Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 319 Song Shi'an, Magistrate of Huai County!

The clansmen who had originally intended to pressure Song Shi'an with their emotions were all dumbfounded.

Song Shi'an, covered in dust and wearing muddy, worn-out cloth shoes, was filled with an unprecedented anger.

They had secretly suspected that Song Shi'an might not have come at all. And now, their suspicions were undeniably confirmed—he had indeed gone on an incognito visit.

Furthermore, he had a very thorough understanding of the situation in Huai County.

No one can fool him.

And these officials who deceived him are very likely to be made an example of.

Perhaps Song Shi'an had been too mild-mannered for too long, causing them to forget how Song Shi'an had held out against the crumbling and battered Shuofeng City when it was besieged by hundreds of thousands of people in Beiliang.

If he dares to show his face again at this time and say a few random things, wouldn't that be like walking into the line of fire, making him betray his own family for the greater good?

"Let's go back first and wait for Shi An to finish her work."

Li Taigong also echoed Song Laotaigong.

Then these people left in a state of fear and trepidation, right under Song Shi'an's nose.

None of my family members understand; one sentence I uttered scared my relatives back home so much they didn't dare come in.

"Captain Jia, is someone not cooperating?" Song Shi'an asked this lackey of the Crown Prince directly.

"..." Jia Guihao lowered his head and answered truthfully, "The previous prefect is still here. I discussed some things with him, but he said that his duties are now being handled by the assistant prefect, and asked us to make our own decisions. So we thought we should prioritize stability first."

So you're just doing nothing and waiting for me to do it, right?

"The former prefect is about to retire, and His Highness the Crown Prince has entrusted you and Prefect Ji with important responsibilities. Is it so that the two of you can stabilize the situation?" Song Shi'an asked.

The current prefect is just like the former high-ranking official Liu; he doesn't need to do anything.

Therefore, this kind of blame-shifting is extremely low-class.

"This humble general knows his mistake," Jia Guihao said honestly.

“It is all my fault for delaying the Prefect’s important business.” Prefect Ji had nothing to say.

"Go back and submit another report tomorrow, telling us what you have done, what you haven't done yet, and what you need to do next."

Without any mercy, Song Shi'an said to the kneeling officials, "I can see everything."

"Yes."

Everyone agreed.

"Let's go back."

"Yes, I am resigning."

After everyone stood up, they left one after another.

Everyone was under considerable pressure because they knew exactly what this land reclamation reform meant for them.

The noble families of Qinzhou in Dayu were distinguished because of their unparalleled achievements.

In modern times, to weaken their power and carry out land reform, if these people of Huai County do things well, then at least in this dynasty, a group will emerge—the Huai County Nobles.

But to talk about returns without considering risks is just being irresponsible!
It’s difficult.

Now, only Jia Guihao and Ji Zhi remain here.

One was the Crown Prince's absolute confidant, and the other was Song Jing's subordinate for many years.

"Your Excellency," Jia Guihao asked, not so much out of self-reproach but also with some fear, "how can I possibly make amends now?"

"Make amends?" Song Shi'an laughed. "What did you do wrong? What losses did you suffer? Do you need to make amends?"

This left him somewhat bewildered.

The same goes for Prefect Ji.

“Land reclamation requires a sharp knife. But even the sharpest knife cannot kill if the person wielding it is unsteady,” Song Shi’an said calmly.

The implication is that you hesitated earlier because there was no one with a knife.

Now, your knife-wielding man has arrived.

"Then how can we make it sharp?" asked Prefect Ji.

Lord, he's about to give you a tough job!
In response, Song Shi'an gave them a somewhat mysterious smile and said, "But there's also a saying that even if the knife isn't sharp enough, as long as you have enough strength, you can still sever a head."

.........

Inside the main hall of the prefect's residence, these clansmen waited patiently for Song Shi'an.

Only Old Master Song Li sat on the left and right sides; everyone else was standing.

"Which counties did Shi An visit incognito?" an old man asked with some concern.

“Jing County is right next to Jianxing, and it’s also Wangshuishan’s county. How could he not go there?” Old Master Song asked rhetorically.

"..." The old man had a headache. It was because Wang Shuishan had fined him 500,000 coins, which was equivalent to 500 taels of silver. He was even more flustered. "Could he have met with Wang Shuishan? If he did, who knows what bad things he might say about me in front of Shi An."

"I told you, don't resist the military-agricultural colonies."

Old Master Song knew that this was an irreversible trend, and that Song Shi'an would not go through the trouble of using connections for the sake of his clansmen. Therefore, he insisted on only one core demand: "We must think of Shi'an and set an example."

"Isn't that just self-harm..."

"Foolish," Old Master Li interrupted, then lectured, "What is a role model? Is this your superficial understanding?"

"It may seem like a loss on the surface, but it can be made up for later."

Seeing that he still didn't understand, Old Master Song bluntly stated.

