Frost for a Thousand Years

"Southern Vietnam, it's settled."

Upon receiving this military report, the emperor closed his eyes and revealed a relaxed smile.

Song Shi'an was not a man who was solely focused on seizing power and eliminating dissidents.

Because if he really wanted to do that, he could have taken the opportunity to get rid of the Duke of Zhangping.

After all, he had already incurred the wrath of the masses because of the truth about the chaos in Yizhou. The powerful families of Jiangnan all sided with the imperial court, and the Southern Yue Kingdom completely severed its alliance with him. At this time, Song Shi'an spent the country's strength to annihilate him. Although this would make it more difficult to fight Ji Yuan, he would still be commended for his military achievements in suppressing the rebellion, and his position would remain stable.

If that were done, the people of Qinzhou would be completely removed from the stage of history.

Song Shi'an's grand vision allowed the emperor to see not only the hope of unifying the country, but also his own future.

If the Duke of Zhangping could live, it meant that he could also live.

"Attend court."

After putting down the military report, the emperor decided to convene a court assembly.

At noon that very day, officials from the six ministries were summoned.

Meanwhile, PhDs without real power were also invited.

Logically speaking, they had already distanced themselves from politics and were in a semi-retired state, but they were still specially invited.

Therefore, everyone had already guessed the topic of the day before the court session even began.

"I heard that Shiting City has been completely captured."

"I've heard about it too. They used water attack, and in less than fifteen days, those barbarians surrendered directly, and the Shamo family was completely wiped out."

"Hahaha, if he had known this would happen, would Shamoji regret stirring up trouble in the internal affairs of my Great Yu?"

"When women are in power, they only seek temporary pleasure."

The officials ascended the steps one after another.

As Song Jing walked along, supported by his son, Minister Sun quickly walked to his side and called out with a smile, "Prime Minister Song."

“Minister Sun.” Song Jing stopped in his tracks.

“The position of Minister of Works is no longer available,” Minister Sun joked.

"The Three Dukes during the reign of the late Emperor were also the Three Dukes," Song Jing said respectfully. "You have always been the respected chief official whom we officials revere."

After the two exchanged pleasantries, the officials beside Song Jing bowed to them and then left, very considerately leaving the two with space to talk.

After they left, Sun Situ also looked troubled and lowered his voice, saying, "The matter in the south was really not instigated by me."

“Minister Situ, I know,” Song Jing said seriously. “Your heart is with the court, and I believe the Yangzhou gentry are the same. It’s just that the methods are different.”

Sun Situ wanted to sever ties with Sun Taigong of Yangzhou.

To say he knew absolutely nothing about it would be utter nonsense.

However, Sun Situ really didn't want to get involved in those messy affairs.

Because he understood better than anyone that Song Shi'an had no chance of losing. No matter how many people tried to trip him up, they would all be proven wrong and become the designated clowns.

“Besides, Jin Hua is my daughter. I would never use her to do such things,” Sun Situ said. “My son asked the young Grand Secretary only to try to find her.”

"Does Minister Sun know what exactly happened over there?" Song Jing asked seriously.

After a pause, Sun Situ looked around and then leaned close to him, saying with great shame, "My great-grandfather wants to use Jinhua to start this war. After all, there is a great deal of conflict between the people of Yangzhou and the Duke of Zhangping, who is from Qinzhou. I'm not being biased; that's what they really think. However, it's not that they want to collude with foreign countries."

“Yes, that’s for sure. It’s just that people in the world didn’t know that at the time. They were all misled by that Shamoji and had a deep misunderstanding of the Duke of Zhangping,” Song Jing said.

"My Jinhua hasn't caused any trouble for the young Grand Secretary, has she?" Sun Situ asked, feigning ignorance despite already knowing the answer.

Because of Grandpa Sun's tip, he actually knew everything.

This includes Sun Jinhua acting as a double agent, siding with Song Shi'an, and sacrificing her family's interests for true love.

But he pretended not to know.

First, it means that Grandpa Sun did not collude with him.

