Frost for a Thousand Years

"Those who know me and those who condemn me, only history will tell."

Standing in his study, Ouyang Ke repeated this sentence. His son, standing beside him, lowered his head, waiting for his father's instructions after reporting everything that had happened at the palace gate.

Suddenly, a smile appeared on Ouyang Ke's lips. He turned to look at his son and asked jokingly, "Can you have such a state of mind?"

"Son……"

Just like his name suggests, Ouyang Qin is a diligent person. Clearly, this is the expectation his father had for him, and it is this down-to-earth and steady family tradition that has nurtured him into such a person.

Unlike other top second-generation elites, he was influenced by his father from a young age, learning by example and being strictly disciplined, yet he did not harbor any rebellious tendencies.

It can be said that he admired his father and tried his best to imitate him, almost like a weaker version of himself.

“Go ahead and say it,” Ouyang Ke said.

"Your subject has always believed that Father's teachings are profound truths, emphasizing the importance of being practical rather than idealistic. Only by being practical and not pursuing the superficial can one remain invincible in this court and ensure the prosperity and longevity of the family," Ouyang Qin said frankly. "However, I always find it difficult to do so, unable to truly face criticism and slander with equanimity. If there are groups of people criticizing my shortcomings behind my back, even if I don't agree with them, I will still feel uneasy and hesitant, both angry and anxious."

"Why are you angry? Why are you uneasy?" Ouyang Ke asked.

Ouyang Qin replied, "I am angry because they misunderstand me, and I am uneasy because I am afraid that is me."

In other words, internal friction.

"It's rare for a young person to have such a mindset," Ouyang Ke said.

Young people born into the second generation are either wildly arrogant or extremely cautious.

Being wildly arrogant will only lead you further down the path of fanaticism.

Being cautious and apprehensive, one feels as if walking on thin ice in everything, making it difficult to move forward.

People who lack the experience and abilities of their parents say they want to surpass them.

People with a starting point and background that their parents never had say, how dare I compare myself to them?

This balance is difficult to grasp.

Sun Qian, the son of Sun Situ, was the former.

The Prince of Jin, the son of the retired emperor, was the latter.

The former, due to his arrogance, squandered his life's wealth and status at the hands of Song Shi'an.

The latter, due to his cowardice, lost his future in Song Shi'an's hands.

“But that’s just how young people are,” Ouyang Ke sighed again. “To say something like that, Song Shi’an doesn’t seem like someone his age at all. It’s as if he’s lived several lifetimes.”

“Indeed,” Ouyang Qin said. “If it were his son, perhaps he could have acted the same way as Song Shi’an when facing Zhu Fan. But when facing the historian, he would never have been so calm.”

What does it mean for historians to record events truthfully?

So many palace affairs are ugly and sordid. So many court affairs are filled with intrigue and backstabbing. And how many of the emperor's deeds have not been embellished with euphemisms and whitewashed?

If aristocratic families truly possessed such integrity, then what our emperor did would be a stark contrast.

How did the former crown prince die? How did the Prince of Ning die? And how did the retired emperor's brother die?

At that time, why didn't you record the facts truthfully?

Now, when facing Song Shi'an, we must restore the true history.

The kept man even talked about personal independence.

Let's talk about factional strife!

“However, this statement also serves as a warning to those officials,” Ouyang Ke said, his expression gradually becoming serious. “No one can comment on his life, nor can anyone say anything about it.”

“He’s going to become a tyrannical minister who rules the court by himself,” Ouyang Qin said.

That's a pretty harsh statement.

It means a clear warning to everyone that I am going to do what I believe is right.

No one can stop me.

I can't even hear anything.

“What he wants to do now is to unify the world. As long as he succeeds, all those so-called sins will be wiped away,” Ouyang Ke said with a smile. “If he fails, he will die a horrible death. Even after he is buried, his corpse will be dug up and whipped.”

“His ambition was too great, and once he did it, there was no going back,” Ouyang Qin commented. “He entered the palace at night, carried a sword and wore shoes in the hall, and even declared to the officials that the Empress Dowager had committed… Unbelievable, unbelievable indeed.”

It has to be said that Song Shi'an's playing style was too extreme.

He clearly has many gentler, more gradual methods to achieve his life's ambitions.

But he chose such an extreme path.

