Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 197 We won't be farming in our hometown anymore.

"Grandpa Li, Grandpa Li, elder brother, everyone please."

After hurrying along the road, the people from Huai County finally arrived at the gate of the Song residence after dinner. They got off the carriage one after another and were personally led into the main hall by Song Jing.

“Sheng’an truly lives up to its reputation as the capital; it’s so much better than our rural village,” said Li Taigong, who had never been to the capital in his life, leaning on his cane and smiling.

The Li and Song families were longtime friends; their ancestors were very close friends and served as officials in the same court. They were probably similar to the Xiahou and Cao families in that they frequently intermarried.

As the two major families in Huai County, they can be said to control the local 'local rules'.

It's definitely our territory.

"It's still not as good as our Huai County, so comfortable and peaceful," Song Jing said with a smile, supporting him.

"You're not at the point of comfort and ease yet," Li Taigong joked. "You've risen to such a high official position that you're probably going to surpass your ancestor's."

"The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is far more powerful than any of the Nine Ministers," said Song Taigong, who was also leaning on a cane. "Jingru is currently working under Lord Ouyang, but he will eventually succeed the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, who is the head of all civil officials."

“That means you’ve surpassed your ancestor.” Old Master Li nodded in agreement.

"Being granted a marquisate means you've surpassed everyone else," Song Taigong boasted without any reservation.

Song Jing couldn't help but smile.

Old money families like this, especially powerful ones, wouldn't get sick from getting angry just because other relatives are doing well.

They are all political resources and connections.

So now, when the elders of the clan praise someone like this, anyone who can resist the urge to smile is a genius.

"Isn't the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat in charge of promotions?" asked a man whom Song Jing called his elder brother. "Then can he also promote the younger generation in our clan..."

"Don't talk nonsense." He was immediately interrupted by Song Taigong, who then reminded him, "Too many people will talk too much. Let's talk in the main room."

"Grandpa," Song Jing said in a low voice, "try not to say such things in the main hall. There are many eunuchs and palace maids in this mansion."

Upon hearing this, everyone began to look around.

It seems there really is a father-in-law.

"Why is that?" Song Taigong asked, puzzled.

"Because Shi An is to be sent as an envoy to Kangxun the day after tomorrow, His Majesty said that how could the eldest brother not be involved in the marriage?" Song Jing said. "So he asked people from the palace to help with the arrangements and preparations, and the wedding will be tomorrow."

"No wonder you looked so anxious," said Song Taigong. "Then everyone should watch their words."

"Yes."

And so, everyone from Huaijun's hometown went to the main hall.

Since it was not a wedding banquet, Song Taigong and Li Taigong, as the elders, were seated in the most honored seats.

On both sides were young people.

Some children stood quietly to the side, not daring to say a word. However, some of the more mischievous ones were playing pranks behind the scenes.

The other women were being received by Madam Cui.

"Why is Shi An going on a mission to Yan?" Li Taigong asked Song Jing curiously.

The others also looked at him with considerable interest.

“Kang Xun wants to form an alliance with Ji Yuan and also send reinforcements to the north.” Song Jing could only explain truthfully, “Didn’t Shi An and the Sixth Prince defeat Ji Yuan before? So he wanted to find someone who could intimidate Northern Yan, so he appointed him as a general.”

"Oh, is that so?"

"This Conson is really fickle and two-faced."

"Then we can only send Shi An; no one else has the ability."

"So what rank is it now?" Old Master Song asked.

"Grandpa, Shi An has just been promoted to the fourth rank," Song Jing said, trying to appear calm.

"Oh my, you're a fourth-rank official at twenty-one? When you reach that age, you'll be a high-ranking official!" Old Master Song exclaimed in surprise.

The others also showed expressions of 'This kid is amazing, I've known he'll amount to something since he was a kid.'

"Father, what are the Three Dukes?"

"Children should not interrupt."

“The Three Dukes,” Song Taigong chuckled, bowing his head to the younger man. “The Three Dukes are the three highest-ranking officials in the entire land.”