Second, make Song Jing feel guilty so that he will take the initiative to bring up the matter.

"Won't Jin Hua be blamed by the family?" Song Jing asked.

“Even if she were here, I would still have to punish her severely according to family rules to explain myself to my hometown. But now that she’s gone, how is the family supposed to deal with her…” Sun Situ shook his head and said, “I don’t know what to do.”

"Then how about we have Shi An take her all the way back to Sheng'an?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Situ's eyes lit up. Looking at him, she said, "Well, Jin Hua is, after all, a young woman. If she does this... what about her reputation?"

"Yes, that reputation..."

"Then could we ask Prime Minister Song to allow Shi An to take her as a concubine?" Sun Situ revealed his true intentions.

Song Jing knew it; this was what the guy was after!

But he really had no choice.

Sun Jinhua is indeed a good girl. For Song Shi'an, she was even willing to betray her family and pass on false information, thus facilitating an alliance with the Duke of Zhangping.

If I don't protect her and she really gets her by the Sun family patriarch, not to mention the punishment, after all, she has shared a bed with Song Shi'an, how could she possibly get married in the future?

Well, that's the only way.

"Making Jin Hua a concubine would be too unfair to her," Song Jing said with difficulty.

"You must make sure Shi An agrees," Sun Situ said. "This girl would rather die than not marry Shi An."

"It can't be that bad..."

"She ran away from home before because Shi An got married, and she was heartbroken." Sun Situ didn't even bother to pretend and went straight to arranging the marriage.

She was too reserved before, which is why someone beat her to it.

Now, all I have to do is marry him.

If they have a few more sons in the future, the Sun family will be secure.

"Then, I'll do my best."

Song Jing nodded, and could only reluctantly agree.

Then, the two of them went into the imperial court together.

After everyone had arrived, the emperor walked to the throne and sat down.

After kneeling and rising, we got straight to the point.

"Today, I personally read a military report," the Emperor said. "Minister of War Song Shi'an has led his troops to destroy the Southern Yue Kingdom, completely annihilated the Shamo tribe, and captured the demon queen Shamoji!"

Such a great event immediately caused a stir in the imperial court.

Everyone wore a happy expression.

"Your Majesty, we offer our congratulations! You are one step closer to unifying the world!"

Led by Song Jing, everyone joined in the congratulations and said auspicious words in unison.

"Your Majesty, we offer our congratulations! You are one step closer to unifying the world!"

"My beloved ministers, you may rise." The emperor smiled and gestured with his hand, saying, "This is a joyous occasion, but Shi An is a pragmatic man. He did not seek credit from me, but instead raised an important matter that needs to be dealt with immediately."

After he finished speaking, Grand Eunuch Zhang Fu began to read the imperial edict.

"Disciples:"
The former vassal state of Nanyue has long been under the rule of the king. Now, its territory is divided into eight commanderies of Jiaozhou to pacify the Liao people and secure the southern border. The decree is as follows:
I. Imperial Conferment by Prefect

Each of the eight chieftains was granted the title of prefect, a hereditary position, but a hostage had to be sent to the capital to learn etiquette.

II. Governor and Protector

Xu Shun, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, was promoted to Governor of Jiaozhou and given a gold seal with a snake-shaped knob, in charge of salt and iron tax collection.

The Duke of Zhangping was appointed Governor of Jiaozhou and Commander of the Zhennan Army.

III. Yangzhou New County

Heguangfu, Guicheng, and Xinbeiguan City were combined to form Suinan Prefecture, which was under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou.

Song Ce was appointed as the prefect of the prefecture.

IV. Selection of Talents in the Southern Region

All newly appointed Jinshi and Juren graduates who go to Jiaozhou and Suinan:
Rank advanced by one level

Increase annual salary by 30%

Those with outstanding performance will be promoted back to their original positions.

The Ministry of Personnel was instructed to establish a register for selecting officials in the southern border regions. Those who recommended virtuous and talented individuals of the third rank or above were granted the privilege of having one son enter the imperial examinations through their family connections.

