Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 115 The Gift the Emperor Gave to Song Shi'an
Upon hearing this, the emperor's expression remained calm, but he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

In fact, the moment Ji Yuan announced that he had failed to capture Shuofeng after three days of massacre, he had already anticipated the retreat of the Qi army.

Even though Ji Yuan deliberately won another battle to forcibly regain his momentum, he could not change the overall situation.

However, the battlefield is ever-changing.

During that time, I also experienced malaria, and the north wind had long since burned out.

This year's snow came a little late.

Any variable is possible.

Only when Ji Yuan truly retreats will there be a real victory.

"Chen Bao, give it to me."

The emperor held out his hand.

Chen Bao quickly presented him with the military report.

After carefully reviewing the document, he also learned that there were some other incidents besides the victory.

"Ji Yuan even met with Wu Sheng in front of the army." Thinking of this scene, he found it somewhat amusing. "Does the crown prince of Great Yu really need your interference?"

The topic was too sensitive, so Chen Bao kept a straight expression and did not show any inclination.

"Chen Bao, do you think we should announce the victory at the front to the whole city now?" the emperor asked Chen Bao.

After a moment's thought, Chen Bao replied, "Your Majesty, I believe that our Great Yu has been looking forward to this great victory for far too long. Announcing to the whole city that the Sixth Prince's unparalleled achievement in the north wind will inspire the people of the world."

"Then let's announce it tomorrow morning," the emperor said.

"Yes."

Chen Bao answered, but he was still a little puzzled.

Why isn't this great victory being reported today?
So what should we do today?

"Now, summon several meritorious military officers to the Grand Council," the Emperor said.

"Yes."

"Do you know why you've come?" the emperor asked.

“Your Majesty, this servant is foolish and does not understand Your Majesty’s intentions,” Chen Bao replied.

"Since you're here, let's have some food."

The general handed the report aside and said, "After the meeting, spread some rumors that the war in the north is going badly and that the north wind has been lost."

Having heard the emperor speak to this point, Chen Bao feigned complete understanding and said, "Your Majesty, this servant understands."

We won this battle.

But there are many who don't want to win this battle.

Let's go fishing then.

After all, the imperial court had already issued an order for full support, and the fighting had gone on for so long. If they lost at this point, whoever was happy would be a traitor.

These days, the buzzing noises have become tiresome for the emperor.

"Too many people criticize Song Shi'an; he can't possibly hold grudges against them all. But to jump out again before returning to the city is really annoying," the emperor said casually. "Let the Embroidered Uniform Guards get to work; it would be best to arrest a few high-ranking officers."

"Your Majesty, what if no one steps forward?" Chen Bao asked cautiously.

The emperor slowly turned his head and looked at the stack of memorials impeaching Song Shi'an and the Song family on the table. He said coldly, "Then let him be executed one by one."

.........

Sun Heng didn't even finish his work at the Dali Temple for the day before he hurriedly returned to the Situ residence.

After dismissing everyone, he said with a beaming smile in the main hall, "Father, it seems that Shuofeng is lost."

"Really?" Upon hearing this, Sun Yan's eyes lit up, and he seemed to have become ten years younger.

Although he was not well-versed in military strategy, he had a good understanding of warfare: a city that was relatively easy to attack would become less likely to be captured the longer the siege lasted.

This is a theory of relativity.

The casualties in a siege are always greater than those in a defense.

The longer the siege drags on, the lower the morale of the attacking soldiers will be, as the probability of death increases. Conversely, the longer the siege lasts, the greater the hope of the defending soldiers, and the higher their morale will be.

After one side gains and the other loses, only a stalemate remains.

He had even long ago planned for Song Shi'an to return to the capital victorious.

Ji Yuan, I've finally waited for you.

“It’s being said in the army that Shuofeng has been lost,” Sun Heng said.

"In the army? Or is it just circulating?" Sun Yan frowned, asking with a hint of reproach, "How can you take this so seriously?"

“Father, the urgent message just arrived back in the city and entered the palace. Not long after, His Majesty summoned many nobles to the city, including even the Marquis Xun, whose son suffered a great defeat... This is probably His Majesty's way of consoling Zhao Xiang and Ran Jin for their deaths,” Sun Heng guessed.

“If we had won, why would we need to summon the military officers to the military council for a meeting?” Sun Yan also felt that it was possible that they had lost, because in principle, if they had won, they would have announced it to the world to appease the people.

But as soon as he thought about it, he felt something was off.

Previous intelligence all came from orders from the emperor received by some confidential departments.

Because if there were military operations, it would be impossible for only nobles to be involved.

Those in charge of grain, horses, and the Ministry of Personnel responsible for appointing officials—all of them need to be addressed together.

Among them were many of Sun's former students and officials, so the information was accurate.

This time, how come it's just a rumor?

And the news spread almost as soon as the nobles were invited.

“Even if we have truly suffered a defeat, there is no need to be too happy too soon. Let’s wait for His Majesty’s announcement.” Soon, Minister Sun became vigilant and said, “Tell the rest of you not to do anything at this time and to remain still. Also, keep your mouths shut and do not show any joy.”

If word gets out that the enemy has suffered a defeat and you laugh out loud, wouldn't the Imperial Guards hanging from the rafters hear it and arrest and kill you too?
"Then Father, is it really true that the city was not lost?" Sun Heng asked somewhat uneasily.

"Let's wait for further notice."

After Sun Yan finished speaking in a bad mood, he tugged at his sleeve in annoyance: "I am a high-ranking official, yet military intelligence from the front cannot reach my ears immediately!"

