Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 241 Xiao Wei Learns of the Major Events in Northern Yan
When the King of Wu set off for the palace, Ye Changqing also left the palace.

So after the King of Wu returned to his residence, he was left all alone.

He sat back in his study chair, his expression quite solemn, and remained stunned for a full half hour.

When Princess Wu arrived and saw him standing there in a daze, she asked in confusion, "Why did you go to see Father Emperor?"

King Wu snapped out of his reverie and looked at her. Not wanting to say anything, and suddenly remembering something, he asked, "You told me not to interfere in your women's affairs. What have you done with Song Shi'an's women?"

"Before I even had a chance to find out, she went to Yan with Song Shi'an," the princess said. "However, when she first left the palace and moved out, I sent someone to deliver some necessary furniture and valuables to her."

"Such a meager gift?"

The King of Wu was always generous with money, so he looked down on him.

“Your Highness, you don’t understand us women. Only when we get close can we be generous. If you give too much of a gift before we even know each other, how can the other person not be wary?” the princess said with a smile. “Small things in daily life are the best way to show care. And if we chat about some intimate things, we’re guaranteed to become sisters.”

"Oh."

The King of Wu gave a perfunctory reply, then continued to think, appearing preoccupied.

"Zisheng, what exactly happened?" Princess Wu asked worriedly.

You wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you.

"I don't understand, then why don't you go find Ye Changqing?" Princess Wu was even more puzzled.

"We can't tell him about this either."

The King of Wu has now become wiser and knows how to 'hide' his intentions.

He and Ye Changqing could discuss other people, such as Jia Guihao, who was on the sidelines but somewhat marginalized. After all, Jia Guihao's status was low, and their relationship wasn't that close.

But he had promised Song Shi'an: "When I ascend the throne, you will be the prime minister."

His status here is no less than that of Ye Changqing.

Now, the question is whether or not to rescue Song Shi'an, who has been detained in Northern Yan.

Ye Changqing also wondered to himself, "If I were detained, would King Wu also have to weigh the pros and cons?"

"I don't understand, and I can't ask Ye Changqing, so it must be..." Princess Wu guessed, "...related to Song Shi'an?"

"How did you know?" King Wu asked in surprise. "It really is related to Song Shi'an."

Seeing that her words had been proven true, Princess Wu immediately showed a little smugness: "Oh dear, you still say I don't understand?"

"Sit, sit, sit." King Wu stood up, pressed her shoulder, and made her sit down, while he stood to the side with his hands on his hips, asking with considerable curiosity, "How did you know?"

“Although I haven’t seen you all together, Zhao Yi and Ye Changqing are veterans who have followed us for many years. Song Shi’an, on the other hand, has only been here a short time, yet he’s already on equal footing with them,” Princess Wu said. “What are they thinking?”

Upon hearing this, the King of Wu was speechless: "I'm telling you, it's not out of jealousy."

"Then tell me, what is it?"

“A letter has arrived from Northern Yan, from Kang Xun. They want Song Shi’an to remain in Yan as prime minister, and then they are willing to send the hostage from Qi back and form an alliance. His Majesty asked for my opinion, and there seems to be a hint that he wants Song Shi’an to stay in Northern Yan,” said the King of Wu. “I didn’t tell Ye Changqing whether or not to save Song Shi’an because I was afraid he would think that I wasn’t devoted to Song Shi’an, and therefore wouldn’t be devoted to him either.”

After hearing this long string of words, Queen Wu said, "This is jealousy."

"How does this become jealousy?" King Wu asked, puzzled. "How could Ye Changqing be such a narrow-minded person?"

"Why do you single out Ye Changqing and not Zhao Yi?"

"Because Zhao Yi was indeed a bit emotional..."

“Zhao Yi came with Ye Changqing. If Zhao Yi is upset, how could Ye Changqing not be?” Princess Wu pointed out. “That’s because Ye Changqing is smarter and kept his thoughts hidden from you.”

hiss--

The King of Wu suddenly realized that it actually seemed quite interesting.

"Alright, then tell me, how should I speak to them?" King Wu asked.

"To be honest, Song Shi'an has been left in Yan. Ask them what to do," said the Queen of Wu.

"What if they ask me what I think?"

"She's not saying a word, just like she was a moment ago, looking both troubled and downcast," Princess Wu said mysteriously. "Let them guess."

Upon hearing these words, the King of Wu seemed to grasp something profound.

The art of rulership is indeed like this.

My strengths are my sense of responsibility and my ability to make sound judgments, which is a stark contrast to the Prince of Jin.

However, the corresponding drawback is that it is impatient.

This is a principle that the emperor taught the Prince of Jin but not to him: when you want to do something, you should let others know that someone else wants to do it.

"You're quite clever," King Wu said, gently pinching his queen's cheeks with both hands before asking, "So, in your opinion, should I take Song Shi'an or not?"

"How would I know?" Princess Wu hurriedly said, "You yourself said that Father Emperor vaguely has the idea of ​​not wanting Song Shi'an. How could I possibly guess Father Emperor's thoughts?"

"I think I've figured something out..." King Wu's expression gradually deepened.

As long as Song Shi'an stays in Yan, His Majesty will immediately make himself the Crown Prince.

.........

Inside the bedroom of the Prince of Zhongshan's residence, there is a large sand table.

The entire Eastern Liang and Yan Kingdoms were included.

It also includes parts of Liangzhou, northern Huaizhou, and the eastern border of Qi.

