Chapter 793

First Volume, Chapter 793: A Single Poem Better Than Ten Thousand Troops

At Yan'nan Pass Camp, news from Xiongying Ridge left Lü Ci speechless for a long while.

Li Chou, watching Lü Ci's strange reaction, grew suspicious and took the military dispatch to examine it closely—his eyes widened further with each line.

"Lord Qin really stirred up a commotion in Yucheng."

"Yucheng is the foremost cultured city of the Di Kingdom, where Talented Scholars and Beauties gather—yet Lord Qin publicly declared that the late emperor's lost pearl will return to the Imperial Ancestral Hall—isn't that tantamount to declaring war on His Majesty?!"

"Logically, even if Lord Qin wished to honor the late emperor's Princess, he should have first entered Jingdu to gauge His Majesty's stance—but he never even met His Majesty before pushing the situation beyond repair. With Lord Qin's intelligence, he wouldn't make such a foolish move."

Hearing the word "foolish," Lü Ci frowned tightly.

Lü Ci had long regarded Qin Feng as his pillar—he could not bear any slight—and immediately retorted: "Mr. Li, does Lord Qin's strategic vision and ability still need questioning?"

"Since Lord Qin has already proclaimed to Heaven the Princess's return, there must be reason behind it."

"Though we nominally surrendered to Lord Qin, in truth we are supporters of the Princess—this matter's stakes require no concern from us; we need only fulfill our duties and escort Her Highness back to Jingdu."

Sensing Lü Ci's profound change, Li Chou marveled inwardly—clearly, since Qin Feng slaughtered the Chen brothers and massacred the Snow Wolf Brigade, Lü Ci had become utterly devoted to him.

Though Li Chou was shrewd, he understood the Trend of the Times: his only path forward was to cling to Qin Feng.

He dropped all further thought on the political implications of the Yucheng incident and shifted tone, his eyes filled with admiration: "Lord Qin's talent is truly unparalleled—he will soon become a literary giant famed throughout Heaven."

At once, Lü Ci nodded vigorously: "Exactly! Lord Qin's military prowess is unquestionable; now with the prestige of a literary master, if he isn't considered a man of both civil and martial excellence, who else deserves such praise?"

Meanwhile, at Beixi Xian Ya, cries of astonishment rang out.

Lin Quqi kept clapping in awe, his gaze burning hot: "Good! Good! Good!"

Lin Quqi uttered three "good"s in succession, clutching the military dispatch brought back from Xiongying Ridge—so overcome with excitement that his hands trembled slightly.

"What a 'Poem of Breaking the Formation'—both in its verses and the tragic grandeur it carries, it rivals the already famed 'Departure to the Frontier.'"

"Drunk, I lift the lamp to gaze upon my sword; in dreams I return to camps where horns sound in unison. Eight hundred li divide the roasted meat among my men; fifty strings stir the sounds of the frontier. In autumn, the battlefield calls for troops!"

Lin Quqi himself could no longer recall how many times he had recited "Poem of Breaking the Formation."

His blood surged—he could not express his reverence for Qin Feng in words.

But as he recited, Lin Quqi fell into melancholy and shook his head with a bitter smile: "Though I knew I lacked Qin Brother's literary talent, I never imagined the gap to be this vast."

"Neither 'Departure to the Frontier' nor 'Poem of Breaking the Formation' are poems I could ever write in my lifetime."

"The longer I stay with Qin Brother, the more hopeless I feel…"

At this time, Prince Li Zhang was rebuilding the Xiongying Ridge Fortress per Qin Feng's orders and was not in Beixi County.

Xu Mo, as Main General, had nowhere to go and, with nothing else to do, amused himself by bantering with Lin Quqi.

He was now sitting nearby, devouring dried fruits with gusto.

Watching Lin Quqi alternate between excitement and melancholy, he teased: "County Magistrate, it's just one poem—why such a reaction? If you have this free time, why not focus on rebuilding Xiongying Ridge? After all, it's Lord Qin's favorite."

"Once Xiongying Ridge is secured, our military strength in Beixi County can extend there, and we'll fully claim Sangzhou."

At this, Lin Quqi shot Xu Mo a furious glare and snapped: "A brute's perspective!"

"Do you know this poem is better than ten thousand troops?"

Xu Mo sneered, dismissing Lin Quqi's words—he saw poetry as mere scholar's play; could reciting a few lines really scare off enemies?

Seeing Xu Mo's stubborn ignorance, Lin Quqi didn't blame him and patiently explained:

"Though the Di Kingdom lies in barbaric lands and stands on martial strength, it has been deeply influenced by Shedynasty and places great value on literature."

"Military force can conquer Heaven, but a state must be governed by scholars to endure and flourish."

"Thus, the Di Kingdom has no shortage of literati—in fact, its cultural atmosphere ranks second only to Shedynasty among neighboring states."

"Qin Brother's 'Poem of Breaking the Formation' alone will leave all scholars of Heaven in awe."

"Now, Qin Brother's journey to the Di Kingdom serves two purposes: negotiating war reparations and returning Fourth Miss to the Di royal house—yet this single poem has stunned Heaven; the Di literati's hostility toward him will vanish instantly."

"Do you understand what it means to win the admiration of an entire nation's scholars? Even if the Di King wishes to devour Qin Brother alive, he must swallow his rage and endure it—out of fear of the scholars' influence."

"Heh, let me put it this way: Qin Brother's depth is as vast as the ocean. Outsiders see him going to Yucheng as mere leisure—but in truth, it hides layers of strategy!"

Hearing Lin Quqi's explanation, Xu Mo's mockery vanished, replaced by profound reverence.

He knew Qin Feng's depth well—but never realized every action of Qin Feng was "armed with hidden daggers," leaving others defenseless.

At that moment, a soft laugh echoed.

Qin Cheng Clan and Shen Qingci stepped through the curtain into DaTang—they had clearly overheard Lin Quqi and Xu Mo's conversation.

Shen Qingci's face glowed with pride as she silently repeated "Poem of Breaking the Formation" in her mind.

Qin Cheng Clan could not hide her satisfaction, silently marveling that the Qin Family had such a son—it was fortune earned over countless lifetimes.

Lin Quqi and Xu Mo immediately bowed.

"Your Excellencies."

Qin Cheng Clan waved her hand, signaling no need for formality, and smiled warmly: "It seems our earlier worries were unfounded—Feng'er thrives in the Di Kingdom."

"If so, we must also do our part—secure the Rear for Feng'er."

Lin Quqi and Xu Mo nodded vigorously.

After much hesitation, Lin Quqi ventured: "Madam, Beixi County is now, beyond doubt, the strongest county within Shedynasty—its revenues overflow. Why not select land within the city to build you a Civilian Household?"

"Then you and Miss can move out—living in the County Yamen isn't sustainable."