Frost for a Thousand Years

"Your Highness, Lian Song is dead..."

The message from the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrived in Sheng'an a day after it was sent to Huai County.

The chief eunuch, Xishan, personally reported to the crown prince.

Upon learning this information, the Crown Prince's pupils dilated in shock.

Upon noticing this change, Xi Shan quickly lowered her head, not daring to show any expression, and described as best she could: "After the trial of Lian Song in Huai County, Shen Kang, a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was sent to Sheng'an. However, on the way, at night, the Embroidered Uniform Guard discovered that a wooden awl had appeared in Lian Song's tent and was stuck in his throat..."

suicide.

The crown prince didn't even need to think; he immediately came to a conclusion.

First of all, it's too obvious.

Secondly, no one could kill someone under the nose of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Finally, and most importantly, Lian Song was destined to die anyway. No one needed to do it; he would be beheaded once he reached the capital. There was absolutely no need to risk killing him.

No, that's not right either.

What if he had some unknown secret, some very powerful incriminating evidence, and then he was killed?

A conspiracy theory quickly flashed through his mind, and he began to let his imagination run wild. However, he didn't reveal it, but calmly asked, "Did he leave the Huai County Military Colony and then die?"

"Your Highness, he died after leaving Huai County."

"That's it..."

"Moreover, he died in the night just ten miles outside the border of Huai County."

Xishan knew that this was the crux of the matter, but he didn't dare to get straight to the point and report it directly.

This would make the crown prince realize what he was thinking.

He was internally criticizing it.

He had seen through this crown prince long ago.

This child is becoming more and more like his father, but compared to his father, he has more impulsiveness, less wisdom, and a very strict nature.

Even emperors can be wicked; otherwise, why would people say that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger?

No matter how bad the emperor was, he could still provide a safe space for his subordinates, especially the eunuchs. He let everyone know that as long as they stayed inside the house and didn't step outside, they would be safe.

Furthermore, the emperor's sharp eyes could distinguish right from wrong in most cases, and it was extremely rare for someone to be wrongly accused of crossing the boundary when they clearly hadn't.

The current crown prince makes the eunuchs very uneasy—where exactly are his boundaries?

"He committed suicide after leaving the borders of Huai County?"

After his initial shock, the Crown Prince asked in a heavy tone.

"Your Highness, that's what Shen Kang said," Xi Shan replied.

The prince's heart was slowly ripped open by a knife, exposed in a bloody manner, causing him unprecedented pain.

The complex emotions I feel right now have nothing to do with anger.

What can he do even if he's furious about Lian Song's behavior?
The other person is already dead.

His authority could not punish the eunuch.

And in the end, he was even severely scorned by this eunuch!
Your Highness, I have nothing to say to you.

I, Lian Song, am not afraid of death, and I will never beg for mercy from you.

Furthermore, don't even think about making me take my anger out on Song Shi'an; I'll smear him even if it kills me.

The scene before Lian Song's death seemed to appear before the Crown Prince's eyes.

A utterly despondent eunuch, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, gave his master a mocking smile: "Your Highness, I don't hate Song Shi'an at all."

The crown prince immediately thought of Chen Bao.

The old eunuch who defied the emperor to avoid fighting with Song Shi'an was banished to the imperial mausoleum.

He was even more impressive, managing to break the heart of his father, the ruthless and cruel emperor.

What kind of magic does Song Shi'an possess that made two eunuchs show him mercy?

"Your Highness, there is one more thing," Xishan said softly.

"Speak," the crown prince said without hesitation.

"After Lian Song's death, the Embroidered Uniform Guard believed the matter was serious and therefore halted their investigation to prepare for a thorough examination," Xi Shan said. "Furthermore, because Lian Song had previously been stationed at the Huai County Military Colony, they also sent someone to inform Song Shi'an, requesting that he also provide evidence..."

"Enough!" The Crown Prince snapped, clearly displeased. "Bring Shen Kang back, with Lian Song's body. Tell him I have no grudge against him!"

“Yes, Your Highness!” Xishan answered loudly.

The Crown Prince is in a very bad mood right now.

Because Shen Kang is also doing something like 'protecting himself' here.

He was terrified of being implicated in anything, of being misunderstood, or of being accused of having colluded with Song Shi'an to kill Lian Song on the road.

An Imperial Guard was no longer a lackey of imperial power, and could no longer share the emperor's burdens.

Instead, he was like a puppet, doing whatever the emperor told him to do, and refusing to do anything that might require taking responsibility.

