Frost for a Thousand Years

In mid-September, the rice in Huai County ripened.

Nine hundred miles of golden clouds stretched to the horizon, and the rice awns, like quenched golden needles, swayed in the autumn wind. The sweet, raw scent of ripe rice wafted from the cracks in the paddy fields, mingled with the fresh, earthy aroma of the soil. Approaching from the front, it was as if a golden ocean was unfolding before us.

Such a spectacular scene unfolded before Song Shi'an's eyes.

Such a shock was something I had only seen in my previous life on a state-run farm in Northeast China.

Because of the dense population and the scarcity of farmland per capita, coupled with the dispersed settlements, even in the plains of the south, rice paddies are rarely connected into a vast expanse.

Standing on the edge of the field, Song Shi'an opened his arms, closed his eyes in the autumn breeze, and revealed a peaceful smile.

Wei Wusheng sat on the ground to the side, one hand on his knee, and laughed as he watched him do this.

Standing behind the two, on a slightly higher ditch, the Heart Moon sword at her waist and her high-standing ponytail, like a boat banner, floated like a swimming dragon.

"A spy from Northern Liang has reported that a large amount of grain and fodder has been mobilized to the northern border passes within Qi Kingdom." At this moment, Wei Wusheng said casually, "It is estimated that 100,000 troops can be mobilized within five days."

“It will take five days for the news to arrive,” Song Shi’an said calmly. “Then the army should already be outside the pass by now.”

“If things are handled decisively and swiftly, that’s how it should be,” Wei Wusheng said.

"As expected of Ji Yuan," Song Shi'an praised, "decisive and efficient, without any delay."

"We've seen how capable he is."

Wei Wusheng was not surprised that this powerful ruler would choose to do such a thing at this juncture.

However, most people wouldn't think that this is a point in time.

Because there were no problems with the internal affairs of Dayu.

The regime experienced its most stable period in several years.

In other words, his actions were entirely based on a prediction—that the Great Yu would descend into chaos.

“Chen Ling and Xiao Qun have cut off Beiliang’s supply lines for over a year,” Wei Wusheng said. “If Ji Yuan really invades from the south, they might just stand by and watch.”

"So we're just waiting for Beiliang to fall?" Xinyue said, clearly annoyed.

“That’s impossible,” Song Shi’an said. “He simply wants us to fight Ji Yuan to the death first, wear each other down, and then send troops to take over naturally.”

"It's a shame that he was once a renowned general, yet he's resorting to such scheming and trickery." Xin Yue's opinion of him suddenly worsened.

“If he were alone, he wouldn’t have done this. Chen Ling must have joined forces with him,” Song Shi’an said.

“If Chen Ling joins forces with him, the emperor cannot be unaware of it,” Wei Wusheng said. “If the war in the north were to be fought by Beiliang alone, it would not be possible without the emperor’s tacit approval.”

The game of chess began.

“It seems we’re both losing,” Xin Yue said. “There are only two possibilities: First, Bei Liang holds out, our army suffers heavy losses, and Xiao Qun forcibly takes over. Second, Bei Liang faces defeat, and Xiao Qun takes the opportunity to reinforce it, taking over Bei Liang without a trace and continuing to resist Qi.”

From this perspective, this is a calculated scheme.

“No.” Wei Wusheng’s expression hardened, and he added, “Furthermore, with the fall of Beiliang and the Qi army’s occupation of the entire Nanshuo County, Xiao Qun will be under immense pressure.”

"Either we both lose, or we lose alone."

Song Shi'an shook his head slightly and said.

“This is something that those in power should think about, and even more so, something that the emperor should think about,” Wei Wusheng said. “If he wanted to stabilize the situation, he shouldn’t have let this lose-lose situation occur in this game.”

"Is the emperor playing chess with the Qi Kingdom, or with us?" Xin Yue was a very clever girl who accurately summarized the situation.

Whether or not it should be done depends entirely on the emperor's final decision.

Wei Ye, who exactly is your enemy?
Is the principle of "pacifying the internal before resisting external aggression" truly correct?

“Then let’s see.” Song Shi’an looked at the rice paddy, regaining his composure, and said, “His Majesty’s ship should have already set sail and is heading this way. We can ask him what he wants when the time comes. Or, let him say it himself.”

"Then let's leave it at that," Wei Wusheng said. "This land reclamation ceremony should still be a grand affair to make the old man happy."

In response, Song Shi'an nodded: "Extreme joy can lead to sorrow, or the premise for continuing to be joyful is that there must be 'joy' in the joy."

