Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 170 The Emperor's murderous intent towards Song Shi'an rekindles

The King of Wu had no desire to offend anyone.

He even considered trying to win over Zhao Xiang.

If he had the support of the Zhao family of Qinzhou at this time, he would be one step closer to the throne.

However, Wei Wusheng was unwilling.

His reason sounded like personal vendetta, a strong accusation of how harmful Zhao Xiang had been. But Song Shi'an had said to him in Longzhong that the King of Wu wanted to have a completely new and ambitious team of his own.

His two core members, Zhao Yi and Ye Changqing, are both from noble families. If he is biased towards people from Qinzhou for this reason, then Ye Changqing is from a prominent family, so does that mean he can't touch either of them?
Faced with the greater good, the King of Wu had few options.

In the early stages of this cooperation, he could not directly order Wusheng around.

Firstly, it might make your brothers feel that you are too domineering.

Secondly, since the north wind was won purely by chance, it's really not appropriate to get too involved in the distribution of credit at this point.

Alright, let's work together.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lun lowered his head.

The civil officials were almost all pleased.

They already disliked people from Qinzhou.

Don't assume that just because civil officials are happy, military generals will suffer setbacks.

Nobles were military officers, but that does not mean that military officers were nobles.

Military officers other than those of noble lineage from Qinzhou were also encouraged.

See that? The Battle of Shuofeng has promoted so many ordinary people!

Even though Zhao Xiang participated in the latter half of the battle, the Sixth Prince, the main general, still rated him as having made mistakes but not achievements.

Not only did he not receive any credit, but he was also subjected to further reckoning, with his mistakes compounded.

The generals have seen the path to further advancement!
Therefore, when the Duke of Li was not present, the nobles were left isolated and helpless.

The emperor, however, was powerless to do so.

Even if he wanted to protect Zhao Xiang, Wu Sheng's words shattered all his hopes.

"Has he made any other mistakes?" the emperor asked.

“Your Majesty,” Wei Wusheng said, “After Zhao Xiang was defeated by Ji Yuan, he retreated to Shuofeng. Before the court issued an order to abandon Beiliang and withdraw the entire army, he did nothing in the city, wasting precious time for building city defenses. As a result, our Great Yu suffered more than a thousand casualties.”

"He's killed thousands more, hasn't he?" The emperor said with a smile, then his tone suddenly turned displeased and impatient. "Then let him pay with his life, let him die."

The emperor was clearly furious.

Wei Wusheng was startled and immediately lowered his head, saying nothing more.

His Majesty is not a very sentimental person. Even without the Zhao family of Qinzhou, the Great Yu Dynasty would not perish.

He even wanted to weaken the power of these people.

However, he wanted to smoothly hand over the throne to the King of Wu.

We can weaken the power of nobles and aristocratic families later, rather than rushing to finish everything now.

Why do you get angry at someone who disobeys you?

Because the emperor was unaware that he was truly upright and incorruptible, and wanted to thoroughly reform the situation in the Great Yu Kingdom.

Or perhaps they didn't want the King of Wu to succeed to the throne too easily, so that he could emerge with his own power amidst chaos and change.

If it is the latter, then the rebellious minister who dreamt of the emperor and the prince who forced the emperor to abdicate were Song Shi'an and him!
But Wei Wusheng, did his innocent and bewildered look just now make him seem like someone with a deep mind and strong selfish motives?

Wusheng, how can I not understand you?

"Your Majesty, my son's crimes are unforgivable, causing the deaths of countless soldiers in Beiliang. As for me, I bear the responsibility for failing to properly educate my son, and I beg to die with him."

Slowly, Zhao Lun stepped forward, knelt down, and kowtowed.

Seeing this, Sun Situ glanced back and then smiled without any attempt to hide it.

He definitely had something to say, but the emperor didn't want him to.

Why were the political systems of separatist dynasties relatively enlightened in their early stages?

Because we share a common enemy, a common ambition, and common interests.

But now, all that's left is factional strife, factional strife, and more factional strife!

Just then, the Prince of Jin strode to the center and said tremblingly, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Zhao Xiang has indeed committed an irreparable crime, and even beheading would not be enough to atone for it. However, considering that this was his first major defeat, and that he had previously made many military achievements, he should be given a chance to atone for his sins… Moreover, Marquis Xun has also made outstanding contributions and has protected our Great Yu for decades. It is truly heartbreaking.”

The Prince of Jin has made his move!
It is quite rare for a prince to personally participate.