Originally, he was able to intimidate Song Shi'an.

But now, the dignified commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is actually asking court officials for help to prove his innocence.

High-ranking positions and generous salaries have fostered a bunch of ungrateful wretches.

No, Shen Kang is rebelling against me.

Because Lian Song was treated as a pawn to be discarded, he used such disgusting and passive means to express his dissatisfaction.

"His kindness."

The Crown Prince no longer trusts the man before him.

"Your Highness, this servant is here."

Xishan responded quickly without pausing, her body tense like a stone slab.

What is the Crown Prince planning to do?
Are you also afraid because I abandoned Lian Song?

Xishan sensed that this was what the other person was going to say next.

"Lian Song is dead, and more responsibilities will fall on your shoulders. You've worked hard." The Crown Prince looked at him and said with concern, "If there are any capable eunuchs, you can recommend them for promotion."

"This servant will obey Your Highness's every command. Whoever Your Highness wishes to use, this servant will train well for Your Highness."

"Okay, then go and get to work."

"Yes."

And so, Xishan left.

Are you also afraid because I abandoned Lian Song?

The crown prince watched his retreating figure, keeping the question he wanted to ask to himself.

That is inevitable.

The Crown Prince knew there was no need to ask that question.

Lian Song may indeed lack ability, but what he did was definitely not a capital offense. In addition, he was doing it on my behalf, so it can't even be considered 'unforgivable'.

The so-called accusation of unauthorized expansion of the palace's workforce is utterly absurd.

Why would he risk disobeying the emperor's orders by using more manpower?

If 20,000 people can solve everything, why would anyone be so foolish as to disobey orders?

It can only be said that making the decision to build the palace was a mistake.

With the wrong direction and the wrong budget, it's impossible to do the right thing.

The Crown Prince realized that, apart from the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Song Shi'an that damaged his prestige as heir apparent, a more serious problem had arisen.

While he wouldn't be considered completely abandoned by his own people, he had certainly lost popular support.

Previously, there were Chen Bao, Zuo Ziliang, his confidant Ye Changqing, Xi Shan, Shen Kang, whom his father had given him, and even the newly promoted Fan Wuji and Gao Yunyi...

They will no longer exert all their efforts to suppress Song Shi'an for their own sake.

"Father, what should I do..."

The Crown Prince was a little scared.

.........

After Shen Kang went to Sheng'an City, the Crown Prince's order was issued. Many officials who were originally stationed in the military farms received transfer orders.

This also included Zhao Hetai, who had previously been a Song official but had defected and flattered the Crown Prince, and was directly transferred away.

Of course, Jia Guihao, a man who could restrain Song Shi'an to some extent and who controlled the county troops, was not to be touched.

Meanwhile, the newly arrived officials quickly took office and devoted themselves to the land reclamation work.

Regardless of rank, there was never a "welcome banquet".

"Shuishan, you're finally here with me."

Because of his hard work during the land reclamation period, and his consistent work ethic regardless of the prefect, he was promoted to the rank of prefectural inspector, a fifth-grade official.

Although he is currently only an agent, the harvest will begin in a month, and after this month, he will be able to become a full-fledged agent.

While a third-rank official in his early twenties is certainly impressive, so too is a fifth-rank official in his early twenties.
"Brother Shi'an, I'm so glad to finally meet you!"

Wang Shuishan held his hand, deeply moved, and immediately began with admiring praise: "I never expected that you would stop the construction of a temporary palace."

No one but him would disobey orders at a time like this.

Because doing things well while also pleasing the leader is the mark of a prime minister.

Song Shi'an could have done it all at once.

After all, the losses only affect the interests of a portion of the people.

But if he put the people behind the emperor, he wouldn't be Song Shi'an.

“You are also amazing,” Song Shi’an said. “When I was away, among all the counties in Huai County, only Jing County under your jurisdiction remained orderly.”

Song Shi'an's round of mutual compliments made him feel quite comfortable, yet also a little embarrassed.

However, since the harvest season was approaching, Wang Shuishan didn't want to waste any time and said directly, "Shi An, I want to adapt to my duties as soon as possible and serve you."

“Okay,” Song Shi’an said. “I’ll send the clerk to take you to make the arrangements later.”

"No need to wait, let's do it now," Wang Shuishan said eagerly.

"Good good."

Song Shi'an smiled and was about to call for help when Wang Shuishan suddenly interrupted him and said, "Brother Shi'an, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Please speak," Song Shi'an said, extending his hand.

