Chapter 546: First Volume, Chapter 546: Li Lang

First Volume, Chapter 546: Li Lang's Burial

Is it not merely a thought of the Liang Emperor to seal Qin Feng's fate?

But now, Qin Feng has achieved great merit, and his title has been granted—an unprecedented Marquis of Ten Battalion Commander.

In Jingzhong, he is protected by Qin Tianhu and supported by a host of officials from the Taolin Party.

Added to this are the loyal Northern Border Troops and his extraordinary merit.

The only way to eliminate Qin Feng is to order the Imperial Capital Garrison to rise up and attack him.

But what consequences would this trigger? The Liang Emperor dares not even imagine.

The Liang Emperor's Hedging Art is designed to prevent anyone from growing so powerful that even he must fear them.

What you fear, comes to pass!

Even the Liang Emperor never anticipated that Qin Feng would rise to this stature through a single National War.

"Holy Emperor, restoring Li Lang's identity is equivalent to restoring the Ming Wang and Li Zhang's identities—this cannot be compromised."

"But Qin Feng is utterly determined to stand up for the Ming Wang's family."

"If we continue to stall, it will only spark wave after wave of internal strife."

"Moreover, Li Lang truly sacrificed himself on the Battlefield—unless this is handled properly, military morale may collapse."

"In my view, it would be better to each take a step back."

The Liang Emperor knew that the Chang Princess and the Imperial Consort were both exceptionally intelligent women.

Today's return to the Hou Gong was precisely to hear their advice.

The Chang Princess's words intrigued the Liang Emperor greatly.

"Each take a step back? How exactly?"

In the past, the Liang Emperor would never have entertained the notion of "retreat."

How could a sovereign bow to a subject?

Merely thinking it would be an affront to imperial authority.

Yet now, the Liang Emperor has no means to deal with Qin Feng—not even through soft or hard tactics.

He sent ministers from the Ministry of Rites and Guanglu Temple to mediate, and dispatched the Imperial Guard to pressure him—what was the result?

Was it not a resounding rebuff?

Especially that damned Qin Feng—he went too far!

He has placed Li Lang's coffin directly atop the Qin Residence's DaTang, clearly intending to tell the world—

Is the Liang Emperor a heartless, ungrateful man?

The Liang Emperor longs to tear Qin Feng into a thousand pieces, yet in his fury, he is utterly powerless.

Killing a meritorious subject after war is a grave taboo.

At this point, the Chang Princess naturally dared not beat around the bush.

"What Qin Feng wants is merely to entomb Li Lang in the Imperial Ancestral Hall—then grant it to him."

"Holy Emperor, issue an edict: in recognition of Li Lang's sacrifice for the nation, merit and demerit offset, permit Li Lang's transfer into the Imperial Ancestral Hall."

"It need not be stated what demerit is being offset."

"If the Holy Emperor has already retreated this far, Qin Feng, being clever, will surely know when to stop."

"Thus, Qin Feng gains what he desires, Li Lang is enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Hall, and the Ming Wang's family's status is confirmed."

"A criminal in disgrace!"

Hearing the Chang Princess's words, the Liang Emperor's eyes brightened instantly—he saw the light.

Previously, the Liang Emperor had obsessed over imperial dignity, refusing to yield an inch, and thus had trapped himself in a dead end.

The Liang Emperor is but one man—he cannot account for everything.

The Chang Princess's strategy is undoubtedly the best option now.

The Liang Emperor felt the great stone weighing on his heart finally lift.

He immediately summoned Zhang Xiuye and drafted the edict right there in the Hou Gong garden.

"Transmit my command."

"Li Lang, who guarded the nation's borders and died on the Battlefield, achieved merit while bearing guilt—grant him permission to be transferred into the Imperial Ancestral Hall."

"Posthumously enfeoff Li Lang as Assistant County Earl."

A flash of insight struck the Liang Emperor's mind.

