Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 132 Court Intrigue: What are Song Shi'an's Merits and Demerits?
The day after Song Shi'an arrived in Sheng'an, the emperor convened a court assembly.

Because the intelligence arrived at night yesterday.

Therefore, King Wu, Zhao Yi, and Ye Changqing were having a discussion in King Wu's carriage as he entered the court.

"Your Highness, this is not a good thing."

Even Ye Changqing, who was always far-sighted and radical, was somewhat worried: "Song Shi'an is clearly forcing His Majesty to have you personally suppress everything about him and the Sixth Prince, making them innocent."

“But it is very difficult to be innocent,” Zhao Yi also said. “Even if we win the battle, it doesn’t mean that we are right. If generals can always adapt to the situation and disobey orders in the field, the army will be in chaos.”

"Is it serious?" King Wu asked, looking at Zhao Yi beside him.

“Yes, Song Shi’an felt that a thousand Imperial Guards were not enough, so he wanted to transfer troops from other places. He felt that the cohesion was not strong, so he wanted to appoint officers to the soldiers. In the future, when there are difficult battles, are the generals going to learn from this, to seize military power, and to arbitrarily appoint officers and make promises, as long as they win, it doesn’t matter, and they can even get rewards? This door must never be opened,” Zhao Yi said.

"So, if someone uses this to attack Song Shi'an, he's in the wrong?" King Wu understood.

“They are definitely in the wrong. The fact that the Sixth Prince and Song Shi’an returned separately and handed over all power shows that they know this cannot be dealt with simply,” Zhao Yi said. “The crime is real. And it is not light.”

"Then what would be the best-case scenario?" King Wu asked.

"After the court assembly, Your Highness, you must go to the Dali Temple again," Ye Changqing suggested. "Tell Wang Chen to have Song Shi'an revise his testimony."

"Can this be changed?" King Wu asked, somewhat perplexed.

“Yes, His Majesty even hopes that Song Shi’an will change his mind,” Ye Changqing said confidently. “His Majesty absolutely does not want Song Shi’an to be associated with the Sixth Prince.”

This is a point of general consensus.

The emperor was excessively suppressing those who disobeyed him.

“Changing his story, though a bit absurd, is still plausible,” Ye Changqing continued. “Previously, Song Shi’an lied because he was grateful for the Sixth Prince’s kindness and didn’t want him to bear all the blame. As long as he spreads the word that the Prince promised him that he would plead for the Sixth Prince, he won’t face too much public pressure.”

We need to give Song Shi'an a way out, and let him step down slowly.

“Yes.” Zhao Yi and Ye Changqing were completely in agreement. “Your Highness, I’ll also venture to say something a little presumptuous, but we only need Song Shi’an. It’s actually a good thing that the Sixth Prince is away from the court.”

Both of them were wary of Wei Wusheng, who had been personally recognized by Ji Yuan.

He can't suppress it.

The King of Wu fell into deep thought.

After a long silence, he suddenly shook his head: "No."

Both were astonished that His Highness the King of Wu would simultaneously reject both of them, and with such unwavering conviction.

"I have only one question for you," King Wu said, "Even if I were to speak to him, would Song Shi'an be willing to change his mind?"

"..."

The two fell silent.

They may understand reason, but the one who truly understands Song Shi'an is the King of Wu.

Yes, that's all wishful thinking on their part.

Is Song Shi'an willing to change his mind?

"What can he gain by voluntarily taking responsibility for his crimes?" King Wu asked again.

“Some public support, but that’s not important,” Ye Changqing said bluntly. “The key is to make the Sixth Prince’s guilt less serious and to allow him to enter the center of power based on his merits.”

"Yes."

The King of Wu's expression immediately turned serious. He said, "Even if he puts himself in danger, all he wants is for Wu Sheng, who returned with him from the north wind, to no longer be the Wu Sheng that the world despises."

what is this?
This is true loyalty.

“His lord is Wu Sheng, and even if it is only for a short time, he will not abandon his lord to enjoy wealth and honor alone.” Slowly clenching his fist, King Wu solemnly said, “If such a loyal minister is put to my use, we will never have to worry about him betraying us.”

The King of Wu replaced Wei Wusheng.

Then, I truly fell in love with Song Shi'an.

I don't think he made a fuss over nothing.

When he comes to rely on him, he will treat him the same way he treated Wusheng.

“He wants me to let him and Wusheng be exonerated.” King Wu revealed a resolute and powerful look in his eyes. “Then I will demonstrate this strength and let him and Wusheng see that following me is the right thing to do.”

