Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 160 The Emperor's Reward

"Your Majesty, Chen Kefu has been sent to the Dali Temple."

That evening, Chen Bao reported to the emperor.

The emperor remained silent and continued reading "The Wealth of Nations".

After watching it, I put it down.

Chen Bao quickly took it.

His Majesty's mind, it seems, is not on this second-rank official at all.

"Jiangnan Textile Bureau".

After uttering these five words, the emperor slowly nodded, then looked at the eunuch beside him: "If it were entrusted to your godsons to do, would they be able to collect the money on my behalf?"

"...We are just a group of eunuchs, only knowing how to serve Your Majesty. We are probably not capable enough in these important matters of state, and we may delay the court and let Your Majesty down," Chen Bao said cautiously.

"Being a eunuch is good; there's no need to pave the way for one's son, and the money embezzled has nowhere to go," the emperor continued, speaking to himself. "Besides, even if one embezzles a little, it's only human nature."

"...Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."

Chen Bao didn't dare to respond.

How could a eunuch not be corrupt?
The powerful eunuchs were even more greedy than the aristocratic families.

Why would a eunuch be greedy?
Good question.

If a man loses his manhood, his greatest passion, and is no longer greedy for money or power, what meaning does his life have?
People who are bullied can only please themselves by bullying others.

“Song Shi’an is right. If we really want to set up this textile bureau, it can only be done by people from the palace. That way, the money can be collected from the palace.” The emperor commented quite aptly, “All the ideas and essays that scholars across the country have come up with cannot compare to these five words: Jiangnan, textile, manufacturing, bureau.”

Song Shi'an has always been thinking about open source.

How can a country that can't even pay its employees cut back on spending?

Whether it was land reclamation or the textile manufacturing bureau, these were all practical and feasible strategies that were implemented afterward.

The emperor was tempted.

"You say he's never been an official before, so how could he become a good official so easily?" the emperor asked, puzzled.

"...This servant is also confused."

"Perhaps he was born a capable minister. Looking throughout history, reading through historical records, there are indeed people like him," the emperor said calmly. "Moreover, what's more, he was also a loyal and upright minister."

His words frightened Chen Bao, who felt as if he was about to say something, so he slowly raised his head.

The emperor said solemnly, "Of so many people, only he dares to criticize my construction of the imperial mausoleum as a waste of resources and manpower."

"Your Majesty! He dares not!"

Chen Bao immediately knelt on the ground, his voice trembling.

"He has already dared to do it."

Like an imperial engine starting up, the emperor murmured, looking down at Chen Bao with disdain: "To mount your horse by stepping on a second-rank official of the court, what official in the court can compare to such a powerful demeanor?"

"This servant requests that Song Shi'an be executed immediately!" Chen Bao suggested.

"Kill him? Who will resist Ji Yuan?" The emperor's eyebrows narrowed slightly. "I will not kill him, but he must die."

The emperor already has a way to kill Song Shi'an.

However, only if he personally carries it out can it be done.

None of his sons were a match for Song Shi'an.

Therefore, the emperor could only race against time, trying to live a few more years, and then, after Song Shi'an established the framework for the Dayu reforms...

The cunning rabbit dies, the running dog cooks.

Before that, the most important thing is checks and balances.

However, the emperor had to admit it.

Song Shi'an understood this perfectly well, as if it were a clear mirror.

Anyone can do land reclamation, but now, no one but him can do it.

This is his bottom line.

"What is Song's attitude toward Chen Kefu?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, I find it utterly disgusting," Chen Bao said. "Even Song Jing is treated with the utmost leniency."

"Your family's property has been confiscated, and you have been reduced to commoners. Your entire family has been exiled to Lingnan," the emperor said.

Whom Heaven wishes to destroy, it first makes mad.

Song Shi'an stepped on his foot, and that foot sent him to the abyss.

"Yes," Chen Bao replied earnestly.

"The unfilial son has been born, hasn't he?" the emperor asked again.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Let him come over," the emperor said casually.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, Chen Bao personally brought Wei Wusheng, who had come from the Imperial Clan Court, into the hall.

Upon entering, he prostrated himself and knelt, saying, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

They still didn't use "your subject" or "your father."