“Can we take it? We couldn’t take it in the first place,” Ouyang Ke said. “This is a battle that concerns the fate of the nation. Can you imagine that the emperor and the nobles would be willing to lose the vital territory of Beiliang? Without tyranny and power, these people cannot be used.”

Ouyang Ke served as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat for many years, and in theory, he was the head of all officials. However, in reality, he couldn't even achieve complete ideological unity within the Imperial Secretariat.

"Then Father, what should we do?" Ouyang Qin said. "You didn't go to Song Dutang's invitation tonight. Will he hold a grudge against you?"

“I wouldn’t say he holds a grudge, but he probably doesn’t think I’m a supporter of his son,” Ouyang Ke said.

When he claimed illness and temporarily stepped down, everyone understood the real reason.

There's no denying that he was faking illness.

It also cannot serve as a reason for future de-escalation.

"Does Father think that it will be very difficult for Song Shi'an to unify the country?" Ouyang Qin asked tentatively.

Ouyang Ke didn't speak, but slowly sat down in the chair, leaning back. After a long while, he said, "Ji Yuan is different. It can be said that he could have unified the world without Song Shi'an."

Before Song Shi'an guarded the north wind, the Northern Liang was essentially lost.

The loss of Beiliang is tantamount to leaving the gates wide open, leaving Liangzhou with no room for error.

It was only because Song Shi'an rejected the State of Qi and allied with the State of Yan that this weak situation was reversed.

“Indeed, Ji Yuan is a great ruler, and he is in his prime. He can keep fighting,” Ouyang Qin said.

“The Northern Expedition must be supported, and the military-agricultural colonies must be established,” Ouyang Ke said. “But the Great Yu cannot be allowed to do whatever Song Shi’an wants. He may be the only one in power, but the raging waves behind him will sweep away the people of the world. I cannot let the Great Yu perish.”

Song Shi'an has always been winning.

Even so, she still did not gain Ouyang Ke's complete trust.

Because every time he won, he did so without regard for anything else, risking his life.

For him, the great cause of unification was accomplished, and that was his name for all ages.

If it's not finished, then so be it, you die.

What does the fate of the Great Yu Dynasty have to do with him?

Rather than saying that the world is a political affair of the imperial court, it is more accurate to say that it is a game of chess played by Song Shi'an, whose desire to win is far too strong.

“These days, don’t go to any invitations, banquets, or attempts to win me over. Just tell them you need to take care of me.”

After careful consideration, Ouyang Ke decided, "We'll leave the mansion when the emperor returns."

.........

"This is incredible, this is incredible!"

At home, Sun Situ recalled the scene with Song Shi'an and grew to like it even more.

Just like myself when I was young.

Of course, only being handsome is the same.

The two people have completely different personalities.

“Father, arrogance always has its consequences. Will Song Shi’an’s actions lead to his downfall sooner or later?” Sun Heng asked with some concern.

"Who told you that arrogance will be punished by Heaven? If arrogance is to be punished, it takes people to punish it," said Sun Situ. "The King of Wu is dead, forced to his death by Song Shi'an. No one dares to investigate a single wrongdoing, not even the Empress Dowager. She only wanted to ask for an explanation, but she was led into the capital by troops. His father even summoned all the officials to personally witness how he was humiliated. At this critical juncture, no one can stop him."

This is exactly the effect Song Shi'an wanted.

It can be said that it has been fully achieved.

Even the two who jumped out to disagree seemed like perfectly timed elements for the show.

“But…” Sun Heng still felt this was too difficult. “The Great Yu Dynasty has been around for so many years, through several generations. No one has ever truly managed to govern the court with complete obedience. Even with the Duke of Li, Father, you were able to argue with him in court before, weren’t you?”

"What if his father supports him?"

Sun Situ countered with a question.

"Do we have to be so direct?" Sun Heng was a little surprised.

“The court is now in the hands of the civil officials,” said Sun Situ. “Ouyang Ke has tacitly approved, I support him, and Song Jing already has some followers. So who can oppose him?”

"Father, do you really think Song Shi'an can defeat Ji Yuan?" Sun Heng asked.

“Song Shi’an is no less capable than Ji Yuan, but he is not the emperor.”

"So no matter what, there will always be some constraints."

"But have you forgotten that there is also the King of Qin?"

“…” Sun Heng paused for a moment, then said seriously, “Indeed, we were all thinking about Song Shi’an during this battle, but this King Qin is truly a young hero, which is amazing.”

Everyone takes Song Shi'an's C for granted because he is Song Shi'an.

