Frost for a Thousand Years

Nanshuo County, Shuofeng City.

In the main hall of the prefect's residence.

It was a rare occasion for Qin Kuo to attend a meeting with Zhu Qing.

Other military officers and civilian officials were also present at the meeting.

They were all members of the original Langya Mutiny Party, and each of them had a deep scar on their right hand.

"Your Excellency, General," an official finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked anxiously, "Yongcheng is not sending troops or supplies, and even its army is holding back, citing defense as the reason. What can we do?"

Anxiety was written on everyone's face.

After all, this is a critical moment of life and death.

Compared to the last major battle against Northern Liang, although they are more confident, have a more solid defense line, and have abundant supplies, they lack a leader.

Without Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng, how would they contend with Ji Yuan?

If these two were here, they would have no fear whatsoever, even without aid from Liangzhou's rear.

Previously, there had been no help whatsoever, and there was even a group of traitors causing trouble from within.

"Fortunately, even if we really have to fight, it will take at least half a month to reach the Chishui River..." Qin Kuo said relatively optimistically, "and our garrison farms can harvest the grain before then and withdraw it back into the city defenses."

Nanshuo County was also a military settlement, and it was the earliest developed area in the country, with a population of over 100,000, which basically supplied the entire defense line.

But as mentioned before, it can be stable and form a stalemate in peacetime.

This time, Ji Yuan's army of 100,000 marched south, an even larger undertaking than before, requiring the support of the entire Liangzhou army. And that wasn't enough; as the war escalated to its most intense phase, Sheng'an also had to deploy its imperial guards.

"It's strange that Ji Yuan is only making his move now." Someone said in confusion, "If he were to launch an attack soon, even if it were only half a month in advance, the grain we cultivate wouldn't even be ripe yet, and there wouldn't be enough time to harvest it."

Ji Yuan's command was quite amateurish.

When nomadic regimes invaded the south, they would usually enter the palace and plunder it before the grain was ripe.

In battles between two armies, the focus is on both "scorched earth" and "counter-scorched earth".

Even if Ji Yuan didn't come to rush the harvest, if he had started the war earlier, he could have forced the harvest to begin before the grain was fully ripe.

Immature rice grains are still pulpy inside, with insufficient starch accumulation. The coarse fiber in the husk is difficult to digest. At the same time, there are many green grains, the rice is soft, the yield is low, and it is easy to sprout and difficult to preserve later.

The compromised quality of the grain is one issue; if a sudden attack is launched, the unharvested fields will have to be burned to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

Modern viewers often have a misconception when watching movies and TV dramas: that after conquering a city and the enemy army flees, you will have a brand new city.

Actually not.

Unless they surrender, they will burn the city before leaving.

This is why there are no buildings that last for a thousand years.

The change of regimes is like a series of raging fires that forge a new monarchy.

"Yes, they just happened to choose the moment when we were fully prepared to fight."

At this point, everyone was puzzled.

This action goes against the principles of military strategy.

Could it be that Ji Yuan is completely ignorant when it comes to warfare?
“No.” Just then, Zhu Qing suddenly said, “He’s going to take us down when we’re fully prepared.”

As soon as he said this, everyone looked at him.

Upon seeing that the people here were mostly members of the mutiny faction, Zhu Qing said, "If we launch a sudden attack, war will inevitably break out at any moment. Our army is very likely to fall into a disadvantageous position, and we may even lose a few cities and camps, such as Wulei."

"But General, isn't this advantageous to them?"

"But if that's the case, General Xiao Qun might not be able to sit still."

At this moment, Qin Kuo explained in a heavy tone.

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized what was going on.

A blitzkrieg can indeed disrupt the grain-gathering rhythm and even cause the loss of defensive strongholds, but if Beiliang is at a great disadvantage, Xiao Qun may directly intervene to make them band together and fight against Qi.

After all, Xiao Qun only wanted to seize power, not to lose Beiliang.

By allowing them such leisurely and effortless preparation, they are giving themselves time to fight amongst themselves.

“This Ji Yuan really knows us too well,” an officer said. “Just like when Wuwei City was lost, this great battle has also revealed our discord with Yongcheng.”

"Ji Yuan's guess was spot on." An officer clenched his fist, thinking of Chen Ling and Xiao Qun's group, and said with great displeasure, "They just want to wait for us to fight to the death, exhaust us, and then take over our territory."

“This won’t do,” one of them said angrily. “If we are taken over, we will definitely be split up, and if we are split up, we will definitely be retaliated against.”

