Chapter 931

First Volume, Chapter 931: Military Deployment for the Winter War

The Liang Emperor and Qin Feng's relationship was clear to the Di King: if the Liang Emperor's greatest internal threat was the powerful clans entrenched across his realm, then Qin Feng was the strongest among them; now, the Liang Emperor must implement the "Tiger to Devour Wolf" strategy, using Qin Feng's strength to eliminate the southern border clans.

Therefore, unless absolutely forced, the Liang Emperor would never alienate Qin Feng.

But this Winter War would inevitably disrupt Liang Kingdom's original plan to subdue the southern border.

Currently, Di Kingdom's power has waned; after successive upheavals, it cannot pose any substantive threat to Liang Kingdom for at least five years, and for the Liang Emperor, the most urgent matter is not to pursue Di Kingdom in victory, but to concentrate forces against the southern border clans.

The perspectives and intentions of ruler and minister can never fully align; on the issue of this Winter War, the Di King firmly believed that a rift would inevitably arise between the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng.

Of course, even if a rift emerged, the Liang Emperor would still support Qin Feng.

Thus, whether a turning point would appear depended on finding a way to make the Liang Emperor withdraw his support for Qin Feng—the method was not difficult: if the southern border clans showed signs of unrest. On one side was Di Kingdom, which had already acknowledged defeat; on the other, the ambitious southern border clans—how to choose became the dilemma the Liang Emperor and Qin Feng could not avoid.

Moreover, according to the Di King's estimation, the southern border clans understood the situation clearly; they would not sit idle, waiting for Qin Feng to quell external threats before turning his attention to them.

The Di King immediately ordered: "Minister Li, send emissaries to Liang Kingdom's southern border immediately to persuade those powerful clans—they will not refuse to apply military pressure against the Liang Emperor."

"Once Liang Kingdom faces internal turmoil and external threat, Qin Feng will be constrained."

Li Yu's eyes lit up, and he turned and left at once.

The Di King turned to the Minister of War and issued his next order: "You must immediately investigate whether the Jingji Garrison has colluded with the Night Owls; if you confirm it, merely record the names secretly—do not act yet. The situation is tense; do not pressure the Jingji Garrison commanders. Even if action is needed, wait until after the fact."

"For all loyal commanders, ensure they fully cooperate with Grand General Chen."

The Minister of War bowed deeply and departed.

Thus, the Imperial Study was left with only the Di King and Wu Lao.

Wu Lao knew well that the Di King had kept him until last for a critical mission; he asked at once: "Your Majesty, do you wish me to assassinate someone?"

The Di King's eyes narrowed slightly, without hesitation, he replied: "Jing Qianying!"

Wu Lao was not surprised by this order; after all, Qin Feng had gone to great lengths to destroy Great Di not merely to eliminate external threats for Liang Kingdom, but specifically for Jing Qianying. If Jing Qianying died, Qin Feng would lose his most vital motive.

As for Qin Feng's future revenge? Ha—he would retaliate for a time, but if they endured that period, the crisis would pass.

The reason was simple: with Wu Lao's abilities, he could kill Jing Qianying without leaving any evidence or trace; without irrefutable proof, Qin Feng would have no legitimate grounds to act.

Due to the urgency, Wu Lao said nothing more and departed that very night for Sangzhou.

At the same time, on the Official Road to Changshui County, Qin Feng, exhausted, had already fallen into a deep sleep.

When awakened by Li Xiaolan, it was already the next morning.

Qin Feng frowned, shielding his eyes, glanced at the eastern sun, and asked softly: "How long until we reach Changshui County?"

Li Xiaolan gently embraced Qin Feng and replied softly: "Five more Envoy."

Five Envoy meant they would not reach Changshui County until nearly nightfall.

Qin Feng turned to Ning Hu and asked: "Are there pursuers from the rear?"

Ning Hu shook his head: "The scouts sent out returned half a Envoy ago—no trace of light cavalry."

Qin Feng fell into thought: according to timing, four full Envoy had passed; even if Di Kingdom's bureaucracy was bloated and sluggish, it should have made a decision and dispatched light cavalry to pursue by now.

Though the delay was considerable, light cavalry could catch Qin Feng's main force in one to two Envoy.

Yet now, the enemy showed no intention of pursuit at all.

There was only one possibility: the enemy had already prepared for the Winter War.

Even Qin Feng could not help but sigh inwardly—no wonder Di Kingdom; this ferocity and martial spirit were unmatched by Shedynasty. Even with its national strength so weakened and its politics so chaotic, it still unhesitatingly prepared for military counterattack at the prospect of conflict. Had it been Shedynasty, the court would already be in uproar, and the Pro-Peace Faction would have prevailed, desperately seeking to appease the enemy and avoid war.

But Qin Feng had already prepared; no matter what, this Winter War would become the final straw breaking Di Kingdom's back.

Yet right now, the greatest concern was not the front battlefield, but within Liang Kingdom's borders.

If the rear was set ablaze, the front campaign would inevitably suffer.

And the only possible source of trouble? Naturally, the southern border clans…

Not possibly—certainly!

"Ning Hu."

Qin Feng called softly; Ning Hu immediately leaned close: "Brother Qin, speak plainly."

Qin Feng nodded and whispered: "Find a way to get word back to the interior via the Brocade Uniform Guard."

"If nothing unexpected occurs, Di Kingdom will surely attempt to persuade the southern border clans to form a flanking attack with internal and external coordination; given the southern clans' current position, they will not refuse to collaborate with Di Kingdom."

"Yet due to terrain and cultural differences, campaigns have always been southward; northward expeditions, though recorded, have rarely succeeded—because the south excels in defense, the north in offense. If southern troops launch a northward invasion, their advantages will be greatly diminished."

"Now, with Jiangnan as the boundary, the north is fully under control; we need only rely on the Central Plains Imperial Party's lands to stand off against the southern border clans."

"If nothing unexpected occurs, the southern border clans will unite with the Jiangnan Lin Family, using Jiangnan as their breakthrough point—so if we block the Lin Family, we block the entire south."

Ning Hu never questioned Qin Feng's strategic vision, but he was uncertain about the southern border clans' actual strength.

"Brother Qin, can the Central Plains Imperial Party alone hold back the entire south?"

Qin Feng smiled faintly: "The south remains warm and comfortable due to geography, while the north is frozen, snow-capped mountains blocking all paths—every step northward brings a sharp drop in temperature."

"From the warm, comfortable south to invade the freezing, snowbound north—the southern border clans dare not advance recklessly."