Now everyone understands.

Land reclamation can certainly be combined with this.

He took the lead in donating money and manpower, which led other wealthy merchants in Huai County to follow suit, or rather, to be dragged into it. After the matter was accomplished, not only would their money be returned in full, but they would also have to share the profits with Song Shi'an.

The Song family came and exploited the entire Huai County!
Everyone calculated it very well.

At the same time, I also have some expectations for the future.

Of course, these require a personal commitment from Song Shi'an.

What if he goes back on his word?
That would mean cutting ties with one's ancestors and breaking with the Song family!

We're here to talk.

"Everyone, the Prefect has returned." At this moment, Song Gan arrived. "I just washed my face and changed my clothes, and then I came over."

“Shi An is working too hard,” said Old Master Song. “We just wanted to see him and didn’t want to interfere with his official duties. We’ve seen him today, and we’ll leave tomorrow.”

"Don't say such things, gentlemen," Song Gan said. "The Prefect said that no matter how busy he is, he will definitely entertain people from his hometown. Otherwise, he will have no face to see the Marquis."

"You've really moved this old man. Shi An is such a good boy."

"With him in Huai County, we are all genuinely happy."

"Yeah yeah……"

Song Gan's words always made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze, bringing them joy.

They waited like that.

A while later, Song Shi'an, dressed in plain robes, appeared with Xin Yue, who had also changed into clean clothes.

Everyone stepped forward to greet them.

"Grandpa, Grandpa Li, Uncle, Uncle, and all my brothers, I am late, please forgive me."

Upon entering, Song Shi'an took the initiative to bow and was warmly welcomed by his clansmen.

Old Master Song held his hand tightly and said with some sadness, "You actually went on an incognito visit. Look at you, you've really lost a lot of weight."

“There are only a few days like this in a year, and I’m usually quite pampered.” Song Shi’an smiled and extended his hand. “Grandpa, please take a seat.”

Grandfather let Song Shi'an take him along, but when they were in the central seat, he and Grandfather Li flanked him and invited him to the center.

“With the two venerable ones here, how dare Shi’an be so presumptuous?” Song Shi’an quickly refused.

"Shi'an!" Old Master Li called out to him, then said very seriously, "At family banquets, we need to distinguish between elders and juniors. But you are the prefect of Huai County. Now that you've come home, you should sit here."

"Child," Old Master Song said solemnly, "this is a crucial moment for both the Song and Li families. Both families will do their utmost to support you, so that you can sit comfortably in this position."

The others also gazed at this younger brother with sincere and unwavering eyes.

This……

That's so incredibly touching.

These are all my beloved family and friends!

"Sit down, it's peaceful."

Old Master Song reached out his hand again.

"Then I thank you all."

Song Shi'an bowed again and sat down. Xin Yue stood to the side.

Two elderly men were sitting on either side of him.

The rest of the tribesmen stood below.

Song Gan stood at the door, head down, hands clasped in front of him.

The first family gathering in Huai County was held.

"Shi'an, you seemed so angry just now, what was it about?" Old Master Li asked worriedly.

The others also looked at him curiously.

"To be honest," Song Shi'an said with a heavy heart, "I started my undercover investigation in Cishan County, and the local areas are very uncooperative with the land reclamation program."

"How can you not cooperate?" Old Master Song asked.

“The wealthy households threatened the tenants and refused to settle their surplus grain, so the people turned against the imperial government’s land reclamation program. The number of registered farmers was too small, making it very difficult to implement even at the county level,” Song Shi’an said.

These words silenced everyone.

At this moment, the old man who had been fined said, "Shi An, your idea was certainly good, but when it came to the county, the execution was completely distorted."

"It's crooked?" Song Shi'an asked, puzzled.

"The promised compensation fields haven't even been designated yet, but they've already started counting the fields belonging to the big landlords. And those tenants are about to leave, so even if we get our fields, no one will cultivate them, and our losses will be far greater than those of the tenants..." Uncle said helplessly. "Because of this, I was also fined 500,000 coins by Magistrate Wang."

"Is this happening?"

Song Shi'an said very seriously.

“He also broke the rules set by Magistrate Wang himself,” Old Master Song said understandingly. “Magistrate Wang is one of Shi An’s men, so he should cooperate properly.”

“That being said, this is something I personally cannot accept.” Song Shi’an looked at Song Gan and said, “I will give my uncle 500,000 yuan of my own money.”

"..."

This sentence stunned everyone.

"Yes." Song Gan readily agreed and prepared to carry it out.

It turns out it wasn't just empty talk.

“Shi’an, how can you make me pay this money?” Uncle quickly waved his hand. “If it should be paid, it should be Wang Shuishan who returns it to me.”

"Please forgive me, Uncle," Song Shi'an said. "What Wang Shuishan did was to follow my orders, so please cooperate. But this loss of 500,000 coins is something I, Song Shi'an, have failed you for."

