Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 10 Spiritual Communion with the Emperor

After cursing Jiang Shi, Song Jing left without any mercy, taking Song Ce with him.

Wiping away her tears with a handkerchief, sobbing uncontrollably, Jiang Shi had no idea what was wrong with her son.

He would never have acted like this before.

When I woke up that day, I felt like my whole personality had changed.

Moreover, it's not the kind of turning bad.

His eyes inexplicably became intelligent, he took the initiative to say he wanted to study, and he was filial to his father, but he just kept going against his father...

What does he want to do?
"You really think you can pass the exam?"

Madam Cui, as if watching a joke, seamlessly added insult to injury: "Don't you even look in the mirror and see what you're worth? Anyone can become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination). My Ce'er is naturally no match for you, but your son? He doesn't deserve it!"

Having said that, he turned and left proudly with his head held high.

Jiang, who remained where he was, was not pained by these insults.

He even felt it didn't matter whether his son passed the imperial examination or not; as long as he lived a good life...

……

After returning home, Song Ce did not go to the main hall for dinner immediately. Instead, he and Song Jing went to the study.

"Don't let anyone in."

After Song Jing gave an instruction to the servant, the servant withdrew and closed the door behind him.

"The morning's poetry test focused on 'books'."

Once no one was around to disturb him, Song Ce got straight to the point.

"Is it just about books, without any other key points?" Song Jing asked.

"Yes father."

"How did you answer?"

“I answer with the words of the sages, which are written in books. But the books of the sages are also the path of the sages. A scholar should not only read the books of the sages, but also travel thousands of miles and create his own book. That is my answer,” Song Ce replied earnestly, looking at Song Jing.

Upon hearing this, Song Jing nodded with considerable satisfaction, as if looking at his former self, his eyes overflowing with admiration.

Song Shi'an looked like himself, but compared to Song Ce, his talent was like a firefly compared to the bright moon.

Needless to say, Song Jing naturally preferred her son, who looked like her and whose talent was inherited from her.

"Father, I can recite the poems I have written. Would you please give me your feedback and evaluation?"

"Can you still remember the essays you wrote in the exam room?"

Song Jing was somewhat surprised.

Song Ce did indeed have a photographic memory, but that was in the examination hall, at such an important moment, he was able to remain completely calm and have the knowledge memorized perfectly.
"Ah."

"Memorize it."

And so, Song Ce began to memorize.

Song Jing, on the other hand, savored the 'sweet aftertaste' in his son's poems as if drinking fine wine, thoroughly enjoying the experience.

When Song Ce'er was young, he found him a highly respected scholar from the capital to be his teacher. The scholar praised Ce'er generously, saying that Ce'er was a man of great literary talent and had the potential to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

At a young age, he has already shown exceptional literary talent.

"Father, how is it?" Song Ce asked.

“That’s right.” Song Jing, a seasoned scholar, immediately said with certainty, “He can pass the imperial examination just by relying on this poem.”

Upon hearing this, Song Ce immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Just like Song Shi'an told himself...

There's no need to worry too much.

"What about the policy discussion this afternoon?" Song Jing asked.

Song Ce paused for a moment, then said, “Father, the topic is as follows. Last year, Yizhou suffered a locust plague, the people were starving, and refugees were everywhere. The garrison troops also had no food or pay, and it took the whole country’s strength to quell the disaster. Our dynasty has not had a major war for several years, and the national treasury is completely empty. I hereby order you to write a policy essay on this topic.”

After hearing this, Song Jing's expression paused slightly.

All the joy and ease I felt just moments before were instantly replaced.

Song Ce felt uneasy about his father's expression.

Is there really a problem with this question?
"Father, what's wrong with this question?" Song Ce asked.

After a moment of silence, Song Jing said, "It's too deep."

"deep?"

"The question itself is not profound; the depth lies in what lies behind it."

