Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 227 Meeting with the Prince of Yan
News of the 10,000-strong mission reached the State of Yan.

Then, the following day, a court assembly was convened.

In the imperial court, when the king was not present, everyone was restless.

"Since ancient times, when has anyone ever led troops on a diplomatic mission? And a full ten thousand of them, only ten miles away from our national border, Cangliao Pass!"

"Yeah, isn't this just too much? Even if it's Qiang Yu, this is undignified and inappropriate."

"Fortunately, the Lu envoy considered the overall situation and personally went out of the pass to welcome them, thus preventing a major war that was about to break out on the border. This is simply something a child would do. How could Song Shi'an be so absurd!"

Almost everyone is criticizing.

However, there are also many people who are quite knowledgeable about border issues and know the inside story.

Among them, Chancellor Gongsun Xing showed more interest in Song Shi'an, who seemed to have ill intentions.

This guy is really talented.

However, intelligence is only the least important factor in doing this.

He desperately wanted to prevent the two countries from going to war, but he used a method that could easily lead to a major international conflict if not handled carefully.

Of course, Gongsun Xing considered this possibility to be very small. After all, the Yan state did not want to become the main battlefield, and letting him into Yan was better than actually stationing 100,000 troops on the border.

But who dares to take that risk?
What a lunatic.

This person will either be remembered in history or die without a proper burial.

Or die without a burial place while achieving lasting fame.

In any case, it is absolutely impossible for us to be swept away by the torrent of history and drift eastward without leaving any trace.

"Prime Minister, what do you think?"

At this moment, someone behind him whispered tentatively.

Then many people looked at him, wanting to hear the big shot's thoughts.

Gongsun Xing shook his head and said with some dissatisfaction, "No matter what, sending troops on a diplomatic mission violates the principles of diplomatic relations."

After he said that, the others echoed his sentiments.

"That's right. Yan and Qi haven't formed an alliance yet, and we are still considered friendly states with Yu. For friendly states to behave so rudely and childishly... I think Song Shi'an is nothing special!"

"Even if someone is talented in literature, disrespects etiquette, and doesn't understand rules, even if they write 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River,' they will not gain my approval."

"His literary talent is real, but he understands absolutely nothing about diplomacy between countries."

"If you don't apologize for this matter after arriving in the capital, then there's no point in discussing anything further!"

The imperial court gradually erupted in turmoil because of Gongsun Xing's fire.

Although Gongsun Xing was not in the faction that allied with Qi against Yu, he at least agreed to the alliance, and as the head of all officials, he naturally had to express his opinion.

Even if it wasn't fully expressed.

Moreover, don't underestimate these useless and pedantic scholars.

They dared not speak ill of Song Shi'an, but they could still exert pressure on the Prince of Yan.

At this time, the King of Yan also went to court.

He sat on the throne, receiving the kneeling homage of everyone except Gongsun Xing.

As the head of the Gongsun clan, Gongsun Xing had the privilege of not having to kneel when entering the court.

However, he showed respect to the Prince of Yan in form, and would bow to him whenever the others prostrated themselves in worship.

"You all know about Song Shi'an's matter, right?" Kang Xun said calmly. "Come, let's discuss it."

In fact, Conson was quite excited when he found out.

But what excited him was different from everyone else's—Kang Yi's family had actually been brought along!
As for leading troops on a diplomatic mission?

If the final result is good, then there's no problem.

Song Shi'an's move could also serve as a warning to Duke Qin, making him behave a little.

“Your Majesty.” At this moment, an elderly minister over seventy years old, Crown Prince’s tutor Wang Ding, stepped forward.

The crown prince of the Yan state was not called the heir apparent, but the crown prince.

This is one of the hallmarks of the country's legitimacy.

If one is truly called the Crown Prince, it means that one belongs to the political structure of a certain country, specifically a second-level kingdom.

Therefore, the so-called submission to the Great Yu was merely a political compromise at a certain period. Even though Wanyan Gou also submitted, it did not change the fact that the Song state was a sovereign state.

"Master Wang, please speak."

Conson knew this old man was troublesome, so his tone was somewhat 'tolerant'.

"Your Majesty, why would Song Shi'an do such a thing? Is there any reason?" Wang Ding asked seriously.

"Well..." Kang Xun thought for a moment and then said, "It is said that the envoy from the Yu Kingdom was killed on the way, so for safety reasons, a large army was sent to escort him."

"Very well," Wang Ding said. "Then may I ask, is it reasonable to lead an army of ten thousand to approach the border?"

“That’s unreasonable,” Conson said.

"Did the envoy from the Kingdom of Yu die within our country's borders?"

"No."

“Even if our envoy didn’t die in our country, doing this is not in accordance with the principles of diplomacy.” After confirming again, Wang Ding asked, “If our envoy had died in our country, would the State of Yu have forgiven us for doing this?”

This brilliant analogy immediately stirred the emotions of everyone else.

Populist ideas spread instantly.

The lives of the people of Yan are also a matter of fate!

Conson was taken aback by this rebuttal and didn't know what to say.

At this moment, Xiangcheng Magistrate Tian Yi noticed the king's troubled expression and then said, "This is naturally unforgivable; the envoy from Yu did wrong. However, between nations, there are strong and weak, and problems cannot be solved simply by putting ourselves in each other's shoes."

"Oh, does Lord Tian mean that my Great Yan is a small country? That my ministers are incompetent and my generals are not skilled enough to have an equal dialogue with the Yu Kingdom?" Wang Ding immediately slapped on the label and started playing the political correctness card.

There is no solution.

When a country possesses certain unspoken political correctness, discussions based on such matters are like eunuchs going to brothels.