The current emperor was put on the throne at the age of eleven by his maternal relatives and powerful ministers.

He, however, was absolutely unwilling to be controlled.

Therefore, he even killed many of his own brothers, and did not allow powerful ministers to attempt to establish a new emperor.

But not all brothers met a good end.

Even the most ruthless man now has a Prince Qi, who is only two years younger than him, serving as the head of the imperial clan and managing royal affairs.

At that time, Wusheng will be the Prince Qi by his side.

Song Shi'an could be either a prime minister or a county marquis, the highest rank, as long as he could control the overall situation and treat his brothers well.

"Your Highness, I understand." Ye Changqing nodded, then said to him, "But you must not participate today."

"Speak," King Wu nodded, looking at him.

"Your Highness, do not say anything in court, not even if the Prince of Jin does, unless His Majesty asks you personally. However, His Majesty will not ask any princes today," Ye Changqing said.

The King of Wu gradually came to understand.

That's how court assemblies are conducted—officials discuss matters, and the overall situation emerges from these discussions.

The emperor usually doesn't directly participate in the proceedings, because once he speaks, the courtiers basically have no room for discussion.

When noble kings like the King of Jin and the King of Wu speak, the effect is the same: they can only silence the officials.

Now, any prince who takes sides is making a mistake.

However, the prince's sarcastic attendant can be sent to fight.

"I will obey Your Highness," Zhao Yi said. "Since the goal is to protect Song Shi'an, I will take the lead."

“Me too,” Ye Changqing said.

"Alright." The King of Wu in the middle shook hands with the two men and nodded. "I'm entrusting this to you two."

.........

During the court assembly, everyone entered the Taiyuan Hall one after another.

The atmosphere inside the hall had become somewhat subtle.

The King of Jin and the King of Wu clearly stopped exchanging glances.

I don't even want to look at the other person.

After all the officials arrived, the emperor entered the hall.

After all the officials had performed the kneeling ceremony, the emperor, sitting on the dragon throne, spoke calmly: "My beloved ministers, rise."

Slowly, everyone stood up.

The emperor looked at Cui Ting and asked with some concern, "Right Chancellor Cui, why are you using a cane now?"

Everyone glanced over curiously.

"Your Majesty, I fell the day before yesterday, and my left foot has been uncomfortable ever since," Cui Ting replied.

Upon hearing this, many people held their tongues, wanting to laugh but daring not to.

Song Jing's father-in-law fell.

How come you didn't fall to your death, you old man!

"You're getting old, you need to be more careful," the Emperor said considerately. "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's consideration," said Right Chancellor Cui.

"Hmm." The emperor nodded, then asked the eunuch Xi beside him, "Are all the officials present?"

"Marquis Zhao Lie of Huai is ill, and Marquis Zhao Lun of Xun has declared himself a guilty official, unworthy to be among the officials. He and his son Zhao Xiang are at home awaiting their fate," said Eunuch Xi.

Upon hearing this, the officials suddenly sensed a shift in the political climate.

Zhao Lun, needless to say, has a deer penis.

But the nobleman Zhao Lie did not come.

His son is a clear-cut supporter of the King of Wu.

The father didn't come; was it because he didn't want to affect his son's performance?
There is indeed some debate going on today.

Actual or symbolic.

Anyway, nothing happens naturally or casually.

"The matter of Shuofeng has been settled for now. Ji Yuan has also returned from Wuwei," the emperor said. "But there are still some things that need to be resolved."

After saying that, he said to Wang Chen, "Lord Wang, now that you are acting as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, you shall present the case of Song Shi'an."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wang Chen walked from the civil officials' group to the middle, holding the written confession in both hands, and began to read the announcement aloud.

It contains several thousand words, and not a single one of them is missing.

It was all said by Song Shi'an.

Sun Heng and Ji Ming's questions were not made public.

This is part of the Dali Temple's trial procedures and confidential information, so it is reasonable not to read it aloud.

When the text was read aloud, many officials discussed it.

After it ended, the entire court was in an uproar.

Although some of them already knew, they still showed expressions of surprise.

That Song Shi'an is really something!
He is going to take all the blame.

He admitted it himself, isn't he afraid that the Court of Judicial Review will really sentence him that way?
The emperor did not release the confession of Xiao Wei from the Imperial Clan Court.

Now is not the time.

This also allowed the officials to move around freely.

"Gentlemen, let's discuss this," the emperor said.

No one was willing to speak first.

