Frost for a Thousand Years

When Song Shi'an was reinstated to his original position, such a great thing was something his subordinates naturally had to do, so they all kept smiling when they greeted him.

Then, as can be seen with the naked eye, everyone stopped laughing.

"This scene looks so familiar," Jia Guihao remarked, watching Song Shi'an's retreating figure.

"Familiar?" an official asked, puzzled. "The Prefect has done something like this before."

"Northern Liang, north wind." Although Jia Guihao wasn't present, he couldn't possibly be unaware of the major news of Zhao Xiang being whipped, so he casually brought it up, "Have you all forgotten about the Sixth Prince back then?"

The attempt to flatter backfired.

"Shouldn't we have done something wrong?" After all, it meant a six-month salary deduction and a huge loss, so the first reaction was regret.

Jia Guihao gave a mocking smile and said, "Then you don't know anything about flattery."

Xin Yue, sword in hand, followed closely beside Song Shi'an. After seeing the dumbfounded expressions on the officials' faces, she teased Song Shi'an, "If they really don't come, you won't be happy."

"Can that be the same?"

Without a doubt, Xin Yue is absolutely right.

When they came to greet them, all they received was a six-month salary deduction for dereliction of duty.

But if they don't come, Lord Song will remember it all and will punish them one by one in the future.

This wave is a pure Yang strategy.

No matter what, you'll lose money.

Song Shi'an should earn at least half a year's salary from them.

Of course, we can't always make such a big deal out of it.

Just like the north wind of Beiliang before.

At that time, they suffered a major defeat.

Now, Huai County has also suffered a major defeat.

It can be said that punishing them with such a small amount of money is a way to put their minds at ease.

The ultimate goal is to establish authority.

The power that had been briefly lost was instantly returned to Song Shi'an's hands.

"Your Excellency, this is the report I prepared while acting as the prefect these past few days." Ji Zhi caught up with Song Shi'an and handed it to him.

This is the current situation in Huai County.

"Was this the same document submitted to the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Although Song Shi'an left the city a step earlier than the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the latter was an iron man. With time on his hands and a heavy mission, he had already arrived in Huai County ahead of schedule by express courier.

They conducted a thorough disciplinary inspection of 'Huaijun City Investment Co., Ltd.'.

As the acting prefect, Ji Zhi certainly couldn't escape it.

"Yes," Ji Zhi said.

If he were a member of the Crown Prince's faction, this would definitely have caused a major incident, at least resulting in his complete dismissal. However, because he was a Song official, the questions he was asked were relatively mild.

Small punishment, big warning.

"Where is Master Shen?" Song Shi'an asked.

“My lord, Master Shen has imprisoned Eunuch Lian and is investigating various matters related to the military farms,” Ji Zhi said. “Before you returned, he said he would definitely pay his respects to you.”

“That’s the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. How can I let him come to pay his respects to me?” Song Shi’an said. “I will go to see him myself.”

"And what about these officials?" Ji Zhi asked.

"You and Commandant Jia together, get them back to their posts," Song Shi'an said. "Do what you did when I was here, and do it now."

"Yes." Ji Zhi obeyed the order and then returned to his post with the others.

After Song Shi'an handed the report to Xin Yue, the two went directly to the headquarters prison.

After all, there are 500,000 people here, which is equivalent to the entire population of Sheng'an. Therefore, the judicial system must be sound, including prisons for civilians, soldiers, and officials who commit crimes of duty. These prisons were built at the beginning of the project and completed at the same time.

This is similar to how the first thing an ancient city-state did upon its establishment was to inscribe its laws on stone slabs and pillars.

No rules, no standards.

Meanwhile, in the prison, Shen Kang was facing Eunuch Lian, who sat on a stool with a full head of white hair, dry lips, and empty eyes, listing the charges against him one by one.

Because he was a senior eunuch and a veteran of the palace, even the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard found it somewhat difficult to deal with him when he vehemently denied everything and completely gave up.

At this moment, a member of the Imperial Guard came in to announce: "Master Shen, Lord Song has arrived."

Just moments ago, Eunuch Lian's eyes, which had been as stiff as a dying carp, suddenly brightened and gleamed. He then looked around and exclaimed, "Lord Song... Song Shi'an? Song Shi'an is here?"

Seeing this, Shen Kang did not react, but asked the Imperial Guard, "Did you just arrive at the headquarters? Then I will go see him."

“No, he’s already outside the prison,” the Imperial Guard said.

"You've come to see me?" Shen Kang was somewhat surprised, then said, "You keep an eye on Eunuch Lian, I'm going to see him."

"Yes."

And so, Shen Kang left the cell and went outside the prison, where he saw Song Shi'an and the dashing female swordsman beside him.

"Lord Song, you've arrived. Why don't you just come in?" Shen Kang hurriedly greeted him. "This Huai County is your territory."

All government affairs in Huai County were managed by Song Shi'an.

The prison naturally belonged to him as well.

