Frontier Army Warrior

Chapter 1200 Lament

The person who came to greet Lin Feng was the Grand Eunuch Zhu Qisheng. The emperor certainly couldn't go out to greet a prince, so Zhu Qisheng was the emperor's stand-in.

Such etiquette is already considered the highest level.

Zhu Qisheng was still as plump and fair-skinned as ever, with a smile on his face, as he stepped over the high threshold.

"Hehehe, Your Highness is always well, but you seem even more energetic now."

"The head steward has gained weight again."

"Hey, without the prince's worries about the country and its people, all I do is gain weight."

The two chatted and laughed as they turned and headed into the palace.

Lin Feng entered the palace and saw lush greenery, artificial hills, flowing water, and small bridges, which made it even more elegant and unique.

There were also many soldiers standing in various corners, watching them warily.

Zhu Qisheng glanced at Lin Feng, leaned closer, and asked in a low voice.

"Your Highness, have you made a trip to the capital?"

Lin Feng shook his head: "It delayed my trip. I was supposed to go."

"Yes, yes, it was too dangerous. It's better that you didn't go. I was so worried about you."

Lin Feng changed the subject: "Is His Majesty in good health?"

"so far so good."

As they talked, they walked through the long corridor and arrived at the door of Emperor Zhao Cun's study.

Tang Yuan, the commander of the Imperial Guards, stood in front of the door, staring at Lin Feng with wide eyes.

Seeing that his eyes were not right, Lin Feng stopped and looked him up and down a few times.

"Who is this..."

Zhu Qisheng quickly introduced: "Tang Yuan, Commander of the Imperial Guards."

Lin Feng nodded: "Oh, indeed, it has an extraordinary aura."

At this moment, Tang Yuan puffed out his chest and said, "My father is Tang Bingqian."

Lin Feng smiled: "So you're the son of Minister Tang. Like father, like son! How is your father?"

"He has passed away."

Tang Yuan gritted his teeth and forced out these words.

Lin Feng was confused. Seeing Tang Yuan's expression, it was as if he had killed his father.

Because Lin Feng was unaware that Tang Bingqian had followed Prince Rui, Zhao Xun, and after being forced to flee Jinghao Prefecture by Cheng Liang's Zhenxi Army, he had headed west into the wilderness.

Ultimately, due to old age and physical weakness, he could not endure the hardships of fleeing to the wilderness and died of illness far from home.

Therefore, when the news reached Tang Yuan, it became clear that the wronged had a culprit and the debtor was Lin Feng, the leader of the Zhenxi Army.

He just didn't want to think that if it weren't for the Zhenxi Army general Rui Wang and other ministers rescuing him from the Taisho Imperial Guards...

They will be sent to Zhao Zheng, and their situation will be many times worse.

The Zhenxi Army merely stripped them of their privileges and allocated land and houses for them to cultivate and live in, which was already considered a preferential treatment.

However, since Prince Rui and his men had escaped from Jinghao City, they certainly wouldn't speak well of the Zhenxi Army.

Seeing Tang Yuan's murderous look, Lin Feng didn't take it seriously and simply patted him on the shoulder.

"Condolences."

After saying that, he stepped into the Imperial Study.

Tang Yuan glared angrily, his body stiff, and he didn't move.

After all, within the palace, the other party was the Regent, the most powerful person second only to the Emperor, and was incomparable to himself, the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

Emperor Zhao Cun sat behind his dragon desk with a smile on his face.

Lin Feng cupped his hands and said, "Lin Feng greets Your Majesty."

Bai Jing also bowed, saying, "Bai Jing greets Your Majesty."

"Very well, please take a seat."

A eunuch brought chairs for the two of them to sit down.

Lin Feng briefly recounted his experience, then pulled a roll of cloth from his sleeve and handed it forward.

"Your Majesty, this is the confession of Wu Ruolin, the prefect of Jingxi Prefecture. He embezzled nearly 50,000 taels of tax silver in three months. His crime deserves to be punished by death."

Zhao Cun's heart trembled. Of course, he dared not say that all that silver had been given to him by Wu Ruolin.

"Damn it indeed."

