Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 220 There is a Traitor in the Great Yu

Song Shi'an and Lu Chao were sitting in a carriage from the Yan state, heading north.

The State of Yan was divided into four commanderies.

Liaonan Commandery, a large part of which was controlled by the Qin family, was the commandery that bordered the Dayu the most.

There is also Bai County, which is part of the Kang administration area. It is located east of Liaonan County, with a small part bordering Dongliang and a pass called 'Baitou Pass' established there. The rest borders Huaizhou.

However, Bai County's strategic importance was far inferior to that of Liaonan County. The road from Huaizhou to Yan was known as the "Coastal Road," and the swamps, miasma, forests, and mountains along the way made it virtually impossible for armies to travel. The part bordering Liangzhou was also treacherous and sparsely populated.

If the two countries were to clash, Bai County's strategy might improve slightly, but that would only be to guard against surprise attacks.

The main battlefield remains in Liaonan Commandery.

Then there was Liaozhong Commandery, the stronghold of Kangxun's forces.

Gao County is the territory of the Gongsun family.

And the largest city, Xiangcheng.

The Yan state can be summarized as: four commanderies and one prefecture.

"My lord, is it safe for us to travel on Qin Gong's territory?" Song Shi'an asked with concern. "How about we travel a hundred miles east to Bai County, and then head north?"

“Lord Song, you are overthinking it. Our Yan Kingdom is very safe.” With a touch of local pride, Lu Chao said reassuringly, “Just as safe as the Great Yu.”

He was actually a little worried, since the Duke of Qin's attitude was still unclear.

It's not that the Qi faction's stance was unclear, but rather that they hadn't figured out the methods for forming an alliance.

It is certain that they will unite.

However, whether to unite with Qi to resist Yu or to unite with Qi to ease the situation from Yu is a very important question.

Conson leans towards the latter.

That's what most people think.

However, there is another extreme view: that the rise of the Great Yu is unstoppable, and the price of not resisting Yu is to watch a vast empire form.

If the Duke of Qin had allied with Qi against Yu, he might very well have done something extreme...

"Lord Lu," Song Shi'an asked the envoy earnestly, "you must give me a clear answer before you meet the Prince of Yan."

"What bottom line?" Lu Chao asked.

"What is your king thinking?" Song Shi'an asked.

"..." Upon hearing this, Lu Chao frowned, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "As long as the Great Yu is willing to send the young master's family back, the King is willing to do anything."

“We can sign an alliance agreement, and within three years, we will gradually send the young master and his family back,” Song Shi’an promised.

“Three years is too long, it’s best to do it now,” Lu Chao said.

“Then we’ll send the young master back now,” Song Shi’an said. “What if, six months later, His Majesty changes his mind and allies with Qi again?”

"How could Your Majesty go back on your word? We have an alliance in place..."

“I remember, the alliance between Dayu and Yan should not have ended yet, right?” Song Shi’an asked. “But your king still brought Ji Yuan’s son here.”

"..."

One sentence killed the game.

But Lu Chao, as the envoy, would certainly argue: "Your Excellency, as a minister of a great nation, would not understand this feeling. Ji Yuan came with great force and forcibly sent his son to our country; we did not want him either."

"Then send it back."

"While sending him back, Dayu should also send the young master here."

"If Ji Yuan can send more people to you, can we still ask for the hostages back?"

“If he tries to get more people, we will absolutely refuse.”

"Then we can send the lady to you first."

What do we need the lady for?

The two of them spoke so bluntly and directly, revealing the true nature of their so-called alliance—it was all bullshit.

Without substantial mutual threats, verbal promises are worth less than toilet paper.

“Alas, the Prince of Yan has been deceived,” Song Shi’an sighed, then said, “He is pitiful.”

"You jest, my lord," Lu Chao said. "How could the king possibly be pitied?"

Song Shi'an looked at him with a teasing smile: "The ministers are the ones who help make the decisions, and they are also the ones who will be given important positions. Even the pieces of gold that Chen Xinglai gave were for the ministers. Your Highness, did you receive a single gold ingot?"

"Your Majesty is the richest man in Yan, and he has no need to accept any bribes from the Qi envoy."

Lu Chao responded with a smile.

Even if the other party pointed out the essence of the Yan state's political system—the politics of elder statesmen.

Or, to put it another way, aristocratic politics.

Lu Chao, whose conversation had reached an impasse, glanced out the window and took the initiative to change the subject, saying, "There's a manor ahead, nestled among streams and forests, with tranquil and beautiful scenery. It's where His Majesty is taking refuge from the summer heat during his southern tour. We've already traveled over fifty li today. Why don't we rest for now and continue our journey tomorrow?"

Song Shi'an nodded politely and said, "I will leave it to Lord Lu to arrange."

And so, the group stopped their journey.

One after another, cartloads of gold were transported into the manor within the high walls.

“These gifts for Your Majesty are stored in a warehouse,” Song Shi’an said. “And they are all guarded by my men.”

"My men" were Zuo Ziliang, who was disguised as an ordinary military officer, as well as some Imperial Guards and Imperial Bodyguards.

