Frost for a Thousand Years

"Master, the people from the palace have left..."

The steward went to Sun Situ's room and quietly reported to him.

Upon hearing this, Sun Situ angrily stood up.

Seeing this, the steward quickly went over to help him up, saying, "Sir, please take it easy."

"This is a slap in the face to this old man."

Sun Situ was arrogant his whole life, and this setback had already made him furious. The fact that the emperor had sent someone to comfort him made him even more embarrassed: "Who leaked it? Or is there a spy for the court in this mansion?"

"Master, it's my fault for not disciplining him properly. It must be those people in the manor who spread the rumors..." the steward quickly admitted. "I will definitely investigate thoroughly and find those gossipy women."

"Forget it, there are hundreds of people in the manor, how can they possibly find out?" Sun Situ coughed twice, angry but helpless. "Don't embarrass yourself."

"Yes." The manager was only providing emotional support; he couldn't actually catch the traitor.

All I can say is that we need to regulate the servants in the mansion more in the future.

But the most despicable one is still the emperor.

Coming over to mock me at this moment is truly both deadly and morally damaging.

"Master, this is a letter from the young master." The steward handed a handwritten letter to Sun Situ.

He took it, looked at it, and then shook his head: "This kid's gone crazy. He insists on fighting Song Shi'an to the end and joining forces with Qinzhou to fight Huai County."

"Young Master is simply unwilling to accept it, after all, Song Shi'an used such insidious and despicable methods..."

“Despicable is just flattery used to comfort others. To still talk about being despicable after losing like this is just plain ugly. Don’t be so shameless.” Sun Situ admitted quite clearly, “Qian’er is no match for Song Shi’an, far inferior to him.”

If someone says something like, "He's despicable, only knows how to sneak around, and uses a turtling strategy that he doesn't dare to face the enemy head-on," that's fine, but if someone actually believes that the other side can't beat them and only dares to use underhanded tactics, then that person is basically useless.

"Judging from this, Song Shi'an's political acumen far surpasses his literary talent," Sun Situ said admiringly. "To be able to purchase it at five times the price of grain is incredibly audacious."

“Yes, if any link in the chain breaks down, or if the money isn’t paid, then the whole thing is lost,” the manager agreed.

Song Shi'an was not reckless; he possessed meticulous calculations and bold decision-making abilities.

Using the limited funds at five times the price to buy grain, they managed to attract grain from several surrounding counties just before their funds ran out, and timed their purchase perfectly to coincide with the snowfall.

If any link in the chain goes wrong, he becomes a clown.

The Joker's cost was that the food shortage was far from enough to fill the gap, and his only card, 'funds', was completely wasted.

"I have to go to the palace."

Thinking of this, Sun Situ prepared to get up.

“Master, your health is of utmost importance. If there is something to convey, why not send the eldest son?” the steward asked.

“No, I have to go.” Sun Situ made a keen judgment. “Qian’er is ambitious. He will not be willing to accept such a crushing defeat. We must tell the Crown Prince that he is not suitable to govern a region and recall him to Sheng’an immediately.”

If we stop now, all we'll get is being tricked and losing face.

But if they really get carried away and directly oppose the military colonization, or even resort to tyranny, then there will be no way to stop it.

"Yes, sir."

The manager quickly helped him up.

Just then, a voice came from outside the door: "Father, it's me."

Sun Situ's face darkened, and he said to the steward, "Go out and let her in."

"Yes."

The steward left, and after meeting Sun Jinhua at the door, he whispered, "Miss, the master wants you to come in."

"Hmm."

Sun Jinhua entered the room and closed the door.

Seeing her father sit up, she quickly took down the cloak that was hanging there, walked over to him, draped it over his shoulders, and asked with great concern, "Father, it's cold. If you need anything, just tell the servants. You can also tell your daughter."

"Father, there really are some things to do."

Looking at his daughter, he showed a rare hint of kindness and said with a smile.