In fact, Wu Ruolin had already told the truth: the Emperor had taken all the money, and he was only acting on imperial orders.

Lin Feng couldn't say that. The Great Court was still the legitimate imperial family. If the truth were told, Wu Ruolin was not only innocent, but also meritorious.

He concluded that Zhao Cun dared not admit that he had taken the silver.

Zhao Cun said indignantly, "I hate these corrupt officials the most. They embezzle the court's tax revenue for their own use, yet they pretend to be patriotic and love the people. They deserve to die!"

Lin Feng smiled bitterly to himself when he heard him say that. "Are you fucking talking about me?"

"The situation on the front lines is tense. The soldiers of the Zhenxi Army are risking their lives to safeguard national security and the well-being of the people, while these corrupt officials are abusing their power and enjoying their wealth."

Since even the Emperor believes he deserves to die, then he truly deserves to die. Therefore, I request the Emperor to issue an edict ordering the confiscation of the property and investigation of Wu Ruolin, the Prefect of Jingxi…”

Zhao Cun raised his hand to interrupt Lin Feng.

"Let the Regent decide this matter. I don't want to hear about such things."

He wasn't stupid. If Wu Ruolin gave him money, and he then forged an imperial edict to copy it and behead the person, would he still be human?

Lin Feng didn't press the issue, letting you put on an act one more time. Anyway, he wouldn't let you live so comfortably next time.

"In that case, we will not disturb His Majesty's rest any longer."

Lin Feng stood up, nodded to Zhao Cun, and then turned and left.

Zhao Cun was angry, but he kept quiet and watched coldly as the two left the room and walked away.

Zhu Qisheng hurriedly went out and followed Lin Feng, only stopping when they reached the main gate of the palace.

"Your Highness, I am getting old and my health is deteriorating day by day. I am afraid I will have to go home to retire."

Lin Feng turned to look at Zhu Qisheng.

"Rest assured, Chief Steward, I keep my word. Please feel free to ask if you need anything."

"I am very grateful for Your Highness's kindness."

Lin Feng laughed and said, "Grand Steward, there's no need to be so polite. There are a few smart people in the Great Dynasty who retired to the countryside early on, no longer concerned with worldly affairs, and became wealthy hermits, enjoying a peaceful and happy life."

Zhu Qisheng smiled and moved forward a little.

"Your Highness, are you referring to Xu Jin from Tianzhi Mountain or Wan Quan from Yufu Mountain?"

Lin Feng was taken aback. Xu Jin, the former chief of the royal guards, had abducted the late emperor's concubine and run off to the foot of Tianzhi Mountain, where he set up a manor.

He knew about it and had even been there once.

But the fact that Grand Tutor Wan Quan was at the foot of Yufu Mountain was something I had never heard of before.

"Thank you for your guidance, Chief Steward. I will remember it."

Zhu Qisheng shook his head and laughed, "Your Highness, what are you saying? I just envy this kind of life."

"Alright, Chief Steward, you'd better choose a place with beautiful scenery."

"Thank you very much, Your Highness."

"You're too kind, Chief Steward. Please feel free to come to me if you need anything. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

"May Your Highness rest in peace."

The two exchanged a smile and parted ways gracefully.

On the way back, Bai Jing finally spoke.

"Brother, what Steward Zhu means..."

Lin Feng pondered and said, "I'm afraid Wan Quan is still behind the Great Dynasty court. That old fellow is still up to no good."

"Ah, if only he could have lived out the rest of his life like this."

"It's a pity he can't let go of the hatred in his heart. Am I, Lin Feng, really a magnanimous person?"

Bai Jing laughed and said, "Calling you vindictive is a bit of an exaggeration, but I must praise your magnanimity..."

"Hey, stop talking, I know it's not true."

After the two chatted and laughed for a while, Bai Jing said seriously.

"What are your plans for dealing with those wavering officials?"

"Those who waver in their hearts can be forgiven, but those who accept the imperial edict and harbor any侥幸心理 (a sense of侥幸, or a belief that they can get away with it) must be severely punished without exception."

Bai Jing sighed, "Alas, another bloodbath is about to begin."

Lin Feng sneered: "To establish a stable regime, appeasement alone is not enough."

"Yeah, I know."