Chapter 83

First Volume, Chapter 83: The Art of Governing Men

Li Zhan knew the Liang Emperor favored Qin Feng, but causing disturbances in Jingzhong was no trivial matter; for safety's sake, he softly reminded him:

"There's a common saying in Jingzhong: once you enter a prison gate, it's as deep as the sea; by the time you return to the mortal world, your hair is white."

"All prisons under Jingzhong institutions—even the lowest, the Jingzhao Yin Dala—are no place for jests. Not even commoners, let alone the sons of high-ranking officials, escape unscathed."

The Liang Emperor lowered his brush, lost in thought, then asked after a moment: "Do you think Qin Feng can survive this?"

With no outsiders in the Imperial Study, Li Zhan, in his role as a loyal Servant, wore a face full of sincerity: "Though Qin Feng speaks eloquently, turning black into white, once he enters the Jingzhao Yin, whether innocent or guilty, he'll first be beaten with dozens of the Water-and-Fire Staffs. Especially with charges of 'inciting rebellion,' he'll likely be half-dead before the court even begins. Qin Feng is a scholar by origin, frail of body—how can he endure such merciless blows?"

The Liang Emperor let out a soft "oh," didn't answer immediately, but set down his ink brush and looked at Li Zhan with a smile: "Li Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Eunuch Gonggong, do you know why I tolerate Qin Feng so utterly?"

Li Zhan knew full well: for any other man, Qin Feng's deeds would have cost him hundreds of heads.

Qin Feng's ability to survive this long seems miraculous on the surface, but in truth, it's the result of the Liang Emperor's careful calculation.

Li Zhan didn't dare hesitate and bowed low: "Qin Feng has the face of a rebel; beneath the Sage, all others are but fleeting clouds to him."

"Before the Sage, he is reverent—because the Sage needs only a thought to end his life."

"But before others—even the son of Grand Commandant Gao Song—he pays no heed. Such boldness and arrogance, yet clear awareness of his own place, is rare."

"You're right. Qin Feng is like a spike planted on a stool—anyone who sits down will be pierced, bleeding and wailing, yet never killed."

The Liang Emperor gazed out through the door of the Imperial Study, then sighed deeply: "A nation that loves war will perish; a nation that forgets war is in peril. Liang has known peace too long—every civil and military official's spirit has been worn thin. All they think of now is power struggle and lining their own pockets. The National Treasury is empty, unable to fund even one foreign campaign. Rumor has it some distant Border Army troops eat bran and chaff to survive."

"Yet the Noble Youth of Jingzhong spend tens of thousands of taels of silver without batting an eye…"

"Ah, these are all descendants of meritorious officials, once National Pillars. Though I am furious, I dare not strike hard. As Monarch, even I have my helplessness."

At this, the Liang Emperor suddenly shifted tone, his eyes turning cold and sharp, the full authority of the Monarch revealed: "If Qin Feng makes them uncomfortable, then I am pleased! At Ji Wang's birthday banquet, those National Pillars, silenced by a petty wager—how infuriating and laughable! Such scenes must happen again and again. I enjoy watching them!"

Li Zhan wiped the cold sweat from his brow; even after years serving beside the Liang Emperor, he could not escape fear—he knew well that serving a sovereign was like serving a tiger.

After a long silence, the Liang Emperor's fury faded, returning to his usual deep composure: "Some dislike this spike I've planted and scheme to break it. Hmph. I must not let it break—I must make it sharper, keener. Li Zhan, go to the Jingzhao Yin."

At these words, Li Zhan fell to his knees with a thud: "Your humble servant trembles—death itself cannot bear the weight of 'trouble.' Serving the Sage by resolving his worries is my duty; even if I must face mountains of blades or seas of fire, I will not hesitate to die."

The Liang Emperor watched Li Zhan with interest: "Why are you so nervous? I don't blame you for taking Qin Feng's silver—you're a veteran of three reigns. Keep the perks. Just don't let your palate grow too refined, or your appetite too large."

Li Zhan, already elderly, nearly died on the spot at these words.

The Liang Emperor's spies were everywhere—even a revered three-reign elder like Li Zhan could not escape them.

Li Zhan knelt, trembling, and bowed his head: "Rest assured, Your Majesty—I shall fetch Qin Feng out immediately."

"Hmph." The Liang Emperor's laugh was light and crisp.

Yet neither the entire Imperial Study nor the kneeling Li Zhan noticed the contempt in the Liang Emperor's eyes, or the frost on his face.

Compared to these servants who loudly swore loyalty while secretly taking bribes, the Liang Emperor grew even fonder of that young man, Qin Feng.

Though greedy, arrogant, and mad—he was the only one in all of Jingdu, even in all of Liang, who treated the Liang Emperor with true sincerity.

"Issue my decree: grant Qin Feng a golden sash."

At these words, Li Zhan froze, dumbstruck.

Meanwhile, inside the Jingzhao Yin Yamen.

Qin Feng was bound tightly to a wooden bench; several Yamen Runners leaned on their Water-and-Fire Staffs, watching him with ill intent.

"Young Master Qin, the Magistrate has ordered: though you haven't been brought before court, the charge of gathering crowds to cause trouble is clear—first, punish you with thirty Staff Strikes. Should we carry out justice fairly, or…"

As the saying goes: live off the mountain, live off the sea, live off the prisoners.

Qin Feng understood the reasoning perfectly; he smiled broadly and held up two fingers: "Easy."

The Yamen Runners exchanged glances, raised their Water-and-Fire Staffs high, and brought them down hard on Qin Feng's buttocks.

But due to the angle, the staffs struck the ground first—half an inch from Qin Feng's buttocks—making noise without pain.

After thirty strikes, Qin Feng still grinned like a fool, eyes darting around as if touring the Grand View Garden, occasionally commenting on how filthy this corner was, how stinking that one was…

One Yamen Runner grumbled: "Young Master Qin, you don't look like you've taken thirty Staff Strikes. Don't get us in trouble."

Qin Feng, untying his ropes, smiled: "Don't worry—I'm not afraid. Why should you be? Watch closely…"

Moments later, the men "escorted" Qin Feng back into the DaTang.

The moment Qin Feng stepped through the door, the man who had been so relaxed a moment before let out a shrill, hysterical scream and collapsed limply onto the floor.

Drops of sweat now trickled down his forehead—he hadn't had them a second ago…

Such masterful acting even the seasoned Yamen Runners paused in surprise.

Immediately, they all silently gave him a thumbs-up in their minds.

Young Master Qin keeps his word—he didn't cheat us after all…

In the DaTang, the three squads of Yamen Runners stood in formation; Magistrate Qi Cheng sat high on his GovernmentPosition, while Gao Song and Zhao Zhangfu stood beside him, pretending to be plaintiffs.

Crack!

Qi Cheng slammed the gavel onto his Shushu, looking down at Qin Feng with a low, furious roar: "Bold rogue! How do you explain your crime of inciting the people of Jingdu and gathering crowds to rebel?"

According to the former's memories, Qi Cheng had once been a student of Grand Commandant Gao; though the Jingzhao Yin bore the surname "Qi," its soul was "Gao."

Even if Qin Feng threw ironclad evidence in Qi Cheng's face, Qi Cheng would still twist white into black—so once you enter this door, there's no point in arguing reason.

Since they were playing a play, Qin Feng played it fully: feigning weakness and grievance, he said, "Your Excellency, everyone in Jingdu knows I, Qin Feng, am a law-abiding citizen! The charge of rebellion is a deliberate frame-up by Gao Song and Zhao Zhangfu! I beg Your Excellency to uphold justice!"