Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 44 The Minister of State reports on his duties

Military reports on the Northern Liang campaign had already spread throughout the capital city after the court assembly.

The people in the city were all filled with grief and fear.

They were terrified of Ji Yuan.

The only encouraging news was that the Sixth Prince would personally lead troops to rescue Shuofeng County.

"Zhao Xiang suffered heavy losses, with tens of thousands of elite soldiers killed or captured. Now the Qi bandits are powerful... Can Shuofeng City be defended?"

"It's definitely impossible to hold out. Once Wuwei falls, the Beiliang Valley will be completely indefensible and open to the elements."

"That damned Zhao Xiang, she's a complete waste!"

"But the Sixth Prince has never led troops before, so how can he possibly contend with Ji Yuan?"

"Even if he's not their match, he's His Majesty's own son... which means they definitely won't abandon the city and flee!"

"Yes, the princes have all gone to defend the city. It seems they are going to fight that Qi traitor."

"If Beiliang falls, the Great Yu will be in danger. We absolutely must defend it. Even if we can't hold it, we must kill as many enemies as possible and inflict heavy losses on the Qi rebels!"

Right now, everyone is talking about the war.

Song Jing's mind, however, was not on this at all.

In the study, his fingers tapped on the desk, making a 'thump thump thump' sound, and his expression was so serious it was almost frightening.

The provincial examination was different from the metropolitan examination, and it was not a special examination held on an important day or during a celebration. Therefore, the court could not attach such great importance to it.

Although the provincial examination was much larger in scale and more important than the children's examination, thus generating the most discussion among the people, and exemplary essays like "The Strategy of Land Reclamation" were collectively studied by scholars from all over the country, its value was far less than that of the metropolitan examination.

In some respects, the provincial examinations and the metropolitan examinations were similar to the national civil service examinations and the college entrance examinations.

Or, to put it more accurately, the Central Government Selection Examination and the National Civil Service Examination.

Since it was just a 'mere' provincial examination, the emperor would not host a banquet for the students, much less personally appoint officials.

After all, there are too many top scholars and runners-up in the six provinces of the world.

Therefore, this matter was nominally decided by the 'Ministerial Affairs Office'.

In fact, even without a 'birthday' event, wealthy and powerful families can pave the way for their descendants.

What Cui and Song wanted was for Song Shi'an to restrain his nature, serve as a county magistrate in a safe place, gain experience for a year or two, and then work for the emperor.

But now, they suspect that Sun Situ might be up to no good.

No, Minister Sun will definitely cause trouble and collude with the Ministry of Personnel.

Without orders from the palace, where to go was entirely up to Ouyang Ke.

wrong.

It also depends on Song Shi'an himself.

So this kid...

Clenching his fists, Song Jing grew anxious.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. The person was hesitant, and you could even sense their unease.

“Go in,” Song Jing said.

Then, Jiang came in.

With his head down and a dejected face, he looked particularly frightened.

This enraged Song Jing: "You're not trying to tell me he's still not coming back, are you?!"

"..." Suddenly, Jiang burst into tears, looking at Song Jing and saying anxiously, "Master, can you tell me what happened... Shi An must have something on his mind."

Yes, he has something on his mind.

He wondered if his actions would implicate his family.

Because he hadn't discussed it with himself, he was afraid to face it and afraid to go home.

He wants wealth and status.

But he wanted to gain wealth and status entirely through his own 'ability'.

But does this bastard really think that simply not going home can sever ties with himself?
Why should Sun Situ's anger burn a nobody like you?
The Song family, and even the Cui family, will have to take the blame for you.

Both families have no choice but to use all their resources to support you.

Does he really believe that his talent and ability are the only reason he has become this "influential figure"?
"If he doesn't go back, get the hell out of here!"

Song Jing was completely fed up.

Today, he had planned to have a proper discussion with Song Shi'an without showing any displeasure.

Seriously, now that things have come to this point, he has to be of one mind with Song Shi'an.

But he's still thinking he's so clever. That kid is still thinking he's so clever!

"master!"

Jiang immediately knelt down in front of Song Jing and pleaded, "Shi An said he would definitely come back. He will be back soon."

They will definitely come back.

Not now.

In other words, it happens after the performance review.

He wanted to make the decision alone first.

Then, notify me.

"No need, he doesn't need to come back."

His face darkened, revealing extreme disappointment in his eyes. Song Jing said coldly, "Send Lord Song's official robes over there and let him go and seek wealth and honor."

.........

The Hangzhou silk, infused with the fragrance of agarwood, caresses the skin like silkworms drawing silk threads in the morning dew of late spring.

He put on a brand-new seventh-rank official robe, which was fastened by a white jade belt.

The black gauze, made of copper wire, gleamed with a shimmering light.

Song Shi'an had told his friends that the countryside wasn't completely dark at night; the bright moon could illuminate the earth, but they didn't believe him.

The gentle breeze from midnight to dawn caressed my face, seeping into the skin beneath my wide sleeves, bringing a chill.

At this moment, Sheng'an was completely silent.

Following the central axis of the Heavenly Street, he arrived at the main gate of the Imperial City, which was wide open.

Two imperial guards, their halberds crossed, blocked the entrance to power.

As he stood silently at the gate, a guard officer quickly approached Song Shi'an and politely said, "Sir, the curfew will not be lifted for another hour."

"I have something to do at the Ministry of Personnel."

Song Shi'an replied calmly.

Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper pondered for a moment and then asked, "Sir, do you have an official seal or proof of identity?"

The Imperial City was the inner city of Sheng'an, where many government offices and institutions were located.

However, not all officials could settle down in the imperial city. Even some high-ranking officials of the fifth or sixth rank, if they came from humble backgrounds and lacked resources and wealth, could only live in the outer city like ordinary people.

These officials had to arrive in the city early to clock in for work.

Therefore, at this point, an official seal is required as proof.

Of course, if you recognize the guard, you can simply greet him and enter.

However, this young seventh-rank official was completely unfamiliar to them.

Never seen it before.

However, it is impossible to impersonate an official of the imperial court.

How many leaders would dare to do such a thing in the capital?
"I am the top scholar in the provincial examination, and I am going to the Ministry of Personnel to report on my duties. Therefore, I do not currently have an official seal," Song Shi'an explained.

"Oh, oh!" The officer immediately understood, raised his hand to make way for the two armored soldiers with halberds, and said with a smile, "So it's Lord Song."

"Thank you."

Nodding, Song Shi'an bowed slightly to the other party: "Thank you for your hard work."

"This is my duty."

The officer smiled warmly, then asked curiously, "But Lord Song, the distance to the Ministry of Personnel is quite far. Aren't you going to take a carriage?"

"no need."

Song Shi'an smiled, then strode towards the moonlit avenue: "I've walked this path all along."
-
Those who know me well know that I really dislike leaving comments at the end of chapters. Even though my debut novel, *I Am Super*, was a huge success before it went on sale, I didn't leave a single comment at the end of each chapter because I felt it greatly affected the reading experience.

I wrote a part of the story that I liked, and I just hope that everyone will only discuss the book itself.

But I have to say something today. I don't know what happened, but a huge bunch of people in the comments section were doing team building, making the reading experience terrible.

Just as I was struggling with this, my bro suddenly suggested: Why don't we set the fan value for speaking to 1?

I'm such a genius, but I'm all gone.

Of course, this will also prevent existing readers from posting comments. But there's no other way; we have to choose the lesser of two evils.

Readers who find reading less enjoyable without being able to post comments can wait until the book is officially released and then subscribe to a chapter to start commenting.

respect.

(End of this chapter)