Chapter 390

First Volume, Chapter 390: The Liang Emperor's Helplessness

In the Imperial Study, Zhang Xiuye reported every one of Qin Feng's transgressions to the Liang Emperor.

"That scoundrel Qin Feng is clearly exploiting the advantages of Beixi County, flaunting his talent, defying his superiors—he deserves to die! If we don't punish Qin Feng, how can we maintain order? Where is the imperial authority?"

"Qin Feng went to Dali Temple—perfect. We can apprehend him there and punish him for all his crimes together."

Listening to Zhang Xiuye's goading, the Liang Emperor's temples throbbed with pain.

Only after glaring at Zhang Xiuye did the old eunuch finally fall silent.

Compared to Qin Feng's arrogance, the Liang Emperor despised the Eleventh Prince's incompetence even more.

Today, sending him to Qingya Pavilion was merely a light reprimand, a warning to make Qin Feng recognize the imperial family's authority.

But this fool turned it into a disaster, letting Liu Lan and Chen Teng harass Shen Qingci.

That mad dog Qin Feng caused chaos over a servant girl—how much worse would he be over his elder sister?

Among all the princes in the Hou Gong, only the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince can match Qin Feng in a contest of wills; the rest are useless wine-bags and rice-sacks.

The Liang Emperor sighed inwardly and coldly said: "Issue my military order."

At these words, Zhang Xiuye's eyes lit up—he thought the Emperor was finally going to deal severely with Qin Feng.

But the next moment, he was doused with cold water.

The Liang Emperor's tone was absolute: "This matter is to be handled entirely by Dali Temple. Do as they see fit. No one else is to interfere."

Zhang Xiuye's eyes filled with disbelief—Qin Feng now disrespected even the princes, yet the Emperor would do nothing?

This…

This…

Though filled with countless doubts, since the Emperor had spoken, Zhang Xiuye could only obey.

No sooner had Zhang Xiuye left than the Black Captain stepped forward, his voice grim: "Zhang Xiuye, such a corrupt courtier, only disturbs the Emperor's mind!"

The Liang Emperor sighed: "He's merely a servant—ignore him. I have too many loyal ministers; it's time to cultivate some corrupt ones."

In the Liang Emperor's eyes, ministers had no distinction between loyal and corrupt—only proximity mattered.

Once the corrupt ministers were all dead, the loyal ones would no longer waste energy on factional struggles; then, united under the banner of loyalty, they would act against the imperial family.

Whether loyal or corrupt, if they unite, they weaken imperial power.

Looking back through history, examples of loyal ministers banding together to depose emperors are countless.

You need loyal ministers, and you need corrupt ones—if they don't fight each other, they'll unite against the Liang Emperor.

As for Qin Feng, he is neither corrupt nor loyal—he is a dagger that has grown too hot to hold, yet must still be used…

In the Hou Gong, the Eleventh Prince gnashed his teeth: "Second Brother, that Qin Feng has grown even more insolent—he went straight to Dali Temple to accuse me over a single word!"

The Second Prince sat on the windowsill, gripping a wine pot, letting out a faint, bitter, mocking snort.

"Father sent you to reprimand Qin Feng to affirm imperial authority and establish the royal family's prestige—but you let Liu Lan and Chen Teng harass Shen Qingci. If Qin Feng doesn't bite you, who else would he bow to? That secret meeting in the Imperial Study—I don't know what was said, but I could feel even Father was yielding to Qin Feng."

The Eleventh Prince stared, dumbfounded: "What?! Even Father can't control Qin Feng?"

The Second Prince shook his head, smiling bitterly: "It depends on how you see it. On the good side, Father is playing a grand game. On the bad side, Father is riding a tiger and can't dismount. When Gao Ming was Grand Commandant, he could still control the powerful clans. Now that Gao Ming has fallen, the position of Grand Commandant remains vacant."

"With war looming, the regional clans are beginning to obey orders but ignore imperial summons. Do you know… the two great generals, the Piaoqi and the Cheji, didn't come to the Front Line alone—they brought their entire families? Their mansions in Jingzhong are now empty shells, but since the Emperor needs them now, he can only pretend not to notice."

"The Cheji, Piaoqi, and Border Army together control thirty percent of Shedynasty's forces, all stationed on the Northern Border—and not a single soldier has moved since. Precisely because these three stand idly by, Beixi County has grown stronger with every battle, becoming a pivotal force. Now Father must handle pressure from the Di to the north, balance the Cheji, Piaoqi, and Border Army, and manage the powerful clans across the realm. In Jingzhong, he must also deal with the Lin Taibao family."

"Father can only use the tactic of 'tiger to devour wolf.' Father is the dragon, Qin Feng is the tiger, and the regional powers are the wolves. At present, only Qin Feng can relieve Father's predicament."

"Do you know… how much pressure Qin Feng has taken off Father's shoulders?"

"Forget you—even I must now avoid his sharp edge and do everything possible not to antagonize Qin Feng."

Hearing the Second Prince lay out the stakes, the Eleventh Prince broke into a cold sweat.

Could it be… that today's predicament is truly unsolvable?

The Second Prince patted the Eleventh Prince's shoulder and smiled lightly: "Don't worry. Qin Feng may be mad, but he won't cross the line. Today was just about saving face—he won't truly harm you. As for Father, since he himself ordered you to reprimand Qin Feng, this matter is closed. He won't bring it up again."

Hearing this, the Eleventh Prince finally exhaled in relief and immediately bowed to the Second Prince: "Thank you, Elder Brother, for your guidance. I'll go to Dali Temple now."

Watching the Eleventh Prince's back, the White Clothes man frowned deeply: "The Eleventh Prince has never faced Qin Feng—he doesn't know how dangerous that man is. Going to Dali Temple now… might be…"

Before the White Clothes man could finish, the Second Prince had already lifted the wine pot and taken a deep gulp, clearly satisfied: "What's it to me?"

"Father sent the Eleventh Prince to reprimand Qin Feng instead of me or the Seventh Prince—this proves Father is testing the other princes. After today's incident, Father will clearly realize that only I and the Seventh Prince can control Qin Feng."

"Just wait. I've sat on this cold bench long enough—it's time to step out and stretch my legs."

Hearing this, the White Clothes man and the Lute Player exchanged a glance, their excitement rising.

The Eleventh Prince is the stepping stone for the Second and Seventh Princes' return.

At this moment, the Minister of Dali Temple wore a look of deep annoyance.

He cursed inwardly: "This Qin Feng—such a trivial matter, he has to drag it to Dali Temple? Is he trying to drag me into this mess?"

The Minister of Dali Temple immediately ordered the Deputy Minister to go to the Qin Family and inform Qin Tianhu to fetch Qin Feng back.

At the same time, looking at Qin Feng in the center of the DaTang, he sighed and replied evasively: "Qin Feng, your accusation against the Eleventh Prince can wait. Let me ask you first—did you really detain Liu Lan and Chen Teng in Tianji Camp?"

The Minister of Dali Temple's meaning was clear: release Liu Lan and Chen Teng immediately, the Eleventh Prince won't need to appear in court, and this conflict ends here—everyone goes home, isn't that better?

Qin Feng clearly understood the Minister's desire to preserve himself.

But Qin Feng refused to show any deference—he grinned: "Your Excellency, if you fear being burned by the fire, let another official preside."

Hearing this, the surrounding officials quickly turned their faces away, adopting the posture of complete disinterest.