Chapter 63: First Volume, Chapter 63: Big Gamble, Harm to the Body

First Volume, Chapter 63: Big Gamble, Harm to the Body

Beside him, the Vice Minister of Revenue clenched his teeth, face dark with rage: "What a pair of Qin family father and son! The son, having no official rank and being a junior, steps forward to stir up trouble, luring everyone into the trap—then Qin Tianhu appears to scold them. I've maneuvered in court for over a decade, yet today I've been fooled by this shameless street trick!"

The officials had all realized the truth, and they longed to tear Qin Feng apart alive on the spot.

Though the Liang Emperor had declared today an exception with no taboos, as officials, they ought to reflect on themselves—now, high-ranking ministers are all gambling; not only does this disgrace their official status, it's utterly unbecoming. The Liang Emperor has surely noted this day on his little ledger, and when the reckoning comes, not one of today's officials will escape.

Everyone turned to look at the Liang Emperor, their backs prickling with cold—just moments ago, his face had been bright and smiling, but now it was grimly dark.

Others might have missed Qin Feng's subtle gesture, but how could the Liang Emperor overlook it? From the moment Qin Feng waved his fingers at Qin Tianhu, the Liang Emperor had already realized Qin Feng was preparing something big. The Liang Emperor played along, eager to see which of his high officials truly cared about the nation's rise and fall.

The result, however, left the Liang Emperor deeply disappointed.

Though the Liang Emperor's tone remained light and showed no hint of blame, his expression and gaze sent chills through every official present: "Minister Qin, I've already said today is an exception—no taboos. Just place your bet for Qin Feng. I won't hold it against you."

Qin Tianhu fell to his knees with a thud, as if he wanted to weep blood: "I've served for over twenty years—I dare not defy the Imperial Will even in death. But today, even if I die, I will not gamble. This is the bare minimum standard for any official. This exception may be harmless to other ministers, but for me, I dare not slacken even a hair's breadth."

The Liang Emperor snorted coldly, face dark with displeasure: "Since Minister Qin refuses to follow my will, I won't force you. Step aside!"

In the past, everyone would have thought Qin Tianhu had fallen from favor and was about to be cast into the Cold Palace. But today was different—these words of the Liang Emperor were clearly a disguised compliment.

The Liang Emperor's gaze swept over the other officials, lingering longest on those of the Hubei Party: "My lords, don't let a few individuals ruin your enjoyment. Today's gambling still stands, with me as witness. Some of you are First Rank ministers, earning hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in salary each year—yet you can't even scrape together a few thousand taels!"

"But you others understand frugality and fiscal prudence—you produce tens of thousands of taels of silver on this joyous day without even frowning. Clearly, you're all extremely thrifty in daily life. Tomorrow at early court, you must tell me in detail how you manage your frugality—so that certain officials may learn."

Even the Minister of Revenue and Ning Qingquan were drenched in sweat, sitting on pins and needles.

Every single official who had gambled wanted to swarm Qin Feng and flay him alive.

At this very deadline, Qin Feng jumped out again, pouring oil on the fire—making the officials' teeth ache with rage.

Qin Feng wore a carefree grin, feigning magnanimity: "The North Di barbarians are pressing at our border, the National Treasury is empty—this is precisely when money is needed. If I win today, I'll donate half my stake to fill the National Treasury. That should be enough to equip half a cavalry unit. If we gamble a few more times, won't the Border Army be armed to the teeth?"

At these words, the gambling officials nearly fainted.

The Liang Emperor smiled broadly, yet his smile sent ice through the officials' bones: "Young Qin has heart—he knows the National Treasury is empty, so he thinks of this method to raise military expenditure. Had it not been for today's game, I never would have realized how much wealth lies hidden within this small circle of Jingdu."

"Today's exception? Hehehe. To repel the North Di, for the sake of Shedynasty, why not I issue an Imperial Edict making gambling legal from now on? What do you, my ministers, think?"

The Minister of Revenue jumped as if shocked, rushed out of his seat, and fell to his knees with a thud, screaming desperately: "Your Majesty, no! If Shedynasty becomes addicted to gambling, it will drain our National Strength!"

Though impulsive, Ning Qingquan understood the stakes of today—he too knelt down, feigning sorrowful cries: "For Shedynasty, for the people, I beg Your Majesty to rescind this Imperial Command!"

With the Minister of Revenue and Marquis Yong'an leading, nearly all the officials collapsed to their knees in a wave, bai tou ru dao.

"Please, Your Majesty, rescind the Imperial Edict."

The Liang Emperor's eyes were expressionless. Though he had now seen the true hearts of his officials, as the saying goes, Law Does Not Punish the Many—he glanced at Qin Feng and saw him standing aside, cheeks flushed red, as if barely holding back laughter.

Sensing the Liang Emperor's gaze, Qin Feng immediately took the cue, unafraid of offending anyone, and shouted loudly: "Why is there no money to send troops against the North Di, but plenty for gambling? What a strange thing! I think Your Majesty's idea is sound—it's a desperate measure to defend our border."

Qin Feng ignored the murderous stares of the officials around him and spread his hands: "What can we do? Shedynasty has no money."

The Pro-Peace Faction had always relied on the excuse of "an empty National Treasury" to block war—never imagining that today's farce concealed such a deadly trap.

Even the cunning Minister of Revenue had not foreseen Qin Feng's unorthodox move—using this opportunity to strike at the Pro-Peace Faction.

Now, hatred was too late. The Minister of Revenue could only grit his teeth and feign heartbroken sorrow: "Then let us do this: all officials pool funds for military preparation against the North Di—everyone contributes."

At these words, the officials eagerly agreed, and the entire Ji Wang Fu echoed with passionate declarations.

"For Shedynasty, for Your Majesty, we must open our purses!"

"Exactly right! We all enjoy the Imperial Grace—this is our fortune today. Now that the North Di barbarians press our border, we must unite as one!"

Only Ji Wang remained seated, watching the sea of kneeling civil and military officials, then glancing at Qin Feng's smug grin nearby—he shook his head with a wry smile: "That brat is truly unpredictable. The war that has plagued Your Majesty for so long has been solved by this fellow's tantrum."

"With a son like this, how could the Qin Family not flourish?!"

The Liang Emperor's eyes were full of contempt—but when they turned to Qin Feng, they shifted a hundred and eighty degrees, brimming with favor.

Li Zhan, skilled at reading the air, understood the Emperor's thoughts and quickly chimed in: "The Qin father and son are of one spirit with Your Majesty. Qin Tianhu is utterly loyal, but too rigid. Now, with this smooth-tongued Qin Feng to balance him, they will surely relieve Your Majesty's burdens. Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

The Liang Emperor glanced at Li Zhan and snorted: "Old fool, you talk too much!"

Li Zhan trembled and immediately bowed his head, daring not to speak again.

Some things are understood, never spoken.