Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 161 Song Shi'an Meets Xiao Wei
Yesterday, Sheng'an was abuzz with public opinion all day long. The list of successful candidates in the imperial examinations was released, Song Shi'an was released from prison, and the top scholar paraded through the streets. It was quite a scene of excitement.

The following day, the model of the Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) was sold at all the book stalls in Sheng'an, and the focus shifted from the top scholar himself to his works.

Once "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" was published, it completely captivated scholars throughout the land and became the subject of Song Dynasty commentary.

Some even say that with just this one article, Song Sheng can overshadow the entire literary world of Dayu!

Compared to the Prince of Jin's exceptionally dull literary aesthetics, the Prince of Zhongping, who was always the most astute among his brothers, not only understood "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" but also recognized its additional value.

"Second brother."

After placing the "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" on the table, Wei Yiyuan slowly stood up and sighed, "This piece of writing could probably save Song Shi'an from death once."

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

The Prince of Jin felt that the Prince of Zhongping had gone too far. No matter what, it shouldn't be a get-out-of-jail-free card, right?
“Second Brother, this is no exaggeration,” Wei Yiyuan retorted seriously. “Have you ever seen a dynasty, an era, kill a great poet?”

"..." Prince Jin thought about it carefully, then frowned. "It seems that there really isn't one."

“If someone is to be killed, it’s either because they’re not that famous, or because they were harmed by bandits or villains, or because they died in a chaotic era,” Wei Yiyuan said with considerable certainty. “As far as I know, no dynasty in history has ever killed a great poet who has left behind timeless masterpieces.”

“Even so, the situation is not quite the same,” said the Prince of Jin. “Which great poet could have done such a good job as an official?”

"This is certainly rare."

Wei Yiyuan also knew that it was meaningless to deduce the process from the result, so he added, "What I mean is, once someone becomes a leader in the literary world, it's very difficult to touch him."

“Yes, all the scholars in the world will become his followers and worship him with fervor.” Prince Jin nodded, agreeing with this statement, and said with great regret, “But such a prodigy has emerged. Although Sun Qian does not have the strength to dominate the literary world, if it weren’t for him, he could have led the young gentry with his family background, talent, and appearance.”

“It’s no use regretting this now,” Wei Yiyuan said. “We need to think of a way to counter Fourth Brother.”

"What is your opinion on 'The Wealth of Nations'?" the King of Jin asked.

“The government is good at writing, especially the ‘Jiangnan Textile Bureau’—it’s a brilliant idea,” Wei Yiyuan said. “But it’s not something that can be implemented immediately. For example, the land reclamation project that Song Shi’an is going to oversee can’t start this year.”

"What do you mean?" the King of Jin asked.

Then, Wei Yiyuan analyzed: "The matter of military farming must be gradually implemented throughout the country, but it cannot be carried out simultaneously across the country. After all, in the first year, we have to provide food for the displaced people. Our Great Yu's treasury does not have that much grain."

It's like starting a business; you need to invest capital in the first year.

Farming has a cycle. In the first year, they took in refugees and built houses for communal living, which required both money and grain. What could they do? The imperial court had to advance the funds, and the money would be repaid to the court in the second year.

Last year, Xia Chun's military farming in Yizhou gathered nearly 180,000 refugees and more than 10,000 old and weak soldiers. Last autumn, there was a considerable harvest, but the surplus grain returned to the court was promised to be distributed to the people. Therefore, the actual 'tax grain' earned was almost nothing.

But there were also benefits; the unrest in Yizhou was quelled.

New farmland is being cultivated, which will inevitably produce more and more grain, enriching the national treasury.

Of course, the Yizhou land reclamation system cannot be replicated.

There were readily available refugees.

It belongs to the beginner training camp level in the land reclamation category, and Xia Chun will not fail even if she goes there.

“Yes, Ji Yuan is still eyeing the area north of the Chishui River in Beiliang.” The Prince of Jin was aware of this as well. “A few days ago, the military equipment being transported from Sheng’an continued for three days and three nights without stopping. I heard that people from Liangzhou and Huaizhou are also being continuously relocated to Beiliang. They are using the strength of the entire country to build a defensive line against the enemy.”

“Yes, the imperial court can’t afford to pay for the new military farm rations,” Wei Yiyuan said. “But next year will be different.”

"Will the military-agricultural colonies in Shuojun be successful?" the King of Jin asked.

"Second brother, let me tell you, absolutely." Wei Yiyuan walked to the Prince of Jin's side and said, "There are rumors that things are relatively stable over there, and the powerful families are still alive, so they executed Zhang Wen's family. But in reality, the powerful clans and bandit forces have basically been eradicated. How could Song Shi'an possibly return what he got his hands on?"

