Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 225 Things Money Can't Solve

Lu Chao took the money.

And they also received a considerable amount of money.

He Ji could glean this secret from just one sentence.

What party?

Did political parties really exist in the Yan state?

No, it doesn't exist.

Aside from the powerful figures and their retainers, the rest of the people in Yan who had some influence could be considered fence-sitters.

This is due to considerations of the unique national circumstances.

The factional issues in the states of Dayu and Qi ultimately boil down to a struggle for interests. These were relatively healthy political behaviors situated within the framework of an existing order.

The Yan state did not possess such an ecosystem.

The three warlords all possessed the power to control Liaodong. For others, unless they were trusted confidants, getting involved in such factional strife was extremely dangerous.

Just like in the Great Yu Dynasty, if you, as a civil official, were suppressed by the nobles, the worst you could do was retire. If the nobles were oppressed by public opinion from the civil officials, the worst you could do was step down from power.

But if you were in the state of Yan and your relationship with the Kang, Qin, or Gongsun families was ambiguous, you would really lose your head.

He Ji was indeed the governor of Kangguan District.

It is true that he enjoyed the trust of the Prince of Yan.

But he wouldn't risk his family and risk his life against the other two big shots for the sake of the Prince of Yan.

Moreover, he didn't have much control over Bai County; he was just an ordinary top official.

"Do certain political parties really exist in our Yan state?" he asked, looking at Lu Chao with a smile.

"You must have some ideas about the alliance with Qi and the alliance with Yu, right?" Lu Chao asked.

"The prince of Qi has already entered Yan, what other explanation is there?" He Ji asked rhetorically.

"But the king did not sign the alliance and sent me to welcome Song Shi'an into Yan, which means that the matter has not been settled."

He Ji fell silent.

She slowly raised her head and stared at him: "Then you must tell me, my lord, what is the king's thought?"

"His Majesty's resolve is wavering, depending on what Song Shi'an is willing to offer," Lu Chao said. "Then, Lord He, are you willing to accompany His Majesty?"

“As a subject of the king, of course I must obey the king’s orders. If he tells me to do it, I will do it,” He Ji said politically correctly.

"I mean it's truly possible." Lu Chao didn't want to say any more of those hypocritical words and went straight to the point, "If Song Shi'an can persuade the King to completely align future policies with Yu, can you fully support him?"

That's too harsh, those words are too harsh.

With so many people supporting the king, he doesn't need me.

That's what He Ji was thinking, but he certainly couldn't say it out loud.

"How exactly is he going to persuade the king?" He Ji became increasingly sensitive.

"You don't have to worry about this."

Lu Chao stood up, took his arm, and led him to a map. With his finger, he slowly traced an ethereal snake outside Baitou Pass: "This is a gift from Song Shi'an."

"This is a wasteland, crisscrossed with ravines," He Ji warned.

"So, he's going to give you a way out."

"..."

Upon hearing this, He Ji's pupils dilated slightly, and he asked in surprise, "He can make that decision?"

“He has naturally discussed it with His Majesty.” Lu Chao looked at his eyes, which were now completely interested, and knew that he was already tempted.

Without this road, Bai County would be nothing more than a backward, remote, barren, isolated, and resource-scarce county.

But with this road, everything is completely different.

"Song Shi'an was assassinated by Duke Qin," Lu Chao reminded him again.

Looking at the map, at the most inconspicuous of the three passes in southern Liaodong, known as 'Baitou Pass,' He Ji couldn't help but mutter to himself, 'Baitou Pass will become the only port...'

All trade between Dayu and Yan had to pass through here.

It can be said that all trade between the two countries has to pass through their hands.

If relations with the State of Qi sour, the status of this place will be further...

“It will cost a lot of money to build this road, and it will also require a lot of manpower. It will take at least six months,” He Ji said very seriously.

“That’s the Great Yu Dynasty,” Lu Chao smiled slightly. “Is this a difficult task for them?”

“Indeed, it’s not a matter of whether you can do it or not, only whether you want to or not,” He Ji admitted.

Why didn't we do this before?
Because there's absolutely no need for it.

There was already a main road that had been in use for many years without any problems. Why spend money and waste resources on this kind of infrastructure?
Now, they want to punish Duke Qin.

Therefore, the winner became King Kang.

And then there's myself.

"I think you should meet with Song Shi'an now."

Lu Chao knew that the deal was done and he relaxed.

He Ji didn't say anything, but just looked at this friend who wanted to help him get rich, with a subtle expression.

"Then I'll go and invite them."

Lu Chao bowed to him and then left.

He Ji was left alone, sitting at the desk, feeling extremely uneasy.

He was still thinking about that path.

I'm still thinking about the political parties Lu Chao mentioned.

He doesn't need to be the vanguard to fight against the other two giants on behalf of the king.

However, he needs to be with the group when the King initiates the attack.

Then they would inevitably be labeled as: Wang's faction.

Risk and reward go hand in hand. But this reward is extremely high.

