Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 189 The Great Yu Dynasty is in peril!

Liangzhou stretches for thousands of miles from west to east.

Most of the area bordered the State of Qi. In the east, in the Eastern Liang region, there was a mountain called Baishan that stretched across the border between Yu and Yan.

Further east, in the northern part of Huaizhou, there is a place of less than a hundred li that borders Yan. However, it is a narrow riverside road with rugged and winding paths, and many swamps and forests, making it particularly difficult to travel.

Therefore, the focus of defense was mostly on Dongliang.

There are three passes and more than ten narrow passes along the border.

The main road in the middle, passing through Cangliao Pass, is the fastest route from Dayu to Xiangcheng, the capital of Yan.

Both countries' envoys traveled this route.

The urgent courier service from Sheng'an to Dongliang took only three days.

Inside the prefectural governor's residence, the governor of Ji County held the emperor's letter with a solemn expression.

The prefectural magistrate standing nearby asked with some concern, "His Majesty's reply so quickly, does this mean he wants us to be sent as envoys to the King of Northern Yan?"

"Come and see," the governor said, handing him the letter.

As the prefect looked at the document, his expression gradually became troubled: "What His Majesty can promise to the Yan Kingdom is not enough."

"Compared to sending a prince to Yan, what kind of bargaining chip can match it?" The governor also looked worried. "This money is too little. They say they can use Yan's 'hostage' to negotiate, promising to send him back in a year, but how can such words keep Kang Xun calm under the coercion and enticement of the eager Qi wolves?"

In fact, the hostages from the State of Yan were even more useful than those from the State of Qi.

Conson was certainly less interested in forming alliances than in eliminating a major threat.

Don't dismiss the idea that Zheng He's voyages to the West are related to finding Zhu Yunwen as a mere amateurish online rumor.

The chances of these two things coming together are actually quite high.

Throughout history, there are countless examples of countries that gained power illegitimately and then suffered retribution.

If Zhu Yunwen had truly been burned to death during the Jingnan Campaign, and Zhu Di had simply claimed his whereabouts were unknown to cover up the crime of 'regicide,' then that would have been fine.

But if he really is missing, and Zhu Di never found his nephew's body, he would definitely search for him.

It will take a lifetime to find.

If I can't find it, I won't be able to die in peace.

Because there was no way to guarantee that the Ming Dynasty would always be stable, any wavering of power at this time would inevitably cause great turmoil if Zhu Yunwen raised his banner.

As for this hostage who had never been a king of Northern Yan, he was even more useful.

People always like to romanticize a path that has no other choice.

“If we give Prince Yan directly to him, this situation might be resolved,” the prefect said.

“We’ve dealt with Kang Xun for so long, don’t you understand this man?” the governor said with some disdain. “Greedy, two-faced, truly a traitor to himself!”

“Indeed, we originally had something to keep him in check. If we really hand him over, he'll be stable for now. But if he turns against us in a year, then there really won't be anything we can do with him.” The prefect nodded, agreeing with this assessment.

"When Ji Yuan attacked Beiliang, he also sent him money after sending troops," the governor said. "When dealing with this man, the only option is to bribe him."

Not only did Da Yu find this troublesome, but Ji Yuan also felt that Kang Xun was like a persistent nuisance.

But if the two countries form an alliance, then the only one who will be disgusted is the Great Yu.

Ji County was the first to be threatened and become a battleground.

"There is."

Suddenly, the prefect had an idea: "His Majesty promised us that he would return the hostage after a year. Since we can't use the hostage as a bargaining chip now, why don't we use it to threaten him?"

"What do you mean, Your Excellency?" the Prefect asked, puzzled.

"I told Kang Xu that if Yan and Qi were to form an alliance and deploy a large army of 30,000 men in Liaodong, then we would bring his elder brother from Sheng'an to Ji County," the prefect said.

Mutual Explosion.

You use nuclear deterrence against me, and I will use nuclear deterrence against you.

If you dare to station troops here, my Great Yu will simply spend money to secretly send your brother back to the country and hand him over to a powerful minister who is politically opposed to you.

Let's see if you're scared!
"Wouldn't Kangxun be driven to desperation?" the prefectural magistrate asked.

“Sign an alliance with him, and a year later, he can personally send someone to fetch his brother,” the prefect said. “He will personally grant this promise in the name of His Majesty the Emperor.”

Currently, the two countries still have a subordinate relationship.

On the surface, the Northern Yan submitted to the Great Yu.

As long as it doesn't come to the point of calling oneself a king, there is room for maneuver.

"Will such a deterrent really work? The Qi Kingdom is offering people directly without any conditions," the prefectural magistrate said.

To this, the prefect smiled and said, "What is a demon in one's heart? It is the nightmare that haunts one's mind, which is more important than anything else."

"..." After putting himself in that good-for-nothing's shoes, the prefect nodded seriously, feeling that what he said made perfect sense.

It might not work on others, but for Conson, it was like strangling him.

"There's no time to lose. I'll set off tomorrow morning," the governor said. "You'll be in charge of Ji County for now. If there are any important matters, you can discuss them with the general."

"Your Excellency, are you going in person?" the Prefectural Magistrate asked worriedly.