The proclamation was issued far and wide, so that all may know.

With the issuance of this imperial edict, it truly meant that Dayu had gained another prefecture.

From six states, it became seven states.

For these officials, what changes have occurred?
That is the recommendation system.

Even if they were promoted to the first rank, those successful candidates in the provincial and metropolitan examinations would not be willing to go to such barbarian regions. The new prefectures established by Guangfu and Guicheng are indeed good, as they are still in Yangzhou and not so remote. Moreover, the Duke of Zhangping has already built them up very well. However, everyone knows that the appointment of Song Ce as the prefect there already shows that such good positions have been divided up by the senior members of the cabinet.

What should I do?
These scholars, who could no longer secure official positions, wanted their family members to become officials. For every candidate they nominated for a degree in the imperial examinations, they had to sacrifice another member to go to Xinjiaozhou to participate in construction.

"Gentlemen, Jiaozhou is indeed poor and desolate now, but it is under these conditions that one can make achievements and establish a career," the emperor said with a smile. "Moreover, if one does well, one can still return to the capital for a promotion. Therefore, I hope that each of you will nominate at least one person."

The emperor immediately issued a death order.

Jiaozhou has eight prefectures with a population of over one million, and at least ten thousand officials are needed.

Among them, at least several hundred held official positions.

If each of the court officials recommends one candidate, and the successful candidates in the provincial and metropolitan examinations are also deceived as much as possible, wouldn't that create the prototype for the large-scale development of the south?
"Yes."

Everyone accepted the order.

The emperor was very satisfied.

At least during his tenure, the six prefectures of Dayu became seven, the territory expanded by thousands of miles, and the population increased by more than a million. Based on this alone, he could be considered one of the top three monarchs.

It's unimaginable how good his reputation would be once the world was unified.

"In principle, the rewards for this battle should be given after the army's triumphant return. But Shi An has truly enhanced the prestige of our Great Yu. I must send the glory to the Southern Kingdom now," the emperor said with great delight.

Then, the eunuch issued another imperial edict.

"Disciples:"
Minister of War Song Shi'an, wielding the axe of war, led the southern expedition and swiftly defeated the wicked. The Yue people, harboring malice, dared to resist the royal army; you led your elite troops to storm their stronghold, achieving complete victory in three months. Now, in reward for your meritorious service, you are bestowed with extraordinary honors:
I. Conferring titles and displaying military prowess

Song Shi'an was promoted to Marquis of Champion
Bestowed with a red ribbon and a gold seal
bestowed, gilded sword

II. Promotion and Hereditary Granting of Titles

His father, Song Jing, was granted the title of Duke of Huai, with a fief of nine thousand households in Huaiyang.

So be it.

This astonishing imperial edict completely changed the ancestral system of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Previously, the highest rank for non-noble officials was the non-hereditary title of Marquis of a Township.

And now, the title of Duke has appeared.

With the death of the Duke of Li, the position vacated by the new elite of Sili Prefecture has been filled.

Breaking is also a process of rebuilding.

The Great Yu Dynasty thus entered a new era—the era of military merit.

.........

Song Shi'an did not stay in Jiaozhou for long because the Duke of Zhangping was very reliable. His five thousand elite troops were stationed in Shiting, which made Song Shi'an feel very at ease about the security of the new Jiaozhou.

Of course, this was because Song Shi'an selected 30,000 strong barbarians from the entire Nanyue region and took them north with his imperial guards.

These people will travel across most of the world to follow me to fight Ji Yuan.

Now, he is in Xinbeiguan, building the city while waiting for the officials sent by Dayu to take over his work.

Waiting for my younger brother.

Finally, at the 'construction site' in Beiguan, he received the imperial edict.

He was granted the title of Marquis of Champion.

This marquisate was indeed something he wanted himself.

But a Duke means that the emperor himself has become sensible.

"Young Grand Secretary, besides the imperial edict, there are also several family letters."

The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree presented several letters to Song Shi'an with both hands.

"it is good."

After receiving it, Song Shi'an went straight back to the barracks.

