Chapter 720: First Volume, Chapter 720: Stop Here

First Volume, Chapter 720: Stop Here

The Taolin Party's goal is not merely the position of Grand Commandant!

It is to seize both the Grand Commandant and Taishi Taibao positions, so as to firmly secure the top spot among the factions in the Imperial Court.

The Liang Emperor's decision was immediately opposed by Li Xu.

"Your subject believes this is inappropriate!"

"Only when the Three Dukes are all present can they check and balance each other while also aiding one another."

"If only two of the Three Dukes remain, and each acts independently, their opinions will never align—how then can imperial edicts be issued and enforced?"

"Only by appointing the Taishi Taibao can harmony be restored when the Grand Commandant and the Grand Tutor disagree."

"Otherwise, state affairs will never stabilize!"

The Taolin Party officials greatly endorsed Li Xu's proposal.

Even Qin Tianhu now stood on Li Xu's side.

After all, Qin Feng willingly serving as a minister and remaining loyal to the Liang Emperor is not inherently wrong—but for the other ministers, the situation is entirely different.

The bow is drawn; there is no turning back. All ministers now stand opposed to the Liang Emperor.

If they cannot consolidate power in their own hands, once they weaken, they will surely face the Liang Emperor's retribution.

At that time, everyone will be implicated!

If we are going to do this, then let us do it thoroughly—seize absolute authority!

The Taolin Party officials harbor no intent to rebel, nor any plan to sideline the Liang Emperor; they are merely trapped by circumstances, often powerless to act as they wish.

Facing the Taolin Party officials' forced palace coup, the Liang Emperor's face turned utterly grim, while the Imperial Party officials nearby stirred restlessly, poised to act.

At that moment, Qin Feng's resounding voice echoed throughout the Grand Hall.

"I believe this plan is viable!"

As the son of the Taolin Party Chief, Qin Feng had just led the charge in opposing his own faction's stance—everyone present, regardless of faction, was utterly stunned.

Qin Feng did not rush to explain; instead, he barked: "Chief Zhang, clear all maids, eunuchs, Imperial Guard, and Palace Guards from the Grand Hall!"

Zhang Xiuye knew full well that what Qin Feng was about to say would be earth-shattering.

His heart had long belonged to the Taolin Party, yet publicly he remained the Liang Emperor's trusted confidant—he was caught between two impossible choices.

Only when the Liang Emperor nodded did Zhang Xiuye breathe a sigh of relief and swiftly wave his hand, signaling all unrelated personnel to exit the Grand Hall.

He then slammed the hall doors shut—henceforth, every word spoken within would remain utterly secret.

No one knew what Qin Feng intended to do, but everyone's hearts instinctively tightened.

After all… Qin Feng was the demon who had publicly beheaded Palace Guards inside the palace—was there anything he wouldn't dare do?

Qin Feng bowed to the Liang Emperor, then slowly rose and turned to face the ministers.

"My fellow Taolin Party officials, what I most feared has finally come to pass!"

"Circumstances forge heroes—and circumstances also forge traitors and rebel factions!"

"You are all capable ministers of the court; the prosperity of Shedynasty naturally depends on your dedication."

"We formed the Taolin Party to band together for mutual protection against Grand Tutor Lin—but now that our enemy is gone, the Taolin Party still needs an enemy, so our spearhead naturally turned toward His Majesty."

"You all, to protect yourselves, sought the positions of Grand Commandant and Taishi Taibao—just as my Qin Family, to protect ourselves, had no choice but to seize authority."

"I understand. I understand completely."

"But everything must have limits. If today you force His Majesty to yield, tomorrow you will force him to compromise, and the day after, you will force him to submit."

"At that point, what difference would there be between you and treacherous, sycophantic ministers?"

As he spoke, Qin Feng clenched his fists, his piercing gaze sweeping over every minister, his voice resolute and commanding.

"Enough! Stop this madness right now!"

This roar reverberated through the Grand Hall, striking every mind's defensive line.

Everyone, including the Liang Emperor, stared at Qin Feng in stunned silence.