“There’s nothing to be sorry about, and it’s just a small amount of money, not worth it.” Old Master Song directly wiped the slate clean for his eldest uncle, “Shi’an, there’s no need to harm yourself for the benefit of others.”

"Grandpa, please listen to me."

Song Shi'an slowly stood up and said righteously, "Many people say that I, Song Shi'an, chose to settle in my hometown to exchange for wealth and status, and that I want to squeeze the Song family and the Li family dry. They say I am using the wealth of my ancestors to buy official positions and titles."

"Those people are talking nonsense!"

"Yeah, we don't believe it!"

"Don't take it to heart. We all know what kind of person you are, Shi An!"

The clansmen enthusiastically cheered for Song Shi'an.

“But saying that is far from enough,” Song Shi’an said. “I must give that 500,000 coins to my uncle. Because I swore to my father when I came here that the Song family and the Li family would not lose a single penny or a single plot of land in the entire garrison!”

I swore an oath.

This is a very significant oath!
"So what do you plan to do?" Old Master Song asked.

“My family will be the first to start cultivating the land, and all the land that will be exchanged will be fertile land. Moreover, the compensation will be based on the number of acres of land, including those of the tenant farmers, at a rate of one and a half acres per acre,” Song Shi’an said. “In fact, if the tenant farmers are willing to move with us, they can go together.”

This will definitely not result in a loss.

If executed perfectly, it can even generate a small profit.

However, no one wanted to move.

Therefore, Old Master Song said, "Shi'an, I have an idea."

“Please speak, sir,” said Song Shi’an.

“We’ll cooperate with the land reclamation, we’ll also contribute as tenant farmers, and we can even help reclaim excess wasteland. Giving us grain according to the original share will be enough,” the old woman said fairly.

If that's the case, it's perfectly acceptable.

Because this is the best.

Therefore, this is absolutely impossible.

“But,” as expected, Old Master Song spoke up, “it’s time for us younger generation in the clan to contribute to the family. Besides, you can trust Shi’an with the people of our Song family.”

Organize your own competitions and act as your own referees.

This is treating the military settlements as the Song family's private property.

"But what about the other families?" Song Shi'an asked worriedly.

"You should first take stock, divide all the fields, and set up the army before arranging for our younger generation to move in," said Li Taigong.

Goodness, that's really cunning.

Make cages for those powerful clans.

After taking control of the fields and people, and bringing them under complete control, the Song family will begin to implement family politics and take over Huai County.

This method...

It actually succeeded.

Song Shi'an should agree.

This is already a win-win solution.

"My two great-grandfathers, and all my uncles and brothers."

After pondering for a long time, Song Shi'an spoke with a very serious expression: "I have taken your words to heart. However, everyone must keep this a secret."

That's it.

"Don't worry, Shi'an, it will be kept absolutely secret," said Old Master Song. "If anyone dares to leak the secret, I will punish them according to family rules immediately."

"The matter was accomplished in secrecy," said Old Master Li. "Shi'an, we won't hold you back."

"Alright, then I'll leave it to you all."

Song Shi'an bowed again.

The two elderly men stood up.

Old Master Song said, "Then we won't keep you any longer. We'll all go back to our hometowns tomorrow."

"Grandfather, please don't say that," Song Shi'an said sincerely. "I have indeed been quite busy these past few days, but in three days there is a banquet for all the officials and esteemed members of the gentry in the city. I am too young, and if everyone is not there..."

"Alright, then this old man will back you up!" Old Master Song said readily.

“We, your clansmen, are all your support,” said Old Master Li. “As long as you don’t mind.”

"Shi An, we're here!"

All the tribespeople were set ablaze.

Song Shi'an was also deeply moved and shed tears.

"Shi An, thank you all."

Finally, he bowed again.

.........

The day after tomorrow, the day before the banquet, outside the Song family mansion in Huaiyang County, hundreds of soldiers and nearly a hundred officials had arrived.

"My Lordship, the Prefect has ordered that the Song family's land holdings and number of people be tallied," a military officer said, producing a handwritten note from Song Shi'an.

“But my great-grandfather is not here…” the steward said, quite troubled. “Let’s wait until my great-grandfather returns before we talk about anything else.”

What's going on? Wasn't the purpose of going to Jianxing to discuss the Song family's decision not to establish military farms?

Why is the army here now?

The family is leaderless right now, what should they do...?

"Jia Cheng."

The military commander covered his mouth, leaned close to him, and whispered, "Grandfather is in Jianxing and has already met with the Prefect."

These words left the manager momentarily stunned.

Looking at the officer and then at the soldiers, he whispered, "Did Grandfather agree to this?"

The military commander smiled and leaned closer again, saying, "Master, if it weren't for Grandfather's permission, why would the Prefect allow us to do this?"

(End of this chapter)