Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 268 Reporting to the Emperor

The meeting between Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng was conducted openly and formally.

Conversation is also conducted openly and honestly.

This includes the handshake when parting ways.

However, the time cannot be too long.

Because what he knows about Sheng'an now is basically from Zuo Ziliang's embellished description.

Even though he had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on, there was still no real feedback.

He would need to report back to the emperor upon returning to Sheng'an.

Therefore, communication with Xiao Wei must be concise, otherwise it would seem like we are conspiring together.

Both of them understood.

However, when Wei Wusheng saw Song Shi'an, the phrase "tears streaming down his face as he wrote this letter, unable to express his feelings" still echoed in his mind, and he seemed to see the loneliness and sorrow he felt as he tremblingly wrote this letter by candlelight.

Many things are fake.

But he felt that Song Shi'an was genuine.

"Speed ​​up the march."

Wei Wusheng issued this instruction after the delegation passed by.

We should go to Liangzhou as soon as possible and return as soon as possible.

Otherwise, Sheng An's malice towards him would be too great.

Looking back at that army, Song Shi'an was also filled with emotion.

Before, we brothers had nothing but our damn worthless lives, but now, we're both in high positions of power.

Therefore, they should be even more closely 'colluded' and intimately connected.

If they are defeated one by one, both of them will die a horrible death.

He hurried south.

As they approached Sheng'an, they encountered more and more people. Moreover, because of the affairs of the Yan state, they were warmly welcomed by the people who brought them food and drink.

Along the way, people bowed and paid their respects.

This is not even Sheng'an, but only the surrounding cities, yet it already enjoys such high popularity.

There is no doubt that he has been put on hold.

In the early stages, reputation can be used to save your life, but at this point, reputation becomes a burden, or even a weakness.

To put it simply, under this level of attention, his mistakes will be magnified dramatically.

This is why, in modern marketing, some large companies do not blindly follow or praise their competitors when they make moves – because boomerangs can be thrown very fast.

Century-old companies or brands that can last for generations do not engage in excessive marketing.

Standing at the forefront of the trend, you gain traffic, but you lose money.

Song Shi'an already seemed to have the air of a religious figure.

His backlash will come very soon.

For example, returning to Sheng'an this time is not as safe as going to Xiangcheng.

After about twenty days of accelerated marching, they finally arrived outside Sheng'an City.

In the suburbs, the enthusiastic and excited people shouted: "Lord Song, we respect and love you!"
They wished they could just block their way home.

I have to treat them to a meal.

Seeing this, Song Shi'an slowly dismounted.

The people then prostrated themselves on the ground and bowed to him.

This left the members of the delegation somewhat bewildered, and they could only lower their heads.

Unexpectedly, in front of thousands of people, Song Shi'an also knelt down and bowed to his subjects.

This is the most powerful young man in the world today, the backbone of the Great Yu Dynasty, yet he knelt before a commoner. What a profound act of compassion!

He has a great character.

"Gentlemen!" Song Shi'an rose from his knees, deeply moved, and said loudly, "I appreciate your trust and hospitality, but I must decline the fine wine and delicacies. His Majesty is still in the city, waiting for me to report to him! Therefore, I humbly request that you make way for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

After saying this, he bowed deeply.

He not only respected the people but also explained the reasons. The people were grateful and spontaneously made way for him.

"We see common people kneeling before officials every day, but this is the first time we've ever seen an official kneeling before a commoner."

This scene shocked all the officials in the mission, including Zhou Tong.

In ancient times, the difference between officials and people was greater than the difference between people and dogs.

Even the most benevolent and important person will not return a gift from a commoner.

Doing this kind of thing is definitely not hypocritical.

There are many ways to be hypocritical, and there's no need to sacrifice your dignity to demonstrate it. For hypocritical people, that's just disgusting to themselves.

They may have seen a living saint.

It is truly about establishing a life for the people.

Zuo Ziliang originally thought so too, but he really didn't understand why they had to fight for the name 'Kangqing'.

The mission proceeded forward.

The people on both sides were like waves that had been broken apart, opening up and then merging again, filled with a vigorous enthusiasm for this man.

After advancing to the city gate, you will encounter the Imperial Guards.

"Imperial Guard Captain Ma He pays his respects to the Governor."

The Imperial Guard officer dismounted, clenched his fists, and saluted Song Shi'an.

Song Shi'an, who was on horseback, bowed and asked, "Colonel Ma, when will you return to the city?"

“We can return to the city at any time; the Imperial Guards are already guarding both sides of the central avenue,” Ma He said. “It’s just that the people are too enthusiastic; perhaps we should proceed slowly…”

“No need, Captain. Please explain to the people that I must report back to the Emperor immediately,” Song Shi’an said.

"Yes!"

And so, the Imperial Guard captain mounted his horse and rode ahead.

The mission was behind.

Both sides are strictly prohibited.

The imperial guards also beat drums and gongs, loudly announcing, "The magistrate has reported back; do not obstruct him," allowing them to pass quickly.

However, just being able to catch a glimpse of the great nation's envoy and the Ji clan assassins was already quite satisfying; the event was incredibly lively.

"My lord, did you really curse Wang Ding to death?!"

"Did you bring back Ji Yuan's son's head?" "Is Kang Xun really as stupid as a pig?"

