Qin Feng no longer shows mercy because he has recognized the reality. If Emperor Liang is not replaced, the war will continue endlessly.
In the next month, Qin Feng concentrated on one thing, which was to eliminate all enemies in the territory.
Anyone who is willing to surrender will be taken into custody, and those who resist will be eliminated without mercy.
After the hidden dangers in the territory were resolved, Qin Feng began to repair the people's livelihood damaged by the war.
Those civilians who had taken refuge returned to their homes one after another.
In order to allow civilians to return to their old lives as soon as possible, Qin Feng simply sent a large number of officials and troops to help civilians rebuild their homes, and even directly provided material assistance.
Thanks to Qin Feng's unremitting efforts, the people's livelihood in the north recovered at an astonishing speed.
On the other hand, Daliang's side was full of chicken feathers.
The news of Zhao Yulong's death in battle had already spread back to Kyoto. Zhao Li, who had white hair and black hair, was naturally heartbroken and fell ill at home instead of going to court.
Because of the lack of Zhao Li's support, Emperor Liang's situation naturally became besieged on all sides.
In order to avoid being forced into the palace by his ministers, Emperor Liang had not gone to court for half a month. He was trying every means to reverse the decline, but unfortunately it was of no avail.
Chen Zheng had another plan.
He already knew that Qin Feng had no intention of letting Li Yong inherit the throne, but Chen Zheng would never allow Li Zhang, the eldest son, to inherit the throne and corrupt the patriarchal clan.
Therefore, Chen Zheng decided to cut the knot quickly and directly supported Li Yong to cook the raw rice into cooked rice.
Chen Zheng, together with a group of courtiers and imperial troops, surrounded the palace at night and went to Emperor Liang's residence in person, asking Emperor Liang to abdicate immediately.
Emperor Liang knew that he could no longer escape, so he walked out of the palace under the protection of the warriors in front of the palace.
Looking at the ministers in front of him and the imperial guards who were watching eagerly, Emperor Liang was not only filled with emotion but also unwilling to accept his current situation.
He looked at Chen Zheng and shouted in a low voice: "Chen Zheng, you claim to be a clean and honest minister, but you are actually able to do such a thing as forcing you to marry me. I really misjudged you."
Faced with Emperor Liang's scolding, Chen Zheng did not waver at all.
On the contrary, Chen Zheng responded in a deep voice: "The situation is over, but Your Majesty still refuses to abdicate. Do you have to wait until the flames of war have spread throughout the country before you are willing to do so?"
"Zhao Yulong has died for his country. This war is not just a simple defeat on the front line. The logistics has been severely damaged. I, the leader, have been severely damaged."
"And Qin Feng's army is getting closer and closer to Kyoto."
"His Majesty is hiding in the palace, refusing to face reality. Since His Majesty cannot make a decision, I can only bear this infamy."
"Your Majesty, please allow the wise man to abdicate and let the seventh prince inherit the throne."
Emperor Liang breathed a sigh of relief. Of course he could pass the throne to Li Yong, but the question is, will Qin Feng agree?
Qin Feng's army is already approaching Kyoto. If he learns that Li Yong will inherit the throne, then with Qin Feng's character, there is a high probability that he will go all out to conquer Kyoto and kick Li Yong from the throne.
After all, Qin Feng will not tolerate the second Liang Emperor.
"Chen Zheng, although you are an official, you are still too naive."
"The grudge between me and Qin Feng is not just a personal grudge, but an irreconcilable contradiction between imperial power and autonomy."
"Even if anyone were to sit on the throne, they would not tolerate the existence of people like Qin Feng."
"Don't you know how to allow others to sleep soundly under this bed?"
Emperor Liang must be responsible for the entire royal family. If he does not take action against Qin Feng, Qin Feng's power will only grow stronger in the future, and gradually the imperial power will be emptied out.
There is no way he could have laid such a huge hidden danger for future generations.
"Qin Feng hopes that Li Zhang will inherit the unification, naturally because of Li Zhang's relationship with him. By then, the northern border will be completely autonomous. Although it is still the territory of Daliang in name, it has actually been separated."
"Is this what you want to see?"
Facing Emperor Liang's question, Chen Zheng's response was still sonorous and powerful.
"This is just your Majesty's wishful thinking. If Your Majesty had not taken action against the Qin family, how could Qin Feng stand on the opposite side of Daliang?"
"Qin Feng has always regarded himself as a minister. Your Majesty will step by step force Qin Feng to become the king of the north."
Emperor Liang took a deep breath: "Even if it's my fault, what's the point now?"
"If you support Li Yong, you are just drinking poison to quench your thirst."
"Unless you also support Li Zhang's succession, if Qin Feng returns to Kyoto in the future, not only will he not be grateful to you, he will also regard you as an enemy."
Chen Zheng gritted his teeth: "If that day comes, I will admit it."
Hearing this, Emperor Liang couldn't help but raise his head and laugh: "Hahaha, you are free and easy, but you are betting on the entire royal family."
“It’s absolutely true that the literati harmed the country.”
"If it weren't for your unsteady stance and fear at every turn, the battle on the front line might not have been so completely lost."
"If you go all out, even if the Northern Expedition fails, Qin Feng's army will not push it to Kyoto. Along the way, they will recruit troops and respond. Although Qin Feng's personal prestige is there, it is even more incompetent."
Chen Zheng did not deny that he did not try his best to deal with Qin Feng, but this war went against everyone's wishes from the beginning.
At this point, Chen Zheng had no choice but to bite the bullet and go on.
"It's already happened now. What's the use of your Majesty's words?"
"Your Majesty, please give way!"
The ministers who entered the palace with Chen Zheng all knelt down and saluted, saying in unison: "Your Majesty, please yield."
Although the officials still knelt down and saluted, seemingly humble, they did not give Emperor Liang a chance to choose. Tonight, Emperor Liang had to retreat or not.
Now, only the warriors in front of the palace are left around Emperor Liang, and he is truly a loner.
Under the pressure of his courtiers, Emperor Liang looked towards the north and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Qin Feng, I still lost to you after all."
…
Two months later, the 20,000 cavalry sent by Qin Feng had grown into an army of 40,000, fully doubling the previous number.
People and armies from various places who resisted Emperor Liang continued to join in, and the team continued to grow.
Although there were many garrisons along the way to Kyoto, none of them blocked the progress of Qin Feng's army.
Even Zhao Zhenhai rushed over, took over the command, and led the army to attack Kyoto.
When the army arrived at Fuyun County, a black lieutenant had been waiting for a long time. He quickly asked someone to deliver a message and came to Zhao Zhenhai.
"General, my subordinates are here to greet King Qin's army under the orders of the new emperor."
Zhao Zhenhai already knew that Emperor Liang had abdicated, and the seventh prince Li Yong inherited the throne and became the new king of Liang.
