Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 267 Back to Sheng'an
There are plenty of people who are good at playing when they have the upper hand, but it's quite rare to find someone who can't play when they're not in a winning situation.

"Second brother, you were right."

Wei Yiyuan, who always thought his second brother was a complete coward, strode into the palace and praised him without reservation as soon as he saw him.

"What, Second Brother was wrong all along, right?" Prince Jin complained.

“There are right and wrong points, but let’s not talk about those.” Wei Yiyuan waved his hand and returned to the main topic, “Now Song Shi’an’s reputation has been reversed again.”

“He should be promoted to the third rank.” After analyzing the situation, Prince Jin felt a sense of dread. “A third-rank official in his early twenties… I can’t imagine how high he will rise in the future.”

“He passed the provincial examination and became the top scholar in the imperial examination, and made two such great contributions. It’s just that he is too inexperienced. Otherwise, anyone in his position would be the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat,” Wei Yiyuan said.

"It can only be said that this person truly cannot be reasoned with," the King of Jin asked. "Here, let alone those who are not afraid of being boiled alive, we don't even have anyone who would go on a diplomatic mission to the State of Yan."

"It's not with the King of Wu either."

Wei Yiyuan shrugged, feeling that this was not something worth wasting time on internal conflict.

"That's true."

Song Shi'an was merely a nominal Wu official, and this was not even publicly acknowledged; he simply 'did not deny' it.

If the two are not distinguished, then the King of Jin has no chance of winning.

"Second Brother." Suddenly, Wei Yiyuan said seriously, "Yesterday, at the Duke of Li's residence, all the noble clan leaders in Sheng'an City gathered together."

“Sure enough, they’re getting anxious.” The Prince of Jin had realized this long ago. “They haven’t made a move because they haven’t been truly offended at the root of the problem. But this time, the situation is different.”

“In the past, their positions were secure because of the constant wars in the north, and with nobles in charge, there were no major problems. But now, Song Shi’an has shown the world that the Great Yu Dynasty has no need for nobles at all.”

The Celestial Dragons held up an umbrella for the Great Yu people for so long only to find that there was no rain at all outside.

Their role is simply to serve no purpose.

Or rather, it can be replaced.

However, their power far exceeded that of those who could replace them.

"This is the moment we've been waiting for."

The Prince of Jin had been hoping that the nobles would intervene and disrupt the situation, making the Wu King's faction the target of public criticism. However, those people cherished their reputations and avoided direct confrontation, waiting patiently and even watching as Song Shi'an fought against the civil official group.

You only learn to fight back when it hurts.

"Second Brother," Wei Yiyuan said earnestly, "there is someone you mentioned before, and I think it's indeed time."

"Zhao Yi?" the King of Jin asked.

“Yes,” Wei Yiyuan said. “He is a member of the Wu King’s faction, but his father is also radical among the nobles. Even if the two of them do not have any conflicts, Zhao Yi has at least been under a lot of pressure from his father.”

“Zhao Lie hates Song Shi’an, but Zhao Yi must also be on good terms with him,” said the Prince of Jin.

“That’s right,” Wei Yiyuan said. “So, we can totally instigate a conflict between Zhao Yi and Song Shi’an.”

"That must be difficult to do, right?"

“It’s not difficult. After all, Zhao Yi is still a son of a noble family,” Wei Yiyuan said. “Even if he has to get along with Song Shi’an for the sake of the bigger picture, he still has his grievances, as is human nature.”

"What's your idea?" the Prince of Jin asked curiously.

"Instigate Zhao Yi to reach a private agreement with Song Shi'an on peaceful coexistence regarding the military farms." Wei Yiyuan's lips curled into a smile. "If Song Shi'an is truly selfless, Zhao Yi will definitely be dissatisfied. If Song Shi'an really compromises, then we can publicize that he is abusing his power and favoring others, making his military farms fail."

After listening, the King of Jin showed a solemn approval: "This is an open scheme."

.........

Since Ji Yuan's son was confirmed dead, the Yan state was very likely to be attacked, so Zhao Yi and others also had to lead a portion of the imperial guards north to set up defenses.

We're setting off tomorrow.

However, he was not in a good mood.

I was just hung up by my dad the day before yesterday.

It seems he had talked with several nobles and important figures about the successful mission to Yan, and then they criticized him for getting involved in factional strife and for being close to Song Shi'an.

On the King of Wu's side, he wasn't exactly being shown any leniency either. Every now and then, the King would subtly hint that he hoped his father would take sides.

He was caught in the middle and felt extremely uncomfortable.

Just then, Military Commander Hua Qu entered his camp and walked up to him: "Hey brother, you don't seem to be in a good mood."

This is a member of the Hua family in Qinzhou. According to seniority, he is my younger brother, and he accompanied me on this expedition.

Many of these mid-level officers were sons of noble families.

They are also the type who live a life of luxury and ease.

"Speak your mind, or shut up," Zhao Yi said, not one to tolerate him.

"Get out, get out." Hua Qu chased the guard away, then pressed his shoulder and made him sit down. He then half-squatted beside him and muttered, "I heard that this time, there won't be a fight."

"Who told you that?" Zhao Yi asked back.

“Some of my brothers are saying,” Hua Qu said, “that even if Qi wants to attack Yan, we have to wait for the King of Yan to ask His Majesty for help first, and only after His Majesty agrees can we issue the order. By the time we send troops, Qi will probably have already retreated.”

"They were deterred from retreating."

"That's true, but isn't it the same no matter who goes?"

