Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 244 The Emperor's Trap

The trouble started from within.

Sun Situ never expected that the usually domineering emperor would encounter such a situation.

Who can we blame?
Did you think about this when you killed your son?

When you promoted Prince Jin, did you think about it?

Although Minister Sun did not want Song Shi'an to return, he was not going to relieve the emperor's worries at this time.

Nominally, I belong to the Prince of Jin's faction, but today the Prince of Jin is not protecting the peace of Song, but supporting the emperor.

You father and son, let's kill each other.

really.

Wei Wusheng's suspicions were confirmed by the subtle unease on the King of Wu's face; he had no real intention of bringing Song Shi'an back.

From beginning to end, all he wanted was to fight for the throne.

Song Shi'an's promise of imperial power did not sway him.

Or perhaps he believed that he could still be independent even without Song Shi'an.

But what does it have to do with me?

"Fourth Brother." Staring intently at the King of Wu, Wei Wusheng urged him in a low voice with a pressure in his eyes.

Everyone witnessed this scene.

Wei Wusheng lifted him up.

If you don't speak up for Song Shi'an at this point, Wei Wusheng will have a legitimate reason to break away from him.

Even if he's not strong enough right now, there's still a Jinwang stock on the market that's currently at a low price.

With just a gentle pull, how can you possibly contend with three kings on your own?

Left with no other choice, the King of Wu had to bite the bullet and face the challenge.

Just then, the emperor suddenly said, "The Prince of Jin is right. Our envoy died mysteriously at the border. This matter cannot end so easily. I will hold the Prince of Yan accountable."

"Your Majesty is wise," King Wu added. "The safety of Song Shi'an is of paramount importance. If the Yan Kingdom restricts his freedom, or even imprisons and harms him... our Great Yu army should immediately march north and wipe out Northern Yan!"

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Wei Wusheng.

But all that was left for him was a blank expression.

There was also a hint of disappointment mixed in.

The King of Wu was avoiding the important issues and focusing on the trivial ones.

The King of Jin was right; the previous envoy had been killed by Yan, and Song Shi'an should not have been allowed to remain in Yan.

However, when the emperor spoke to the King of Wu, the situation took a turn for the worse: if Song Shi'an was harmed in Yan, then they could not agree.

The implication is that as long as he isn't under house arrest or forced, he can still go.

There's no other way; if the two kings object, everyone else will be muted.

The tacit understanding between the King of Wu and the Emperor was revealed.

Wei Wusheng is not a fool.

No one can fool him.

"Prince Jin, do you have any further advice?"

The emperor gazed at his son, whose intelligence and courage had suddenly increased, and asked calmly.

But the dragon's whiskers beneath its nostrils were already trembling.

Do you really want to fight your father?

"Your Majesty is wise; that is exactly what I meant."

After saying this, the Prince of Jin withdrew.

The strategy of sowing discord has achieved its intended effect.

Wusheng, you should see clearly this 'virtuous' fourth brother who is acting all the time, right?

At this moment, Ye Changqing spoke up: "I believe that Song Shi'an is a man of great talent and a capable minister. Keeping such a person in our Dayu can make the country rich and the people strong."

He wants to oppose it.

This is because it is the official stance of the Wu King's faction.

It has a sense of making amends.

And it appears particularly hypocritical.

Because he was just Ye Changqing.

"That's right, without Song Shi'an, the Great Yu cannot become rich, nor can its people become strong," a pedantic old minister said sarcastically.

The King of Wu's words could not be refuted.

This does not mean that the Wu King's faction is equivalent to the Wu King.

"What do you mean, sir?" Ye Changqing asked.

"Lord Ye is young and holds a high position, so naturally he feels that the old ministers in the court are both useless and cowardly, and should all retire," the old minister continued, speaking in a cryptic tone.

“That’s not what Changqing meant,” Ye Changqing explained. “There are some things that Song Shi’an needs to do.”

"So, it's definitely not possible for others to do it?"

The constant labeling and moral blackmail made Ye Changqing realize that continuing down this path would only bring him no benefit.

I never expected the Prince of Jin to interfere.

He didn't know about this beforehand.

Moreover, this king has always been indecisive.

Why were you so decisive today?
Ye Changqing miscalculated.

He seriously underestimated Wang's survival instinct.

The King of Jin, a god against the wind.

"But who can handle such a major undertaking as land reclamation?" Ye Changqing countered.

This sentence instantly changed the atmosphere on the field.

The reason everyone didn't want Song Shi'an to return was the issue of land reclamation. But who dared to bring such a matter into the open?

"Your Majesty, whoever Your Majesty appoints, shall do it." The old minister turned his face away, indicating that he would not argue with him.

"Gentlemen, let's not get sidetracked." At this moment, Minister Sun finally spoke up, "Shouldn't we be discussing how to deal with the Yan Kingdom right now?"

"What are your thoughts, Minister Sun?" the emperor asked.

“Your Majesty,” said Sun Situ with considerable composure, “I am not knowledgeable in military affairs, but if this matter is not agreed to, will the State of Yan choose war or peace?”

Zhao Lie continued, "Please explain further, Situ."

