Frost for a Thousand Years

At nightfall.

Sheng'an City, Taiyuan Hall.

The Crown Prince sat on the fifth step of the throne, with Ye Changqing standing beside him.

Only Eunuch Xi was waiting outside the hall.

“An is truly remarkable at this time.” The Crown Prince couldn’t help but look at Ye Changqing as he spoke. “His clansmen went to put pressure on him, and he used this as a perfect opportunity to lure them away from their homeland and successfully manage the land reclamation project. Isn’t that brilliant?”

Ye Changqing smiled as well: "Unexpected, yet reasonable."

"How should we interpret this in a reasonable way?" the crown prince asked.

“Given Shi An’s personality, he would definitely treat everyone equally in completing the land reclamation project; otherwise, he wouldn’t have promoted him to such a high position,” Ye Changqing said. “When these clansmen came to him on their own, I think he was even happier.”

Directly negotiating will only create more trouble and make things difficult to move forward.

But since you delivered it yourselves, don't blame me for going straight for the heart of the enemy.

"Is it really possible? I don't quite believe it." The Crown Prince waved his hand. "That would be deceiving his own people, inciting public anger, and possibly even alienating them from everyone. It's possible that he was acting out of desperation, but is it really possible that someone could manipulate his own people like that?"

This would have been far too exaggerated in ancient China.

After all, humans are clan animals; how can they stand on their own without a family?
No matter how ruthless the Crown Prince is, he can only win over the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Zhongping. He still has to win over and appease the rest of his relatives.

Ye Changqing smiled slightly at this and said, "What Your Highness says makes a lot of sense."

"But none of that matters anymore; it seems the land reclamation project has been successfully completed."

"However..." Ye Changqing hesitated, then stopped.

"What's wrong?" the crown prince asked.

“He did indeed pull off this sudden move, seizing the land and people of those clansmen,” Ye Changqing said. “But Shi An is not such a reckless person.”

"Yes, the world thinks he only has passion and is fearless," the Crown Prince said soberly. "But I know he is very meticulous, extremely meticulous."

“The Song family has suffered such great losses, there must be other compensation,” Ye Changqing said.

"Is it safe to take a bath?"

The Crown Prince believed that Song Shi'an should be especially impartial, selfless, and righteous, and should not engage in such transfer of benefits.

“Yes, that should be the case.” Ye Changqing defended him slightly. “Shi An can be selfless and altruistic, but that doesn’t mean others can be. If he doesn’t do this, he will definitely be expelled from the family, and his father and Song Ce will also be unable to enter the ancestral grave.”

"Indeed, he also has responsibilities to his father and brothers."

"So if something really happens, someone will definitely use it to make a fuss." Ye Changqing was already trying to sow discord between the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince.

"understood."

The Crown Prince stretched out his hand, like an open five-finger mountain, and said sternly, "I will try my best to suppress it."

.........

Song Shi'an emerged from the ancestral hall.

The people in the courtyard were all very surprised to see that he had no injuries at all and had come out so quickly. They just stared at him.

The crowd, who had been cursing and swearing, were all powerfully intimidated by his cold and angry gaze and the way he walked with the wind, and could only watch his back as he left.

At this moment, everyone in the ancestral hall looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Is a road specially built in Ji County? The imperial court spent a lot of money and manpower. Is it finished yet?"

"So fast? Then it must have already been put into use."

"But not just anyone can use that."

“That’s silly. Anyone can travel on the road, but there’s a tax when you leave the pass, another when you enter the pass, and there’s also the tax for using the post stations along the way. That would take away 60% of the cost.”

"Song Shi'an said he also had a share in this road, which means..."

Everyone started to think about it.

The reason is very simple.

If hard work could lead to wealth, then the world's richest person would be a domestically made donkey.

Everyone knows that buying animal hides from Northern Yan and reselling them to Sheng'an can make a lot of money, so why don't they all do it?

Connections are the strongest bond.

Without connections, the official tax rate is 60%, but in reality it may be more.

But if the Song family also had a stake in this path, then things would be completely different.

At least when entering Dayu Pass, taxes can be reduced to a minimum.

The rest stops along the way can also be used for low-cost accommodations.

Furthermore, although he had a bad reputation in the state of Yan, he had already offended the state of Qi to the death, so his reputation was still useful.

Under such favorable conditions...

Why bother farming? We're in the foreign trade business!

"So, he originally intended for us to use this road?" the uncle realized, his heart pounding.

"Wouldn't that mean we've completely offended him?"

"He looked very disappointed when he left..."

While everyone chattered amongst themselves, they were all quite worried, fearing that Song Shi'an might refuse to let them join. At this moment, the old man finally couldn't hold back any longer and scolded, "You bunch of idiots, can't you even see through this act?"

"..." Everyone looked blankly at the speechless old man.

