Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 295 Joining Forces to Deal with the Song Party
Yongcheng, the lakeside pavilion of the Governor's Mansion.

Governor Chen Ling and Commander Xiao Qun, two powerful figures, stood in the pavilion, with the nearest guards fifty paces away.

"I heard that none of the civil officials we sent to Shuofeng saw Huang Tong," Chen Ling said casually, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Yes,” Xiao Qun sighed, “Huang Tong has been protected by Song Shi’an.”

“He was sent as an envoy to the Yan Kingdom, and he made a promise to Huang Tong in his capacity as an envoy. It’s understandable that he doesn’t want to damage his reputation because of this,” Chen Ling said, looking at Xiao Qun with some displeasure. “But the officials we sent couldn’t even get a meeting with Huang Tong. Isn’t that a bit too much?”

"There's nothing we can do; Beiliang was conquered by them," Xiao Qun said.

"He conquered Beiliang, but whose troops did he use? Does conquering it mean it belongs to him?" Chen Ling joked. "When Emperor Gaozu founded the dynasty, he didn't say that the cities conquered by nobles would be given as fiefdoms, did he?"

Seeing him say such dangerous things, Xiao Qun pressed his hand down: "Your Excellency has gone astray."

"General." Chen Ling smiled, then walked to the pavilion and placed his hand on the railing. "The entire Liangzhou region, between it and the pseudo-Qi state, is connected by the Ten Thousand Mountains, making it difficult for even a horse to traverse. Only the Beiliang Valley offers both offensive and defensive advantages. And now, Nanshuo County is almost completely independent. Isn't Song Shi'an the Duke of Qin of my Liangzhou?"

“Yes.” Xiao Qun did not deny it, but he did not think there was a big problem with it. “The importance of Liangzhou lies entirely with Beiliang. Now that Tongmen Pass has fallen, all the land north of Chishui has been lost. Whoever can defend Nanshuo County will be a hero.”

"Whose credit should it be?"

"Naturally, it belongs to the soldiers of Northern Liang."

Having said that, Chen Ling smiled and shook his head, saying, "General Xiao, you're not being frank."

"What does the governor mean?" Xiao Qun asked.

"Let's leave aside the common people outside the city, but no one in the city is protesting that Huang Tong, the governor of Ji Commandery, should be executed." Chen Ling looked into his eyes and asked, "General, why do you use this reason to advise His Majesty?"

The so-called public outrage and the demand for revenge for the governor of Ji County simply did not exist.

To put it bluntly, ordinary people in ancient times simply did not have patriotic thoughts.

Especially in a separatist dynasty where even survival was a struggle.

Unless the former governor of Ji Commandery did an exceptionally good job.

Xiao Qun remained silent.

To try to justify oneself at this point would be hypocritical.

Are you saying that Huang Tong is a greedy and treacherous villain who deserves to die, and that our General Xiao can't stand it and has to kill him?

No need.

The goal is to target Song Shi'an.

We need to make his promises turn out to be worthless.

"General, do you still remember why I was transferred from the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to become the governor of Liangzhou?" Chen Ling asked.

Although the transfer from the Nine Ministers to the Governor was a lateral move, it was a reasonable personnel transfer.

But the positions of Shaofu, Fengchang, and Dianke are also among the Nine Ministers. Would you be willing to exchange them for a governorship?

This can be described as a significant promotion.

A substantial increase in power.

“The original governor was also implicated because of Zhao Xiang’s defeat,” Xiao Qun said. “Of course, he also bears some responsibility for the easy fall of Tongmen Pass.”

"But Zhao Xiang's reasons are bigger, right?"

"Yes."

Xiao Qun had no choice but to admit it.

The two of them also revealed their past.

Originally, after this incident, Liangzhou would definitely have to undergo reforms. In order to better counter Ji Yuan, Xiao Qun would be appointed as both governor and commander-in-chief.

Such power would indeed be immense, but there's no way around it; the strategic significance is simply too great.

Even if he doesn't take on all the responsibilities, he will be paired with someone close to the royal family and nobles.

Instead of letting Sun Situ's men check and balance him.

"I'm from Huaizhou, and the general is from Qinzhou. One of us is on the right side of Sheng'an, and the other on the left. But we're both here to protect Sheng'an," Chen Ling said rather relaxedly. "Whether there's a faction of nobles or a faction of officials, perhaps they exist, perhaps they don't. But there are people who want to dig up our graves. No matter how big the conflict, it's not as big as this, is it?"

"It's just land reclamation, it's not that exaggerated." Xiao Qun remained calm.

"He said he wanted to connect all the fields into one large area and relocate the people who originally lived on that land," Chen Ling said. "People can leave, but can they take their graves with them?"

"But he wants to start from Huai County."

"Just because he doesn't care about digging up his own ancestors' graves doesn't mean we should be indifferent," Chen Ling said solemnly. "Is Qinzhou absolutely safe?"

You punched your dad first, and then you say that I even hit my dad, so hurry up and send your dad over so I can punch him again. Isn't that robber logic?
The key point is that this robber's logic benefits His Majesty, so it has become politically correct.

"Let's put aside the debate about whether they're from Qinzhou, Huaizhou, or Yangzhou for now," Chen Ling said, his gaze fixed on the man. "Shall we deal with this ungrateful wretch first?"

Let's stop fighting for now.

Kill Song Shi'an first.

"It's not a matter of dealing with them. If we lose the remaining half of Beiliang, neither you nor I can escape the consequences," Xiao Qun said sternly. "But the military farms in Nanshuo County are already established and can be self-sufficient. The soldiers in the remaining Liangzhou also need to eat."

