Chapter 412

First Volume_Chapter 412 Seven-Day Return to the Capital

"General, the front-line battle has ended in defeat."

"Huang Cheng in Pingnan County has been eliminated; our forces advanced toward the county city but were ambushed by the Chariot and Cavalry troops, forcing us to retreat."

Upon hearing the grim news from the front, the several Deputy Generals accompanying him all wore grim expressions.

But Chen Si's gaze remained calm, as if this outcome were entirely expected.

"The Sanggan Army Commander has never faced Qin Feng and doesn't know how dangerous that bastard is. Retreating is fine—it preserves our tactical advantage; this war is far from over."

"Send word to the Vanguard Camp—I'm going there first to discuss next steps with the Commander-in-Chief. Attacking Beixi County isn't urgent."

The convoy changed course and headed toward the Vanguard Camp.

Chen Si stood on the carriage, gazing toward Beixi County, his eyes deepening: "Young Master Qin, I, Chen Si, survived certain death—now a fierce battle awaits."

Meanwhile, Qin Feng had already set out on his journey back to the capital.

When he went to the Northern Border, only Qin Feng and Jing Qianying had gone; now, on the return, it was still just the two of them—as if nothing had happened, yet earth-shattering events had occurred. This time, the messenger moved far faster than Qin Feng, arriving in Jingdu ahead of him.

In the imperial court of Jingdu, ministers were locked in fierce verbal combat over the Northern Border campaign.

The Minister of Justice loudly advised: "Your Majesty, since the Pingnan County Rebellion began, no military report has reached the capital. We must plan immediately. If Qin Feng fails to crush the rebellion in Pingnan County, the Sanggan Army will surely seize the chance to attack Beixi County—then the entire Northern Border is doomed! For the sake of the realm, we must immediately dispatch the Chariot and Cavalry General to garrison Beixi County and coordinate its defense."

At these words, Qin Tianhu's face darkened instantly.

Dispatch the Chariot and Cavalry General to garrison Beixi County and coordinate its defense?

Sounds noble—but it's all talk! Once the Chariot and Cavalry General enters Beixi County, it will no longer belong to the Qin family; all Qin Feng's hard work will become someone else's reward.

"The Northern Border is a thousand li from the capital. Since Qin Feng left, only seven days have passed. Even if there were movement on the frontier, the messenger couldn't possibly return so quickly. Besides, Qin Feng gave his word: ten days. The deadline hasn't even arrived—why the rush?"

The Minister of Justice snorted coldly, his tone firm: "On the battlefield, circumstances change in an instant. If we wait until Beixi County's city gate falls, won't it be too late? No one says we distrust Qin Feng—we merely wish to prepare backup measures in advance, for safety's sake."

The Director of the Imperial Academy stepped forward, bowing deeply: "This matter requires Your Majesty's final decision."

The Liang Emperor remained silent, watching the ministers argue, his own mind troubled.

The Minister of Justice's words, though aimed at undermining Qin Feng, held truth: Beixi County is a vital frontier stronghold. If it falls, the consequences are unthinkable.

But…

Letting the Chariot and Cavalry General garrison Beixi County? Out of the question!

That old bastard already refuses orders. If such a critical frontier city were placed under his control, the Liang Emperor would never know peace again.

Sending troops to garrison Beixi County isn't impossible—but who to send?

The Chariot and Cavalry, the Piaoqi, the Border Army—all three, the Liang Emperor trusts none. The Central Plains Imperial Party is trustworthy, but they must remain in the Central Plains; moving them rashly risks provoking the Southern Nobility into rebellion—too great a risk for too small a gain.

As the Liang Emperor fretted, a sudden report came from outside:

"Your Majesty, the Beixi County War Report has arrived in the capital. The Minister of War requests an audience."

At these words, every civil and military official tensed.

The Liang Emperor did not hesitate: "Summon the Minister of War."

Under the gaze of all, the Minister of War stepped into the Grand Hall, knelt, and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the Beixi County War Report has reached the capital."

"Read it!" the Liang Emperor cut straight to the point.

Instantly, every eye in the hall fixed on the Minister of War.

The Minister of War took a deep breath, steadied himself: "The Special Envoy for Suppression, Qin Feng, has set out on his return to the capital. The Pingnan County Rebellion has been quelled. The rebel leader, Huang Cheng, has been executed. His head will be delivered personally by Qin Feng for Your Majesty's review. Additionally, while Qin Feng was attacking Pingnan County, the Sanggan Army attempted to strike Beixi County—but was completely repelled."

"In suppressing the rebellion in Pingnan County, three soldiers were lost. In the battle at Beixi County, nine hundred and seven troops were lost."

After the Minister of War finished his report, the Grand Hall fell utterly silent.

Whether from the Taibao Faction, the Taolin Party, or the Pro-War Faction, all were stunned into speechlessness.

The Liang Emperor, seated upon the Long'an, was also momentarily dazed.

After a long pause, his voice finally broke the silence—thick with shock.

"Quelled?!"

"Is this report truly accurate?"

The Minister of War bowed his head and replied, voice resolute: "Every word in the report is true. No exaggeration or falsehood."

The Minister of Justice and Lin Taibao exchanged a glance, their expressions deeply complex.

At that moment, the Assistant Minister of Justice cried out: "Impossible!"

"Qin Feng departed for the Northern Border only seven days ago. Today he's already returned to the capital, and the report has arrived—meaning the battle ended yesterday?"

"In just six days? Even a Divine Artifact descending from heaven couldn't achieve such a feat!"

The Assistant Minister of Justice's words voiced the doubt of everyone present.

Even Qin Tianhu found it unbelievable.

There must be some misunderstanding.

Lin Taibao could no longer contain himself: "What really happened? Speak plainly!"

The Minister of War looked up at Qin Tianhu, saw him nod in approval, then straightened, his face glowing with pride as he explained:

"Young Master Qin—excuse me, the Special Envoy Qin Feng—deployed the Chariot and Cavalry garrison troops to pressure Pingnan County. First, he targeted morale; then he spread rumors, applying pressure from all sides until the rebel forces inside the city collapsed. The elite rebel troops mutinied, and Pingnan County fell without a single drop of blood. Qin Feng calls it the Milk-Squeezing Tactics."

Milk-Squeezing Tactics…

Hearing this absurd term, no one found it strange.

Because…

It was exactly the sort of thing Qin Feng would do.

The Minister of War continued: "Before arriving at Pingnan County, Qin Feng had already laid his plans. As the Sanggan Army had just reached the Front Line and was still unsteady, he ordered the elite troops of Beixi County to launch a surprise attack, disrupting their strategy. By the time the Sanggan Army regrouped and reached Beixi County, the Pingnan County Rebellion had already been crushed. Qin Feng then deployed the Chariot and Cavalry Army to counterattack—the Sanggan Army was forced into retreat."

Listening to the Minister of War's account, not only the civil officials but even the military commanders felt as if they were hearing a fairy tale.

Excluding Qin Feng's travel time, the suppression of the Pingnan County rebels and the repulsion of the Sanggan Army had taken less than two days total?!

This had shattered every minister's understanding of warfare.

The Liang Emperor could not help but feel a surge of excitement; he had expected results only after Ten Days, yet already by the seventh day, everything had been settled...

No wonder it's Qin Feng!

But one question puzzled the Liang Emperor beyond understanding: "How did Qin Feng mobilize the Chariot and Cavalry Army?!"