"His anger is fake, and his claim that this road was originally meant for us is also fake," the old man exposed. "But using this road to compensate us was something he had already decided on long ago!"

"So this time you got angry because..." the uncle suddenly realized, "...it was all to trick people out of some grain!"

"That's too cunning! That kid is too cunning!"

"How could someone be so scheming?"

"This is simply treating us people from our hometown like we're from the Yan state!"

In retrospect, every step was part of Song Shi'an's plan.

They walked steadily, step by step, without falling into a single trap.

“We never intended to expel him from the clan,” the uncle added, reflecting on the situation. “It was simply a threat to make him consider his reputation and then admit his mistake.”

"Now that I think about it..." Uncle also realized the difference in their levels, "If he hadn't been prepared, how could he have dared to come?"

“Are we really going to give them food? We’ve lost so much land and so many lives,” one of them said indignantly. “Since the road is already built, why don’t we just start using it for trade and continue to use its name?”

"Don't embarrass yourself, it's too ugly."

Grandfather was a respectable man, and he directly silenced the man, then casually threw down the cold iron ruler in his hand and faced the crowd: "If this road can be used, then everything must be subject to the family. The caravans, the people, the divisions, and the merchants formed by them will all be under unified command."

"It's Grandfather."

"I will obey Grandfather's orders."

"The journey is long, but with family support, it is naturally safer and more reliable."

"Huai County Chamber of Commerce".

"This dispute with Song Shi'an is an internal family disagreement, and no one is allowed to disclose it," the old patriarch added.

"Yes!"

"He is still one of our clansmen, and moreover, the Prefect of Huai County," Old Master Song solemnly warned. "No one is allowed to show him any disrespect."

"What about the grain?" the uncle asked hesitantly.

"Of course,"

Raising his finger, the old man, though in considerable pain, had no choice but to compromise, saying, "Respected one, send it over."

.........

"Why are you so angry?"

After receiving Song Shi'an, Xin Yue asked with some confusion.

"Tell me in the car."

Song Shi'an remained as energetic and energetic as ever.

Then the two of them quickly got into San Gou's carriage.

He began to drive the carriage, with candlelight in hand.

As soon as he got into the car, Song Shi'an couldn't help but laugh: "We've got the grain."

"So smoothly?" Xin Yue knew he planned to use the route to compensate his family, and she also knew he wanted to take the opportunity to get some food, but she didn't expect it to be done so easily. "They were already losing so much, and they're still willing to continue giving?"

"Because my great-grandfather said hurtful things."

Song Shi'an wanted to force him to say something that would make him lose his temper.

He had no reason to get angry about the previous arguments. After all, they were debates where both sides had valid points.

Until he uttered that question—Am I just a scourge to the Song family?

"You're quite good at complaining."

Xin Yue couldn't help but admire Song Shi'an's talent in this area.

"The amount of grain that the entire Song family can donate can at least alleviate some of the immediate crisis," Song Shi'an sighed.

"Can we make it through this winter?" Xinyue asked.

"What were you thinking? You think a small portion of our grain could feed 450,000 people for a winter? If it were that powerful, our house would have been confiscated long ago."

Although the Song family was a large clan, it was not as large as this.

The limit might be supporting an army of five or six thousand people.

Cao Cao's grandfather was a Grand Commandant, a position he bought with money. When he first started his rebellion, he had to rely on the support of Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and a group of relatives, friends, and villagers to raise an army of 5,000.

In the Great Yu, the strength of aristocratic families is limited.

Only characters like the Duke of Li and Sun Situ are considered to have an overpowered level of strength.

"Could the other major clans also contribute grain in this way?" Xin Yue asked, "Let them use the roads."

“That’s definitely not going to work.” Song Shi’an waved his hand and refused. “The emperor himself said that this road is for me, so I can let my clansmen use it. If outsiders want to use it, they’re taking up their share.”

"Then next..." Xin Yue said after doing some calculations, "there are only four thousand gold coins left."

"If people's hearts don't change, then four thousand gold pieces will be enough."

Song Shi'an shook his head and judged, "But it's unlikely that people's hearts will remain unchanged."

.........

Fu County.

"Second Hall".

A clerk reported this to Sun Qian, the prefectural magistrate.

"How's it going?" Sun Qian asked.

"Your Excellency, the roads bordering Huai County are under strict management, and merchants traveling there have also made careful considerations," he said.

"How is the grain procurement by private individuals going?" he asked.

“The major grain producers have all bought up grain at high prices, and there are hardly any small merchants or households left with much grain stored up,” he said. “After all, they were happy to have us abolish the grain trade tax. Besides, there’s also the matter of Sun Ertang’s face.”

To be precise, it was about the face of the Sun family of Yangzhou.

"So, will the government buy up the grain at the same high price then?" Sun Qian asked.

"They believed in the Sun family's strength without any doubt."