The emperor then called on Sun Situ, saying, "You speak."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Sun Situ used the word "Yes, sir" to absolve himself of responsibility, indicating that the emperor had instructed him to speak. He then said to Wang Chen, "Handling criminal matters is Lord Wang's forte. This old minister would like to know, according to the Yu law, how should this be handled?"

The ball was thrown directly to Wang Chen, who wanted to remain neutral.

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Chen replied, "Your Majesty, there is also Minister Sun. After discussing this matter with Sun Hengji, the Left and Right Supervisors of the Court of Judicial Review, we believe that this matter cannot be judged according to common sense."

I'll fuck your mother.

Sun Situ harbored some resentment towards Wang Chen.

As the acting Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he actually brought out his subordinates!

They even brought up my son!
"Then what should the common sense say?" someone asked.

"It's common sense..." Wang Chen said after thinking for a moment, "In the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty, there is indeed a provision that a crime should be punished and a crime should be reduced if it is meritorious. But the Dali Temple has no right to judge whether a person has made a meritorious deed or not."

It's gliding now.

This Wang Chen is indeed cautious.

It's actually possible to do that, without offending too much of either side.

But this appears to be neutral; in reality, it is biased.

Merit can reduce a crime, but can it absolve a crime?

Common sense can't be completely eliminated, but he didn't say that.

At this moment, the others gave Chen Kefu meaningful glances, urging him to come out.

With a determined look, he stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that holding Shuofeng is indeed a great achievement. The soldiers, officers, and some officials who participated in the defense were unaware of the situation and were simply following orders, so they should all be credited. However, there are some precedents that I believe should not be set.”

"What do you mean?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty," Chen Kefu said earnestly, "for example, the unauthorized troop deployment and the unauthorized appointment of soldiers to official positions are indeed serious offenses. Therefore, I believe that we should reward those who have rendered meritorious service and punish those who have committed crimes."

"Oh?" At this moment, Ye Changqing stepped forward and asked, "General Chen, do you mean to reward all those who participated in the Shuofeng War, and punish those who proposed and made decisions?"

This sentence immediately made Chen Kefu anxious: "This humble general has never said that the Sixth Prince has done anything wrong!"

They actually dragged the Sixth Prince into this!
"So, you mean reward everyone and punish Song Shi'an?" Ye Changqing asked again.

"I was just stating the facts, and I never targeted Song Shi'an," Chen Kefu said to Ye Changqing, his face flushed. "I have no conflict with Song Shi'an. All I'm thinking about is how I, as a general, will lead the troops in the future."

"Then how will you lead the troops?" Zhao Yi stepped forward and asked.

Seeing that they were caught in a pincer movement, Chen Kefu said righteously, "There are limits to adapting to changing circumstances; it doesn't mean doing anything arbitrarily. I ask you, given this precedent, will every general, when feeling at a disadvantage, arbitrarily mobilize troops and bestow official titles upon their subordinates to boost morale? Is that acceptable?"

As soon as he said this.

All the officials in the room nodded.

"Yes, yes, we can't let things get chaotic."

"Now that this door has been opened, how can we ensure that orders are strictly followed?"

"Besides, this victory was also a coincidence. If we had really lost, the losses would have been devastating..."

Is this resistance?

Under the guise of righteousness, they came to persecute Song Shi'an to the point of death.

The King of Wu felt that things were getting a bit tricky.

Although Ye Changqing was composed, he found it difficult to offer a strong rebuttal at this moment.

Suddenly, Zhao Yi spoke up: "Is the north wind only a disadvantage?"

"The north wind is indeed tough, but is there any wishful thinking involved?" Chen Kefu countered. "Will you always take this risk for fame and fortune in the future?"

"Then are you willing to risk everything and send yourself to Shuofeng City, where you'll be surrounded by hundreds of thousands of Ji Yuan's men?" Zhao Yi questioned.

One sentence silenced many people.

The north wind could mean certain death.

If others want to imitate this, they must at least put themselves in a perilous situation where they have a slim chance of survival.

Otherwise, why would you say that you are in the same situation as Song Shi'an?
"A soldier's duty is to obey orders!"

Provoked, Chen Kefu retorted, "Besides, is Song Shi'an the only loyal person in the world? Don't I have one too?"

"General Chen is very loyal!"

Zhao Yi showed no hesitation, and despite being two ranks lower than his opponent, he loudly proclaimed, "Shuofeng has been defended, but half of Beiliang has fallen. General Chen, are you willing to sign a military pledge, and each of us will lead a thousand Imperial Guards to recapture Wuwei!"

(End of this chapter)