“Since the pseudo-Qi Chen Xing has already gone, it’s impossible for military officers to set off. In Ji County, I am the only one with the rank of third grade,” the governor said. “Besides me, no one else can go.”

People of low rank will be looked down upon.

"Then, Lord, you must be extremely careful."

"Rest assured, the Northern Yan Kingdom is currently still a vassal state of my Great Yu Kingdom."

The governor confidently replied, "Once I enter Yan territory, there will be no danger whatsoever."

Chen Xing left Xiangcheng.

A caravan of several dozen horsemen headed west.

In the middle of the carriage, a clerk, riding with his companion, asked with great concern, "Master, will Kang Xun agree to this?"

“He’s definitely still hesitating,” Chen Xing said with certainty. “This man is indecisive and thinks too much about the future. He may seem to have agreed verbally now, but that promise is meaningless. He doesn’t dare to offend Wei Ye at all.”

“Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to get along with everyone.” The clerk nodded and asked, “What if he changes his mind if we go back now?”

“Therefore, we must return to the city as soon as possible and send His Highness the Prince to Yan,” Chen Xing said. “Once he leaves the country, he will have no choice but to form an alliance, even if he doesn’t want to.”

Small countries have very few options.

Moreover, very few small countries can detain hostages from other countries, let alone use them to threaten the other side.

The premise of a threat is that you can be evenly matched, or that you can cripple the opponent even if you die.

If the Great Qi Emperor accepts a hostage but still has no intention of doing anything, then he might as well come to Yan to play Fruit Ninja.

“But that’s not enough.” Chen Xing slowly looked at the chief clerk beside him. “I’m going back to Qi. You go south and take all the gold and silver with you.”

"What are your instructions, Master?" The registrar immediately sat up straight.

“Go to Cangliao Pass and bribe General Qin,” Chen Xingdao said.

"Yes," the clerk replied, then asked, "What do we need him for?"

"Disguise an army as bandits and ambush them on the only route that the false Yu and Yan would take."

Without any emotion, Chen Xing coldly said, "Kill them one by one. Don't let the envoys of the false Yu enter Yan."

.........

After the emperor stamped the document, all the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) except for Song Shi'an were granted official positions.

My younger brother also joined the Chinese Literature Institute and took office a few days ago.

Only Song Shi'an remained unemployed at home.

Damn it, are they not going to give me a permanent position?
Is this how one becomes an unemployed, older youth in ancient times?
Just then, Yun'er entered the house with two bouncy white rabbits, beaming with joy: "Young Master, I heard from the maids on the mistress's side that the young master's marriage has been arranged, and it's with Princess Changqing."

"What, are you interested?" Song Shi'an, who was lying on the bed reading a book, teased.

"That's a princess, the emperor's daughter! I've never seen one before in my life," Yun'er said with great anticipation.

"How is the mistress feeling?" Song Shi'an asked.

"I'm so happy! The fact that the young master can marry the princess shows how much the emperor values ​​our Song family," Yun'er said.

It's almost the same.

What could Madam Cui possibly care about?

The eldest son of a noble family, with a daughter-in-law who is a princess, and children born to him served by palace ladies-in-waiting—he certainly had the most prestige imaginable.

Although it doesn't have much real power, the rank is not low, and the job is safe while also allowing one to stay in Sheng'an.

This is a good thing.

"Have King Zhongshan and Xinyue both moved out of the palace?" Song Shi'an asked.

This is what he asked Yun'er to send someone to inquire about.

"Recently, quite a few people have come to offer their congratulations at the Prince's residence. That lady, accompanied by some maids and female officials, entered the Imperial City residence, but nothing has happened since," she said.

"Okay." Thinking that he had nothing else to do, Song Shi'an got out of bed and said, "I'm going to my girlfriend's place for a nap."

The strange word 'girlfriend' surprised Yun'er: "Then should Yun'er accompany the young master?"

"You stay here."

After saying that, Song Shi'an left.

They prepared to swagger out of the mansion.

Just then, Song Jing returned from outside. As soon as she saw him, she grabbed his arm and said, "Come here."

"what?"

Seeing his hurried and serious expression, Song Shi'an couldn't help but feel nervous.

What, are we still going to fight?
Directly, Song Jing led him to the study: "Today the emperor summoned me and we discussed the auspicious date for Ce'er and Changqing's wedding in the palace."

"Huh? Why are you so serious, Dad?" Song Shi'an asked, puzzled. "What's wrong? Can't my family afford the bride price?"

Song Shi'an was glared at.

Then, Song Jing said, "When we were discussing matters today, an urgent message arrived. The emperor did not ask me to leave and I heard the military report in person."

"Is something wrong in Beiliang?"

Song Shi'an became alert upon hearing the words "military report".

Nanshuo County is the joint property of myself and Xiao Wei.

"Earlier, Qi envoys were sent to Northern Yan to discuss the alliance, and the alliance was very close to being established," Song Jing said very seriously. "His Majesty then sent envoys by express courier, and the governor of Ji County went in person."

Upon hearing this, Song Shi'an asked with slight unease, "Killed?"

"They were ambushed and killed by bandits on the way."

(End of this chapter)