"Huh?" Sun Jinhua was quite puzzled and subconsciously made a cute sound, but quickly realized that it was not dignified enough, so she quickly became ladylike, "Father, what can Jinhua do for you?"

“There’s a letter I want to send to your brother, but I’m not comfortable with anyone else doing it.” Sun Situ looked at him earnestly and said, “Would you be willing to deliver it in Father’s place?”

Sun Jinhua was of course willing.

She dreamed of becoming a useful woman.

Just like Xin Yue.

However, she didn't feel that her family's relaxed atmosphere allowed her, a woman, to appear in public like this, so she vaguely suspected that this was a trap. Therefore, she said, "The journey is long, and Jin Hua is just a woman. Will she be able to complete the task that Father entrusted to her..."

"Hahaha." Sun Situ laughed immediately, raised his finger, and teased her, "You think I don't know that you spent your days in Jiangnan practicing swordsmanship, completely lacking any feminine qualities, and even brought those things to Sheng'an?"

Upon being pointed out like this, Sun Jinhua blushed instantly, but she no longer doubted it and said earnestly, "Daughter is willing to share her father's burdens."

.........

Inside the Prince of Jin's residence, the two princes were warming themselves by a fire while also roasting meat.

"Second Brother, Song Shi'an is truly a monster." Wei Yiyuan was completely convinced, holding a cup of hot wine in his hand, and said with a sigh, "He even fooled you and me."

“You didn’t fool me.” Prince Jin said with a touch of pride, “I never believed from the beginning that the Crown Prince would give away the entire national treasury to let Song Shi’an go to cultivate land.”

“That’s true. You and I both know the state of the national treasury. It simply can’t afford to compete with the powerful families,” Wei Yiyuan said. “But the way he acted was too intimidating.”

When Song Shi'an bought grain at five times the price, Prince Zhongping really thought the Crown Prince was angry and wanted to fight back against those who resisted the land reclamation, using money to force them to surrender.

It has now been discovered that Song Shi'an was bluffing all along.

They made the most of those four daughters into all sorts of fun.

"This time, the Duke of Li and Minister Sun worked together to break the deadlock, and they also suffered considerable losses," said Prince Jin. "Of course, the biggest loser was the two important figures who personally intervened and brought everything to the forefront."

Previously, they resorted to underhanded schemes and used their respective subordinate forces to fight each other.

But now that these two important figures have stepped forward, the situation is different.

It could be said that the treacherous official himself stepped forward.

“However, the main problem is that the nobles are too petty. Sun Qian is fine.” Wei Yiyuan said.

The main buyers of this grain were people from Qinzhou.

It can be said that without their support of the enemy, Song Shi'an would not have been able to win at all.

“Minister Sun entered the palace the day before yesterday,” said the Prince of Jin. “This time, his alliance with the Duke of Li should have collapsed on its own.”

Who could have imagined that when these arrogant nobles personally took action, the final result would be—a huge mess.

“With the rise of new nobles like Song Shi’an, it should be the people of Qinzhou who are anxious. It is understandable that the Sun family is withdrawing at this time.” Wei Yiyuan could understand.

Having witnessed the cohesion of the Qinzhou ragtag group, Sun Situ certainly didn't want to team up with the Duke of Li again.

“However, if the people of Qinzhou are truly united, they will be a real problem for Song Shi’an,” said the Prince of Jin. “This Great Yu is likely to experience an earthquake within a year.”

"Second Brother, have you already skipped over the topic of land reclamation?"

Wei Yiyuan smiled and said, "The old Grand Tutor has withdrawn, but the young Grand Tutor may not agree."

.........

"Are you sure that Song Shi'an is using the road to Northern Yan to make a deal with the Song clan?"

Sun Qian asked seriously.

"Young master, why don't we call it quits?" Seeing that Sun Qian was already carried away, the servant who came with him advised, "Song Shi'an has confiscated all the grain in the Central Plains, and land reclamation is an inevitable trend."

