Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 26 Dare to go? Then I'll go!
In the study, Song Jing, having received the examination paper for the top scholar, sat down and began to read it.

As he watched, he became completely absorbed in it.

This essay, "Exhortation to Learning," is written in simple language, uses apt metaphors, and most importantly, has a noble theme.

Indeed, the word "noble" is not an exaggeration at all.

As mentioned at the beginning, the wise man said—

This is the learning of a gentleman.

It's unbelievable that Song Shi'an could write such an article.

Putting aside the author himself, it does indeed serve as a warning to today's students.

But let's not disregard the author's words.

Song Shi'an is the kind of person who needs to be warned by "Exhortation to Learning"!
Which gentleman would indulge in brothels and music with his cronies?
Furthermore, how could a scoundrel who frequents brothels write such a noble article against his conscience?

So while everyone else was listening to the music, he was secretly learning it?

It was precisely because the contrast was so strong that Song Jing was embarrassed to look at it for long, so he put down the model of "Exhortation to Learning" and picked up "Strategy of Military Farming".

Then, the shock became even more intense.

Why?

Song Jing knew about military settlements and understood their advantages and disadvantages, but as an exam, he wouldn't immediately think of using military settlements to solve this problem.

Of course, this is because he already has another answer in mind, so he keeps refining that solution.

That's how policy essays are structured.

The skeleton was filled with flesh and blood, and then wings slowly grew.

Everyone has their own preferred policy for governing a country.

Song Jing, a seasoned official, had developed a kind of political experience—judgment—over the years.

why would you say so?

Young, outstanding scholars who have never entered officialdom tend to be confident in their policy essays and unconsciously embellish them in their minds. When comparing them with others, they will strive to convince themselves that their own essays are more reasonable and feasible.

It's not that they lack a basic ability to judge good and bad, but rather that they lack experience.

Lack of life experience.

Song Jing, the magistrate of the capital, has many years of experience in governance, which allows him to make extremely rational comparisons.

The "Strategy of Military Colonization" is far superior to the essay I had prepared in my mind for this imperial examination!
The more Song Jing read, the more convinced he became.

His expression became especially serious.

After reading it, he put the sample paper down.

"This method is a sound strategy for governing the country."

That was his conclusion.

If implemented, it would indeed affect the foundation of powerful families.

But now the war in the north is intense, the Qi army is powerful, and if the land is not reformed, it will not be good for the Song family if the country is really destroyed.

The Song family of Huai County was not a family with a thousand-year history; it had only prospered for about two hundred years. However, because of the imperial examinations, the Song family members, who valued scholarship, had more opportunities to rise in the imperial court.

Our wealth and status depend on the power and prestige of the Great Yu Dynasty in Chang'an.

Of course, there will definitely be other powerful families who will object.

After all, reform is bound to be painful.

The fact that the imperial court placed this "Strategy of Military Farming" at the beginning of its policy discussions demonstrates that it was in line with the national situation.

Your Majesty, the plan is to establish military farms.

If one can write "Exhortation to Learning," then writing "Strategies for Military Farming" will be a piece of cake; there's no problem with that.

But why is it exactly what the emperor wanted?
Could it be that we've run into each other?

No.

Song Jing could see that the article contained a hidden consideration about 'contradictory conflict'.

From beginning to end, the underlying message was to undermine the aristocratic family.

That's right, he was trying to guess what the emperor was thinking!
"Does this kid really have that kind of insight?"

Song Jing found it unbelievable.

Or rather, they dare not believe it.

Just then, someone outside the door said, "Master."

It was Jiang's voice.

After covering Fan Juan with several court case files, Song Jing said coldly, "Come in."

Jiang entered with undisguised joy on her face and asked with a smile, "Master, now that we know where Shi An lives, shall I go find him?"

"Ah."

Song Jing continued looking at the case file without raising his head, and said, "Shi An, for now, shall be considered the top scholar in the provincial examination."

