Chapter 413

First Volume, Chapter 413: Triumphal Return to Jingdu

The Liang Emperor's face showed no trace of resentment, but his heart was deeply gloomy; as ruler of a nation, even he could not easily mobilize the Chariot and Cavalry General, yet Qin Feng could command the Chariot and Cavalry Army at will—truly infuriating!

Qin Tianhu had accompanied the Liang Emperor for over a decade and understood his thoughts all too well; he immediately urged the Minister of War to detail the events, fearing any delay might provoke the Emperor's suspicion.

"Your Majesty, after Qin Feng arrived at the Northern Border, he nearly clashed with the Chariot and Cavalry General; only after beheading several commanders did he barely establish authority. He then invited the Chariot and Cavalry General to Beixi County under the guise of overseeing the campaign, but in truth, placed him under soft detention. Only through such strategic maneuvering did he force the Chariot and Cavalry Army to obey his orders."

"Moreover… on Qin Feng's return journey to Jingdu, several officers under the Chariot and Cavalry General, unwilling to submit, sent assassins to intercept him—but all were slain by the Northern Stream Scouts and Tianji Camp Guards hidden in his escort, allowing Qin Feng to depart the Northern Border unharmed."

Learning the full story, the Liang Emperor's mood finally improved slightly.

At least this proved Qin Feng had no ties to the Chariot and Cavalry General.

And Qin Feng's execution of the Chariot and Cavalry General's officers to assert authority deeply pleased the Liang Emperor—that old bastard deserved a beating!

The Liang Emperor no longer hesitated; he immediately rose and proclaimed loudly: "Carry out my imperial decree: dispatch the Vice Ministers of the Ministry of War, Ministry of Personnel, and Ministry of Revenue to Fuyun County to welcome the Qin Special Envoy back to Jingdu! Grant Qin Feng a thousand bolts of silk, ten thousand taels of White Silver, and permit him to take three concubines."

Upon hearing the decree, the Pro-War Faction and the Taolin Party immediately knelt and shouted: "Your Majesty is wise!"

The officials of the Taibao Faction wore expressions of utter darkness.

Especially Lin Taibao—who had spent his life plotting with cunning—could not help but begin to doubt.

For any other official, seven days would barely suffice to reach the Northern Border; yet Qin Feng not only crushed the Rebel Army, but also repelled the main Di forces, and has already returned to Jingdu. Such speed is unprecedented in history!

This fellow is merely a youth, even unmarried, not yet even a true man.

Yet he possesses such ability—Lin Taibao felt profound dread.

But under pressure, he could only bow and salute, reluctantly murmuring: "Your Majesty is wise."

The news spread instantly throughout Jingdu.

Liu Hongyan received the news immediately, her face radiant with pride: "No wonder he's Feng'er—I feared his journey to the Northern Border would be fatal, yet in just seven days, it's all settled!"

"Bring out the lanterns and decorations! Welcome the Young Master home!"

Meanwhile, at the Qin Shi Trading House in Jiangnan Tangqi.

Shen Qingci received a letter from Beixi County; reading its contents, she gasped: "Incredible…"

Ning Hu had been pacing anxiously, disregarding hierarchy, snatched the letter, studied it closely, grew more excited with each line, turned, and burst through the Door, roaring: "No wonder he's Brother Qin—what a thrill! Hahaha!"

Laughing, Ning Hu suddenly slapped his thigh in frustration: "Damn it—I missed witnessing this feat firsthand! This time, Xu Mo got lucky."

Turning to Shen Qingci, he wore a look of bitter grievance: "Miss, when can I return to Beixi County? I'm rotting here—bored out of my mind."

Ning Hu, long accustomed to the clatter of war, now served as a guard for the Qin Shi Trading House—this idle duty made him restless. Meanwhile, Beixi County saw constant battles and unbroken victories, driving Ning Hu to distraction.

Shen Qingci understood Ning Hu's longing, but could only softly reassure him: "Didn't the letter say to stay in Tangqi and remain vigilant? The Bandit Elimination in Pingnan County may have drawn the Lin Family's suspicion—if they strike at our Tangqi assets, what can a woman like me do?"

Hearing this, even though Ning Hu was furious, he could only obediently wait.

After all, the Miss's safety weighed heavier than Taishan.

Meanwhile, the Lin Family, not far from the Qin Shi Trading House, also received the letter from the Northern Border.

Lin's Steward read the letter and murmured in wonder: "No wonder the rumors call Qin Feng the First Young Master of Jingdu—he truly deserves such honor."

Coincidentally, Lin Feimo was present; hearing the old steward's words, his face darkened: "You old fool, why do you always boost the enemy and diminish our own prestige?"

The old steward, a long-serving Lin family retainer, remained calm despite Lin Feimo's anger, pointing to the Military Dispatch: "Young Master, read it yourself—Qin Feng made a round trip to the Northern Border in seven days, crushed the Rebel Party in two, and shattered the Di army. Even if we are enemies with Qin Feng, such achievements deserve praise. After all, knowing oneself and knowing the enemy…"

Before the steward could finish, Lin Feimo snatched the Military Dispatch, crumpled it into a ball, and hurled it away, coldly barking: "Praise him? I'll see who dares! Spread my order: from now on, anyone in the Lin Family who speaks of Qin Feng shall have their tongue ripped out!"

The old steward sighed inwardly.

His Young Master, usually the most composed, the most celebrated young talent in Jiangnan, had been haunted since his defeat in Jingdu by Qin Feng—now, merely mentioning Qin Feng sent him into chaos.

It was strange!

The Lin Family ruled Jiangnan with absolute power, and had the Taibao and Imperial Consort as allies in Jingdu—how could their Young Master suffer such a crushing blow? Yet precisely… Qin Feng struck without warning.

Such an enemy must never be underestimated.

The old steward wished to warn Lin Feimo to study Qin Feng carefully, but seeing his Young Master's furious state, he swallowed his words and changed the subject.

"Young Master, the Qin Shi Grain Shop has established itself in the North and is slowly moving southward. If this continues, it will reach Jiangnan soon—and with the Qin Shi Trading House coordinating from within, the grain prices here will be shattered. We must prepare quickly."

Facing the old steward's earnest advice, Lin Feimo slammed his fist on the table: "If he dares come, I'll ruin him completely!"

"This is Jiangnan, not Jingdu—what is there to fear from a mere Qin Feng?"

"The humiliation I suffered in Jingdu, I'll repay him tenfold, a hundredfold—I welcome his arrival!"

Seeing Lin Feimo blinded by rage, the old steward knew continuing would bring disaster; he said nothing aloud, but secretly sent a messenger to inform the Lord.

On the Official Road in Fuyun County.

The three Vice Ministers, accompanied by dozens of junior officials, stood by the roadside, eagerly awaiting.

Finally, a dark dot appeared in the distance.

"Look! The Qin Special Envoy is back!"

At the cry, all officials surged forward, their gazes fixed on the distant dot.

As the distance closed, the dot grew clearer.

It was no majestic steed—but… a cart piled high with Dry Grass, driven by an old civilian laborer, sixty or seventy years old.

Jing Qianying sat beside it, while Qin Feng lay sprawled atop the hay, legs crossed, humming a tune.

"Damn, going to the Northern Border nearly wore my ass off on that saddle."

"This ox cart is far more comfortable!"