Chapter 379: First Volume, Chapter 379: The Emperor and Minister Lay Their Cards on the Table

First Volume, Chapter 379: The Emperor and Minister Lay Their Cards on the Table

Qin Feng was simple: his greatest wish was fine clothes, rich food, a wife, children, and a warm bed. But he was also complex—his actions defied conventional logic; he could be more patient than anyone, or explode like a powder keg at the slightest spark.

This fickle temperament bore a certain resemblance to the Liang Emperor.

The more he was like this, the more uneasy the Liang Emperor became.

In the past, the Liang Emperor would have killed Qin Feng without hesitation—not for any other reason, but to gain a moment of inner peace.

But times had changed; Qin Feng had grown too powerful for the Liang Emperor to ignore.

The changes in Beixi County constantly influenced the course of war; the Northern Di were exhausting themselves trying to eliminate Qin Feng. If the Liang Emperor now turned against Qin Feng, it would only cause grief to allies and joy to enemies.

Moreover, the Tianji Camp remained utterly loyal to Qin Feng. Even if, hypothetically, the entire Tianji Camp were willing to submit beneath the Liang Emperor's feet, Qin Feng's ingenious inventions and brilliant ideas were irreplaceable—without Qin Feng, the Tianji Camp would no longer be the Tianji Camp.

In the context of a full-scale strategic standoff, only Qin Feng could achieve localized breakthroughs and consumption against the Northern Di—and even more severely, he was the only one who could make the Northern Di fear and suffer tangible losses.

Eliminating Qin Feng would bring only harm, no benefit.

Keeping Qin Feng would bring only benefit, with minimal harm.

After careful deliberation and weighing pros and cons, the Liang Emperor's anger had vanished, replaced by his usual depth.

The Liang Emperor raised a finger and tapped lightly on the Shushu, producing a crisp knock.

The Black Commandant hidden behind the Screen stepped back.

The Palace Guards stationed outside the door, along with the Imperial Eunuch serving, also withdrew.

Within the entire Imperial Study, only the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng remained; all their subsequent conversation would be known only to heaven, earth, you, and me—no third soul would ever learn of it.

The Liang Emperor pulled two documents from a thick stack of memorials beside him and threw them directly onto Qin Feng.

Qin Feng bent down to pick them up. The first memorial was jointly submitted by Grand Protector Lin and half the court officials, an Impeachment Letter listing Qin Feng's many crimes—each charge alone warranted execution, and every line carried a single message.

If the Liang Emperor was willing to kill Qin Feng or remove Qin Tianhu from his post as Supervisor of War, Grand Protector Lin would fully surrender control of Jiangnan's salt, sugar, and tea industries.

And…

Qin Feng noticed the submission date on the memorial was not recent—but two months ago.

In other words, as soon as Qin Feng had toppled Grand Commandant Gao Ming, Grand Protector Lin had already secretly submitted this memorial, intending to remove Qin Feng as a threat—only to be blocked by the Liang Emperor, leaving the matter stillborn and causing not a ripple.

But as long as the Liang Emperor wished, he could revive this "deal" at any moment.

The second memorial was jointly submitted by Piaoqi and Cheqi, accusing Qin Feng of illegally expanding Beixi County, recruiting an army, amassing military power, and plotting treason.

These two memorials alone could condemn Qin Feng to death.

Yet the Liang Emperor had suppressed them both, holding his silence.

Qin Feng knew the Liang Emperor had two considerations: first, fear that eliminating him would leave no one to counter the Lin Family; second, that Qin Feng still held value as a counterweight against the Northern Di.

But now, by presenting these two memorials, the Liang Emperor's meaning was unmistakable: a warning to Qin Feng not to overstep, or face the consequences.

Qin Feng had long anticipated that entering the Palace Gate today meant a fifty-fifty chance of life or death, so he remained calm, placing both memorials back on the Liang Emperor's desk and bowing slightly: "Your Majesty understands the situation of Shedynasty better than I do. Whether the matters in these memorials are right or wrong depends entirely on Your Majesty's judgment."

"And Your Majesty knows these men impeach me not for the sake of Shedynasty's stability, but to protect their own interests. I humbly beg Your Majesty to pardon me for what I am about to say."

The Liang Emperor stared at Qin Feng without expression, saying nothing, but nodded once.

Qin Feng spoke without hesitation: "From Commoners to the Three Dukes—who truly cares what surname Shedynasty bears? In the end, if Shedynasty falls, it is the Li Clan that perishes. If the Northern Di take the Central Plains, they will still uphold the Imperial Throne. One emperor, one set of ministers—for everyone, life goes on, and glory remains."

The Liang Emperor silently gripped the Jade Qilin Paperweight, watching Qin Feng coldly.

Qin Feng pressed on without restraint: "Only I care what surname Shedynasty bears! Not just out of loyalty—but because our interests are intertwined! I have grown accustomed to serving under Your Majesty; the Tianji Camp's survival model was built according to Your Majesty's will. If the Heaven changes masters, won't all my plans for the Tianji Camp become meaningless?"

As Qin Feng spoke these words, the Liang Emperor shot to his feet, snatched up the Qilin Paperweight, and hurled it straight at Qin Feng's forehead.

Qin Feng did not dodge.

Crack!

The paperweight struck Qin Feng's forehead, then shattered on the floor, and immediately blood surged from his brow, tracing a path down his cheek.

Though dizziness swept over Qin Feng's vision, he did not move a single step.

Qin Feng knew clearly: the era of dodging, feigning madness, and getting by was over. From now on, his relationship with the Liang Emperor must be direct and decisive—if he continued playing guessing games, he wouldn't even know how he died.

Qin Feng intended to lay bare every thought, inside and out, before the Liang Emperor's eyes, letting the Emperor judge for himself.

The Liang Emperor was utterly enraged; since ascending the Long'an, he had never been this furious.

The Liang Emperor fixed Qin Feng with a killing gaze, each word deliberate: "Do you know what you are saying?"

"You have reduced our Emperor and ministers to worthlessness! Our Shedynasty is protected by our ancestors and Heaven—must our Li Clan's survival depend on a brash, unripe boy like you? You are too arrogant—arrogant enough to disgust me! You have indeed earned merit in Beixi County, but your merit is enough to doom you!"

"I, will have you dead!"

The Liang Emperor drew a Golden Sword from beneath the Dragon Case. Before inheriting the Imperial Throne, he had once been a warrior; his aura bristled with killing intent. He seized the Bao Jian and charged down from the Shushu, ready to execute Qin Feng on the spot.

Facing the Liang Emperor's furious advance, Qin Feng did not wipe the blood from his forehead, but spoke calmly: "If Your Majesty kills me, how will you use Tiger to Devour Wolf? If Your Majesty kills me, how will you counter the Northern Di? If Your Majesty kills me, how will you discern loyalty from treachery?"

Zeng!

The Bao Jian rested directly on Qin Feng's shoulder.

Qin Feng made no resistance, growling: "If Your Majesty kills me, will you not be alone?"

The Liang Emperor pressed the blade against Qin Feng's neck—just enough pressure to sever his head—but held the pose, not moving further…