Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 310 Sima Yu's Last Words

Chapter 310 Sima Yu's Last Words
If I am without virtue, you may take it yourself.

Wei Wusheng never imagined that these words would come out of the Crown Prince's mouth.

To anyone who looks at it, it's all just a charade.

In reality, all politics is just a performance.

How could someone who so desperately wanted to be emperor, having finally achieved the position of crown prince, be willing to relinquish it?
but,

If it were really as he said, with Song Shi'an cultivating land and himself hoarding troops, the two of them together in Huai County would be like building a dam to store water in the upper reaches of a river. Normally, there would be nothing wrong with that, but the ability to control the digging of the dam would be in their hands.

It can be said that as long as Sheng'an makes the slightest move, as long as Wei Wusheng harbors the slightest ambition, then in an instant, tens of thousands of elite troops with hundreds of thousands of reinforcements and enough food to last for ten years will launch a thunderous attack on Sheng'an.

Of course, siege warfare is indeed difficult. If it is not done quickly, the entire army may be wiped out. But which emperor would allow a force in the royal domain that could threaten him?

The slightest misstep could lead to the downfall of a nation.

It should be noted that Sheng'an is less than 400 li from Huai County, and the entire route is a plain with waterways running through it!

Your Highness, what exactly is your plan?
At this moment, the crown prince lowered his head and bowed to the two of them.

Wei Wusheng subconsciously glanced at Song Shi'an.

However, he noticed a fleeting 'coldness' in the other person's eyes, but the next moment, Song Shi'an suddenly knelt down on one knee and helped up the crown prince's hand.

Soon, Wei Wusheng also knelt on one knee on the other side, and the two of them simultaneously lowered their bodies to the level of the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness!"

Wei Wusheng knew that no matter what the other party was thinking, he had to save face. Therefore, he said, "Please don't say such things. Your Highness is the Crown Prince appointed by His Majesty, a gift from Heaven. I am born of a concubine, and my mother is of lowly birth. Without Your Highness's strong support, we would not have won the Battle of Shuofeng. Without Your Highness's opposition, we would not have received the merit of guarding the north. If I, Wei Wusheng, have received such kindness from Your Highness, and still dare to have any disloyal thoughts, such a rebellious, disloyal, and unfilial person would have no face to remain in this world!"

"Your Highness!" Song Shi'an said vehemently after Wei Wusheng finished speaking, "Shi'an did indeed harbor resentment and discontent over the matter of becoming the prime minister of Yan. Because Your Highness promised me that you would succeed to the throne by unifying the world. Therefore, Shi'an felt that Your Highness had forgotten your original intention. But now, Your Highness has entrusted the heavy responsibility of restoring the country to the Sixth Prince and me... Shi'an is willing to take on this responsibility and will forever be loyal to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Shi An is willing to take responsibility.

These words struck Wei Wusheng as somewhat terrifying.

There was even a premonition that the axemen lying in ambush nearby would strike at any moment.

Why is it that someone as wise as Song Shi'an doesn't realize how big a compliment this is, or how high he's being praised?

Only a wise and virtuous minister, whose virtues are impeccable, could truly agree to such a thing.

But while there are wise ministers throughout history, what about wise kings?

Can we really walk this path together to the end?

Do you really want to rebel?

"Shi An, Wu Sheng, come sit here."

The crown prince directly took the hands of the two people and made them sit down on the ground below the steps.

Then, he personally went to fetch the wine pot and wine vessel.

He sat directly on the step above them and personally poured wine for the two of them.

Just like when he poured wine for Ye Changqing and Zhao Yi.

He had no airs of a king.

Now, however, he has lost all the dignity of a crown prince.

"Gentlemen." The Crown Prince raised his cup with both hands, looking at them from the left and right.

They also raised their glasses.

“I cannot compare to my father. He fought his entire life, pioneered the imperial examination system, and was a great ruler in both literature and military affairs,” the Crown Prince said. “I also had a hesitation. I was worried that Shi’an would not be able to contend with the powerful families and nobles, and that the land reclamation project would not succeed. But now, I have seen it all. As long as I entrust you two with military and political power and give you my full support, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”

"The land reclamation should yield grain by next autumn," Song Shi'an said with utmost seriousness. "The land reclamation should be completed by next autumn."

The land reclamation project will be successful next autumn.

Why is Song Shi'an in such a hurry?

Wei Wusheng was increasingly confused.

But the coldness in his eyes at that moment showed that he was not acting impulsively.

"Furthermore, the scale of this land reclamation project will be doubled," the Crown Prince said. "Wusheng, I will also double the number of troops you can mobilize."

Fourth brother, you wouldn't really...

If you truly trust us that much, we certainly won't oppose you.