Had Qin Feng not spoken, the Taolin Party officials would never have realized they were moments away from becoming traitorous ministers who stripped the Emperor of power!

The Imperial Party officials, too, were filled with dread, even drenched in cold sweat.

Because…

If the Taolin Party forced the Liang Emperor to submit, the Imperial Party would inevitably react—and the Taolin Party officials, all sharp and capable, would foresee this.

It might not even take long—perhaps even today, this very hall could witness a bloody purge of the opposing faction!

Not a single Imperial Party official would leave this hall alive!

The Liang Emperor swallowed hard. Since ascending the throne, he had prided himself on his Hedging Art—balancing all domestic factions with skillful maneuvering.

But today, he was afraid… because he realized he had nearly become a puppet of the Taolin Party—or rather, of the Civil Official Faction it was about to become.

Or… he might have led the Imperial Party in resistance, triggering an Internal War that would destroy Shedynasty entirely, turning him into a deposed monarch.

Qin Feng's roar had awakened them all!

The Liang Emperor looked at Qin Feng with profound gratitude—he had never imagined that among all the Civil and Military Officials, only Qin Feng remained clear-headed, untouched by the intoxication of power.

Instantly, every gaze in the hall fixed upon Qin Feng.

Qin Feng's eyes were cold as frost.

"My fellow ministers, I do not care which faction you belong to—if any of you seek to monopolize authority and become treacherous ministers, I, Qin Feng, will Reinforce the King and kill you all without mercy!"

"My original purpose in forming the Taolin Party was twofold: first, for self-preservation; second, to ensure imperial edicts could be smoothly implemented, uniting all ministers in purpose."

"His Majesty has issued an Imperial Decree—you need only obey and carry it out!"

"My father shall serve as Minister of War and concurrently Grand Commandant."

"From now on, no one may mention the appointment of Taishi Taibao again without His Majesty's explicit approval—if anyone dares, and the Emperor nods, I will open the floodgates of slaughter. I warn you now—reflect on yourselves!"

The entire Grand Hall fell utterly silent.

The Liang Emperor never dreamed that the person he most feared and distrusted was the most resolute supporter of Reinforce the King.

On the contrary, those ministers, swept along by the tide of events, gradually became ensnared in Authority, unable to extricate themselves.

Violence is always the most efficient and most direct means of resolving a crisis.

Under the gaze of all, Qin Feng slowly turned again, facing the Liang Emperor.

Qin Feng willingly serves as a subject out of gratitude for the Liang Emperor's recognition and trust; without the Liang Emperor, there would be no Qin Feng today.

From today onward, the grievances between Qin Feng and the Liang Emperor are completely erased.

If the Liang Emperor sincerely maintains a ruler-minister relationship with Qin Feng, Qin Feng will naturally strive to assist; if not, Qin Feng also possesses the resolve to see things through to the end!

"But, His Majesty, Grand Commandant Li's recent advice is not without merit."

Upon hearing this, Li Xu, who had just been despondent, suddenly brightened.

He had thought his actions were too extreme and had angered Qin Feng, yet he never expected Qin Feng to adopt his suggestion.

For Li Xu, this was undoubtedly excellent news.

After all, compared to other Taolin Party Officials, Li Xu had a dark past—he had once been in open conflict with the Qin Family.

Now, Qin Feng publicly accepting his policy proposal was equivalent to telling everyone that the Li Family was a core pillar of the Taolin Party.

He had now boarded the Qin Family's ship, where fortune and misfortune are shared alike.

This time, it was the Liang Emperor who felt a wave of doubt: "Qin Feng, isn't your shift in tone a bit too sudden?"

Qin Feng dismissed it, bluntly: "Right is right, wrong is wrong."

"Grand Commandant Li's advice is reasonable and well-founded!"

"If only the Grand Commandant and the Grand Tutor each hold half the realm, and their opinions are divided, how can edicts be issued?"

"I propose that beneath the Three Dukes, we establish a ceremonial post—this post holds no real Authority, and intervenes only to cast a deciding vote when the two sides cannot reach agreement."