Chapter 810

First Volume, Chapter 810: Clutching the Spear, Wielding the Rod

Seeing the crowd's confusion over the fresh term "kickback,"

Qin Feng immediately smiled and glanced at Jing Ci, signaling her to explain.

Jing Ci, unflustered, laid bare the private deal she had made with Qin Feng.

Learning the full story, Zhang Bingguo suddenly understood: "So that's how it is—but Marquis Qin, do you know that silver is not all the same?"

"A hundred thousand taels in kickbacks is certainly beneficial, but for Di Kingdom, its significance is negligible."

"Though I am not a Ministry of Revenue official, I have some understanding of financial affairs."

"Not even among the ministers and nobles of Wang Du, let alone local magnates and militia leaders, are there few who could produce a hundred thousand taels at once."

"Moreover, this money cannot be officially recorded in the ledgers; it must be secretly funneled into the National Treasury under false pretenses."

"Thus, how much of this hundred thousand taels will actually reach the National Treasury, and how much will truly be used for practical purposes, remains unknown."

Zhang Bingguo's meaning was clear: a hundred thousand taels was no small sum, and for Di Kingdom's desperate finances, it was timely assistance.

But silver that cannot be officially recorded inevitably suffers exploitation at every turn.

Only money recorded in black and white, openly and legitimately, can fulfill its true value.

In essence, Zhang Bingguo was hinting that Qin Feng should directly waive the war reparations, rather than engage in these hollow, superficial maneuvers.

Beside him, Jing Ci had been basking in pride over the hundred thousand taels in kickbacks.

But after hearing Zhang Bingguo's words, she sighed inwardly—she was still too young…

Facing Zhang Bingguo's doubts, Qin Feng lifted his wine cup but did not drink immediately; instead, he stared at the murky liquid, lost in thought.

"Lord Zhang, it is not that I refuse to relent—I have my own difficulties."

"If I now send a military dispatch to Liang Jingdu, it will take ten to fifteen days just for the message to arrive, then more time for ministers to debate, haggle, and delay, and finally for the order to be sent back—without half a year, nothing will be accomplished."

"This delay harms your kingdom and brings more harm than benefit to my Liang Kingdom."

"If I directly agree to waive the reparations, upon returning to the capital, ministers will denounce me for colluding with your kingdom—I'll be condemned from both sides."

"Thus, waiving the reparations is not difficult—it is extremely difficult."

Even after Qin Feng spoke this plainly, Zhang Bingguo showed no concern; he even laughed.

"Rumors say Marquis Qin is a practical man—I wonder if they're true."

"I have one remark—if I speak wrongly, Marquis Qin, please don't take offense."

"If Marquis Qin can privately give Princess a kickback, why can't we offer one to Marquis Qin?"

"For every hundred thousand taels of war reparations you waive, we will give you thirty thousand taels as a kickback—how about that?"

At these words, Qin Feng's face darkened instantly; though he himself did not reject kickbacks and loved wealth, profiting from national crisis was an entirely different matter.

Moreover, a large portion of this war reparations would ultimately flow to the Northern Border, to rebuild county cities devastated by war.

Could Qin Feng really pocket kickbacks from his own people?

Seeing Qin Feng's expression, Zhang Bingguo wisely dropped the topic, understanding Qin Feng's stance.

Qin Feng loved wealth—but only others' wealth; he would never touch his own.

As Qin Feng had predicted, after Zhang Bingguo finished playing the white face, Li Yu stepped forward as the black face.

Li Yu snorted, gripping his wine cup, his expression hostile.

"If I recall correctly, the two kingdoms have already signed a peace agreement—during this period, Marquis Qin seized Sangzhou, captured Xiongying Ridge, and annihilated the Snow Wolf Brigade—how do you explain these acts?"

Qin Feng internally chuckled: these old foxes claimed indifference, yet kept meticulous records of every grudge.

They waited for the right moment to bring them up.

Qin Feng was prepared—he immediately countered: "Lord Li, I don't understand your words. The Sangzhou conflict was purely self-defense. The Snow Wolf Brigade charged straight into my front lines—was I supposed to just bare my neck and wait to be slaughtered?"

At this, Li Yu snapped coldly: "Your front lines? How laughable."

"Marquis Qin, though young, you cannot speak without basis."

"When did Sangzhou become your front line?"

"Has the border demarcation established by our founding emperor with Liang Kingdom no longer held any weight?"

Qin Feng did not answer but retorted: "If it still holds weight, why does your kingdom repeatedly invade Liang territory?"

This single question left Li Yu flushed with shame.

After all, the continuous wars were initiated by Di Kingdom—its territory, unlike Liang's, was not prosperous; when supplies ran low, it had to find solutions.

Buying was worse than borrowing; borrowing was worse than stealing.

Moreover… even stealing would eventually run out—better to directly occupy the Central Plains, seize its fertile lands, and eliminate the threat forever.

Every Di person's eyes were fixed on Liang's rear area.

Li Yu sighed inwardly: this Qin Feng was exactly as the military intelligence described—sharp-tongued and quick-witted; even he, a seasoned minister, could gain no advantage.

But since Li Yu had come to accompany, he had already prepared thoroughly.

He forcefully steered the topic back: "Marquis Qin, we are discussing Sangzhou now."

"Since a peace agreement was signed, both sides should have withdrawn their troops. Moreover, the Snow Wolf Brigade posed no threat to Liang—its only action was eliminating traitors and purging the Rebel Party."

"Lü Ci and Li Chou betrayed Di Kingdom—they got what they deserved!"

Qin Feng shook his head repeatedly: "Lord Li, you handle military intelligence—you don't understand warfare. I don't blame you."

"Regardless of whose land it is, once Liang soldiers are stationed there, your troops should keep their distance—even if you wished to drive us out, you should have sent envoys to negotiate, not launched a direct attack."

"Your Snow Wolf Brigade had so many cavalry—they launched a night raid. How were we to know what was happening? We assumed your kingdom had broken the agreement and was restarting the war—we could only respond hastily."

"In essence, your kingdom acts too crudely—only knowing Bo Bing Du Wu."

In just a few sentences, Qin Feng had already shifted the blame back onto Di Kingdom.

Li Yu seethed inwardly but feigned calm: "If it was merely a hasty defense, why did you pursue relentlessly?"

"According to surviving soldiers' testimony, Chen Mou had already ordered a military retreat, yet you chased without pause—pursuing over a hundred Li. This goes far beyond self-defense."