Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 141 The Emperor's Secret

The Prince of Jin presented the proposed topics to the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy in person.

The emperor watched calmly.

His expression remained unchanged.

"Is this the topic that the Grand Secretaries have recommended?" the Emperor asked.

"After selecting from many topics and discussing them with the scholars, I believe this topic can inspire the patriotism of the scholars of the Great Yu Dynasty and serve as a reminder to all scholars in the world," the Prince of Jin replied.

“The Great Yu lost a piece of its territory, so it laments its lost land.” The emperor nodded. “You did a good job.”

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. Your son is of meager virtue and has achieved little, and I have relied entirely on the guidance of the various scholars," Prince Jin said humbly.

At the same time, my slightly tense heart calmed down a bit.

Was it that my father didn't notice, or that I and the other scholars acted naturally enough?
It can't be the former, and the latter makes no sense either.

“Praising the rivers is good, but limiting it to the Chishui River is a bit too narrow. Every student comes from a place where a great river has nurtured them. Besides, not everyone has seen the Chishui River, which is not fair to those who haven’t.” After analyzing, the Emperor said, “Then let’s follow one of the proposals: as long as it is about the rivers of Dayu, it will be on topic.”

The Grand Scholar offered two options: either sing about the Chishui River, or sing about all rivers.

The emperor chose the latter option.

Originally, only Chishui was considered, and there was a slight 'bias' towards Song Shi'an, after all, he had just returned from there.

Of course, the Grand Secretaries had all conducted background checks. Sun Qian had already been to the Chishui River and even left behind a poem.

There's absolutely no way we'd dig a hole for him.

Now that all rivers are acceptable, Song Shi'an is going to get another beating.

But no matter what, as long as it's this topic, it's bound to be a display of literary talent, a top-notch poem tailor-made for Sun Qian.

In terms of depth and thought, who can compare to "Exhortation to Learning"?
Using 'river' as a theme makes it difficult to explore new intellectual depths; it's nothing more than family and country, homeland, and sycophantic literature, with all tactics turning into praise of the monarch.

This is undoubtedly a matter of literary talent.

As for literary talent, Sun Qian was exceptional among the students of Kyoto, and even among students throughout the country.

Even if there are people better than him, how many high-ranking officials do you have in your family?

"Yes, Your Majesty," said the Prince of Jin.

"As for the topic of this policy essay, it's acceptable." After making his comments, the emperor had Chen Bao hand him a folder of memorials and said, "But this year's policy essay will follow this one. Go and discuss it with the officials at the Imperial Academy."

“The questions set by Father are the best for the policy exam,” said Prince Jin.

"Then take a look," the emperor said.

"Yes."

The Prince of Jin opened the booklet and was visibly taken aback upon seeing the title.

It was this question...

Father, what are you thinking?
"Ziyu, Song Shi'an is taking the imperial examination in prison this time, which is quite unusual. Since you are in charge of the examination, you might be able to take some time to go and offer your condolences," the emperor said amiably.

The Prince of Jin paused for a moment, then said with some difficulty, "Your Majesty, at this special time, should I avoid any appearance of impropriety?"

"There's nothing to complain about," the emperor said. "If you have time, go for a visit. If you're too busy overseeing the imperial examinations, then forget it."

"Yes, Father."

"Okay, go ahead."

"My son, please retire."

After bowing, the Prince of Jin left the palace.

After they had completely disappeared from sight, the emperor asked Chen Bao, who was standing beside him, "Do you think my son will go to see Song Shi'an?"

This was a suggestion made proactively by the emperor.

Song Shi'an is about to be released from prison. Go over there and try to win back his favor.

Although we can't make him a member of the Prince of Jin's faction, at least the relationship won't be too strained.

"Your Majesty, this servant could not have guessed. With the imperial examinations approaching, if His Highness Prince Jin truly had the capacity, he should have..."

"He won't go."

Without a second thought, the emperor made his judgment.

Chen Bao was speechless.

If an order has been given, the Prince of Jin must go.

If he were given this choice, he really couldn't go.

In politics, the worst thing is to be indecisive and half-hearted.

It will only make followers feel insecure.

"What do you think of the examination questions?" the emperor asked again. "They are about poetry and prose."

