Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 114: News of the War Victory Resounds Back in Sheng'an

Wei Wusheng could see right through Song Shi'an's intentions.

He had said that earlier.

But Wei Wusheng did not respond.

And now, he still cannot respond.

"Of course, these are all brothers who have risked their lives with me." Wei Wusheng used this polite excuse to evade the issue once again.

Song Shi'an remained silent.

The two continued drinking.

However, as he drank, Wei Wusheng's expression suddenly darkened.

Looking at the Imperial Guards whom Song Shi'an had tried so hard to win over, he murmured, "Shi'an, it's because Father Emperor doesn't like me."

That's the only valuable statement.

Because Wei Wusheng never denied that he wanted to achieve something great.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to open up to Song Shi'an or distrust this close friend with whom he had sworn a blood oath.

All of this boils down to one reason—he is a scoundrel.

"But my father didn't like me before either."

Regarding this century-old problem, Song Shi'an's gaze aligned with his, also turning to the Imperial Guards, and he spoke casually.

"..."

That one sentence left Wei Wusheng speechless.

She slowly turned her head and looked at Song Shi'an, who was also looking at her.

Song Shi'an smiled calmly.

Xiao Wei, on the other hand, took it very seriously and was meticulous in every detail.

"Then just make sure Father likes you." Song Shi'an still smiled. "Is that right, Your Highness?"

Do you really think that 'disobedience' is an ominous sign and an obstacle to your progress?
Your father is just Seran.

At that time, he had many sons, including a favorite legitimate son, who was also young and vigorous. Your mother, Consort Chen, was his most beloved concubine. Judging from your appearance, Consort Chen must have been a top beauty as well.

Therefore, the words "disobeying one's will" were merely his way of expressing his anger at losing the beautiful woman.

Do you think there's much loyalty and affection in the imperial family?
Now things are different. The eldest son is dead, the most beloved son is dead, and the Prince of Jin has to compromise with the powerful families. Emperor Yu would love for you to become this ruthless scoundrel!
Although, at present, there is definitely no intention to establish your position.

But having obtained such a great achievement, he must use you to deal with Ji Yuan.

If you are truly so powerful that you have conquered half the world.

Why are you still arguing about inheritance law?

Let's rewrite the inheritance law.

“What should I do now?” Wei Wusheng asked seriously, pressing down Song Shi’an’s hand.

In response, Song Shi'an clenched his fist, gently pounded it on his chest, and uttered two words: "Loyalty and sincerity."

These two words made Wei Wusheng think deeply.

Looking into Song Shi'an's eyes, he pondered carefully.

Thinking about how the other person 'reconciled' with his father, he suddenly realized something.

That's right, it's loyalty.

Do not use the pursuit of succession, the cultivation of power, or the formation of cliques and factions as your purpose or means.

If Wu Sheng wants to turn his life around, he can only keep doing one thing well—to relieve Jun's worries.

"We want to do everything His Majesty wants, purely for him."

Song Shi'an pointed it out.

He didn't say the last sentence.

That is,
Power naturally arises from this situation.

Once again, Wei Wusheng picked up the pot and poured wine for Song Shi'an and himself.

The two men held their bowls in one hand, gently tapped them together, gazed at each other, and drank the Langjiu.

From then on, there was no need to confirm each other's attitudes anymore.

From now on, just be a doer.

And so, amidst the commotion, the two of them quietly plotted their scheme on the grounds of the county government office.

Song Shi'an said, "This time we have won the battle. As Your Highness promised His Majesty before, we will return to Sheng'an in person and surrender everything."

"Hmm." Wei Wusheng nodded, letting Song Shi'an continue.

"After Your Highness, I will return to the city alone with some personal guards," Song Shi'an said.

"Won't it be dangerous for you to go back alone?" Wei Wusheng asked with some concern.

At least on the surface, Wei Wusheng was still the one to stand up to everything.

Why bother turning yourself in?
"The urgent message from the front also said that my father has been detained in the Dali Temple for a long time and is still 'a criminal'. We must accept this."

Looking at Wei Wusheng, Song Shi'an said without fear, "Your Highness and I are both considered the ringleaders. Therefore, we must return to the city separately, hand over all power one by one, and wait for the mediation in the court to end."

"What about the others? Qin Kuo, the Imperial Guards, and the others?" Wei Wusheng asked.

"Let them set up camp here first and rebuild. Even without any formal appointments, we must carry out our plan," Song Shi'an said. "In order to resist Qi, the settlement and restoration of Shuofeng are urgent. Liangzhou will definitely send us laborers and troops."

"What happens after our case is closed?"

“Now that the case is closed and the defendant is innocent, he must be credited with a service,” Song Shi’an said firmly. “If he has done so, he must be rewarded.”

“Alright, here is my previous memorial requesting promotions.” Wei Wusheng nodded and said, “Let Qin Kuo be the Prefect of Shuojun, and Zhu Qing be the General Who Pacifies the North.”

They were all of the third rank.

The majority of Shuo County, which had been supported by Nanliang, was reorganized into a single county, with its capital located in Shuofeng.

Military and political affairs are handled simultaneously.

"The magistrates of the remaining three counties will also be replaced by people from the Imperial Guards," Song Shi'an said solemnly.

A complete reshuffle.

Even if Wei Wusheng is no longer in Beiliang, and whoever becomes the governor and commander-in-chief of Liangzhou, they will not be able to gain actual control of this strategic location.

Once we've secured it, it's ours.

I won't hand over military power, I won't hand over official seals, I won't hand over the dragon-headed staff, I won't hand over anything the hell!

Where is Wang Dalong?

