Frost for a Thousand Years

None of the officials could imagine what kind of security laws the emperor would have at this time, ensuring that he would not betray the imperial family or the safety of the people.

Even the usually composed Ouyang Ke hadn't imagined that His Majesty would do such a thing.

Indeed, only young and powerful officials like Song Shi'an and Ye Changqing would consider 'family ties,' which were of paramount importance in ancient times, to be external things.

However, Ouyang Ke did not believe that this was the emperor's quick thinking, but rather that Song Shi'an was teaching him. The two had already conspired to present such an image of a sage emperor in front of the officials.

Upon hearing this, Prince Qi's eyes visibly trembled.

The Prince of Nanyang, who was behind him, also felt a chill in his heart after hearing these words.

Their emperor actually...

That's right, the emperor chose to fulfill his own wishes.

At this time, compromising with the royal family would offend Song Shi'an.

Compromising with Song Shi'an would offend the imperial family.

It's simply impossible to compromise on both sides.

Because compromising on both sides would actually offend the imperial family. After all, the "let bygones be bygones" approach is based on the premise that there is no obvious loss of interests in the dispute between the two sides. Now that Song Shi'an beat up the Prince of Guangling and almost killed him, it is already a fait accompli. If both sides are punished equally, it would still be condoning Song Shi'an.

It can be said that the emperor was destined to offend the imperial family.

In this situation, the emperor can only do one thing.

To save face.

Prince Qi never expected His Majesty to be so selfish. In order not to offend Song Shi'an, he actually said that Song Shi'an entered the palace on his orders.

You dare to order Song Shi'an around?
"Your Majesty, I have acted improperly, which has led to this situation." Song Shi'an clenched his fists, bowed his head in a military salute, and loudly admitted his mistake in front of everyone, "Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Song Shi'an even staged this performance with the emperor, personally using such a humble posture to save face for the emperor, making the emperor's aura even stronger, as if he were not a puppet, but a real sage emperor.

Sun Situ smiled, even more satisfied with Song Shi'an's performance.

"This is not your fault," the emperor said calmly. "Some vassal kings in the capital have been arrogant and domineering for a long time, and this is the root of the problem for our Great Yu."

"Your Majesty." Although Prince Qi was deeply disheartened, he still wanted to win, so after addressing the other party, he asked with great curiosity, "This old minister would like to ask, how have we been so arrogant? In Your Majesty's eyes, we have become a problem, as if we have become... a disgusting festering sore?"

"Your Excellency, the princes I'm referring to are not you," the Emperor explained. "I know, and you know, why the Prince of Guangling was beaten. I don't want such a family scandal to be made public."

Family?
How dare you talk about this family?
Prince Qi, no longer wanting to play dumb, immediately spoke up: "If Your Majesty won't speak, I will. This old minister doesn't think this is a family scandal. The Prince of Nanyang is simply greedy for wealth and status, unwilling to live a life of poverty under the new ruler, nothing more. Is this worth a beating?"

"Since the Imperial Clan Court has said so, then let me make things clear." The Emperor addressed both Prince Qi and the officials, saying, "It is natural that the senior officials of the court have some unease or complaints about the new dynasty and its policies. But what Prince Guangling said is that the grace Your Majesty has bestowed upon us is the grace that Emperor Gaozu bestowed upon us, and this must absolutely not be touched!"

These words caused an uproar among the officials.

Because this isn't just a complaint, it's a direct warning.

Even if they didn't say what would happen after they were persuaded.

Just as Prince Qi was about to refute, the emperor looked directly at Prince Nanyang and asked, "Prince Nanyang, did Prince Guangling say this?"

Damn it!

When the emperor asked this question, Prince Qi knew he was about to be in trouble.

Why was I unwilling to come with the Prince of Nanyang?

That's because if people aren't of one mind, this guy won't just be a burden, he won't help.

"..." The Prince of Nanyang was stunned, his expression turning flustered. Logically, only a few people had heard this, and as long as he didn't chime in, the Emperor's words might not have any evidence. But doing so would severely offend Song Shi'an, who would surely retaliate, perhaps even with a few punches. Therefore, he honestly lowered his head and replied, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Guangling did say that."

"Didn't Song Shi'an say that seeing him is like seeing His Majesty?!" Prince Qi also exploded, angrily retorting.

After these words were spoken, the officials were even more astonished, and there were scattered whispers among them. But the fact that people dared to whisper even at the height of Song Shi'an's power shows how weighty these words were.

The emperor was truly terrified.

