Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 127 Song Shi'an, in jail

In an instant, all the prison guards escorting the prisoners were terrified by this display of force.

I felt like I was about to be swallowed up by the crowd.

Only then did the prison officer realize how he, a seventh-rank official, could possibly detain another seventh-rank official.

Those big shots are making themselves take the blame!

They even said they would enter the city at night, be masked, and be sent to the Dali Temple.

If I dared to do that, I would be truly finished!

The common people were well-informed and knew that Song Shi'an would be entering the city today, but they did not expect that he would be brought in under shackles at this time, which immediately caused a stir.

Zhao Xiang and Ran Jin had just ridden into the city when they quickly reined in their horses.

"Dismount," Ran Jin said.

Zhao Xiang realized this and quickly dismounted.

Those who won battles were restrained, while those who lost battles rode on horseback behind them. Did these nobles have no shame?
"Let's go into town tonight."

Zhao Xiang's face was burning hot; she knew what would happen if she were with Song Shi'an at this moment.

Even if someone is a nobleman, if someone suddenly throws a cabbage or a rotten egg at him, would he dare to breathe on it and then kill the other person's entire family?

Anyone with a shred of shame, after suffering a crushing defeat in a foreign war they shouldn't have lost, would know to save face and keep a low profile.

"Then is there no one who can kill Song Shi'an?" Zhao Xiang asked in surprise.

"but,"

Ran Jin didn't think this was a good thing for Song Shi'an. "There are still considerable hidden dangers."

……

Once again, Xin Yue saw the will of the people.

They were all coming for Song Shi'an.

Unconsciously, she smiled, a rare occurrence for her, and looked at Song Shi'an, only to find him unusually serious, with no joy on his face.

Isn't he happy?
Holding Xinyue's small hand, Song Shi'an continued walking forward.

"If we can't hold off the north wind, the Qi bandits will reach Sheng'an! Capture the heroes who can resist Qi, and let a bunch of pampered good-for-nothings earn military merits!"

"We must not discourage the brave warriors! We cannot arrest Lord Song!"

"Yeah! Just because he's different from those good-for-nothings, he's being ostracized and isolated?"

"Those who impeach Lord Song are all good-for-nothings!"

This is manipulating public opinion.

This was not a sudden incident; Song Shi'an had already decided to do this long ago.

The advantage is that it makes officials and the emperor wary of it.

The downside is that it makes officials and the emperor wary of it.

But all profits are generated within the context of risk.

Being tried quietly is indeed very safe.

In fact, no matter what, Song Shi'an will not die.

The moment he and Song Jing held off the north wind, their fates of wealth and status were sealed.

That was the emperor's will.

Sun Situ, the Prince of Jin, and some other experienced bigwigs also understood this point; no one was a fool.

The reason there is still obstruction and resistance is because it is a very normal political behavior—being in that position, one must have a stance.

Therefore, Song Shi'an also needs to have an attitude.

He's here to win public support and earn what he's entitled to.

Generally speaking, in ancient times, people who did this, unless they became emperors, would not have a good end.

But the situation is different.

This is an era of division, an era of powerful families; in the Song Dynasty, one should not be a naive and innocent girl.

Power arises from struggle.

It's very simple, I'll just take power.

As long as I become powerful enough that no one can kill me, then I need not fear the current public sentiment!

……

In the courtyard of the Situ Mansion.

Sun Heng is now filled with unease.

“Father, I asked the officials of the Dali Temple to bring Song Shi’an into the city at night. I don’t know what those people were doing. They let him in at this time, and the whole city is protesting.” Thinking of this, Sun Heng felt a little resentful.

"Do you dare to arrest him yourself?"

Looking at his troublesome eldest son, Sun Yan asked in exasperation.

"My son is also worried about the reputation of the Sun family..."

Sun Heng whispered his defense, indicating that he was not afraid of Song Shi'an.

"If you have this concern, would a seventh-rank prison officer dare to do such a thing?"

Sun Yan hit the nail on the head.

"So, Song Shi'an himself decided to walk into the city during the day?" Sun Heng realized.

“Your ‘strategy’ is actually for his own good,” Sun Yan laughed. “Now, he’s putting himself on the fire.”

"He's manipulating public opinion, which is an offense to the Emperor?" Sun Heng seemed to understand the reason.

"Sitting in that position, are you more afraid of powerful families who have concealed some people and amassed a lot of private wealth, or of young, powerful ministers who can incite the masses with a single call to arms?" Sun Yan asked again.

"So, is Song Shi'an finished this time?"

A hint of anticipation flickered in Sun Heng's eyes.

"madness."

Then, his father scolded him again: "At this critical juncture, how can it end? He and his father will both come forward. But at least one foreshadowing has been left."

There must be rain in the sky, and woe to the madness.

"Then this time, we won't move..." "Foolish."

The father's insults came one after another: "I told you not to move before because His Majesty was fishing at that time, catching 'spies' who spread rumors and were eager for the army to lose. Now, it's time to settle accounts, and we must continue to maintain our stance and impeach Song Shi'an."

After being attacked several times in a row, Sun Heng became obedient and dared not speak much.

"Are you worried that if we continue to confront Song Shi'an at this time, it will affect the prestige of the Sun family and cause Father to step down?"

