Frost for a Thousand Years

Of the nine counties in Huaijun, five were used for military farming, mainly in the Heluo Plain. The remaining four counties, although not within the scope of military farming, also had population.

The Crown Prince promised to provide Song Shi'an with 400,000 people for the military settlements, of which the Crown Prince was responsible for directly relocating 350,000, and the remaining 50,000 would be handled by Song Shi'an himself.

It was all gathered from this small county of Huai County.

After Song Shi'an confiscated his entire hometown, the other gentry families were left with no recourse...

"Have you sent a letter to Master Sheng'an? If it's urgent, it should arrive in a day at most."

"A letter can indeed arrive and be returned in a day, but it has been five days since it was sent out... The meaning is already quite clear."

"You mean even the master doesn't dare to speak up?"

"Now that Song Shi'an is in power, he is the Crown Prince's most favored man. Who would dare to offend him or confront him head-on? The magistrate of Cishan County even dared to deceive the local gentry and take back the grain that had been sold, which shows that Song Shi'an is extremely ruthless!"

"Moreover, even his clansmen from his hometown, as well as the Li family, with whom he has a long-standing friendship, have had most of their tenants relocated. Such a heartless person will naturally be even less tolerant of us."

"What's the point of saying all this? He's already done it..."

A group of local gentry from Jing County looked at the army stationed not far away, on their former land, with countless tents pitched as settlements for the people to live in, and felt a deep sense of melancholy.

All five counties were the same; not a single person escaped the census, not even those whose families held high-ranking official positions in Sheng'an.

The first sword strike was aimed at the family members; such a plan to wipe out the entire family line was remarkably effective.

Song Shi'an also took a carriage and went directly to the military farm in Jing County.

Along the Luo River, a total of 1,500 tents were set up.

Prefect Ji, accompanied by Song Shi'an, inspected the people and soldiers carrying timber as they passed by.

"As per the Prefect's request, we have established a total of five main camps and fifty branch camps for the military settlements. This is the main camp in the capital county, and the other branch camps are gradually taking shape," Prefect Ji explained.

Song Shi'an's plan for military-civilian cooperative farming was to establish a comprehensive system that integrated development, land reclamation, and military support.

The main camp can be understood as a commune, the branch camp as a brigade, and below the branch camp there are even more detailed villages, which can be considered as teams.

The number of people who settled in the military farms was 400,000, and the number of soldiers was more than 50,000, totaling more than 450,000.

There were five main camps, fifty branch camps, and nearly a thousand villages.

A very tight three-tier system has been formed.

This is the military settlement.

Each group of four or five hundred people was managed by at least forty soldiers, and several officials were responsible for statistics and communication. They were even responsible for education, much like instructors.

At the general headquarters level, which may seem to be only a county, the power and influence it wields are enormous.

Keep in mind that this was a massive commune with 80,000 people and 10,000 soldiers.

This is why Song Shi'an refused the Song family's offer to appoint their own clan members as officials in charge of land reclamation.

The profits involved are enormous.

By concentrating the population and arable land, productivity can be increased by at least one-fold.

Corruption and losses in local taxes at the state, county, and county levels have also been reduced by at least two-thirds.

Four hundred and fifty thousand people can generate land tax for more than three million people.

Of course, this is all predicated on success.

"How long would it take to build a wooden house like this?" Song Shi'an asked, pointing to a row of square wooden houses, each about twelve square meters in size, with thatched roofs.

"Before you took office, our Huai County soldiers began a large-scale logging campaign, felling 300,000 trees in three months. Everything was prepared in advance," the Prefectural Magistrate said. "Five people can finish the job in five days."

"How many people are currently registered in the military farms?" Song Shi'an asked.

“Jing County is a large county, and the population has already been counted, totaling 12,000. The other four counties should be able to complete their counts and report within the next two days. As for the four Zhou counties that do not have military farms, it will take longer,” the Prefect said. “The combined population of these five counties with military farms should be around 50,000.”

“Fifty thousand civilians and four thousand county soldiers,” Song Shi’an pondered. “That means about two thousand houses are completed every day.”

"Yes, that's about it."