“Master Wang, I didn’t say that…” Tian Yi quickly retorted.

"Just because I didn't say that doesn't mean I didn't think that way," Wang Dingyi snorted, speaking sarcastically.

"Our Great Yan has capable ministers and renowned generals." At this point, the referee had to steer the conversation back on track. "However, it's also a fact that Yu is strong and Yan is weak. Song Shi'an did bring troops, but ultimately, it didn't lead to war..."

“But this is contempt, this is an insult,” Wang Ding persisted. “What if next time they bring tens of thousands of people under the guise of an envoy to deliberately test us?” “Yes, Your Majesty,” Lieutenant Kang Chun said earnestly. “The Yu Kingdom disrespects us because of its strength. But there are countries that respect us.”

"The State of Qi?" Kang Xun looked at his cousin.

"Your Majesty," Kang Chun said, "the State of Qi has sent its prince to our Great Yan as a hostage and agreed to withdraw its troops from the border between the two countries. Moreover, they intend to honor Your Majesty as the King of Yan, with both of you being revered." "Why should we continue to tolerate those barbarian Yu?"

"What does 'Manyu' mean?" Kang Xun asked speechlessly.

“Barbaric, rude.”

"Okay, go back to your seat." Conson waved his hand.

"But Your Majesty..."

“Go back to your original position and let others have a say.”

Kang Xun is truly at his wit's end, and even his own confidants are advocating for him to distance himself from Yu.

As for the rest, are there any doubts about those who took Chen Xing's money?

“Your Majesty,” Wang Ding said, “your ascension to the throne of Heavenly King may be postponed for a while, and an auspicious day may be chosen. But the matter of Qi and Yu must be settled as soon as possible.”

Conson glanced at everyone, knowing he couldn't get an erection.

At that point, we can only leave it to Song Shi'an and let him argue with these people.

Perhaps if Song Shi'an bribed them again, their story would change.

These people are all unpredictable.

But one thing is certain.

If Song Shi'an didn't have some ability, he wouldn't be able to accomplish anything in this Yan region.

"I know, I know." Kang Xun repeated impatiently twice. "Song Shi'an should arrive in Xiangcheng in three days. If you have any opinions, write them down and submit them to the palace. I will read them all."

There's no point in continuing this conversation.

What's needed now is a methodology.

But the Prince of Yan had no need for these methodologies written in his memorials, each with its own hidden agenda.

He only needs to leave the court and have some peace and quiet for a while.

"Yes."

Everyone responded in unison.

Then, the court session ended.

…………

Gongsun Xing returned to his residence by carriage.

Upon entering the mansion, a servant reported to him: "Master Yuan, the man of Lord Qin, has arrived. Since you have gone to court, I took the liberty of leading him to a guest room to rest. Please forgive me, Your Excellency."

“It’s alright.” He waved his hand and then said, “Take him to the main room, I’ll wait for him there.”

"Yes."

Gongsun Xing remained completely calm.

Upon arriving at the main hall, he sat in the main seat with considerable poise, waiting for Qin Gong's men to arrive.

After a while, Yuan, the clerk, walked up to him carrying a heavy box.

Judging from the way he held it, Gongsun Xing could estimate its weight.

But why would Duke Qin send him money?

"Your humble servant greets the Prime Minister."

The clerk, holding the box, bowed respectfully, nodding his head deeply.

"Registrar Yuan, you are Duke Qin's beloved disciple," Gongsun Xing laughed, teasingly asking, "What brings you here in person?"

"To present a gift to the Prime Minister," said Yuan, the Chief Clerk, getting straight to the point.

"What is this?" Gongsun Xing stood up in confusion.

"The Duke of Qin gave it to the Prime Minister for five hundred gold pieces," Yuan, the Chief Clerk, said with a slight smile.

"..." Gongsun Xing was taken aback and asked in surprise, "Why would the Duke of Qin send me such a generous gift when there is nothing unusual about it?"

That's five hundred gold coins!

Duke Qin has really gone all out.

"Prime Minister," the chief clerk said, "the Duke of Qin wishes you to lead the officials in offering some loyal advice to the King and to expedite the signing of the Yan-Qi alliance."

Gongsun Xing maintained his polite smile.

He shared the same idea as the Duke of Qin: to form an alliance with Qi.

However, he would not let Duke Qin succeed.

His countermeasure was that the alliance with Qi did not send reinforcements to the south.

The Gongsun family will not allow the Qin family to become too powerful.

"Your Majesty has his reasons. I can't say too much," Gongsun Xing said, showing no sign of needing money.

After all, it's only a small amount.

It's naturally comfortable to get something for free.

But in this world, there's no such thing as free money.
He needed to know the reason why Duke Qin was bleeding so much.

Yuan, the registrar, lowered his head, frowned, and after hesitating for a while, finally couldn't help but say in a low voice, "There is something I humbly request the Prime Minister to..."

"You said I could keep it a secret," Gongsun Xing said casually.

"Song Shi'an was assassinated in Liaonan County," Yuan Zhubu said mysteriously.

"..." Gongsun Xing was immediately taken aback.

“But this is definitely not the work of Lord Qin. If Lord Qin wanted to kill him, he could not have left Liaonan Commandery alive,” Yuan, the chief clerk, said earnestly.

"Then who does Duke Qin think it is?"

"Lord Qin believes that Song Shi'an is a thief crying 'stop thief!'" said Yuan, the chief clerk. "His aim is to sow discord and divide our Great Yan. Therefore, Lord Qin begs Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, to take charge of the overall situation and prevent this man's scheme from succeeding!"

That makes sense.

Gongsun Xing didn't ask any more questions. He pressed his hand down and said calmly, "Put your things down."

(End of this chapter)