Is it hatred or fear?
You can't tell from either of these points; he's hiding it very well.

It's good, just like that, only respect.

Or perhaps it's a kind of alienation where one doesn't know how to bridge the gap.

"Wusheng, get up."

Although the emperor's tone was not as familial as it was when he spoke to the two kings of Wu and Jin, it was still much warmer.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wei Wusheng stood up.

"Chen Bao, please take a seat," the emperor said.

Then, Chen Bao brought over a round stool.

"Thank you for offering me a seat, Your Majesty."

Before sitting down, Wei Wusheng gave a slight bow to Eunuch Chen, and then sat steadily on the stool, facing the elderly emperor.

"You and Song Shi'an both say that it was your own idea to mobilize the troops and that you should bear the responsibility," the Emperor said. "Are you aware of this?"

"I learned of this after I left the Imperial Clan Court," Wei Wusheng said.

"Was this something you all planned out?" the emperor asked jokingly.

"Your Majesty," Wei Wusheng said after some hesitation, "our original plan was for me to take full responsibility, and for him to be merely a coerced accomplice. He agreed to this at the time, but we never expected that after returning to Sheng'an... he would say that."

He didn't lie.

The emperor sent Chen Bao to test the waters.

Her own son was innocent.

"The bond between you two, master and servant, is truly profound," the emperor praised.

“Your Majesty, Shi’an and I are merely colleagues, not master and servant,” Wei Wusheng replied cautiously. “Song Shi’an is Your Majesty’s man, and he will always be loyal to Your Majesty. I am willing to resign from all my official positions and continue to study the classics in the palace.”

"No need," the emperor said. "Song Shi'an has already protected you."

"Your Majesty, I will obey your every command."

Wei Wusheng remained completely detached from any desires. Even if the other party said, "Fine, I won't give it to you," he would accept it calmly.

However, while the emperor could do this before, now that Song Shi'an has protected him, he has no way to stop him.

These are the rules of the game.

The winning side will receive a benefit.

"You will continue to serve as a general in the army," the emperor said. "In a few days, at the court assembly, your fourth brother will request that you be granted the title of king. You can accept it."

"Your subject obeys." Wei Wusheng rose and bowed to the emperor. "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty."

"Get up." The emperor looked into his eyes and asked, "Is there anything else you want?"

"Your Majesty," Wei Wusheng said, taking out a list he had prepared in advance and raising it with both hands. "The victory in the Battle of Shuofeng was all due to the bravery of the three armies and the sacrifice of the soldiers. However, most of them have no background and are commoners. Therefore, I dare to ask for credit for them."

The emperor extended his hand.

Chen Bao stepped forward, took it, and presented it to him.

After opening it, he saw a list of dozens of people.

The leaders were Zhu Qing and Qin Kuo.

Without even a second thought, they were all Imperial Guards.

"How shall we bestow rewards?" the emperor asked.

After a brief hesitation, Wei Wusheng boldly said, "Shuojun is now separated from the pseudo-Qi by a river. I suggest that Shuojun be renamed Nanshuojun, Qin Kuo be appointed as the governor, and Zhu Qing be appointed as the general to command all the troops."

"Why?" the emperor asked.

"Because before we returned, Song Shi'an and I issued an order for them to start farming in the spring," Wei Wusheng said. "In that case, we must ensure that the order is obeyed without any obstruction."

"Indeed." The emperor nodded. "The powerful clans were all wiped out in one battle, and the traitors were made an example of. We have taken over Wulei. It is indeed the best time to establish military farms."

"I did not consult His Majesty beforehand, please forgive me."

"A general in the field may disobey orders, and he is not guilty." The emperor remained remarkably calm.

"I also request that all the county magistrates and county commandants in Nanshuo Prefecture be replaced."

These words made the emperor's expression turn serious.

Chen Bao also shivered.

The Sixth Prince actually went to such lengths...

They refused to relinquish military power or official seals, and demanded complete control over their jurisdiction.

Isn't this Northern Liang his?

"Go and rewrite it."

The emperor said coldly.

"My lord, I obey."

There was a hint of fear in Wei Wusheng's tone.

