Chapter 603

First Volume, Chapter 603: All Come to Assist

Zhao Li, Dragon Tiger Army Grand Commander, personally led his troops to surround Qin Feng.

Upon discovering that the Minister of Justice and the Chief Justice of Dali Temple had both fallen into Qin Feng's hands, Zhao Li immediately raised his hand and ordered all troops not to move rashly.

Dressed in armor, Zhao Li sat atop his horse, left hand gripping the reins, right hand clutching a spear, imposing and towering as he looked down upon Qin Feng.

The Zhao family and the Qin family were on very good terms.

Not only because Zhao Yuxiong and Qin Feng were sworn brothers, but also because Zhao Li himself was a member of the Taolin Party.

Zhao Li truly did not wish to face Qin Feng in battle, but as Commander of the Imperial Capital Garrison, duty weighed upon him—he was powerless to refuse.

"Qin Feng, I urge you not to persist in your folly."

"Your Beixi Soldiers may be fierce, but escaping from Jingdu back to the Northern Border is nothing short of a fantasy."

"Meanwhile, the Black Guards have already issued orders to all Thirty-Six Counties of Jingdu—the entire capital region is now sealed like an iron barrel."

"The Imperial Palace has been placed under strict lockdown, with thirty thousand Imperial Guards fully armed."

"Both paths forward and retreat are blocked—your only option is to surrender."

With so many eyes watching, even if Zhao Li wished to point Qin Feng toward a better path, he could find no opportunity—he could only recite his lines without deference or arrogance.

And given Qin Feng's intelligence, he naturally understood that forcing a breakout was no longer feasible.

At this moment, to find a turning point, he must forge a new path!

Qin Feng knew full well that the combined forces of Jingdu's various troops numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

Among them were elite units like the Imperial Guard, the Longhu Army, and the East and West Camps.

Never mind distant forces—just Qin Tianhu's cavalry alone could crush Qin Feng's forces utterly.

But if he surrendered now, the best outcome would be Nine Clans Extermination; if the Liang Emperor flew into a rage and ordered every implicated person executed by slow slicing, it would be entirely justified.

Facing Zhao Li's plea to surrender, Qin Feng showed no wavering—his gaze was resolute.

"Commander Zhao, do you really think I still have a choice at this point?"

"Even if we die, we will die on the road back to the Northern Border—not locked in Si Kou Lao, slaughtered like livestock."

"If Commander Zhao does not care whether the Minister of Justice and the Chief Justice live or die, then simply give the order to attack—why waste words?"

Seeing Qin Feng's determined stance to fight to the death, Zhao Li was not surprised.

Or rather, this was exactly the kind of character Qin Feng should have—if Qin Feng had surrendered, Qin Tianhu would have found it strange.

At that moment, the Minister of Justice shouted at Zhao Li: "Commander Zhao, do not act rashly—think of the greater good!"

Everyone understood that the "greater good" the Minister of Justice referred to was, of course, his own life and fortune.

Not just Zhao Li—even the commanders of the East and West Camps now found themselves in a dilemma.

Normally, eliminating the Rebel Party required no hesitation—just issue the order and crush them.

But Qin Feng held two hostages, and these two hostages were among the highest-ranking ministers in court.

If either of these two officials died in the bloodshed, not only would Zhao Li be unable to answer to the Liang Emperor, but the entire Heaven would condemn the Longhu Army.

Moreover, state peace talks are imminent.

Whether Qin Feng is eliminated or the two officials are accidentally killed, both outcomes are major advantages for the Northern Di Envoy Group.

At that point, it would be unclear whether the Northern Di Envoy Group came to seek peace—or merely to sightsee.

This matter carries immense stakes—no one dares make a decision lightly.

Qin Feng and the Imperial Capital Garrison had unknowingly formed a standoff.

And the Chief Justice of Dali Temple, who had always stayed out of the affair, suddenly spoke up.

"If Commander Zhao cannot decide, send someone to the Imperial Palace immediately for an Imperial Audience."

With no other options left, Zhao Li promptly dispatched a messenger to rush to the palace.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of Dali Temple turned to Qin Feng beside him and bluntly said:

"Qin Feng, a messenger traveling to and from the Imperial Palace will take at least half a Envoy—you must hold steady and not act rashly, or you'll kill me and the Minister of Justice."

"We are merely carrying out orders—we hold no grudge against the Qin family."

At these words, the Minister of Justice nodded vigorously, agreeing repeatedly: "Exactly right, Qin Feng—don't bring innocent people into this!"

"Bring innocent people into this?" Qin Feng silently sneered.

The once proud and imposing Minister of Justice had become so cowardly when his life was threatened—it was utterly unexpected.

Qin Feng said nothing, instead carefully pondering the deeper meaning behind the Chief Justice's words.

Knowing the Chief Justice of Dali Temple as he did, this man, though skilled at self-preservation, was extremely upright in character.

He would never stoop to begging for mercy.

Moreover, when the Chief Justice mentioned the messenger's round-trip time of half a Envoy, his tone had clearly intensified.

Could it be…

Was the Chief Justice hinting that this half a Envoy was Qin Feng's final chance?

Qin Feng glanced at the Chief Justice—when their eyes met, he clearly saw a flicker of something unusual in the man's gaze.

Qin Feng was now nearly certain: the Chief Justice of Dali Temple was helping him.

But why?!

Qin Feng could not fathom it—but the situation was too urgent to waste time speculating.

He'd treat a dead horse as if it were alive!

Qin Feng's mind raced—this half a Envoy was certainly not enough to break through the Imperial Capital Garrison's encirclement lines.

Aside from forcing a breakout, what else could he do?

After much thought, Qin Feng's gaze fell upon Zhao Li across from him.

Why had the East and West Camps, as well as the former City Patrol Office, all sent only Deputy Officers—mostly Colonels, with the highest rank being only Deputy General?

He probably thinks this matter is too dangerous and doesn't want to show his face, lest he get dragged in.

And since Zhao Li is a member of the Taolin Party, and his son Zhao Yuxiong is Qin Feng's Comrade, he ought to avoid even the appearance of bias.

Unless…

A flash of insight struck Qin Feng's mind—he suddenly grasped the turning point!

Simply having the Dali Temple's Chief and the Minister of Justice as leverage clearly isn't enough to shake the Liang Emperor's resolve to kill.

With Li Qian and Lin Taibao whispering slander, the Liang Emperor may well weigh the costs and directly abandon the two ministers, ordering Qin Feng eliminated.

Unless Qin Feng holds enough leverage!

Qin Feng no longer hesitated; he seized the Minister of Justice's shoulder and shouted across at Zhao Li: "Commander Zhao, how about a deal?"

Zhao Li raised an eyebrow: "What deal?"

Qin Feng glanced at the Minister of Justice, his eyes filled with contempt, and sneered: "The Minister of Justice is a Court Heavy Minister."

"In the coming Two Nations' Peace Talks, the Minister of Justice will inevitably play a role."

"Though I, Qin Feng, have been driven today to commit Death Penalty, I still cherish the prosperity of Shedynasty. How about this:"

"I trade the Minister of Justice for Commander Zhao."

At these words, the officers of the East and West Camps immediately erupted in protest.

"Qin Feng, don't dream!"

"Hmph, who doesn't know your Evil Scheme?"

"Commander Zhao, don't be fooled by this scoundrel."