Frost for a Thousand Years

After leaving the palace, Song Shi'an hurried along.

Outside the barricades at the guard post, Xinyue was waiting for him with two horses in tow.

Song Shi'an didn't say anything and mounted his horse directly.

Xin Yue also mounted her horse.

The two walked side by side for a while, and after getting away from the guards, Xinyue finally asked, "How did it go with the talk with the Crown Prince?"

“Very good,” Song Shi’an said.

"So, is the matter concerning the Sixth Prince over?"

"I have resigned from my official post."

"Ok."

Xin Yue subconsciously replied, then suddenly froze, quickly reining in her arms and looking at Song Shi'an in astonishment: "Huh?"

.........

The Crown Prince, seated in the Eastern Palace, held the seal of the Prefect in his hand.

Even a mere third-rank official of the imperial court could be caught in a massive operation in the capital.

While the prefects of the Great Yu were not everywhere, like stray dogs on the roadside, there were still as many as sixty or seventy of them.

That official position is just so-so.

But now we are in the center of the world.

Nearly 500,000 people, all of whom were government property, were gathered here.

The military settlements involved 500,000 people.

In battle, there were 100,000 soldiers.

The position of the prefect of Song Shi'an County has surpassed that of the governors of most prefectures.

Because of his position, the Crown Prince couldn't sleep well every night, fearing that he would lose control of the situation and be ousted by Wei Wusheng.

If only Song Shi'an had voluntarily given up everything after the end of the military colonies.

In this way, the grain ended up in their hands.

The risk of losing power to others was also avoided.

And now, this has actually happened!
It was almost time to harvest the wheat, and Song Shi'an voluntarily withdrew.

I didn't pressure him; I've been trying to keep him, as you've all seen...

No, nobody saw it.

Therefore, I want the world to know that he resigned on his own initiative, and that I was extremely unwilling to do so.

Just then, Eunuch Lian entered and reported, "Your Highness, after Princess Changqing paid her respects to His Majesty, she went to the Empress's residence, where she was invited to a dinner party."

Although Changqing was not the Empress's daughter, and the Empress disliked Wei Wusheng quite a bit, she was still the Empress and the head of the harem.

The emperor's grandson, which is also her grandson.

We still need to handle this situation properly.

"I know."

What made the Crown Prince a little flustered was that the Emperor was still unaware of Song Shi'an's resignation, and the Crown Prince had no idea what his attitude would be. So he said, "Summon Sheng An to the palace, immediately."

"Yes."

Eunuch Lian withdrew.

The prince sat there, fiddling with the prefect's seal in his hand, like playing with a walnut. His mind was completely elsewhere, but his hand never stopped moving.

Why did Song Shi'an resign?

He really didn't want to do it anymore.

I am truly disappointed in you.

Or does he still feel that the agricultural settlement can't continue without him?

Without him, would the Great Yu Kingdom perish?

impossible.

It's not that he couldn't think that way.

However, the Crown Prince did not realize that Song Shi'an was indispensable to the military settlements.

If you're talking about getting the powerful families to move out, getting the wealthy households to relinquish their grain, and getting the magistrates of these nine counties to implement his policies, then only a ruthless person like Song Shi'an could have accomplished all of that.

But now, the rice grains have already formed ears.

We're just waiting to harvest the grain.

The rice was harvested with sickles, then packed into sacks and sent to the warehouse.

Can't these little things be done without Lord Song?

That's way too arrogant!
Are all the people of Dayu idiots?

Song Shi'an, what are you really thinking?

You are just disappointed in me, and I can forgive you.

But if you think I can't do anything without you, then that really makes me angry...

Because the Sheng'an government office was located in the imperial city, not far from the central palace, and the summons was urgent, Ye Changqing arrived quickly.

"Changqing greets Your Highness."

Ye Changqing bowed as soon as he entered.

"Changqing." The Crown Prince stood up, walked over, and extended his hand.

"..." Ye Changqing was also a prefect, so he immediately recognized what it was and was dumbfounded.

"Regarding Xishan's matter, I summoned Wusheng back to Sheng'an to hear his reasons. Then, it was Shi'an who returned," the Crown Prince explained. "He resigned from his post."

"Then His Highness agreed?" Ye Changqing asked in surprise.

"Of course I couldn't agree to that, and I tried to persuade him for a long time, but he insisted on resigning and even put down his seal as prefect," the Crown Prince explained with great distress.

"But his mark is still here."

Ye Changqing was getting anxious.

What do you mean by "nature would never agree to that"?
If you couldn't possibly agree to that, why did he still resign from his post?
This is a paradox!
“Yes, I can’t argue with him,” the Crown Prince said.