“As the prefectural inspector, I have the duty to supervise all officials in Huai County on behalf of the imperial court,” he said.

"Okay." Knowing the other person's personality, Song Shi'an then said, "I will cooperate..."

“No.” Wang Shuishan immediately interrupted, then said seriously, “I know the accounts for the military farms don’t match. Your four thousand taels of gold worth of belongings from the previous grain purchase should all be handed over.”

Song Shi'an didn't speak, he just looked at him.

"Your accounts cannot be checked, nor can they be clearly investigated."

Knowing what Song Shi'an had gone through and what he had sacrificed, Wang Shuishan promised, "I will do my best to fulfill all your requests. As for the account books you hand over, I will not even glance at them; I will only sign and affix my seal."

Song Shi'an was greedy.

Or did they use the money for something else?

Wang Shuishan wouldn't care.

He knew his brother's character.

Therefore, one can blindly vouch for him.

Of course, if the imperial court were to investigate the issue of the 'inconsistent accounts,' he would be the person primarily responsible.

"Ah."

Song Shi'an smiled faintly and said nothing more.

The promise the two made at the student hostel was fulfilled at this moment.

Wang Shuishan was a member of Shi An's faction.

"Then I'll go."

After Wang Shuishan bowed to him, Song Shi'an returned the bow, and the two parted ways.

After a while, San Gou came in, walked to Song Shi'an's side, and whispered, "Lord, the seven thousand taels of silver from Sheng An has arrived."

"Entrust it to my private treasury," Song Shi'an said calmly.

“Yes, Lord,” San Gou replied.

"Also, tell the Prefect," Song Shi'an added, "I need to go to the Sixth Prince's residence. He will be in charge of the general camp affairs for the next two days."

"Yes."

……

Wang Shuishan became his right-hand man. After the situation in Huai County stabilized, Song Shi'an was able to personally visit Wei Wusheng at the military camp for the first time since returning to his post.

San Gou drove the carriage, with himself and Xin Yue sitting inside, accompanied by several cavalry guards, and the group set off.

The military settlements were essentially like a 'production corps', and the army was highly mobile; Wei Wusheng was not stationed in one place either.

This time, it was in Huaiyang, Song Shi'an's hometown.

So on the way there, we also passed by a small area of ​​mountains.

Huaiyang is mostly plains with few mountainous areas. This place, with its better scenery, was occupied by the Song family, the largest clan in Huaiyang, as their mausoleum.

The place Song Shi'an went to worship before was an ancestral hall.

Ancestral halls and mausoleums are two different things.

The tombs of the Song family ancestors are all located here.

Because the rest of the clansmen were moved away by his unworthy descendant, Song Shi'an was in charge of managing this place.

"Now that we're here, I'll go offer incense to our ancestors. You all wait here." Song Shi'an got off the carriage.

"Yes, sir." San Gou obeyed.

The others were also waiting by the roadside.

Song Shi'an and Xin Yue walked together into the valley.

"So, where did you get all that money?" Xin Yue asked curiously.

"I've done some business," Song Shi'an said with a smile. "It's not that I can't tell you, I just wanted to give you a surprise."

"A surprise? Then I won't ask."

Xin Yue was also quite sensible; in any case, Song Shi'an's words couldn't be wrong.

However, I'm afraid it might be a shock.

Of course, no matter how outrageous the source of the money may be, it is insignificant compared to the purpose of the money.

On the stone path leading up the mountain, a bird suddenly called out.

After a clear, long cry, other bird calls appeared.

They all originate from the mountains and forests.

Xinyue nodded, confirming that there were no problems.

The two continued walking until they reached the top of the mountain.

Outside the cemetery, there was a spacious house.

This also belongs to the Song family.

As soon as Song Shi'an walked up to him, a bald man dressed in plain robes, with a very robust physique, nodded to Song Shi'an and said, "Greetings, Lord Prefect."

"Ah."

Song Shi'an responded calmly.

Then, led by him, they entered the mansion.

The moment they entered, the sound of the wind being pulled apart came in unison.

Before Song Shi'an stood nearly seventy assassins dressed in black, their bodies covered in soft armor, with swords at their waists, iron-faced chainmail masks, and heads wrapped in black cloth. They knelt on one knee, their eyes fixed intently on Song Shi'an.

This is the result of Song Shi'an's social assistance efforts.

Seventy-two assassins were kept outside the grave. (End of Chapter)