But when the King of Qin faced the Qinzhou army led by Zhao Yi and Hua Zheng, he defeated the stronger force with the weak, which is also worthy of praise.
The combined strength of Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng can completely offset the drag caused by the internal political system of Dayu.

“Wei Wusheng is actually the one who resembles his father the most,” Sun Situ said calmly. “The Emperor Emeritus is a bit stubborn. If he had been willing to face up to the former ‘Wusheng,’ the situation would not be like this. It’s like if the Emperor were ten years younger, he wouldn’t be afraid of Ji Yuan.”

"Then how should we curry favor with Song Shi'an and the King of Qin?" Sun Heng asked.

"What has my little sister been up to lately?"

Sun Situ turned his head and looked at him.

.........

Late at night, in the main hall of the Song family mansion.

Song Shi'an sat to the side, Song Ce sat opposite him, and Song Jing sat above him.

After they returned, Xinyue, who had been anxiously waiting, also rushed over.

"Shi An." Xin Yue addressed him first, but realizing her mistake, she bowed to Song Jing, "Lord Jingming."

Song Ce bowed very respectfully.

"Sit down," Song Jing said, extending his hand. Xin Yue then sat down next to Song Shi'an, asking in a slightly hesitant voice, "How did it go?"

"All done." Song Shi'an gave an OK sign.

Xin Yue didn't understand why he added a 'three' after "truly".

“I have invited all the officials of the court,” Song Jing said. “Aside from the nobles, about 60% of them came today. But not all of them are completely convinced. Zhu Fan and the historian only said it. As for the rest who didn’t come, it goes without saying.”

"Is it possible that you just want to sleep and don't want to get up?" Song Shi'an asked very seriously.

"Don't play dumb with me." Song Jing rolled her eyes at him.

“Jingming, you speak,” Song Shi’an said.

To show his support, he reluctantly agreed, "Sometimes I feel sleepy and really don't want to get up..."

"Don't all become idiots!"

This angered Song Jing, who then gave him a direct reprimand.

Those two didn't dare to be naughty anymore.

"Having so many people support us is already quite an achievement," Song Shi'an said. "Father, you haven't even counted the people I protected in Huai County. They must have given their full support, right?"

“They’ve all been kidnapped by you, how can they object?” Song Jing said.

So that's the reason! Why didn't you say so sooner!
“Father, there’s nothing to be afraid of,” Song Shi’an said. “This matter must be done.”

“I know,” Song Jing said. “So what we’re discussing now is how to do it.”

In response, Song Shi'an replied with four words: "I want to establish my own government."

These four words were spoken with resounding force.

It represents that unwavering determination.

Song Jing looked at him, then said seriously, "Have you chosen your advisors yet?"

“Yes,” Song Shi’an said. “Furthermore, I need to activate Jingming immediately.”

Song Ce tensed up at what he was told, feeling somewhat apprehensive.

Because he is not even eighteen yet.

His wife was also incredibly beautiful.

But that's not the key point.

The key point is that he had no prior experience; he only held a sinecure in the National Literature Institute, relying on his status as the son-in-law of the emperor.

"Isn't this a bit too hasty?" Song Jing asked.

“Learning by doing,” Song Shi’an replied. “I have never agreed with the fallacy that if you can’t sweep a room, how can you sweep the world? Does doing great things necessarily mean you have to be good at all sorts of small things?”

Normally, if someone else said such things, Song Jing would only think it was wild and arrogant nonsense.

But if Song Shi'an said it, there really wouldn't be a problem.

Why must one sweep one's own house before sweeping the world?

Before Song Shi'an resisted the Qi rebels in the north, he was just a ladybug.

"Are you sure you want this?" Song Jing asked, and the other person was very firm. Then, he looked at Song Ce and asked, "Are you willing?"

"Father, I want to help my brother."

Song Ce stood up and answered solemnly.

Although Song Shi'an's official career progressed rapidly, there was at least some underlying logic to it.

The top-ranked candidate in the imperial examinations directly enters the seventh rank.

The top-ranking scholar, along with his merits, was directly promoted to the fourth rank.

After being sent as an envoy to the Yan state, he made significant diplomatic achievements and was promoted to the rank of third grade.

Ultimately, through land reclamation and national salvation, he rose to become a high-ranking official of the first rank, a regional governor.

It can only be described as fast, not unreasonable.