“Take this gentleman with you,” Lu Chao said.

Then, a servant led the caravan toward the warehouse.

"You, take Magistrate Song to his room." Lu Chao then gestured to a maid and instructed her, "And Magistrate Yue, make sure they have proper rooms too." "Yes," the maid replied.

"Lord Naru, see you later."

"Well, see you later."

The two bowed to each other and then returned to their rooms.

Inside those high walls, amidst the hustle and bustle of people coming and going, Lu Chao summoned his deputy and asked, "Have you memorized everyone?"

He said in a confident whisper, "It matches perfectly. The confidant of the Song envoy is that Moon Envoy, and there is also a guard named San Gou. The rest of the delegation consists of eleven officials. Six of them are high-ranking military officers, probably the Embroidered Uniform Guard mentioned in the intelligence. The rest are probably elite soldiers, a total of twenty-one. All together, there are forty-one people. I can tell you the name corresponding to each face without thinking."

“Not bad.” After approving, Lu Chao instructed, “We have few people and can’t really control them. So we must guard the gate and prevent anyone from coming in or out.”

"Yes."

"And one more, most importantly," Lu Chao said seriously, "everyone keep an eye on things. If even one person goes missing, report to me immediately."

.........

At dusk, Qin Gong garrisoned the fort.

He stood alone in the center of the sand table, his expression solemn, without uttering a word.

At this moment, Yuan, the chief clerk, returned, walked to Qin Gong's side, and said, "The news of the withdrawal has been sent to all the camps. In accordance with your instructions, they should continue to maintain a state of defense."

"Hmm." Duke Qin's expression remained grave.

"Song Shi'an's advance into Yan was so smooth..." Yuan Zhubu said without any bias, "Now General Huang Tong is very afraid."

"Didn't I tell him? I found a scapegoat," Qin Che said.

Yuan, the clerk, lowered his head and remained silent.

He didn't want to complain, but it really was a bit of hell.

I found a scapegoat, and that's you.

"Do you have any concerns?" Duke Qin suddenly asked.

"No, no," he stammered.

Just then, a rough, large hand landed on his shoulder. After a moment of nervous surprise, Qin Gong smiled kindly and said, "You've been my student for over ten years, and I treat you like my own son. You can tell me anything."

The implication is: You're one of us, I won't betray you.

"Furthermore, I gave Huang Tong a chance, right? He wasn't confident himself, so he just let a civil official open the city gate. Wasn't he wrong?" Duke Qin said with a smile.

PUA.

He died because I didn't protect him.

It's because he's useless; he doesn't dare to even breathe loudly at the people of the Prince of Yan.

"Yes, yes." Yuan Zhubu quickly put on a smile and said, "I'm worried that Song Shi'an is too ruthless. I'm afraid he really can terminate the alliance."

If Yan and Qi fail to form an alliance, many people will suffer.

"Yes, who would be the envoy leading an army of ten thousand..."

Duke Qin also began to worry that Kang Xun had truly been persuaded.

If Song Shi'an wasn't absolutely certain, would he have come?
Just then, a guard came in and reported to Lord Qin, "Lord Qin, we have a guest."

Upon hearing the word "guest," his expression immediately became serious. Then, he said to Yuan, the registrar, "You may leave now."

"Yes."

Yuan, the clerk, withdrew.

After a while, an old man dressed in cloth, with a weathered face, a slightly hunched back, and wearing a gray linen hood, walked in.

Upon meeting Duke Qin, he slowly removed his hat, revealing a stern face: "Greetings, Duke Qin."

"Is that gentleman alright?"

Duke Qin was sitting in his seat, but he showed excessive respect to the man who looked like an old servant.

Even when facing Conson, he had never done so.

"I am in good health, sir," the old man said. "I came with a caravan and cannot stay too long. In a little while, I will return south under the cover of night."

"Hmm." Duke Qin nodded, then asked with concern, "What did that official say?"

"Do everything in our power to stop Song Shi'an from negotiating with Kang Xun," the old man said.

"I've already tried to prevent him from entering the city, but he still went to Yan." Duke Qin was in a dilemma.

"Then why were you allowed in?" the old man countered.

“Lu Chao brought up the royal edict, and Huang Tong is the one who killed the envoy; he is already in a state of panic,” Qin Gong said.

"Hand him over," the old man said.

"I have decided to hand it over."

"Lord Qin," the old man said solemnly, staring intently at the other party, "as long as Song Shi'an doesn't die in Yan, this war won't break out."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Duke Qin paused for a moment, then said with utmost seriousness, "My scouts have already discovered that over 100,000 troops are being mobilized, and Wei Wusheng and Hua Zheng have also been appointed generals. The south is also building momentum; if negotiations fail, war is inevitable..."

"That official said that a fight will not break out."

Just as Duke Qin was getting more and more agitated, the old man interrupted him in a calm tone.

"That sir has never been wrong."

Duke Qin slowly raised his head, looked at the old man, and said in a commanding tone, "Alright, I understand."

(End of this chapter)