"What's his reason for thinking it's not easy to do?" Ye Changqing asked tentatively.

“He said Song Ce has had a son. He’s in a position where he’s involved in too many things and doesn’t want to cause any more trouble for his family,” the Crown Prince said.

"This... is just an excuse?"

What kind of reason is that?

"Yes." The Crown Prince did not want to hide anything and said frankly, "It still comes down to the matter of the palace. He does not think it is necessary. He even disagreed with my suggestion to reduce the scale to 20% of the original size."

"If there's no imperial palace, what solution did he offer?" Ye Changqing asked.

“They didn’t say that this time,” the Crown Prince said. “When Xishan returned and reported to me earlier, she said that Shi’an had asked His Majesty to stay at his old family home.”

“Having such pragmatic ideas does not mean he intends to resign,” Ye Changqing judged.

"So you mean you want me to agree to his request?" the Crown Prince asked.

Ye Changqing saw the Crown Prince clearly.

These words made him realize everything.

"Your Highness, what are your thoughts on his resignation?" Ye Changqing did not answer directly, but instead asked.

“I will definitely not agree, and I will send someone to dissuade him... Yes, I will also talk to his father, Minister Song.”

The Crown Prince spoke very sincerely, but he did not include the option of personally trying to persuade Song Shi'an to stay.

That's normal.

No other king has such magnanimity and vision.

They all care about their image.

However, it is extremely rare for someone like Song Shi'an to flee with his bucket if the monarch does not conform to his ideals.

"Your Highness, I still believe that the matter of military farming should be continued by Lord Song," Ye Changqing said.

“But if he just won’t agree, no matter what…” The Crown Prince looked at Ye Changqing and asked, “Changqing, can you do this cleanup work for me?”

“Your Highness,” Ye Changqing said directly, “I have neither led troops nor managed farmland. Moreover, I have not personally participated in the farmland management in Huai County from beginning to end. If you really have to choose a candidate, please select one from among the farmland management officials.”

Ye Changqing's words were very reasonable and well-founded. He did not seem to be afraid of trouble, but rather did not want to delay the Crown Prince.

He also offered advice.

However, the observant Crown Prince still sensed that he seemed hesitant to speak today.

There were some things he didn't tell himself in great depth.

However, the underlying meaning is quite obvious.

You'd better go and get Song Shi'an back to finish the land reclamation work. "Changqing, are you really not allowed to go?"

For the Crown Prince, it was impossible to actively seek the return of Song Shi'an, who had given him a cold shoulder.

Therefore, he could only do his best in other areas, which was to have someone he felt was reliable do it.

“Your Highness, Changqing is also willing,” Ye Changqing explained. “However, from beginning to end, I know nothing about the original account books of all the counties and camps. If someone really tries to deceive me, they can certainly be punished, but I cannot be sure how much they have deceived.”

The reason is very simple.

Originally it was ten million, but he quoted five million. With Ye Changqing's intelligence, how could he not see through the other party's trickery?

But what if he quotes eight million when it's ten million?
Why must a project be completed by one person? Even if a replacement is needed, it is rare to find someone to be completely parachuted in. Instead, the second-in-command is promoted to the position of the top leader.

If you don't know the details, you'll definitely be fooled.

If one person succeeds in fooling others, the rest will definitely follow suit.

If a thorough investigation is truly needed, unless the entire operation is shut down, it will be a case of "the law does not punish the masses."

"I understand." The Crown Prince nodded, showing no emotion at being rejected. "Then I'll think of another way."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"And what about the temporary palace?" the Crown Prince asked again. "What do you think?"

"I believe..." Ye Changqing said, "that it is not advisable to build it."

"Even if the scale is reduced to 20%, it's still not advisable to build it?"

"His Highness previously intended for Lord Song to voluntarily construct the temporary palace as a gift for His Majesty," Ye Changqing reminded him. "But if Lord Song is no longer in office, the construction of this palace will be in vain..."

Isn't it just about making people smear themselves?

The person is gone, why are you still trying to slander them?

“At that time, An Du had resigned from his post, and His Majesty was in Huai County. It would not be appropriate to have the people from the Song family’s hometown receive him then.”

"That too."

Ye Changqing realized what was happening and nodded.

Yes, where did the emperor live?

Is such a large autumn harvest celebration being held in a wooden and thatched hut?

"Your Highness, please make sure to entrust the construction of the temporary palace to a reliable person," Ye Changqing said.

"Yes, I understand," the Crown Prince said earnestly. "But in any case, I still want to persuade Shi An to come back."

"Your Highness is wise."

"You still have things to do at the yamen, so go ahead."

"Then I shall take my leave."

Ye Changqing bowed slowly to the Crown Prince, then turned and left the East Palace.

