FID – Chapter 859

Chapter 859: If This Man Were Emperor, No One in Nanling Could Match Him 

In the imperial study, Qin Xiao had been waiting for a long time.

Ever since Feng Qingbai returned to the capital, he had been waiting for the final judgment to be passed on him.

He had ambushed a member of the royal family. If it had been an ordinary royal, there might still be room for negotiation. But to ambush Feng Qingbai was tantamount to attempting regicide and rebellion—an unforgivable crime.

He knew what awaited him.

Had Feng Qingbai been more ruthless, a sentence of execution along with the extermination of his family would not have been excessive.

Fortunately, he was now a solitary man, with no family or dependents. Even if his house were to be ransacked and his clan exterminated, he would be the only one to die.

He had already dismissed all the servants in his household. That way, when judgment came, no innocents would be implicated.

What he didn’t expect was for Feng Qingbai to drag the matter out for three whole months.

In the end, it was him who took the initiative to enter the palace and seek Feng Qingbai, asking him to deliver the sentence.

The atmosphere inside the imperial study was heavy.

Feng Qingbai walked behind the desk and sat down, raising his eyes to look at Qin Xiao. This man was Nanling’s most senior general on the battlefield.

Tall and powerfully built, with sharp eyes and a commanding presence.

In terms of military talent, no one in Nanling’s entire army could match him. He had led Nanling’s troops in defending the northern borders for over forty years, rarely losing a single battle.

Because of this, the name Qin Xiao held immense prestige both in the military and among the people. In fact, he was revered by the northern populace as a guardian deity. As long as he was there, the people of the North could live in peace.

And when the people are at peace, their hearts are at peace.

“General Qin,” Feng Qingbai addressed him.

Qin Xiao gave a small cupped-fist salute and replied, “I am now a criminal, unworthy of the title ‘General.’ I beg Your Highness not to mock this old man. I am a military man. I prefer things to be direct and decisive. Please, Your Highness, hand down your judgment. Whether it be death or dismemberment, I will not utter a single word of protest.”

Feng Mohan sat nearby, watching the scene unfold. After hearing Qin Xiao’s words, his expression darkened slightly.

This man had dared to ambush his imperial uncle on the border. And though he had come now to accept punishment, his face showed not a trace of guilt.

Such arrogance and defiance—this type of person was the kind monarchs disliked the most. They were too difficult to tame, too difficult to control, not easily commanded.

However, despite his inner displeasure, he didn’t speak.

Because his uncle had once told him: If Qin Xiao can be made to serve us, then Nanling would have nothing to fear.

His uncle had brought him here today to teach him the art of power and strategy; how to win over hearts and minds.

“General Qin, there’s no need to rush. A man who makes mistakes must naturally face punishment sooner or later. But it needn’t be decided at this very moment.” Feng Qingbai paused, then looked at Qin Xiao seriously. “They say, ‘One general’s success is built upon the bones of ten thousand dead’, a reminder of how rare true military talent is. Among all our generals, your ability is unmatched. If you were to die, it would be a great loss to Nanling. I do not wish to kill you. But your crime is too severe to be overlooked entirely.”

Qin Xiao lowered his eyes. “This guilty subject accepts his guilt.”

“General Qin,” Feng Qingbai continued, “before passing judgment, I wish to ask you one thing: If I were to spare your life, would you be willing to serve the royal family with loyalty?”

Qin Xiao raised his head, staring directly at Feng Qingbai, his expression calm. “I’m afraid I will disappoint Your Highness. I, Qin Xiao, am loyal neither to a sovereign nor to the court.”

Only Qin Xiao would dare speak such rebellious and defiant words. Feng Mohan’s anger surged, but with his uncle present, he restrained himself.

Yet to his surprise, Feng Qingbai merely curved his lips in a faint smile. There was no trace of anger—only appreciation in his eyes. “The general’s loyalty lies with the people of Nanling.”

Qin Xiao’s pupils contracted sharply.

He was right. His loyalty was to the people of Nanling.