But, trusting us so much, is this really you?
"Yes, Your Highness."

After much thought, Wei Wusheng realized there was only one possibility.

The Crown Prince was originally a good person.

He only appeared somewhat heartless because he was forced into that situation by the emperor and had no other choice.

Now that the crown prince is overseeing the country, he has the final say in everything, so he has revealed his true nature—a great sage.

"it is good."

The prince drank it all in one gulp.

They drank it all in one gulp, one on the left and one on the right.

Instantly, the effects of the alcohol lightened the serious atmosphere.

"Shi An is an upright man," the Crown Prince suddenly said. "That day, the rumors about a 'sage ruler and virtuous minister' were rampant in the city. It was the spies His Majesty had ordered to be arrested that were caught. But others didn't know this and only thought His Majesty was trying to cover up the truth and kill indiscriminately. At that time, Shi An didn't shy away from it and still went to greet them. And after returning to Sheng'an from Wusheng, he adhered to the principles of a gentleman. Would someone with a guilty conscience dare to do such a thing?"

"I wouldn't dare." Before Song Shi'an could speak, the Crown Prince looked at Wu Sheng and said, "Wu Sheng has gained so much now, and holds such a prestigious position as a prince, yet he is unwilling to sever his bond with Shi'an. Can such a person be heartless and treacherous, even turning against his own brother? I don't believe it!"

As the prince spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.

"As long as you, Fourth Brother, truly need Wusheng and your younger brother, I will fight to the death alongside Shi'an to assist you, so that you can become a unified emperor for all ages." Wusheng also showed his true colors.

“I told the Sixth Prince before that the sharpness of the knife is important, but the steadiness of the hand wielding it is even more important,” Song Shi’an said sincerely. “Your Highness, as long as you hold us firmly, we will clear everything away for you.”

"Thank you, thank you very much."

After opening up completely, the three began to reveal their true feelings and indulge in excessive drinking.

When discussing how to implement land reclamation, we should also pay attention to which potentially troublesome forces we should be aware of.

And so it went on for more than an hour, until midnight.

Finally, the three of them had to say goodbye.

The Crown Prince took their hands and led them out of the palace, saying with special concern, "Shi'an is not yet married, and the Song family has strict rules. Why don't you just stay at Wusheng's place tonight?"

"Even the Sixth Prince is not married yet," Song Shi'an joked.

“Very well, I will personally arrange a marriage for Wusheng,” the Crown Prince said readily.

"Fourth Brother, you should rest well and don't worry about me."

"Slow down, you two."

Because no one could get close to this place, the two of them staggered away, supporting each other, after stepping out of the palace threshold.

The drunken prince plopped down on the threshold.

"Fourth Brother, are you alright..."

Wei Wusheng hurriedly turned around.

Song Shi'an also turned around.

At that moment, the Crown Prince's eyes welled up with tears as he choked out, "Kings are always lonely, but I don't want to be alone... I want to have you all, Zhao Yi and Chang Qing."

"I want a relationship where I can forgive you no matter how big a mistake you make."

A tear rolled down his cheek as the Crown Prince said, "So, please forgive me for what I did to you before?"

The two were so shocked that they fell silent.

The crown prince smiled even more deeply and waved his hand with a relieved expression.

And so, I watched the two of them leave.

Then, on the threshold of the palace, he lowered his head and let the cold wind blow.

"Your Highness, it's chilly outside."

Grandpa Xi arrived and draped a white tiger robe over his shoulders.

"Xishan, summon all the officials in the city to court tomorrow. All who can come should come," the Crown Prince said calmly.

"Yes," the eunuch asked softly, "If some are unable to come due to health reasons..."

"That's perfect, we don't need him for that position anymore."

"Yes, Your Highness." Eunuch Xi then asked, "What about Ouyang Ke?"

"Except for him."

Ouyang Ke fell ill on imperial orders to make room for Song Jing, so he couldn't be used as an excuse to attack him.

"A reminder to those in court who are close to me, those who were originally part of the Wu King's faction," the Crown Prince said. "Tomorrow, give full support to the land reclamation program."

"Yes," Xishan replied, bowing her head. The Crown Prince slowly raised his head, revealing a resolute gaze like a rock: "Next year, the land reclamation project will surely be completed."

.........

"Go to the Song residence and tell them that Shi An is staying at my place tonight."

After getting off the car, Wei Wusheng waved to the driver and said...

"Yes."

Then, the coachman drove the carriage to the Song residence.

The two of them helped each other into the mansion.

At this moment, a eunuch was already waiting respectfully: "Your Highness, Lord Song."

Zhang Gonggong, the chief eunuch of the Wu King's residence.