The reason they were able to maintain amicable relations before was simply because they had the power to engage in equal dialogue. If they were to become the surrender faction, they would be prepared to be purged one by one on charges of 'treason'.

"Don't panic, everyone."

Just then, Prefect Zhu Qing said solemnly, "With the Sixth Prince here and Lord Song here, no one can easily touch us."

After the two adults were carried out, everyone felt instantly safe.

Yes, they also have connections.

If those people dare to label them as rebels, then they are calling An Sheng the leader of the rebels.

The soldiers are in the hands of the Sixth Prince.

With the successful completion of the military agricultural settlements in Huai County, Lord Song will surely be appointed to one of the Nine Ministers, and power will then be in their hands.

"Gentlemen, be prepared and do your duty," Qin Kuo said. "No matter what happens in Yongcheng, we cannot let the Sixth Prince and the Prefect down."

"Yes!"

And so, the officers and civil officials left.

Only Qin Kuo and Zhu Qing remained.

"General Wang Dalong's navy can be used by us," Zhu Qing said.

Wang Dalong was not a member of the An Sheng faction before, nor did he have a scar, but because of the Sixth Prince's recommendation, he was promoted to a full-fledged general. He must have received a great deal of gratitude for being recognized and appreciated.

More importantly, he was promoted openly and legitimately by the Sixth Prince. If he didn't align himself with the Beiliang Group, Yongcheng wouldn't trust him.

"Even so, we are powerless to resist Ji Yuan."

Zhu Qing sighed with some difficulty.

“But the Sixth Prince and Lord Song told us to do as usual,” Qin Kuo said in a deep voice, “and they didn’t even say anything else.”

Logically speaking, major policies and guidelines should be established in advance.

Without a worldview, how can one put a methodology into practice?

“Everything should proceed as usual; that’s what we should do,” Zhu Qing said. “But what if the other party doesn’t follow the usual procedure?”

"I have a bad feeling."

Qin Kuo's pupils dilated as he looked at Zhu Qing, recalling the Langya Mutiny: "If war breaks out, this young Lord Song will give us precise orders."

“And this absolutely requires decisive, extreme orders,” Zhu Qing also felt.

"I can't wait!"

Qin Kuo leaned back in his chair, thinking about this, and couldn't help but mutter, "What kind of brilliant plan is this this time that would be 'not enough to chop off several heads'?"

.........

Ji Yuan's army has entered the pass.

A total of 100,000 were deployed, and they set off one after another.

This time, Chen Xing was also with him.

Mi Heng, who performed well in the last battle, has officially become Ji Yuan's deputy general.

After entering Wuwei City, the three held a meeting in the prefect's mansion.

"Your Majesty," Chen Xingxian said, "We have investigated and found that even though our army has entered the pass, Yongcheng has not received a single reinforcement."

"These Yu traitors, even at this point, are still harboring their own schemes and acting independently." The burly Mi Heng revealed a contemptuous sneer.

Ji Yuan, who was sitting in his seat, also smiled and looked at him: "Then do you think we will also go our separate ways?"

Upon hearing this question, Mi Heng instinctively replied, "Your Majesty, our army intends to advance south and is eager to achieve merit; they should have no time to act independently." "And what if I were to unify the world?"

"That……"

Just as Mi Heng was about to answer, Chen Xing quickly said, "The people of Daqi are all loyal to Your Majesty, unlike that Yu traitor, who is cunning, hypocritical, and full of wolfish ambitions."

Mi Heng was stunned by what he was said.

"Hey." Ji Yuan raised his hand and pointed at Chen Xing, teasingly saying, "Just chatting, Lord Chen, this is getting boring."

If it's meaningless, it's meaningless; it's better than talking nonsense!

Chen Xing wouldn't tolerate Ji Yuan's mischievousness.

One can only say that some military generals are just too pure.

They didn't even understand the emperor's unspoken meaning—if I were to unify the world, would you meritorious officials also carve out your own 'kings'?

Still comparing and matching here!

"General Mi is absolutely right about one thing," Ji Yuan said, no longer joking, "The root of the Yu bandits' problem lies in their lack of desire for military merit."

The nobles are already practically kings, and even if they unify the country, they will not become more noble, and their status can still be challenged by new nobles.

Because of the suppression by the nobles, it was difficult for new nobles to rise to prominence, and the younger generation could not obtain new merits no matter what they did.

With class stratification reaching such a level, it becomes impossible for everyone to share a unified aspiration.

The state of Qi was the exact opposite.

