Chapter 707: The Pinnacle of Power

First Volume, Chapter 707: The Pinnacle of Power

Although the Empress had eyes and ears everywhere, she remained deeply secluded in the Hou Gong and indeed lacked the information network of the Chang Princess.

The information the Chang Princess held, of course, came directly from the Liang Emperor.

As she spoke these words, the Chang Princess could not help but sigh—she herself felt profound fear toward Qin Feng's current strength.

"The Northern Border has long suffered invasions from the Di, leaving the people destitute; at its worst, the entire region's population was fewer than three hundred thousand."

"Especially Beixi County, where the populace numbered less than ten thousand."

"But through Qin Feng's relentless development, Beixi County alone now has a population of seventy thousand!"

"And this is merely a border county—our Jingji's strongest counties barely reach eighty thousand people."

"Last month, the Ministry of Revenue completed its census of the Northern Border; the population has surpassed eight hundred thousand, more than doubling from before."

"Still, compared to other regions, the Northern Border remains sparsely populated."

"Just the Jiangnan region alone has a population exceeding five million."

"But do not forget: those who survive the journey to the Northern Border are mostly able-bodied youths—the elderly, weak, sick, and infirm perished long before reaching it."

"These eight hundred thousand people mean eight hundred thousand strong laborers."

"And the population continues to surge; as long as natural disasters and human calamities persist elsewhere, the Northern Border's population will keep growing."

"Beixi County has now become the undisputed capital of the Northern Border."

"Moreover, due to its location in a war-torn border region, tax rates have always been set at the minimum level—in other words, Qin Feng collects vast tax revenues but only remits a tiny fraction to the National Treasury."

"Add to this the various enterprises of the Tianji Camp and the bulk of the reparations from the State Peace Talks, which must be allocated to the Northern Border for military supply repairs—Qin Feng's current financial holdings may well be described as wealth rivaling a nation."

Upon hearing the Chang Princess's latest report, even the Empress fell silent.

Qin Feng's military strength, the elite weaponry and equipment of Beixi County's troops, even surpasses that of the Jingji Garrison.

And though the three regular Border Armies of the Northern Border are not the most heavily armed, their morale is extraordinarily high.

In fact, Qin Feng's troops may well be the finest in all of Liang.

Financially, he is overflowing with wealth.

Anyone daring to confront Qin Feng directly risks being crushed by a thunderous crackdown.

Even the Li Imperial Clan must concentrate all its strength to have any hope of defeating Qin Feng—but the problem is precisely this: that strength cannot be concentrated at all.

The Central Plains Imperial Party cannot move: first, to defend against the Northern Border; second, to intimidate the Powerful Clans of the Nan Jing and Jiangnan.

And half of the Jingji Garrison are loyalists of the Taolin Party.

As for the Southern Border Powerful Clans who have long supported the Li Imperial Clan, these years they have grown increasingly restless, filled with resentment toward the Li Clan—they would be grateful if they merely stayed neutral, let alone lend aid.

Since Qin Feng cannot be fundamentally undermined, as the Chang Princess said, any conspiracy or underhanded scheme will be of little use against him.

The Empress stared at the Guanyin Statue, silent for a long time.

She remained so for an indeterminate length of time before finally letting out a soft sigh.

"I am well aware that the wisest course now is to appease Qin Feng, to keep him submitting and aiding my imperial clan."

"We can wait for the next generation to find an opportunity to gradually weaken the Qin Family."

"But I cannot wait that long—I wish to witness the Qin Family's collapse with my own eyes."

"Who says I must personally act to deal with the Qin Family?"

"He wishes to marry Mingyue Princess? Very well—I shall grant him that wish."

"Go to the Holy One and petition for an edict: when our Liang sends a Diplomatic Envoy to the Di for condolences, let Qin Feng continue to lead it."

"When he returns from the Di, that will be the day of his Da Huo with Mingyue Princess."

Upon hearing this, the Chang Princess's heart lurched—she had not expected the Empress to be so ruthless.

She knew Qin Feng's strength yet still chose to take such a dangerous risk.

If Qin Feng truly died within Di territory, it would trigger a chain reaction—the Northern Border would never let it pass.

If the Northern Border and the Di went to war, all of Shedynasty would be dragged into it.

But…

The Chang Princess understood the stakes perfectly, yet said nothing—she merely nodded and departed in silence.

Just as she reached the Door of the Guanyin Temple, the Empress's voice called out behind her.

"Chang Princess, you and I are on the same boat, are we not?"

The Chang Princess bit her lip, turned, and bowed: "I and Your Majesty are one family—we must stand united."

Hearing this, the Empress smiled and nodded: "Then I rely on you."

…

Meanwhile, near Li Xiaolan's Gong Di, the area suddenly grew lively.

Many nobles and Maids pressed against door cracks, pointing and whispering about Qin Feng as he approached.

"Is that Qin Feng?"

"Hard to believe—he's so young and yet possesses such power!"

"Is it true he killed the Palace Guards in the Front Hall? If he really did, how dare he stroll so boldly into the Hou Gong?"

"It's true! I saw it with my own eyes!"

"Good heavens, this man is so tyrannical and arrogant—since the founding of Liang, no outsider has ever entered the Hou Gong—he is the first!"

"He didn't intrude—don't you see? Zhang Xiuye is with him."

"What does that matter? One word from Qin Feng and Zhang Xiuye won't even dare to fart."

Qin Feng, hands behind his back, watched the nobles and Maids hiding behind their Palace Gates, and couldn't help but smile inwardly.

What nobles? In truth, they're no different from those long-secluded young girls.

Cooped up all day in the Hou Gong, seeing nothing new—suddenly a man appears, and of course there's a commotion.

Zhang Xiuye, who followed beside him, wore a complex expression.

"Young Master Qin, you are the first man to enter the Hou Gong."

"You will surely Ming Liu Qing Shi."

Ming Liu Qing Shi? Ridiculous! You're more likely to Yi Chou Wan Nian.

But Qin Feng didn't care about such empty fame; he chuckled and teased, "Man? Aren't there plenty of men in the Hou Gong?"

"Just the Princes alone number no few."

At these words, Zhang Xiuye's face grew even more embarrassed.

"The Princes all reside in the Eastern Palace; only when they are young may they roam this area, accompanying their Imperial Consorts."

"But once they reach twelve years of age, they must leave here."

"And… those who wander here—even the Palace Guards—are all… eunuchs."

Hearing this, Qin Feng immediately became intrigued.

"What? The Palace Guards are Eunuchs too?"

"Damn, I've never heard of this before!"

"Hahaha, this kills me!"

Seeing Qin Feng laugh until he clutched his stomach, Zhang Xiuye frantically waved his hands, making a "shhh" gesture.

"Young Master Qin, please lower your voice. Being by your side, this old servant fears I'll lose ten years of life."