Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 215 Open the country's doors for me!

People are eclectic.

If you bring troops to fight him, he definitely won't agree.

But if you say you're here on a diplomatic mission, he'll immediately open the city gates and let you in.

The generals on the Da Yu side were afraid of mobilizing troops without authorization and causing a conflict between the two countries. Wasn't the same the case on the Yan side?
Moreover, the level of fear on both sides is different.

From beginning to end, the Yan state could not be considered an equal to the Dayu state.

Even though the Great Yu suffered a crushing defeat in this war, it only weakened its strength, while the Yan Kingdom faced a significant risk of being destroyed.

Xiang Ping couldn't possibly be unaware of this principle.

He could not bear the responsibility for arbitrarily mobilizing troops and causing disputes.

"No."

Xiang Ping stood up and refused sternly.

“General.” Song Shi’an also stood up and walked to his side. “They certainly won’t dare to start a war. I just need to enter Yan territory. I can handle everything else myself.”

“I know you’re not afraid; I’ve known that for a long time,” Xiang Ping said. “What you did in Shuofeng could not have been done without ten times the courage of an ordinary person. But you are still young.”

"What do you mean, General?" Song Shi'an asked.

Slowly turning around to look at him, Xiang Ping said seriously and deeply, "You have talent, you have charisma, you are decisive and unconventional. As a hero, you are impeccable. But as a subject, do you understand one principle?"

"It's wise to protect yourself," Song Shi'an said.

"That's superficial," Xiang Ping retorted immediately upon hearing this. "It seems you think I refused you because I wanted to protect myself and avoid trouble. As a general and a subject, obeying orders is a matter of course; I was merely fulfilling my duty and loyalty. On the contrary, haven't you realized the danger you're in?"

Xinyue was a little annoyed.

I feel genuinely disgusted by this person's behavior of deliberately protecting himself while engaging in lofty discussions and belittling and criticizing Song Shi'an.

"General, please enlighten me," Song Shi'an said humbly.

"On the way to Beiliang, you persuaded His Highness the Prince of Zhongshan to mobilize the troops of Langya. Is that true?" Xiang Ping asked.

"Yes."

"In Langya, with a single call to arms, a thousand Imperial Guards instantly became your and His Highness's loyal warriors. Is this true?" Xiang Ping asked again.

"Yes."

“In Dongliang, which is right here,” Xiang Ping pointed to the ground. “If I agree to your request, you will only have met me once, yet you will be able to lead an army of ten thousand to the gates of Cangliao Pass. Isn’t that right?”

“…” Song Shi’an fell silent.

Then, Xiang Ping smiled.

This kid is so smart that he could come up with the idea of ​​forcing the door to open or close; he can't possibly misunderstand what I'm saying.

His prestige is too high.

He can arbitrarily mobilize the Imperial Guards, Langya Army, and border troops simply by virtue of his connections. Can the Emperor tolerate such a person?
Even a great sage couldn't do that.

"General, Shi An has learned a lot."

Feigning realization, Song Shi'an gave him a deep fist salute before turning and leaving.

"I'll give you three hundred elite cavalry to escort you all the way to Cangliao Pass," Xiang Ping called out to him.

“Three hundred cavalrymen, that looks like a fairly large army.” Song Shi’an turned around and said directly, “The Yan Kingdom will definitely be on guard, making it even less likely for them to open the gates. They will have even more reason to keep me out of the country.”

So what are your plans?

"General, I have no plans to go to Cangliao Pass with the delegation and travel to Yan to fulfill my mission." Song Shi'an said firmly.

Is he angry?

Xiang Ping wasn't annoyed at all by Song Shi'an's offense; on the contrary, he smiled rather ingratiatingly.

“General, I’m not angry,” Song Shi’an explained earnestly. “Now that Ji Yuan’s son has been sent to Northern Yan, Kang Xun won’t sign an alliance immediately. But if I can’t reach Xiangcheng, and the south doesn’t launch an offensive, this alliance will inevitably form.”

"so?"

"I must end the Qi-Yan alliance, I absolutely must!"

Song Shi'an turned and left, walking very quickly.

"Qin Che just killed our people. He can't turn back now. If you insist on going, he'll kill you too!"

Without turning his head, Song Shi'an raised his hand and said, "At that time, I will ask General Xiang to avenge me!"

He was about to step outside.

Suddenly, Xiang Ping raised his hand and called out, "Shi An, wait!"

Stopping in his tracks, Song Shi'an slowly turned his head.

The general gave a knowing smile, saying, "I can't do anything with you." He continued, "I've said everything, and if you won't listen, there's nothing I can do. But could we come over and talk business?"

Xiang Ping was moved.

A passionate and fearless young man showed him something he couldn't find in himself.

He was a genius and a wild child, but definitely not a 'gentleman of ancient times'.

A wise person is good at concealing their identity.

"General, what is this?" Song Shi'an asked, puzzled.

“I told you, Qin Che wanted to kill you, it wasn’t just my guess.” He walked to a map, picked up his riding whip, and pointed to a spot between his garrison and Cangliao Pass. “The governor was ambushed and killed here, but not all of his troops were wiped out. A few escaped back to our garrison. So, I personally sent small groups of troops to search for those so-called bandits in these areas.”