“I know, but he used land reclamation to profit his family. How can such behavior not be impeached?” Sun Qian clenched his fist and said excitedly. “Furthermore, this time it’s not just one large family that has lost its fortune. Are they willing to accept this?”

"The master already sent a letter by express courier, ordering you to stop..."

"Stop? How can I stop after being toyed with like this!"

This incident reminded Sun Qian of the humiliation of being trampled on and losing the top scholar title, and his anger immediately erupted: "The nobles of Qinzhou will not let this go. My interests are still aligned with theirs!"

.........

The military agricultural settlements comprised a total of 430,000 people, all residing in the five central counties of Huai County.

In the other four counties, nearly 30,000 people also registered for land reclamation. However, because the local county governments forced the wealthy households to make up for the grain owed to their tenants, their survival was still guaranteed. "At that time, the total population will be 460,000."

On a day when it wasn't snowing, but the earth was covered in a blanket of white snow, Song Shi'an, Wei Wusheng, and Xinyue took a walk along the frozen river.

"Furthermore, those wealthy households are willing to contribute a total of more than 30,000 people to build the Gongshi River and participate in land reclamation." Wei Wusheng also greatly admired Song Shi'an's work-for-relief approach. "At that time, 500,000 people will be gathered in this land. If there is a good harvest, the entire empire's deficit can be made up in a year."

"We can start preparing for war in the second year." Song Shi'an looked at him.

“In the third year, we will have the resources to launch a northern expedition.” Wei Wusheng also looked at him.

The two of them immediately beamed with delight and began to exchange knowing, mischievous smiles.

"You're thinking really far ahead," Xin Yue casually reminded her.

How could they have grown so powerful without any danger?
“Of course we need to think long-term,” Song Shi’an said cheerfully. “Isn’t the Great Yu Dynasty on the right track?”

"For His Highness the Crown Prince, to unify the world." Wei Wusheng also clenched his fist and gently tapped his chest.

These two idiots are really crazy.

However, Xin Yue could understand their feelings.

Wise ministers and famous generals often fantasize about a great and benevolent monarch in order to realize their own life's meaning.

Of course, these two were also very clear about one thing—that the crown prince was not a great and benevolent monarch at all.

“However, there’s one thing you should be careful about,” Wei Wusheng reminded him. “Your clansmen seem to be a bit high-profile.”

"The trade route to Northern Yan, right?"

"You only verbally agreed, you didn't leave any evidence, did you?" Wei Wusheng asked.

“No, but I can’t clarify it either,” Song Shi’an said. “My clansmen have figured this out, so they deliberately use my name to make a big show of things. They just want some sense of security.”

As long as Song Shi'an does not publicly deny that the Song family of Huai County is a privileged class, then the privileged class will continue to exist.

“If they really want to impeach you for this, then they will all attack you,” Wei Wusheng warned. “Our emperor has always been a moderate. If the calls are too strong, then the compromise will be a concession to the powerful clans, which will also be detrimental to the military farms.”

"If the old Minister had retired at the right time, even the nobles wouldn't have been able to control the court," Song Shi'an remarked.

"What if we don't refund it?" Xinyue asked.

"Then let's fight."

Song Shi'an said decisively.

“The soldiers are in my hands.” Wei Wusheng agreed wholeheartedly. “If Sun Qian still doesn’t know what’s good for him, then we’ll find a way to convict him.”

“Moreover, it’s a capital offense.” Xin Yue’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

For the Yixin Association, a lose-lose situation is acceptable.

But if I lose, I only suffer a loss; if you lose, you lose your life.

"Your Highness, Mr. Fu!"

Just then, a cavalryman came over, dismounted, and reported: "A caravan from Sheng'an is passing by. They say they are on their way to Fu County and would like to borrow the main camp for a rest."

“Is this the Emperor’s? There’s a post station ten miles away. Stay there.” Song Shi’an refused directly.

"It belongs to the Sun family."

The three of them were stunned.

