Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 194 A Twenty-One-Year-Old Fourth-Rank Official
A 21-year-old fourth-rank official.

This is absolutely rare, extremely rare.

It's not that Song Shi'an didn't deserve enough credit or put in enough effort; with his achievements, he could easily have become one of the Nine Ministers. The key issue is that he achieved it too quickly.

If he's this fast, how will we be able to seal him off in the future?
It's unbelievable that someone could rise from a seventh-rank official to a fourth-rank official within a year; it would be an incredibly exaggerated feat for anyone. After all, he had committed a significant transgression, yet at this time, no one, not even the opposition, dared to utter a sound.

As the emperor just said, courage and loyalty are sufficient for promotion to the first rank.

This isn't even the reward for completing this task; it's just a promotion for signing up.

Everyone who comes receives this treatment, but even the emperor has asked, and no one dares to do so.

"If there's nothing else, then the court session can be adjourned..." The emperor was about to end the session when he suddenly remembered something and said, "This trip is going to take too long, at least a month or two. It wouldn't be good for Changqing and Songce's wedding to take place without my elder brother present. Let's hold it tomorrow then?"

Upon hearing this, Song Jing didn't know how to respond, and could only say apologetically, "Your Majesty, but the banquet and the procurement... are not yet ready."

"It's alright," the emperor said casually. "If we don't have enough manpower, we can send the palace cooks and maids to the Song residence. We can also use ingredients from the palace. We'll start preparing today and host the banquet tomorrow."

"Your Majesty's grace is overwhelming for me."

Song Jing bowed deeply, filled with fear and trepidation.

"Get up. We're family now, why are you saying such things?" the emperor said with a smile. "Although I can't go tomorrow, I will still pay my respects, so don't worry, Minister Song."

“…Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty.” Song Jing slowly stood up.

The officials in the hall all smiled, expressing their joy, and whispered among themselves.

At this moment, the emperor said, "There is good news in the Song family. I am marrying off my daughter. If any of you ministers are free, please go."

After saying this, the emperor stood up and prepared to leave.

"Yes--"

The officials stepped aside, bowed slowly, and watched the emperor leave the palace.

.........

"No, we were winking at you just now, didn't you see?" After leaving the hall and exiting the alley, Wei Yiyuan complained to Hua Zheng.

The Prince of Jin looked at his cousin, his lips pursed subtly, showing considerable dissatisfaction.

“Your Highnesses, I admit I’m a little scared, but it’s not entirely my fault,” Hua Zheng said. “Look, none of the others dare to speak up either.”

"That's why we need you to make this contribution now," the Prince of Jin said, exasperated.

“When two countries are at war, envoys are not to be killed. Besides, how could Kang Xun dare to offend us? It’s not as dangerous as you make it out to be,” Wei Yiyuan said.

“Kang Xun certainly wouldn’t dare,” Hua Zheng said helplessly. “But Your Highnesses, would he dare to kill our governor? His subordinates did it anyway. He can’t control his subordinates at all, nor can he control the Gongsun family or the Qin family. Moreover, they must have received a lot of bribes from Ji Yuan.”

"How dare Song Shi'an go?" the Prince of Jin persisted.

“Song Shi’an is gone, and he might be killed too,” Hua Zheng said in a low voice.

These words made all three of them look serious.

There's a real risk that he might die.

"Besides," Hua Zheng added, "once Ji Yuan is sent as a hostage, the alliance between Qi and Yan will be solidified. Song Shi'an's mission this time is destined to fail. Then, I can lead troops to attack Yan again, wouldn't that be the same?"

He was indeed making excuses for his cowardice.

But the two of them had to admit that the chances of this being accomplished were slim.

Even if it's Song Shi'an who goes.

"Should we attend Song Ce's wedding tomorrow?" Prince Jin asked. "His Majesty has already announced in court that everyone who is free should attend."

"This is quite a show of respect." Even Hua Zheng, a nobleman, had never received such treatment.

Palace maids and eunuchs came to the mansion to cook, and the emperor also provided livestock, ingredients, and fine wine.

Your family provides the money and effort, and you receive all the wedding gift money.

Even the top leader ordered everyone in the unit to give gifts to Song Jing.

This is equivalent to giving money.

“Going is definitely out of the question.” After some thought, Wei Yiyuan said, “But we can’t let the servants visit us with gifts.”

This is purely a case of being forced to aid the enemy.

The emperor has said you must go; if you don't go, aren't you disregarding the emperor's words?

On a grander scale, this is disobedience.

Hua Zheng then recalled a previous memory: "When Song Jing was enfeoffed as a marquis, he seemed to have received a large sum of money as well..."

.........

In the courtyard of the Song residence.

All the servants gathered in the mansion, including the old nanny from the palace.

Song Jing, Madam Cui, and Madam Jiang stood in front.

"This afternoon, many people will be coming from the palace to help with the banquet arrangements. All of you must listen to Consort Xu. Do whatever she tells you to do, be a good assistant, and observe the rules. Anyone who dares to tarnish the reputation of the Song family will be punished according to family law," Song Jing instructed.

"Yes," everyone answered honestly in unison.