"Son, I am somewhat worried."

“I’m telling you, no way,” Sun Yan said confidently. “Throughout the entire Northern Liang war, our Sun family did nothing wrong. Although we were being watched, at least there was nothing that could be found to be wrong on the surface.”

To humiliate a top scholar is a breach of personal morality.

During court assemblies, not speaking up for His Majesty is a matter of stance and attitude.

The reason for impeaching Song Shi'an was that the mutiny did indeed occur, and the joint impeachment letter from Shuofeng was indeed present.

Even if those powerful clans were truly coerced by Zhang Wen, that's their own problem. Did Sun Situ say anything wrong?
Absolutely not.

"Now, Song Shi'an's power has grown, and ours has weakened somewhat, that's true. But it's still a long way off before we can bring down the Sun family."

Sun Yan even accepted the fact that Song Shi'an would kill a large number of people after his return. However, he could not remain indifferent: "Let me tell you something else: impeaching Song Shi'an is fine, but don't go after the Sixth Prince. If you do the latter, you're doomed."

The impeachment of Song Shi'an can be considered an internal power struggle among officials.

As for Prince Bao Liu, he was involved in the selection of the heir apparent.

How many lives would you dare to do that?

"Hiss..." Hearing this, Sun Heng lowered his voice and said, "But those civil officials are instigating Chen Kefu to impeach Song Shi'an and Prince Bao Liu. If he really does that, won't he be doomed?"

A cold glint appeared in Sun Yan's eyes: "What are you afraid of? If we kill him, he can't kill us."

It was a sacrifice!

"Isn't a second-rank military officer enough to vent Song Shi'an's anger?"

Sun Yan had long ago strategically abandoned certain people.

Chen Kefu, who is rejected by nobles, disliked by aristocratic families, and has zero political acumen, isn't he just the best pig?

"My father is wise."

Sun Heng bowed to his father, completely convinced of his superiority.

The old fox is still the most cunning.

"How is Qian'er doing in Zhang County?" Sun Yan asked.

“He was just promoted to county magistrate and should be back soon.” Sun Heng seemed indifferent when his younger brother was mentioned.

“Alright.” Sun Yan smiled confidently. “It’s time for us to step up our game.”

.........

The emperor sat calmly on the dragon throne in Xuanyu Hall.

"The people from the Dali Temple ordered Song Shi'an and his men to enter the city at night. But Song Shi'an disobeyed and arrived outside the city during the day," Chen Bao said.

"Who gave the order?" the emperor asked.

“There was no written order, and Wang Chen and the others didn’t affix their seals or signatures,” Chen Bao continued. “It was a seventh-rank prison official who sent someone to deliver the message orally.”

"Is it proper for a seventh-rank county magistrate to be arrested and a seventh-rank prison officer to take charge?" the emperor said displeased. "All officials of the Court of Judicial Review shall have their salaries reduced by half a year as a form of rectification."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Chen Bao replied.

"How did the people react after we entered the city?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, there are all sorts of opinions, but most of them are insults," Chen Bao said.

"How did they curse you?" the emperor continued to ask.

Therefore, Chen Bao selected some mainstream voices:

"What kind of logic is it to arrest those who lost the battle and the city, but arrest those who defended the city?"

"The noble families have embezzled so much money and suffered defeats year after year, yet they still hold high positions and generous salaries. Song Shi'an tried so hard to save the day, but he was imprisoned as soon as he returned to the capital. This has chilled the hearts of loyal officials."

"In this world, only Song Shi'an can deal with Ji Yuan. Song Shi'an must not be killed."

"That's right." The emperor looked at Chen Bao. "What do you think?"

"..." Chen Bao hesitated for a moment, but still managed to say, "In any case, only His Majesty can make the judgment. The voice of the people can be considered as a reference, but it cannot be taken seriously."

"Then I will listen to the voice of the people."

His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest. Thinking of that top scholar, the emperor's face turned grim: "Top scholar Song, being a powerful minister is not an easy job."

But being an emperor isn't easy either.

When he was alive, everyone could keep him in check.

But after their deaths, could the King of Wu do it? Could the King of Jin do it?
The image of him groveling and refusing all rewards flashed through my mind.

Could it be that Ji Yuan was right after all...?

"Your Majesty, when will Song Shi'an be tried?" Chen Bao asked.

"After entering the Dali Temple, the trial began."

After the emperor finished speaking, he added, "The Imperial Clan Court can also conduct a trial of Wusheng at the same time."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

.........

This section of the outer city should only take half an hour, but it took almost two hours to travel.

But once inside the imperial city, they had no obstacles.

No one with vested interests will sympathize with rule-breakers.

Xin Yue escorted Song Shi'an all the way to Dali Temple.

"Stop."

Finally, the prison guard reached out his hand, signaling Xinyue to stop.

If you follow along, then we'll all go to jail together.

Xin Yue also let go of his hand and watched Song Shi'an enter the Dali Temple.

Before going in, he slowly turned his head and looked at the woman who rarely showed any change in expression, but who couldn't help but worry when she was about to be put in her cell. He smiled and said, "Xinyue, you're so kind."

(End of this chapter)