Chapter 695

First Volume, Chapter 695: This Is Truly a Just Cause

Although Chen Si did not want to admit it, facts spoke louder than words.

Even the Northern Di army must rely on cities or strongholds, advancing layer by layer, step by step.

Consolidating strongholds consumes large numbers of troops, weakening frontline strength, while also requiring defense against attacks from all directions.

Any attempt to rebuild Ben Zhou would be a business that lost everything—even to one's great-grandmother.

In contrast, the strategic intent on the Beixi County side was simple and clear.

Since they regarded Ben Zhou as a buffer land,

the only thing to do was to throw this land into chaos, forcing the Northern Di side to run itself ragged.

The relationship between the Northern Di and Liang Kingdom had always been clear.

The Northern Di were always the aggressors; Liang was always the defender.

But with Qin Feng's arrival, this clear-cut division was shattered—now Liang was taking the offensive, and it was the Northern Di's turn to defend.

That was not all—Qin Feng delivered another powerful blow in front of everyone.

Qin Feng took the brush, swept his hand, and wrote a military order on the letter.

"Chariot and Cavalry General, consolidate the Northern Border's rear defensive line."

"Piaoqi General's forces, advance along the entire line, coordinate with the Former General to defend the front line."

"Beixi County troops, launch a full-scale offensive from the buffer land—target Xiongying Ridge!"

After issuing the order, Qin Feng handed the letter to the Imperial Eunuch and said calmly, "Convey my thanks to the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince recognizes the value of Xiongying Ridge—no wonder he is a descendant of the Ming King."

"Though we cannot attack Xiongying Ridge immediately, the strategy of stationing troops to exhaust the enemy is the best arrangement."

"Also, let Xu Mo act without restraint—just destroy Xiongying Ridge."

"No need to capture it—only destroy it!"

Qin Feng shouted these orders deliberately for the Northern Di Envoy Group to hear.

Lü Li's face had turned deathly pale.

Han Yu clenched his fists, silent for half his life.

Chen Si closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.

Xiongying Ridge was the Northern Di Border's most vital transit hub—if it fell and was destroyed, the entire province would become the buffer land Qin Feng described.

And…

Qin Feng had made it clear: Li Zhang, the Ming King's son sitting in Beixi County, had already seen the value of Xiongying Ridge and had implemented the strategy of stationing troops to exhaust the enemy.

If the Northern Di did not immediately send reinforcements, Beixi County would not waste much time capturing Xiongying Ridge…

The overall situation was settled…

The entire Grand Hall fell silent once more.

The Northern Di Envoy Group said nothing; the Liang Kingdom's Peace Negotiation Ministers were stunned, unsure what to say.

They had argued with the Northern Di Envoy Group for two days and gained no progress.

Yet Qin Feng's mere appearance secured absolute initiative through iron-fisted measures.

Li Xu could not help shaking his head with a bitter smile.

"In my view, we came here just to watch the show."

"This peace talk requires only Qin Feng."

The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices could not help sighing: "Lord Qin, your son is truly admirable beyond words."

Qin Tianhu wore a proud expression, yet inside he was startled.

Even though Qin Feng was his own son, these actions still filled Qin Tianhu with both admiration and fear—only Qin Feng could wield such swift, decisive authority.

Sitting across from him, Han Yu saw the tide could no longer be turned.

He could only gamble everything, placing his last hope on "legitimacy."

"Qin Feng! Undeniably, under your leadership, Beixi County's troops have become a formidable Expeditionary Brigade that troubles our Great Di."

"But our two nations are currently in State Peace Talks—you suddenly launch troops to attack our Northern Di."

"Morally and rationally, this cannot be justified!"

"Or are you saying that from the very beginning, your two nations used peace talks as a cover, aiming to strike while our Great Di was vulnerable?!"

Han Yu's words made every Peace Negotiation Minister in the hall break into a cold sweat.

What other nations did was none of their concern.

But Liang Kingdom cared deeply about the words "legitimacy"—in fact, legitimacy was the very foundation of the state.

This duplicity—publicly pretending while secretly maneuvering—did not match Liang's character.

If this became known, wouldn't all surrounding kingdoms point their fingers at Liang's back?

In the future, no matter which kingdom Liang fought, the enemy would fight to the last soldier and refuse any peace talks.

After all…

Who would entrust their life to a deceitful, untrustworthy man?

Seeing the Liang Peace Negotiation Ministers remain silent, Han Yu secretly exhaled in relief.

Treating the root cause was the right path!

Now, he could press his advantage, exploiting Liang's deepest concern—legitimacy—to reduce War Reparations.

Just as Han Yu was basking in self-satisfaction, Qin Feng slapped the ice box before him.

"Heh, Vice Envoy Han, all you've said amounts to complaining that I lack a just cause, doesn't it?"

"Then let me give you one."

Qin Feng did not rush to open the ice box; instead, he pulled out Lü Qiu's letter from beneath and tossed it directly onto Han Yu's lap.

"Look closely—what is this!"

Han Yu made no move to pick it up; merely from the envelope's design, he could tell it was a special envelope used exclusively by the North Di Barbarians to deliver Secret Letters.

If Qin Feng had produced this envelope, he must have seized some incriminating evidence.

Han Yu feigned calm: "This… what is this?!"

Seeing Han Yu pretend ignorance, Qin Feng paid no mind, and cast a long look at Lü Li.

"Lü Zhu Guo, if Han Vice Envoy doesn't recognize it, surely you do?"

"After all, this Secret Letter was personally signed by you and issued to Lü Qiu."

Upon hearing the name "Lü Qiu," Lü Li's body trembled visibly.

His eyes locked onto the envelope.

Seeing the few drops of blood stained on the envelope, he instantly understood—his entire demeanor collapsed at once.

Seeing Lü Li's psychological defense had been shattered,

Qin Feng pushed the envelope straight toward Chen Si.

"General Chen, look—does my Shedynasty have cause or not?"

Chen Si tore open the envelope with one hand, read its contents, and turned deathly pale.

He slammed the Secret Letter onto the table, turned, and whispered fiercely to Lü Li: "Lü Zhu Guo, what can I even say about you!"

"This conduct is utterly superfluous—adding feet to a snake!"

Seeing this, the bewildered Liang Officials hurriedly picked up the Military Dispatches to pass around.

They learned that Lü Li had ordered Lü Qiu to lead a small detachment of Raiding Cavalry, intending to repeat past tactics and ambush the Liang Border to create leverage for State Peace Talks.

The officials erupted in fury, slapping the tables and shouting loudly.

"You North Di Barbarians—truly unrighteous and unjust!"

"State Peace Talks have already begun, yet you still pull such underhanded tricks—how despicable!"

"Hmph! Qin Feng's attack on the North Di was precisely to punish you—his cause is just!"

"Exactly! Even now, during State Peace Talks, you acted unjustly first—how can you blame Shedynasty for acting unjustly in return!"

At that moment, Yan Peng opened the ice box and pushed Lü Qiu's head directly before Lü Li.