Everyone sensed the change in the atmosphere and situation on the field.

The King of Wu was even more shocked, never expecting that the cautious and prudent King of Jin, who never made a mistake, would do such a thing!

Wei Wusheng was also completely taken aback.

Marquis Xun, Zhao Lun, was so grateful that he was moved to tears, looking quite pitiful as he wiped away his tears.

The emperor suddenly understood something.

Sima Yu was right.

The one who should be killed is not the prince.

None of his sons were completely wicked, nor were any of them exceptionally intelligent.

The one who should be killed is the person standing behind the prince.

.........

In the room, on the desk.

Song Shi'an cleared the chessboard and then placed the black and white pieces one by one in different positions.

However, the lines weren't deliberately intersecting, making it seem like they were playing chess.

At this moment, Yun'er asked curiously, "Young Master, are you playing chess alone? Why aren't you playing on the lines?"

"Didn't I tell you not to be nosy?"

Song Shi'an continued placing the chess pieces without looking up, completely absorbed in his game.

Yun'er fell silent, quickly lowered her head, and quietly left.

The white and black stones in the very center on either side represent the two kings.

The white pieces represent the King of Wu.

The black piece represents the King of Jin.

Each of the remaining pieces has a specific identity: a member of a certain royal faction.

However, only core members are considered pawns.

The closer a piece is to the center, the closer it is to the king.

The two closest to the King of Wu were Zhao Yi and Ye Changqing.

A little further away from him was one of Song Jing's.

At the same distance from him, but in different positions, there were two white pieces, closely packed together; those were Wei Wusheng and himself.

However, Song Shi'an felt that being close together was not enough to express their intimate relationship.

They were placed directly on top of each other.

Of course, Song Shi'an was in a higher position, so his words carried more authority.

Picking up a black stone, Song Shi'an slowly placed it next to Prince Jin and Prince Zhongping: "Zhao Xiang."

He didn't know the specific details of the meeting in the imperial court, but Song Shi'an understood one thing.

Xiao Wei must have done as he said, ruthlessly ostracizing Zhao Xiang. If I were the Prince of Jin, what would I do in such a disadvantageous situation?
Of course, we should confront them head-on.

I will oppose anything that the enemy supports.

On the contrary, I must support what the enemy opposes.

The Wu King's faction is attacking Zhao Xiang, so I'll save Zhao Xiang!

Then the situation became slightly more balanced.

The King of Wu's advantage is not so great anymore.

Otherwise, if things continue like this, the King of Wu will surely become the crown prince with ease.

That would leave no room for Xiao Wei to develop.

Of course, he didn't tell this secret to the naive Xiao Wei.

Tell him that the reason for stepping on Zhao Xiang is simply to seize his power and rectify the prevailing atmosphere.

After all, he didn't want Xiao Wei to think that he was a ruthless and corrupt official.

Then some people might ask, since the goal is to build up support for Xiao Wei, wouldn't directly pleading for Zhao Xiang also make him a member of Xiao Wei's faction to some extent?

No, that's simply impossible.

Those nobles with impeccable revolutionary credentials look down on everyone except the emperor. Even if you speak up for them, they will accept it without a second thought and will never feel that they belong to you.

He knew that he was the one behind Xiao Wei, and even thought: "Oh, this little bastard Song Shi'an is trying to curry favor with me."

I will never be a cuckold.

"Now, it's a matter of who can seize power in the real struggle."

Song Shi'an picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and was quite satisfied with his plan.

Perhaps someone can sense that something is amiss.

It could even cause considerable trouble for the emperor.

But so what?

Throughout the entire process, he acted as an upright and loyal minister, aspiring to be a renowned official. At most, he was just a little too attached to Xiao Wei.

Old Wei had absolutely no reason to doubt that he was a treacherous minister who feared nothing more than a peaceful world.

Song Shi'an put down the cup and turned his head to the side, but the next moment, he suddenly froze.

Sometime later, Yun'er turned her back to me, leaned over the stool, and completely gathered her blue satin skirt, folding it above her waist. Her rounded hips were forced upwards by the tight silk underpants, her lower back sinking into two deep shadows. Her thighs, protruding from the legs of the underpants, resembled freshly cut jade shoots, the inner muscles trembling slightly as she tiptoed…

“Young Master, I will never dare to speak out of turn again... Please punish me.”

Biting her lip, Yun'er was terrified. But remembering what the young master had said before—that the only condition for staying was not to talk too much—she could only patiently endure it, too afraid of being kicked out.

It's so visually appealing.

