Chapter 629

First Volume, Chapter 629: Sword Pointing at Imperial Power

"We've been through life and death together, comrade—how could I not trust you?"

Between brothers, no words are needed.

Zheng Chu felt Qin Feng's unconditional trust and was deeply moved, bowing again.

"Your servant will spare no effort, and restore the Tianji Camp Guards to their former glory!"

Qin Feng clapped Zheng Chu on the shoulder: "Good comrade!"

"During its peak, the Tianji Camp Guards never exceeded three hundred men."

"Now, less than one in ten remain."

"This time, we'll still operate as if we have three hundred—no need to expand the roster yet."

"First, the Sage is too sensitive now; no need to provoke him."

"Second, the Tianji Camp Guards have always valued quality over quantity."

"If there are too many, training efficiency will plummet."

The Tianji Camp Guards are Qin Feng's sharpest battle blade.

Ten years honing the blade, one moment to drink blood.

Never used unless absolutely necessary—but once used, every enemy must feel the pain!

Yet.

After the Execution Ground battle, Qin Feng deeply realized the Tianji Camp Guards' shortcomings.

Had we not prepared in advance with targeted drills,

In a sudden ambush, the Tianji Camp Guards would have lost to the Palace Guards.

Qin Feng witnessed it with his own eyes.

Even caught off guard, the Palace Guards still managed to organize their tactical advantage and counterattack.

They inflicted significant casualties on both the Tianji Camp Guards and the Beixi Soldiers.

The Palace Guards lost for two reasons.

First, their weapons: they lacked properly prepared close-combat breakthrough weapons.

Second, their numbers: outnumbered, unless relying on terrain, even the elite face a ten-to-one casualty ratio.

"Zheng Chu, remember this."

"Of these three hundred, one hundred must specialize in hunting Palace Guards."

"These warriors are profoundly powerful—I'm certain the Palace Guards guarding the Execution Ground were not top-tier!"

"The true masters are all inside the Imperial Palace."

Zheng Chu strongly agreed with Qin Feng's order.

After all, he had personally wielded weapons and fought the Palace Guards in close combat.

Now thinking back, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

"Such warriors are themselves masters."

"Whether armored or unarmored, we are no match for the Palace Guards."

"Without specialized training, next time we face them, it will be a brutal battle."

Qin Feng's focus on the Palace Guards was never intended as rebellion.

It was merely to be prepared.

To establish roots in Jingdu, one preparation isn't enough—you need seven or eight.

Zheng Chu led the remaining Tianji Camp Guards away, re-establishing their military garrison at Tianji Camp.

Once personnel are replenished, we can transfer some to Mingyue Zhai.

Qin Feng turned to Zhao Yuxiong.

"Brother Yuxiong, among all forces in Jingdu, the ones they fear most aren't the Tianji Camp Guards—but your Black Cavalry."

"After all, these battle-hardened heavy armor cavalry are the most reliable force to extract us from Jingdu, no matter the peril."

"The Black Cavalry are all garrisoned at Tianji Camp."

Zhao Yuxiong immediately agreed, then asked: "What about Mingyue Zhai?"

"If all our elites are outside the city, what if…"

Before Zhao Yuxiong could finish, Qin Feng waved him off, his expression calm and unruffled.

"Transfer two hundred Beixi Soldiers to Mingyue Zhai."

"Leave one hundred Beixi Soldiers to garrison the Qin Family Mansion."

"That's sufficient."

"If we station too many troops inside Jingdu City, within days, the Imperial Guard and Palace Guards will become our neighbors."

"That would only cause trouble."

"Apply pressure to all sides—but keep it moderate; too much will backfire."

"After all, this is Jingdu…"

The words "Jingdu" represented Qin Feng's boundless ambition—and also his helplessness.

To make waves in Jingdu,

Two prerequisites are essential.

First, the imperial power must be utterly broken.

The Li Imperial Clan must have turned tyrannical, lost the people's hearts, and even the Imperial Guard and Palace Guards must be turning traitorous.

Second, we must possess overwhelming military strength.

To take Jingdu City, at least a hundred to two hundred thousand troops would be needed.

Otherwise, forget failing to bite through Jingdu City—even if the Jingdu City Gate were thrown wide open and the Rebel Army let in,

the Imperial Palace alone could hold off a siege of tens of thousands.

Throughout history, there have been cases of defending from the imperial palace and repelling the Enemy Army.

After all…

The imperial palace itself is the most top-tier fortress stronghold of the entire Shedynasty.

Qin Feng's way of standing in Jingdu is to reach a delicate balance with the Li Imperial Clan, and never lightly raise arms again.

"Right!"

Qin Feng suddenly recalled the most important matter.

"Send word to the Beixi side, have Zhao Li dispatch one hundred Jinyiwei over."

"Lock down everything around Tianji Camp."

"We must guard with absolute vigilance—every method of training for the Tianji Camp Guards and the Black Cavalry is the most important secret."

"I worry… after the battle at the Execution Ground, Blackie will investigate Tianji Camp's tactics and training day and night."

"And then counter them specifically."

"If they figure it out, next time we'll be the ones on the back foot."

"If you don't want to fight, the best method is to keep the other side forever unable to read you, holding them in awe."

Zhao Yuxiong never expected Qin Feng's mind to be so meticulous, thinking through every aspect so thoroughly.

For a moment, his admiration deepened.

He simply cupped his fist, without the slightest hesitation.

"Brother Qin, rest assured—we are all comrades who have shared life and death."

"The Northern Border Generals look to the Ming King for leadership."

"And we, for our part, swear to follow Brother Qin to the death."

Qin Feng, for once, also cupped his fist and offered a salute.

"All that I, Qin Feng, have achieved today is inseparable from the support of my comrades."

"We share in glory and in ruin alike."

To one side, Liu Hongyan, who had witnessed the entire exchange.

Her mouth fell open of its own accord.

Although Liu Hongyan knew Qin Feng possessed a general's talent,

she still clicked her tongue in wonder at Qin Feng's 'guts.'

Under Heaven and Earth, surveying past and present, who else would dare drill troops inside Jingdu City—and use them to guard against the imperial clan?

After Zhao Yuxiong left, Liu Hongyan could not help but sigh softly.

"Feng'er, I really rack my brains and still can't figure it out."

"All under Heaven fear the Sage."

"Why aren't you afraid at all?"

At these words, Qin Feng's eyes went wide, an expression of disbelief crossing his face.

"Not afraid?"

"How could I not be afraid!"

"I'm terrified—that's why I prepared so many contingencies!"

"The Li Imperial Clan are all tough customers, every one of them outstanding geniuses; to contend with them, one must summon a hundred and twenty percent of one's spirit."

"The slightest carelessness, and there will be no place left to bury the dead."

"Whether I fear the Sage or not is not important."

"What matters is whether the Sage fears me."

"So long as we hold each other in awe, we can live in peace."

"The day the Sage no longer regards me as an enemy—that's when I'm not far from death."