With just one head, Song Shi'an went from being a humiliated traitor to a fierce warrior of the Great Yu, and the atmosphere in Sheng'an was so good that it had an upward beauty of rebuilding the glory of the Great Yu.

Amidst laughter and cheers, Song Shi'an entered the imperial city.

“My lord, His Majesty says you may return to your residence to pay respects to your parents before entering the palace,” Ma He said.

“No need,” Song Shi’an said directly. “Reporting back to His Majesty is more important.”

"Yes."

Without lingering at all, completely open and unconcerned, as if he didn't care about anything in Sheng'an, Song Shi'an went straight into the palace.

Before meeting the emperor, he waited in the front hall.

A palace maid stepped forward to tidy his clothes and wipe away the dust.

The chief eunuch, Xi Gonggong, also said enthusiastically, "Congratulations, Your Excellency! This mission has been a great success, truly turning the tide!"

"Thank you, Your Excellency. Thanks to His Majesty's trust and the divine power of His Majesty, as well as the hard work of Minister Zuo and other colleagues in the delegation, we were able to fulfill our mission. Shi An only did some minor work."

Song Shi'an said rather modestly.

"You're too modest. His Majesty can see everything," said Eunuch Xi with a smile.

"I am very grateful for your help."

Yes, His Majesty can see it all.

This led Zuo Ziliang to file a complaint.

It's okay, go ahead and say it.

If it's done, then it's done.

.........

"After the fire in Xincheng, Kangyi's son was sent to Beiliang?" the emperor asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Zuo Ziliang replied.

"Are you sure it was Conson who did it?" the Emperor asked.

"The fire burned down most of the post station area at night, and I personally rescued Kangyi and his wife..." Zuo Ziliang said. "There was indeed an arsonist, and we also saw the assassin. However, we didn't catch him."

"That's true."

The emperor's thinking was very clear.

In the entire Eastern Liang, there is not a single person who is Song Shi'an's.

He brought that woman and a guard with him; the three of them appeared together.

In other words, arson and assassination can only be carried out by additional people.

Would he dare entrust such a big matter to someone else?
He was able to play Conson because the entire delegation helped him.

But if someone were to play the emperor, who would dare to join them?

"And what about Kangqing?" the emperor asked again.

Zuo Ziliang paused briefly, then quickly looked up and replied, "This child is calm, collected, sharp-witted, and intelligent; he doesn't seem like a child his age at all..."

Upon hearing this, the emperor looked at him, his eyelids slightly raised, and asked coldly, "You mean, he is stronger than Kang Yi?"

“Your Majesty, he is, after all, just a child, but…” Zuo Ziliang replied earnestly, “he is more ruthless than Kang Yi and Kang Xun.”

To be a king requires wisdom.

But a king also needs to have the demeanor of a king.

Ruthlessness is the defining characteristic of a king.

Even someone as benevolent as Emperor Wen of Han still possessed this underlying nature. Otherwise, he wouldn't have killed four sons in three months and then thoroughly purged the Lü clan after ascending the throne.

Such high praise is enough to show one thing—if it were to disrupt the major policies of the Yan Kingdom, Kang Qing would be more qualified than Kang Yi.

However, this person was snatched away by Song Shi'an.

"You agreed?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty... I dare not act on my own initiative," Zuo Ziliang said truthfully. "But that fire did indeed nearly kill the hostage. And when Song Shi'an discussed it with me, he said he would take full responsibility."

"It's not your fault." The emperor, who was expected to be furious, was surprisingly calm. "I have said before, in the Song Dynasty, the right to safety determines everything."

"Your Majesty's great favor is deeply appreciated by your subject."

Zuo Ziliang breathed a sigh of relief.

"You may leave," the emperor said calmly after finishing his questioning.

"Yes."

Zuo Ziliang then withdrew from the palace.

The emperor, however, gripped the dragon throne tightly, his hands moving with a heavy air.

My sword is indeed sharp.

But he bit someone.

"Your Majesty, Song Shi'an has entered." Chen Bao walked up to the emperor and whispered.

Xuanyu Hall has an inner chamber and an outer chamber. At this time, Song Shi'an arrived at the outer chamber.

"Let him sit down." After saying this, the emperor slowly rose, supporting himself on the armrest.

"Yes."

Chen Bao went outside and walked up to Song Shi'an.

After the person in charge arranged the seats, he extended his hand and said, "Young Master Song, please have a seat."

“But I haven’t paid my respects to His Majesty yet…” Song Shi’an asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Your Majesty said so, please sit down."

Chen Bao smiled.

So he had no choice but to sit on the round stool.

And so they waited for the emperor's summons.

What's going on? Are they going to pull this 'behind-the-scenes' stunt again?
My buddy's almost reached the third rank, and he still hasn't seen the emperor!
Just as he was thinking this, an old man dressed in imperial robes slowly walked out of the inner chamber, his back bent and his steps slow.

“Your Majesty…” Song Shi’an immediately tried to get up.

However, the emperor gestured for him to sit down.

He walked slowly toward Song Shi'an, who was sitting nervously in front of him.

Squinting, the old emperor observed Song Shi'an's face, drawing ever closer, before saying with a hint of 'hesitation,' "I... I think I've seen this face before..."

(End of this chapter)