Chapter 429: First Volume, Chapter 429: No Door to File a Complaint

First Volume, Chapter 429: No Door to File a Complaint

In the Imperial Palace of Jingdu, the Imperial Study.

Lin Taibao stood beneath the bookcase, his expression grim and indignant, listing Qin Feng's crimes one by one.

"The autumn harvest has already begun in Jiangnan, yet that scoundrel Qin Feng, abusing his authority as Supervisory Special Envoy, has mobilized Northern Border Troops to forcibly storm the Jiangnan Granary. Under the pretense of purchasing military rations, he pays grain merchants only ten cash per dou—what difference is there from outright robbery? If merchants gain no profit, how will they venture into the countryside to collect grain? Even if Jiangnan's harvest is bountiful, without merchants going door to door, the grain will rot in the fields."

"This act of his, at its smallest, disrupts Jiangnan's commercial environment; at its largest, it ruins the state's economy and people's livelihood, bringing endless harm to Shedynasty."

"This is his first crime!"

"The Northern Border Troops are meant to defend against the Northern Di army; unless under Imperial Command, they are strictly forbidden from being moved. Yet Qin Feng has unlawfully mobilized them—his intentions must be treacherous!"

"Old Minister believes Qin Feng should be stripped of his position as Supervisory Special Envoy and punished severely!"

As Lin Taibao furiously listed Qin Feng's crimes, the Liang Emperor's face wore a grave expression, but inside he sneered silently.

This old fox only now comes to the palace to file a complaint, pushed to the brink by Qin Feng.

In daily life, relying on his position as Taibao and his network of allies, he has always considered himself above others—and has caused me no end of trouble.

Now that Qin Feng has targeted him, he has brought it upon himself!

Though the Liang Emperor's dread of Qin Feng runs deep in his bones, he cannot deny that Qin Feng's repeated suppression of Jiangnan grain merchants brings nothing but benefit to Shedynasty.

Though unlawfully mobilizing Northern Border Troops is indeed improper, two harmful weights choose the lighter: compared to Qin Feng's actions, the Jiangnan grain merchants are the true source of endless harm.

The Liang Emperor outwardly treated the matter with great seriousness, telling Lin Taibao to wait outside while he consulted the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue—yet in truth, he had no intention of acting on it at all.

As soon as Lin Taibao left the Palace Gate, the Minister of Justice stepped forward to meet him: "Your Excellency, how did it go?"

Lin Taibao's face was cold; he snorted: "The Emperor intends to consult the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue on this matter."

Hearing this, the Minister of Justice's heart sank halfway.

Procedurally, Qin Feng's unlawful troop mobilization and strong purchase of military rations fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue. But the problem is: the entire Ministry of War is surnamed Qin, and Minister of Revenue Li Xu, since Gao Ming's fall, has grown strangely ambiguous in his relationship with his former mortal enemy.

Rumors even say the Ministry of Revenue has decided to join the Taolin Party.

If this happens, the Ministry of War, Ministry of Revenue, and Ministry of Personnel will all be under Qin Feng's control.

The Ministry of Rites has always avoided involvement in court affairs, obeying only the Emperor's orders. As for the Ministry of Works, its voice in court has always been weak.

Thus, for the Taibao Faction, it is as if surrounded on all sides.

The Minister of Justice's eyes flickered with rare alarm: "Your Excellency, Qin Feng clearly intends to strike at the Lin Family—testing the waters in Jiangnan while encircling you in court. He has popular support among the folk, protection from the Taolin Party under legal authority, and military initiative. If this continues, it will be disastrous for us."

How could Lin Taibao not understand the stakes?

Gao Ming, though lacking support from powerful clans, was always a pillar of the court, single-handedly suppressing the Southern Nobility. Yet even such a senior minister was crushed by Qin Feng.

Now Qin Feng's power grows daily—even the Liang Emperor can barely contain him. Resolving this matter in court is likely impossible.

Lin Taibao understood: time, terrain, and public support all favor Qin Feng. With war looming, he must seize this chance to confront Qin Feng directly.

"Hmph! Qin Feng relies on the Ministry of War's backing and acts without fear—but he forgets: it takes at least three to five days for a command from the capital to reach Jiangnan!"

"If Qin Feng can quell Huang Cheng's rebellion in seven days, then I, as Taibao, can destroy his underlings in three!"

"Send a message to the Jiangnan Commander!"

Meanwhile, the Hou Gong was no less unsettled.

The Sixth Prince rushed to the Imperial Consort's chambers, weeping loudly: "Your Majesty, please be my champion!"

Though the Sixth Prince and the Imperial Consort shared no blood ties, in the harem they were nearly mother and son.

The Sixth Prince knew well that only the Imperial Consort could stand up for him—he burst into tears.

"Qin Feng is utterly lawless! If he is not severely punished, where is the Emperor's dignity?!"

The Imperial Consort had never imagined Qin Feng would dare beat a Prince—something unprecedented since Shedynasty's founding. Her own biological son, the First Prince, had died on the battlefield due to Qin Family machinations. Now Qin Feng was targeting her adopted son, the Sixth Prince.

This long-standing family grudge made her grit her teeth.

But…

The current situation was no longer what it once was!

The Imperial Consort did not immediately reply to the Sixth Prince; instead, she coldly asked: "Have you gone to Zongzheng Temple?"

The Sixth Prince nodded frantically: "Of course I went! I went straight to Zongzheng Temple—but the Director of Zongzheng Temple delayed and refused to accept my case. Even Dali Temple remained silent. If Zhang Xiuye hadn't stopped me, I would have already gone to Father Emperor to file a complaint."

Hearing this, the Imperial Consort sighed helplessly: "Zhang Xiuye did right. Zongzheng Temple and Dali Temple have made the Imperial Will clear. You must endure this beating—no one in the entire harem can speak for you."

If these words came from anyone else, it might be forgivable.

But even the vengeful Imperial Consort spoke this way—the Sixth Prince felt utter despair: "Qin Feng is merely a minor Marquis of a Battalion Commander, holding only a hollow title as Supervisory Special Envoy—surely even a mighty Shedynasty cannot touch him?"

The Imperial Consort shook her head decisively: "The Emperor's grand strategy was meant to reap full rewards—but one misstep, and all has gone wrong. Qin Feng's power now rivals that of my father. No one can move him."

As she spoke, the Imperial Consort waved her hand, signaling the Sixth Prince to leave.

Since entering the palace, this was the first time she had felt so powerless.

A mere Qin Feng had repeatedly defied her expectations. Had she acted when she had the chance, she could have crushed him then. Now his wings are grown—regret is all that remains, and helplessness. Moreover, Qin Feng is now targeting the Lin Family; she has enough trouble of her own—how could she spare strength to champion the Sixth Prince?

At this, the Imperial Consort gazed toward Xiagong and sighed deeply, her eyes filled with resentment: "No wonder you're you—when you don't strike, you wait; when you strike, you strike with such ferocity."

The Sixth Prince left the Imperial Consort's palace, seething with indignation. As the adopted son of an Imperial Consort, a Prince granted special privileges, had he really been beaten by Qin Feng with impunity?

This insult cannot be borne!

The Sixth Prince immediately headed toward the Second Prince's Sleeping Palace.

But as he reached the palace gate, he was blocked by the Fuzhen Maiden.

"Your Highness arrives at an ill time—my mistress has gone out on business."