Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 269 I dreamt of you

Have you seen my face before...?

What is Old Deng saying?

Song Shi'an was somewhat taken aback by these words and began to try his best to recall.

Even in the memories of the past, there was never a time when I had the chance to see the emperor.

However, more nervous than this puzzling statement was the fact that he was sitting on a stool while the emperor was standing in front of him, looking at him with the kind of curious scrutiny that an old farmer would give a stranger.

At this moment, one cannot feel the emperor's majesty; all that remains is genuine humanity.

But after all, he was the emperor, so it still gave people a vague sense of unease.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject..."

Song Shi'an was about to get up again, but he still kept his hands pressed down and said, "It's alright, sit down."

Song Shi'an then sat down somewhat awkwardly and asked, "Your Majesty, you said you've seen this face of mine before?"

At this moment, Song Shi'an was not the only one who felt uneasy.

And there was Chen Bao, standing hunched over in the corner.

Does His Majesty intend to tell him about that dream directly?

Sima Yu was terrified when he heard the emperor talk about the dream; he almost cried.

Song Shi'an was the person involved in this dream.

Could this mean that the face of the person in his dream really matched his?

At first, the figure in the emperor's dream had no face, standing hidden behind him, eerily blurry. The more he tried to see clearly, the more confused he became.

That's why it's impossible to get an artist to draw it and post it nationwide for arrests.

But later, this rebellious minister who appeared in the dream gradually took on a physical form.

He should have a lean face, with clear eyes that weren't foolish at all, giving him a touch of endearing gentleness and an unassuming, harmless appearance. But when he became serious, his gaze would sharpen like that of a hawk…

He did not answer the question, but slowly walked behind Song Shi'an. Facing his back, he suddenly said, "Song Shi'an, do you know your crime?"

Convicted?

Song Shi'an tensed up and instinctively prepared to turn his head.

The emperor, who was hunched over, widened his eyes and held his breath, watching him turn his head. When Song Shi'an's handsome profile came into view, he immediately turned away. Then, he quickly rose, turned around, and prostrated himself in a deep bow: "Your Majesty, I know my crime!"

The emperor's wide eyes slowly relaxed, his eyebrows drooping slightly, and he asked, "Which crime?"

"After the fire in Xincheng, I took it upon myself to send Kang Yi's son, Kang Qing, to the Northern Liang north!" Song Shi'an said loudly.

"Why do you do this?" the emperor asked. "Raise your head and speak."

“Your Majesty,” Song Shi’an raised his head, looked at him seriously, and replied, “Kang Yi and Kang Qing must remain in Liangzhou, otherwise Kang Xun cannot be kept in check. Among them, Kang Qing is more ruthless and cold-blooded than Kang Yi. If he grows up, he will surely become a king who disrupts the politics of Yan. Therefore, I must place him in an absolutely safe place!”

Upon hearing this, the emperor smiled.

It wasn't because of anything he said.

But this face finally matched the image in my dream.

His resolute eyes did not conceal the subtle sharpness within them.

The person in the dream gradually became clearer.

They gradually overlapped with Song Shi'an.

The two became one.

The traitor who appeared in the dream has been found.

No, he was not a traitor.

Instead, he was a treacherous minister.

Using the distinction between loyal ministers and treacherous officials to differentiate him is far too naive.

This dream can also be interpreted in another way.

He supported one prince, killed another, and thus settled the situation in the Great Yu.

"Are other places unsafe?" the emperor asked.

“Your Majesty, apart from Shuofeng, the powerful clans in Liangzhou have deep roots. And their stance is wavering,” Song Shi’an said. “Shuofeng no longer has any powerful clans, only elite soldiers and generals. The soldiers only seek military merit, regardless of their stance.”

"Insolence!" Chen Bao immediately rebuked, "The soldiers of Dayu all belong to His Majesty. Their only loyalty is to His Majesty."

“Yes, the troops of Dayu rightfully belong to His Majesty!” Song Shi’an said.

"You scoundrel, shut up!" Chen Bao blushed. "His Majesty, considering your loyalty and your youth, has refrained from reprimanding you. Why are you pushing your luck?"

Even the troops of the Great Yu Dynasty rightfully belong to His Majesty.

It's like the country belongs to the emperor.

He said: Yes, theoretically, the country belongs to the emperor.

What does that mean? Actually, that's not the case.

I don't want my entire family anymore!
"Continue," the emperor said, but he remained remarkably calm, showing no sign of anger.

“Liangzhou has fallen, but the people of Liangzhou are still the people of Liangzhou,” Song Shi’an said. “Therefore, before the north wind blows, our Yu state cannot afford to lose a single battle.”

Before the war, those bandits were law-abiding citizens who personally delivered grain and money to Zhao Xiang.

But if they lose, they will immediately block traffic, seal off Wulei, and await the arrival of the Great Qi Holy Emperor's divine might.

He was a Yu man, a Yu minister.

However, he was a flexible and resourceful minister.

"If we attack the State of Qi, will they lose more than one battle on their border?" the emperor retorted.

"We can't afford to lose too much either," Song Shi'an said. "We can't afford to lose like we did, a complete rout."

Chen Bao was dumbfounded. This person actually dared to say that Qi was good and Yu was bad.