"Faster," Song Shi'an said. "Mobilize the remaining non-military residents and gentry to perform corvée labor, and within a month, before the snow falls, at least 80,000 houses should be completed."

Since these 50,000 tenant households already had dwellings, approximately 10,000 houses, a total of 450,000 people would only need about 90,000 houses.

"Your Excellency, are you going to take action against the gentry?" The Prefectural Magistrate was genuinely afraid.

This is just too much!

Since the founding of our Great Yu Kingdom, when have the gentry ever suffered such a great injustice?

"Serving in corvée labor is the duty and responsibility of every citizen of Dayu."

"But I've already served enough corvée labor this year."

"If you pay in advance for next year, you won't have to perform corvée labor next year."

"Your Excellency, the common people are relatively easy to mobilize." The Prefectural Magistrate genuinely felt that things were a bit too radical, so he whispered a reminder, "As for those gentry and powerful families... they already have grievances about this land reclamation project, and to make them send people to serve in the military is not a good idea, is it?"

"It's precisely because they are gentry, respectable people, that we only need to let them provide manpower." Song Shi'an smiled coldly, "Anyone who resists, no matter what kind of noble family they are, they will personally carry timber and build houses for me."

The planned land reclamation system required ruthlessness.

I'll make 95 out of 100; you know my methods!

"..." After a brief silence, the prefect bowed to Song Shi'an and said, "Your Excellency, I will listen to you."

What do you mean by "I'll listen to you"?

Shouldn't it be 'yes' or 'as you command'?

Knowing he was reluctant, Song Shi'an put his hand on the other's shoulder and smiled slightly after he looked up: "Don't worry, I'm here."

These eight words were the strongest source of confidence for the Prefect.

He wouldn't believe it if others said so.

Because in the treacherous world of officialdom, all that matters is self-preservation; when problems arise, everyone prioritizes protecting themselves.

The best way to purge the emperor's inner circle is to execute Chao Cuo.

Even emperors cannot avoid becoming shameless villains.

Fortunately...

Song Shi'an's credit score is really high.

None of the civil and military officials and soldiers of Beiliang who joined the mutiny were purged.

Even the prince who volunteered to take the blame was forcibly assigned a portion of the blame by him.

Huang Tong, a traitorous official of the Yan state who held three thousand gold pieces in his hands, was even granted an official position.

Only those who are willing to die for others will have people constantly willing to die for them.

This is personal charisma.

"Yes, Your Excellency, I understand." The Prefectural Magistrate didn't care anymore; he dismissed all the aristocratic families and gentry!
Just then, Xinyue rushed over in a hurry: "Shi'an, something bad has happened."

Song Shi'an was taken aback, and Prefect Ji also paused for a moment before taking the initiative to say, "Then, Your Excellency, I'll go first..."

Song Shi'an raised his hand to interrupt, then asked, "Is it related to military farms?"

"Yes, you could say that," Xinyue said.

“Then speak,” Song Shi’an said. “The Prefect should know everything related to the military farms.”

"Thank you for your trust, Prefect." Prefect Ji bowed slightly.

After a moment's hesitation, Xin Yue said, "Old Master Song held an ancestral worship ceremony in Huaiyang, notified all the clansmen, and also invited the Li family. He even declared that anyone who did not attend would be removed from the clan."

“…” Ji Juncheng was shocked to hear this.

For most people, this would be a huge deal, no less than being kicked out of their home.

"That includes my dad too?" Song Shi'an asked.

“The message should have been sent to the Minister as well,” Xin Yue said.

“Alright, let Song Gan tell my father that he doesn’t need to come back,” Song Shi’an said.

“My Lord!” Magistrate Ji hurriedly said, “Although this is your family matter, I know that for you, the land reclamation is more important than anything else. But if you are really removed from the register, not only will your personal reputation be damaged, but it will also be detrimental to the completion of the land reclamation.”

That's right, reputation was extremely important in ancient times.

In ancient times, filial piety and righteousness were considered fundamental virtues.

If Song Shi'an were removed from the register, he would become a rootless person, and all the officials in the court could use this as a reason to criticize him. Even some ignorant common people would say that he was disloyal and unfilial, and thus resist him.