Since he was going to do this, he might as well finish it thoroughly—leave the Ming Wang's family no chance of redemption.

And give Qin Feng no pretext for further leverage.

This was the Liang Emperor's final choice offered to Qin Feng.

To transfer Li Lang into the Imperial Ancestral Hall, he must accept the title of Earl—according to ancestral custom, the Liang Emperor need never posthumously elevate Li Lang's title again during his reign.

Thus, Li Lang would forever remain merely an Earl, never a Crown Prince.

If Qin Feng remains unsatisfied and continues to seek Li Lang's rehabilitation, then the Liang Emperor would have no choice but to continue stalling with him.

By May, would Li Lang be buried or not? Another dilemma would await Qin Feng.

That night, the Royal Edict was delivered to the Qin Residence.

Qin Feng closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and let out a bitter smile.

"The Holy Emperor is still the Holy Emperor—in such a short time, he devised this perfectly balanced solution."

Qin Feng seethed inwardly, yet had no recourse—he could only accept the edict.

Continuing to stall benefits no one.

This is the best outcome Qin Feng could ever have obtained.

The next morning, as dawn just broke, the funeral procession appeared in full array outside the Qin Residence.

One group welcomed Li Lang's Spirit Tablet into the Imperial Ancestral Hall.

The other escorted the coffin to be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum.

As for the funeral procession, it naturally followed the rank of a "Marquis."

No matter what, the Liang Emperor refused to acknowledge Li Lang's status as Crown Prince.

At the time of Li Lang's burial, the Liang Emperor issued a Royal Edict, formally enfeoffing Qin Feng as a Ten-Thousand-Household Marquis.

All other soldiers received rewards and promotions.

Ning Hu's noble title was not elevated, but he was granted an official post, appointed Deputy General of the Beixi Army.

The Beixi Army…

When Qin Feng learned that the Beixi County troops had been enrolled into military rolls, he could only sigh helplessly.

"At this point, the Sage still can't let go of Beixi County."

Ning Hu, however, was quite pleased with his appointment as Deputy General of the Beixi Army.

After all, in Ning Hu's eyes, he had officially become a member of Beixi County.

Seeing Qin Feng frowning, Ning Hu found it strange.

"Brother Qin, isn't it good that Beixi County has become a military unit?"

Qin Feng let out a soft sigh.

"It's good, and it's not good."

"The good part is, Beixi County can now receive Provisions and Pay, with the Ministry of War sharing part of the Military Expenditure."

"The bad part is, Beixi County is now a Regular Army—future expansion, weapons, equipment, even training, must all follow the Sage's orders."

"Put plainly, Beixi County will forever be under the threat of being accused of rebellion."

Ning Hu had never anticipated such deep stakes.

He felt a chill of dread.

"Brother Qin, why don't you go and plead—can't we find a way to remove Beixi County's military status?"

At these words, Qin Feng laughed.

He thought: this Ning Hu is an excellent fighter, but knows nothing at all about court politics.

"The Sage won't use chains to bind Beixi County—he'd be unable to sleep or eat."

"This matter isn't worth worrying overmuch."

"As long as Beixi County's troops are strong and horses are fit, the Sage won't dare act."

"When the Sage suspects us of harboring rebellion, we'd better truly possess the power to rebel."

Ning Hu was utterly confused, but if Qin Feng said it was fine, then it must be fine.

Meanwhile, Xu Mo and Zhao Yulong were also appointed Deputy Generals of the Beixi Army.

Qin Cheng Clan, the Former General, the Chariot and Cavalry General, and the Piaoqi General were all recalled to Jingdu for rewards.

Qin Feng didn't hesitate—he directly ordered the Brocade Uniform Guard to send word to the Northern Border.

He gave the excuse: "To prevent the Di from reigniting war, we dare not leave—thank the Sage's kindness."

Put plainly: return to Jingdu? Don't even think about it!