Frost for a Thousand Years

Wei Yixuan was thus escorted by Song Shi'an's men to a side room in the palace to change into his dragon robe.

Unbeknownst to them, the guards outside the palace, including those of the royal family members including King Wei Yixun of Changsha, were replaced with strangers.

The palace maids, including those who had been there since the previous land reclamation ceremony, were also included.

All the remaining real Imperial Guards were stationed on the outer perimeter.

The thorough and meticulous takeover minimized the possibility of the emperor's rebellion.

Just as Song Shi'an was about to enter the emperor's residence, a disheveled official ran out and rushed towards him: "Your Excellency!"

Seeing this, the assassins beside him quickly drew their swords. Xin Yue also shielded Song Shi'an behind her, startling the dark-skinned official. At this moment, Song Shi'an suddenly realized something and hurriedly said, "Wait? Is that Lord Ji Zhi?"

He recognized the voice.

"My lord, it's me!" Ji Zhi squeezed through the guards and said to him, almost with snot and tears streaming down his face, "I almost didn't get to see you again, my lord."

"What do you mean?" Song Shi'an asked in return.

He said, “When the fire broke out, the entire army went to protect His Majesty, and the entire ceremony was filled with people fleeing in all directions. I could only hide in a dry well in the courtyard and hold onto the rope. Who would have thought that the fire would burn so fiercely that an old tree was burned down and fell right onto the well. If it weren’t for the Imperial Guards coming to search for me, I would have been killed by my own death. I was shouting desperately.”

"Isn't that well just big enough to bury one person?" Song Shi'an joked.

"Your Excellency, you must be joking." Ji Zhi was, after all, a civil official, and he was frightened at the thought, wiping away his sweat.

"I'm so sorry." Song Shi'an apologized for what had happened to him. "If I had known about the rebellion, I would have given you a heads-up beforehand."

"..."

Upon hearing the word "rebellion," Ji Zhi was dumbfounded: "Is it okay to say it like this?"

He had just learned what had happened, and with his political acumen, he had a pretty good idea of ​​what had happened.

But Song Shi'an's arrogant attitude made him a little worried.

"It might not be subjectively true, but it exists objectively," Song Shi'an said casually. "Lord Ji Zhi, are you willing to follow?"

Ji Zhi is one of their own, and even if he does nothing, they will still fawn over him because of this relationship.

But it's like stealing a pig.

The person who stole the pig was Song Shi'an, but when it came time to eat the pig, everyone was able to come and have a bite.

Therefore, Song Shi'an could steal pigs, but the physical labor of slaughtering pigs had to be done by someone else, and the cooking skills also had to be handed over to someone else. Only when the pork was distributed could it be allocated according to labor.

Otherwise, Song Shi'an would do all the risky work, and then when others lost their pigs and came to him for help, he would be the one to take the blame, right?

“Lord Ji, this is entirely up to you.” Song Shi’an looked at him, very democratically, and kindly reminded him, “The army has not yet fully taken over, and there are still risks.”

These words made Ji Zhi's face darken. He said, "Lord, did you deliberately ignore me before the ceremony that day because you foresaw that His Majesty... the Emperor Emeritus would take action against you and the Sixth Prince, and therefore did not want to involve me?"

“After all, the uprising didn’t involve you, so you shouldn’t be implicated by me,” Song Shi’an said.

“This magistrate has really looked down on me,” Ji Zhi said very seriously. “If I really didn’t want to be with you, I wouldn’t have let Xi Shan go looking for death when he came that day.”

I've already chosen sides.

It had already been marked long ago.

"I have not yet repaid the old magistrate's kindness," Ji Zhi said solemnly. "Indeed, I have not yet repaid it."

"Thank you."

Song Shi'an's expression turned solemn, and he bowed to this respectable senior: "Shi'an has no intention of testing you. With your help, sir, the matter will surely be accomplished."

Whether it will succeed or not is unknown, but Ji Zhi joining at this time means he has to do things that others cannot do.

Unlike those high-ranking officials who could smoothly join the new dynasty simply by shouting slogans, this was different.

