Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 230 In the Imperial Court, the Curses Begin!
Lu Chao personally escorted Song Shi'an to court.

On the way, Song Shi'an said with great gratitude, "I originally thought I would only be able to see the Prince of Yan tonight, but I didn't expect it to be so soon."

“My lord, please don’t say that…” Lu Chao feigned difficulty, “I wanted you to meet with the king alone, but as you know, there are some things… The affairs of Yan still require much discussion before they can be arranged.”

“It’s alright, I also want to make friends with some famous scholars and generals of Yan.” Song Shi’an showed no fear about what was to come.

"I truly admire your thinking, Your Excellency." After a polite exchange, Lu Chao added, "However, things may not be so easy."

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

Very cautiously, Lu Chao explained, "Many in the court are dissatisfied because of your mission with troops. Even if some people know the reason, they can't help but use it as an opportunity to make trouble. There are two people among them that you need to be careful of."

"who?"

“Wang Ding, the Crown Prince’s tutor, is over seventy years old. He is a veteran of two dynasties, a leader in the literary world, and is particularly tough,” Lu Chao said.

So it was an elderly gentleman.

"Where is the other one?"

“Kang Chun is my king’s cousin. He is in charge of the defense of Xiangcheng and his words carry particular weight among military officers.” Lu Chao looked around and said, “However, he is not known for his intelligence.”

Low emotional intelligence: a complete idiot

High emotional intelligence: Not relying on intellectual talent
"Are these two the anti-China faction?" Song Shi'an said.

“No, everyone is against you,” Lu Chao corrected. “These two are the representatives of both civil and military affairs.”

"Oh, I get it."

When Song Shi'an came here, he only bribed Lu Chao and He Ji.

The rest of the people had all taken money from Chen Xing.

Of course, I have to severely criticize myself for being such a tightwad.

"What are your thoughts, Prime Minister?" Song Shi'an asked again.

This person is truly a heavyweight; whether his words make sense or not, the Prince of Yan needs to consider them carefully.

Moreover, this powerful figure has held power for so many years, enabling the Yan state to remain a dominant power in a region, which speaks volumes about his abilities.

"This..." Lu Chao hesitated, then looked the magistrate up and down, "If I don't tell you, how will you know?"

"I've come to confirm," Song Shi'an said with a smile.

"Should I say you are incredibly powerful, or should I be afraid?"

Lu Chao felt that Song Shi'an might have thoroughly investigated everyone in the court.

"Is Lord Gongsun truly as 'loyal and devoted to the country' as the rumors suggest?" Song Shi'an confirmed.

“No one can live up to those four words, but the Prime Minister has indeed considered the well-being of Yan more than anyone else,” Lu Chao said.

"Okay, then I know."

As they spoke, the two had already arrived outside the palace gates.

Lu Chao extended his hand in invitation, and Song Shi'an also extended his hand. Then, the two of them walked together toward the Yan State court.

.........

Inside the main hall, everyone waited for Song Shi'an with considerable malice.

Everyone took Chen Xing's money.

Yesterday, each of them received a corresponding amount of gold from Duke Qin, based on their rank.

Therefore, since Song Shi'an's arrival today, we must go all out.

However, they also had some doubts: why would Duke Qin come to deliver money...?

It seems there really is something wrong with the South.

"The envoy from the State of Yu has arrived—"

At the eunuch's announcement, everyone turned around in unison.

Then, a young man in his early twenties, tall and handsome, dressed in the robes of a fourth-rank official, entered the hall with an imposing air, accompanied by Lu Chao.

“Yu Shi’an, the envoy, has met with King Kang.”

Song Shi'an clasped his hands together, nodded slightly, and greeted the Prince of Yan without even bending his waist.

Showing off your arrogance is like seeking death!
Kang Chun then glared at him.

Kang Xun didn't pay much attention, and then took the initiative to ask in a friendly manner, "My lord, what are your impressions of the journey to Yan?"

"The northern lands stretch for thousands of miles, with breathtaking scenery. This Xiangcheng is even more prosperous and magnificent than I imagined." Song Shi'an praised it while regretting, "The thought of this place suffering from war and the loss of lives is heartbreaking."

Kang Xun was still amused by Song Shi'an's earlier words, but the next second his face turned serious.

"Nonsense!" Kang Chun immediately retorted, "What do you mean by suffering from the ravages of war and widespread devastation? Are you trying to declare war on behalf of the Great Yu?"

Lu Chao really didn't expect that this guy would start a fight right away as soon as he arrived, without giving any background information.

The others were also enraged and looked at Song Shi'an.

“I have come to Yan to bring peace,” Song Shi’an said. “The suffering and devastation are brought about by your Emperor Ji.”

“We only have one king, His Highness the King of Yan.” At this moment, a military general immediately chimed in, “Moreover, Qi sent an envoy to form an alliance, but you came to Yan with a large army pressing in on our borders.”

"Yes, isn't it obvious who wants peace and who will start a war?"

Just as Song Shi'an was about to speak, another person interrupted him, saying, "Let's talk about leading troops on a diplomatic mission first! Let's see how you try to deny it!"

Song Shi'an couldn't help but laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" the man asked.

"Sir, how should I address you?" Song Shi'an asked.

"Deputy General of Xiangcheng, Ma He." He introduced himself with great enthusiasm, his eyes showing no fear.

“Alright, General Ma,” Song Shi’an said, “Let me ask you, from a soldier’s perspective, what should you do if a group of stragglers appears within the territory of Yan?”

"Send troops to suppress it," he said decisively.

"If we were to flee south, what should we do?"

"Send troops to pursue them."

"Keep running?"

"Keep chasing!"

"What if they reach the border and then flee into my Great Yu?"