Wei Wusheng has been appointed as the commander-in-chief in preparation for the invasion of Yan.

Although he was the commander-in-chief, he and Hua Zheng's army were divided into two routes, so he could not completely control all the troops.

My own deputy general in the army will be Zhao Yi, a subordinate of the King of Wu.

Unfortunately, aside from Beiliang, Wei Wusheng had no other faction of his own.

But that doesn't matter. As long as I win this battle, that's enough.

But his biggest worry was that Song Shi'an's conversation with Kang Xun in Northern Yan would fall apart, and he would be taken hostage and placed under house arrest in Yandu...

"You really know how to act on your own." Wei Wusheng continued to observe the situation on the sand table and couldn't help but complain about Song Shi'an back then.

At that time, he did not have a direct understanding.

But these past few days, while debating with His Majesty and others in the confidential room, I've gradually realized that the Yan Kingdom is far too complicated.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.

The deeper one understands, the clearer one becomes—the Yan Kingdom is fraught with danger.

Gongsun Xing, the loyal minister who strategized for the state, needs no introduction; he was the only statesman in the Yan state.

That Duke Qin had already distinguished himself.

After learning from the King of Wu that Song Shi'an had led an army on a diplomatic mission, Wei Wusheng became even more worried.

If the negotiations fail, or even if the impact expands, around 300,000 people will gradually gather in the Qin state.

The armies of the three states of Yan, Qi, and Yu.

And more than half of the auxiliary soldiers.

The number of laborers and others was countless.

Can they really fight?
"Can't fight."

Staring at the sand table showing that most of the original troops had been significantly relocated, he bit his thumb and came to this conclusion.

The Great Yu did not want to fight this battle, but the Qi Kingdom would have to bite the bullet and fight it anyway.

So, the variable lies in 'Conson'.

It's highly likely that after I and Hua Zheng take up our posts on the front lines, the border pressure will gradually become unbearable, and eventually Yan will take the initiative to seek peace, allowing Dayu to back down gracefully.

It's nothing.

But what if they detain Song Shi'an on trumped-up charges...?

Even if it goes against the Emperor's will, I will still send troops!
"Your Highness, the Prince of Wu has arrived."

Just then, a maid came in and whispered her report.

"The King of Wu has arrived?" Wei Wusheng asked, puzzled.

"We've arrived at the gates of the Prince's residence," the maid whispered.

He actually came in person, instead of making me go to him?

Could it be related to the affairs of the Yan state?

"Okay, I'll go to the door to meet you."

Without much thought, Wei Wusheng set off for the mansion gate.

"Fourth Brother," Wei Wusheng said upon seeing him, "why didn't you just come in? Why did you have to wait at the gate? Did my eunuchs forget to invite you?"

"Don't blame the servants; I chose to wait for them myself." King Wu waved his hand and continued, "Enough of this small talk; I have important business to attend to."

"please--"

Wei Wusheng directly invited him into the main room.

He also very respectfully allowed the King of Wu to sit in the superior position, while he himself sat to the side.

"You wretch!" After the servants had all left, the King of Wu's expression changed drastically. "Kang Xun has sent a letter requesting that Song Shi'an be retained as prime minister."

"Is this really true?!" Wei Wusheng immediately stood up, quite agitated.

“Wu Sheng, calm down,” King Wu said. “You mean it’s up to His Majesty to decide; he wouldn’t dare to take someone hostage so easily.”

"What conditions did he offer?" Wei Wusheng asked.

"You previously knew about some gold. Kang Xun refused the offer of five thousand gold pieces and was willing to drive back the hostage from Qi and form an alliance with my Dayu to jointly defend the country."

Upon hearing these conditions, Wei Wusheng frowned and tentatively asked, "What does Your Majesty mean?"

"We will convene a court assembly tomorrow to discuss this matter," said the King of Wu.

"Fourth Brother, you know those people are afraid of him. If he stays in Sheng'an, they will all be terrified. They will be exposed to their evil thoughts and ugliness by Song Shi'an's example." Wei Wusheng said passionately, "This move is to use Song Shi'an as a hostage. You must oppose it with all your might in the court."

The King of Wu hesitated, "But we still don't know Song Shi'an's opinion..."

"He will absolutely not agree."

"But what if he believes that this action can bring peace to the Great Yu, and is willing to do it?"

"I am not willing to accept this."

After several unwavering responses, the King of Wu understood. Then, he suddenly burst into laughter, saying, "I was just joking. You didn't really think I didn't want to save him, did you?"

Seeing his reaction, Wei Wusheng was first taken aback, then exclaimed with delight, "Fourth Brother, you would never agree to this, would you?"

He has already spoken with Ye Changqing and Zhao Yi.

Then, after some debate, the two reached a consensus.

It has to be Song Shi'an.

Just like Song Shi'an was first a member of the Zhongshan King's faction, and only then did he become one of his own.

In this matter, Wei Wusheng was definitely the one who put in more effort.

In this way, the King of Wu will have room to maneuver.

“I have spoken privately with Minister Song and many of our people, and they will all speak up for Song Shi’an in court tomorrow,” said the King of Wu.

Slowly, Wei Wusheng walked up to the King of Wu.

"What are you doing, disobeying my birthright?"

"My brother has only one request."

Kneeling on one knee, with his fists clenched, Wei Wusheng looked at him resolutely: "Song Shi'an, return to Sheng'an safe and sound."

(End of this chapter)