"very good."

Sun Qian's lips curled into a smile as he said, "It's chilly today, and it might be another harsh winter. Our grain is for getting through the winter, to prepare for unforeseen disasters and man-made calamities. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

The registrar smiled and nodded, saying sensibly, "It's impossible to sell a single grain of rice to Huai County."

at the same time,

The border between Qinzhou and Huai County.

All the main roads were checkpoints.

This was the fiefdom of nobles.

The military has placed this area under strict control.

Nowhere in the Great Yu Dynasty is as feudal as this place.

"Sir, why can't we pass through ahead...?"

When a caravan saw that the road was blocked, they sent someone to inquire with the officers.

"There are bandits ahead. For your own good, you should retreat," the officer said.

"what?"

The man was stunned, because there wasn't even a mountain in front of him.

"What are you dawdling for? Go back."

"Sir, this is a shipment ordered by a magistrate from Huai County. It's all textiles, nothing else. I dare not delay, please make an exception." The man took out a silver coin, quietly placed it in his hand, and blinked.

The officer smiled.

Then he put the silver coin back into the other person's hand and said, "If I let you go, I'll lose my life."

.........

"Lord Shi...!"

After receiving Song Shi'an's notification, Wang Shuishan, who had been busy with various matters, immediately set off to find him at the Tuntian Camp in Jing County.

Song Shi'an, who was presiding over a meeting in the main lobby that was under construction, immediately smiled when he saw him enter and got up to greet him.

The officials and officers on either side watched as he embraced the county magistrate.

Involuntarily, everyone turned their attention to that mere seventh-rank official.

Wang Shuishan, the magistrate of Jing County.

"Your Excellency, may I act as your deputy? I'm going out for a stroll with Shuishan," Song Shi'an said.

"Yes," the prefectural magistrate replied.

The two of them left and then toured the camp.

"It was just a rough draft at first, but I never expected it to develop so quickly in just half a month. I feel like there are thousands of wooden houses along the way," Wang Shuishan said.

"We need a total of 80,000 seats," Song Shi'an said. "The foundation we laid before was good, so the preparations over the past six months have been absolutely necessary."

“In the past six months, those powerful families have made thorough preparations,” Wang Shuishan said with a heavy heart.

"Did you know about my previous incognito visit?" Song Shi'an asked.

“How could I not know?” Wang Shuishan laughed. “The entire Cishan County was in chaos. The army suppressed it several times, and some government officials died. I heard they were even hanged in the middle of the road.”

"Isn't this a secret already?" Song Shi'an joked.

“Although you weren’t implicated, that magistrate is really in a difficult position.” Wang Shuishan asked in a low voice with great interest, “Just how serious is his mistake?”

Song Shi'an smiled faintly and said, "Not a single grain of rice is left in the entire warehouse."

"..." Wang Shuishan was stunned, then said with great anger, "What a scoundrel! A criminal who should have his entire family executed!"

“Compared to that, your Jingxian County did a much better job.” Song Shi’an placed his hand on his shoulder, speaking with complete trust. “The order hasn’t been disrupted at all.”

"I guess I'm just not capable enough." Wang Shuishan wasn't arrogant; on the contrary, he reflected on himself. "I originally wanted to check the household registration in this area for you before you came, but I encountered many obstacles and it was too difficult."

"That's not something a county magistrate like you can accomplish."

Bro, how many heads do you have to do this?

"It's good that I didn't hold you back." After some modesty and politeness, Wang Shuishan returned to the main topic, "Is there enough food?"

"To the west is Fu County, Sun Qian's territory, where grain is completely unavailable. To the north is Qinzhou, where even trade has been cut off."

Song Shi'an shook his head, looking quite helpless, and said, "In other places, food is also scarce. We are trying our best to buy what we can. Although the Song family donated some, it's just a drop in the ocean."

"Doesn't the higher-ups care?" Wang Shuishan asked indignantly.

"This is what the higher-ups are in charge of."

Don't refer to the above specifically to a person, such as the emperor.

The Duke of Li was above them, as was Minister Sun; the entire Sheng'an was above them.

Countless impeachment letters have been sent to the capital.

No matter how powerful the crown prince is, he cannot forcefully intervene.

Not to mention that he entrusted it entirely to him.

"Should we use the army to forcibly take over and repurchase the shares?" Wang Shuishan remembered doing this in Beiliang.

With his hands behind his back, Song Shi'an gently shook his head: "Let's try not to go that far."

Just then, a cavalryman rushed up to Song Shi'an.

He then quickly dismounted, knelt on one knee, and clenched his fists: "Your Majesty! The Sixth Prince's army and the people he brought with him shall enter the territory within three days!"

"Ah."

Song Shi'an calmly accepted the situation, muttering to himself, "Since you're here, I can't let you go hungry." (End of Chapter)