Song Ce's academic achievements were not outstanding, and he had no merits whatsoever. Now, he was being made to step into the public eye directly, which could be described as not putting on an act at all, and it was a complete family-run empire.

The impact is very bad.

Those who know me and condemn me will find their judgment in history.

“Alright, I’ll bring it up.” Song Jing finally decided, “You brothers must help and protect each other when you’re together, and there must be no gaps between you.”

"Father, don't worry, I will take good care of Jingming," Song Shi'an said. "I watched this child grow up, and an elder brother is like a father to him."

"Don't try to be my brother here," Song Jing said. "I want you to help him get a government position, and to do it well. Most importantly, to do it well."

A young man who is not even eighteen years old and already holds a high position, if he doesn't know how to protect himself and really makes some mistakes, even if he is Song Shi'an's younger brother, he will be in big trouble.

“Father, I understand,” Song Shi’an said.

He and Song Ce were like Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.

Oh wait, that's a bit self-deprecating.

Those were Sun Ce and Sun Quan.

No, that's not right either, it's a bit unlucky.

In short, brotherly love and respect are certain.

“Father, speaking of this,” Song Shi’an also remembered that he hadn’t seen Ouyang Ke today, and that none of his family members had come, so he said, “This Prime Minister Ke should be becoming a military officer.”

“Yes,” Song Jing replied casually. “He probably won’t come out unless the new emperor returns to Sheng’an.”

"Even after all this, doesn't he still trust Shi An's abilities?" Xin Yue asked.

"Sigh, I accepted it a long time ago."

Lord Song spread his hands and said, "LeBlanc."

No matter how many championships you win, you still have to prove yourself the next day.

“We can’t impose our ideas on him. Sheng’an was able to control things this time, and it would have been impossible without him,” Song Jing said. “I plan to divide the powers of the Ministry of Personnel in two, giving him control of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the national treasury. He will serve as the Left Chancellor, while I will be in charge of the appointment and removal of officials, serving as the Right Chancellor.”

In the Great Yu Dynasty, the left was considered superior, and the Left Chancellor was the most important minister.

This is a courtesy extended to Ouyang Ke.

In reality, however, the difference in their actual power was not significant.

It could even be argued that Song Jing's power was more crucial.

It is equivalent to the National People's Congress.

“He gets all the money and grain, while the appointment and removal of officials are left to Father,” Song Ce said after thinking for a moment. “That’s a good idea.”

“Ouyang Ke has too much power,” Song Shi’an said. “But this is indeed the real power he has always dreamed of.”

To put it more accurately, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue.

The Ministry of Personnel's authority was definitely greater than that of the Ministry of Revenue.

However, the Ministry of Revenue was far larger than the other four ministries.

“Ouyang Ke is not a simple person,” Song Jing said. “We can’t fool him, but we don’t need to worry too much either.”

"Yes, and Xiao Wei too."

Song Shi'an blurted it out.

Xin Yue was taken aback.

Then Song Jing immediately became angry and said, "How dare you! What are you saying?"

"Dad, we're all family, don't get agitated." Song Shi'an raised his hand, reminding him to calm down.

Song Ce quickly steered the conversation back on track, saying, "That makes sense. With His Highness the Prince of Qin holding military power, Ouyang Ke shouldn't be too much of a hindrance to us."

The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue were indeed not much different.

But what if the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War were together?

The Ministry of Revenue was essentially a money bag.

The core of all the conflicts lies in Ouyang Ke's possible insistence on certain things—you have to use official accounts.

“These things do need to be discussed properly,” Song Jing said. “After the emperor returns, something big is bound to happen.”

A major purge of the court must be accompanied by pain.

Compared to the carnage on the battlefield, it was hardly peaceful.

"Father, there's still one person left."

Suddenly, Song Ce thought of something and, after everyone looked at him, said, "What should we do with this retired emperor?"

…………

That night, the retired emperor announced that he wanted to summon the King of Qin.

Wei Wusheng got up, put on his armor and sword, and went to his bedroom.

A cool breeze blew along the way.

He walked straight outside.

"Your Highness."

The guards knelt on one knee and saluted with their fists clenched.

Wei Wusheng went inside and saw the man sitting on the bed in the dim light, his face ashen.

It also resembles an oil lamp.

"Your Majesty, I am about to die."

He said.

Wei Wusheng didn't speak, he just looked at him.

"Let me... go back to Sheng'an." (End of Chapter)