"He has a clean background. Apart from the Imperial Guards, he's the only one worth winning over," Song Shi'an said. "Not only should we mention him to His Majesty, but Your Highness should also spend more time with him these next few days."

"But he was extremely loyal to Luo Ting..."

"Then let him be on par with Luo Tingping and command another army."

Upon hearing this, Wei Wusheng once again marveled at Song Shi'an's wisdom.

Loyalty is something subordinates owe to superiors.

Where can you find loyalty of the same caliber?

Moreover, even if he wasn't recruited into Xiao Wei's faction, the fact that His Highness spoke up for his promotion after he was imprisoned in Shuofeng for so long, in the eyes of outsiders, meant that he had a secret affair with Xiao Wei!

Even those who weren't part of the Xiao Wei faction have become part of it.

"Where is Zhao Xiangran?" Wei Wusheng asked the two men.

"Your Highness, remember to be loyal," Song Shi'an reminded him.

"..." Wei Wusheng slowly nodded, understanding the meaning, "Instead of praising Ran Jin, they demoted Zhao Xiang."

Both Ran Jin and Zhao Xiang suffered defeats, so why are you speaking well of them? Isn't this a clear attempt to win over the nobles?

If you don't want to seize the throne, why are you trying to win over the nobles?
As for Ran Jin, it's not his fault that he lost. He also contributed to the victory later on. So, with one win and one loss, it's a draw.

Zhao Xiang, on the other hand, meticulously listed all his sins and thoroughly exposed them!

Song Shi'an stretched out his hand and clenched it in the air. Then, he placed his hand on top of Wei Wusheng's hand and slowly opened it: "What Zhao Xiang has vacated can only be Your Highness's."

Zhao Xiang's father, Xun Hou, had long since retired from the army and now held some sinecure positions.

According to the logic of succession, he stepped down, and Zhao Xiang took his place.

If Zhao Xiang retires, her son will definitely take her place.

Taking advantage of this major defeat, they cut off the Zhao family line in this generation and also eliminated a noble family!
"It suddenly became clear."

This conversation was their "Longzhong Plan".

Wei Wusheng's direction was thus established.

"Your Highness, and you too, isn't it a bit of a pity for these people to leave here?" Xin Yue, who was standing to the side, reminded her.

They also looked at their brothers from the Yixin Society.

It's a bit of a pity.

Although they were all promoted by them, they were far away in Beiliang. At that time, Wei Wusheng and Song Shi'an would be in Sheng'an. It would definitely be better to cultivate feelings and loyalty by staying by their side.

However, Wei Wusheng could not tell the emperor that he wanted to go to Liangzhou.

With soldiers, provisions, and the power to appoint, what's wrong, Little Wei, do you want to be the vice emperor?

The two of them were deep in thought.

Xin Yue knew that in these situations, Song Shi'an usually came up with a brilliant solution.

However, at that moment, Wei Wusheng suddenly stood up, his expression serious.

Song Shi'an was puzzled, but he still got up and asked, "Your Highness, what's wrong?"

Has our little Wei finally grown up?
"Shi'an, come with me."

Wei Wusheng didn't speak, but grabbed Song Shi'an's left hand, gripped it tightly, and walked towards the crowd.

"okay."

Song Shi'an was puzzled, but he went along anyway.

Because these two big shots stood up, everyone else immediately stopped drinking, stood up, and quite consciously gathered in front of them.

Lord Song and Your Highness have something to say!

Very quickly, this huge, dark mass gathered together.

Tonight, the only light comes from the bonfires burning around the county government office.

"Gentlemen, everything I promised you was decided by Lord Song and myself. The actual appointments and removals still await the imperial court. But!"

As he spoke, Wei Wusheng raised Song Shi'an's left hand.

He also raised his left hand.

In the firelight, the soldiers in the front ranks seemed to see that both men had a long scar running from the middle of their palms...

"That day, I swore an oath with Lord Song, promising that we would always trust each other and never betray each other."

Facing the crowd, Wei Wusheng declared loudly, "At this moment, Lord Song and I swear by this scar that we will do everything in our power to fulfill our promise to our brothers. How could we break our word? Unless we are both dead!"

It's possible that the Sixth Prince's promises are just empty words, and the court might not acknowledge them.

But the Sixth Prince is willing to go to this extent.

The rest of them would rather die than not repay this sincerity.

Zhu Qing slowly drew a small knife from his waist, its sheath made of cowhide.

Every soldier in the Imperial Guard carried such a dagger, which they used to share prey or horse meat, or to cut off the ears of enemy soldiers to record their achievements. Due to long-term use, they were all polished to a bright and smooth finish.

The rest of the people also drew their knives with serious expressions.

Three hundred people collectively raised their left hands, gripped their knives in their right hands, and slashed down forcefully.

.........

A flying horse burst into Sheng'an and went straight to the palace without stopping.

As usual, this was a military dispatch delivered by express courier.

But the difference was that this time, the cavalrymen in the military report all had pleasant expressions on their faces.

He dismounted only after entering the Xuanyu Hall and handed the military report to the eunuch.

The eunuch hurriedly climbed the steps and went into the hall.

He knelt on both knees, raised his hands, and presented the military report: "Your Majesty, urgent dispatch from 800 li away."

The final step was handled by Chen Bao.

After taking it, he walked to the emperor's side on the dragon throne: "Your Majesty."

"You take a look for me."

The emperor has always had an eye ailment, and it has worsened these days due to reading too many military reports.

As for the war, he had actually been able to make predictions about it gradually beforehand.

His emotions were calm.

Chen Bao opened the letter and, after reading it, his eyes immediately welled up with tears. He then wiped them with the back of his hand and said joyfully, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the victory!"

(End of this chapter)