Chapter 79

First Volume, Chapter 79: Hooves in Jingzhong

Seeing Qin Feng and Gao Song reach an agreement, Shu Feng, who had been standing by his side, frowned slightly, his eyes filled with confusion: "Young Master, things have escalated this far—Gao Song will never let this go. Why not deliver these proofs of crime to the Jingzhao Inspector? That way, he'll have no room left to cause trouble."

Shu Feng cared less about the deal itself than about fearing Gao Song's future revenge.

Qin Feng naturally understood Shu Feng's intent, but did not answer immediately; instead, he asked absentmindedly: "Who is Gao Song's father?"

Shu Feng answered without hesitation: "Son of the Grand Commandant Gao Ming."

Qin Feng nodded, then asked: "Who is behind Zhao Zhangfu?"

Shu Feng did not understand Qin Feng's meaning, but whispered softly: "The hidden owner of Zui Xian Lou—this is no secret in Jingdu; it is His Highness, the Second Prince."

Qin Feng spread his hands, looking perfectly reasonable: "So it's settled? Gao Song and Zhao Zhangfu are working together—that means Gao Ming and the Second Prince are sailing in the same boat. One is a Grand Commandant among the Three Dukes, the other is a Prince of the Blood. Even the Dali Temple might not dare take on Gao Song's case, let alone the Jingzhao Inspector."

Shu Feng frowned tightly, deeply indignant: "So no one can bring Gao Song to justice?"

Qin Feng shrugged, speaking with casual ease:

"Only if you directly impeach the Gao family before the Imperial Court, and the Son of Heaven issues an Imperial Edict to oversee the case—then you have a fifty percent chance of toppling Gao Song."

"After all, the Son of Heaven's will is unfathomable. If this case is dug deeper, it ties into the Imperial Clan's bloodline. Who can guarantee how the Son of Heaven will decide? You might end up lifting a stone only to drop it on your own foot."

The Noble Youth of Jingzhong are divided into three tiers: first-tier are the Imperial Clan, second-tier are the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, third-tier are the Six Ministries and Twenty-Four Departments—each level's gap is starkly defined.

Though Qin Feng is the son of a Minister, in this Jingdu circle, he is barely third-tier at best.

In terms of status and rank, Gao Song is actually one level higher than Qin Feng.

How difficult is it to topple Gao Song?

As the saying goes, haste makes no hot tofu—even if you must strike Gao Song, you must wait until the Beidi war ignites, until Qin Feng's position is unshakable.

The main task now is to lie low, don't be reckless.

Moreover, Gao Song himself isn't sure what the outcome would be if this reached the Son of Heaven's ears.

Even if there's only a ten percent chance of being stripped down to nothing, Gao Song cannot risk it.

Two hundred thousand taels of silver can buy peace for the family—this is an extremely worthwhile deal for Gao Song.

Even though this sum equals the annual expenditure of two hundred thousand tenant farmers—a massive amount—it would take Gao Song less than half a year to recoup it.

Zhao Zhangfu appeared behind Gao Song without warning, glaring fiercely at Qin Feng and whispering into his ear:

"Young Master, don't be disheartened after your first clash with Qin Feng—this fellow's methods are deviously unpredictable; no ordinary person can fathom his nature. The silver he extorted from you will be split equally between Zui Xian Lou and you, Young Master."

Compared to Gao Song, who had been humiliated and left empty-handed, Zhao Zhangfu felt a quiet thrill.

After all, Zhao Zhangfu had already achieved his goal: Qin Family Restaurant had been smashed and could not reopen anytime soon—Qin Feng's grand boasts had turned to water.

Since the gold box had never been delivered, it was now perfectly useful—Zhao Zhangfu came out ahead either way.

Gao Song's expression softened slightly; he glanced at Qin Feng, who was rolling up his sleeves and commanding his servants to dismantle Longhu Gang. The hatred burned too deep to swallow—he gritted his teeth: "If I don't avenge this, I, Gao Song, swear I will not be a man! I'll see just how long this bastard can keep dancing!"

At this critical moment, a servant from the Taishou Mansion ran back, panting: "Young Master, the City Patrol Bureau has arrived."

Hearing this, Gao Song and Zhao Zhangfu exchanged a glance and simultaneously smirked.

Just when they were worrying how to crush Qin Feng, Old Heaven handed them a knife—apparently Qin Feng had gone too far, reaching a point of divine wrath and popular hatred.

Amidst a heavy, dense rhythm of footsteps, a thirty-man City Patrol Bureau unit—wearing dark outer armor over crimson inner linings, swords at their waists, spears in hand—blocked all escape routes.

Simultaneously, two other units surrounded the entire area where Longhu Gang had gathered.

At the same time, crisp hoofbeats echoed down the Street; turning to look, they saw a young man galloping toward them, wearing a Tiger-mouth Helmet and holding a horse spear.

Qin Feng, who had been lounging carelessly moments before, heard the hoofbeats and his heart lurched—he quickly rolled down his sleeves and shouted to his servants: "Stop everything!"

As a wastrel who constantly danced on the edge of the law, Qin Feng's knowledge of the Da Liang Code rivaled only his knowledge of The Golden Lotus.

According to Qin Feng, no one—neither common people nor generals—is permitted to ride horses at full speed on Jingdu's Streets. Violators face at least eighty lashes, or worse, kneecapping—the so-called "knee excavation."

In other words, any urgent hoofbeats heard in Jingzhong mean something major is happening.

The young man gripped his spear in one hand and yanked the reins hard with the other; his steed reared with a loud neigh, radiating fierce authority.

The young man's tiger-like eyes swept over the chaotic scene, bellowing: "This is Tianzi Jiaoxia, the heart of the capital—how dare you act so recklessly! According to the Da Liang Code, gathering over one hundred people constitutes suspicion of rebellion—punishable by immediate execution without prior report! If you're wise, surrender now! Otherwise, blood will splash five paces—you will all be killed!"

As he finished speaking, the rear ranks of soldiers dropped their bows, drew arrows, and aimed their sharp tips directly at Qin Feng and the others.

Gao Song, fearing he might be mistaken for a target, hurried forward with a forced grin: "Officer Xu, I am Gao Song, son of the Grand Commandant—do you know me?"

The young man sat high on his horse, looking down at Gao Song with a flicker of contempt on his brow, yet still replied: "The son of the Grand Commandant—who in Jingdu doesn't know you? Was this disturbance connected to you?"

The City Patrol Bureau has the authority to execute first and report later, and this incident had already drawn a large force—Gao Song dared not take chances, and quickly smiled apologetically: "Officer Xu, please take note—I am the one reporting!"

"Oh?" Xu Mo raised an eyebrow, glancing sidelong at Qin Feng—he already knew what was happening, but feigned ignorance: "Who, exactly, are you reporting?"

Gao Song did not hesitate a moment—he turned sharply and pointed at Qin Feng, teeth clenched: "I report Qin Feng! He has gathered hundreds, armed with clubs, axes, and other weapons, committing violence on the Street—suspected of rebellion!"

Gao Song felt a surge of quiet joy—if he could pin this high-capacity charge on Qin Feng, not only would the twenty-four thousand taels vanish, but Qin Feng and the entire Qin Family would be stripped to the bone!