Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 221 There's an assassin!!

at night.

Song Shi'an and Xin Yue were inside the house.

There were three dogs guarding the entrance.

"What do you think of Lu Chao?" Xin Yue asked.

“We’ve taken money from Chen Xing,” Song Shi’an said.

"Are you so sure?" Xin Yue was a little surprised, because she hadn't noticed it.

Moreover, she felt that this person worked much harder than the others.

"Too bureaucratic and inflexible," Song Shi'an bluntly pointed out.

In principle, yes = no = money required.

In principle, no = yes = requires money.

So what's the difference between these two points?

The amount of money.

It's possible in principle, but that means things will be more difficult and require more money.

Money is money whether you look at it horizontally or vertically, so were there no good officials in ancient times who were dedicated to serving the people?
Of course there are.

But a truly good bureaucrat won't constantly talk about principles or champion ideology.

Those who bring up principles are basically the least principled people.

"So, are we going to start spending the money?" Xinyue asked.

“Money will definitely be spent, but it should be spent at the right time,” Song Shi’an said. “Money is the least important thing for Lu Chao.”

"What's the big deal?"

“Standard,” Song Shi’an said. “I’ve roughly determined what Kang Xun’s ideal state of affairs in the three kingdoms is.”

Throughout his journey, Song Shi'an had been pondering one thing.

That is, what Conson wants.

Upon meeting Lu Chao, it was finally confirmed.

"What?" Xinyue asked curiously.

"He wants to unite with Qi, but he doesn't want to offend us."

"Even this kid knows that..."

Xin Yue felt that Song Shi'an didn't need to bother to understand this principle.

"Then, Xinyue, do you know how to get them all together without offending me?" Song Shi'an asked.

"Who is Xinyue Baobao..." she muttered before continuing, "Take in a hostage, maintain an alliance with Qi, and have both sides withdraw their troops. As for Da Yu, just hand over the person who killed the Yu envoy, isn't that enough?"

"Is this head of yours worth anything?"

"So what is he going to do?"

“It’s very simple,” Song Shi’an said. “Withdraw the Qi army, but do not increase the number of troops in the south.”

"..." Xin Yue suddenly realized, but was still somewhat puzzled, "He didn't even fulfill the alliance with Qi, how could Ji Yuan agree to that?"

“This is a situation that all three countries can accept,” Song Shi’an said. “Qi can deploy an additional 20,000 border troops, Dayu can bear less pressure from one country, and Yan can maintain diplomatic relations without offending either country too much.”

"If he really does that... then our diplomacy will have failed," Xin Yue said anxiously.

"But that's impossible."

Song Shi'an directly denied it.

"Why?" Xinyue asked.

"First, even if Qi agrees on the surface, it will secretly incite conflict between Yu and Yan."

"Secondly, I came here with money, and I will not agree to a compromise that can be achieved without spending any money."

After Song Shi'an finished stating these two points, Xin Yue looked at him and asked, "What about the third?"

“There are indeed three,” Song Shi’an said firmly, “that is, Duke Qin will not allow it!”

"Qin Gong is stationed in the south, and there is a possibility of war breaking out in the south. What is he trying to achieve by doing this?" Xin Yue was genuinely puzzled.

Song Shi'an smiled.

Six large characters: Dayan Composite Military Industry

“Before the war,” Song Shi’an raised his finger, tapped her forehead, then tapped himself, “Bei Liang had absolutely nothing to do with you or me.”

Xin Yue understood everything.

Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"What is it?" Song Shi'an asked.

San Gou shouted, "My lord, Lord Lu is looking for you."

"You're here." After agreeing, Song Shi'an said to Xin Yue, "You don't need to come. I'll talk to him alone."

"Then you pay attention to safety."

Upon hearing the words "Be careful," Song Shi'an smiled and patted her head.

Then, I left the room—

"Lord Song, you're still awake?" Lu Chao greeted him with a smile.

"Aren't you one too?" Song Shi'an said with a smile.

"I see the moon is full tonight, its light shining brightly," Lu Chao said in a friendly manner. "How about we take a walk outside?"

“Sure.” Song Shi’an agreed immediately, and also exclaimed about the good weather, “Tonight is indeed wonderful. The moonlight is hazy, the bamboo forest is swaying, and we can see the road clearly at night without carrying a lantern.”

The two of them left the mansion together and walked slowly in sync along the path where the night breeze caressed their faces.

“I have thought carefully about what Governor Song said earlier,” Lu Chao said. “I think that our two countries do not need to be so tense.”

“Of course, I hope for everlasting peace,” Song Shi’an said.

"Since you speak of eternal peace, then what about the wars waged against Yan by merchants as described in 'The Wealth of Nations'?" Lu Chao asked.

"Ah? Sir, you saw my exam paper too?" Song Shi'an said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Both of your exam essays are very famous. 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River' is an insurmountable mountain among the scholars of Yan, and countless people want to befriend you. As for 'The Wealth of Nations,' quite a few people have read it as well," Lu Chao joked. "But we don't like 'The Wealth of Nations' as much. In fact, we're a little afraid of it."

"Lord Kelu said that those were examination essays," Song Shi'an laughed. "Who would consider examination essays as strategies for governing a country?"

“No one would take such an article seriously if an ordinary scholar wrote it,” Lu Chao stopped and looked into his eyes, saying, “But Lord Song is no ordinary scholar.”

"I am only a fourth-rank official; I cannot make any decisions."