"Who taught you how to write memorials?" the emperor asked, his tone tinged with reproach.

"No one instructed me; I acted entirely on my own initiative..."

"What official position did he hold before? What merits did he have? Did you write down his official position in the memorial? What's the use of just submitting a list of names?"

"..."

Wei Wusheng was terrified. Upon hearing the emperor's meaning, he hurriedly said, "It was my foolishness. I will rewrite it as soon as I get back!"

"Everything will be done as the Sixth Prince wrote. Let the Ministry of Personnel make the appointments," the Emperor said to Chen Bao. "No need to show me the memorials anymore. Whatever official position the prince decides to appoint, that is the official position."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Chen Bao replied.

"Your Majesty," Wei Wusheng added, "Wang Dalong, the deputy general of Langya, was coerced by me into coming to Shuofeng. In the early stages of troop deployment, he resisted orders and tried to persuade me to return his military power. However, after the Qi rebels approached the city, he strongly requested to fight them and personally killed nearly a hundred enemies on the city wall."

"I have heard of him; he is indeed a loyal and brave general."

"What I think is that the naval forces guarding Nanshuo County are also crucial. We can let him command part of the Liangzhou navy and build a water fortress on the Chishui River as the first line of defense."

"Very well," the emperor agreed immediately, saying, "Assign him four thousand naval troops and appoint Wang Dalong as General Who Destroys the Enemy, a third-rank official."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wei Wusheng was truly relieved now.

Song Shi'an and his plans were basically all implemented.

As long as the military settlements in Nanshuo County are successfully completed this year, Beiliang will be able to be self-sufficient and not be controlled by anyone!

Those three hundred brothers with scars on their palms were the source of their confidence when speaking in the imperial court.

"Wusheng, why not add Zhao Xiang to the list?" the emperor asked.

Upon hearing this, Wei Wusheng explained, "Zhao Xiang underestimated the enemy and acted rashly, causing our Great Yu to lose tens of thousands of soldiers and armor, and killing the loyal general Han Yuan. Moreover, during his encampment in Shuofeng, he was passive and lazy, making no plans to defend the city, wasting more than ten days of precious time to build city defenses. This action caused our army to suffer at least 10% more losses."

“Zhao Xiang is indeed a good-for-nothing.” The emperor agreed with his words, but still said, “But he is, after all, a native of Qinzhou. His ancestors followed Emperor Gaozu in conquering the Great Yu kingdom. My Wei family needs the support of nobles to secure our kingdom.”

“Your Majesty is wise,” Wei Wusheng said.

"My intention is that you should plead for him at the next court assembly," the emperor said directly. "This favor will fall on your shoulders."

"..."

Wei Wusheng remained silent.

"What difficulties are you facing?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty," Wei Wusheng replied truthfully after some hesitation, "I feel sorry for the fallen soldiers if I plead for such a person."

"You can't say this?"

"..." Wei Wusheng said with great difficulty, "If it is His Majesty's will, I will obey."

So tough...

Chen Bao truly hadn't expected that Wei Wusheng would be able to retort even after the emperor had spoken to such an extent.

Even after pleading for Zhao Xiang, they still refused.

This emperor has killed his own son!
"Since it's a reluctant decision, then let it be."

The emperor waved his hand, deciding to give up on protecting Zhao Xiang.

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."

"I'm tired, you may leave." The emperor rubbed his temples and said, "Remember to send my regards to your mother."

"My lord, please retire."

The conversation finally ended, and Wei Wusheng kowtowed and left.

The emperor, who had been contradicted so many times, was initially angry, but gradually calmed down: "If it were back then, only he would have dared to go to see Ji Yuan on horseback."

"His Highness is sincere and brave," Chen Bao echoed.

"You must be wondering why it can't be Wusheng," the emperor slowly turned to look at Chen Bao, "right?"

Chen Bao didn't dare to speak and obediently lowered his head.

Indeed, he genuinely believed that allowing the Sixth Prince to ascend the throne would solve all his troubles.

He will become a great ruler.

The emperor sighed heavily, "If a person treats his son badly, how can he expect the son to be filial to him?"

(End of this chapter)