Chapter 681: First Volume, Chapter 681: Cultured and Easygoing

First Volume, Chapter 681: Cultured and Easygoing

As soon as these words were spoken, the officials present could not help but recall the day the Northern Di Envoy Group arrived in Beijing.

Qin Feng executed the Northern Di military officers accompanying the envoy, severely punished Lü Li, and upheld the prestige of the Liang Kingdom.

For a moment, applause broke out.

Seeing how much the senior officials favored that brat, Qin Tianhu's expression finally softened slightly.

At that moment, Minister of Revenue Li Xu suddenly spoke up.

"Lord Qin, after this state peace talks concludes, according to protocol, the Emperor will surely summon us to inquire about the details of the negotiations."

"Why not seize this opportunity? We officials should jointly submit a petition to the Emperor, immediately appointing the Taishi Taibao."

"Now that two of the Three Dukes are gone, only the Grand Tutor remains—this vacancy cannot be left unfilled forever."

Li Xu had once been at odds with the Qin Family.

But since joining the Taolin Party, he had gradually become one of its core stalwarts.

As Minister of Revenue, Li Xu held power unmatched by any other.

With his support, the strength of the Taolin Party was self-evident.

Moreover, all officials participating in this peace talk belonged to the Taolin Party or the Civil Official Faction.

With no outsiders present, discussing this matter directly required no excessive caution.

Besides, who in the Imperial Court does not know about the appointment of the Taishi Taibao? It was never a secret to begin with.

As Li Xu raised the matter, the officials present immediately responded.

"Exactly right! This matter cannot be delayed any longer!"

"Let's follow Lord Li's suggestion: after the peace talks end, we shall jointly petition the Emperor to appoint the Taishi Taibao immediately."

"The Three Dukes are the pillars of Liang—now two of the three great pillars have fallen; this is certainly no good for Liang."

"Our urgency to appoint the Grand Preceptor and Grand Guardian is for the sake of Liang's realm and its people."

"Lord Qin, what do you think of this?"

Qin Tianhu saw things clearly.

He naturally understood that the senior officials harbored some concerns.

Although the Taolin Party controlled key departments such as the Ministry of War, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel, Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and Imperial Academy,

its power had nearly reached its peak.

Not only could political rivals not stand against it—even the Emperor had to yield three steps.

Yet as father and son, Qin Tianhu and Qin Feng, as Party Chief, their status and authority were relatively insufficient.

They lacked the decisive power to settle matters once and for all.

Whoever secured even one of the vacant Taishi Taibao positions

would completely solidify the Taolin Party's position, making it unshakable by anyone—and the officials' lingering worries would vanish.

Although pressuring the Emperor during this critical deadline might raise suspicions of disloyalty,

Qin Tianhu could only yield to the ministers' wishes and nod in agreement.

Seeing Qin Tianhu agree, the officials were overjoyed.

At that moment, the Eunuch's voice rang in.

"The Northern Di Envoy Group has arrived!"

The Taolin Party officials present fell into perfect unison, halting their conversation, turning toward the inner side of the negotiation table, and taking their seats.

They stared toward the Door.

Qin Tianhu glanced left and right, seeing Qin Feng had not yet appeared; he could not help but grow anxious.

Although the peace talks could not possibly be concluded in a single day,

this was state business—time was invaluable; every moment delayed was a great loss for Liang.

Qin Tianhu silently grumbled.

"That brat—has he overslept again?!"

Just then, accompanied by footsteps, the Northern Di Peace Envoy appeared before them.

Qin Tianhu could only focus on what lay before him.

Led by Lü Li, with Han Yu and Chen Si as assistants, the envoy group entered the Grand Hall in turn.

Ordinarily, as host, Liang should have risen to greet them as a matter of courtesy.

But under Qin Feng's influence, the officials all knew well: these Northern Di barbarians responded only to force, not kindness.

Not a single person rose; not a word was spoken.

They simply sat on one side of the negotiation table, coldly staring at the Northern Di Envoy, delivering a Downward Warning on the spot.

Lü Li let out a soft snort.

Though he had anticipated this scene, his naturally fiery temper still stirred some resentment.

Since the Liang officials were so hardline, Lü Li had no patience for pleasantries.

With a casual wave of his hand, the envoys each found their assigned seats.

With both sides seated, the peace talks should have begun immediately—but silence fell.

Both sides stared at each other, neither speaking.

Simply locking eyes like this wasted a full One Cup of Tea Time.

During this time, Chen Si scanned back and forth, searching for Qin Feng's presence—but found Qin Feng was not there at all.

He gently nudged Lü Li.

"Lord, Qin Feng has not arrived—advantage is ours; let's begin at once!"

Lü Li, though unwilling, had to admit that among Liang's peace negotiators, Qin Feng was the most difficult to deal with.

Since Qin Feng isn't here, this will be easier.

Lü Li cleared his throat and said in a deep voice: "I have long heard that Liang is a land of propriety."

"Yet today's meeting is nothing special."

"We have traveled thousands of miles to Liang's Jingji to discuss post-war matters, yet everything we've witnessed since entering Beijing has left us stunned."

"Liang shows not even a shred of sincerity—it is utterly disrespectful!"

Facing Lü Li's outburst, Qin Tianhu did not back down.

He immediately narrowed his eyes and retorted sharply.

"You know full well this is beneath the Son of Heaven's feet, yet you ignore our strict laws, riding horses through the streets—how utterly disrespectful!"

"As Foreign Envoys, you ought to show humility, yet from start to finish, we've only seen your arrogance and insolence!"

"You, mere North Di Barbarians, as a Defeated Nation, where do you get your nerve?!"

At the words "Defeated Nation," Lü Li flew into a rage.

He slammed his palm on the table, teeth clenched.

"I know exactly how much strength Liang has!"

"If not for my Great Di's logistical mishaps, we would never have lost to you scholarly weaklings!"

"Now, my Great Di has prepared grain and materials and supplies. If you don't want to talk, then don't—meet us on the Battlefield!"

"My Great Di's iron hooves shall crush your skulls!"

The Liang peace negotiators all erupted, pointing at Lü Li and shouting insults.

"Rogue, how disrespectful!"

"No wonder you're North Di Barbarians—so audacious!"

Qin Tianhu stood up at once and smashed the Tea Cup before him onto the ground.

"No more talks! Talk a damn ball!"

"Dare you call our Liang soldiers weak? Who were those useless fools our Liang soldiers drove into the dirt?"

"Defeated dogs, how dare you bark?!"

Lü Li also stood, fists clenched, face flushed with rage.

"What soldiers? Just cowards huddled behind City walls, only good at defense!"

"You wouldn't dare face my Great Di's mighty armies in Open Field Battle—even with a hundred times your courage!"

Qin Tianhu sneered: "You crude barbarians from the wild wastes, used to eating outdoors and sleeping under the open sky—you can't even afford fine grain."

"My Liang Kingdom is strong, its materials and supplies abundant—we naturally build Border Fortresses."

"You want to build one? Can you even afford it?!"