Chapter 966

First Volume, Chapter 966: The Troublemaker Who Resists Both Soft and Hard Tactics

No official present spoke; all waited for the Liang Emperor to declare his stance. The Liang Emperor had repeatedly hinted and warned Chen Zheng not to oppose Qin Feng, yet Chen Zheng pressed on stubbornly. The Liang Emperor had no choice but to reply coldly: "I know."

As a high-ranking minister, how could Chen Zheng not understand the Emperor's intentions?

That single phrase, "I know," amounted to the Liang Emperor's official stance. In the Imperial Court, the Emperor would not pressure Chen Zheng—but once the court adjourned, within days, imperial edicts targeting Chen Zheng would be issued: demotion at best, outright dismissal at worst.

Chen Zheng knew clearly that if he did not speak plainly now, he might never get another chance.

Realizing this, Chen Zheng took a deep breath, his voice ringing firm and resolute through the Grand Hall.

"Your subject does not deny that Marquis Qin benefits the state. Had it not been for Marquis Qin leading charges and braving battle, our Great Liang would already be beset by internal strife and external threats, its people suffering. But Qin Feng's merit lies in eternity, not in the present."

"The Qin family has long received the state's grace; they ought to behave as loyal subjects, devoted to Your Majesty—not carve out their own domain and act willfully. Otherwise, how can the people be convinced? Let all under Heaven ask: who truly rules this Liang realm—the Li clan, or the Qin clan?"

At these words, the Liang Emperor could no longer sit still. He slammed his fist on the Dragon Case and rose, roaring: "Chen Zheng, how dare you!"

"How could you utter such treasonous words?"

"Though I favor you, that does not mean you may act without restraint!"

Facing the Emperor's fury, Chen Zheng did not retreat—he argued fiercely: "I serve only the state and the ancestral rites, exhausting myself until death. As long as Qin Feng refuses to return to court and kneel before the Imperial Grace, I will stand opposed to him forever."

"Someone must speak these words. Since the other ministers fear Qin Feng's power and dare not speak, I shall be the traitor."

"The court must appoint a supervisor to the Front Line. Otherwise, our campaign lacks legitimacy and cannot command respect."

This was not advice—it was a direct ultimatum forcing the Liang Emperor to sever ties with Qin Feng.

The Liang Emperor rarely lost his temper so completely. Chen Zheng was the leader of the Pure Stream loyalists, a virtuous minister—yet he chose to defy the Emperor. The Liang Emperor could no longer endure it and issued an order immediately.

"Bring in the Palace Guards! Remove Chen Zheng from the Grand Hall!"

The Palace Guards stepped forward. Chen Zheng bowed respectfully, neither humble nor defiant, and withdrew slowly.

Barely had he stepped out of the Grand Hall when Chen Zheng swept his sleeve aside and glared coldly at the nearby Palace Guards: "You are the Emperor's arms—do you not know how to protect your lord? Are you afraid of the Tianji Camp Guards?"

At once, the Palace Guards replied in low tones: "Your Excellency speaks rightly. If that day comes, we will fight the Tianji Camp Guards to the death. But now, we obey only the Emperor's command. Your Excellency, return home and rest—do not harm your health."

Hearing this, Chen Zheng no longer bothered to argue. He swept his sleeve and left.

At that moment, ten plus officials exited the Grand Hall in succession—all Pure Stream loyalists. They meant to prove their unwavering alliance with Chen Zheng. If the Liang Emperor refused to appoint a supervisor to the Front Line, they would never attend court again—even if punished by imperial decree, they would show no fear.

The atmosphere in the Grand Hall grew grim. The Liang Emperor sat behind the Dragon Case, his face icy.

He truly did not wish to punish Chen Zheng and the other officials. But these so-called hard bones would rather wreck state policy than force Qin Feng to prove loyalty. The Emperor was caught in the middle, deeply torn. If one side must be sacrificed, it would be Chen Zheng and the Pure Stream loyalists—not Qin Feng or the Taolin Party.

Currently, the court was divided into three forces: the Taolin Party, the Imperial Party, and the Pure Stream loyalists.

The Imperial Party and the Taolin Party worked in tandem, united as one front—leaving only the Pure Stream loyalists opposed. In the past, the Liang Emperor would have already joined forces with the Taolin Party Chiefs to eliminate this "troublemaker."

But this time, the opponent was no ordinary corrupt minister—he was a loyal subject devoted to the Liang state. This made the Emperor's dilemma acute.

After court adjourned, the Liang Emperor pondered long and hard, and ultimately decided to pass this dilemma to the Taolin Party to resolve.

Yet since Qin Tianhu was stationed in the Central Plains rear area and Qin Feng was far away in the Di frontier, all the Taolin Party Chiefs remained silent on the matter. The only person in Jingdu with any authority on this issue was a woman. If this woman was willing to speak on Qin Feng's behalf, whatever decision she made—right or wrong—Qin Feng could not use it as an excuse to retaliate.

Thinking this, the Liang Emperor immediately ordered Zhang Xiuye to relay the entire matter of Chen Zheng to Mingyue Zhai.

Yet no sooner had Zhang Xiuye left Mingyue Zhai than Chen Zheng stormed in, barging past the servants without waiting for announcement.

"Is anyone still breathing in Mingyue Zhai?"

Chen Zheng's tone was hostile as he strode into DaTang, shouting loudly.

Moments later, three graceful figures appeared before him: Liu Hongyan led, followed by Xie Yun'er and the Princess of Qiyang.

Seeing Liu Hongyan, Chen Zheng swept his sleeve aside and sneered: "Is Mingyue Zhai now managed solely by women?"

Facing Chen Zheng's aggression, Liu Hongyan merely smiled lightly. She gestured with a flick of her sleeve, inviting him to sit. When Chen Zheng refused, head held high, she did not press him. Instead, she and Xie Yun'er took their seats below the Bei Zun Wei, while the Princess of Qiyang sat beside Xie Yun'er.

Liu Hongyan gave a subtle glance to a servant, who hurried off and returned moments later with a tea tray.

"Your Excellency Chen, please have some tea," the servant said politely, pouring for Chen Zheng.

Chen Zheng slapped the tea cup aside, roaring: "Don't try this trick on me!"

Liu Hongyan and Xie Yun Ru remained calm. But the Princess of Qiyang could no longer bear it. She snapped sharply: "Your Excellency Chen, as a guest, our household ladies came to greet you—that alone is great courtesy. Yet you persist in provoking us. Is this not a gross violation of propriety?"

Facing the Princess's rebuke, Chen Zheng replied without restraint: "Princess of Qiyang, where is your place to speak?"

"The Chang Princess and the Seventh Prince are colluding in rebellion. His Majesty, out of familial ties, has refrained from harsh punishment. As the Chang Princess's daughter, you are already guilty—how dare you not speak with caution?"

These words left the Princess of Qiyang speechless.

Beside her, Xie Yun'er gently tugged the Princess's sleeve, signaling her to calm down. The Princess finally sat down, furious.

Chen Zheng paid no heed. He glanced at Liu Hongyan, who sipped tea calmly, and snapped: "Liu Er, Qin the Grand Commandant is absent, and Marquis Qin is far on campaign. Tell me plainly—is this household now ruled by you alone?"