"Although the grand ceremony was interrupted by the assassination attempt by the bandit king, His Majesty's appointments and removals are valid. I am now the governor of the prefecture, and Shui Shan has been promoted to the position of assistant governor of Huai County. Therefore, you will naturally be the new governor of Huai County."

As he spoke, Song Shi'an took out the seal of the Prefect of Huai County and said, "Holding this seal is equivalent to my presence. During the ceremony, all eunuchs, palace maids, county officials, and other officials must cooperate with you."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

Since the interrupted ceremony counts, then Song Shi'an's title of Marquis of Huaixiang must also count. After receiving the official seal, Ji Zhi assured him, "Please rest assured, with me here, the fire will not spread, rumors will not arise, and people's hearts will not waver. Everyone will be safe and sound under your and His Highness Prince Qin's protection."

"Those who are uneasy must be doing so because they don't want my protection."

Song Shi'an gave Ji Zhi a firm and assertive look: Kill those who disobey, kill them without hesitation.

Ji Zhi calmly bowed again – Received.

Then, Song Shi'an gave him a few assassins and, together with Xin Yue, entered the mansion. His face served as his pass, and there were no obstacles.

"Time is so tight now, why bother with the Jin... Emperor?" Xin Yue said, puzzled. "With soldiers and power, why not just bypass him and issue the decrees to the world?"

The Emperor of Anshun was just a puppet; was there any need to appease him?

“You’re right, we can indeed skip him now,” Song Shi’an replied as they walked. “But things should be done respectably. If he cooperates willingly, it’s far better than us being decisive in everything.”

"Is this for the officials to see?" Xin Yue asked.

"That's true in part."

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the new emperor's house. Song Shi'an stopped and said to Xin Yue, "But the world is not simply black and white."

These four words were difficult for Xinyue to understand.

But Song Shi'an must have his reasons.

"Lord Song, please..."

When the soldiers outside saw Song Shi'an, they immediately stepped aside and went to open the door.

This person was his loyal follower.

Before he could do so, Song Shi'an scolded, "What kind of subject dares to trespass into His Majesty's bedchamber? Go and report this."

"..."

This kind of pointless behavior left even the assassins feeling somewhat disillusioned.

We rebelled precisely to ride roughshod over the emperor, so why are we being so respectful...?

"Yes." He didn't linger. After nodding, he went inside and said to Emperor Anshun, who was sitting in his seat, "Your Majesty, Lord Song requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, the emperor chuckled, shook his head, and said, "Then, summon him in."

"Yes."

And so he watched the assassin leave, going through his tedious procedures.

If Lord Song wishes to have an audience, does my refusal mean he will be barred from entering?

However, he wasn't being pretentious; it was someone he genuinely wanted to see.

Soon, the door opened, and Song Shi'an and Xin Yue came in together.

Just as he was about to bow, the emperor said kindly, "Lord Song, you may decline."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Song Shi'an bowed.

Then, the emperor glanced at the eunuch beside him and said, "Eunuch Cheng, Lord Song has worked hard. Please give him a seat."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The newly appointed eunuch hurriedly moved a chair for Song Shi'an and placed it opposite the emperor.

The two people sat facing each other like this.

"Lord Song," the Emperor asked, "what should I do next?"

“Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. What the Son of Heaven wants to do, you can entrust to your ministers,” Song Shi’an said.

"Then, Lord Song, what do I want to do?" The emperor was dissatisfied; he had been unhappy ever since he killed Wei Yiyuan.

When I saw that imperial robe again later, my depression deepened.

Why?

A dragon robe actually suited him perfectly.

There was not a single error.

Let's not even talk about where he got his size.

Why did you have to make it this way?

Wei Wusheng is also a king and has the right to inherit the throne. If things change, why not make a pair that is similar in appearance and can be worn by both of them?

Wu Sheng was so tall and strong, without the slightest hint of bulkiness. Was the garment I was wearing a little too wide around his waist?
Song Shi'an had absolutely no plan to make Wei Wusheng emperor.