Song Jing stared at Song Ce, and asked somewhat nervously, "Ce'er, from what angle did you answer?"

Song Ce said: "Reduce redundant officials, lower their salaries, and increase taxes on merchants."

"..."

Upon hearing these words, Song Jing's heart sank. It's over, it's really over.

While it's not quite a case of scratching an itch through a boot, it's neither painful nor itchy.

My son did indeed heed my advice to him to figure out the intention of the question setter.

The position of the Da Yu aristocratic family was taken into account.

But they completely misunderstood!

"Father?"

Seeing the subtle change in Song Jing's expression, Song Ce panicked immediately. His voice trembled, and his eyes were filled with worry: "Ce, did I do something wrong?"

"You should still be able to pass the imperial examination," Song Jing comforted him.

"So, are all the policies I proposed wrong?" Song Ce asked nervously. "Are there any problems with the measures I suggested?"

"Ce'er".

Song Jing looked at his son, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "You are very smart, but you are only fifteen years old."

"Does Father mean that I lack experience?"

"Yes, I lack some experience."

Song Jing turned completely around to face him and asked, "Do you know how much salary the officials under the magistrate of Sheng'an received last year?"

"Son, son doesn't know."

Song Ce shook his head blankly.

"Fifty percent, only fifty percent has been distributed."

After Song Jing finished speaking, he raised his finger and said, "The capital city is the center of the world, yet it can only pay out 50% of its salaries. In many remote prefectures and counties, no one has paid salaries for more than ten years."

"The salaries have been inaccessible for a long time..."

Hearing this, Song Ce's heart sank, and he muttered absentmindedly, "Then lowering salaries would be meaningless. And cutting redundant officials won't replenish the national treasury."

These measures I've proposed are fine as empty words, but they're not a problem.

But when it comes to governing a country...

It was utterly useless.

"Then, what should we do?" Song Ce asked earnestly.

In response, Song Jing shook his head and said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty wants us to bleed."

As expected, the core of the question lies in aristocratic families.

"But aren't those examiners also from prominent families..."

Song Ce was getting a little anxious, and his tone became agitated.

Seeing his son suffer such a great loss in the examination, Song Jing was also very upset, but he did not forget to pass on the most important wisdom: "This question may seem like just a question, but it represents the direction of the Great Yu's reform. Whether or not this examination is held, the Great Yu will undergo a transformation."

What kind of fission?

Land reform.

Upon hearing those four words, Song Ce suddenly understood.

Song Jing already knew that the importance of the poetry and prose subject had become negligible.

"The top scholar in this scientific expedition."

After much deliberation and reflection, Song Jing had seen through everything: "It's the one who agrees with the emperor without prior consultation."

.........

Shingoku-no-kyo (Divine Palace).

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, and below him stood a man in a python robe. Although he had a noble air about him, he also gave off a kind and steady feeling. He was the second prince of the Great Yu Dynasty, the Prince of Jin.

“Prince Jin, you are in charge of this provincial examination. Tomorrow, you will personally go to the academy to oversee the grading of the papers.”

"As ordered."

After accepting the order with his hands clasped together, the Prince of Jin raised his head and slowly said, "However, the Grand Secretaries of the Imperial Academy are all unparalleled scholars, with profound knowledge. If I were present, I fear I would interfere with their grading of the papers. If they were to ask for my opinion on the ranking and classification..."

Seeing the Prince of Jin's cautious demeanor, the Emperor interrupted him directly, saying somewhat impatiently, "Your Highness Prince of Jin doesn't need to judge the papers. Just sit there."

"My son, I obey!"

Sensing the emperor's discomfort, the Prince of Jin quickly responded with utmost seriousness.

Trembling.

"Let's go back."

"My son, please retire!"

Seeing his son kneeling and kowtowing, fearing he might offend him in the slightest and leave, he closed his eyes, sighed, and said sadly, "If only Zirui and Zihuan were still here... what use would you all be?"

(End of this chapter)