"What, do you think there's something special about you?"

“Brother, stop teasing me,” Hua Qu said. “What I mean is that there’s no chance of fighting at all. Ji Yuan is just going through the motions, and so are we. We might not even run into each other. If not a single arrow is fired, we won’t even be able to earn any military merits in this kind of battle.”

It can't even be plated with gold anymore.

These words silenced Zhao Yi.

The King of Wu has won; he should be happy.

However, he couldn't be happy at all.

My own value is just a formality.

As for the rest, Song Shi'an just started talking.

"That's fine then," Hua Qu continued, "Song Shi'an will definitely be promoted again after returning with his merits. If he gets promoted in one go and can directly take charge of the military farms, then who in the world has more land than the people of Qinzhou? Who has more tenants than the people of Qinzhou?"

Do you think about things like this every day?

Although Zhao Yi showed his disgust on his face, his words truly penetrated his soul.

Song Shi'an wanted to rebel against his father, but he himself did not want to rebel against his own father.

When Song Shi'an makes sweeping changes that affect his side, his father will scold him again for choosing the wrong friends and associating with treacherous officials. "Brother, you and Song Shi'an are such good friends..." Hua Qu muttered softly, "You should be able to put in a good word for him, right?"

"Hmph," Zhao Yi scoffed. "Am I his subordinate? Do I need to report to him?"

"It's not a report..."

"Let me tell you, while scholars can govern the country, we warriors are the ones who fight wars." Zhao Yi raised a finger and said to him with particular certainty, "If we don't fight now, there will definitely be wars in the future!"

.........

Song Shi'an personally led the delegation and rushed back to Sheng'an.

However, they were in a very relaxed and happy mood throughout the journey.

Killing Ji Yuan's son completely alienated the State of Yan from the State of Qi. What a great achievement this was!
Of course, Song Shi'an wasn't the only one who was getting promoted.

This can be considered as taking off on Lord Song's promotion machine.

"My lord, we're almost out of Qinzhou's borders!"

Upon seeing a boundary marker, the soldiers ahead excitedly reported.

The crowd cheered.

Qinzhou is located between Liangzhou and Sizhou to the east. When heading south to return to the capital, one would have to pass through part of Qinzhou.

Once you leave the Qinzhou border, it means you've entered the heart of the world—Sizhou.

That would mean being only a few hundred miles from the capital, Sheng'an.

"It's much cooler up north," Zuo Ziliang joked.

“In a few months, it won’t be cool anymore,” Song Shi’an said with a smile.

"Oh, Your Excellency stood guard in the northernmost part of the Great Yu, through the biting north wind, until the snow was falling heavily," Zuo Ziliang said with a self-deprecating laugh. "We are still too delicate."

"Stop flattering me." Song Shi'an waved his hand. "I can't even imagine how you managed to travel from Xiangcheng to Sheng'an all by yourself in six days and six nights."

"Then you should ask Ma."

After Zuo Ziliang finished speaking, the two of them burst into laughter.

“I know how hard the horse worked, and I also remember how difficult it was for Brother Ziliang.” Song Shi’an clenched his fist and gently tapped it against his chest. “This is a life-saving grace, and I will never forget it.”

He certainly has a duty to monitor himself.

He was also the emperor's maternal grandson.

However, if he deserted his post and abandoned the gold to run back alone, even if the emperor killed him, he would deserve it.

Ziliang is a person I can get along with.

"My lord, thank you very much."

Zuo Ziliang also bowed to him.

The atmosphere between the two was quite pleasant.

Just then, a vanguard cavalryman suddenly turned back and reported: "The Yu army is heading north, and they are right ahead!"

"Yu Jun?" Upon hearing this, Song Shi'an immediately ordered, "Have the delegation retreat to the roadside, and let the main army pass first."

After all, the mission of the diplomatic mission has been completed, while the mission of sending troops is underway.

We still need to distinguish between what is more important and what is less important.

"Yes!"

So the mission began to move to the side, away from the main road.

"Who is the commander-in-chief?" Song Shi'an asked.

"Your Excellency, it is His Highness the Prince of Zhongshan."

"The King of Zhongshan?"

Upon hearing this, Song Shi'an immediately showed genuine joy on his face.

Unlike the restrained, faint smile given by Zuo Ziliang.

"Xinyue." Song Shi'an was about to tap the whip when he remembered something, so he said to Xinyue, "Come here."

"Ah."

The two of them rode their horses forward.

Soon, he encountered Wei Wusheng, who was leading an army and was serving as the 'vanguard'.

Upon meeting, the two immediately cracked their whips and rode off in opposite directions.

Right there in front of the army, their horse heads touched.

Face to face.

I had so much to say, but when the words reached my lips, I didn't know what to say.

They just looked at each other like that, smiling relaxedly.

"You two got married?" Wei Wusheng asked when he saw Xinyue arrive.

"It was just a small thing," Song Shi'an said.

The moon in my heart is a little red.

Then, the two men moved their horses closer together, and Wei Wusheng whispered, "Don't worry, His Majesty has already informed me that this is just a show of force; there won't be a battle."

"Your Highness, please control your emotions and keep those people in check," Song Shi'an whispered.

"Yes, I can handle it."

Wei Wusheng nodded earnestly.

"Alright, Your Highness, please go ahead. I'll wait for you in Sheng'an."

Song Shi'an nodded in agreement.

Then, they passed each other, their horses slightly out of each other's sight.

At the same time, they reached out their hands in perfect unison and shook hands gently as they parted.

(End of this chapter)