"Is he more important than my father, the county magistrate?" the child asked again.

Immediately, the hall erupted in laughter, everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves.

At this moment, Song Ce came in from outside.

Everyone looked over and smiled with appreciation.

"Ce greets the old master, the old master Li, and all the uncles and elders." As soon as Song Ce entered the door, he slowly performed a grand salute.

"Good boy," said Li Taigong. "He is truly a handsome and talented young man with great potential."

"If he weren't so outstanding, he wouldn't have been able to marry the princess." - Song Taigong, Verdun Circuit.

“Hey, Jingru,” Old Master Li said in a tone of 'dissatisfaction,' “neither of your two sons has married a woman from the Li family. Have you forgotten the ancestral teachings?”

"No, no..." Song Jing smiled apologetically, feeling very embarrassed.

“Oh dear, isn’t there another elder brother?” Old Master Song whispered to him.

He nodded, and the two old men smiled knowingly at each other.

“Grandfathers, Ce’er still needs to prepare for tomorrow’s wedding. Why don’t you let him leave first?” Song Jing said.

"Then Ce'er, you should go and attend to your important business," said Song Taigong.

"I take my leave. Please forgive me for any shortcomings in my hospitality, my two great-grandfathers, uncles, nephews, and brothers."

After saying hello, Song Ce left.

"Where is Shi An?" the cousin asked.

"He was summoned by His Majesty, probably for a diplomatic mission, and hasn't returned yet," Song Ce explained.

Just then, Song Gan came over and whispered, "Young Master is back."

"Then quickly send him over to pay his respects to the great-grandfather," Song Jing said.

Soon, Song Gan went to report it.

"When I last saw him, he was this young, wasn't he?" Old Master Li joked, comparing their heights.

"I've heard that Shi An is now the most handsome man in the capital," someone said.

"He's even more handsome than Ce'er?" Old Master Li said with some surprise.

“Ce’er is still young,” said Song Taigong.

Unsurprisingly, everyone began to look forward to this twenty-one-year-old fourth-rank official who had once been nothing but suddenly transformed into a prominent figure in the world.

However, when he entered the room dressed in the robes of a fourth-rank official, everyone's eyes lit up.

Song Ce is indeed handsome, but as the old man said, he is rather young.

Song Shi'an's handsomeness lies not only in his looks, but also in his elegant and unrestrained demeanor, as if he were a master of wit and genius.

"Oh dear, young master has arrived." Old Master Li prepared to rise. "Old Master, you flatter me. Please sit down."

Song Shi'an quickly stepped forward, took the other person's arm, and helped them sit down. Then, introduced by Song Jing, he greeted everyone in turn.

Without a doubt, among the entire Song and Li families, Song Jing holds the highest official position, and among this group, Song Shi'an is the second highest.

However, the Qian family cannot be said to be purely based on official rank; their concept of seniority is still very deep-rooted, and their rules are quite formal.

Even if his cousin was just a county magistrate, Song Shi'an would still have to call him "elder brother".

"A twenty-one-year-old of the fourth rank..."

Old Master Song scrutinized the remarkable person who had appeared in the family and couldn't help but nod repeatedly. He said, "It is a fortunate event and an honor for the family. However, as the saying goes, 'a tall tree catches the wind,' which will also attract slander and attacks. You must be careful."

"Thank you for your guidance, Master Xie. I will definitely take it one step at a time," said Song Shi'an.

"Being prudent is necessary, but there's something else, do you know what it is?" Taigong asked.

“You must have descendants,” Li Taigong replied.

Everyone laughed again, and Song Shi'an also gave a shy smile.

“Grandpa Li is right,” Grandpa Song echoed, then earnestly said to Song Shi’an, “You must take good care of your health.”

Upon hearing this, Old Master Li nodded in agreement.

Both men were in their seventies, which would be considered quite old in ancient times.

They held official positions in their youth, but their greater achievements lay in management and expanding their family's influence.