"I'll take Shi'an to my bedroom; there's no need for guards at the door," Wei Wusheng said, somewhat drunk.

"Your Highness, please prioritize safety. Should we leave Chen Wu to guard the gate?" Eunuch Zhang asked.

Chen Wu was Wei Wusheng's henchman, and also returned from the north wind. He had a scar on his hand and was essentially his third dog.

Only such people can be completely trusted.

"can."

"Yes."

So, after carefully helping the two of them to their bedroom, Eunuch Zhang left Chen Wu to guard the door and then departed.

Chen Wu didn't stand directly at the door, but rather about ten steps outside the bedroom, a knife at his waist, his sharp eyes guarding the place.

The two then went straight into the house.

Although it's called a bedroom, it's actually no different from a slightly larger hall in the palace.

After all, this was the place where the King of Zhongshan lived.

After entering, Wei Wusheng sat on the bed.

Song Shi'an sat down in the armchair in front of him and leaned back, acting quite arrogantly.

It also seems quite natural.

"Your Highness," Song Shi'an suddenly said, "Do you know all the eunuchs and palace maids in this mansion?"

“I’ve only had the Prince’s residence for half a year, and I’m not there most of the time,” Wei Wusheng said quite frankly. “Some of the palace maids and eunuchs can be trusted, as well as Chen Wu who returned from the north wind. As for the rest of the people, they were all assigned by the palace.”

"Your Highness, do not trust anyone."

Song Shi'an's expression darkened, and he said.

"I know," Wei Wusheng replied, equally clear-headed. "I have no foundation."

“So Your Highness did a good job killing Hua Qu,” Song Shi’an said. “His appearance was very timely, and his identity was very appropriate.”

"I want to tell them that even nobles who make mistakes deserve to die."

"What if Zhao Yi made a mistake..."

"kill."

"Your Highness, this really won't do." Song Shi'an was even a little afraid of him.

It's one thing to kill off the collateral branches of the nobility at will, but why even target someone like Zhao Yi, who will become the future leader of the nobility?
"Don't worry," Wei Wusheng said with a smile. "Someone like him wouldn't make mistakes himself."

Wow, Xiao Wei has really improved a lot.

"Your Highness is wise," Song Shi'an said with a smile.

"So, since the Crown Prince has tried to reconcile us, you must have something to say to me, right?" Wei Wusheng stared at Song Shi'an and said seriously.

Song Shi'an pursed his lips and after a long while, he said, "The emperor had a dream before last year's provincial examination."

Upon hearing this, Wei Wusheng sat up straight: "What dream?"

"In the dream, a grandson of the emperor ran to the emperor's knees and begged his grandfather to save him."

Who is hunting him down?

“A person,” Song Shi’an said, raising one finger. “He’s holding a head in one hand and a sword in the other.”

Wei Wusheng was stunned, his eyes serious and devoid of any playfulness.

“And behind him was someone,” Song Shi’an said, his eyes meeting Song Shi’an’s, “He said that the struggle for the crown prince has always been like this.”

"!"

Wei Wusheng's eyes widened instantly.

The whole person was completely ethereal.

For a long, long time, I couldn't come to my senses.

“Sima Yu, who knew about this, was forced to his death by the Crown Prince, and another Chen Bao was exiled to the imperial mausoleum and protected by Zuo Ziliang of the Embroidered Uniform Guard,” Song Shi’an said. “Besides that, only you, me, and Xin Yue know about it.”

Is the Crown Prince a saint?

Wei Wusheng asked.

"I don't know, but the Crown Prince is already a king."

Song Shi'an Dao.

This sentence made Wei Wusheng understand everything. So he asked, "Does the Crown Prince intend to directly establish the Grand Agricultural Settlement next year, so that you and I can confront the powerful clans and nobles?"

“Even without the Crown Prince’s support, I would still fight against the powerful and noble families.”

“But now, they’ve added me.” Wei Wusheng raised his finger, pointing at himself. “He’s put the rebellious minister and the rebellious king together.”

"The Crown Prince is magnanimous and has already caught the spies behind the scenes; the people of the world will surely be convinced. Your Highness and I will also be of noble character."

The hat is worn too high; it's hard to turn it back on.

"But can lofty ideals and noble character really kill someone?" Wei Wusheng asked.

“Even if the settlement is completed, it will be difficult for our troops to conquer Sheng’an,” Song Shi’an said.

"But the Crown Prince is still at risk."

Wei Wusheng said.

"Then he should be the crown prince, a saint."

Song Shi'an Dao.

"..."

At this point, the two fell silent.

Then, they laughed in perfect unison.

Wei Wusheng spoke first: "Tell me, how could His Majesty dream of the two of us?"

"I can't just admit that," Song Shi'an said quickly.