“Then next year, Shuojun will be able to be self-sufficient in grain, and Yizhou will have a considerable surplus. Song Shi’an will have more confidence.” Prince Jin realized that this was all good news for Song Shi’an.

I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

The only thing that can defeat him is the unknown 'natural disaster'.

But how despicable it is for a prince to hope that his country will suffer a natural disaster.

"But second brother, it's not all bad."

Wei Yiyuan knew that it was pointless to complain and blame the Prince of Jin for missing out on Song Shi'an.

People cannot be trapped in the past forever.

"What's the good thing?"

“He was released from prison yesterday, riding on the back of Chen Kefu.”

“He is indeed arrogant, but even if Chen Kefu was abandoned by the civil officials, he is still one of our people. If we don’t say something and spare his life, it will probably hurt morale.”

"Second brother, no." Wei Yiyuan quickly advised, "Logically, that's how it should be, but if Chen Kefu is convicted, the reason will most likely be for other crimes, or even 'trumped up.' We shouldn't get involved in this mess."

What if he is a 'traitor'?

"So where exactly is the good news?"

The King of Jin was puzzled; he was completely restrained, and there seemed to be no way to break the deadlock.

"Chen Kefu was humiliated, but even if he didn't die, he would be exiled. He had no ability to regain his dignity."

At this moment, Wei Yiyuan revealed a smile: "But Zhao Xiang held a grudge against the person who offended him in Beiliang."

.........

Under the cover of night, on the Anhe River that runs through the city of Sheng'an, there is a private room by the window on the second floor of a tavern.

From here, you can see the vibrant Kyoto night market.

This is also one of the very few lively places in the city where the curfew can be extended.

Wei Wusheng had already taken his seat at a wooden table, sipping tea and enjoying the river view.

As soon as the door to the private room opened and Xinyue led someone in, he immediately stood up with bright eyes and strode forward.

"Shi An..."

Before he could finish his joyful words, Song Shi'an bowed and said, "Your Highness, it's been a long time."

"Have you grown so distant after all this time?"

He grabbed Song Shi'an's hand and led him to the window, pressing his shoulder to make him sit down: "Between you and me, there's no need... no, no need for formalities."

This young Wei is quite the domineering CEO.

"Okay, I was being distant. I'll punish myself with a drink."

Song Shi'an apologized with a smile, then poured himself a glass of wine and gulped it down.

"Xinyue, you sit down too," Wei Wusheng said after seeing her standing to the side.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Xin Yue sat down to the side.

With the help of each other, the three members of the Shuofeng team were fully in place.

Congratulations on passing the imperial examination with top honors!

Looking at Song Shi'an, who had become much thinner, Wei Wusheng spoke gently.

"Ah."

Song Shi'an didn't know what to say, and prepared to raise his glass in a toast.

But they found that no one was pouring them drinks.

Xin Yue, sitting to the side, remained quite calm and composed, as if she were a guest.

Well, she really knows her duty—to protect.

Apart from that, everything else is outside of work.

There is a fee.

“Your Highness, now that you’ve left the Imperial Clan Court, it means everything is over, right?” Song Shi’an asked. “Yes.” Wei Wusheng nodded, then said directly, “Last night His Majesty summoned me and said that the Prince of Wu had petitioned to grant me the title of Prince and that I should continue to remain in the army.”

Hearing this, Song Shi'an became somewhat sensitive: "Is it safe here?"

"Don't worry, I've booked this entire floor, and the shop owners can't come up," Wei Wusheng said.

Song Shi'an was relieved, but he still subconsciously glanced at the roof beam to make sure there were no Imperial Guards before returning to the topic: "Your Highness now has both real power and reputation."

“But it’s probably the three-character king,” Wei Wusheng said.

“It has nothing to do with a few words,” Song Shi’an said. “The most important thing is that your current identity has been recognized.”

The emperor has seven sons who are currently alive, six of whom have been granted the title of king.

What does the remaining one mean?
An illegitimate child? The emperor was cuckolded? Sprout from a stone?
Only when he is treated equally as a son can his status be legally justified.

However, as long as one is the legal son, he has the right to inherit.

"His Majesty has agreed to all the appointments and dismissals in Shuojun." Wei Wusheng said with some trepidation, "But His Majesty asked me to say a word on behalf of Zhao Xiang, and his words were somewhat... earnest."

"Your Highness, you've refused, haven't you?" Song Shi'an asked.

