Chapter 839

First Volume, Chapter 839: The Son of the Vice Minister

Jing Ci was deeply moved, her emotions lingering long without settling.

Originally, Qin Feng's tolerance toward common people was not limited to Liang Kingdom's citizens; in his eyes, all people under Heaven were the same.

His harshness toward Da Di stemmed solely from his position, compelling him to act in accordance with his duty.

From the standpoint of national interest, Qin Feng was the fiercest, most ruthless politician in this world, willing to use any means to achieve his goals. But from a personal standpoint, Qin Feng possessed an extraordinary kindness.

The two nations' agreement has now been finalized and is being implemented.

Once relations between the two countries improve, surely Qin Feng will also reveal his kinder side toward Da Di?

Thinking of this, Jing Ci felt immense anticipation, her gaze toward Qin Feng betraying involuntary respect.

Just then, an discordant voice rang out.

"Hahahaha, utterly hypocritical!"

"Qin Feng, if you were truly this tolerant, why would you torment Da Di so relentlessly?"

"You forced Da Di to pay fifty million taels in war reparations, disrupted Sangzhou, plunged its common people into unbearable suffering, and coerced our court into signing an unequal treaty, opening our ports so your Liang merchants could plunder without restraint."

"These wicked deeds have truly angered Heaven and outraged the people!"

"Now you dare try to blind everyone with these petty gains, scrubbing your evil reputation clean—truly laughable!"

Jing Ci frowned slightly, turning toward the voice, silently cursing misfortune.

A man in gray velvet robes and a silk headband strode forward with pompous, heavy steps.

This man was Liu Yi, the son of the Minister of Works!

The Ministry of Works, nominally neutral, was in truth a staunch supporter of Lü Li and the loudest voice in the Imperial Court opposing the agreement.

Now that the Monarch had overruled all opposition and forcibly signed the agreement, the Ministry of Works was furious, even prompting over ten officials to threaten resignation in an attempt to force a reversal.

Had it not been for Chen Si, Li Yu, and other Hugudachen suppressing them, even the Monarch might have been forced to heed the Ministry's demands.

If the Ministry of Works opposed the agreement purely out of national interest, Jing Ci would have admired them immensely.

But the problem was, they opposed it simply for the sake of opposition.

When Qin Feng humiliated Lü Li and killed his son, he had already become the blood feud enemy of the court's "Eagle Faction."

They devised every possible means to retaliate against Qin Feng, even at the cost of national interest.

And furthermore…

Whenever any positive voice emerged in the Imperial Court, these Eagle Faction officials slandered it as treason, causing countless officials to remain silent despite knowing that signing the Trade Agreement was Da Di's only chance at survival.

Chen Si and Li Yu were not afraid of the Eagle Faction, but due to their ties to Pillar of the State Lü Li, they never confronted them directly, opting instead for appeasement—this only emboldened the Eagle Faction further.

Especially this Liu Yi before her—Jing Ci despised him from the bottom of her heart.

The reason? This fool had the audacity to pursue her like a toad chasing a swan, shamelessly declaring his affection in public.

Even though Da Di's customs were more liberal than Liang's regarding gender boundaries, Liu Yi's brazenness still caused Jing Ci immense distress.

Precisely because of this, she had left Jingdu to visit Yucheng for relief—and by chance, encountered Qin Feng.

Yet…

Even if Liu Yi was merely a fly, he was still a Da Di fly.

Jing Ci could not speak for Qin Feng, so she merely let out a cold snort and watched silently.

Unbeknownst to her, Liu Yi had been secretly observing Jing Ci ever since returning from Yucheng; her constant company with Qin Feng had enraged him.

Today, he had caught his chance, and he intended to prove to Jing Ci that Qin Feng was nothing special.

Liu Yi sized up Qin Feng with a look full of contempt.

"Hmph, Marquis Qin, you're too good at pretending."

"If you're truly this benevolent, why not waive ten million taels of the reparations?"

"Otherwise, you're merely seeking fame and reputation—utterly hypocritical!"

Facing Liu Yi's torrent of slander, Qin Feng was momentarily stunned—who the hell was this guy?

But it clearly didn't matter; this was the Di Royal Capital, and there were enough people eager to trample on Qin Feng to stretch from Palace Gate to City Gate.

Qin Feng studied Liu Yi in return—the fellow was barely in his twenties, and as a Di man, he was indeed broad-shouldered, though his face left much to be desired.

"Heh, who might you be?"

Liu Yi's head tilted so high it nearly touched the sky: "You don't recognize me?!"

Qin Feng shrugged, dismissively: "In this Royal Capital, I've heard of every prominent figure."

"Such as Grand General Chen Si, Master Li Yu, Minister of War Zhang Bingguo, Pillar of the State Lü Li, and others."

"As for you, your face is unfamiliar—I suppose you're not someone of any standing."

At these words, Jing Ci burst out laughing—pfft.

Qin Feng's tongue was indeed as sharp as rumored.

Liu Yi's face flushed crimson then paled—Qin Feng mocking him was bad enough, but now Jing Ci was laughing too, clearly treating him as nothing.

How outrageous!

Liu Yi gritted his teeth and growled: "You dare be so arrogant in the Di Royal Capital, Qin Feng! Others fear you, but the Ministry of Works does not!"

Upon hearing "Ministry of Works," Qin Feng instantly became interested.

According to the Crimson Robes' intelligence, the Ministry of Works was a staunch Eagle Faction member.

The Eagle Faction, led by Lü Li, consisted of extreme-right officials who, once fired up, would recklessly launch wars—satisfied once their rage was spent, regardless of consequences; as they put it, a true man need not hesitate or fear.

You can't reason with a soldier!

Sometimes, these Eagle Faction members harmed the state more than the Civil Official Faction.

Of course, this was Da Di's internal affair—not Qin Feng's concern as an outsider. What truly interested him was the Ministry's hostility toward him.

Qin Feng firmly believed that if he now declared "shit tastes bad," the Ministry officials would rush into the latrine to gorge themselves and shout, "It's delicious!"

Opposing Qin Feng has become the Ministry of Works' "political correctness."

Qin Feng found it amusing, and looking at Liu Yi before him, he found it even more interesting.

"So you're a son of the Ministry of Works—my apologies, may I ask your name?"

Seeing Qin Feng's courtesy, Liu Yi let out a cold snort, thinking the fellow had sense at last, then tilted his head proudly: "I am but the son of the Ministry of Works' Vice Minister, Liu Yi."

Qin Feng let out a long "Oh," sounding disappointed: "Vice Minister's son? I thought you might be the Minister of the Treasury's son."

Qin Feng waved his hand, summoning Ning Hu: "Little Marquis, you handle this. I'll go with the Princess to the Wang Family Mansion."

Seeing Qin Feng turn and walk away, Liu Yi froze in shock, then burst into furious shame.

"Qin Feng! You arrogant bastard! I am the rightful son of a Vice Minister—am I not even worthy to speak with you?!"

"You send a military officer to deal with me—this is clearly meant to humiliate me!"