Chapter 833

First Volume, Chapter 833: The Grand Trend Has Changed

At first, Qin Tianhu had some concerns, for among the Imperial Party, many were Imperial Relatives; if power were seized rashly, a mutiny might erupt.

But recalling the events in Jingdu and Qin Feng's predictions, they aligned perfectly. Qin Feng seemed to have already seen through the entire Shedynasty situation.

Given this, even if it were risky, Qin Tianhu decided to fully support Qin Feng.

…

Ten days later, the Liang Emperor at Taishan Xinggong did not receive the ceremonial procession to welcome him back to Beijing, but instead received a vast army.

Standing at the MountainWaist, the Liang Emperor instantly recognized these soldiers as the Jingji Garrison.

"What is going on?"

The Liang Emperor furrowed his brow.

Zhang Xiuye, standing nearby, was loyal to Han but feigned loyalty to Liang; he knew this was surely Qin Feng's doing, yet still feigned outrage and shouted loudly.

"Audacious Qin Feng! This is clearly an attempt to place His Majesty under soft detention—does he intend to rebel?!"

These words startled the Liang Emperor: if Qin Feng intended to rebel, who in Heaven and Earth could stand against him?

But upon reflection, the Liang Emperor relaxed—he understood Qin Feng well enough to know Qin Feng would never rebel.

At that moment, Jin Yi Wei Liu Yao, who had already contacted the messenger, bowed and reported.

"Your Majesty, according to Marquis Qin's orders, the Three Great Generals of the Western Camp, Eastern Camp, and Garrison Army have been stripped of their authority."

"Now, all four Jingji military camps are under the command of Dragon Tiger Army Grand Commander Zhao Li."

"This force of ten thousand heavy cavalry was drawn from the four camps to ensure Your Majesty's safety."

"Marquis Qin's intention is that, should rebellion break out in Beijing, Your Majesty need not rush back."

Hearing this, the Liang Emperor frowned in confusion: "Why?"

Liu Yao explained softly: "Grand Commandant Qin has already sent men to Liu Prefecture to seize the Imperial Party's military authority."

"The Imperial Party is no longer trustworthy; fearing retribution, they may turn to the Lin Family or the powerful clans of Nan Jing, so we must strike first."

"Moreover, many of the Imperial Party are Li Clan descendants, making direct action difficult—thus, Your Majesty must temporarily endure this inconvenience."

The Liang Emperor suddenly understood, and his anxious heart finally settled.

This time, the Imperial Party supported Li Yong, which enraged the Liang Emperor.

Even if Qin Feng had done nothing, upon returning to Beijing, he would have had to purge the Imperial Party.

Now, Qin Feng acted first, meaning Qin Feng intended to use the Imperial Party's strength to confront the Lin Family.

Tiger to Devour Wolf—preserve his own strength, while the Northern Border Troops naturally serve to counter Nan Jing!

The Liang Emperor chuckled softly: "This Qin Feng truly leaves nothing to chance—I am deeply impressed."

"I remain at Taishan for two reasons: first, the Imperial Party's descendants cannot use me as an excuse to refuse surrendering their authority."

"Second, with me absent from Beijing, coordinating all military forces will be far less troublesome."

"It seems Qin Feng is determined to swallow the Lin Family and the powerful clans of Nan Jing whole."

Beside him, Zhang Xiuye couldn't help muttering quietly.

"Marquis Qin is already stationed in Bei Di Wang Du, burdened with heavy responsibilities; now he must also manage domestic turmoil—I fear he will be overwhelmed…"

The Liang Emperor sighed as well.

He never doubted Qin Feng's ability, but bearing so many burdens at once—he feared Qin Feng might collapse under the weight.

And…

If Qin Feng truly defeats the Lin Family and the powerful clans of Nan Jing, the future will be a divided Heaven.

How the Liang Emperor should deal with Qin Feng then would be another problem.

As if sensing the Liang Emperor's unease, Liu Yao whispered: "Your Majesty, word has just arrived from Bei Di: Marquis Qin has reached preliminary consensus with the Bei Di side."

"Meanwhile, in Sangzhou, the Wild Emperor Party, led by Lü Ci and Li Chou, has begun advancing toward Zhuozhou."

"With support from Beixi County, the Wild Emperor Party's strength has grown rapidly, reaching thirty thousand troops; if this continues, it will soon become a decisive force."

Hearing this, the Liang Emperor smiled again—this time, more openly and heartily.

Zhang Xiuye beside him was utterly baffled, unsure why the Liang Emperor was laughing.

The Liang Emperor had no patience to explain anything to such a fool as Zhang Xiuye.

His suspicion of Qin Feng had completely vanished; instead, from now on, he would fully support every decision Qin Feng made.

The reason was simple: Qin Feng's actions in Sangzhou had directly proven to the Liang Emperor that Qin Feng had no interest in seizing power over Shedynasty.

Qin Feng cared only for the Northern Border and Sangzhou.

The Northern Border belonged to Shedynasty; Sangzhou belonged to Bei Di. Officially, neither had anything to do with Qin Feng—but in truth, he held both firmly, leaving no room for anyone to insert even a needle.

Qin Feng walked two paths, playing both sides, yet ultimately never forgot his original goal: to become the richest man in Heaven.

And…

The Liang Emperor had long known about Qin Feng and Jing Qianying's relationship, further confirming Qin Feng's strategy to shift his focus.

"Qin Feng," the Liang Emperor said, "I shall see just how vast a world you can carve out!"

…

In Bei Di Wang Du, after half a month of recovery, Qin Feng's injuries from the assassination attempt had nearly fully healed.

He lay on his bed, legs crossed, back to his usual lazy, carefree demeanor.

During this time, though Jing Ci often came by to pry and probe, overall things remained calm—the potential madmen among Bei Di had not yet stirred.

Qin Feng flipped through the secret letters sent from home while listening to Liu Ming and Ning Hu's reports.

Liu Ming stood beside the bed, voice lowered: "The rebellion in Beijing has been quelled; Li Yong has been temporarily detained at Zongzheng Temple, to be judged after His Majesty's return."

"The Three Great Generals of the Western Camp, Eastern Camp, and Garrison Army have also been temporarily placed under soft detention; their authority is now temporarily held by Zhao Li."

"Ten thousand troops have been drawn from the four Jingji garrisons and dispatched to Taishan to secure the safety of His Majesty's Xinggong."

Grand Commandant Qin assigned Liao, the leader of the pure-stream upright ministers and the Junior Protector Chen Zheng, to Liu Prefecture to force the Imperial Party to surrender their military authority.

Additionally, following the Marquis Qin's orders, the four garrison troops of Jingji each dispatched three thousand men, to be uniformly trained by the Tianji Camp, and will march for Liu Prefecture half a month from now, to pressure the Imperial Party and lend Chen Zheng a hand.

The brothers embedded among the Lin Family and the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing have also replied: after their defeat at Taishan, these two major forces have grown far more cautious, all consolidating their power and preparing to retreat in defense, likely fearing that the Marquis Qin will achieve One-Strike Victory and launch his army southward.

Qin Feng let out a soft snort and said nothing, thinking let them prepare as slowly as they wish.

Traveling from Jingdu to Nan Jing and back takes only half a month, but assembling a large army, advancing step by step, and reaching Jiangnan will take far longer.

Since the Lin Family and the Powerful Clans of Nan Jing have become like birds startled by the bowstring, it actually saves Qin Feng considerable effort—he no longer needs to bother with the tedious schemes of propaganda and harassment.

As for the Imperial Party, they held a winning hand but played it terribly—they're no longer a threat!