From the very beginning, he focused on himself.

In other words, long ago, when he knew nothing about it, he was already destined to become his puppet emperor.

My life is being controlled by others!

“What His Majesty desires is naturally peace and stability throughout the land, and submission from all directions,” Song Shi’an said. “Otherwise, the retired emperor would not have chosen the reign title ‘Anshun’.”

“Anshun?” The emperor chuckled, asking self-deprecatingly, “Isn’t that to submit to Shi’an’s wishes?”

“Your Majesty, I think it is not so,” Song Shi’an said. “After all, this is the reign title set by the retired emperor.”

"Because he is teaching me a way of survival!"

The emperor finally lost his patience and exploded.

Xin Yue was somewhat displeased, but following Song Shi'an's instructions, she did not breathe back directly.

It seems somewhat understandable.

How can a puppet not have a temper?

"That's probably true," Song Shi'an said calmly, without arguing with the emperor.

"Peace of mind."

Seeing that he wasn't even putting on an act anymore, the emperor relaxed and asked, "The assassination attempt on the emperor, it must have been arranged by you, right?"

“The Emperor Emeritus said it was not his subject,” Song Shi’an said, “but the truth may not be so.”

"Because you won," the emperor said.

"What does Your Majesty want to ask?" Song Shi'an asked, puzzled.

"Then I will not beat around the bush," the emperor said. "Back then, assassinating the emperor was only a step away. If the assassination had succeeded, Your Majesty would have died here. In that case, would it have been advantageous or disadvantageous for you?"

Song Shi'an remained silent.

"Then let me ask you another way."

The emperor knew that he was 'silent when faced with a difficult question,' so he asked tactfully, "Is this the result you want most right now?"

Was even the failed assassination attempt something he had planned in advance?

“All things arise and change in an instant, beyond my control,” Song Shi’an said. “But in any case, I have the duty, no, the ability, to support the Great Yu.”

Whether the assassination succeeds or fails, Song Shi'an has made corresponding preparations.

"it is good."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor said directly, "The Retired Emperor may die, the Prince of Zhongping must die, and the Crown Prince should die if he does not comply. As for the Wei family, who can live and who cannot? Including myself, who doesn't live in fear? Minister Song, can you give me a clear answer?"

Wherever your blades point, they will be stained with the blood of the Wei family.

Where will your knife stop?
They are terrorists, committing indiscriminate slaughter.

Or is it that special times call for special measures? Has the final terror ended?
"Can Your Majesty believe what I say?"

“If Minister Song speaks sincerely, I will truly believe him.” The two looked into each other’s eyes, their gazes meeting without the slightest deviation.

Song Shi'an placed his hands on the armrests of the chair, slowly stood up, looked at the emperor before him, and after a long while asked, "Does Your Majesty know who can live and who cannot?"

"Since Minister Song has already spoken, how could I not know?" the Emperor said. "The assassination of the Retired Emperor is a matter of chance. You have already rushed to make my dragon robe. If I am not here, who will wear it? Prince Zhongping, Wei Yiyuan, is destined to bear full responsibility for this with his insignificant life. But, only at this moment."

Whether I will live on in the future is still unknown!
"Then, Your Majesty, who do you think are my and the King of Qin's enemies?" Song Shi'an asked seriously.

"You have so many enemies, which one are you referring to?" the emperor asked.

“The real one,” Song Shi’an specified.

"Of course it is..."

“That’s right, there is only one enemy of His Highness the Prince of Qin.” Song Shi’an’s aura grew even more imposing as he raised his finger and said with particular determination, “There is only one.”

That was the emperor.

To be precise, it was the original emperor.

"Your Majesty knows about that dream, right?" Song Shi'an asked.

"..." Emperor Anshun originally did not know the specific details of the dream, but his father had already told him when he was preparing to arrange everything, so he felt guilty now.

“Your Majesty, you know that because of that dream, the Emperor Emeritus has never intended to let me and the Prince of Qin go. Even if we helped him establish the military-agricultural colonies, he would still want to reduce our wealth and kill us,” Song Shi’an said. “With this dream alive, one of us—the Emperor Emeritus or we—is destined to die. Why can’t we be the ones who survive?”