"Don't worry, sir, I won't be removed from the register," Song Shi'an said reassuringly. "Even if my father doesn't go, I'm still here, aren't I?"

"..." The prefectural magistrate was dumbfounded, then said excitedly, "What I mean is, let the Marquis go, and you, Prefect, don't show up. That way, there might be room for negotiation."

Since he's a junior, if Song Jing goes in person, he might be able to trigger the "face-saving fruit" (a metaphor for saving face).

"I don't want my dad to go and get scolded."

"Then you're quite filial." Xin Yue said.

"Because he'll come and yell at me after he's been yelled at."

Then just come and insult me ​​directly.

There are no middlemen making a profit.

"Your Excellency may go, but please bring more guards," the Prefectural Magistrate suggested.

“It would be strange if I brought such an army with me when I went back to my hometown to pay respects to my ancestors.”

Song Shi'an calmly pointed to Xin Yue and himself, and then said, "Let's go, let's go pay respects to our ancestors."

.........

Sheng'an.

"That damned brat!" Song Jing slammed his fist on the table in anger, clutching the letter in his hand. "He's trying to fool our clansmen by making them out to be people from Qi!"

"Father, how is it?" Song Ce asked from the side.

“Yesterday, people from my hometown suddenly invited me back to pay respects to our ancestors, and I still don’t know why,” Song Jing said. “Song Gan sent a letter saying that he tricked the Song and Li clansmen into staying in Jianxing, and then secretly sent troops to search the fields in our hometown, taking away 80% of the tenants’ land.” “?” Song Ce.

"Old Master Song is so angry that he's holding an ancestral worship ceremony. All clansmen must be present, or they'll be removed from the clan," Song Jing said irritably. "That brat told me not to go, and he'll go back in my place."

“Father, you really can’t go back,” Song Ce said very seriously. “If you go back, the people back home will try to force you, and the land reclamation will be difficult to advance.”

“He’s succeeded in establishing his agricultural colonies, but what’s the price?” Song Jing said. “We won’t even be able to enter our ancestral graves!”

"Father, don't worry," Song Ce reassured him. "Since my brother wants to go back, there must be a way."

"What method do you have?" Song Jing asked back.

“Then the four thousand gold pieces,” Song Ce said simply.

Song Jing remained silent for a long time.

Four thousand gold pieces is indeed enough.

This matter can indeed be settled here.

In fact, you don't need that many.

However, Song Jing sighed and said, "But what if he refuses to pay with gold?"

.........

Huaiyang, Song Family Ancestral Hall.

A vigorous ancient cypress tree with its roots intertwined in front of the main gate leads to a courtyard paved with bluestone slabs. In the center stands a grand mansion surrounded by wing rooms on the left and right, which is the Song Clan Ancestral Hall.

Inside the ancestral hall, Old Lady Song was kneeling on the central prayer mat, meditating with her eyes closed.

At that moment, a member of the tribe walked in.

First, he offered incense to the ancestral tablets and kowtowed three times on the prayer mat. Then he approached Old Master Song and knelt down, saying, "I still haven't heard any news that Song Shi'an is coming, and Song Jing hasn't arrived either."

"The ancestral worship ceremony will only begin tonight, so please wait a little longer," said Song Taigong calmly.

"If we don't wait for it..."

"Song Shi'an and Song Jing, both shall be expelled from the clan," Old Master Song said decisively.

"What about Song Ce?" a clansman asked.

"When I say Song Shi'an, that naturally refers to his entire family. Is Song Ce any different?"

"But he is the emperor's son-in-law."

"..." Old Master Song's body tensed, then he said angrily, "That's the same, this is our Song family's own business!"

"Yes." The clansman nodded, then complained, "They've been granted marquises, their youngest son married the emperor's daughter, and their eldest son is still such a young third-rank official. If only their family didn't oppose the clan."

“Their power and status were all earned by sacrificing themselves for the emperor,” said Old Master Song. “Without our sacrifices, Song Shi’an would not have enjoyed his wealth and glory.”

"That brat is so selfish!"

"Gather all members of the clan and invite Li's relatives and friends to prepare for the sacrificial ceremony."

"Yes."

The clansmen then withdrew from the ancestral hall.

