Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 38 The Emperor's Decision

Although this was Sun Situ's purpose, an earthquake did indeed occur at Sun's residence that day.

Everyone was in a state of extreme tension, afraid of saying something wrong and being beaten to death with sticks.

What was supposed to be Sun Jinhua's day of choosing a husband turned into a farce.

After comforting her father, having a heart-to-heart talk with her mother, and listening to the advice of her two older brothers, Sun Jinhua was finally able to return to her own room.

The moment she walked around the screen and entered the inner room, her ladylike demeanor completely relaxed. She drew a slender sword from the sword rack and began to dance like a graceful fairy.

The sword blade sliced ​​through the air, and the maidservant following behind quickly dodged, skillfully avoiding every possible sweeping attack, and nervously and innocently advised, "Miss, please stop wielding the sword. Lord Situ has repeatedly warned us... Secretly transporting these swords from Yangzhou is already a serious crime of deception."

After a very relaxed and enjoyable time playing, Sun Jinhua's smile was no longer an act.

Seeing her expression, Awu said anxiously again, "This engagement has been ruined... Miss, you mustn't appear happy in public."

"Of course, my mother even comforted me during our conversation just now."

Sun Jinhua was very satisfied with her 'forbearance'.

So much so that her father thought she had given up swordplay and discovered the beauty of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

In fact, I've only learned the score for "Lotus Emerging from Water" at home over the years.

She always seemed nervous whenever she was asked to perform two acts.

“But Miss, among these Asian Yuan, surely there are some you have a slight liking for, right?” Awu asked.

"Gentlemen like you are all outstanding talents, so what right do I have to judge your likes and dislikes?"

“Miss, what I mean is, you like him,” Awu said. “Forget about Han Zhongchen, who looks so obsequious. But Young Master Fan Wuji is the third-place winner in the imperial examination, the eldest son of his family, and his father is a general. He has a bright future ahead of him. Don’t you have any thoughts about him at all?”

After Awu finished speaking such a long passage, Sun Jinhua suddenly hummed the tune of "Lotus Emerging from Water" and began to twirl the sword in her hand.

Pretending to be deaf.

Seeing this, Awu probed again: "What about Song Shi'an? Although he's a top scholar and quite handsome, only slightly less so than Young Master Qian, his arrogance has offended the Sun family, and I'm afraid things won't go well for him in the future..."

"Please ascend to the Cloud Pavilion for a moment."

The sword she was wielding stopped. She gripped the hilt, stretched it straight out, and stared at what lay before her. Thinking of everything that had happened at the banquet, there was no hostility of 'family hatred' in Sun Jinhua's eyes. Instead, she unconsciously smiled faintly: "What a scholar who could become a marquis."

Awu panicked completely: "No, Miss, you—"

.........

"Brother Jingxiu, you have accomplished such a great feat!"

After wandering around Song Shi'an and returning to the post station, Wang Shuishan, who had already heard all these 'stories,' was completely dumbfounded by his close friend.

How can someone be so bold?

"You must be drunk, right?"

Standing by the bed, watching him lie down and pick up a novel to read, Wang Shuishan said anxiously.

"Langjiu is fragrant and mellow, and it does have a bit of a kick."

Song Shi'an laughed and said in a daze.

“That Minister Sun was indeed hostile and wanted to ostracize you. But why did you actually confront him?” Wang Shuishan asked, puzzled.

"Because the emperor wants a sword."

Song Shi'an's expression slowly changed from casual and teasing to serious and earnest: "Then, I will be this sword for him."

"So, is it really true, as we've speculated, that Minister Sun's purpose is to resist the military-agricultural colonies?"

Wang Shuishan found it hard to believe and said in bewilderment, "Although Minister Sun is ranked among the Three Dukes, anyone with discerning eyes knows that this position is essentially a nominal one. His real power is less than that of the Nine Ministers he previously held, and even less than that of the generals held by the noble families of Qinzhou. Given this, how dare he defy His Majesty's might?"

"That's the key."

Song Shi'an sat up, pointed at him and said, "When the Great Yu Kingdom was established, it relied on the Qinzhou nobles to fight and the Sun family of Yangzhou to join. But now, the power of the world is in the hands of the nobles. Although the power of the aristocratic families has grown, the aristocratic families are not just the Sun family. He is just the leader."

“Indeed.” Wang Shuishan nodded. “Those nobles not only control the court’s military power, but they also have thousands to tens of thousands of elite private armies, passed down from generation to generation. Compared to their status, the power that the Minister of Works actually possesses is far less.”

"We could tolerate it before because His Majesty was young, powerful and strong, and could personally lead the army and win many victories."

When saying these treasonous words, Song Shi'an lowered his voice cautiously: "But now, His Majesty is old."

Swallowing hard, Wang Shuishan whispered his guess: "Minister Sun is taking advantage of His Majesty's old age and Ji Yuan's invasion of the south during the internal strife, trying to seize some power..."

"Opposing land reclamation was twofold: first, to protect one's own interests; and second, to negotiate a better deal."

Song Shi'an had long figured out what Sun Situ wanted. Let me give you the simplest example.

As the leader of the southern gentry, the Sun family had never produced an empress since the founding of the dynasty.

Almost all of them came from noble families in Qinzhou.

There was only one such instance, because the emperor wanted to suppress the maternal relatives and nobles, so he chose a commoner as empress.

The Princess Consort of Jin, who may succeed to the throne, is also from a noble family.

How outrageous can the Xun Gui Group be?

The famously defeated general Xia Chun never won a battle, yet his official rank was never demoted.

"Then His Majesty... will he relinquish power to the aristocratic families?" Wang Shuishan asked.

"So, this is where my sword comes in handy."

It is absolutely true that times create heroes.

If Song Shi'an hadn't made a scene and hadn't stood up for himself, he would have missed this best opportunity.

Of course, if the land reform fails, his head will definitely be severed.

The entire Song family will be implicated.

At that time, it was absolutely impossible to protect the emperor.

so what?

Song Shi'an came into this world solely for wealth and status.

Having achieved complete enlightenment, Wang Shuishan looked at Song Shi'an in astonishment, speechless.

"By the way, Shuishan, you're going to give your performance review tomorrow, right?"

Suddenly remembering something, Song Shi'an smiled and said.

With a solemn expression, Wang Shuishan said in a wooden tone, "You should think about your future first."

.........

Xuanqing Hall.

A place for the emperor to cultivate his mind and character.

Leaning back on the dragon throne, Emperor Yu placed his hands loosely in front of him and closed his eyes to rest.

Beside him, Eunuch Chen gave a truthful report.

"Did the Prince of Zhongping go there?"

The emperor slowly opened his eyes and asked.

"Back to Your Majesty, yes."

"What do you think?" the emperor asked, looking at him. "Chen Bao."

When asked, Chen Bao looked up and guessed, "Perhaps Minister Sun has heard some rumors about the war in the north?"

"Of course, his news won't be much slower than mine."

"Then that must be what he means." After making his judgment, Chen Bao lowered his head.

"If he really wants it, I will give it to him."

The emperor rubbed his thumb and said calmly.

"Your Majesty, what about the top scholar?" Chen Bao asked earnestly.

When will you report on your performance?

"Your Majesty, it is June 20th."

After a moment's thought, he raised his finger: "Go and give him some pointers that day."

Chen Bao lowered his head: "Yes, sir."

The emperor turned back and tapped his fingers lightly on the dragon-head armrest: "Don't let him die."

(End of this chapter)