Sun Situ smiled, turned to Xun Hou, and explained, "If Song Shi'an hadn't become the Chancellor of Yan, we could still have allied with Yan against Qi. So why lose such a top scholar? If we don't allow it, what will the King of Yan do? Fight, or make peace?"

“Kang Xun naturally doesn’t want to fight,” Zhao Lie said. “But if we don’t agree, he probably won’t ally with our Great Yu.”

Although Zhao Lie is Zhao Yi's father, now is the perfect time to suppress the younger generation.

Everyone understands that after Song Shi'an finished eliminating the powerful families, he would now turn his attention to eliminating the noble families.

"Then I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Lord Xun." Minister Sun nodded.

"Situ Yan has gone too far."

Zhao Lie responded with polite words.

The two men seemed to be talking about random things, but their words were enough to keep Song Shi'an firmly in the Yan state.

What can we gain by losing Song Shi'an?
What would we lose if we didn't lose Song Shi'an?
These two questions are harsher than any other words.

"Minister Song, this is your son; the decision should be made by you," the Emperor asked. "What is your opinion, Minister Song?"

At this moment, everyone's attention turned to this adult.

Slowly walking out, Song Jing said heavily, "Shi An has always said that he wants to serve the country. I taught him not to be arrogant. You are not the only official in the Great Yu. You are not qualified to say the words 'serve the country.' If he can serve the country with his life this time, and really play a role, then he can be said to have fulfilled his wish."

“Lord Song, please don’t be so pessimistic. Young Lord Song is going to become a prime minister, not a hostage,” Sun Situ comforted with a fake smile. “The Yan Kingdom has submitted to us, so the King of Yan is our vassal state. Song Shi’an is still a subject of the Yu Kingdom. Moreover, he is equivalent to a first-rank governor, a powerful regional official.”

"Minister Song, whether or not to agree to this matter depends on whether he does it or not, not on forcing him to do it," the Emperor said.

"Then, Your Majesty, what does Shi An mean?" Song Jing asked.

"According to the letter from the Prince of Yan, he requests that I make the decision," the Emperor said.

“Then,” Song Jing said with a heavy heart, “I beg Your Majesty to make the final decision.”

"If he doesn't decide, then you, Minister Song, will decide. If you still can't decide, then the officials will discuss it further," the emperor said, fully demonstrating his democratic stance.

I refuse.

Wei Wusheng looked at Song Jing, pleading with his eyes for her to refuse.

Logically speaking, after Song Jing denied it here, Song Shi'an should be able to return.

But he had already been placed on the fire grill.

Everyone came to the conclusion that it was a good thing for Song Shi'an to become the Chancellor of Yan. It would benefit the country and its people, allow them to avoid a major war and recuperate, and Song Shi'an would also have a bright future.

If you don't agree, it means you have ulterior motives.

Moreover, if the emperor has this idea, and you understand it but disagree, that is a great act of disloyalty.

Therefore, Song Jing only had that one path.

"I... am truly reluctant to part with Shi An, after all, he is my own son." Covering his sleeve, Song Jing choked back tears. Then, he raised his hand and addressed the crowd, "I will listen to his decision. If he cannot make up his mind, let us all discuss and devise a way for him to serve his country!"

These words resonated with those who were older.

In fact, everyone opposes land reclamation.

This doesn't mean everyone hates Song Shi'an.

In the imperial court, the majority remained silent.

Several people were moved to tears.

The emperor praised him with emotion, saying, "Minister Song, you truly deserve the title of 'loyal and devoted to the country'."

The rest of the people nodded in agreement.

Wei Wusheng knew that the so-called efforts of the King of Wu had come to an end.

Reaching the middle, he solemnly said, "Your Majesty, I believe that forming an alliance can only solve the immediate problem, while reform is the long-term solution."

These words silenced the entire room.

"Prince of Zhongshan, please continue," the emperor said.

“What Song Shi’an said in ‘The Wealth of Nations’ are all good strategies for governing the country. Military colonies, trade, and military strength are urgent matters,” Wei Wusheng said. “The King of Yan is a two-faced and opportunistic person. We cannot be complacent with this moment of peace and turn a blind eye to the problems at hand.”

At this moment, Wei Wusheng was just like Song Shi'an, especially resolute.

Moreover, his status as a prince made it difficult for the officials to speak.

But the emperor remained completely calm and composed.

This reaction clearly indicated that she had not caused him any trouble.

What do you mean?
"Your Highness is absolutely right," said Minister Sun earnestly. "We cannot indulge in this moment of comfort and live in a drunken stupor, ignoring the real problems of the Great Yu!"

Old man, what are you trying to do?
Wei Wusheng's eyes widened.

"I believe that once Song Shi'an is appointed Chancellor of the Great Yu and Yan, and the northern border is temporarily at peace, the military-agricultural colonies should be launched immediately," said Minister Sun. "We, the gentry, should set an example and actively cooperate with the military-agricultural colonies!"

“…” Wei Wusheng was stunned.

Only then did I realize how big a trap I had fallen into.

They did not oppose the military settlement system.

They are boycotting Song Shi'an.

Song Shi'an's land reclamation program aimed to change the gap between the rich and the poor.

The land reclamation program advocated by these people was an exploitation of the middle class.

What should the emperor do?

The emperor only wanted grain.

As for where the grain will come from?

It has nothing to do with me.

(End of this chapter)