Chapter 553: First Volume, Chapter 553: Ruler and Minister Standoff

First Volume, Chapter 553: Ruler and Minister Standoff

After the war, peace talks were of paramount importance; Liang and the Northern Di each sent envoys for preliminary discussions, agreed on a negotiation date, and then the Northern Di dispatched a formal envoy group.

Compared to swift horseback riders and urgent imperial reports, the peace envoys inevitably moved slowly.

After all, for the Northern Di, the longer the negotiations dragged on, the more advantageous it was—they could observe, waiting to find leverage favorable to themselves.

As the foremost meritorious subject of this national war, the Qin Family's position in the peace talks was naturally pivotal.

Although the peace talks were led by the Ministry of Rites, Guanglu Temple, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Qin Family must also send representatives to participate.

Only then could the effect of "diplomatic pressure combined with military intimidation, soft and hard tactics together" be achieved, securing the greatest possible benefit for Liang.

Once the Qin Family withdrew, the Liang Kingdom's peace delegation would grow significantly weaker.

And the Northern Di, being martial by nature, would look down upon Liang's group of scholarly civil officials even before negotiations began, already harboring three parts of contempt.

At that point, forcing the Northern Di to submit, cede territory, and pay reparations would become all the more difficult.

Qin Feng's sudden announcement of withdrawing from the peace talks was undoubtedly a direct challenge to the Liang Emperor.

The Liang Emperor slowly sat back on the Dragon Throne; the anger in his eyes had vanished, replaced by caution sharpened with intensity.

The entire Grand Hall grew even quieter.

All eyes converged upon Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor.

Compared to the Second Prince's false accusation moments earlier, the tension now finally exploded.

Even if Li Qian were of the highest nobility, he was still merely a Prince.

A Prince and a Sage may seem separated by only a thread, yet in truth they are worlds apart.

The Liang Emperor silently regarded Qin Feng, as if testing and warning him with his gaze.

Qin Feng stood proudly among the ministers, neither humble nor arrogant, meeting the Liang Emperor's gaze head-on.

Even the Six Ministries' ministers, including the Three Dukes, would never dare to meet the Liang Emperor's eyes directly.

There were two reasons.

First, a minister staring directly at the Sage risks suspicion of stabbing the King and assassinating the chariot.

Second, anyone who dares to meet the Sage's gaze is challenging the Sage's authority.

Qin Feng, who had always been cautious and strived to avoid entanglement in imperial power struggles, had now broken his usual pattern.

He confronted the Sage with the most fierce and unyielding stance possible.

All the Civil and Military Officials present had sweaty palms.

No one knew what would happen next, but one thing was certain: this ruler and minister, this master and servant, this old and young pair.

Both possessed the power to shatter Liang's existing order and drag everyone into hell.

The Sage, of course, held ultimate authority—he could decide anyone's life or death.

Including Qin Feng!

If the Sage killed Qin Feng or ordered his arrest, even the Northern Border Troops could not retaliate in a short time.

Conversely, Qin Feng commanded the full military strength of the Northern Border; should anything happen to him,

Xu Mo, Zhao Yulong, the Ming King, Li Zhang, who remained in Beixi County, along with the Qin Family's Jia Guan,

would launch an internal war capable of destroying Liang's golden age.

Even if the Liang Emperor held the Garrison Army and the Central Plains Imperial Party as his two greatest military assets,

how much chance did he truly have against the Northern Border Troops, who had just defeated the Northern Di?

Moreover, the powerful clans of the Nan Jing had long lain dormant, waiting for an opportunity—who could be certain they would not ally with the Northern Border Troops to overthrow the Emperor?

In this Imperial Court, a "balance of terror" had always been maintained since ancient times.

Once this balance was broken, the entire nation would be dragged into an endless abyss of internal decay.

The Civil and Military Officials' hearts were in their throats; they could only silently pray that the Sage and Qin Feng would each take a step back.

The Grand Hall was filled with a deadly chill, as if time itself had stopped.

After an unknown length of time, the Liang Emperor's voice finally shattered the silence.

The moment his voice rang out, imperial authority was fully revealed.

"Qin Feng, are you using Liang's peace talks as leverage to coerce me?"

Qin Feng, who had just moments ago appeared fierce and hawkish, reacted instantly.

He extended both arms, clasped his hands together, and performed a perfectly standard bow.

"My loyalty to Liang is evident to heaven and earth; my loyalty to the Sage is as clear as the bright moon in a clear sky."

"The Two Nations' Peace Talks are currently of the utmost importance—they determine whether the fallen soldiers of the Northern Border can rest in peace."

"They determine whether Liang's lost National Strength can be recovered, and whether further war between the two nations can be avoided, ensuring Liang's golden age endures."

"How could I possibly manipulate the peace talks? Place personal interests above national interests?"

"Only when the peace delegation is united can the Northern Di be intimidated."

"If there are fissures within, it will backfire—and even alert the Northern Di envoy group."

"If so, it is better to avoid the risk from the very beginning."

Qin Feng's words respected the Liang Emperor while providing the most reasonable explanation for his withdrawal.

Qin Feng's loyalty is genuine—but he is not foolishly loyal.

For the sake of Liang's kingdom and its people, Qin Feng would unhesitatingly squeeze the last drop of potential from Beixi County.

But for the Li Imperial Clan, who would sacrifice anyone merely to consolidate power, such loyalty would be greatly diminished.

With the Liang Emperor's cunning, how could he not hear the deeper meaning behind Qin Feng's words?

No matter how noble or reasonable they sounded,

in essence, Qin Feng was using his withdrawal from the peace talks to threaten and constrain the Liang Emperor.

The Liang Emperor's gaze remained fixed on Qin Feng, his mood growing ever darker.

"Marquis Qin's words are not without merit."

"Marquis Qin, in order to ensure the success of the State Peace Talks, voluntarily stepped aside—this loyalty, I have understood."

"Yet, the diplomatic envoy delegation must also include a representative from the military."

"After all, the Di are warlike; relying solely on civil officials will not compel them to submit."

"As for replacing Marquis Qin, the choice is not difficult—leaders of the Jingdu Garrison, loyal ministers of the Central Plains Imperial Party, all are capable."

The Liang Emperor's words were unmistakably a reminder to Qin Feng.

Don't overestimate yourself—those who can replace you, Qin Feng, are countless!

This dynasty can continue to operate without any one person.

If you can be replaced, Qin Feng, then you can also be destroyed.

The Liang Emperor has issued Qin Feng a final ultimatum: if Qin Feng persists in his arrogance, he will face annihilation!

Qin Feng held deep reverence for the Liang Emperor's clear warning.

But he could not bow—once he bowed now, he would never again hope to raise his head.

Qin Feng's body maintained the most humble posture, offering the Liang Emperor the highest respect.

Yet his tone grew even sharper, more forceful.

"The Jingdu Garrison, the Central Plains Imperial Party, the garrisons in each province—surely they teem with capable men; those fit for the envoy delegation are too numerous to count."

"But these men lack experience dealing with the Di—they must proceed with caution."

Upon hearing this, every official present broke into a cold sweat.

Even Li Qian's eyes widened in utter disbelief.

For Qin Feng's words were an outright threat to the Liang Emperor.

This had never happened since the founding of the Shedynasty!