care either way—the more they catch, the better!"

Meanwhile, Minister of Revenue Li Xu sat in DaTang sipping tea, while his Steward fidgeted anxiously beside him.

Seeing Li Xu so calm, the Steward grew increasingly worried.

"Master, how can you remain so composed? If Qin Feng Xiao'er seizes this opportunity to falsely accuse you of colluding with BeidiSpies, won't trouble come knocking?"

Li Xu set down the teapot, glared at the Steward, and snapped: "What's the rush?"

"Since Qin Feng began investigating Enemy Nation Spies, the highest-ranking official captured has been Seventh Rank. Everyone knows officials above Seventh Rank are nearly impossible to bribe by Beidi—Qin Feng certainly won't risk defying Heaven by disturbing court ministers. Besides, those cleared and released have all said: the Tianji Camp has not planted false evidence."

"If you have no connection to Beidi, even a brief visit to the Tianji Camp allows you to return unharmed—the Tianji Camp has investigated this matter with great care and won't wrong the innocent."

Hearing this, Li Fu's Steward still scratched his head and paced nervously.

"Even so, Master, you are Qin Family's political rival—I fear Qin Feng…"

Before the Steward could finish, Li Xu waved him off: "So differing political views justify false accusations and suppression? Then isn't the Qin Family a gang of traitors and sycophants? Would the Sage ever employ such people? Set your mind at ease—Qin Feng has his own limits."

There was one thing Li Xu did not state outright: since Gao Ming fell, the Second Prince vanished, and Qin Feng started waving a chicken feather like an imperial edict…

Li Xu had become extremely low-key, forming an unspoken understanding with the Qin Family.

Publicly, they remained political rivals; privately, they kept to their own lanes.

How hard is it to topple a senior minister in court? Even Qin Feng the brute understands the wisdom of making friends, not enemies. Having finally reached this tacit agreement with the Ministry of Revenue, he naturally wouldn't rashly break this gentleman's pact.

And…

This large-scale, open hunt for Enemy Nation Spies…

Li Xu knew clearly: both the Sage and Qin Feng had begun to act in earnest.

The Sage turned a blind eye because this move benefited Shedynasty's stability.

But Qin Feng? Pure revenge.

Yes, furious retaliation for Beidi's assassination attempt.

…

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

The Liang Emperor stood with his hands behind his back before a Liu Li Window, studying the layered walls of the Imperial Palace as if inspecting the rivers and mountains of the She dynasty.

"This National War has finally entered its second phase."

"The limited probing battles are over; now comes the full-scale intelligence war."

Li Zhan, standing nearby, asked softly: "Won't Qin Feng go too far?"

The Liang Emperor snorted, eyes half-lidded, speaking deeply: "Since Shedynasty and Beidi became enemies, decades of infiltration have buried countless spies in each other's lands—no one, not even both sides themselves, knows the true number. This capital appears peaceful, but how many hidden vermin lurk beneath? Even the Heiwei Si can't uncover them all."

"Without a bone-deep cleansing, how can we purge the Empire of its spies?"

"I ordered the Heiwei Si to intercept Chen Si mid-journey precisely because leaked intelligence caused the assassination to fail. Hmph—the spies Qin Feng has uncovered include many even the Heiwei Si didn't know about! And…"

Here, the Liang Emperor sighed: "Qin Feng is angry."

At this, Li Zhan turned pale and hurriedly asked: "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"

The Liang Emperor's gaze flickered with profound depth: "Beidi's retaliation—ambushing Qin Feng and injuring that maid—Qin Feng is deeply emotional. He will likely blame this on me. By allowing him to ruthlessly investigate spies, I am making amends."

"Qin Feng Xiao'er's existence brings me more benefit than harm—until such time as…"

The Liang Emperor did not finish, but Li Zhan, who had served him his entire life, understood perfectly: when Qin Feng's existence became more harm than benefit, the Liang Emperor would reconsider whether to keep him—or eliminate him.

After this incident, the relationship between the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng had subtly changed.

From initial master-servant camaraderie, it had shifted to mutual exploitation.

For Qin Feng, this was not a good sign.

As Li Zhan fell silent, the Liang Emperor casually tossed him an envelope.

Li Zhan picked it up and found inside a stack of Silver Notes totaling two hundred thousand Tael.

Li Zhan immediately understood the Sage's intent; his eyes filled with sorrow: "Your Majesty, take care. Your humble servant takes his leave."

As Li Zhan turned to go, Heiwei appeared like a shadow behind him, gesturing politely:

"Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong, your servant will escort you back to Ancestral Land to spend your remaining years in peace."

Li Zhan understood: the Liang Emperor feared he might relay these words to Qin Feng.

From the beginning, the Liang Emperor distrusted Li Zhan—even though he had served generations of Sages.

More accurately, the Liang Emperor distrusted everyone.

As Li Zhan reached the Palace Gate, the Heiwei turned back; four Palace Guards stepped forward, all gesturing politely:

Li Zhan smiled bitterly, said nothing, and walked silently toward the City Gate.

At the moment they left Jingdu City Gate, the city gate guards suddenly slammed the Door shut, as if to avoid seeing something they "should not see."

Li Zhan slowly stopped walking and whispered, "This old servant has served three emperors of Shedynasty—does that still make me nothing more than an old dog?"

The lead Palace Guard, clad in Golden Armor with a Neck Guard, replied in a deep voice: "Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong is the Emperor's trusted old servant, yet you have grown too close to Qin Feng…"