Even a weakened giant in the south is still a giant, and its economy far surpasses that of the harsh north. No matter what problems arise within the country, as long as the emperor utters two words, everyone will immediately unite as one—to launch a southern expedition!
“From this perspective, Song Shi’an is suitable to come to Qi,” Chen Xing said. “In the entire Yu Kingdom, apart from him, there should be no one else who has the ambition to unify the world.”

“From the rotten mud, a pure lotus has grown.”

Ji Yuan also expressed his love for Song Shi'an without reservation.

“However,” Chen Xing said, “if this pseudo-Yu were completely rotten, we wouldn’t have such a good opportunity.”

To blend in with the crowd means that when facing danger, you will trigger the opponent's 'master of defense' buff.

"Your Majesty," Mi Heng asked, "Now that our entire army is in position, shall we continue to wait?"

"Do not."

Ji Yuan raised his hand and said decisively, "Once everyone is here, let's fight."

…………

The emperor's ship has arrived.

On the shore, all the officials of Huai County were present, led by Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng, standing together, ready to welcome the emperor.

Both of them had very solemn expressions.

Captain Tie Cuo plunged his pole into the silted shoal, stirring up the sand. On the deck, three hundred Imperial Guards stood in formation, their black armor gleaming with a chilling, murderous light, creating a black iron imperial path through the turbid current.

The vermilion imperial staircase sank down in an instant, and the riverbank suddenly sank three inches.

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

The first to step forward was Eunuch Xi, who opened his mouth in a loud voice. The next moment, the officials and generals on the shore all prostrated themselves in worship.

Then, the emperor walked out, trembling.

Standing atop the ship, he saw a vast expanse of golden ocean.

During his voyage, he had already witnessed the abundance of this land, which had become the granary of the world.

The accompanying officials were all amazed by the success of the military-agricultural settlements.

But this moment is different, because Song Shi'an, the one who personally created the tuntian (military settlements), is right in front of everyone, right under their feet.

"Father."

The crown prince personally bowed and helped the emperor.

The two of them slowly disembarked from the ship.

Finally, we reached the shore.

At this point, the emperor should first tell the emperor to rise.

But he insisted on continuing forward.

Therefore, the crown prince accompanied him, supporting him.

Until she reached An Sheng.

“Wusheng, Shi'an.”

The emperor spoke.

The two slowly raised their heads and looked at the emperor in front of them, somewhat stunned and at a loss.

But then they saw this very old man, with his skin loose and covered in dark spots, stretch out his hands.

Although the prince was puzzled, he could only watch as the other man maintained his balance and prevent him from falling over.

His two hands, one on the left and one on the right, slowly reached out and touched their cheeks, as lovingly as a father.

Song Shi'an was alright, but Wei Wusheng's eyes immediately welled up with tears...

"Thank you for your hard work."

The emperor spoke very gently, with a hint of concern in his voice.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to be loyal to you," Wei Wusheng said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Song Shi'an replied. "It is all thanks to the Holy Ruler's protection that the military farms were able to be established."

"No, I should thank you." The emperor released his hands and said with emotion, "When has my Great Yu ever been so prosperous? It is all thanks to the two of you."

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The two of them spoke in unison and bowed again.

"Rise, my beloved subjects."

Addressing the civil and military officials, the emperor said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

This time, everyone stood up.

"Your Majesty," said Song Shi'an, the person in charge of the land reclamation, "the autumn harvest ceremony will be held tomorrow. Please move to my humble abode today."

Long before the emperor arrived, the eunuchs had already brought the Imperial Guards to Huai County to make security arrangements at the Song residence in advance.

As for the original inhabitants, Song Shi'an had already moved them out, and the place was used entirely as a temporary palace to make the emperor comfortable.

"it is good."

The emperor gently patted Song Shi'an on the shoulder, and then left with the help of a eunuch.

"His Royal Highness."

Then, Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng bowed to the Crown Prince together.

"I'll go accompany His Majesty first," the Crown Prince nodded slightly and smiled. "See you later."

"Yes."

Although the welcoming ceremony is important, given the long journey, the first thing to do now is to check them in.

Just like the two masters of Huai County, Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng greeted various members of the royal family and nobles one after another.

The Prince of Jin, the Prince of Zhongshan, and even the young Prince of Changsha.

Following them, a heavyweight figure also gradually walked down to the bottom of the ship.

The moment she saw him, Xin Yue, among the officials who were greeting her, instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword.

However, since weapons were prohibited during the reception, her hands had nowhere to go on her bare waist, so she could only clench her fists tightly… (End of Chapter)