"Among them was an extremely beautiful woman who said she wanted to see the Prefect," the cavalryman added.

After saying this, Song Shi'an looked at him, Xin Yue looked at Song Shi'an, and Wei Wusheng looked at Xin Yue...

.........

Wearing a white fox fur coat and a hood, Sun Jinhua stood in front of a brazier in a reception room, rubbing her hands together, her breath carrying a chilly white mist.

While waiting, she suddenly heard footsteps and immediately turned around with a smile.

Then, upon seeing Song Shi'an and Xin Yue behind him, the smile on her face faded, replaced by a very polite, slight smile: "Jin Hua greets the Prefect and Miss Xin Yue."

What are you doing here?

Song Shi'an was very curious, but also spoke in a very official manner.

"Your Excellency, may I ask you a question?" Sun Jinhua asked.

“Okay, go ahead,” Song Shi’an said.

"How many people are there in Huai County's military farms?" she asked.

"Close to half a million."

"Five hundred thousand, is it all just for the purpose of land reclamation?" she asked with great curiosity.

"Ah."

"That's amazing..." Sun Jinhua exclaimed. "It's really difficult for the Great Yu Dynasty to get 500,000 people to do only one thing."

"Yeah, with your dad and brother interfering, how could it not be difficult?" Xin Yue mocked.

Very aggressive.

"..." Sun Jinhua shrank back slightly at what she was being told, but still slowly said, "Is the grain from the military farms intended for the national treasury and the people, or for you, Lord Prefect?"

"Have you no shame?" Xin Yue was speechless. "The land reclamation project is about to succeed, and you say such things. Does Song Shi'an deserve to spend those four thousand taels of gold for the country and the people?"

“Xin Yue…” Song Shi’an knew she hated hypocrites, so he just whispered, “Let’s see what she has to say.”

“I always thought these were all court intrigues and backstabbing,” Sun Jinhua said, looking up at him. “But I think you’re doing the right thing in these matters.”

"Then who's wrong?"

“My father and brother were wrong,” Sun Jinhua said bluntly. “However, I am a member of the Sun family, and I cannot disregard my family.”

"So what exactly do you want?" Xin Yue asked back.

“I can’t be the eldest daughter of the Sun family while rebelling against my brother and father.” Sun Jinhua clenched her small fist slightly. “But from the perspective of the Sun family, I think the Sun family should withdraw from this matter in time. Otherwise, it will surely be doomed.”

"You're even talking about politics now?" Xin Yue said sarcastically.

“Why can’t I speak out?” Sun Jinhua pointed at herself and said excitedly, “When the Sun family is executed, won’t my head be among them?”

"..." Xin Yue fell silent.

"What you said makes a lot of sense."

Song Shi'an suddenly felt that this character's personality had become more complete.

She's purely a love-struck, hypocritical, and troublesome young lady who's a real pain to her family—that's why she's so annoying.

But if you say, "My head is still a head, and I can't just stand by and watch my family die," then you're mistaken.

That would be very unique.

As she spoke, Sun Jinhua took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Song Shi'an: "This is a letter that my father asked me to give to my brother. You can read it, but you can't keep it here."

"Oh……"

Song Shi'an took it, preparing to open it, and then discovered that the letter was already glued shut.

“I haven’t seen it. Once you open it, the seal will be destroyed, and I can tell my brother that this letter has been leaked to you,” Sun Jinhua said meticulously. “Then, I’ll make him give up any more ideas about plotting against you.”

"I admire your integrity in putting righteousness above family ties." This was the first time Xin Yue had praised her.

But Sun Jinhua ignored her.

Song Shi'an slowly opened the package and took out the letter.

"Are you sure this was sent to your brother by your father?" Song Shi'an asked.

“Of course, I’m absolutely sure,” Sun Jinhua swore.

"Oh."

Song Shi'an nodded slightly.

Then, I continued looking at the letter.

"Please, Shi An, spare Qian'er." - Sun Yan bows respectfully. (End of Chapter)