Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 250 Yu Xin's Biography in Northern Yan

Kang Xun's letter reached Sheng'an by express courier, traveling 800 li. Around the same time, news of the events in Xiangcheng gradually spread among the people of Yan.

This includes the case of Wang Ding, a veteran official of two generations, who was verbally abused to death by Song Shi'an.

Immediately afterwards, the King of Yan wanted to appoint Song Shi'an as the Prime Minister of Yan.

The whole country was in uproar.

In ancient times, ordinary people had a simple concept of good and evil. If a high-ranking official they didn't know died, they would definitely applaud. Moreover, after learning the content of the conversation when he was scolded to death, they would feel even more that this treacherous old official deserved to die.

But it's not true that outsiders are better at chanting scriptures; just because someone criticizes Wang Ding doesn't mean they'll necessarily become a fan of Song Shi'an.

It's not that I think he lacks ability or character, but I'm just worried that it's too dangerous to let a foreigner be the prime minister of Great Yan.
This is the most important person in the kingdom! Such a crucial position has been given to a foreign coach. What if he is loyal to his country?
Of course, some people see things more clearly and know that even if Song Shi'an becomes the prime minister, he will not have much of an opportunity to betray the country, since the three imperial families are still around and his power is limited.

This move most likely indicates an intention to initiate peace talks.

The State of Yan seems to be safer now.

But there was one person who only sensed danger.

It's fucking dangerous!
Sitting in his barracks, Huang Tong could only drown his sorrows in alcohol, numbing himself and masking his fear.

Just then, a military officer entered.

Upon seeing the other party, Huang Tong stood up.

Although he was also one of Duke Qin's men, the other party had accompanied him to kill the envoy from Yu, and was the only accomplice he could trust.

"Any news?" Huang Tong asked urgently.

"General..."

"Don't call me general. That's a damn title for the dead. I won't take it. It's bad luck." Huang Tong cursed as soon as he opened his mouth.

“Then, Commander-in-Chief,” the Military Commander immediately changed his words, “there are many things to do, but let me tell you something that is considered confidential first.”

"What secret?"

Huang Tong was too scared to listen.

"This news came from Xiangcheng," said the military commander. "Didn't Song Shi'an stay one night in Liaonan Commandery and then hurry towards Bai Commandery the next day, taking a different route to enter Xiangcheng?"

"What happened?"

"That's because he was assassinated at night, so he had to flee!" the military commander said in a ridiculous tone.

"Assassination? I didn't do it..."

Huang Tong was stunned for a moment, then immediately cursed, "Damn these beasts! They didn't even finish the assassination attempt properly, now they're definitely blaming me again!"

If a place has committed many crimes and needs to be rectified, what would you do?
Should we catch all the bad guys?
Of course, you should pick one typical case, say that he was the one who did all the bad things, and then kill him. Then there will be no bad people in this place!
"Was it really an assassination? That Song Shi'an is just a thief crying 'stop thief!'" Huang Tong was skeptical.

"That's right. The delegation didn't just consist of Lu Chao; they also brought some subordinates, and even the servants at the residence knew about it. It's said that the arrow was just two inches away from piercing Song Shi'an's skull. No matter how cunning he is, he wouldn't dare to risk his life! Besides, it was nighttime."

"Then it must have been an assassination, and it must have been someone sent by Duke Qin." Huang Tong didn't believe that anyone could stage such a thing.

Who doesn't value their life?
Moreover, someone of such high rank should cherish their life even more.

"Then, isn't Song Shi'an going to become the prime minister of Yan? Doesn't that mean the two countries will establish diplomatic relations?" Huang Tong still held onto his illusions and asked expectantly, "If that's the case, then why bother with murderous intent... Wouldn't that damage the relationship between the two countries?"

“Commander-in-Chief, if the Duke of Qin were in charge of Great Yan, then we would naturally be fine,” the military commander said pessimistically. “But you must know that there is also the King and the Prime Minister. The Duke of Qin did this without their consent, so he will definitely be angry.”

“And anger demands punishment. The punishment is to hand over us…”

With a thud, Huang Tong sat down on the ground. He was completely stunned, and the next moment he was as if he had lost his parents, his heart breaking.

Oh my god, why is Duke Qin so wicked?

"Also, this is something a particularly reliable friend of mine told me." He half-squatted down next to Huang Tong, covered his mouth with his hand, and whispered, "If Lord Qin intends to hand us over, he won't let go of those who went to kill the Yu envoy. Moreover, he has already taken you, Commander, into custody."

"You've got me under control? Isn't that just a rumor? I'm still here drinking, and my men are at the door, and..."

As they were talking, Huang Tong suddenly realized something.

The effects of the alcohol wore off instantly.

He was not uncontrolled.

He has not yet left Cangliao Pass.

Whether he will be able to leave this place remains to be seen.

After exchanging a glance, Huang Tong slowly stood up and said, "You can go down first."

"Yes." The military commander understood and withdrew from the area.

Huang Tong held the wine pot, his expression solemn.

After a while, he suddenly got up, pretending to be drunk, and staggered out of the camp towards the stables. As soon as he led his horse, he felt several eyes on him...