Looking at Song Shi'an, who was completely calm and expressionless, he knew that he had really said it.

"Did Song Shi'an say those words?" After asking this question, Prince Qi glared at Prince Nanyang and said excitedly, "Prince Nanyang, you say it!"

"..." The Prince of Nanyang was now afraid of urinating. He was stuck in a narrow gap and had become a victim, caught between a rock and a hard place. His elder brother from the royal family had yelled at him to this extent, so he could only close his eyes and nod, "Yes."

The most basic battle has begun.

Political verbal exchanges are nothing more than labeling each other.

Whoever can pin the most accusations on someone, and whose crime is closer to execution, will have the advantage.

Now it seems that Song Shi'an is wearing an even higher hat.

"Your Majesty, is it acceptable that Song Shi'an said that?" Prince Qi asked, staring into the other's eyes.

The emperor's gaze remained unwavering as he spoke, "Shi An is the one who went to convey my decree to weaken the privileges afforded to vassal kings. Seeing him is as good as seeing me."

The emperor was determined to embarrass these members of the imperial clan today.

"Well said, Your Majesty." After a bitter smile, Prince Qi sighed, "Your Majesty is here to have Song Shi'an weaken my imperial clan, so you gentlemen have no regrets for us today. But when he finds you in the future, don't say who is innocent or who should not have done it."

I didn't say anything when they called for the classic "arrest of xx people".

The other officials were indeed worried about their fate.

But since this was already a fait accompli and we were mentally prepared, we weren't that resistant.

On the contrary, it's quite comforting to see the nobles being nerfed along with them.

After all these years, everyone else has been weakened, but the treatment of the royal family is still ridiculously good.

The royal lands granted by the state were exempt from taxes, and each household received an annual stipend of 10,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) and could even openly maintain a private army, all within the bounds of propriety.

The Celestial Dragons have been nerfed into idiots, so what does it matter if we earn a little less?

"Before his death, the late Emperor entrusted this matter to Minister Song," the Emperor said. "The future of Great Yu is to take unification as its mission. For this reason, I hope that all of you ministers will take pride in this noble mission. When this great mission is accomplished and Great Yu becomes the true ruler of the land, rewards will be given according to merit. Aren't you all also pillars of the state?"

The emperor is also making empty promises.

If the total amount of wealth remains the same, but the imperial court gains more wealth, then the aristocratic families will inevitably lose some, and you will suffer a loss.

But when we unify the world, the total amount of wealth will change, the six states will become eleven states, and there will be more official positions. We will all exploit the people of Qi, the people of Northern Yan, and the people of Southern Yue. Won't you all get rich too?
"Your Majesty is wise."

All the officials prostrated themselves, praising the emperor's words.

At this age and in this position, who can predict what will happen in the future?

Even if they conquer the world, who knows if the fruits of their labor will actually reach their mouths? But who dares to refuse a pie in the sky painted by the emperor?

Prince Qi laughed, with a hint of mockery. But mainly, it was self-mockery.

"Uncle," the Emperor said, feeling sorry for him, "You are the Minister of the Imperial Clan, an elder of the Wei clan, and as close to me as my right arm. As far as I know, you cooperated yesterday and did not say anything inappropriate. This matter is the fault of the Prince of Guangling and has nothing to do with the Minister of the Imperial Clan. I hope you will not be too biased because of your affection and tarnish your pure heart."

The emperor also wanted to save face in this matter.

Since the Prince of Guangling was beaten, then the fault lies entirely with him, okay?
“Your Majesty, I believe you have made a mistake.” Prince Qi, however, showed no mercy, directly retorting and openly criticizing the Emperor, “You said you ordered Song Shi’an to weaken us. But that’s not how it was done. Doesn’t the implementation of any policy begin with appeasement and discussion? Lord Song is gentle with others. But why, when it comes to us, is there no trial before force, and why such decisive and brutal action? Your Majesty, did you not even ask beforehand whether we could make sacrifices for the Great Yu before labeling us as a stubborn resistance?”

Zongzheng's words were full of warmth.

Did we say we didn't support the court's reforms?

Can't we, the old members of the imperial clan, discuss this first?

They immediately treated us like old, senile thieves.

Your Majesty, aren't you being a little heartless?
The emperor's wisdom lies only in this.

When asked this question, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

After all, he wasn't the one who ordered this at all.

Seeing this, Song Shi'an slowly stepped forward and said to Prince Qi, "His Majesty told me earlier that we must be gentle and respectful to the elders of the imperial clan. But the premise is that they are determined to safeguard the Great Yu dynasty."