"Shi'an, I heard that an imperial edict has arrived."

Sun Jinhua, as his secretary, has always been by Song Shi'an's side.

So Song Shi'an also arranged a workstation for her, right next to his, to help organize some case files.

"This is an imperial edict." Song Shi'an handed it to Sun Jinhua.

After reading it, Sun Jinhua smiled sweetly at her and congratulated her, saying, "Congratulations, Marquis of Champion."

"Thank you very much." Song Shi'an waved his hand cheerfully, then prepared to read the family letter at the table.

Then, the little girl leaned right up to him, pressing her body against his, and whispered, "Will there be anything about me...?"

Song Shi'an wasn't a scumbag who played with women's feelings. Since Sun Xiaomei was in such a state, he would definitely accept her.

However, he also said that he needed to discuss this matter with his father and her father.

After all, it's about marrying off a daughter.

"Of course there is. I've already told my dad that he absolutely must propose marriage."

As Song Shi'an spoke, he opened the letter.

However, he stopped writing after the first letter.

"Your wife wrote this to you..."

Sun Jinhua, who was next to him, reacted even faster. Then, she just stared at the letter and him leisurely.

...

"Jingming is going to Suinan County to become the prefect, and I can't go with him yet. I wonder if he'll take a concubine..."

Looking at Song Yang playing with a rattle drum in front of her, Princess Changqing said somewhat emo.

Meanwhile, Xin Yue, who was sitting on the bed with her big pregnant belly, glanced at her and pursed her lips: "Song Shi'an may have already taken the Southern Yue emperor's woman as a concubine."

"..." Princess Changqing looked at her, "Your uncle loves you so much, he wouldn't do this, would he?"

“He’ll stubbornly deny it, since I’m not around anyway,” Xin Yue said. “But he definitely did it.”

“Indeed, I’ve heard that Shamoji is the most notorious femme fatale in Southern Yue,” Princess Changqing said. “If he were a man, he would find it hard to resist her.”

"On the contrary, I think Jingming can control things, while my man simply can't." Xinyue bit her lip, a little resentful.

"Why do you think that? My uncle married very late."

"The first time we slept together, it was as if he had done it at least a hundred times." How could Xinyue not care? She definitely cared.

“Hmm…” Princess Changqing said, “After all, before this, my uncle was known as a playboy from a prominent family.”

"Heh." Xin Yue placed her hand on her stomach, her expression gloomy.

"But actually, compared to a vixen like Shamogi who's just a plaything, you're more concerned about that young girl from the Sun family, aren't you?" Princess Changqing asked. "After all, she's done quite a lot following her uncle..."

Yes, this young girl played the role of Xinyue.

Moreover, it was a great help.

“If my uncle doesn’t bring her back, her fate will be very pitiful,” Princess Changqing added.

"I know."

Xinyue knows everything.

She should have been quite jealous.

But then I thought of Song Shi'an, all alone away, and fighting in battle...

Sitting at her desk, she knew how to write a letter home.

My beloved is on a southern expedition; please take good care of yourself. Your wife and unborn child await your return to a peaceful and prosperous land.

The flowers are in bloom in Jiangnan; it's time to return home.

Upon reading the last two lines of the letter, Song Shi'an felt a sense of warmth.

At the same time, I also smelled a hint of sourness.

My son and I are waiting for you at home. We hope you will come back soon.

However, the flowers in Jiangnan are in bloom, and the scenery is beautiful. Since you've finally made it on a business trip, you can take your time to appreciate it.

“These flowers in Jiangnan…” Sun Jinhua realized, looking at Song Shi’an blankly, “Could it be me?”

"if not."

Song Shi'an smiled.

Xinyue agreed to take a concubine.

No, do men from the Central Plains need permission to take a concubine?
This is simply a way of showing respect for one's wife.

After savoring the moment for a while, Sun Jinhua slowly lay down on Song Shi'an, squinted her eyes, and murmured with a mixture of joy and excitement, "Ah, I'll be your concubine then..." (End of Chapter)