Chapter 560: First Volume, Chapter 560: Kneel and Pay Respects

First Volume, Chapter 560: Kneel and Pay Respects

That brat Qin Feng—has he lost his mind?

Selling military equipment privately is a death penalty offense, but right now we're at the brink of two nations' peace talks.

As the saying goes: two harmful weights, choose the lighter.

If Qin Feng just muddles through with a few vague words, the Liang Emperor will naturally not pursue it too hard—at least for now, he'll suppress the matter.

But this fellow actually confessed publicly, and even called it "selling military equipment openly and honorably."

Since this fool is begging for death, the Liang Emperor will surely see just how "open and honorable" this is!

"Qin Feng, privately selling military equipment is a grave matter—give me a reasonable explanation."

Feeling the odd glances from the officials present, Qin Feng's heart remained utterly unmoved.

"It is well known that Gaoshan Country is a northern Di state."

"Since Gaoshan Country rarely borders our Liang Border, it poses no direct threat to our territory."

"In short, Gaoshan Country's existence brings neither benefit nor harm to our Liang."

"In contrast, the situation with the Di is precisely the opposite."

"Gaoshan Country lies west of the Di, sharing a border stretching thousands of li, and its entire territory is covered in rolling, endless mountains."

"Meanwhile, the Di is flat, open plains—should the two nations turn hostile, Gaoshan Country could instantly charge down and invade Di territory."

"If the Di wishes to retaliate against Gaoshan Country, they must attack uphill, while simultaneously struggling to adapt to Gaoshan Country's unique terrain."

"Attacking Gaoshan Country is, for any nation, a losing proposition—disproportionate effort for negligible return."

"Gaoshan Country cannot be fought—only courted."

Qin Feng struck without mercy, piercing Chen Si's weakest point—or rather, the very lifeline of the entire Di.

As the saying goes: the HeavenlyDao rewards retribution; heaven spares no one.

The Di, suffering from scarce materials, constantly covets the vast, resource-rich Liang.

Every time war ignites, the same topic arises: grain and forage.

Yet compared to small, impoverished states like Gaoshan Country, the Di is instead seen as a wealthy, powerful nation.

Should the Di and Gaoshan Country turn hostile, the Di's situation would mirror today's Liang.

The difference is: the Di has the power to overthrow Liang.

But Gaoshan Country, even if it poured out all its national strength, could never deliver a crippling blow to the Di.

Thus, Gaoshan Country will be like a fly that won't die and can't be swatted—constantly harassing and attacking the Di.

The Di's Xi Xian border will never know peace.

"If the Di maintains good relations with Gaoshan Country, it harms no interest of our Liang."

"But if the Di and Gaoshan Country turn hostile, it brings our Liang a fortune with no cost."

"All under Heaven knows the Di has never been a land of abundant resources—otherwise it would not have repeatedly invaded our Liang."

"This national war has already squeezed the Di dry; it can no longer support neighboring states."

"For Gaoshan Country, if the Di cannot provide the materials it desires, it will unhesitatingly betray them."

"After all, between nations, there are no eternal enemies or friends—only eternal interests."

When Qin Feng reached this point, the entire Grand Hall fell utterly silent.

All officials stared at Qin Feng in disbelief.

No one could have imagined that this money-obsessed merchant had openly incited rebellion against the Di's ally.

Qin Feng's lips curled slightly, revealing a smug smile.

"Don't misunderstand—courting Gaoshan Country is not about weapons and armor."

"Materials and supplies are the critical focus."

"As for weapons and armor, they're merely meant to arm Gaoshan Country's troops."

"After all, Gaoshan Country suffers from material scarcity, rare iron ore, and a lack of skilled craftsmen—its weapons are far too backward."

"If we don't strengthen Gaoshan Country's military, how can it become the Di's nightmare?!"

Nightmare…

Hearing that word, the officials' blood boiled.

The Liang court had never considered the strategy of allying with distant states while attacking nearby ones.

But every attempt from Liang itself always circled back to the Di.

Yet Qin Feng, through his own ability, incited rebellion against Gaoshan Country right under the Di's nose—unbelievable indeed.

At that moment, Qin Feng turned to face the Liang Emperor, bowed with neither humility nor arrogance.

"Gaoshan Country rarely borders our Liang, and its national strength is meager, its population sparse."

"Even if every citizen of Gaoshan Country were armed to the teeth, it could never threaten our Liang."

"By using these military supplies to gain Gaoshan Country as an ally, we create a counterweight that constantly threatens the Di's Xi Xian border."

"Tell me—is my openly selling military supplies a crime, or a merit?"

The Liang Emperor drew a deep breath, his gaze toward Qin Feng shifting again and again.

The moment he learned Qin Feng had incited Gaoshan Country, the Liang Emperor understood.

Qin Feng's private sale of weapons and materials had already earned him an unparalleled merit!

After all, single-handedly securing a powerful ally for Liang was unprecedented, never to be repeated.

At this moment, the Liang Emperor's emotions were deeply complex.

On one hand, he feared Qin Feng's threat to imperial power and wished to kill him at once.

On the other hand, Qin Feng truly was a once-in-a-generation genius.

Should he eliminate Qin Feng once and for all, or keep this talent for Shedynasty and rebuild its industry?

Even the Liang Emperor, whose Hedging Art had reached its peak, found it hard to choose for the moment.

After a short while, the Liang Emperor slowly let out a breath; he had already made up his mind.

Matters of the future can wait for the future; getting through the hurdle before him now is the proper way.

"Marquis Qin induced rebellion in Gaoshan Country and rendered great merit; I am greatly pleased."

"The matter of selling Military Supplies and Materials and Supplies is not only without fault, but merits reward; as for the reward, we shall discuss it another day."

Once these words were spoken, though the Manchu Civil and Military did not directly offer Qin Feng their congratulations, they cast him fervent gazes one after another.

Qin Feng slowly turned, his gaze falling on Chen Si.

By now, Chen Si's face had already shifted between shade and light.

Qin Feng pressed the advantage, giving Chen Si not the slightest chance to catch his breath.

"When my Beixi County dispatches its troops, the great army of Gaoshan Country will also coordinate from the Xi Xian."

"You Northern Di — don't you fear no war? Then I shall see who, in the end, will have the last laugh!"

Forgetting war invites peril; loving war invites doom.

How could Chen Si fail to understand this principle?

The Combat Effectiveness of Beixi County Soldiers needs no question; once they launch an attack, the Northern Di must dispatch Elite Troops to meet them.

At the same time, the great army of Gaoshan Country attacking from the Xi Xian will likewise require large forces to be sent to intercept.

Back and forth like this, the National Strength of the Northern Di will only be further Consumed.

Once the people can no longer make a living, no outside force is needed — the internal rifts alone will be enough to give the whole country a bitter draught.

At this moment, Chen Si finally understood: Qin Feng had never intended to crush the Northern Di in a One-Strike Victory.

He meant to drag the Northern Di back into the quagmire of war.

Some wars do not require a victor; as long as they drag on, one side will eventually be worn down.

A Consumption War has always been the Northern Di's sore spot — and their most fatal weakness!