That was why, even though he had aligned himself with Dowager Consort Liu’s faction, over the years he had never truly opposed Feng Qingbai; neither in political matters nor in military affairs. Because every policy Feng Qingbai had enacted during his regency had benefited the people and strengthened the country.

If the one in power had been a tyrant, he would never have followed their orders, no matter the cost.

“One who is loyal to the people will, in turn, earn their loyalty. If I were to order your execution today, the people would rise in unrest, and the army’s morale would crumble. You seek death so earnestly. Did you not consider these consequences? Would you have me become a tyrant who slaughters loyal servants once their usefulness ends?” Feng Qingbai still wore a faint smile, his voice calm and steady. “General, your ploy is to force my hand, to drag me into injustice even after your death.”

“Your Highness sees through all. Nothing escapes you. This old man cannot hide anything from you,” Qin Xiao replied with closed eyes, concealing the bitterness within.

With such foresight and mastery of human nature, this man was a fearsome adversary. If he were no longer around, how could Aman possibly stand against such cunning?

“Our Huijing Dynasty does not execute meritorious subjects lightly. Your contributions, General, are enough to offset the crime of your attempt on my life.

Qin Xiao’s eyes snapped open at those words, staring at Feng Qingbai as he continued: “However, you still remain a man bearing guilt. The Tiger Talisman will not be returned to your hands. As of today, I appoint you as the Royal Chief Military Instructor. From now on, you shall be responsible for selecting and training promising military talents for the court, strengthening Nanling’s forces. Are you willing, General?”

A glint of emotion surged in Qin Xiao’s tiger-like eyes. He looked at Feng Qingbai for a long while before slowly kneeling down and cupping his fists. “This subject accepts the order!”

Feng Qingbai, what a remarkable man.

If he were to ascend the throne of Nanling, the nation would surely rise to the pinnacle of the four kingdoms—unmatched and unrivaled.

In the realms of strategy and human nature, he wielded mastery with ease.

By sparing his life, Feng Qingbai not only won over the military’s loyalty, but also the hearts of the people.

Appointing him as Royal Chief Military Instructor and having him pass on his skills to others would earn the heartfelt admiration of the military officials for Feng Qingbai as well!

It was a move with multiple benefits!

And it utilized Qin Xiao’s talents to their fullest extent!

Now, even if the Tiger Talisman were placed in someone else’s hands, the soldiers of Nanling would have no objections.

Nanling would be peaceful and secure!

That very day, an official decree appointing Qin Xiao as Royal Chief Military Instructor of the military was issued and quickly spread throughout the court and the capital.

The military rejoiced.

Who was Qin Xiao? He was the God of War in every soldier’s heart!

Which soldier didn’t respect and admire him? Now, this God of War would become their instructor, teaching them strategies and battlefield tactics!

Feng Qingbai’s reputation among the military soared instantly.

Throughout the ages, there had always been a divide between civil officials and military generals—mutual distrust, mutual dissatisfaction.

To have a civil official who could win over the military—so far, only Feng Qingbai had achieved this.

In the imperial study, though Qin Xiao had already departed, Feng Mohan remained frozen, unable to collect his thoughts for a long while.

His eyes sparkled like stars as he looked at the man before him.

This was his Imperial Uncle!

He had originally thought that, to win over public opinion, his uncle might place the Tiger Talisman back in Qin Xiao’s hands and let him continue leading the border troops. That would surely stabilize the military’s morale, but it would also plant a seed of concern in the ruler’s heart.

Qin Xiao was too unruly. If he again commanded the army, while it might intimidate the border enemies, it would also become a constraint on the monarch—

Like a double-edged sword.

Such a man—one who is neither loyal to the emperor nor to the court; who could say when he might suddenly turn and become a threat?

Yet his uncle chose a different path altogether, appointing Qin Xiao as Royal Chief Military Instructor, tasked with training and developing military talent for the nation.

The rarity of true military talent is evident in the saying ‘A general’s success is built upon the bones of ten thousand dead.’ And Qin Xiao just so happens to possess the ability to cultivate such talent.

Putting every resource to its best use!

This move both stabilizes the hearts of the people and removes a major source of concern for the emperor himself.

Utterly brilliant!