"But your father has given you a way out. You know he has no intention of killing you. As long as you willingly give up everything, you will surely have wealth and honor!"

The emperor was still somewhat guilty, because the wealth and glory belonged only to Song Shi'an, while Wei Wusheng, due to his special status, was to be placed under house arrest. However, he still had a point, since the emperor hadn't killed indiscriminately. Therefore, he said with great pain, "Then, didn't you all become the people he met in his dream? And then, did you do the things you met in your dream?"

Who is the traitor?

How are you going to wash it?

"Your Majesty, do you know about that dream?" Song Shi'an asked.

“I know,” the Prince of Jin replied simply.

"Then please think about it again," Song Shi'an said with a smile, looking at the emperor. "The dream has come true, but who exactly is the rebellious king in the dream?"

"of course……"

The emperor paused halfway through his speech.

My mind suddenly overheated.

A scene appeared before my eyes.

Wei Yiyuan knelt on the ground.

He was holding a sword.
Wei Wusheng, standing behind him, also held a sword in his hand.

The positions from the dream were replicated.

He even took the severed head himself to announce to the officials that the rebellion was over.

Suddenly, the Prince of Jin felt a chill.

It's absolutely terrifying.

The one who was 'supported' by those behind him, who killed his own brothers with a sword and became emperor, was none other than...

It's me.

That's me, Wei Yixuan!

*Thud*, Song Shi'an stared at himself and lifted his foot.

The emperor felt a chill run down his spine as he stared at him, his gaze following him intently.

He walked step by step around the emperor.

Every step he took filled him with immense fear.

Scared to tears.

“At first, I didn’t know about the Emperor’s dream, nor did I know about this deep malice.” Song Shi’an walked while staring at him. “If the Crown Prince trusts me and the Sixth Prince to pursue our dream of unifying the world and ending the chaos, then the rebellious king in that dream will be the King of Wu. The person who was killed will be the King of Jin at that time, which is you.”

The dream of defying the king is not a sign of disobedience.

It's either myself or Wei Yiyun.

All of this was destined.

“But His Highness the King of Wu does not trust us. He is determined to protect His Majesty’s dream,” Song Shi’an said coldly. “And he is walking step by step toward that inevitable fate of destruction.”

The emperor made a stupid mistake this time.

He didn't realize that the person he was helping and supporting was the king who was about to be killed.

That person was a sacrificial offering in the struggle for the crown prince position, a practice that has always been commonplace.

"Why?" Song Shi'an raised his voice and asked, "Why did the Emperor Emeritus lose to me? Wasn't it because he believed that I would never do something as contrary to my conscience as burning down the granary? Wasn't it because he thought I was inherently noble, cherished my reputation and power, and wanted to prove the righteousness of the common people?"

“But you don’t cherish it now…” the emperor said with lingering fear. “You have already done these things, and the shackles in your heart have been removed.”

You will be even more ruthless when you kill in the future.

"Your Majesty, do you really think I should give up my eternal fame?"

Song Shi'an looked at him in disbelief and asked.

"Then, can you still go back?"

The King of Jin asked with hope.

Can you still become a renowned minister who leaves a lasting mark on history?
If it can be done.

That means that Song Shi'an will once again become the great Young Master Song.

My heart is filled with longing, but for your sake, I have been pondering this until now.

Song Shi'an walked back to him and extended his hand.

How I am depends on how you are, doesn't it?
If you can maintain your vision and help me become a renowned minister for all time, why should I be a tyrant in a chaotic world?
"Shi An." The emperor understood completely, looked at him, and said, "The world is not yet at peace, and the people are suffering. If you can quell the chaos and unify the nine provinces, I am willing to abdicate the throne to Wu Sheng. If he is unwilling, I am willing to return power to Wu Sheng's lineage and pass the throne to his heir."

This is true security.

This is the true win-win situation.

