Chapter 543: First Volume, Chapter 543: Pacification Policy

First Volume, Chapter 543: Pacification Policy

Ning Hu refused to leave; at least when Qin Feng most needed his comrade's presence, Ning Hu would not abandon Qin Feng to face alone the Liang Emperor's Hedging Art.

Qin Tianhu worried about the Yong'an Marquis's anxiety, yet also felt deeply comforted.

Qin Feng having such a comrade who would risk life and limb for him was truly his fortune.

At that moment, a rapid series of footsteps sounded outside the Door.

Immediately after, Qin Xiaofu, who had returned to Jingdu with them, rushed in, panting.

"Young Master, many Officials have arrived outside!"

"Officials from the Ministry of Rites and Guanglu Temple—over a dozen in total."

Everyone present, even Qin Tianhu, involuntarily turned their gazes toward Qin Feng.

Yet Qin Feng's eyes remained expressionless, as if he utterly disregarded this grand display.

"The Ministry of Rites and Guanglu Temple both handle funerary affairs; their arrival today is naturally concerning Li Lang's burial—no need to overreact."

Qin Feng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his fury and resentment, then turned to Qin Tianhu:

"Father, many Officials from the Ministry of Rites and Guanglu Temple are your old friends; please step aside for now—let me handle this matter."

Qin Tianhu showed no hesitation and immediately turned back toward the Back Courtyard.

Meanwhile, the Officials of the Ministry of Rites and Guanglu Temple entered under Qin Xiaofu's respectful escort.

Initially, the Officials, relying on their numerical superiority, wore expressions of arrogance.

But when they saw Qin Feng, kneeling before the coffin, his gaze cold and sharp,

and the fierce guards surrounding him,

their arrogance vanished instantly; all switched to smiling faces.

The highest-ranking Official present was Chen You, Director of Guanglu Temple.

Chen You gave a signal, and all Officials pretended to pay respects and offer prayers to Li Lang.

After the rites concluded, all Officials stepped aside.

Only Chen You remained standing before Qin Feng, forcing a semblance of sincerity.

"Commander Qin, you led the Northern Border Generals to repel the North Di Barbarians, achieving extraordinary merit; the Sage's countenance brightened, and he has ordered to enfeoff you as a Ten-Thousand-Household Marquis.

"Since the founding of Shedynasty, no Ten-Thousand-Household Marquis has ever been appointed—you are the sole recipient of such favor.

"Though still a Marquis, this title qualifies as the First Marquis Under Heaven.

"On the third day, at the Merit Banquet, the Sage will proclaim it to Heaven."

Originally, the Liang Emperor had humiliated and chastised Qin Feng by granting him the unprecedented "One-Household Marquis."

Now, he was about to break precedent and enfeoff Qin Feng as a Ten-Thousand-Household Marquis.

Qin Feng felt no joy whatsoever—only bitter irony.

If the Liang Emperor pleased himself, what difference would it make if he granted a Hundred-Thousand-Household Marquis or even a Million-Household Marquis?

A single title cannot erase the blood shed by the Northern Border Generals—it is laughable.

"Director Chen, what else did the Sage instruct you to say? Speak plainly—no need for circumlocution."

Chen You observed Qin Feng without expression.

This man possessed extraordinary talent; whether in the Way of Commerce or in stratagem and warfare, he handled both effortlessly.

Otherwise, Qin Feng would never have become a powerful warlord with troops at the Northern Border while still so young.

Anyone holding military power must be handled with care.

Especially Qin Feng, who had "worn down" the North Di Barbarians?

"The bond between Young Master Qin and Li Lang has moved even the Sage deeply."

"Yet… certain past events are unspeakable; our conversation today is confined to this DaTang alone."

"Once you step beyond this door, you must forget everything entirely."

"Have you ever heard an old saying, Young Master Qin?"

"The empire has always been seized by force—never surrendered by Shan Rang."

"The dragon soars through the heavens; whether Sage or Bright King, they differ from us mortals, mere ants."

"Two eaglets born in the same nest high above, never touching earth—only one survives; only the strongest inherits the vast sky."

"The Bright King was born a military genius; during his Rong Border service, he fought the North Di Barbarians repeatedly, achieving unmatched battlefield merit."

"Yet the Bright King was not a good ruler—at least, not for Shedynasty."

"The current Sage has perfected the Hedging Art; under his rule, Shedynasty has reached its present zenith."

"If Li Lang's identity is restored, the Sage's throne will inevitably tremble—this is a result no one wishes to see."

At this, Chen You extended both hands and bowed once more to Li Lang's coffin.

Every gesture radiated reverence.

The deeper meaning behind this act was unmistakable.

Restoring Li Lang's identity is impossible in name.

But in practice, Li Lang may be granted the treatment of a Heir Apparent.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites and Ministers of Guanglu Temple have already come to the Spirit Tablet to pay homage.

They have already treated him as no different from a Heir Apparent.

The rites are complete.

Chen You withdrew a Secret Letter from his sleeve and offered it to Qin Feng.

"Young Master Qin, this letter was personally signed by the Sage; if you are willing to spare your hand and abandon restoring Li Lang's identity, you may choose any official post within the Six Ministries and Five Courts of Jingdu—except the top two positions."

"I hear Young Master Qin detests trouble—I have many idle posts in the Ministry of Rites."

At your age, Young Master Qin, if you could attain the rank of Vice Minister of Rites, it would surely become a celebrated tale.

As for matters on the Northern Border, as long as Young Master Qin remains loyal to the Sage, the Sage will naturally refrain from interference.

Chen You had already shown sufficient sincerity by appealing to emotion and reason.

Yet Qin Feng's gaze never changed from start to finish.

Without hesitation, Qin Feng took the Secret Letter and tossed it into the brazier.

This act left Chen You stunned for a long while.

"Young Master Qin… do you know what it means to burn this letter?"

All the Officials in the room drew in a sharp breath.

Even Ning Hu furrowed his brow slightly—he knew this letter had been issued by the Sage.

Burning the letter is tantamount to deceiving the sovereign—it is a Death Penalty offense!

At that moment, a cold laugh rang out.

"Chen Official, are you truly foolish, or are you pretending to be clueless? After serving so long beside the Sage, don't you understand him yet?"

"Go back and tell the Sage: this tactic of appeasement has been applied in the wrong place."

"As for the Power Struggle between the Sage and the Ming Prince, I have always kept silent, fearing I might be consumed by the fire."

"But the fire has caught alight, after all."

At this point, Qin Feng has no path to retreat.

If I cannot seek justice for Li Lang, then I have no face left to show the people of Beixi.

"The Sage cares only for balancing power, yet fails to understand: to win the hearts of the people is to win Heaven."

"Is this Shedynasty's current prosperity truly due to the Sage's governance, and not the legacy of the former emperors and sages?"

"If the Sage truly possessed such grand talent and vision, how could the Di of the North still stare hungrily?"

"How could the Three Generals of the North vanish without a trace?"

"One of the Three Dukes, Grand Commandant Gao, has ruined his final years. The Grand Tutor has not returned. The Grand Protector cares only for the Power Struggle."

"Powerful Clans in the Nan Jing glare with hunger; natural disasters and human miseries plague every region—these countless misdeeds truly owe their existence to the Sage!"