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard is handling a case, so naturally we need to make room for them.” Song Shi’an held out his hand. “Master Shen’s job comes first.”

"You jest, Your Excellency, please."

Shen Kang reached out his hand and led Song Shi'an away.

The two then went to the prefectural supervisor's office.

A rather simple office.

However, the defenses were extremely tight and airtight, with soldiers stationed far away, making it impossible to be monitored or have secrets leaked.

Xin Yue did not enter the room, and very respectfully waited in the distance.

"My Lord..."

Before Shen Kang could speak, Song Shi'an smiled and said, "Master Shen, you are a special envoy of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and also an elder, so please call me Shi'an."

“If it were two years ago, you would be Shi An in my eyes, but you can’t be Shi An now,” Shen Kang said frankly.

Two years ago, I was a third-rank official, and you were a seventh-rank official.

Back then, I could call you Xiao Song.

Now, I'm a third-rank official and you're also a third-rank official, and I'm still here as Xiao Song. That's just being incredibly arrogant.

“Jingming…that is, my younger brother, once said that when I was imprisoned, Master Shen took good care of my family. I have never forgotten this kindness.” Song Shi’an said very kindly. “Shi’an respects you, not entirely because you are a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

"Thank you very much."

Shen Kang was starting to like a young, powerful official who was so humble. No wonder Zuo Ziliang was so infatuated with him that he was willing to risk collusion to help him.

This kid definitely has a charismatic personality.

Of course, we shouldn't be completely fooled by its beautiful appearance.

Not long ago, he personally taught the crown prince how to be a good heir apparent.

People like this have been rare throughout history.

And when they do appear, it's always in biographies of treacherous officials.

"Master Shen, I have a question," Song Shi'an said, "How is the investigation into the dereliction of duty by the officials of Huai County progressing?"

At this point, Shen Kang hesitated for a moment and said, "The vast majority of people have already been investigated and found to be at fault for oversight. There are not many objections, so it should be done soon."

The work of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was closely related to Song Shi'an.

It's not that the two people have any overlapping responsibilities.

It's simply that Song Shi'an didn't have much time to have these people 'work' in Huai County.

Simply put, how can production start if the disciplinary inspection team never leaves?

Only when the Imperial Guard's Koster was on the official road leading to Huai County and Sheng'an did all the officials have the mind to return to their posts.

"Is there anything you don't understand?" Song Shi'an asked tentatively.

“The other officials all took the initiative to admit their mistakes for oversight,” Shen Kang said. “But it’s much harder to reach a consensus on the issue of Eunuch Lian.”

Isn't that obvious?
I won't take the blame for being late, leaving early, or slacking off, but I'll take the blame for embezzlement, bribery, extortion, and setting the company on fire.

"Is that so?" Song Shi'an also looked troubled.

“His Highness said that we should try our best not to delay the land reclamation and not to cause trouble for you, Lord Prefect, and I have been doing my best to do so,” Shen Kang said. “But Eunuch Lian is, after all, a Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonies, and not an ordinary person. Many of the Embroidered Uniform Guards have also received his care, so we cannot be too rough with him.”

No matter how high the rank of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they were merely hunting dogs. The Grand Eunuch, on the other hand, was the falcon.

There is indeed a hierarchical relationship between the two.

Of course, that's because people like Chen Bao and Xi Shan are Shen Kang's superiors.

Lian Gonggong and Shen Kang were roughly equal in rank.

"Indeed."

Song Shi'an nodded in agreement.

However, the real reason behind it is also clear.

The Imperial Guards have feelings, but Eunuch Lian is far from being able to have feelings for Shen Kang; he's not Chen Bao.

If they want him to be executed, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will not rule out the possibility of torture.

But after all, they could only interrogate, not judge. Everyone knew that Eunuch Lian was a scapegoat the Crown Prince had found to shift the blame. The fault didn't concern him at all. Even the Crown Prince felt guilty towards him. It wouldn't be easy to explain if he were to appear before the Crown Prince with injuries all over his body.

The biggest problem actually lies with Eunuch Lian.

He could have faced death with dignity, accepted everything, given his last bit of energy for the Crown Prince, and been a loyal dog of the Wei family, but he chose to make things unbearable.

"Your Excellency, I will certainly have everything investigated within two days and close the case in Huai County," Shen Kang promised.

"If it's just two days..." Song Shi'an wanted them to get lost right now.

Seeing his attitude, Shen Kang casually remarked, "The main problem is that with Eunuch Lian like this, he won't agree to anything I say."

"Should we respond to nothing?"

Shen Kangwei said with difficulty, "No, not exactly."

"What is that?" Sensing the other party's hesitation, Song Shi'an said, "If you have a method, please tell me, Master Shen."

"Then I won't lie to you," Shen Kang said. "When you came over just now, the Embroidered Uniform Guard informed us. He seemed quite excited after hearing your name."

Damn it, you're way too obvious.

Isn't this just a simple way of asking me to help you?
Shen Kang didn't care. After all, it wasn't him who was in a hurry. He was unwilling to make things convenient for Song Shi'an and then torment Eunuch Lian, which would incur the Crown Prince's displeasure.

