Chapter 545: First Volume, Chapter 545: Soft and Hard in Tandem

First Volume, Chapter 545: Soft and Hard in Tandem

A short street was packed with thousands of elite troops; Imperial Guard units surrounded from both sides, while Beixi Soldiers guarded the Qin Family Gate.

The two armies faced off, curses rising and falling like waves, as if a great battle was about to erupt.

Cheng Meng stepped forward personally, fixing his gaze on the lead Beixi officer, his eyes piercing and his tone absolute.

"A mere foreign army dares to cause trouble in Jingdu?"

"Soldiers who assault their superiors—kill them all!"

"Why haven't you cleared the way yet?"

Facing the menacing Cheng Meng, the Beixi Soldiers' eyes showed not the slightest ripple.

Even though the enemy outnumbered them and matched them in weaponry and equipment,

it did not frighten the Beixi Soldiers, hardened by the fires of battle.

"This is the Qin Family's sacred ground. Lord Qin holds the rank of Minister of War; Young Master Qin is enfeoffed as Marquis of Ten Battalion Commander—both his official position and noble title place him at the pinnacle of human rank!"

"Commander Cheng, though you are Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, you wish to storm the Qin Residence and seize someone without cause."

"I'd like to ask you, Commander Cheng—who is the one committing treason?!"

Cheng Meng's eyes narrowed slightly.

He had not expected a little-known Beixi officer to dare stand against him, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard.

These Beixi Soldiers were indeed just as rumored.

Relying on the Northern Border's strong army and horses, they were brazenly unafraid.

Yet if a real fight broke out, Cheng Meng himself felt deeply uncertain.

After all, with equal equipment, the deciding factor would be who had more battlefield experience.

Though the Imperial Guard trained monthly, they still paled in comparison to Northern Border Troops truly forged on the battlefield.

"Heh, who told you I came here to arrest someone? I heard the Baron of Fuyun County died in battle—I came specifically to pay my respects."

"Is it not improper to deny even a funeral visit?"

The Beixi Soldiers calmly scanned the surrounding Imperial Guard troops.

"Do you yourself believe that excuse? Whether you're here to pay respects or to intimidate, you know full well—no need for me to spell it out."

"My Young Master is inside the residence. If you truly wish to pay respects, walk right in. As for the rest of your Imperial Guard—whether they may enter depends on their own ability."

Cheng Meng held the rank of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard—when had anyone ever spoken to him like this?

Today, a mere Gate General had taught him a lesson.

Clearly, Qin Feng was determined to break with the Emperor.

Cheng Meng slowly turned, giving a subtle signal to his Deputy General.

Since Qin Feng wished to test the Emperor's resolve to strike down rebels,

then Qin Feng must pay a price.

This is Jingdu, a vital imperial seat—foreign troops have no right to brandish their weapons here.

Just as Cheng Meng prepared to order a test of the Beixi Soldiers' tactical advantage, a messenger rushed over.

"Commander, the Emperor's decree: Do not engage Qin Feng in armed conflict."

Cheng Meng had never intended to fight Qin Feng's troops to the death.

He only meant to probe—if they proved stubborn, he'd seek another approach.

But if he simply withdrew now, wouldn't the Imperial Guard lose all its prestige?

Cheng Meng's eyes narrowed, his tone hostile: "If it is the Emperor's edict, I naturally obey. But I'd like to ask—why?"

The Liang Emperor had already foreseen Cheng Meng's resentment.

After all, no one had ever dared challenge the Imperial Guard's authority in Jingdu.

Thus, the messenger explained without hesitation.

"Report from the Central Plains Imperial Party: Northern Border Troops have advanced fifty Li southward."

Fifty Li meant nothing against the entire Shedynasty's territory.

But for the overall situation, it was a grave development.

Those fifty Li signaled the Northern Border Troops' determination.

Should Qin Feng suffer even a single misstep, the Northern Border Troops would march south, sword pointing at the Capital.

Though this war had cost the Northern Border dearly, their pride in repelling the Di had raised their morale to its peak.

At this deadline, neither standing off against the Northern Border Troops nor sparking an internal war would be wise.

Especially since the Di, though defeated, had preserved their core strength.

Should Shedynasty descend into civil war, the Di would immediately cancel the State Peace Talks.

Though the Di lacked the strength to invade Shedynasty for three to five years, losing this precious chance at peace would make them look down on Shedynasty from the bottom of their hearts.

The entire meaning of this National War would be lost!

How could Cheng Meng not understand the stakes?

He turned and glanced at the Qin Family Gate, drawing a deep breath.

Whether the extraordinary merit from the National War or the Di peace talks, both were Qin Feng's Immunity Gold Medal.

At this deadline, no one—not even the Liang Emperor—dared touch a single hair of Qin Feng.

Cheng Meng could only order a Military Retreat.

Within a single day, the news spread throughout all of Jingdu.

Not only court ministers, but even common citizens in Jingzhong whispered among themselves.

Every alley and street buzzed with talk of this affair.

"Have you heard? Today, Jingdu nearly saw a bloody incident!"

"How did it turn bloody? Don't believe everything you hear! In my view, it's just a minor thing."

"Is this still a minor thing? Officials from the Ministry of Rites and Guanglu Temple all gathered at the Qin Residence, and thousands of Imperial Guard troops surrounded the Qin Residence completely."

"This is what they call 'first courtesy, then force!'"

"Did it work? The Qin Family doesn't buy any of that. Those court ministers, the Imperial Guard too—didn't they all slink away in the end?"

"Heh, I heard the Imperial Guard never even laid eyes on Qin Feng before they retreated. This is the Imperial Guard—when did they ever act so cowardly?"

"So what if it's the Imperial Guard? They only bully people in Jingdu. Where were these so-called Elite Troops when we fought the Northern Di?"

"Who says otherwise! When it comes to war, they're nowhere to be seen. Now, forming factions, fighting for power—they pop up again. Pfft, what trash!"

"Shh, lower your voices—do you want to die?"

Just as the entire Jingdu was in an uproar, the Liang Emperor unexpectedly returned to the Hou Gong.

In the Western Flower Hall, the Chang Princess and the Imperial Consort were both present.

For the Imperial Household, the Liang Emperor's appearance took everyone by surprise.

After all, since ascending the throne, the Liang Emperor had worked tirelessly, spending four out of every ten months in the Imperial Study.

Three out of ten months in court assemblies; the remaining three, either sleeping or eating.

How could he have time to return to the Hou Gong for leisure?

Today, the Liang Emperor suddenly returned to the Hou Gong, and he looked exhausted—the Chang Princess and the Imperial Consort immediately understood why.

He was driven to this by Qin Feng!

Though the Imperial Consort was sharp-tongued, she was not reckless; this was no time for settling personal grudges or whispering in his ear.

She simply sat quietly beside the Liang Emperor, chatting lightly about palace trivialities.

The Chang Princess, however, was more direct—she placed a freshly brewed flower tea before the Liang Emperor.

"What are your plans now, Your Majesty?"

The Liang Emperor picked up the Tea Cup, took a small sip, and said nothing.

The Chang Princess added: "Qin Feng is no longer what he was. You can't deal with him the way you used to."

This remark struck right at the Liang Emperor's heart.

The old Qin Feng, no matter how boastful, had no official rank, no military power—nothing more than a petty nobody.