So it becomes clearer how important health and offspring are to powerful clans.

"Shi An, remember Grandfather's teachings."

"Yes," Old Master Song said to Song Jingye, "Jingru, you too must take good care of yourself."

“Jing knows.” Song Jing nodded seriously.

Just then, an uncle asked, "Shi'an, I heard they're going to set up military farms, what's that all about?"

Everyone cares about this.

Song Jing also became nervous.

Kid, don't get too cocky.

"Uncle, it means gathering the surplus old and weak soldiers and scattered refugees together to cultivate the land and provide military provisions for the court," Song Shi'an explained succinctly.

"If you're in charge of land reclamation, you should be able to choose the location, right?" he asked.

The old man looked at Song Shi'an very seriously.

“Uncle, let me be frank, I still have a say in this,” Song Shi’an said frankly. “But where to establish military farms is ultimately up to His Majesty. Military farms have already begun in Liangzhou and Yizhou. In the next two years, this will be promoted throughout the country.”

"Then our Huai County must be the last one, right?" someone asked.

"Hey, shut up." The old man glanced at him, reminding him that with so many people around, it would be no good to give anyone something to say.

However, despite saying that, he was still waiting for Song Shi'an to speak.

"Dear family members, please rest assured."

In response, Song Shi'an solemnly stated, "Shi'an is absolutely the one who cares most about the Song family and the Li family!"

Once these words were spoken, the others were completely relieved.

Song Jing, on the other hand, was feeling incredibly distressed inside.

So you're the one who's most concerned about it, and therefore the one who hoards it first?

You unfilial son!
Song Jing stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Shi An, go and change out of that official robe. I'll receive Grandfather and the others."

"Yes, then An will take his leave."

After giving his worried family members a heads-up, Song Shi'an left with peace of mind.

I'm sure everyone has figured out the implication that I want to first establish a military settlement in Huai County.

They're all smart people; they'll understand.

Not long after he left the main room, he suddenly ran into Jiang.

Without saying a word, the other person grabbed his arm and said, "Shi An, Yu'er from our hometown of Huai County has arrived. She has grown into a beautiful young woman."

"Who is Yu'er?" Song Shi'an asked.

“Grandpa Li’s granddaughter, and his legitimate granddaughter,” Jiang said.

"What does she have to do with me?" Song Shi'an asked.

“My cousin, but she’s within five degrees of kinship,” Jiang said.

Oh, this won't produce a supercomputer.

"Oh, what's wrong?" Song Shi'an asked.

“Take her to the market in Sheng'an…”

"Oh dear," Song Shi'an refused directly, "I have no such intention, Mother, please don't think about it."

“If you want to marry Xinyue, then go ahead and marry her. You’re not marrying her, and you’re not marrying anyone else. Are you trying to drive your mother crazy?” Jiang asked.

“Then I will not marry Yu’er either.” Song Shi’an still disagreed.

"Silly child," Jiang reminded him, "the Li family owns more land than ours."

"Mother, I don't want to get married."

“I didn’t say you have to marry her now. Can’t you take her out for a walk as an older brother?” Jiang asked.

"I really didn't..."

"elder brother."

Before Song Shi'an could finish speaking, a girl's voice, clear and crisp like the sound of breaking bamboo, and full of vitality, came from behind him.

Turning around, I saw a young girl standing behind me, clutching the hem of a green silk dress in her hand. The newly dyed bamboo-green silk rippled like water at her waist.

Beneath her sweet and lovely appearance lies an indescribable docile temperament.

"Yu'er?" Song Shi'an asked hesitantly.

"Brother," Yu'er said with a sweet smile.

"Could this little girl stay at my house?"

Song Shi'an asked Jiang Shi with great delight.

Yu'er immediately lowered her head and smiled shyly.

Jiang was overjoyed: "Son, do you really think so?"

"correct."

Without a second thought, Song Shi'an said frankly, "If all else fails, we can use Song Qin in exchange."

(End of this chapter)