As expected of Song Shi'an, his mind is exceptionally clear.

An ordinary envoy would not think of this angle.

Others bribed everyone and then pressured the Prince of Yan in the imperial court.

But Song Shi'an directly bribed the Prince of Yan.

Lu Chao, himself, could be considered one of the Prince of Yan's men.

And what about the assassination attempt on him by the Duke of Qin?

Although he didn't know the whole story, He Ji felt that this was all orchestrated by Song Shi'an.

Has the Duke of Qin gone mad and gone to kill the envoy from the State of Yu?
His killing of Song Shi'an this time is tantamount to confirming that he also killed the envoy last time. Can the Great Yu, as a great power, save face?
There will definitely be a major battle that will yield significant results.

"Tsk..."

Leaning back in his seat, He Ji pondered this with conflicted feelings.

After a while, a person slowly walked in from outside the door.

That man was imposing, dashing, and full of youthful vigor; all the adjectives that describe a young man who has achieved great success can be applied to him.

"Shi An greets Lord He."

Song Shi'an took the initiative to bow.

Startled, He Ji stood up, quickly went over to help the other man, and then said to him with great respect, "You are the envoy of a great nation, and I am the governor of a small country. Why use the term 'paying respects'? This is too much of a compliment."

"You are a respected person and a renowned scholar from Liaodong, worthy of Shi An's respect."

“The Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River is the one I truly admire.”

He Ji took his hand and led him to his seat with great enthusiasm: "Please sit down, Your Excellency."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

After Song Shi'an sat down, he bowed again.

"Lord Lu, are you outside?" he asked.

Song Shi'an replied, "Yes, but he is at the end of the corridor, which is quite far from here, and there are no officials or guards at the entrance."

It means that it's safe here.

"Oh, I see." He smiled and nodded, somewhat unsure of what to say.

"My lord, did Lord Lu just tell you some things?" Song Shi'an asked.

“Yes, I have learned some things.” He said with a solemn expression, “I didn’t expect that you would have encountered so many dangerous things on your journey.”

"But coming here and seeing the Prefect is worthwhile," Song Shi'an flattered.

“You’re not what I imagined at all,” He Ji laughed.

"Oh?" Song Shi'an asked curiously.

“Everyone says that Song Shi’an is exceptionally talented, but even the most brilliant minds in the world look down on him. And yet, at the banquet of the Minister of Works, he mentioned your birthday. What does that have to do with me?” He Ji said, while looking at the person in front of him. “But you are so kind and humble.”

"Because making friends is about exchanging one sincere heart for another, isn't it?"

"Haha, it's my honor." He Ji was a little embarrassed by what he said.

"Besides making friends, I have another purpose for coming here."

"Please speak," He Ji said, extending his hand.

Song Shi'an slowly stood up, walked up to him, and said, "I want to do business with the Prefect."

These words made He Ji feel no more relaxed.

It's tension, but also anticipation.

Although agriculture was valued and commerce was suppressed in ancient times, the thing that officials liked the most, without exception, was doing business.

The world is so vast, filled with countless rare and precious treasures.

"You said you wanted to build a road outside the pass, right?" He Ji asked.

Song Shi'an didn't speak, but casually took out an imperial edict from his sleeve and handed it to the other party.

Upon seeing this, He Ji rubbed his hands together, then stood up, walked to Song Shi'an, bowed, and accepted the imperial edict with both hands.

Bro, Lao Wei isn't here, there's no need to be so respectful.

He Ji took it and opened it to read it carefully.

Then, he revealed surprise: "His Majesty of the Great Yu said that this road will be repaired within three months?"

“His Majesty provided the funds, and Liangzhou, Huaizhou, and Qinzhou provided the manpower. Furthermore, nearly a thousand households were moved forward to this area outside the pass.” Song Shi’an walked to a spot on the map and drew a circle, saying, “A new county will be established here.”

These are certainly possible, but they cannot be done right now.

Emperor Kelu really said that he would repair it within three months after the alliance was formed.

"That's quite a generous gesture..."

He Ji presented the imperial edict with both hands, returned it to Song Shi'an, and sincerely admired his efficiency.

"It's impossible for Duke Qin to send additional troops to Liaonan Commandery. I've also ordered his route outside the pass to be blocked," Song Shi'an said angrily. "At that time, there will only be one route into Yan, and that is Baitou Pass."

It's all set, it's really all set.

However, He Ji still hesitated. Looking at Song Shi'an, he said with a conflicted expression, "I think this is a good thing for Fu Yan, and it's also good for His Majesty. But I am the prefect, and doing business directly with Dayu... is not my responsibility."

Song Shi'an understood.

This road is incredibly profitable.

He was merely the administrative head of White County, not someone who held absolute power.

Will he be able to get involved then?
The Prince of Yan would definitely do something so profitable himself.

"I don't care."

After saying this rather domineeringly, Song Shi'an looked at the prefect and laughed, "On this road, I only recognize Lord He. It doesn't matter who else comes."

(End of this chapter)