“I declined,” Wei Wusheng replied.

“Your Highness is wise,” Song Shi’an said earnestly. “Since what we are doing is to treat everyone equally, there can be no bias. If one person can be let off the hook, then the rest cannot be punished.”

It's not about speaking up for Zhao Xiang.

Rather, it is this behavior.

Since the government intends to impose harsh policies on powerful families, there is no need to win over Zhao Xiang or curry favor with the nobles.

You feel it's a blessing.

The nobles would only think: You're licking my boots.

The aristocratic families would think: You only dare to bully me, but you still have to curry favor with the nobles.

Only when they are 'unaffiliated with any party or group' can the power that belongs to them come into being.

Moreover, it is a new, clean power without any constraints.

Just like Shuojun at this time.

That was the property of Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng.

"Then I understand."

Wei Wusheng no longer hesitated.

"Your Highness, just remember one thing," Song Shi'an reminded him, "We must do what we say."

"Of course, I've done everything I said I would do."

Wei Wusheng looked at Song Shi'an and smiled slightly.

"..." Song Shi'an was somewhat puzzled, "What is Your Highness doing?"

"Then why didn't you keep your promise to pass the responsibility to me?" Wei Wusheng retorted.

“Your Highness, this is also a matter of keeping one’s word,” Song Shi’an said solemnly.

"Come."

Wei Wusheng extended his hand, meaning: Begin your performance.

“I said we would all be part of the Wu King’s faction, and I also said I would only serve His Highness as a subject,” Song Shi’an said without a hint of guilt. “And this is the only method I’ve considered.”

Even if you deceived me?

Wei Wusheng closed his eyes, revealing a hint of coldness.

Xin Yue became nervous.

Isn't this something that benefits everyone?
There's no need to get angry.

“Yes.” But Song Shi’an readily admitted, “It is possible to discuss this matter with Your Highness, but to be absolutely certain, I dare not take any risks.”

"you are right."

Wei Wusheng raised his finger and pointed, saying seriously, "When you were being tried at the Dali Temple, the Imperial Clan Court was also trying me. Eunuch Chen came personally to test you, saying that you had shifted all the blame onto me."

They actually set up such a trap!
Xin Yue felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this.

She understands this principle.

If the two people's statements were completely different and had been agreed upon beforehand, it would be tantamount to forcing the emperor to exonerate them both.

This contradicts His Highness's original agreement to willingly relinquish all power and accept punishment.

This is ambition.

"Luckily you didn't tell me, otherwise that test might have really revealed a flaw." Wei Wusheng felt a chill run down his spine when he thought about it.

"When Your Highness heard me place all the blame on you..." Song Shi'an probed, "were you somewhat saddened?"

"No, that's not true." Wei Wusheng waved his hand and denied it cheerfully. "Wasn't this something we discussed beforehand? Even if you really said that, I wouldn't have any wild thoughts about it."

"But it's only human nature to feel disheartened."

"No, no, I'm not that petty. I completely trust you."

"This isn't about being petty; even if I put myself in your shoes, I still feel sad."

"..." After being relentlessly pursued and killed, Wei Wusheng finally couldn't hold back any longer and confessed truthfully, "Alright, Shi An, I need to apologize to you."

"Why?" Song Shi'an asked.

"When you told me earlier that we wanted to join the Wu King's faction, I was indeed a little worried. After all, you have a much wider world to explore with the Wu King, while I have practically nothing here," Wei Wusheng said, looking rather ashamed.

I did have my doubts at one time.

However, he simply smiled and said, "Doesn't this just show that Your Highness values ​​our relationship as ruler and subject?"

Upon hearing these words, Xin Yue felt that the bond between the two of them had deepened even further.

However, she felt that her presence here was truly meaningless.

I'm very touched that you think this way.

Wei Wusheng is now even more grateful for his journey through the north wind.

"Does Your Highness know that when I was released from prison yesterday, I stepped on a second-rank official's horse to mount my horse?" Song Shi'an suddenly asked.

"Yes, it is indeed very gratifying," Wei Wusheng said with some concern, "but this move is too arrogant and may offend His Majesty..."

"Your Highness, will you allow me to enter?"

Interrupting the prince, Song Shi'an asked calmly.

This sentence completely stunned the other party.

This is the real torture.

If their revolution succeeds, Song Shi'an will inevitably become a powerful minister.

Could Wei Wusheng have tolerated it at that time?

"If that day ever comes."

Wei Wusheng looked into Song Shi'an's eyes without any hesitation and said, "I will share the world with you."

(End of this chapter)