.........

At the hour of Yin in mid-autumn, the turbid waves of the great river lift up a crimson dragon boat.

The bow ornament, adorned with twelve beaded tassels, and the black-armored imperial guards lined the sides like bronze nails, their reflections on the water resembling a tempered iron anvil. The Director of Ceremonial sounded the whip nine times, startling the geese roosting on the sandbar—the inky black geese, as they swept past the mast, were gilded by the rising sun like golden arrows, piercing the river mist with a whoosh.

At this moment, the night was pitch black, and the full moon hung high in the sky.

On the large ship, countless bright hanging lanterns emitted an orange-red glow, like night lamps held by night watchmen, gradually illuminating the view at the bow and slowly dispelling the misty night.

Inside the main hall of the ship, apart from the emperor sitting on the dragon throne and an old eunuch standing to the side, there was no one else.

The emperor's condition was far from what it used to be, and the few days spent on the boat during this eastern tour made him appear even more exhausted.

I couldn't sleep all night.

But the pair of eyes within those sockets displayed a rare 'sternness' in the later stages of his career.

The emperor, who had already relinquished power, was originally thought to remain benevolent to the end.

Yet he actually showed such an expression.

"Please summon the Crown Prince," the emperor said directly to the eunuch beside him. "He is not asleep either."

Generally speaking, emperors are supreme. When they summon others, they don't care what the other person is doing at all.

It's quite rare for him to add such a statement that doesn't fit his character.

Moreover, they used the phrase "invite the crown prince".

It's as if to say that even if he comes over at this time, it won't bother him.

The emperor had great respect for the crown prince.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The eunuch hurriedly left.

Sure enough, the crown prince did not sleep.

Not long after being summoned, he dressed and hurriedly came to the main hall of the ship, which is the top floor of the forecastle.

Upon seeing the emperor, the crown prince immediately knelt and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"Zisheng, sit across from me."

The emperor extended his hand.

The prince slowly turned his head and saw a piece of red cloth.

He was somewhat stunned, and the next moment the eunuch slowly lifted the red cloth.

Opposite him was a dragon throne of the exact same size as his father's!
They are the same height, the same width, and even the dragon designs on them are exactly the same!
The Crown Prince was completely stunned.

Is this yet another test?

"Zisheng, I ask you to sit down," the emperor demanded.

"Your subject... obeys the decree."

The crown prince dared not hesitate and, in accordance with the emperor's request, sat on the dragon throne opposite him, becoming completely equal to his father.

He was certainly nervous at that moment.

However, they did not hide their inner joy.

"I once let Ziyu sit on the dragon throne," the emperor suddenly said. This remark greatly startled the crown prince.

What do you mean?
Does sitting down mean the end of it?

"He knelt on the ground, sobbing and saying he dared not," the emperor said authoritatively. "It was I who dragged him up and forcibly pressed him onto the dragon throne."

The crown prince lowered his head, listening attentively, not daring to utter a sound.

“Ziyu, there is no problem,” the emperor said. “He is indeed a qualified crown prince, just like his deceased elder brother.”

The prince began to tremble.

He had previously used the words of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to curse the old man, and he was terrified at the time, fearing that the other party would get angry and remove him from office. He couldn't sleep all night.

Is His Majesty the Emperor going to bring up old grievances at this time?

"However, the current ruler of Dayu is not a qualified crown prince who can keep things under control."

The emperor slowly raised his heavy hand towards his trembling son. His vision was already blurry, and he could not see his son's face clearly. His face was even doubled. His hand was trembling, but his tone was still firm and resounding: "You are the crown prince I have chosen."

"..." Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's eyes stung, and he immediately burst into tears. Covering his mouth, he choked out, "Thank you, Father... Thank you, Father."

The emperor never affirmed himself.

Those praises were all based on merit and were simply objective evaluations.

All of this stemmed from Song Shi'an's numerous outstanding achievements.

It's as if I am not important.

Compared to the other princes, he had no redeeming qualities.

Because the throne of the Great Yu Dynasty had to be passed down, he chose himself.

It's okay if it's me, or it's okay if it's not me.

Therefore, he hated his father for being so cruel to them.

However, all of these vanished in that affirmation.

The two reconciled.

I have a great dad.

"Speak, Zisheng, what are you worried about?" the emperor asked.