"Then how about I go and talk to Eunuch Lian?" Song Shi'an asked tentatively.

"That would be a great help," Shen Kang said. "If you go to talk to Eunuch Lian, I'll leave you alone together, and there will be no one else to bother you."

"Oh, that's all for now."

Song Shi'an was not about to do anything that would cause any trouble, so he smiled and raised his hand, saying, "Please make sure that Master Shen and the other Imperial Guards are waiting outside the gate."

.........

Eunuch Lian admitted defeat.

However, he did not admit that he was going to die.

Compared to Song Shi'an, he is indeed trash.

He bears a great deal of responsibility for how the Huai County garrison has turned into this mess, but he cannot accept it.

Because if he confessed, he would be sent directly to Dali Temple to be beheaded when he returned to Sheng'an.

The Crown Prince already felt guilty towards him, so how could he possibly see him?

As long as he doesn't confess and the Embroidered Uniform Guard can't produce a written indictment, he can't be killed directly.

After all, he was a Grand Eunuch in charge of ceremonies.

In the end, he could only be brought before the crown prince.

I will endure until that moment. I have risked my life for the Great Yu, I have taken the blame for the Great Yu, and I want to see the Crown Prince!
All of this is the fault of that bastard Song Shi'an—

Just as he was thinking this, the door was pushed open.

The man she had been longing for walked in.

In an instant, his eyes widened.

"Eunuch Lian."

After Song Shi'an came in, he closed the door and sat down in front of him.

His face carried a hint of gloom.

"Song—Shi—An!"

Even though he was already so haggard and weak, he still used his life to unleash a hateful roar.

“Father-in-law, I’m here,” Song Shi’an said calmly.

“You have won now, but land reclamation is not something you can do alone!” The eunuch raised his finger, pointing tremblingly at the person in front of him, and said, “Don’t think I don’t know that Ji Zhi is deliberately neglecting his duties and passively engaging in land reclamation, just so that after our family fails, he can still naturally become a disciple of the Song family.”

Although the eunuch was just a eunuch, he had been with someone as high-ranking as the emperor for so long that he couldn't possibly be completely ignorant.

He has now seen through everything.

He could clearly see who the true princelings and the true Song faction were on this land of Huai County.

“Ji Zhi’s transgression should be investigated by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and determined by the Crown Prince,” Song Shi’an said calmly.

"Here we go again, putting on this hypocritical act of selflessness. It's truly disgusting." Eunuch Lian was most averse to this quintessential politician, this charlatan pretending to be innocent, so he continued his attack, "Do you dare say that when you resigned, you genuinely believed that building the palace was a waste of resources and manpower? Didn't you even have the slightest thought of using this opportunity to purge the officials of Huai County and bring your Song family's disciples to the forefront?"

"You're referring to the Song family's disciples, Father-in-law. I don't know who they are," Song Shi'an said. "But given how things turned out in the land reclamation project, shouldn't those who neglected their duties bear responsibility?"

“Yes, what you say makes a lot of sense,” Eunuch Lian said seriously. “You can call those you look down on incompetent. But our loyalty to His Highness is absolutely pure!”

“Then, isn’t it loyalty to successfully cultivate land for His Highness?” Song Shi’an countered.

"And Lord Song?" Eunuch Lian asked with a cold smile, "Do you dare say you are absolutely loyal to His Highness?"

Eunuch Lian didn't come here solely to build the palace.

He had done his research on Huai County before.

For example, this kid in front of me has an absolute secret.

Almost enough to break his secret.

Song Shi'an remained silent in response to this question.

Eunuch Lian became even more convinced.

Sure enough, that was his weakness.

He was raising assassins.

He knew I was raising assassins.

Song Shi'an probably understood the smug smile on his face.

It wasn't just a guess.

Having been in Huai County for so long, how could I not have some connections?

"Huh? Do you dare say it?"

Eunuch Lian continued his aggressive approach.

This kid is definitely afraid I'll tell!
Song Shi'an really didn't want him to say it.

It's not that I'm afraid the Crown Prince will find out.

Because the Crown Prince probably already knew about it.

If he says it now, it will only embarrass the Crown Prince.

Song Shi'an is most afraid of awkward situations.

So even when he was struggling so hard that he could threaten him, Song Shi'an simply continued to look at him with a gloomy expression, revealing a hint of sadness...

"You, what do you do?"

"I'm being watched," said Eunuch Lian with some wariness.

"The first time I met Eunuch Lian was when I was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) reporting on my duties."

Looking at that pale, withered, and lifeless face, Song Shi'an said with great distress, "Back then, Father-in-law was radiant and full of smiles."

"..."

Eunuch Lian was stunned by these words.

Then, Song Shi'an got up and left.

He lowered his head and looked at the bucket of water in front of him.

On the calm surface of the water was an ugly face that was completely unfamiliar to him...

The next instant, his Dao Heart shattered. (End of Chapter)