The dynasty that has remained unbroken for ten thousand generations is not the Wei family, but the emperor.

Ultimately, the world belongs to the emperor, no matter who he is.

But everyone can do what they are capable of doing.

"Your Majesty is wise, and I am extremely grateful."

Song Shi'an slowly bowed to the emperor.

The emperor was relieved.

Because he knew that Song Shi'an wouldn't kill him.

Killing him would tarnish the eternal reputation he cherishes.

He himself needed to be a good emperor, while forgetting the 'puppet' fate that emperors despise, and not being so sensitive to it.

"Song Qing, that's before dealing with Ji Yuan."

The emperor stretched out his hand and said, "Go do what you need to do, and just tell me how to do it."

What needs to be done,
That means killing the crown prince.

"Yes."

Song Shi'an nodded, and then left with Xin Yue.

Looking at this man, Xin Yue felt as if he was radiating light.

For a fleeting moment, she genuinely felt that Shi Anhao was sincere.

Everyone is proud of him.

Career fan.

“You’re right,” Xin Yue said to him as they walked. “According to the assassins, the Prince of Jin couldn’t bear to kill Wei Yiyuan and shed tears.”

“I figured it out a long time ago,” Song Shi’an said. “Of all Wei Ye’s sons, only Little Wei and the Prince of Jin are real people.”

The biggest stain on Jin Wang's record is that when he had the first draft pick, he signed Sun Qian, that big-shot bastard.

People are not bad.

"Little Wei is here," Xin Yue reminded her.

Wei Wusheng rushed over to meet him, in a great hurry.

"Hey."

After clicking his tongue at Xin Yue, Song Shi'an quickly changed his expression, stepped forward to greet Xiao Wei, and shook his hand: "Your Highness, I've missed you so much!"

“…Me too.” Wei Wusheng smiled demurely, patted him on the shoulder, and then became serious again, saying, “The fire here is burning so fiercely, but fortunately, the old emperor ordered beforehand that no one should leave. And no matter what happens, Jia Guihao must not be allowed to get close.”

“He’s right. We have more people with Jia Guihao. If he tries to take advantage of the situation, he’ll be in more trouble.”

“But here’s the problem,” Wei Wusheng said. “Although news here is tightly controlled and hasn’t leaked out, how are we going to take over Jia Guihao’s tribe, which is only about ten miles away from us?”

The Crown Prince's army certainly cannot win.

Only by finding a way to capture Jia Guihao can the gap in troop strength between the two sides be narrowed.

That's 10,000 county soldiers.

“Can’t we just summon Jia Guihao alone?” Xinyue asked.

“No, that won’t do,” Wei Wusheng said directly. “The emperor said beforehand that no matter what, Jia Guihao’s troops were not allowed to come. But now, he’s being asked to come. This contradiction makes him wonder if military power has been transferred.”

“He’s quite shrewd,” Song Shi’an said.

"How about we draft an imperial edict to summon Jia Guihao to put out the fire?" That's what Wei Wusheng thought.

An imperial edict—at least he couldn't disobey it.

“If it’s something as big and urgent as putting out a fire, why would we need an imperial edict?” Xin Yue also directly denied it. “That would be too deliberate and would definitely alarm him.”

Wei Wusheng nodded.

indeed so.

Jia Guihao is the most troublesome. If he is not handled properly and is allowed to join forces with the Crown Prince's army, even if they occupy all the moral high ground, it will be difficult to gain true control.

"so……"

Song Shi'an smiled and said, "Just send someone he absolutely trusts to deliver the message."

.........

"Shen Kang, I order you to go and ask Jia Guihao for help, and have him return immediately to put out the fire."

The commander of the Imperial Guard, kneeling on one knee, clenched his fists stiffly and said, "Yes!"

The crown prince has fallen.

The Crown Prince's henchmen, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, felt uneasy, especially Shen Kang, who knew all the secrets.

But this order came from the new Emperor of Anshun, which gave him a sense of security.

From its inception, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was responsible only to the emperor.

Regardless of who the emperor is. (End of Chapter)