Old Master Song continued to look at the ancestral tablet, his eyes filled with tears, and said, "Ancestors, I will not let the Song family wander aimlessly."

As the largest clan in Huai County, the Song clan was also the most powerful.

The Song family alone had eight hundred men.

Nearly a hundred people from the Li family also came.

However, the ancestral hall could not accommodate so many people.

Therefore, the younger members of the eight hundred collateral branches lived outside the ancestral hall, while the slightly more distinguished direct descendants lived in the courtyard.

There were still more than a dozen people in the ancestral hall.

Night falls, and the sky is dotted with stars.

Less than half an hour remained before the official start of the sacrificial ceremony, but Song Shi'an was still nowhere to be seen.

"Is this kid too scared to come?"

"What makes him dare to come?"

"He became a high-ranking official, took gold, and sold out all his clansmen."

"They're just treating us like we're from Qi!"

"Unless he takes out those four thousand gold pieces to compensate his family, he can forget about getting our forgiveness."

"What's the use of saying all this now? After tonight, he won't be one of our people anymore..."

Just then, the sound of wheels came from afar, accompanied by the clatter of horses' hooves, and under the moonlight, a dark mist was stirred up.

Everyone looked over.

A horse-drawn carriage stopped not far away.

The two people got off the carriage.

"wait for me."

Song Shi'an placed his hand on the back of Xin Yue's hand and said calmly.

"You must be very careful," Xin Yue said with some concern. "Don't speak too arrogantly. What you've done is truly inhuman."

"...Haven't you always supported petitioning on behalf of the people?" Song Shi'an said. "How is that not a human right?"

"You're just lying."

"I see."

Song Shi'an also knew that he had let down his clansmen's expectations.

Therefore, he came prepared.

However, the family members came prepared.

Upon seeing Song Shi'an's carriage, everyone was given a torch.

Then, like a torch relay, they lit the torch one by one.

Eight hundred people, each holding one of eight hundred balls of fire.

The entire area outside the ancestral hall was brightly lit.

When Song Shi'an walked up to them, everyone stared at him intently, their eyes burning with intensity.

Furthermore, they completely blocked the main entrance of the ancestral hall.

These are all marginal figures in the clan; even if they are from a collateral branch, they are not the heads of the main family within that branch.

Some of them were even just ordinary rich peasants.

But once the clansmen are united, even a high-ranking official of the third rank will stand together against external threats.

At worst, you can kill us all.

“Song Shi’an, a descendant of the Song family, has come to pay respects to his ancestors.”

Song Shi'an clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to the crowd.

Only then did they slowly make way for them.

Song Shi'an walked inside like that.

On both sides of the passageway cleared by the crowd, there were solemn faces, like Arhats, illuminated by torchlight, with countless eyes fixed on him as he walked through the gate.

Inside the gate were members of the Song clan who held some status.

"I'm so old, where do you want me to move to?"

"Shouldn't you, as the Prefect of Huai County, bring prosperity to your clan? Why are you sacrificing your clan for your future?"

"Lord Song, please repent and turn back from your wrong path!"

They immediately launched a fierce protest.

"I will apologize to the old man."

Song Shi'an bowed again.

Then, I walked through the middle.

The tribesmen on both sides continued to attack, shouting at him.

"Without the protection of your family, even if you rise to the highest position in the court, you can still fall at any moment!"

"Don't let yourself be used as a pawn; remember who you are!"

"Without the Song family, your father wouldn't be who he is today, let alone you. Child, remember to be grateful!"

Under immense pressure, Song Shi'an entered the ancestral hall.

Inside the ancestral hall were the clansmen from Jianxing that day, who flew into a rage upon seeing Song Shi'an.

One of them rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward, grabbing Song Shi'an by the collar, when the old man said, "Stop."

"..." The man could only reluctantly let go, "Hmph!"

Everyone wants to skin themselves alive.

After all, the wounds of betrayal never heal.

Song Shi'an walked to the monument and lit three sticks of incense.

Then he knelt on the prayer mat and kowtowed three times before the ancestral tablets.

His tribesmen beside him glared at him with eyes like swords, their teeth clenched. (End of Chapter)