Looking at the other person, Jiang said, "When he returns, I dare not hope for praise from the master, after all, he was in the wrong first, but..."

"I know."

Interrupting Jiang, Song Jing's tone was somewhat impatient.

But saying it like that means he accepts it—he's willing to give Song Shi'an a friendly look.

"Thank you, sir!"

Jiang could sense that good days were coming for her and her son.

There's more and more hope in things.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a servant came over and reported, "Master, Lord Sun from the Court of Judicial Review has come to visit."

"Which Lord Sun?" Song Jing asked, puzzled.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, this is Lord Sun Heng, the Left Supervisor of the Court of Judicial Review."

Upon hearing this name, Song Jing instinctively stood up: "Is it the young master of Minister Sun?"

The Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review (Dali Si Qing) is the head of the highest judicial body in the country.

The Left Supervisor of the Court of Judicial Review was roughly the fourth or fifth in command of the Court of Judicial Review.

Above them are the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review (a high-ranking official, the chief secretary), and then the Left and Right Supervisors.

He held the rank of fourth grade official.

Generally speaking, when someone from the Dali Temple arrives, officials in the capital will be quite nervous.

The reason why Song Jing did not show any fear was simple—logically speaking, since he had committed a crime, it should not be an official of this level who should be arresting him.

They were all arrested personally by the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Of course, those who are not guilty will not overthink things when investigated by higher authorities.

"What brings Lord Sun here?" Song Jing asked.

"Reporting to Master," the servant relayed, "Lord Sun Heng says that he has come on the orders of Minister Sun to invite Young Master Shi An to his birthday celebration the day after tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Jiang's eyes lit up.

Everyone knows that Minister Sun is looking for a son-in-law.

Could it be that they saw my Shi An?

That's the youngest daughter of the Sun family in Yangzhou!
And beautiful.

"He came in person for something like this?" Song Jing muttered to himself, puzzled.

Why would a fourth-rank official from the imperial court personally come to ask for such a trivial matter?
how is this possible.

"Then, sir, how should I respond?"

"I can't help it," the servant asked weakly.

“Go and tell them, wait a moment, I’ll go see them myself,” Song Jing said.

"Okay sir."

After he finished speaking, the servant left and closed the door behind him.

Song Jing, on the other hand, fell into deep thought.

Feeling somewhat anxious and afraid of neglecting the eldest son of Minister Sun, Madam Jiang cautiously asked, "Is there something you're worried about, sir?"

“That Minister Sun, though high in rank and powerful, and renowned, is rather narrow-minded.” Song Jing continued to mutter to himself, “Anyone with eyes can see that he invited the scholars to a banquet to promote his son who was the top scholar in the provincial examination. But now it’s not his son who passed the exam, so if they go there, they will inevitably… be harassed.”

If it weren't for his ambition to achieve the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations and become the greatest scholar in the Great Yu Dynasty in a century, Sun Qian would have taken the imperial examinations long ago.

It's just a matter of ten years of hard work to finally achieve this.

How can you be in a good mood if you get stuck on the second level?

"Even so, surely Minister Sun wouldn't do such a thing out of respect for the master?"

This sentence made Song Jing pause for a moment.

At the same time, he relaxed. He felt comfortable inside, but his expression was nonchalant: "Indeed, even if someone holds a high position, what's the point of them making an enemy of me?"

.........

"Shi'an, are you going to Sun Situ's birthday celebration or not?"

Suddenly, Wang Shuishan asked curiously.

"Didn't you say that's the Minister of Works, one of the Three Dukes? Who wouldn't go?"

Song Shi'an, who was lying in bed reading a novel, said it casually.

“That’s the case when someone has already passed the provincial examination.” Wang Shuishan looked at him with great concern. “But now, his son didn’t pass the provincial examination, but you did. Do you dare to go?”

Upon hearing this, Song Shi'an smiled, turned over a piece of paper, and said, "Then we should go even more."

(End of this chapter)