No more cooking.

Although the Northern Liang region has now achieved significant progress in land reclamation, the pressure is immense, and there are many mouths to feed, so it is only barely maintaining its current state.

Is it possible to maintain just enough to avoid having to ask for help?

What if there's a natural disaster or man-made calamity?
In ancient times, natural disasters and man-made calamities were not minor incidents.

It could even be said that it is an inevitable event within a certain period.

"Of course, with so many mouths to feed in Liangzhou, the responsibility lies with me."

In response to Xiao Qun's statement, Chen Ling readily agreed: "If Beiliang wants grain, then they have to submit to its control."

.........

Dongliang.

Wei Wusheng personally led an army of 20,000, with 15,000 auxiliary troops and 60,000 logistics personnel, totaling nearly 100,000, though claimed to be 200,000, towards Chunping Pass, a border pass of Yan. This was the westernmost of the three passes bordering Yan and Dayu, and quite close to the State of Qi.

This was the result of discussions between the two countries, and they set off from this route to resist Qi.

Because this route passes right by the border of the Yan state, and does not directly threaten the Yan state's territory.

Of course, if the Great Yu also went mad at this time and began to launch a fierce attack on the Yan state after entering the pass.

This country is destined to perish.

But that's impossible.

The Great Yu paid so much not so much to unite with its rivals, but to divide up a country that was already hostile to Qi, leaving the two countries with no buffer zone between them.

However, the marching speed was making Lu Chao quite anxious.

Facing Wei Wusheng's troops, he urged, "Your Highness, can you hurry?"

“Marching forty li a day is already considered fast,” Wei Wusheng said.

"Can't we march quickly?" Lu Chao asked. "When His Highness led the Imperial Guards to Beiliang before, the speed was more than twice that."

“That army was mainly composed of cavalry and light infantry, with virtually no baggage and relying entirely on post stations,” Wei Wusheng explained. “But now, with such a large army carrying a lot of supplies, we can’t rush things.”

Lu Chao certainly understands the logic; this is definitely not slow under normal circumstances.

But if the Great Yu were attacked, would he be so unhurried and composed?
He never intended to actually save them!
What a jerk!
Song Shi'an made such a good promise back then: to trust our powerful (suzerain) state behind us, and to punish those who offend our Great Yu allies, no matter how far away they are!

How could Ji Yuan dare to shoulder the burden of two countries alone?

But if that actually happens, it becomes: Brother, I will absolutely not let him beat you to death!
"Sigh..." Lu Chao didn't know what to say, so he could only sigh.

"My lord, you should hurry and carry out your orders. You don't need to follow the army," Wei Wusheng said. "Are you worried that we won't move once you leave?"

Yes! That's exactly what I'm worried about!
"Your Highness is joking, how could that be?" Lu Chao forced a business smile, then turned his head back to look ahead, his face darkening.

"So, how has Shi An fared in Yan these past few days? Has he been well received by you all?" Wei Wusheng asked curiously.

"That's for sure," Lu Chao said sarcastically. "When he was about to be boiled alive by the king, all the officials pleaded for him."

But don't worry about why he was cooked.

“Lord Lu is truly a good man. No wonder Shi An considers you a true friend.” Wei Wusheng revealed a hearty smile. “I also wish to make a good friend like you.”

Lu Chao was on the verge of tears: "Your Highness, please don't bully honest people..."

…………

The border of western Yan.

Qi Army's Great Camp.

Mi Heng sat in the large tent, his expression serious.

At this moment, tens of thousands of Qi troops are fiercely attacking the Yan army's fortified city.

Both sides suffered casualties, but the attacking side was definitely more severely injured.

He looked up at the map hanging in front of him, where several dots marked the Yu army of Dongliang.

That's their real threat.

Some of their elite border troops and imperial guards were significantly stronger than those of the Yan state.

In the Yan state, only the most elite troops were allowed to wear armor, have uniform inner linings, and have flags of uniform color.

But the border troops of Dayu are basically like this.

Winning against Zhao Xiang was certainly a satisfying victory, but it wasn't easy.

"General!" Just then, a scout came in from outside the tent to report, "The Yu army has entered Chunping Pass and is less than two hundred li from our border."

Upon hearing this news, he knew he had to leave.

"understood."

Mi Heng accepted it calmly.

However, he cannot retreat so easily.

The emperor had told him that he didn't need to win, but he absolutely had to kill.

He had already dispatched several hundred elite light cavalry, divided into several teams, to traverse the mountains and infiltrate the border.

Logically speaking, there should have been some results by now...

Two days later, the results came back.

"Reporting to the General! Our troops entered Yan territory, massacred and burned more than ten villages, beheaded more than nine hundred people, and brought back more than nine hundred left ears!"

He frowned upon hearing about this achievement.

It's really not presentable.

The State of Qi lost a crown prince, and this crown prince could only be exchanged for nine hundred commoners of the State of Yan.
They're still savages.

But I really have to go.

I can't deliver on my promise.

"General, we really dare not go any deeper..." the soldier reporting his military achievements explained with difficulty.

"I've tied down tens of thousands of troops on the front lines, so you're saying I wouldn't dare to advance further?"

Mi Heng's words made the other person lower their head and remain silent.

The massacre of the village was incomprehensible.

"Here's what you do, pick a few dozen reliable ones."

Looking at him, Mi Heng whispered, "Cut off the ears of our soldiers' corpses."

(End of this chapter)