Chapter 385

First Volume, Chapter 385: Using Commerce to Strategize War

Using commerce to strategize war…

Qin Tianhu couldn't help but gasp, his gaze shifting repeatedly as he looked at Qin Feng: "Tell me in detail."

Qin Feng's lips curled upward; he secretly thought himself a little genius, and swelled with pride.

Only after Qin Tianhu slapped him with a loud "whoosh!" did he slightly rein himself in.

Gaoshan Country's submission to Beidi is merely out of desperation—Beidi itself is extremely short on materials and supplies; how could it possibly aid Gaoshan Country? It's pure military coercion forcing Gaoshan to submit. The fact that this trade deal was even reached shows just how desperate Gaoshan's poverty has become.

"Between nations, there is only interest—where is there any sentiment? If I offer enough benefits, even if Gaoshan Country dares not openly defy Beidi, its heart will turn toward us."

"Then, each time a merchant caravan heads to Gaoshan Country, I'll secretly embed platoons of military advisors, transforming Gaoshan into a formidable highland army capable of self-defense against Beidi's forces. As long as Beidi cannot conquer Gaoshan, it will never sleep or eat in peace. Thus, we form a flanking attack."

Hearing Qin Feng's words, Qin Tianhu stared in shock: "This plan… is nothing short of astonishing. Have you reported it to the Emperor?"

Qin Feng sneered: "Why should I tell him? Didn't I say this is my personal action, unrelated to state affairs?"

In truth… Qin Feng wasn't unwilling to tell—he was afraid to.

After all, the BeidiSpies were too powerful; if word leaked, before Qin Feng could even win over Gaoshan Country, Beidi would have already sent troops to annihilate it—making the whole effort counterproductive.

Gaoshan Country is small and sparsely populated; before its strength is fully developed, it simply cannot withstand upheaval.

Qin Feng chuckled smugly: "Father, have you ever heard of 'befriending distant powers while attacking nearby ones'?"

Qin Tianhu glared at Qin Feng, irritable: "How many years of military texts have you read, to dare lecture your father? Do you think I don't know the principle of 'befriending distant powers while attacking nearby ones'? But… Beidi's army is like an impassable heavenly barrier—the Liang Army cannot cross it, so it's impossible to implement."

"Only you are clever!"

Though Qin Tianhu verbally belittled Qin Feng, he secretly rejoiced inside.

Using commerce to strategize war? Why had he never thought of this idea before?

At that moment, Xiao Xiangxiang walked over, carrying a tea tray, swaying with each step.

"Cough… Master, Young Master, you must be thirsty—please have some tea."

Seeing this, Qin Feng immediately rose and rushed over, pulling the frail Xiao Xiangxiang into his arms, his face filled with reproach.

"Didn't I tell you to rest properly? This kind of thing is what maids are for!"

Scolded by Qin Feng, Xiao Xiangxiang's pale face flushed slightly, her heart brimming with happiness.

She whispered: "Young Master is right, but… I am a maid."

Qin Feng glared again: "You're different!"

Xiao Xiangxiang bit her thin lips; though she had walked through the gates of death, in truth… it was no different from having slept a night.

Before losing consciousness, she remembered only Beidi's night owls bursting into the carriage, her instinctive leap forward—and then nothing.

When she awoke again, she found herself back at the Qin Residence, lying in Qin Feng's specially crafted "Sterile Sickroom."

Later, from the young ladies' words, she learned that after her injury, Qin Feng had become a mad tiger, ruthlessly retaliating against Beidi—even the Liang Emperor had borne much of Qin Feng's fury. In fact… the entire Heaven had been thrown into chaos by Qin Feng.

She was merely a maid—what virtue had she earned such treatment?

Thinking of this, Xiao Xiangxiang's eyes welled up again, tears streaming down in overwhelming emotion.

Qin Feng reached out and wiped the tears from her eyes, gently holding her close, soothing softly: "There, there."

"I didn't mean to scold you—I was just worried about you."

Xiao Xiangxiang bowed her head, deeply moved: "I know, it is my fortune to serve Young Master for this lifetime."

Qin Feng stroked Xiao Xiangxiang's head and smiled gently: "Foolish girl, I owe you my life—you are my life. Whoever dares show you the slightest disrespect, I, this Young Master, will crush their skull!"

Xiao Xiangxiang nodded like a chick pecking grain, her heart and eyes filled with bliss, feeling that shielding Young Master from a blade was nothing at all.

Sitting beside them, Qin Tianhu grew restless—he was a man of face, bound by propriety; though he knew Qin Feng and Xiao Xiangxiang were deeply entangled, he still could not bear to watch his own son doting on a maid.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

Xiao Xiangxiang suddenly realized the Master was still there and gasped.

"Ah, Master, this maid is guilty, this maid…"

"Enough." Qin Tianhu waved his hand to cut her off, his face stern. "You've just recovered from a serious illness—go rest. Tea duty is for others. When Feng'er marries the Xie Family's daughter, I'll grant you a Side Room. But remember: your status, even if formally wed, cannot be compared to the Xie Family's daughter in rank or treatment."

Xiao Xiangxiang's sickly face instantly flushed crimson.

Was the Master… promising her marriage to Young Master?

Even without formal betrothal, even without status—just being with Young Master was enough.

Xiao Xiangxiang, overwhelmed with shyness yet deeply grateful, bowed deeply to Qin Tianhu, cast one lingering glance at Qin Feng, then stepped away with tiny, hurried steps.

Watching the girl, Qin Feng felt nothing but affection.

To have such a woman in life—what more could one ask?

Qin Tianhu snorted: "Still staring? Don't you even respect your father?"

Qin Feng grinned foolishly, scratching the back of his head: "Father, about Xiao Xiangxiang—there's no need for you to speak up. After all…"

"After all, what nonsense!" Qin Tianhu snapped outright; as father and son, no need for false formalities—if he was annoyed, he just yelled.

"You little brat, do you think I don't know what's in your mind?"

"That girl took a blade for you, and your blood flows in her veins—you are in her, she is in you. If I interfere, wouldn't you, my disobedient son, cut ties with me over a maid?"

Hearing this, Qin Feng was startled and immediately stood up, slapping his chest in assurance: "Father, how could you say that? Am I such a monster?"

"Aren't you?" Qin Tianhu raised an eyebrow.

Qin Feng plastered on a smile: "A father's command cannot be defied—I'll follow all your arrangements."

Qin Tianhu snorted, not believing a word of Qin Feng's lies. "A father's command cannot be defied"—only when no such choice has arisen. When the moment truly came, this brat would explode.

A father knows his son best. Qin Tianhu had no desire to face a standoff with his own child.

So he chose to eliminate the possibility from the very start.

Qin Tianhu sighed deeply: "You must visit the Xie Residence more often. Don't cold neglect the Xie Family's daughter."

Qin Feng shrugged: "We're not married yet—I need to avoid suspicion."

"Get out of my way, you damn fool!" Qin Tianhu snarled, "Why don't you avoid suspicion with that maid? Right before my eyes, you do such disgraceful things!"