Chapter 922: First Volume, Chapter 922: Radicalism Knows No Left or Right

First Volume, Chapter 922: Radicalism Knows No Left or Right

Qin Feng's foresight was beyond doubt; when the Brocade Guard overstepped slightly, it triggered Qin Feng's hyper-sensitive nerves, and without hesitation, he struck down his most trusted and capable subordinate.

After Qin Feng's Great Purge, the bloated and ambition-swollen Brocade Guard suddenly became "pure and efficient."

It was as if a snarling, vicious dog had been suddenly struck a blunt blow by its master, and immediately wagged its tail, daring not to misbehave again.

Qin Feng's action undoubtedly rang an alarm bell for the Di King and set a precedent.

One must never show the slightest mercy to spy organizations; when it's time to tighten the reins, one must tighten them—otherwise, one will inevitably raise a tiger that turns on its master. The collusion between Night Owl and Lü Li was a bloody lesson.

The Di King spoke with solemn gravity: "Minister Li, are you also planning to strike down Night Owl as Qin Feng did?"

Li Yu did not hesitate; he nodded directly: "Yes!"

"In truth… for many years now, I have already intended this. After all, Night Owl's authority has grown ever greater; if not controlled, it will eventually turn on its master."

"But I also feared retaliation, and thus hesitated."

"Now, Qin Feng has taught me a lesson: do not play power-balancing games with spy organizations, for these spies are all masters of scheming; if you play with them long enough, you will end up playing yourself into ruin. The best way to deal with spy organizations is pure violence."

"This blow must land cleanly and strike the vital point."

"And it must be struck again at regular intervals, keeping the spy organization perpetually alert and self-disciplined."

Hearing this, the Di King fell into thought; he could not deny that Qin Feng, disregarding rules, directly used his "hegemonic power" to forcibly suppress the Brocade Guard, cutting through chaos with a swift blade—highly effective.

But the problem is, Qin Feng possesses the Tianji Camp Guards, a pure instrument of violence, capable of directly suppressing the Brocade Guard.

Even the Emperor of Liang has Palace Guards, unmatched in martial skill.

In contrast, the Di King lacks such an extreme violent organization. As for the invincible Xiongying Brigade, it is a regular Expeditionary Brigade, meant to shine only on the Battlefield, incapable of being deployed in court politics. How to use violent means to purge Night Owl is a matter of great technical subtlety—if the cat fails to catch the mouse and instead resembles a dog, it will invite Night Owl's counterattack.

The Di King sighed involuntarily; a spy organization, if used well, yields Half the Effort, Double the Result; if used poorly, it harms oneself.

The Di King thus entrusted Li Yu with full authority over the Zheng Shu of Night Owl.

Li Yu did not waste words; he said directly: "Your Majesty, the freeze disaster is severe, snow has blocked the mountains, and the fighting in Zhuozhou has halted. Why not take this opportunity to recall the Xiongying Brigade to Wang Du?"

The Di King understood: Li Yu distrusted the Wang Du Garrison, fearing Night Owl had already colluded with garrison commanders, and thus needed to recall the Xiongying Brigade to Wang Du to shake the mountain and frighten the tiger.

Since no warfare could be waged now, the Di King granted permission.

"Minister Li, you had another matter to report to me, did you not? What is it?"

Li Yu lowered his head and spoke in a low tone: "I believe we must prepare in advance for the radical factions."

This woke the Di King up.

The world knows only that the right-wing Hawk Party is the most radical—but this radicalism is only in military matters.

Know this: radicalism knows no left or right; the left-wing factions are equally radical, merely radical in different ways.

What people call "scholars ruining the state" is actually the work of the left-wing radical faction.

Since Qin Feng arrived in Wang Du, the Imperial Court has been divided into three: one side, led by Lü Li, opposes Qin Feng at every turn.

The other side, led by Chen Si and Li Yu, the Imperial Party, prioritizes state policy over personal interests, and thus enjoys the Di King's deep trust.

But besides the Hawk Party and the Imperial Party, there is another faction whose voice has never ceased—and is growing louder.

The radical left-wing reformists!

Having witnessed the prosperity of Beixi County and the transformation of Sangzhou, the left-wing reformists, led by the Ministry of Works, have persistently petitioned the Di King to expand cooperation with Qin Feng, launch large-scale commercial activities, and select several county cities in Wang Du to trial the Beixi County model.

Moreover, the left-wing reformists have even proposed fully opening the Da Di Shang Lu and engaging in deep cooperation in every aspect.

The Di King never denies the importance of reform, nor does he deny that commerce has positive aspects; if properly managed, it can indeed improve People's Livelihood.

But in this Heaven, there is no SpiritPill that cures all ills.

The left-wing reformists are too naive, too idealistic.

If the Beixi County model is so effective, why hasn't Liang adopted it?

Liang has such deep commercial foundations, yet dares not rashly adopt the Beixi County model—how much less can weak and impoverished Di?

Especially given Di's current condition, this potent stimulant would likely cause Di to collapse and die outright.

Worse still!

Beixi County developed precisely because of Qin Feng's hegemony; every single Local Strongman there, without exception, was subdued by Qin Feng.

He alone executed dozens of powerful gentry.

In Beixi County, from top to bottom, not a single proper Local Snake could be found; all authority was centralized in the County Yamen, allowing the local people and merchants to execute Qin Feng's edicts efficiently.

Put bluntly, Beixi County is merely a tiny speck of land—no matter how it is manipulated, it is acceptable.

But Di's territory spans ten thousand li, with entrenched power networks everywhere; even the hurdle of Local Strongmen and Country Gentlemen across the regions cannot be overcome. Rashly implementing the Beixi County model is equivalent to striking at the interests of these Local Strongmen—they will surely unite to sweep the so-called Beixi model into the trash heap. Even worse, they might unite, storm Wang Du, and hang the Di King from a tree to die.

"These left-wing reformists only see that the Beixi model brings in gold daily and enriches the people, but they do not realize that all power groups view the Beixi model as a flood or a ferocious beast. If truly implemented, every region will rise in rebellion under the leadership of Local Strongmen and Country Gentlemen."

"The common people cannot withstand deception and incitement; they do not understand state policy, only follow the tide stirred by schemers, ultimately unleashing a catastrophic wave that destroys everything."

"When the Hawk Party falls, the reformists will grow overwhelmingly powerful."

"And with this freeze disaster halting all Military Campaigns, the reformists' voice will only grow louder than usual."

"If we cannot suppress the reformists, the damage they inflict on our great Di will be greater than that of the Hawk Party."

"Minister Li, how do you propose to deal with the reformists?"

Li Yu had long planned his strategy; he replied without hesitation: "Tiger to Devour Wolf—use Qin Feng to suppress the reformists!"