It's not an illusion.

At that moment, at least three soldiers had their eyes fixed on him.

Damn it, he's right.

He had truly been controlled by Duke Qin.

That means he's definitely going to hand himself over, that's for sure.

You son of a bitch Qin Che, may your mother die!

However, he still shakily placed one foot in the stirrup and mounted the horse. The next moment, a groom quickly ran over, stood beside him, and asked with a smile, "Where are you going, General?"

"I can go wherever I want... It's none of your business to tell me what to do!"

His face flushed, and he started acting crazy while drunk.

“I certainly wouldn’t dare to interfere with the general, but you’re drunk now, and it’s not safe for you to ride a horse. Could you wait a moment and let me drive the carriage for you?” He smiled, but his eyes were fixed on the reins, as if afraid the other party would run away.

He ran away, and he lost his life. Who cares what he did?

"Very well, go and bring the carriage over..." He picked up the wine jug and swayed as he said, "Take this general to find a woman... a good woman."

"Okay, okay."

The coachman nodded, then continued to look at him.

The other two went to get the carriage.

In short, it's impossible to leave him alone.

Huang Tong showed no sign of alertness, leaning drunkenly against his horse, his hand hanging limply, the wine jug in his hand falling to the ground like a puddle of mud...

That's it, it's really all over now!
.........

Inside the fortress, Duke Qin sat in his seat.

Sitting to the side was Yuan, the clerk, who had recently returned from Xiangcheng.

"The money was spent, the work was done, but out of so many people, not a single one was criticized, and yet one person was criticized to death?" Qin Gong found it amusing.

Yuan Zhubu added: "Wang Ding, who was scolded to death, was given money, but he did not accept it."

"That arrogant old good-for-nothing." Qin Gong wasn't too bothered by the money, because a more serious problem was about to arise: "It seems that Gongsun Xing is going to team up with that kid Kang Xun to mess with me."

It's fair to say they've fallen out.

"I'm afraid they'll blockade our Liaonan Commandery..." Yuan Zhubu said worriedly. "If that happens, all the roads to the north, south, and east will be cut off, and our trade will be disrupted."

"Then head west," Qin Gong said coldly.

Tongqi.

This is the only way.

“But the main roads bordering Qi are all in Liaozhong County,” Yuan Zhubu said in a low voice. “To open up trade, not only will we need to build roads, but they will also need to build roads.”

"The same principle applies," said Duke Qin. "If the State of Yu wants to punish us, it will abandon the existing main road and build a new, more troublesome one. If the State of Qi wants to punish Kang Xun, it will do the same thing."

"The Duke of Qin is wise..."

"But Qi is not as wealthy as Yu, is that what you mean?" Duke Qin asked.

"Yes……"

Although Yuan Zhubu did not want to undermine the system, he could not ignore the objective laws.

The principle is simple: sins may be committed in the present, but merits may be made for future generations.

But not everyone can afford to make such a contemporary 'mistake'.

It will take at least five years for the State of Qi to recoup the costs of building this road.

"Yes, Yu is strong and Qi is weak, so why vote for the weaker one?"

He had indeed lost his temper and said some impulsive things, but he hadn't lost his reason: "Isn't it just that you want me to step down?"

Yuan, the clerk, did not speak again.

"How is Huang Tong doing?" Qin Gong asked.

"He's still the same, drinking heavily every day and neglecting military and political affairs," said Yuan, the clerk. "However, yesterday afternoon, he left the barracks drunk, wanting to ride a horse to find a prostitute. Then, the groom who was watching him drove him out of the city to a nearby village."

"Find a prostitute?" Qin Gong frowned. "Keep a close eye on him, don't let him escape."

No matter what, he's going to die.

Moreover, they were handed over while dead.

His death was already sealed the moment he let Song Shi'an into the pass.

"Yes."

Just then, an official walked in, ready to report, but seeing that there were still people around, he hesitated to speak.

"To put it simply, Chief Clerk Yuan is one of our own," Qin Gongdao said.

“Yes.” He then said, “Sheng’an’s letter has been sent back. It was received by the Yan envoy in Xincheng and has now entered the pass.”

Upon hearing this, both of their hearts tightened.

Including the Duke of Qin.

After all, this involves that crucial event—whether Song Shi'an should keep Yan.

If we don't keep it, there's still room for maneuver.

But if they stayed, it would mean that all of Duke Qin's plans had failed.

The Qi-Yan alliance no longer exists.

To join forces with that lord to hold the border frontier, thus becoming the de facto ruler of the Yan state...

All illusions have been shattered.

"Should we detain Kangxun's envoy?" Yuan asked.

"That's enough," Duke Qin said, giving up. "Let's not really become rebels."

If this game is lost, the worst that can happen is that there will be sanctions, an economic downturn, an inability to support the massive army, troop reductions, and then I, as the overlord, will have to take responsibility and step down...

"Go to Xiangcheng again."

Duke Qin looked at Yuan, the chief clerk, and said helplessly, "No matter what, let's continue to work for the alliance with Qi."

(End of this chapter)