"..." Mahe paused for a moment, then said, "Then naturally I cannot continue forward. I will stop marching before reaching the border. But it is not out of fear, but to fulfill the etiquette of diplomatic relations between the two countries."

"well said."

Song Shi'an nodded in agreement, then asked, "So, shall I go to Yan?"

This rhetorical question left him completely stuck.

He was speechless and couldn't say a word.

“But that’s only one side of the story.” Ma He blushed slightly and said excitedly, “Do you have any evidence that a group of stragglers have entered my Great Yan?!” Upon hearing this, Song Shi’an’s lips curled into a smile. Looking at the man, he calmly asked, “Deputy General of Xiangcheng, Ma He. You’re willing to discuss the military situation of Liaonan Commandery with me in the imperial court, aren’t you?”

"..."

This question startled Mahe.

He suddenly understood why Duke Qin had given him money.

What if I were to reveal this in court...

This will inevitably incur the wrath of the Duke of Qin.

"Hmm?" Song Shi'an continued to stare at him. "What's wrong, General?"

“I…” Ma He swallowed hard, his eyes darting around, his heart pounding.

At this moment, Gongsun Xing said, "My lord, general, whether this matter is true or not still needs to be investigated. If it is not confirmed, let's not talk about it for now."

Mahes seemed to have seen a savior.

But Song Shi'an's gaze made him feel incredibly embarrassed to cower in the shadows at this moment...

Unexpectedly, Song Shi'an immediately turned around, clenched his fist and bowed to Gongsun Xing: "Shi'an, listen to the Prime Minister."

Let's not talk about this anymore.

Mahei also retreated in a sorry state.

But no one dared to talk about the mission with an army of 10,000 men.

They will bring that person out.

"Then tell me, why does the alliance between Qi and Yan bring such devastation?" Kang Chun questioned.

This person isn't known for their intelligence, is he?

"I ask the general, is it easier for Qi to attack Xiangcheng, or for our Great Yu to attack Xiangcheng?" Song Shi'an asked.

“It’s not easy for anyone. Our Yan Kingdom has a strong and well-equipped army, and we will not easily allow a large army to invade our capital,” Kang Chun said.

"So, comparing them, which is relatively easier?"

"..." Kang Chun thought for a moment and then said truthfully, "Xiangcheng is closer to Qi and farther from Yu."

"If that's the case, why withdraw the troops on the border with Qi, and instead increase the troops on the border with Yu?" Song Shi'an asked.

Kang Chun couldn't possibly be unaware of this simple truth, so he had already prepared a response: "Because the State of Qi also promised to withdraw some of its border troops."

"Then let's discuss the art of war," Song Shi'an said. "The Yan army withdrew from the western border and reinforced the southern border. If an enemy attacks from the west, how should we respond?"

“Move the troops from the southern border westward,” he replied immediately.

"But if you increase your troops in the south, my Great Yu will also need to increase its troops. If you withdraw, won't the south be left vulnerable?"

“But…” Kang Chun paused for a moment, then said, “Qi has also moved its border troops south. If they withdraw, won’t the south be empty?”

“Yes.” Song Shi’an nodded, then asked, “How many soldiers does Qi have, and how many do you, Yan, have?”

"..."

Upon hearing this, Kang Chun was completely bewildered.

The other civil officials also understood.

He truly realized that the strength of the Yan state was far from sufficient to support his defense on two fronts.

The Qi army was at least three times the size of his.

“But!” Kang Chun stubbornly raised her head and glared at Song Shi’an, “We have an alliance with Qi, how can he send more troops without authorization!”

This remark made Song Shi'an burst into laughter on the spot.

Clutching her stomach, tears welled up in her eyes.

What are you laughing at?

Kang Chun blushed instantly, and before she could say anything, Kang Xun scolded her, "Enough, stop talking."

Even the eldest brother couldn't stand it anymore.

Song Shi'an was truly convinced.

It seems there's something wrong with the Kang family's old graves.

Or is it that Kang Qing really wasn't a member of the Kang family?
There was really no other way, so he had to go back.

Then he gritted his teeth at Song Shi'an.

“Lord Song.” At this moment, an old civil official stepped forward and asked, “I have a question to ask.”

"Sir, please speak."

Song Shi'an bowed to him, showing respect for the elderly.

"My name is Zhao Wang, an old man who performs rituals, nothing special." After introducing himself, he asked rather humbly, "You say that the State of Qi has ambitions, so why did Qi send a hostage to our country? You bring peace, so why didn't the State of Yu send a hostage to our Yan to maintain peace?"

Many people nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

It's too cruel.

A gentleman does not care about his deeds.

The State of Qi has already demonstrated its friendliness and shown genuine sincerity.

No matter what you say, it's all just empty talk.

Unless you don't want to promote peace between the two sides and then resort to sophistry.

Wang Ding looked at Song Shi'an, who remained calm and silent, and a smug smile appeared on his face.

But that's it.

"May I ask, Your Excellency, why do you not speak?" Zhao Wang asked again.

Song Shi'an pursed his lips, then lowered his head and shook his head: "I just didn't expect that this could be a problem. And you actually asked it."

These words made him look rather uncomfortable.

The others were annoyed too.

"If you can't answer, you can't answer. Why bring it up?"

"If you really can answer, why don't you answer now?"

"Tell me, why didn't you send hostages!"

Faced with the crowd's relentless questioning, Song Shi'an challenged them: "Have you all truly studied and understand history?"

This sweeping generalization enraged them.

But no one stepped forward to respond, because they didn't know what he was going to say next.

It wasn't until Song Shi'an asked, puzzled, "What truly great nation would send its own prince as a hostage?"

(End of this chapter)