This large white jade plate and bare legs.

There was also a willow branch nearby, which she must have broken off.

"No need, get up," Song Shi'an said casually.

"I wouldn't dare... The young master told me not to talk nonsense, but I still asked questions. Please give me twenty slaps. Yun'er will definitely be obedient from now on," Yun'er said, forcing back her fear.

That's how servants were in ancient times. If you didn't punish them for making a mistake, they would just think you were going to throw them away.

Hesitantly picking up the willow branch, Song Shi'an felt a subtle tension.

After hesitating for a while, he put down the willow branch.

Then, he raised his hand and slapped her across the face.

My palm landed on the cool, white mound, and I was surprised to find that the skin and flesh rippled slightly, like freshly ground cheese...

Instead of a burning pain, a gentle patting sensation came. The next moment, her chubby cheeks flushed red, sweat beaded on her skin, and she felt shy, her ears starting to itch.

Then, Song Shi'an, a virtuous gentleman, said, "That's enough, get up."

.........

"Congratulations, Your Highness Prince Zhongshan."

As he left the palace, the King of Wu jokingly said to Wei Wusheng.

"Fourth Brother, you flatter me." Wei Wusheng clenched his fist and bowed, saying solemnly, "Wusheng is willing to be Fourth Brother's henchman for life!"

“There are no pawns, only brothers.” King Wu patted Wei Wusheng on the shoulder and said, “After you move into your palace in a few days, we brothers can visit each other more often.”

"Yes, Wusheng will be there whenever you call."

"Haha, then I'll head back home first."

Thus, the King of Wu parted ways with Wei Wusheng.

Then he walked toward his royal carriage, his face immediately darkening.

Zhao Yi and Ye Changqing came closer, but before they could speak, King Wu said, "Let's talk in the carriage."

"Yes."

The three of them got into the carriage.

Upon entering the arena, the King of Wu clenched his fists in anger: "The King of Jin actually went straight to rescue Zhao Xiang! How outrageous!"

“His Majesty probably didn’t intend to punish him too severely,” Zhao Yi said. “Seeing that no one objected, he sent Zhao Xiang to Xia Chun as a garrison commander. This clearly shows that he intends to reinstate him.”

"It's like Zhao Xiang, without any punishment," Ye Changqing exclaimed. "That's what noble families are like."

Hearing this, Zhao Yi, being a nobleman, couldn't say anything.

I benefited from having a Qinzhou household registration.

"Then Xun Hou became a member of the King of Jin's faction," King Wu said, annoyed.

"However, there are some good things as well," Zhao Yi said. "His Majesty spoke up himself about bestowing the title of Prince of Zhongshan upon the Sixth Prince before the Prince even had a chance to mention it."

He originally thought that there would be a scene of a king bestowing a title upon another king, but unexpectedly, the emperor was considerate of his son and did it himself without him having to say anything.

Meanwhile, Wusheng secretly knew how he came to be king, and he had won over the hearts of the people.

"I feel that His Majesty doesn't want you and Prince Jin to clash, and is trying to mediate?" Ye Changqing asked.

The Wu King's faction suppressed Zhao Xiang, and the Jin King went to rescue Zhao Xiang. After that, the Wu King even personally petitioned his younger brother to become king. Didn't this court become an open arena for the two kings to compete and flex their muscles?
“You’re right,” King Wu nodded. “His Majesty very much hopes that I and Prince Jin will join forces, and even wants him to assist me. But that guy won’t lower himself. He’s determined to compete with me and fight me.”

The King of Wu has murderous intent.

He made no attempt to conceal his murderous intent toward the Prince of Jin.

Neither of them wanted to say anything.

"But... His Highness Prince Zhongshan is truly upright," Zhao Yi remarked.

"I think..." Ye Changqing was about to say something when both of them looked at him. Then, he shook his head, "No, it's nothing."

"There are no taboos," said the King of Wu.

"Hmm..." Ye Changqing smiled and said, "What I mean is, Your Highness must make sure that Prince Zhongshan is of one mind with you in the future."

"Yes, definitely." King Wu understood.

"Today's court assembly didn't even mention the changes to the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and the Magistrate of Sheng'an," Zhao Yi said.

"It won't be that fast," Ye Changqing said. "The handover process is very complicated."

"Speaking of which, each of you should prepare a list of people you would like to recommend."

King Wu looked ahead with a serious expression and said, "After Song Jingyi takes office, he will be allowed to strengthen the power of King Wu's party."

(End of this chapter)