Chapter 811: First Volume, Chapter 811: Turning Face Faster Than Turning a Page

First Volume, Chapter 811: Turning Face Faster Than Turning a Page

Before facing Li Yu, Qin Feng summoned every ounce of vigilance, daring not the slightest lapse, fearing he might be tricked into a trap—after all, the man was the Di Kingdom's strongest Spy Chief.

But once he actually engaged Li Yu, Qin Feng felt a touch of disappointment.

Li Yu was capable, yet far from the formidable strength Qin Feng had anticipated.

Especially since Li Yu began maneuvering around the Sangzhou Battle, Qin Feng couldn't help but look down on him—a blunder? No, merely a mediocre, unremarkable move.

The reason was simple: the Sangzhou Battle was already settled; the moment the Di lost actual control over Sangzhou, no matter how loudly they protested, it became meaningless.

Wasting breath over something meaningless could hardly be called clever.

If the Di truly wished to reclaim Sangzhou, there was only one way: strengthen their military, train troops, and wage another war against Shedynasty. Beyond that, expecting to regain control of Sangzhou merely by talking? Either Qin Feng hadn't woken up, or the entire Di court had fallen into a stupor.

"Lord Li, I know exactly what you're up to."

"If so, I won't beat around the bush with you—after all, we've both thoroughly investigated each other."

"I am a man of narrow temper, holding grudges over every slight; since the Snow Wolf Brigade dared raise weapons against my forces, I must make them pay."

"If we let this slide, wouldn't we only embolden the Snow Wolf Brigade's arrogance, just like before, allowing them to casually encroach upon our DefensiveLine? What difference would that make from the state before the National War?"

"Since the war has ended and a new order has been established, your army must now abide by it."

Faced with Qin Feng's blunt rebuttal, Li Yu did not grow angry; instead, he inwardly marveled—this boy was indeed as meticulous as the rumors claimed.

He appeared merely arrogant, yet his words concealed wisdom, tightly sealed, offering Li Yu not a single opening.

Li Yu's maneuvering around the Snow Wolf Brigade ultimately aimed to steer the conversation toward Lü Ci and Li Chou, the two traitorous generals.

If Qin Feng claimed the destruction of the Snow Wolf Brigade was to protect Lü Ci and Li Chou, then he would need a legitimate justification!

By regarding these two as his subordinates, Qin Feng effectively stripped them of their status as Di generals—meaning Lü Ci and Li Chou could never assist Jing Qianying in the future, or they would become foreign forces destabilizing the Di, an outright invasion!

In other words, if Qin Feng still regarded them as Di generals, then the Snow Wolf Brigade's killing of Lü Ci and Li Chou would be the Di's internal affair—when did Qin Feng, an outsider, earn the right to interfere?

But…

Qin Feng refused to take the bait; from start to finish, he claimed full responsibility for destroying the Snow Wolf Brigade, never mentioning Lü Ci or Li Chou.

Li Yu was both disappointed and impressed.

Compared to Chen Si and Zhang Bingguo, Li Yu's mission was clearer: he was to use tonight's opportunity to probe Qin Feng's limits and future plans, and if the timing was right, undermine Jing Qianying's legitimacy in returning to the Imperial Party.

Yet Li Yu sensed Qin Feng had already seen through his true intentions—he was guarded at every turn, granting Li Yu not a single opening.

But Li Yu was not so easily deterred.

One plan failed, another arose.

"Sangzhou is our Di territory, yet now it is in chaos. Could Lord Qin withdraw your troops from Sangzhou? We could then send our own forces to restore order and revive local production."

"It is widely known that Lord Qin cares deeply for the people's well-being. If Sangzhou remains in chaos, the locals will suffer terribly—isn't that contrary to your own principles? With your noble character, surely you won't refuse such a reasonable request?"

Watching this Old Fox spare no effort to gain advantage, Qin Feng couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

Won't refuse? Of course he'll refuse!

Qin Feng had exerted tremendous effort to plunge Sangzhou into chaos—how could he let the Di reclaim it?

"Heh, Lord Li, you worry too much. My troops are merely passing through Sangzhou; we've harmed not a single hair of the locals."

"If you don't believe me, send inspectors to check—people eat, drink, and live as usual, even… better than before."

Beside him, Jing Ci heard this and silently marveled—Qin Feng's audacity was truly boundless.

Sangzhou was in ruins; the people must be starving and suffering. Yet Qin Feng lied with his eyes wide open—didn't he know the meaning of shame? Or did men like Qin Feng, who cared only for national interests, utterly disregard the lives of common folk?

No… not right.

Given Qin Feng's reputation among the Folk of Liang, he was no such villain.

Then Jing Ci was even more puzzled—what was Sangzhou's true situation?

Unable to contain herself, she whispered to Zhang Bingguo: "Minister Zhang, how are the people of Sangzhou living?"

Facing the Princess's question, Zhang Bingguo smiled warmly, gazing at Qin Feng as if he hadn't heard.

This was grossly disrespectful!

Yet Jing Ci did not react—she was sharp-witted and immediately realized Zhang Bingguo was deliberately ignoring her, so she dropped the matter.

Unbeknownst to her, Li Yu's heart chilled—only when he saw Zhang Bingguo outright ignore Jing Ci did his tension ease slightly.

This question could not be answered!

The reason was simple: Qin Feng wasn't lying. Sangzhou was in chaos only militarily and politically; the people's lives had genuinely improved.

Sangzhou bordered the Liang Kingdom North Border; cross the Beidi Frontier, and you reach the wealthiest Beixi County.

With the Two Nations' Peace Talks preliminarily concluded, Sangzhou's Folk had spontaneously begun trade with Liang's Northern Border—Liang's high-quality, affordable goods flooded into Sangzhou, allowing locals to buy better daily goods for less money.

Moreover, Qin Feng's troops had indeed harmed no civilians.

Rumor had it… the son of the Ming Prince, Prince Li Zhang, had begun leading troops to suppress bandits in the Sangzhou region.

Officially, Sangzhou remained Di territory; in reality, it was being developed as a vassal territory of Liang's Northern Border.

For Sangzhou's people, this was wholly beneficial—but for the Di and the Imperial Party, it was a disaster.

Qin Feng's pacification policy would drastically reduce resistance to the return of the former princess, Jing Qianying.

Moreover, the Wild Emperor Party supporting Jing Qianying would encounter far less opposition wherever they went.

After all… the people were pragmatic: if they lost, they wouldn't be punished—they'd live better.

So a token resistance would suffice.