“I am a member of the Wei family. Even the emperor has the surname Wei. How could I not protect the Great Yu dynasty!” Prince Qi was enraged by this.

Everything else can be bullshit, but you're telling me, a high-ranking official, whether I'm a traitor to the Wei dynasty? Are you fucking crazy?
“Since the Imperial Clan is protecting the Wei clan, shouldn’t he certainly abide by the laws of the Great Yu?” Song Shi’an said.

"That's natural," Prince Qi sneered.

"No one dares to speak of the laws of the Great Yu over my head," Prince Qi said with considerable disdain, "especially someone like you who beats up a prince in the street."

"Does Lord Zongzheng know that princes in the capital are forbidden from meeting privately with other princes at will? This is a major taboo," Song Shi'an asked with surgical precision.

This law is almost a consensus.

Private meetings between members of the royal family and feudal princes are inherently suspected of being collusion.

The purpose of bringing these kings to Sheng'an to retire is to keep them in line.

Prince Qi paused for a moment, then said directly, "In this world, who can withstand such criticism? You're just nitpicking..."

"The late emperor was benevolent and kind-hearted, and did not impose many restrictions on the interactions between the vassal kings. But when the late emperor was alive, did any of you ever have a private gathering of more than three people when he was not around?"

Seizing this opportunity, Song Shi'an asked very seriously, "Now that the late emperor has passed away and His Majesty has not yet returned, the court is still not stable. At this time, the five princes of the imperial clan—the Prince of Qi, the Prince of Guangling, the Prince of Nanyang, the Prince of Jinyang, and the Prince of Dai—have secretly met at the Imperial Clan Court without informing His Majesty beforehand. Gentlemen, are you trying to bully the new emperor?"

Those words were too harsh.

However, they really are full of loopholes.

In the capital, any meeting of all the vassal kings except His Majesty's faction, even if they say nothing, is an act of rebellion that the Emperor can directly use the Imperial Guards to suppress.

This sin is truly enormous.

Just then, with a soft thud, the Prince of Nanyang knelt on the ground, kowtowed to the emperor, and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, I know my crime!"

The incompetent teammate behind him quickly became a coward and begged for help.

Because if you put this hat on someone, they could really die.

Everyone says that Song Shi'an is also full of flaws. Just based on what he did, it would be easy to convict him of treason.

But the emperor stood beside him.

The emperor of the Wei family is not close to us Wei family members.

"The Prince of Guangling will be transferred to the title of Marquis of Yecheng, his land holdings will be reduced by 15,000 mu, and his salary will be reduced to 2,000 shi." Now that this matter has been settled, the emperor immediately issued an order: "The other princes have not openly resisted the major policies of the court. Although they have gathered in private, they have no intention of disloyalty. They will all be punished by hand copying the Wei family letters ten times and handing them over to the Imperial Clan Court."

"Your Majesty is benevolent; your humble servant bows in gratitude."

The King of Nanyang quickly accepted the punishment, feeling extremely grateful.

At least, the title of king was preserved.

Even if the court wants to reduce his rank, it's still much better than being a marquis.

They are already wealthy.

At most, he'll go from being a billionaire to a billionaire.

The only one who really went all out this time was the Prince of Guangling, who made some harsh remarks to Song Shi'an before he left.

As for the Imperial Clan Court?

He is the late emperor's brother and has rendered meritorious service in supporting the new emperor, so don't touch him.

"Your Majesty, I request to resign from my position as Minister of the Imperial Clan."

Prince Qi, his face ashen, spoke calmly.

"allow."

The emperor readily agreed.

Then, he walked to the front and boarded the imperial carriage, which Song Shi'an had personally prepared for him, and which was of the highest imperial standard.

The rest of the officials followed behind the carriage, welcoming and embracing the new Dayu.

Only Prince Qi seemed like a remnant abandoned by the times, left behind in vain.

Although the emperor in the carriage accepted everything indifferently, he could never forget the melancholy eyes of Prince Qi.

It was as if he heard the other party saying: Your Majesty, this old minister is not trying to rebel against you, this old minister is just worried about you.

The emperor was extremely disheartened by everything Song Shi'an did without authorization, and even had him play the role of a saintly emperor to support his arrogance.

Until he heard deafening cheers coming from the street outside.

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

The emperor's dead heart seemed to have been revived.

Outside the imperial carriage, Song Shi'an, riding a horse, knew that the crowd of people he had arranged to support him would be able to please the emperor.

The world belongs to An Sheng, and glory belongs to His Majesty. (End of Chapter)