"Are you just an ordinary fourth-rank official?" Lu Chao also demonstrated his connections and influence. "Regardless of the outcome of this mission, as long as there is even the slightest success, you will be promoted quickly. And you will be in charge of the military farms in Da Yu." He knew a bit about the situation in Da Yu.

But they seem to mistakenly believe that they are there to gain prestige.

"Does Lord Naru think that my mission this time is just to achieve some results?" Song Shi'an asked.

"Of course not, but if the Great Yu doesn't return it to you, young master, it will only have a slight effect." He said, almost laying his cards on the table.

"Does that mean the Qi-Yan alliance is bound to happen?"

“Lord Song, this is not my idea. But you must understand that every country is vying for a ‘win’,” Lu Chao said frankly. “What you are doing now, no, what you will be doing in the future, will make the Yan Kingdom feel an unprecedented crisis. King of Yan, you must also do something that will allow the Yan Kingdom to ‘win’.”

"With the alliance of Qi and Yan, Yan will win."

Suddenly, Song Shi'an's words stunned Lu Chao.

But looking into his eyes, there was still half a sentence left:

"But the Prince of Yan will lose."

"..."

The Yan Kingdom will win, but the King of Yan will lose.

Lu Chao was stunned by these words and stood there, his eyes wide open.

The next instant, there was a 'whoosh' sound as it cut through the air.

Lu Chao paused for a moment, then turned his head and saw an arrow embedded in a bamboo stalk...

"There are assassins!"

Lu Chao realized that the arrow was meant for Song Shi'an, but it missed and passed right in front of him. He quickly covered Song Shi'an's shoulder with his hand and fled back.

Song Shi'an was dumbfounded and was dragged away, not knowing what to do.

Immediately afterwards, another arrow was shot out, also aimed at Song Shi'an.

"There are assassins! There are assassins!"

Lu Chao ran while shouting.

Finally, someone came out of the door.

The closest guards, the Imperial Guards of the Yu Kingdom delegation, rushed out to protect the emperor.

Finally, they managed to stop the two people.

In a fleeting moment of looking back, Lu Chao saw the masked assassin in black, but in the next instant, he disappeared into the bamboo grove.

Upon seeing this, one of the Imperial Guards immediately set off to give chase.

"This is a ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain! Don't go!" Zuo Ziliang shouted. "Everyone, retreat back to the mansion and protect Magistrate Song!"

"Yes!"

So, no one chased after them.

"Yes, yes, yes," Lu Chao added. "Everyone, hurry back to the manor! Don't pursue them. Protecting Lord Song is the most important thing!"

"We will naturally protect Lord Song," Zuo Ziliang said firmly. "But Lord Lu, you must explain this assassin!"

"...Please go back first, please go back first," Lu Chao said, his face flushed.

At this moment, everyone began to defend themselves, and everyone came out.

Xin Yue arrived as quickly as possible. Seeing the dazed Song Shi'an, she frantically searched his entire body and asked with lingering fear, "Are you alright? Were you not hit by an arrow?"

"Please take Magistrate Song back to his room first. He is not injured, but he is frightened," Lu Chao said.

Xin Yue took his hand and, with San Gou's protection, quickly led him back to the house.

Lu Chao then began to give instructions: "Close the main gate tightly and don't let anyone out. Then carefully check whether all of your envoy's brothers are safe. Remember, you must confirm each one!"

……

As soon as Song Shi'an entered the room, he hugged Xin Yue tightly.

Xin Yue slowly raised her hand and stroked his back, saying comfortingly, "It's okay, I'm here."

Trembling, Song Shi'an slowly raised his head.

Then, looking at the girl in front of him.

The more I look, the more uneasy I feel.

The more I look at it, the more reluctant I am to part with it.

Xin Yue knew that this was the fear he felt after surviving a catastrophe...

So, she still smiled with maternal instinct.

Until Song Shi'an brought his lips close to hers.

Her cheeks flushed, but remembering that the other person was terrified and needed comfort, she didn't refuse. She even pursed her lips and closed her eyes slightly...

The soft touch was felt on Song Shi'an's lips.

Wait, this is the back of my hand!

Just as they were about to kiss, Xinyue suddenly put her hand between them.

“When a person is afraid, their mind goes blank.” Xin Yue looked at him suspiciously. “Are you afraid or not?”

The implication is, who would be thinking of kissing at this moment?
Song Shi'an pursed his lips speechlessly.

"I heard that the arrows passed right in front of you, so it's understandable that you were afraid." Xin Yue sensed something was wrong. "But what's with your reaction?"

Physiological response.

"Was your acting convincing just now?" Song Shi'an stopped acting and asked.

“It looks very much like it.” After Xin Yue finished speaking truthfully, she exclaimed in surprise, “What? You’re faking it?”

For Song Shi'an, putting on such a convincing act was not difficult at all.

The fact that he pretended to be assassinated meant that he knew he was about to be killed.

In fact, he may have even orchestrated the assassination.

“No, that won’t do,” Xinyue said anxiously. “They’ve been watching us since we arrived. They can match everyone’s appearance and name. If they find out someone is missing tomorrow, we’ll be exposed.”

"How many people were there when we left Sheng'an?" Song Shi'an asked.

"Forty-one, Lu Chao has already registered."

Xin Yue didn't even think about it before speaking directly.

"Those who entered the pass were number forty-one."

Song Shi'an's lips curled into a smile as he said, "But the one from Sheng'an is clearly forty-two."

(End of this chapter)