Even discussing just one aspect is far too radical!
"You mean the people of Qi are strong and the people of Yu are weak?" the emperor asked again. "Your Majesty, people are the same everywhere. People's hearts are fragile everywhere," Song Shi'an said firmly. "But the people of Yu crave comfort, and comfort is poison."

"explain."

"In recent years, just over ten years," Song Shi'an said seriously, no longer putting on an act. "His Majesty has gradually stopped actively waging war and turned to civil administration, focusing on the imperial examinations. We, the people of Beiliang, relying on Tongmen Pass, a formidable border pass, and Wuwei, a strong northern city, have been dreaming of becoming a great power, thinking that the mere Qi bandits dared to invade the south. But such a pass fell in a single night. And the first city to defend the north only had half a year's worth of provisions. Zhao Xiang only lost one battle, and the hearts of the people of Liangzhou sided entirely with Ji Yuan."

This is too sensitive; this topic is far too sensitive.

Chen Bao broke out in a cold sweat.

"Why was Tongmen able to easily turn the enemy into a rebel? Why did Wuwei only have enough food for half a year? Why didn't the people of Yu retreat south after Zhao Xiang's defeat, but instead waited for Qi to come?"

"With the borders so weak and vulnerable, do you think I should issue an edict of self-reproach?" the emperor retorted.

"Your humble servant dares not," Song Shi'an replied casually, then continued, "But if we continue to let the people of Yu enjoy their comforts, relying on our vast territory, we will lose Beiliang in ten years and Liangzhou in twenty. Then, with nobles stationed in Qinzhou, we can hold out for another twenty years. If this is enough to ensure that the people of Sizhou enjoy peace and comfort for three generations and live out their worldly pleasures, then the Great Yu is in grave danger."

Although Dayu was the most populous and wealthiest country in the world, Song Shi'an made no secret of it: "We are now in the twilight of a dynasty."

These words silenced the palace.

But Song Shi'an still didn't stop his 'reckless' behavior, saying, "The people of Dayu will be happy after they defeat Qi, but they won't be happy because they defeated Ji Yuan. Rather, it will be a long time before Ji Yuan attacks again."

His words laid bare the most glaring problems facing the country.

You could even say it's like zooming in right up to your face.

Do you think that I sent you on this mission to enjoy a life of ease?

Since he had brought it up to this point, even the emperor wasn't entirely innocent. Therefore, His Majesty, quite calmly and without shame, inquired about the matter.

“His Majesty sent me on this mission because he wanted to temporarily stabilize the situation in the northern border and strengthen the country through land reclamation,” Song Shi’an said.

"No, I had no intention of establishing military farms." The emperor did not take the opportunity to back down, and said, "If it weren't for the pleas of the King of Wu and the King of Zhongshan, I would have already decided to let you stay in Yan."

Song Shi'an remained silent.

The two people looked at each other in silence.

Logically speaking, as a subject, I should say that Your Majesty is wise beyond measure, and that Your Majesty must have your own considerations.

Even those who uphold integrity will not indiscriminately attack others.

At worst, we can say: "Everyone in the world is treacherous, and all the officials are corrupt."

Who would say that Your Majesty is included in this?

"You're very disappointed, aren't you?" the emperor asked.

“Your subject dares not,” Song Shi’an replied.

"To not dare is to be disappointed."

"I believe..." Song Shi'an raised his head, looked at the man, and said with some bitterness, "It is Your Majesty who wants to establish military farms."

Because I guessed what you were thinking, that's why you made me the top scholar in the imperial examination.

That's why you're promoting me.

Let me be the sword of the Great Yu.

But now you say you never thought about it.

"Song Shi'an, get up," the emperor said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Song Shi'an got up.

"Sit down."

"Yes."

Once again, the emperor stood while Song Shi sat.

Then, the emperor raised his hand and slowly placed it on his shoulder, looking at the young man: "It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't trust my own son."

The emperor had agreed to the land reclamation program because his health was still good at the time; he was confident that five or six years would be no problem, let alone ten or more.

As long as he is alive, he will always see the day when the land reclamation efforts yield results.

But now, he's not even confident that he can hold out until the first autumn harvest of the farmland.

Just as he said, the Great Yu is vast, and even if it loses a few cities every year, it can still hold out for several generations.

Even though it's completely rotten now, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse; it can at least last for two more generations before it perishes under the reign of the King of Wu or the King of Jin.

Wei Ye's responsibility was therefore not that great.

"You have won in Yan, and you have returned," the emperor said. "Then, go ahead and do it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Song Shi'an lowered his head, at a loss for words.

"Like I said, since we're already at the gambling table, let's finish the bet," the emperor said with a rather nonchalant air. "If you win, it's yours. If you lose, it's still yours."

“Your Majesty, win or lose,” Song Shi’an said, “it’s all yours, it’s all the Emperor’s.”

Both of them knew what the other was talking about.

Emperor: I will not hold you accountable even if you win.

Song Shi'an: I won't take away your power even if I win.

But who can really believe that?
The only thing the two people were saying to each other was: Whether you believe it or not, that's what I said.

"Song Shi'an, do you know when I've ever seen this face before?"

Returning to this point, the emperor asked.

Song Shi'an raised his head and looked at him blankly.

The emperor raised his hand, his rough fingers brushing across the man's forehead, and said with a touch of kindness, "I dreamt about it."

(End of this chapter)