After careful consideration, Chen Bao truthfully said, "Those Grand Secretaries probably want Sun Qian to win."

This scientific expedition has long since transcended the examination itself.

Song Shi'an and Sun Qian are both solid candidates for the top scorer, provided their essays are of high quality.

Who becomes the top scorer and who becomes the second-place finisher has little practical significance.

They were all among the top scholars in the imperial examinations, and their futures were limitless. How high their official positions would rise depended on what happened next.

But the symbolic meaning is too strong.

Because of the existence of factional strife, this new generation of literary leaders has become another battleground for political maneuvering.

If the emperor wanted to use Song Shi'an, why didn't he just pre-select Song Shi'an as the top scholar?
That used to work.

But now, this mere imperial examination has been magnified and made known to the whole world.

The entire Dayu region is reading the articles written by these two individuals.

It's like a boxing match where one person takes countless punches and is almost killed, but the referee still reluctantly raises that person's arm and says: You are the champion.

This is the 88 South Korean Olympics.

Even an emperor has to maintain his dignity.

"Then, Prince Jin," the emperor said coldly, looking down at Chen Bao, "why did you set this question?"

"..." Chen Bao lowered his head and said tremblingly, "His Highness is probably being held... there's nothing he can do."

"There was no other way this time. I personally selected the top scholar before, so why didn't he choose Song Shi'an?" the emperor asked.

“Previously…” Chen Bao had a premonition and lowered his head even further, “Previously, Prince Jin was probably… afraid of being suspected of trying to win over court officials, and dared not make a mistake.”

"But he went to win over Sun Qian."

After calmly finishing speaking, the emperor turned back and looked ahead.

Then, he suddenly clenched his fist and roared in fury, "He! He's determined to go against his father!"

The Situ residence, study.

Sun Qian and Sun Situ faced each other at the table, discussing the imperial examination.

At this moment, Sun Heng walked in.

"Sit down," Sun Yan said.

Although the future of the Sun family will inevitably rest on Sun Qian's shoulders, Sun Heng is, after all, the eldest legitimate brother, and cannot be allowed to stand and report like an outsider.

"Father," Sun Heng said, sitting down next to Sun Situ with a hint of pride, "I specifically instructed my subordinates to keep an eye on things and not allow any books to be sent to Song Shi'an's prison."

“Even if he studies hard, I can still beat him.” Sun Qian was quite dismissive of this.

Sun Heng glanced at him unhappily.

Stop bragging, bro. If you're that good, how come you got second place in two subjects in the imperial examination?
"Don't say that." Sun Yan pressed his hand down, speaking with a hint of reprimand, "This imperial examination is not just your business, it involves two families. It's a war between the powerful families of the world and their lackeys and henchmen."

“Yes, Father.” Sun Qian accepted the criticism.

“It’s just a scientific expedition, nothing major. Winning doesn’t mean the land reclamation will fail, and losing doesn’t mean Song Shi’an will be able to control everything,” Sun Yan explained. “What matters is the momentum, the confidence we give to those behind us.”

“This means who is the leader of young scholars in the world.” Sun Qian valued this more than anyone else.

Previously, the Prince of Zhongping claimed to be the leader of the scholars of Sili.

But how can someone who isn't a top scholar become a leader?

Even the top scholar of that year might not necessarily become the leader of all the scholars in Sizhou.

Moreover, it was only certified by Prince Zhongping, and has no legal basis whatsoever.

This time, we must win.

"Should we try to interfere with Song Shi'an, for example, by preventing him from sleeping peacefully at night?" Sun Heng asked.

"What, are you going to put snakes in the jail?"

Sun Yan countered with a question.

"Son, that's not what I meant."

“Remember, not letting him read books is a rule of the Dali Temple. You are just following the rules, but doing bad things is a different matter,” Professor Sun Yan said. “Whenever you do something, try not to make any mistakes. Even if you are killing someone, make sure that his head is cut off by the emperor’s sword.”

The so-called battle of wits is all about using your intelligence.

If you kill the other person when you can't win, then no one will dare to fight you in the future.

The two nodded, agreeing to follow the instructions.

"Father, there's something I don't quite understand."

