Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 39 Why is this woman disguised as a man?

At the Sheng'an Magistrate's Office, Song Jing was handling official business at his desk.

Because the imperial examinations have just ended, and ordinary candidates will be reporting on their work tomorrow, while a large number of candidates are still staying in the capital, his workload is quite heavy these days as the chief administrative officer of the capital.

But he noticed that the other officials were somewhat distracted.

Several people even stole glances at him several times.

"What's wrong with you all?" Song Jing asked sternly, his face stern. "You're being so careless."

Upon hearing this, everyone lowered their heads and truthfully accepted the insults.

But even so, it still looks strange.

In the past, if I reprimanded someone, their subordinates would more or less apologize and offer some explanations.

But now, he doesn't say a word.

"What happened?"

Song Jing was getting impatient.

"Your Excellency, are you still unaware of that matter?"

At this moment, a registrar asked cautiously.

Everyone looked at the registrar in unison.

This made Song Jing even more unhappy.

It's like there's something everyone knows except him.

"What is it?" Song Jing frowned and asked, puzzled.

After thinking for a moment, the clerk stood up from his desk and waved his hand, saying, "Please step back for a moment."

With that, the others got up and left.

"Why did you ask them to leave?" Song Jing was even more puzzled, and even a little angry.

"Your Excellency, please do not be angry. Let me speak first."

The registrar forced an awkward smile.

"You say it."

What is there that needs to be hidden?
Song Jing did not believe that his actions in the yamen were in any way unseemly or despicable, to the point that he was despised by everyone.

The clerk was about to speak when he hesitated.

"Sigh. Just tell me, I won't get angry no matter what you say."

After sighing, Song Jing urged them on.

Upon hearing this, the clerk recounted everything he knew in detail.

"Inverted!"

Slamming his fist on the table in anger, Song Jing stood up abruptly, his entire body clenched with rage.

"Your Excellency, please don't be angry, please don't be angry," the registrar quickly reassured him.

"Is this really true?" Song Jing looked up at the other person and asked to confirm.

"Of course it's true, everyone knows it."

"Then why don't I know?"

"Oh, my lord, who would dare say such a thing to you?" The registrar sensed that he had already lost his temper.

"That beast... brat, how could he!"

Song Jing raised his finger, wanting to curse, but hesitated. He lowered his finger, hesitated for a moment, then suddenly raised it again: "He'll kill me sooner or later!"

Has Shi An not returned home yet?

The clerk knew some of the details. After all, as a senior official under the magistrate of Sheng'an, he had heard his superior complain a lot and had talked to him several times.

"He told me he was going to a gathering with his fellow scholars. Who knew he was going to do something so important!" Song Jing was so angry that his lips trembled.

It seemed that if he got any angrier, he might faint. So the clerk quickly helped him to his seat.

Then, sitting down beside him, he lowered his voice and said, "This matter really can't be entirely blamed on Shi An. That Minister Sun set up the small seat intentionally to humiliate us; this was just a retaliation."

"Why doesn't he just leave? Why does he have to stay there any longer?"

If he was humiliated, Song Shi'an would simply leave. Song Jing would not only not blame him, but would also sever ties with Sun Situ.

Even if the other party doesn't care about the Song family of Huai County, he still has to show his attitude.

Song Shi'an was indeed an illegitimate son, but to humiliate him in public was tantamount to humiliating Song Jing.

This is intolerable.

But was it really necessary for you to deliberately stay there and not leave, and end up making that old man really angry?

Furthermore, they even came up with the idea of ​​a one-cent congratulatory gift.

Here's the golden tiger I gave you!

“Your Excellency.” Turning to look directly at Song Jing, the chief clerk said solemnly, “Shi An’s actions may not necessarily be a bad thing.”

Song Jing ignored him, still sulking.

The registrar continued, "After this, he will be quite famous in the capital, especially since he is also a top scholar. If the land reclamation project succeeds, he will be able to stride confidently into the imperial court."

This is the Sheng'an magistrate's office; some things cannot be said openly.

But at this level, you can understand even without being told.

It refers to the act of serving as a sword for the emperor.

Song Jing was also very clear about this.

But there was one thing he couldn't accept: "Why wasn't this matter discussed with me before a decision was made?"

Song Shi'an does not represent just himself.

Even if he had a terrible relationship with his father, whatever he did outside, Song Jing would ultimately have to take responsibility for him.

Whether it's good or bad.

"We must get Shi An home quickly and make some plans," the registrar suggested.

At the very least, we need to have a unified goal.

At the same time, it lets people know what's going on. It shows them the family's opinion on the matter, the family's weaknesses, and how much support the family can provide.

