Chapter 876: First Volume, Chapter 876: The Wind by the Pillow Is Most Fearful

First Volume, Chapter 876: The Wind by the Pillow Is Most Fearful

Changshui County is one of the counties under Wang Du's jurisdiction, and though distant, it is directly governed by Wang Du.

As long as Wang Du issues a single order, the counties along the route will naturally make way.

Moreover, the Official Road is level and wide, with no Bandit Uprising.

Chen Tian racked his brains but could not fathom how this road needed further clearing.

Qin Feng did not beat around the bush; he immediately explained: "From Changshui County to Wang Du, you must pass through three counties. Previously, when the imperial court dispatched Relief Grain, it had not even reached Changshui County before being looted clean by the three counties along the way. If we transport other Materials and Supplies, similar mishaps are inevitable. In short, Bandit Uprising is not the concern—it's the county officials we must fear!"

"Second, Changshui County is the southernmost territory among all counties under Wang Du. Any Materials and Supplies coming from the South must pass through Changshui County."

With the matter put this plainly, even the dimmest of men would grasp Qin Feng's deeper intent.

This Qin Feng's true aim lies elsewhere!

He keeps talking about hiring Laborers, claiming they are his top priority—but in truth, it's all a facade; the hiring of Laborers carries far less weight than he lets on.

What Qin Feng truly cares about is the land of Changshui County.

The so-called South actually refers to Sangzhou.

The Liang Kingdom North Border's Materials and Supplies are first shipped to Sangzhou, then onward to the Di Rear Area—but due to the lack of a transit hub, this cannot be accomplished. Now Qin Feng intends to turn Changshui County into that transit hub.

All Materials and Supplies will be temporarily stockpiled in Changshui County and dispatched toward Wang Du as needed.

Chen Tian grew cautious; he did not refuse outright but probed: "May I ask, what sort of Materials and Supplies does the Marquis refer to?"

Qin Feng did not hesitate: "Naturally, Commodity."

"The Trade Agreement between Shedynasty and your kingdom has been finalized; now only implementation remains. Our Shedynasty merchants wish to trade here, but without a cargo transit hub, their costs and risks will skyrocket."

Hearing this, Chen Tian fell into deep thought.

After a long silence, he hesitated: "If these are Commodity, why not ship them straight to Wang Du? Why worry about these final twenty-four hours?"

Qin Feng smiled and shook his head, patiently explaining: "If business stops at Wang Du, then yes, direct shipment suffices. But if you wish to expand further north, a transit hub is essential."

"Wang Du's power factions are too entangled to serve as a transit hub."

Chen Tian roughly understood Qin Feng's concerns—he still distrusted Wang Du's officials, fearing he'd put all his eggs in one basket, and if disaster struck, the loss would be catastrophic.

Of course, this was merely the surface explanation.

Chen Tian strongly suspected Qin Feng's motives for building the transit hub were impure!

After all, the Military Dispatch from the Ministry of Revenue had specifically emphasized Qin Feng's actions in Sangzhou and his ties to the late emperor's Princess.

What if…

Qin Feng was pretending to build a commercial transit hub while secretly transporting Weapons and Armor? For Chen Tian, that would be a crime warranting Nine Clans Extermination.

Such a risk was more than Chen Tian could bear.

Yet Chen Tian despairingly realized he seemed to lack the leverage to refuse Qin Feng.

Since Qin Feng arrived in Changshui County, he had mingled with the Laborers, appearing to observe the people's hardships and share their joys—noble and upright.

In truth…

Qin Feng had been hunting for Chen Tian's weaknesses. And with the County Magistrate's Wife causing this commotion, Qin Feng had not yet seized a decisive piece of evidence—but he now had a pretext to erupt.

If Qin Feng made a huge fuss over the "boiling beans" incident and flew into a rage to execute Chen Tian, the court, seeking stability, would only slap a "deserved" label on Chen Tian and never break with Qin Feng over him.

In the end, Qin Feng was not magnanimous—he simply had no reason to act, for Chen Tian had been too cautious, never stepping out of line. All trouble stemmed from the Wu Family, and Qin Feng had no interest in them.

Yet Chen Tian, despite all his calculations, had utterly misjudged his wife—and now he was left utterly powerless.

"Marquis Qin, constructing the transit hub merely requires reporting it to the court. After all, your status and rank far outweigh mine."

Chen Tian dared not refuse outright and resorted to evasive diplomacy.

Qin Feng had anticipated Chen Tian's reluctance and did not press him; he nodded, coolly saying: "Then let it be as the County Magistrate says."

"I shall personally negotiate with the court. But the incident of your wife deliberately provoking me must be fully reported."

At these words, Chen Tian nearly wept.

He had no choice but to yield slightly: "Please, Marquis, grant me some time to consider—this matter… is of great consequence!"

Qin Feng waved his hand, signaling that Chen Tian could come to him whenever he came to his senses.

After Chen Tian left with a dark face, Qin Feng turned and entered the shanty. Having just eaten a bowl of beans, his stomach was bloated and uncomfortable, so he sat by the brazier, rubbing his belly.

Soon after, the County Magistrate's Wife was brought in by Liu Ming.

The County Magistrate's Wife lowered her head, visibly guilty.

Liu Ming whispered: "Marquis, according to the Military Intelligence Report, just now this woman was packing her belongings—she seemed to be preparing to flee."

Hearing this, Qin Feng couldn't help but laugh. He studied the County Magistrate's Wife and asked: "Should I say you're bold—or cowardly?"

"You had the nerve to provoke me, yet now, before I've even spoken, you're trembling like this."

The County Magistrate's Wife wanted to slap herself. Just moments ago, she had hidden inside the County Yamen and witnessed Chen Tian's furious rage, then saw him kneel and beg forgiveness—only then did she realize she had committed a grave offense.

Regret came too late; she packed her things, ready to flee—but had barely finished when the Brocade Guard seized her.

"Marquis, spare my life!"

The County Magistrate's Wife collapsed to her knees, wailing: "Please, Marquis, do not hold this against me!"

"I… I was just blinded by anger, that's all…"

Qin Feng gave Liu Ming a glance. Liu Ming immediately pulled the County Magistrate's Wife to her feet and withdrew a roll of Silver Notes from his sleeve, offering them to her.

"Madam, this is Ten Thousand Liang of Silver. Take it. Once the road is cleared, I'll give you Three Ten Thousand Taels more."

"This money is a personal gift from the Marquis. Keep it safely."

"Chen County Magistrate is cautious—if he learns you accepted bribes behind his back, he'll scold you. So don't tell him."

The County Magistrate's Wife clutched the Silver Notes, wondering if she were dreaming.

After causing such a disaster, she wasn't punished—instead, she received Ten Thousand Liang of Silver for free? Was such a thing possible?