Those who join are not as good as those who follow the dragon.

Without Yangzhou's participation, would there be this Great Yu Empire?
…In the Prince of Jin's residence.

The Prince of Zhongping and the Prince of Jin sat facing each other in silence for a long time.

"If we can defeat Ji Yuan, then Northern Liang can enjoy peace for several more years."

Among the nobles, not all of them were as powerful as the Duke of Li, who could remain neutral.

There are implicit choices, too.

Shortly after the emperor summoned the high-ranking officials to a meeting, a son of a noble family quickly informed Prince Jin of the meeting details.

The result was that they had a casual meal in a mysterious way.

Furthermore, no state affairs were discussed.

Even when someone asked the emperor about the progress of the war, he would only say that they had to wait and that it was still uncertain.

The urgent dispatch of messages over 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers) did not necessarily require a significant turning point or change in the journey ahead.

In order for the imperial court to make corresponding arrangements and provide feedback, the military reports were updated almost daily.

The delay is the time it takes for the letter to be delivered.

In addition to the urgent dispatches from the governor and commander-in-chief of Liangzhou, if they won, the Shuofeng forces would personally write military reports to congratulate the emperor.

However, the person who relayed the message to the Prince of Jin said: "His Majesty seems to be in a good mood, so he has probably managed to hold out."

"Father, isn't this just a provocation to those who are hoping to lose?" Wei Yiyuan said.

"The attacks from the aristocratic families have been constant. Although they are not specifically aimed at Father Emperor, they are still some kind of obstacle." Prince Jin had witnessed the Emperor's wrath before, so he was much more vigilant and sensitive. "Even if we lose, Father Emperor would still want to kill those grumbling scholars. How much more so if we win?"

"I've also heard rumors circulating that the front lines have been defeated."

Based on his understanding of the emperor, Prince Zhongping could roughly guess what was going on: "In the past, it was just a matter of discussing state affairs, and it was impossible to be punished for one's words at will, even if some people's words were full of barbs. Father Emperor might actually lure out treacherous people to be killed."

“If we win, killing these complainers will be even easier.” The Prince of Jin understood.

The emperor secretly spread rumors that the front lines had suffered a defeat, but anyone who made sarcastic or unfriendly remarks was immediately arrested by the Imperial Guards. Then, when the news of the victory was announced, a group of people were also dealt with at the same time—you were the one who spread the rumors and had been sabotaging public opinion for Ji Yuan from the rear!

"What about Fourth Brother?" Wei Yiyuan asked the Prince of Jin.

"He won the bet."

Although the Prince of Jin's expression was heavy, he did not despair: "But the struggle has only just begun."

.........

Zhao Yi ran to the Wu King's mansion.

Ye Changqing had already been notified and was with the Prince of Wu.

Both of them were dressed in brocade robes.

It wasn't snowing, but it was already quite cold.

Therefore, the north wind should be even colder.

"What military secrets did His Majesty discuss when he summoned the nobles to the Grand Council?" King Wu inquired.

"Your Highness, it was just a meal," Zhao Yi said.

"Apart from that, we won't talk about anything else?" King Wu asked, somewhat puzzled.

“That’s what my father told me. I pressed him for details about His Majesty’s feelings, but he didn’t say. He also told me not to speculate.” Zhao Yi wasn’t sure either. “I feel like we won, but I’m not sure.”

"That means we've won."

At this moment, Ye Changqing made a direct judgment.

"Why?"

King Wu was very happy. He had been quite upset when he heard some unverified rumors, but Ye Changqing kept comforting him and telling him not to worry.

“If we had lost, we would definitely have had to discuss some important national affairs. Since we didn’t discuss them, we must have won,” Ye Changqing said confidently.

“That’s true. If it’s not something good, I won’t be in the mood to eat together.” Zhao Yi agreed.

“That’s great!”

King Wu clenched his fist, extremely excited: "We will do everything we can to protect Song Jing's gift, it's coming!"

"Of course, His Majesty can see it all," Ye Changqing said with a light smile.

"That one retort you made in court that day was worth a fortune," Zhao Yi said, patting Ye Changqing's chest. "You're probably going to get a promotion, kid."

Indeed, sometimes a single sentence can determine a person's wealth or status.

It's possible to be protected for life by a single sentence.

"Let's not talk about that for now," Ye Changqing analyzed. "Even though we didn't lose, rumors of a loss quickly emerged. I suspect that His Majesty is trying to lure those civil officials out."

"If it were Father Emperor, it would be quite possible."

The King of Wu also understood his father.

"Your Highness, I have an idea."

Suddenly, a clever idea flashed through Ye Changqing's mind: "Aren't there always some strange and unsettling people in the city? Some are commoners, some are officials. In that case, let's offer His Majesty some auspicious omens."

"You mean you want Jia Guihao to arrest people?" Zhao Yi understood.

"Hiss..." King Wu felt that this was a bit extreme.

"He is the Western Commandant, with nearly a hundred constables under his command. His job is to maintain public order. Now that someone is spreading rumors, shouldn't he be arrested?"

Ye Changqing's words immediately enlightened the two of them.

If we can figure out a way, catching them won't be difficult.

“Should we also punish the people’s complaints? That’s not a good idea,” said the King of Wu.

“We won’t arrest ordinary people, but we will arrest the sons of officials who complain about the court,” Ye Changqing said.

"good."

King Wu nodded, finding no problem. Then he raised his finger and added, "Add one more, one that insults Song Shi'an."

(End of this chapter)