At this moment, the Crown Prince was finally able to turn to his wise father, who could serve as his support, for help: "Among the officials who came to Huai County this time, most of them are imperial relatives and nobles. Apart from Prince Su, all the princes are present. However, officials who are not nobles, such as Minister Sun, Ouyang Ke, and especially Song Jing, did not come with us."

This eastern tour is a grand ceremony, and all the prominent figures in Sheng'an will attend.

But this is not something that can be done in a day or two, and the country needs the operation of the capital to maintain stability, so many officials have not yet arrived.

Of course, their family will definitely send someone to represent them.

"Are you afraid that something will happen in Huai County and Sheng'an will fall?" the emperor asked.

"Father, I have also transferred Hua Zheng out, and military power is completely controlled by the Commandant of the Imperial Guard (Capital Garrison Commander). There is absolutely no way that Sheng'an will fall," the Crown Prince said confidently.

Although Hua Zheng was also his cousin and a nobleman, his relationship with Prince Jin was too close, and the Crown Prince could not trust him.

"So what you fear is something happening in Huai County?" the emperor asked again.

"Father, something bad is about to happen in Northern Liang."

The Crown Prince became somewhat worried as he spoke, saying, "The scouts sent an urgent message that Ji Yuan has begun mobilizing troops. I have taken countermeasures and have sent additional troops to Liangzhou. The grain harvested from this military farming operation will be delivered gradually within a month."

"Northern Liang".

The word "emperor" reveals the crown prince's anxiety.

He is the thing he fears most.

Nothing is more terrifying than this.

"Xiao Qun is saying that Beiliang is neither obedient to orders nor proclamations, and is completely uncontrollable," the Crown Prince said with some anger. "It seems that he intends to take back power in one fell swoop through this invasion by the Qi rebels."

Even the Crown Prince didn't know how to reply to such a secret letter.

“The noble families clearly want to take this opportunity to weaken Song Shi’an, and both Chen Ling and Xiao Qun have written impeachment memorials.” The Crown Prince said with great difficulty, “The noble families and aristocratic families are all in this position. If I do not agree, I am afraid they will respond passively, or even say that they will abdicate and give way to a worthy successor.”

This is not a game of chess between the two sides.

It's not a three-party system.

There are at least five parties.

Everyone has ulterior motives.

But it happened at this time.

Why would you want to manipulate me, the crown prince, at such a crucial moment?

"Zisheng," the emperor smiled, then reminded him, "Do you think Ji Yuan's invasion of the south at this time is a ruse?"

“Father, I know that Ji Yuan is cunning and resourceful. This must be part of his plan. I just didn’t expect those nobles to be so aggressive.”

"Because the aggressive behavior of the nobles was also part of Ji Yuan's plan," the emperor said.

Ji Yuan wasn't just attacking randomly.

He timed it perfectly, coming at the very moment when the major power groups wanted to reshuffle and clean up the game, to cause a major disruption.

For the nobles, there was no better opportunity than this to eliminate the Northern Liang group.

If we wait until this is over before trying to take down the 'newly rich' group, is that even possible?
Song Shi'an's military colonies have succeeded, and his power has reached its zenith. He also has a border fiefdom that is as stable as Mount Tai. How can the nobles contend with him?
There shouldn't be any problem in the short term.

But what if the practice of military farming was promoted throughout the country?
At that point, even if the entire Qinzhou Group were tied together, it would probably be barely able to balance it out.

However, this is based on the fact that the nobles are a united and cohesive group.

Therefore, taking action at this time is inevitable.

Dog Ji Yuan, that's too ruthless.

“I want the nobles to retreat, but if they retreat, Northern Liang will be in danger. I want Song Shi’an to retreat, but he is still in Huai County. Weakening his military power at this time may cause panic and lead to a mutiny.” The Crown Prince’s head was about to explode when he thought about this. “I even thought about retreating myself, but the food and troops have been dispersed.”

The crown prince was completely outmaneuvered by the general.

He can't afford to offend anyone.

However, there's no way to avoid offending anyone.

"Zisheng, do you remember what I said when I appointed you as regent?" the emperor asked.

The prince remembered.

At that time, Grandpa Xi delivered a message:
"Although I am old, I am still useful."

When the emperor brought it up again, a glimmer of hope appeared in the crown prince's eyes.

Could it be that the emperor had already foreseen what Ji Yuan predicted?

They even predicted Ji Yuan's fate.

Even with his ailing body, he still insisted on making an eastern tour to Huai County…

Seeing that the Crown Prince had guessed, the Emperor looked at him affectionately and said, "This is the final journey. From now on, you will walk your own path." (End of Chapter)