"But if he 'doesn't want' to come back, Your Excellency, please don't be angry," the registrar said preemptively. "Perhaps he's afraid of implicating you."

"Foolish! If he can't even understand this, then he's a complete idiot!"

As Song Jing continued cursing, he became visibly anxious: "If he were that simple-minded, he wouldn't even know how he died."

.........

"Aren't you going home?"

On the balcony of the inn, Wang Shuishan, standing next to Song Shi'an, looked at him and said, "Oh, are you worried that it will implicate your family?"

No.

As long as he still bears the surname Song and has not been adopted by someone else, whatever he does will affect his family.

Song Shi'an looked at him and smiled, "I just wanted to spend more time with you before you report for duty."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shuishan immediately beamed with joy: "Very good, very good, thank you for your concern, Scholar Jieyuan, I am deeply moved."

"What are Shui Shan's plans for tomorrow's performance review?" Song Shi'an asked.

“Naturally, it will be assigned by the imperial court. My father is just a county magistrate, he can’t pave the way for anything.” After thinking for a while, Wang Shuishan said, “I still have to become an official. At worst, I can work as a clerk while preparing for next year’s imperial examination.”

Only the top ten scholars (the first and second-highest scorers in the provincial examination) have the opportunity to become officials.

Another reason is that they come from families with connections.

The rest of the people had to start from the bottom and work their way up for ten years before they might have a chance to be promoted to the ninth rank.

But the Jinshi degree is different.

There are approximately thirty slots available each year, and each person enjoys the same status as the top scholar in the imperial examination—directly ranking seventh rank, without needing to wait for a replacement.

"Brother Jingxiu."

Thinking of something, Wang Shuishan reminded him, "Sun Situ's disciples and former officials are all over the country. There are even his former disciples in the Ministry of Personnel. Although the Minister of Personnel holds a high position and is the head of the Nine Ministers, he still has to give him face."

"You mean the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is up to no good?"

“It’s impossible to do it directly, I’m afraid it will provoke you,” Wang Shuishan said. “Your poem ‘Marquis of Ten Thousand Households’ is too arrogant. When you report for duty, if they ask you where you are going, just say that you are willing to be the magistrate of a poor county in Huaizhou.”

Huaizhou was a poor place with bandits, but it was considered relatively safe.

Unlike Yizhou, which was a place where over 100,000 people had rebelled.

Even now, there are still places where county magistrates are being beheaded in a frenzy.

That's the county of death—Cangxia.

"So he won't make things difficult for me?" Song Shi'an asked.

"As long as you don't get too arrogant, and just give a normal performance review, there won't be any major problems."

What if I'm arrogant?

"Please, brother, don't be so arrogant."

Wang Shuishan was a little scared; he was being unusually brave.

"I know, I know."

After a hearty laugh, Song Shi'an waved his hand and prepared to leave.

"Where are you going, brother?" Wang Shuishan asked.

"Go downstairs to buy books."

Song Shi'an listened to Wang Shuishan's words completely.

But he had no choice.

The emperor would definitely elevate himself to the position.

A seventh-rank county magistrate can't do anything.

Even though Tian Wenjing was not only a seventh-rank official, she was still defeated by Ma Guocheng, a second-rank elf deputy general, at eight o'clock in the morning.

Official positions are very important.

However, relying solely on gilded resumes for promotion will not result in a very fast promotion speed.

I need to play Hard mode.

But what if he dies?
So be it, I shall die!

Song Shi'an was annoyed.

With the money in hand, I prepared to go to Yuewen Pavilion to buy books.

The night market was still bustling and lively at this time, because many students were still lingering in the capital.

Having already become a big star, Song Shi'an didn't want to cause trouble and decided to resolve the matter quickly.

Just as he was walking briskly, a money bag suddenly fell in front of him.

After Song Shi'an picked it up, he looked up and saw a somewhat thin figure in front of him.

Then, he quickly walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Brother, you dropped your purse."

Xin Yue, who had been patted on the shoulder, turned around and, upon seeing Song Shi'an, quickly said in a deep voice, "Thank you, young master, thank you."

This is a handsome young man who is dressed formally and has a small mustache.

Although Song Shi'an didn't understand why she wanted to dress as a man, he still chose to respect her personal preferences.

"You're welcome."

Song Shi'an returned the money pouch to her.

"Young master is truly a righteous and kind-hearted person."

Xin Yue quickly offered a grateful smile, then looked into his eyes and asked kindly, "May I ask your name, sir?"

"Wang Shuishan".

"So you're the famous..."

Xin Yue, who had just spoken excitedly, gradually lowered her voice and looked bewildered. But she still forced herself to finish what she had just said, slowly and deliberately: "Wang... Shui Shan."

(End of this chapter)