"Go down to work."

"Yes."

Under orders, they dispersed together. Song Jing then said to Madam Cui, "This is a major life event for your son. You are in charge of it. I will not interfere except when entertaining guests. Also, be mindful of your manners."

"I understand, you go ahead with your work." Madam Cui left with a smile.

"Song Gan," Song Jing summoned the head steward again and asked, "when will the people from our hometown arrive?"

"After learning about the marriage, we sent people to invite the lords and gentlemen of Huai County. They should have arrived in the last couple of days, but perhaps the journey has been a little slow..." Song Gan suggested, "How about I send someone on horseback to meet them on the road and ask them to speed up their journey?" "Alright, they will definitely arrive before tonight," Song Jing said.

"Yes."

In the end, only the Jiang family remained.

"Master." She was the least joyful of them all, looking at Song Jing with great concern, "Why is An going out again now that he's just returned?"

“This is a diplomatic mission, it’s different,” Song Jing said.

“But I’ve heard that the situation in the north is not very stable…” Jiang said uneasily.

“Who is Kang Xun? The King of Northern Yan? He addresses our emperor as Your Majesty,” Song Jing explained, offering reassurance. “As an esteemed envoy, what danger could he possibly face visiting our vassal state?”

His words convinced Jiang.

Then, Song Jing added, "His Majesty promoted him before he even went on his mission, so this time, he's just trying to find a pretext to promote him again. Of course, don't go around saying this."

Considering how well the emperor had been treating Song Shi recently, and even marrying his daughter to her, she believed Song Jing's words even more.

"That's good, that's good." Jiang gradually felt relieved. "I thought this time would be very dangerous."

This time, it was indeed very dangerous.

Song Jing even felt that it was more dangerous than the previous time with the north wind.

After all, he was an official in charge of defending the city, and he didn't have to engage in close combat with the enemy. He could survive as long as he held the city. But the Qi-Yan alliance would be in danger once the national policy was finalized.

If Song Shi'an continues to speak recklessly and hurl insults at Kang Xun, it will be even more dangerous.

Ugh, so annoying!
Where is Shi An?

Even so, Song Jing maintained a cheerful demeanor, with a smile on his face.

"He's in his room, changing into his fourth-rank official robes."

.........

The brand-new, silky deep crimson brocade robe, the gilded black gauze hat, and the imperial white jade belt—all these attire suited the twenty-one-year-old man perfectly, given his mature and composed demeanor.

Yes, some are just young and proud, full of vigor, with a bright future ahead of them!
"Young Master, you look like a god right now... even Yun'er can't help but kneel down before you."

Don't play this kind of game.

Also, "god-like person" is not a positive term.

"That's not enough, it's far from enough."

Even though a fourth-rank official is considered a high-ranking official, the actual power they wield is still insufficient.

The most important thing now is to send the hostage to Northern Liang.

Then, after achieving meritorious service, he returned and was promoted to a high-ranking official position, reaching the rank of a third-grade official with real power.

As for this Conson?

There are no unbreakable alliances.

As long as these two things are present, Song Shi'an, residing in Northern Yan, cannot possibly lose.

Just then, Song Jing pushed the door open and came in.

Upon seeing this, Yun'er quickly bowed and then retreated from the room somewhat frightened.

Because he looks a bit fierce right now.

“Father, Jingming is getting married tomorrow. You should go and accompany him, and teach him how to become a responsible man like you,” Song Shi’an said with a grin.

"I'll go, I'll stay for a while."

Song Jing stared at him intently for a long time before asking, "You must have found a way?"

“Yes,” Song Shi’an said, “I’m more confident than ever before.”

"Okay, you made your own decision, so you have to take responsibility for it."

Song Jing's tone finally softened, no longer so rigid and authoritative.

“Father, the Great Yu Kingdom will not perish even if anyone is missing.” Song Shi’an said very seriously, “The problem is obvious to everyone. You also said that if you want to do something, you must believe that your intention in doing it is good.”

Song Jing understood and nodded: "So this time, you're also doing it for your own plan."

“That’s right, we absolutely cannot fight this battle, even if we win.” Song Shi’an said with utmost determination. “Now is the best time to recuperate. I will not allow anyone to disrupt the process. As long as I accomplish this, the world will surely be at peace in this era.”

Song Shi'an was not bragging.

Originally, the Great Yu Kingdom had the advantage of having two mines against one against the Qi Kingdom, but it was surrounded by three other countries and could not fight with all its might.

But what if the production system changes?

That would be a dimensional reduction attack.

This is why Ji Yuan was so anxious; he was even willing to give away his son, Kang Xun, whom he looked down upon.

He is afraid.

“A banquet at a noble family only cost a little for food and drinks. This wedding banquet is entirely funded by His Majesty, and with some of the Song family’s savings, it’s probably enough for you to buy a city.”

Looking at Song Shi'an, Song Jingping said calmly, "The future of the Song family is in your hands. It's all entrusted to you."

"Thank you dad."

Song Shi'an smiled brightly, but quickly added, "But I don't need it right now."

"What do you mean?"

"The money needed this time will all have to come from His Majesty."

(End of this chapter)