Chapter 423

First Volume, Chapter 423: The Decisive Battle Draws Near

Inside the Imperial Palace, during the grand court assembly, Civil and Military Ministers gathered in unison.

Everyone had heard of the recent changes in Jingdu; naturally, they understood that the Imperial Court had already undergone a transformation.

In past days, Qin Feng could only enter the palace for an audience upon the Emperor's summons.

But today, Qin Feng ascended the court alongside the Civil and Military Officials, standing beside Qin Tianhu—even though he held only the minor title of a Thousand-Household Marquis, his status now equaled that of a Minister.

Zhang Xiuye held the Imperial Edict aloft and proclaimed loudly: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Qin Feng has pacified the Northern Border, eradicated the Rebel Party in Pingnan County, executed the rebel leader Huang Cheng, guarded the frontier, crushed the Bei Di army, and magnified our nation's prestige—achieving extraordinary merit. I bestow upon Qin Feng the title of Thousand-Household Marquis, grant him ten thousand taels of White Silver as reward, to honor his service; may all learned souls under Heaven emulate Qin Feng in serving Shedynasty with loyalty and valor."

"Qin Tianhu has raised his son well; reward him with a thousand taels of gold and one hundred bolts of silk."

This grand reward was indeed expected and reasonable—but the atmosphere in the Grand Hall was grim; every heart knew the Emperor's bestowal was not sincere, but a reluctant act of appeasement.

The ambush on the Black Captain and the messengers, the Qin family's relocation to Beixi County, even the feud between the Sixth Prince and the Xie Family—all were left unmentioned.

The Liang Emperor wore a faint, ambiguous smile, his attitude toward Qin Feng markedly changed: "Shedynasty is blessed to have a virtuous minister and capable general like Marquis Qin—truly the fortune of the people. I am deeply comforted. I ought to hold a banquet to celebrate Marquis Qin's triumph, yet the Autumn Harvest draws near, and the Bei Di army stirs restlessly; state affairs must come first."

"What are your insights regarding the coming campaign, Marquis Qin?"

Instantly, every gaze in the Grand Hall fixed upon Qin Feng—even Lin Taibao turned to look.

All Civil and Military Ministers understood clearly: the authority over this National War now lay firmly in the hands of the Qin father and son; even the Liang Emperor had lost much of his voice.

Even though the Qin father and son's power had already touched the Liang Emperor's forbidden scale, what could be done? Within the court, the Pro-War Faction and the Taolin Party offered support; beyond the court, Beixi County shielded them. Now, neither inside nor outside the capital could move the Qin father and son an inch.

At least on the surface.

Though the current situation was not Qin Feng's intention, since he had been pushed to this brink, he could only charge forward—after all, the Qin family had no option to retreat; to do so would mean utter annihilation.

Having made his peace with it, Qin Feng answered the Liang Emperor's question with unprecedented ease: "The two nations have stood in standoff for so long that not only has Shedynasty exhausted its people and drained the National Treasury, but Bei Di's national strength must also be stretched thin. I believe Bei Di no longer has the strength to prolong this stalemate—they will not let this Autumn Harvest opportunity slip away; they will gamble everything."

"As for tactics, only two possibilities exist."

"First: mobilize the full army for a full-frontal assault, aiming to seize grain and wage war to sustain war."

"Second: concentrate superior forces to launch a full-scale attack on Beixi County, remove the key border stronghold of Men Ya, and break through Shedynasty's DefensiveLine at a single point."

"The first is meant for prolonged military stalemate; the second seeks a decisive shift to swallow Shedynasty's territory. Judging by the current situation, Bei Di will almost certainly choose the latter. The reason is obvious: prolonged stalemate will only strengthen our Border Towns, and time and terrain will no longer favor Bei Di."

Upon Qin Feng's reasoned analysis, the court ministers all nodded in agreement.

Though the Liang Emperor now hated Qin Feng with every fiber of his being, he could not deny that this man was a rare military genius.

The Liang Emperor pondered, then asked: "If we prepare fully for a decisive battle with Bei Di, and they suddenly change tactics—how should we respond?"

Qin Feng shrugged, dismissive: "Let them change! Given the current situation, any scheme is meaningless. Only when both armies lay bare their strength, deploy troops, and crush each other with direct military force can we achieve decisive victory."

Though the Beixi County front has seen constant fighting and appears dire, the reality is precisely the opposite.

The two nations have not fought a large-scale war in a long time; they have merely stood in standoff, waiting for the Autumn Harvest to end and winter to arrive. Shedynasty can rely on its fortified cities for defense, while Bei Di will suffer the brutal cold—prolonging the conflict will slowly strangle Bei Di. Thus, Bei Di must seek a swift, decisive battle.

Qin Feng declared loudly: "I believe we need only sharpen our weapons, ready our troops, and prepare for a decisive battle with Bei Di. To do so, we must mobilize the Chariot and Cavalry Army, the Piaoqi Army, and the Border Army."

This was precisely what troubled the Liang Emperor—these three forces were now beyond his control.

But recalling how Qin Feng had requisitioned the Chariot and Cavalry Army to crush the Sanggan Army, the Liang Emperor immediately understood: Qin Feng was secretly demanding military authority.

With Qin Feng's power now so great, the Liang Emperor naturally resisted a hundredfold.

Yet without granting him command, who could command the Three Armies of the Northern Border?

In the long term, Qin Feng might threaten the Liang Emperor's imperial authority—but the Northern Border war is the acute crisis; one misstep could mean catastrophe.

Two Harmful Weights Choose the Lighter.

The Liang Emperor exhaled slowly, forced to concede: "Very well. I appoint you Supervisory Special Envoy of the Northern Border, granting you authority to command all three armies."

At these words, the entire Grand Hall fell utterly silent.

Even the Taibao Faction remained mute.

For Lin Taibao knew well: the National War was already decided; no one could shake the Qin father and son's position. More words would only be empty, meaningless chatter.

With this appointment, Qin Feng now held absolute control over Northern Border military affairs, while Qin Tianhu, as Supervisor of War, controlled troop movements and military preparations in Jingdu.

Now, all of Shedynasty must bow to the Qin father and son's will.

Moreover, the title of Supervisory Special Envoy was, in effect, granting Qin Feng the authority to expand his forces.

The Beixi County Garrison numbered barely seven or eight thousand men; now Qin Feng could expand without restraint—within days, the troop count in Beixi County alone might match that of the Three Armies of the Northern Border.

Lin Taibao shook his head with a bitter smile.

Others fleeing Jingdu were effectively finished—broken arrows.

But the Qin family's flight was a reversal of fortune, elevating the Qin father and son to a new height.

Even Lin Taibao, a veteran minister of the court, could not help but inwardly marvel at Qin Feng's cunning.

This court session ended perfectly, to everyone's satisfaction.

Yet the bitterness in each heart was known only to themselves.

Even Qin Tianhu felt deeply oppressed—he had been a loyal minister, yet had been forced into becoming a power-hungry minister…

Qin Feng, however, was in high spirits, his face beaming with pride.

Arms crossed, he lounged carelessly: "Father, since we've come this far, let's accept it. To serve the Emperor and build glory for Shedynasty, we must first secure our own lives—don't you agree?"