Chapter 558: First Volume, Chapter 558: Diplomatic Offense and Military Intimidation

First Volume, Chapter 558: Diplomatic Offense and Military Intimidation

The Liang Emperor did not care about Chen Si's overstepping.

After all, everyone in Heaven knew that the North Di had lost, but only because their logistics had failed and they had been worn down.

Moreover, Chen Si had decisively ordered a military retreat, allowing the North Di's main force to be preserved.

It could be said that the North Di still had strong troops and horses, and remained the foremost power among surrounding states.

But when Qin Feng suddenly stepped forward and rebuked Chen Si for overstepping, the Liang Emperor's mood grew complex.

On one hand, he admired Qin Feng for upholding our nation's prestige.

On the other hand, he feared it would undermine the upcoming state peace talks.

After much deliberation, the Liang Emperor decided not to intervene, and simply watched what would happen.

Qin Feng stepped forward directly from the crowd and halted less than seven chi from Chen Si.

His piercing hawk-like eyes locked firmly onto Chen Si.

"Excessive formalities?!"

"Do you even know what propriety is? Propriety is order, benevolence, friendliness, respect, and morality!"

"Our Shedynasty is the Rong Yi Zhi Bang, and we have always regarded the words 'propriety' as weightier than Taishan."

"How could you, North Di Barbarians, possibly understand?!"

As soon as the words "Barbarians" were spoken, Chen Si's brow twitched slightly.

The officials present also looked astonished, some even with traces of fear.

"Barbarians" was the gravest insult to the North Di—if they enraged Chen Si and he walked out, the peace talks would end in vain.

But Qin Feng didn't care at all; his tone grew even sharper.

"You North Di have no sincerity in peace talks!"

"The North Di King sent you, a Main General from the Battlefield, as envoy to our Shedynasty—clearly to deliver a Downward Warning."

"This is not the attitude of a defeated army!"

"But since you have come, our Shedynasty has no reason to expel you."

"After all, our Shedynasty is filled with virtuous scholars; how could we possibly equate ourselves with your crude Barbarians?"

"No matter who you are or what title you hold, as an Envoy who has come to our Shedynasty to meet the Sage Emperor, you must kneel and bow!"

"If you refuse, it is an act of treason—cut off your ears!"

Qin Feng's gaze was razor-sharp, with not a hint of bluster.

Chen Si, having clashed with Qin Feng before, knew Qin Feng's methods all too well.

If Qin Feng said it, he would do it.

Yet Chen Si, too, was a hardened general forged in the fires of war—how could he be intimidated by Qin Feng's mere words?

Their eyes met: Chen Si's gaze was calm and restrained, yet unbendingly resolute.

"I am a Diplomatic Envoy of Great Di, having traveled ten thousand li to Liang Kingdom—yet you, Lord Qin, repeatedly insult me—is this your so-called propriety?"

In response to the accusation, Qin Feng sneered.

"Propriety exists—but it depends on whom you show it to!"

"Victory and defeat determine all; the strong devour the weak. What dignity can a defeated general claim?"

"If it were our Shedynasty that had lost, the humiliation we suffered would be far worse than today!"

What is called state peace talks is, in truth, the final clash between two nations—equally brutal.

If we falter, the advantage won at the cost of countless soldiers' blood and sacrifice will vanish completely.

Qin Feng could never allow the blood of our soldiers and innocent civilians to be shed in vain.

At such a moment, there is no room for social niceties.

Qin Feng intended to publicly humiliate Chen Si, grind away all his aggression, and strike a hard blow to the North Di King's face.

To make the North Di abandon illusions and negotiate honestly.

As for this Chen Si, even if he is a Legendary General of the North Di, what does it matter?

He is now on our soil—whether dragon or tiger, he must coil and lie down!

"Kneel! Bow and pay your respects!"

Qin Feng spoke slowly, each word absolute, leaving no room for doubt.

This overt aggression in his words enraged Chen Si.

On the battlefield, Chen Si had indeed lost—and he had lost with full acceptance.