The moment he stepped out the door, his face darkened.

They stopped in their tracks as they entered the central passageway of the palace.

Slowly, he turned his head.

Looking at the supreme hall, a trace of sorrow appeared on his face. But more than that, there was a sense of self-mockery.

"I also said that Song Shi'an looks a lot like me..."

I am nothing more than an ordinary person who blends in with the world.

"How's my nephew? Isn't he cute? Does he have big eyes?"

After returning, Xin Yue greeted everyone, and then Song Qin dragged her away. Song Shi'an also pulled Song Ce into his room to chat.

"Your eyes are quite bright, just like the 'Yang' character your elder brother chose for you," Song Ce said.

"When Changqing comes back, let me give my nephew a big hug."

"That's for sure, you are his uncle."

Just as the two were having a very pleasant conversation, the door was suddenly pushed open.

It was Song Jing standing there.

The two looked over together and said in unison, "Father."

"Come here," Song Jing said coldly.

Song Shi'an turned his head away and said, "Jingming, if Father calls you, then go ahead..."

"!" Song Jingdu was furious.

"Father is calling you," Song Ce whispered, head bowed.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

Song Shi'an chuckled and got up, leaving the dormitory.

Then Song Jing led him to the study.

Once inside, Song Jing pointed at Song Shi'an's face and said angrily, "Being too smart isn't a good thing either!"

"...Father, are you scolding me or praising me?"

"What do you think?"

“I don’t know why you’re bringing this up out of the blue,” Song Shi’an said. “Did you go to see Xin Yue? It’s really against the rules for a father-in-law to visit his daughter-in-law in private.”

"Where did this daughter-in-law come from? Are you married?" After asking her, Song Jing still replied, "She came to tell me, afraid that you were keeping this from me."

"This matter cannot be kept secret."

Song Shi'an knew that this would soon cause a stir in the capital.

“The Crown Prince will surely send someone to persuade you to stay. You must agree and return to your position,” Song Jing said.

"The Crown Prince sent you to persuade me to stay, is that because you want to keep me here?" Song Shi'an asked rhetorically.

If the crown prince doesn't come himself, then he's not truly sincere.

"What kind of virtuous minister and wise ruler act are you trying to pull? You think you're a virtuous minister, but what do you think of the Crown Prince...?"

"Hey, Father, do you mean the Crown Prince isn't a wise ruler?"

Song Shi'an pinned a huge accusation on his father and launched a public denunciation campaign.

"Do you really want to humiliate him like this?" Song Jing asked, utterly perplexed.

“Father,” Song Shi’an replied, “you should already know about what happened at the imperial palace. I’ve already invested four thousand taels of gold, and now you want me to sacrifice my reputation as well? Is that right?”

"So, is a wise ruler and virtuous ministers even possible?"

Song Jing questioned him again.

Song Shi'an wanted to be a virtuous minister, but did the Great Yu have the soil for virtuous ministers to thrive?
The old emperor was not a wise ruler, but he was a strong one.

The crown prince may become a strong ruler in the future, but at least for now, his abilities are not quite sufficient.

Therefore, the current crown prince is neither a strong ruler nor a wise ruler.

You are not ready to be a sage!
Or perhaps, such an opportunity will never come.

“Father,” Song Shi’an said, “Yang’er has been born, and I haven’t met him yet, but I love him as if he were my own son. This time, please grant my request and let me retire.”

"You're trying to fool the Crown Prince with such stupid talk," Song Jing snorted. "Don't think your father can be fooled too."

"Father is truly wise," Song Shi'an praised. "He is fit to be emperor."

"..." Song Jing was dumbfounded when he heard this.

Then, the next moment, he went to the study to find a riding whip and started whipping a top at Song Shi'an...

……

"His Highness also plans to send someone to persuade Song Shi'an to stay. If the other party insists on leaving, he can only let Ji Zhi act as the prefect and promise that after the land reclamation is completed, he will be officially promoted to prefect."

Eunuch Lian, acting on the Crown Prince's orders, reported to the Emperor.

After listening, the emperor nodded slightly: "Do whatever the Crown Prince thinks is right."

"Yes."

Knowing the emperor's meaning, Eunuch Lian agreed and left.

Then, on the throne, only the emperor and the maidservants serving him remained.

He slowly stood up, and the maidservant beside him quickly helped him up.

And so, he slowly walked out of Xuanyu Palace.

At this time, it was dark, and the sky was dotted with stars.

After walking to the center of the palace, the emperor raised his head and looked at the morning star in the sky, which shone brightly.

The expression on his face changed from somber to affectionate.

After a long silence, he sighed expressionlessly, "Song Shi'an, do you really have to discipline your son while I'm still alive?" (End of Chapter)