"Found it?"

“They fled back to Yan long ago,” General Xiang Ping said. “However, a group of ambush troops has recently appeared along this route, hiding in the mountains and forests. They are likely colluding with some mountain officials in our territory. Their purpose is to obstruct the mission.”

"How many people?" Song Shi'an inquired. Xiang Ping smiled, looking at the young man, displaying his political shrewdness: "A road is completely blocked behind a mountain. One person comes out of the mountain, and another person goes into the mountain. So how many people are on this road?"

“At least two,” Song Shi’an said, looking at him. “But it’s possible, it could be several thousand.”

“My scouts have found out that there are definitely more than two people, but we don’t know the exact number.” Xiang Ping patted his shoulder and laughed. “Shi’an, you must be tired from the journey. You can stay in the fort for the night. This afternoon, I will summon officers of the rank of colonel and above to the barracks to discuss a plan to send troops to wipe out the invading enemy.”

That's amazing...

During the time they spent with Wei Wusheng, the two of them were simply talking to themselves.

Xin Yue then witnessed how truly important figures manipulate politics.

Song Shi'an also looked on with admiration.

Immediately afterwards, he suddenly bowed to Xiang Ping: "Thank you, General! Please forgive Shi An's rudeness just now!"

"Hahaha." General David Day laughed. "No need for that. Let the delegation rest in the fort."

After saying that, he whispered to him, "Remember, since the Embroidered Uniform Guard has come with you, you must do everything under their watchful eyes."

"Thank you for your guidance, General."

Song Shi'an said gratefully, showing great respect and a kind of obedient willingness to admit and correct his mistakes.

It makes people want to marry their daughters to him.

You're welcome.

He patted Song Shi'an on the shoulder several times, clearly admiring him.

They also left the barracks.

However, after they went outside and mounted their horses, Xin Yue looked at him curiously and teasingly: "Why did you get a lecture today?"

"Hmph." Song Shi'an gave a feigned snort, then laughed and moved closer to her, saying, "Do you think I can get him to mobilize troops without my permission just by talking?"

"..." Although Xin Yue wanted to refute, she also realized that Song Shi'an must understand how serious the responsibility was for a general to mobilize troops without authorization.

He even served time in jail for it.

“They’ll only help me if they like me and are willing to protect me,” Song Shi’an said. “Otherwise, they have no obligation to do so.”

"You really are..." Xin Yue didn't know how to comment. "So, that angry departure was all an act. And that sudden realization and remorse were also an act?"

“This is a way out for each other, don’t say that.” Song Shi’an looked at Xin Yue and said, “At least your sincerity, kindness, and loveliness are pure and without any impurities.”

"Who are you talking about?" Xin Yue asked, feigning confusion.

“I am me,” Song Shi’an said, pointing to himself.

Forcing a smile, Xin Yue ignored him.

But he wasn't wrong; they both knew how to make each other comfortable.

.........

Zuo Ziliang felt that Song Shi'an would fail.

Only if he takes me with him will there be any chance of success.

After all, this is how it signifies the emperor's presence.

Otherwise, how could someone mobilize an army of ten thousand just by talking and having a face? Does this Great Yu belong to the Wei or the Song dynasty?
However, he was also able to be persuaded by Song Shi'an.

Qin Che dared to kill even the Yu envoy, so the only option left is to forcefully push forward the Qi-Yan alliance. Otherwise, if there is a reckoning in the future, even a speck of dust from history will weigh heavily on his head.

Therefore, only that method can get them into Yan as soon as possible.

Humans are creatures of principle.

If you were a pure member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigating this troop deployment, you wouldn't listen to Song Shi'an's explanation; you'd think he was just making excuses.

But once you take on the responsibility of going on the same mission, it becomes much more understandable.

Sigh, life is tough for everyone.

At this moment, two more people rode out on horseback.

"My lord, how is it?" Zuo Ziliang asked.

"After I arrived, I mentioned the matter of being escorted by a large army," Song Shi'an stated truthfully, "but General Qin refused."

"It's also his duty."

Although Zuo Ziliang was a little down, he still nodded.

“However, General Qin said…” Song Shi’an rode up to his side, avoiding the rest of the delegation, and whispered, “The general revealed a secret to me: the Yan bandits may have entered through a side road, and there are quite a few of them.”

Zuo Ziliang also became serious.

“He is planning to send troops,” Song Shi’an said. “I can go with the army.”

“That’s perfect,” Zuo Ziliang said.

"It might take a little while, though. The general has allowed us to rest briefly in his fortress," Song Shi'an said.

"..." Having been forcibly dragged into this, Zuo Ziliang was somewhat conflicted.

"Brother Ziliang, you can set up camp outside," Song Shi'an said considerately. "I'll go, so as not to disturb you."

A very clumsy attempt at provocation.

"Don't say that."

Zuo Ziliang, true to the reputation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, willingly fell into the trap: "I'm here to assist the Governor."
-
The remaining monthly passes can be used to unlock previous side chapters.

After midnight, a bonus chapter featuring Xin Yue will be released. It's completely unrelated to the main storyline; skipping it won't affect your reading experience. It's just sweet moments and everyday stuff.

(End of this chapter)