But now, each represented their own nation; neither could yield an inch.

Facing Qin Feng's relentless pressure, Chen Si's gaze grew even sharper.

"Since your state repeatedly shows disrespect, I shall return home and report truthfully to my Sovereign!"

"When war reignites between our two nations, the blame will lie with Liang!"

At these words, every official present frowned deeply, their eyes filled with heavy concern.

Liang had indeed won.

But it could absolutely not sustain another large-scale war.

Some officials could no longer hold back and prepared to step forward to dissuade Qin Feng—but Qin Tianhu glared them back into silence.

The Liang Emperor looked down from above, silently observing the verbal duel between Qin Feng and Chen Si.

Though he too felt some concern, he made no move to stop it.

All along, the Liang Emperor had wished for Qin Feng to participate in the peace talks.

He hoped this Main General, returned from the Battlefield, could intimidate the North Di and secure the greatest possible advantage for Shedynasty.

Qin Feng had long anticipated that Chen Si would threaten war, and he couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"War?"

"Our Shedynasty is blessed with the virtue of benevolence, unwilling to let the innocent common folk of the North Di suffer and perish, which is why we have abandoned the pursuit of a victorious advance."

"Since the North Di are so blind to the times, don't blame our Shedynasty's iron hooves for trampling your lands flat!"

As his words fell, Qin Feng directly let out a great roar: "Where is Ning Hu!"

The next moment, a heavy sound of footsteps came from outside the Di Tang.

Ning Hu, clad in Armor, appeared outside the Di Tang's door and responded with a clasped fist.

"Shu Xi is here, what are your orders, Marquis!"

Qin Feng did not hesitate in the slightest.

"Send word to the Northern Border, the Northern Border Troops, advance the entire line to the Border for Military Garrison!"

"Concentrate forces at Beixi County, attack the North Di immediately! Encounter a city, break the city; encounter a county, destroy the county—kill them all, Massacre them all, to warn any who would follow!"

Ning Hu knew the situation at Beixi County well; after such a great battle, it simply had no strength left to wage another war.

Moreover, knowing Qin Feng's character, he naturally would not do something like "burn, kill, and plunder."

Those terrifying words were nothing more than meant to frighten Chen Si.

Naturally, Ning Hu did his utmost to cooperate with Qin Feng.

Without any hesitation, he immediately gave a low shout: "Shu Xi obeys the order!"

Ning Hu carried out orders without delay, turned, and directly left the Di Tang's door.

This move, instead, caused Chen Si to throw his head back in laughter.

"Hahaha, Marquis Qin truly put on a fine show."

"Even though you style yourself the First Marquis Under Heaven, how can a mere minor Marquis decide a matter of such great importance as war between two kingdoms?"

Saying this, Chen Si ignored Qin Feng and turned to look at the Liang Emperor.

"Does this Shedynasty bear the surname Li, or the surname Qin?"

"Liang Kingdom Holy Man, surely you aren't just a pretty but useless embroidered pillow, are you?"

Chen Si was quite bold, daring to mock the Liang Emperor right there in the Grand Hall.

Originally, the Officials present were all worried about war breaking out again and dared not speak.

But at this moment, Chen Si actually dared to publicly disparage the Liang Holy Man—this was already an act that damaged the dignity of the nation.

The Officials one after another loudly rebuked him.

"Audacious! A mere defeated general, daring to insult our Shedynasty's Holy Man—his crimes deserve ten thousand deaths!"

"Although since ancient times there is the principle of not beheading a Diplomatic Envoy, since we cannot kill you, we shall cut off your ears, gouge out your nose, and pluck out your eyes!"

"What Marquis Qin said is no lie—you truly are North Di Barbarians, utterly without manners to speak of!"

"No need for more words with this wretch, just heavily punish him!"

Seeing that the Shedynasty Officials had all been enraged, a pleased smile instead appeared on Chen Si's face.

He simply stared at the Liang Emperor like that.

The Liang Emperor was also furious beyond endurance, yet forcibly suppressed his rage, all because Chen Si could not be punished!