Chapter 382: First Volume, Chapter 382: Comrade Requests Mission

First Volume, Chapter 382: Comrade Requests Mission

Jingdu.

Since Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor had locked themselves in a room and clashed privately.

The Liang Emperor thus turned a blind eye to the restrictions on the Ming Wang's family.

Ming Wang seized the opportunity to request two audiences at court, but both were denied by the Liang Emperor.

Ice three feet thick does not form in a single day.

Although Ming Wang remained confined in Fuyun County, Prince Li Zhang and Baron Li Lang began making frequent trips to Jingdu.

Upon arriving, they would dive straight into the Qin Residence, eating, drinking, and amusing themselves.

Qin Feng gritted his molars in fury.

"What do you two think my Qin Residence is? A brothel? A teahouse? A place for you to waste time?"

"Get out! Get out! All of you, get out!"

Li Zhang sat on a stone stool, legs crossed, showing not a shred of princely dignity.

Seeing Qin Feng furious, Li Zhang couldn't help laughing: "You're just eating and drinking at my place—now you're upset? Qin Feng, you're too stingy. If you really can't stand it, my brother and I can pay you monthly silver to stay here, how's that?"

Qin Feng blew out his cheeks and glared: "How's your big daddy!"

Hearing this, Li Zhang burst out laughing: "My big daddy? Ji Wang?"

Qin Feng was livid: "My second big daddy!"

Li Zhang laughed so hard he bent forward: "Qin Feng, do you know the crime of insulting the throne?"

Qin Feng was furious but helpless—who could he blame? They were imperial bloodline. Big daddy was Ji Wang, second big daddy was the Liang Emperor… Nearby, Li Lang chuckled: "Qin Da Ge, we've got a little aunt—Chang Princess."

Fine, this family tree was too powerful—Qin Feng admitted he couldn't touch them.

These three, though they bickered the moment they met, trading sharp words with great delight.

Yet Li Zhang and Li Lang genuinely thanked Qin Feng—if not for him, their whole family might have been trapped in Fuyun County until death.

Li Zhang and Li Lang had long regarded Qin Feng as "family."

Nearby, Liu Hongyan sighed, and in a sisterly tone, asked earnestly: "Prince, what brings you to Jingdu today?"

Since entering the residence, Li Zhang's eyes had never left Liu Hongyan, drooling openly.

Had he not feared Qin Feng would "guard his food" and charge at him with rolled-up sleeves, Li Zhang would have struck up a conversation anyway.

"Second Miss, greetings. Today, my brother and I came to Jingdu to discuss official matters with Brother Qin."

"The development of Beixi County is visible to all under Heaven. The North Di Barbarians certainly won't allow Beixi County to grow stronger—they'll surely make a major move soon. My brother and I volunteer to go to Beixi County and build this great cause together."

Hearing this, Liu Hongyan wisely said nothing, quietly picked up the tea tray, and turned away.

Qin Feng frowned slightly and asked: "How do you know the North Di will make a major move?"

Even the Brocade Uniform Guards haven't reported any such intention—meaning the North Di have no such plan.

Could Li Zhang possibly foresee the future?

As if reading Qin Feng's skeptical gaze, Li Zhang put on a mysterious, profound expression and shook his head.

Seeing Qin Feng silently roll up his sleeves and prepare to charge, Li Zhang finally toned it down.

"I am a prince—mind your place!"

"Say another word and I'll really beat you!"

"Pfft!" Li Zhang sneered, not the least bothered by Qin Feng's insolence—instead, he chuckled slyly.

Such a relationship was unthinkable even among imperial clans.

Compared to the stiff, respectful interactions he had with other princes and heirs, Li Zhang preferred to hang out with Qin Feng.

Li Zhang narrowed his eyes, his gaze deep: "Though this hasn't happened yet, it's inevitable—and close at hand!"

"Once Beixi County's expansion is complete, it will become a critical frontier outpost. At that point, the threat to the North Di will be immense. Unless the North Di have lost their minds, they'll do everything to eliminate Beixi County! In two months at the shortest, six at the longest, their army will turn its sword toward Beixi County!"

Hearing Li Zhang's analysis, Qin Feng secretly admired him.

This guy, though lazy and gluttonous, possessed razor-sharp strategic vision—no wonder he'd learned well from Ming Wang.

Qin Feng had considered this himself, but after learning Chen Si had returned to Di Royal Capital wounded, he assumed the front line lacked capable generals and hadn't taken it seriously.

Now that Li Zhang had raised it again, Qin Feng realized he needed to further strengthen Beixi's city defense.

After all…

Time and again, the cavalry, piaoqi, and border army had proven utterly unreliable!

Beixi County had many fierce generals; Xu Mo held the line, Tianji Camp Guards held the fort—hard attacks wouldn't break them.

But they lacked strategists!

Lin Quqi was clever, but excelled only in people's livelihood—military affairs were beyond him.

Third Sister Li Xiaolan wasn't even a soldier; she could win small skirmishes, but would be utterly lost in a major battle.

Qin Feng pondered for a moment, and a plan formed in his mind.

"Prince, Li Lang—if you truly wish to go to Beixi County and guard against the North Di invasion, it's not impossible."

"But… you both know as well as I do that the Emperor's suspicions remain. You must sign a military oath before you can leave."

Though the words stung, the Li Family Brothers understood: ultimately, they still needed the Emperor's approval.

Li Zhang sighed: "Isn't my father under soft detention in Fuyun County enough of a military oath?"

Qin Feng shook his head: "Not enough."

Li Zhang frowned tightly: "Then what must my brother and I do for the Emperor to let us leave Jingdu?"

Qin Feng had already planned this—he didn't hesitate: "Move your entire household into Tianji Camp, sever all escape routes. What follows may sound harsh, but it's truth: your entire family must be held firmly under the Emperor's control if you want even a sliver of peace. In plain terms—I guarantee your safety with the lives of my Qin Family and Tianji Camp."

"If you two show any sign of betrayal, your Li Family, my Qin Family, and Tianji Camp—all of us—will die. Do you understand?"

Li Zhang and Li Lang exchanged glances, their expressions turning solemn, and nodded in unison.

To be honest, Qin Feng also felt sorry for Li Zhang and Liao; after all, being watched like a thief by their own second uncle was downright suffocating.

Since he had decided to send Li Zhang and Li Lang to Beixi County, Qin Feng might as well make use of this opportunity.

"The Northern Di cannot possibly deploy troops instantly; after you two leave Beijing, don't rush straight to Beixi County—first go to Tangqi and inspect the condition of the Qin Shi Trading House, and using your status, buy as much real estate as you can. The Lin Family's hounds are blocking every path; so far, the Qin Shi Trading House hasn't been able to expand its storefronts."

Li Lang pounded his chest: "Is this even a problem? If anyone refuses, I'll beat them!"

Li Zhang rolled his eyes and grumbled, "How can you be so crude?"

But Qin Feng waved his hand, strongly endorsing Li Lang's attitude: "That's exactly right—if anyone won't listen, just beat them. After all, you two are Imperial Relatives; even if you're shackled, your noble bloodline can't be changed. I'm different—I'm just a petty Ten-House Officer; in Tangqi, none of the merchants will even acknowledge me. So when you go, you can act without restraint!"