Chapter 680

First Volume, Chapter 680: This Day Has Finally Come!

After hearing Qin Feng's words, Ning Hu fell silent once more.

He didn't know whether it was his own vision that was too narrow, or Qin Feng's that was too deep.

Even before the state peace talks had begun, Qin Feng had already thought this far ahead.

The world all says Qin Feng takes one step and sees three.

In Ning Hu's view, Qin Feng clearly takes one step and sees ten!

Yet this also explained why even the sage with great ambition could not match Qin Feng.

Seeing Ning Hu remain silent, Qin Feng did not press him, but continued speaking.

"Now, I will answer your earlier question."

"Why am I so harsh on Liu Ming?"

"Because from the moment we drew the sage's suspicion, we had already passed the point of no return."

"No matter what the sage truly thinks, we and the sage can never reconcile."

"This path is destined to be a tightrope walk; one misstep could lead to utter ruin."

"And the force most likely to defeat us is rarely external—it is the traitor within."

"That is why we must be cautious, again and again, in choosing personnel—no room for error."

"Anyone whose loyalty or resolve shows even the slightest wavering must be immediately filtered out."

"As you said, Liu Ming bears heavy responsibilities."

"To be blunt, Liu Ming's loyalty concerns our very survival."

"Merely criticizing him is not enough—we must subject him to strict evaluation until we are certain he is fit for this role before entrusting him with important responsibilities."

Through Qin Feng's explanation, Ning Hu finally understood.

Aside from Qin Feng's family and the comrades who had followed him from the very beginning to build this empire, no one needed questioning.

Everyone else required strict vetting—absolute trust was impossible.

Especially someone like Liu Ming, who joined midway and bears heavy responsibilities, must be treated with utmost caution.

"Brother Qin, I was foolish."

Ning Hu immediately bowed his head in apology.

After all, pleading for Liu Ming was itself a sign of "unsteady loyalty."

Qin Feng smiled faintly, patted Ning Hu's shoulder, and signaled him not to worry.

Compared to his harshness toward Liu Ming, Qin Feng was overly lenient toward Ning Hu.

The reason was simple.

Ning Hu and Liu Ming were two entirely different kinds of talent.

As a martial man, Ning Hu's sole goal was to fight on the battlefield and earn merit—his military competence alone sufficed.

Ning Hu's strategic acumen was insufficient for any other sensitive duties.

Of course.

Qin Feng trusted Ning Hu so completely not only because they were good comrades, but also for another crucial reason.

Ning Hu was straightforward—he could not hide his thoughts and posed no threat whatsoever to Qin Feng.

"Ning Hu, the state peace talks begin tomorrow."

"Since the Northern Di Envoy Group entered Beijing, they've been holed up in the Yi Guan—we don't know what kind of desperate plan they've been brewing all this time."

"When we reach the negotiation table, it will surely be another fierce battle."

"Also, when the talks begin, I suspect the various forces lying dormant in Jingdu will make their moves."

"Their goals differ."

"Some hope to sabotage the peace talks, keeping Shedynasty and Northern Di at war—ideally, trapped forever in the quagmire of conflict."

"Others wish for Han Yuming's death, and do not want me to grow too close to Gaoshan Country."

"Some may even use this opportunity to settle personal grudges."

"Tomorrow, lead a portion of the Tianji Camp Guards to establish a military garrison at Mingyue Zhai, ready for any contingency."

"As for Zhao Yulong, just manage affairs within the camp."

"As long as these forces don't provoke us, even if their brains turn to dog shit and pig shit, ignore them."

Ning Hu nodded and immediately went to issue orders.

Qin Feng stood in the center of the courtyard, hands behind his back, gazing upward at the sky, his eyes revealing a depth of thought.

This day has finally come.

The state peace talks are the turning point of everything.

What tactics will the Northern Di Envoy Group deploy? Let us wait and see!

The next morning, as dawn barely broke, Qin Feng rose early and carefully washed and groomed himself.

Just as Qin Feng stepped out of his room and stretched his arms.

The Gate was pushed open.

Xie Yun'er and Liu Hongyan stormed in together.

They looked furious.

But upon seeing Qin Feng already awake, the two women froze.

Xie Yun'er covered her mouth, utterly astonished.

"Good heavens! Am I seeing right? Qin Feng, you actually woke up early?!"

"In the past, even if the sky fell, you'd sleep until the sun was high overhead."

Liu Hongyan also found it unbelievable.

After all, she had always stayed by Qin Feng's side and knew too well how lazy he was.

"Could the sun possibly be rising from the west today?"

"If I'd known you could get up on your own, Yun'er and I would never have rushed over to wake you!"

Qin Feng looked sulky.

"Yun'er, Second Sister, what kind of talk is that?"

"Yes, I'm lazy, but even I know when to act—today there's important business, so lying in bed would be inappropriate."

"As for ordinary days of lying in bed…"

"As the saying goes, the day's plan lies in the morning; morning is the best time, so naturally it's meant for cuddling with the bedding."

"Why suffer through waking early, sluggish and yawning nonstop?"

"If a young man doesn't lie in bed, is he even a young man?"

Hearing Qin Feng's absurd reasoning, Liu Hongyan couldn't help but burst out laughing.

She shook her head repeatedly.

"You, you're always twisting logic into nonsense."

"But since you're up now, I won't scold you—hurry to DaTang for breakfast and head to the palace."

"Father had already entered the palace one Envoy ago."

"All the officials for the State Peace Talks are here—only you are missing."

Qin Feng sighed, thinking: This isn't a funeral procession—why rush there so early?

Qin Feng wasn't in a hurry; he'd drag his feet. As long as he made it by the last moment, that was enough.

At the same time, the Grand Hall, specially designated to receive Foreign Envoys, was already packed with people.

Just the officials participating in the State Peace Talks numbered twenty.

Nineteen had already arrived; only one lazybones remained absent.

Qin Tianhu was deeply exasperated.

"Sigh, that brat—he knew today was a major State Peace Talks day, yet he still dawdles! He couldn't care less!"

"My face is completely ruined."

Seeing Qin Tianhu pounding his chest in frustration, the Minister of Dali Temple quickly stepped in to soothe him.

"Hahaha, Lord Qin, anger harms the body!"

"Your son despises court attendance—this isn't exactly a secret in Jingdu."

"Not just for State Peace Talks—even when the Emperor summons him, he drags his feet before showing up."

"Still, this State Peace Talks—everyone else can be spared, but your son cannot."

"After all, only he can keep the Northern Di Envoy Group in check."

The officials nearby nodded in agreement.

The Director of the Imperial Academy, hands behind his back, spoke solemnly.

"The chief envoy of the Northern Di Envoy Group is Lü Li—the most dangerous Hawk Faction minister of Northern Di."

"Few can hold him in check."