At this moment, Sun Heng suddenly spoke up, asking curiously, "The fact that Prince Jin is siding with us gives him the support of the aristocratic families, but isn't the question of who becomes the crown prince ultimately a matter of the emperor's word? Isn't he afraid of displeasing the emperor and being forcibly removed from the race?"

“In the past, he would definitely have been afraid,” Sun Yan laughed. “But now, he’s taking advantage of His Majesty’s advanced age.”

“This Prince of Jin has indeed become much bolder,” Sun Qian also sensed. “He’s more proactive than before.”

“There’s no way to change it now; the powerful families have blocked his path. But before, it was as if they were going to make the Prince of Jin the heir apparent, entrusting him with all matters of state affairs.” Sun Heng then asked, “Is he really so stupid that he can’t see that as long as he’s obedient, he can become the crown prince?”

Sun Qian was also somewhat puzzled by this question.

He certainly understood that the Prince of Jin lacked confidence in Song Shi'an and did not believe he could succeed.

The reason some people don't oppose powerful families is to become the crown prince; by obeying the emperor, they too can become the crown prince.

Shouldn't we secure the ones we're sure to win first, and then figure out the rest?
Do you really think that Prince Jin is so stupid?

Sun Yan smiled, looked at his two bewildered sons, and said, "The Prince of Jin knows better than anyone else."

The two were even more puzzled.

Calling him dull-witted is inappropriate, but calling him smart is also inappropriate.

How could the Prince of Jin be associated with intelligence?
"If you want to understand something, you have to become like the Prince of Jin and completely put yourself in his shoes."

Sun Yan's expression suddenly turned serious as he revealed, "His father was controlled by powerful ministers and relatives of the empress for more than a decade, and he fears nobles more than anyone else."

These words were a revelation to the two of them.

“He is not as wise and powerful as his father, but he also wants to sit firmly on the throne.” Sun Yan had long known what the Prince of Jin was thinking. “Only by giving us power and letting us seize the power of the nobles, so that the two sides can at least reach a balance of power and check each other, can he keep the situation under control.”

"What about Your Majesty? Has Your Majesty not considered suppressing the nobles?" Sun Heng asked, puzzled.

“His Majesty has been personally leading troops all these years to suppress the noble families.” Sun Qian finally understood. “Moreover, His Majesty trusts the noble families more than the aristocratic families.”

“That’s right, Your Majesty thinks that at worst, we just have a powerful uncle,” Sun Yan said. “In the end, we’re all from Qinzhou, so we share the same fate, and we all suffer together.”

“The people of Qinzhou have never trusted us,” Sun Yan said angrily.

“We people from Yangzhou don’t trust people from Qinzhou either.”

A fierce glint appeared in Sun Qian's eyes.

“It’s true that we need to fight Song Shi’an, but we also need to fight the nobles.” Sun Yan pointed out this secret in advance: “Right now, power is in the hands of the nobles. If Song Shi’an wants to gain power, he has to fight the nobles.”

"So, when the Sixth Prince emerges and tries to dismantle the Zhao Xiang family's power..." Sun Qian looked up, suddenly realizing, "not only should we stand by and watch, but we should also join in the dismantling. The Prince of Jin might also turn against the nobles?"

Power arises from struggle.

The fighting between Sun and Song was intended to take advantage of the chaos to kill off the nobles.

"This Prince of Jin is incredibly audacious."

Sun Heng felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "His Majesty has killed princes before. Isn't he afraid of dying by doing this so openly?"

This question also caused Sun Situ to show a rare hint of uncertainty: "Yes, what is the Prince of Jin relying on?"

.........

"Son, I was wrong..."

Clad in full armor, Wei Ye held the blood-soaked, limp Prince Ning amidst the raging flames, revealing an unprecedented level of anguish.

Wei Yixuan, who was standing to the side, was trembling all over and his eyes were full of fear.

This scene played out countless times in the mind of the Prince of Jin.

In a pavilion of the Imperial College, Wei Yixuan sat relaxed on the ground with his hands on his knees, overlooking the entire imperial city.

This moment is just like that moment back then.

The Prince of Ning, whom he admired, was the Prince of Wu who was sharing his burdens at this time.

The prince who offended the source out of fear was himself, who was almost made the crown prince.

The only difference is.

The father was old and afraid; he no longer dared to kill his son.

(End of this chapter)