Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 52 Wei Wusheng, Song Shi'an

A person who truly wants to win will not have a smile on their face.

Of course, it's just a little game; there's no need to panic over it.

But Zhao Yi and Ye Changqing were indeed shocked.

The content of the bet between the two people was actually quite abstract.

Zhao Yi was right; Song Shi'an would definitely help the county magistrate gain political achievements, but he would never go to Cangxia.

As long as you don't go to Cangxia, you've won.

Conversely, Ye Changqing said that he would absolutely risk his life for wealth and status, so he would definitely go to Cangxia.

North wind.

Strictly speaking, Ye Changqing would be the winner if this option were chosen.

But he didn't accept it.

After regaining his senses, he quickly moved closer to the King of Wu to witness the intelligence report firsthand.

"How could I, the king, be illiterate?"

The King of Wu looked at him in disbelief and complained.

“That’s not what I meant, but…” Pointing to the words on the paper, Ye Changqing even seemed to sober up a bit, “Your Highness, is this possible?”

Don’t you think this is nonsense?

"you sure?"

The King of Wu also felt that this was a bit outrageous and looked at the eunuch.

"Your Highness, it's absolutely true. I've checked for a very long time. The list should already be posted at the Ministry of Personnel," the eunuch said confidently.

“Then it’s true.” Zhao Yi nodded.

An official announcement cannot be wrong.

Even if the official announcement is wrong, we have to accept it.

"That's really..." After slowly accepting the fact, the King of Wu exclaimed, "These young people are truly formidable."

"Your Highness, Your Excellencies, there is another poem," the eunuch said. "It was a poem I heard when I returned home, recited by Song Shi'an during his duty report."

Upon hearing this, Ye Changqing became very interested and raised his hand, saying, "Then let's see the talent of the top scholar."

The eunuch smiled slightly and nodded in response.

Noticing the eunuch's expression, Zhao Yi lowered his head and took a sip of iced wine.

Although he was a eunuch in the Prince of Wu's mansion, he was still considered a person in the palace.

It is indeed somewhat inappropriate for someone who is not a member of the royal family to shout like that.

But Ye Changqing was already somewhat unruly, and after drinking, he became even more dissolute...

It's good that the King of Wu doesn't care.

Slowly, the eunuch read aloud: "The bright moon rises over the Tianshan Mountains, amidst the vast sea of ​​clouds. The long wind blows for tens of thousands of miles, passing through Tongmen Pass."

After reading it carefully, Zhao Yi nodded slowly: "I have been to Tongmen Pass, and this poem is indeed very fitting for the occasion."

"You second-place scholar, please give your opinion on this poem," the King of Wu jokingly said to Ye Changqing.

Both of them were successful candidates in the imperial examinations.

Ye Changqing even passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, ranking second among the successful candidates.

Among the second generation today, he is definitely one of the most talented.

How would I rate it?

After Ye Changqing smiled, he said without hesitation, "After reading that essay 'Exhortation to Learning,' I said long ago that Song Shi'an would definitely pass the imperial examination."

Ye Changqing felt that Song Shi'an was the other half of himself.

“Then I guess he won’t pass the imperial examination,” Zhao Yi said calmly.

Ye Changqing retorted directly: "You martial artist, how dare you comment on poetry and prose..."

"Does he still have the chance to come back and take the imperial examination?"

Slowly raising his head, Zhao Yi's words silenced everyone.

The atmosphere became slightly oppressive.

A while later, Ye Changqing initiated the conversation again.

Of course, the topic of death was skipped. "If Song Shi'an and the Sixth Prince manage to defend the city, they will be unstoppable once they return to the capital."

“Yes, such military achievements are enough to propel Song Shi’an into the imperial court. Of course, this is assuming he played a major role,” Zhao Yi said.

“If he can return, he certainly will,” Ye Changqing judged. “The Sixth Prince has never participated in state affairs or politics. This thousand-strong Imperial Guard might be of use to him. But the garrison commander and strategist of Shuofeng have almost no connection with His Highness. Song Shi’an must have also figured out that His Highness has no one to rely on, and his identity is very clean. As long as His Highness trusts him, he can quickly seize power.”

A seventh-rank county magistrate is utterly useless.

But if he is His Highness's only confidant, then he is the only knife.

After saying that, Ye Changqing, who felt that Song Shi'an was "another person to the world", added: "In our opinion, Song Shi'an was going to his death, and he must have known it himself. But even so, he would not entrust his life to someone else."

“Indeed, one should die for oneself,” Zhao Yi agreed.

"If Wusheng can return alive, he should be able to be made a king."

It's not that being a king is that important; after all, it would be strange if a prince weren't granted a title.

However, since His Majesty has employed him, he should not be too deliberately prejudiced against Wusheng.

Offering sacrifices to those who disobeyed the emperor was in accordance with the will of the people, and bestowing honors upon them should naturally also be in accordance with the will of the people.

“If he can come back, then the military funds we donated will be of great use,” Zhao Yi commented.

Ye Changqing smiled and said, "Perhaps we can make him a member of the Wu King's faction."

"What if he sides with the Prince of Jin?"

Upon hearing the King of Wu's question, the three of them slowly fell silent.

They all looked towards the door.

If we side with the Prince of Jin, we will have lost completely.

.........

In He Ning Palace, Wei Wusheng was having his armor put on by a maid.

At this moment, Xinyue entered from outside the hall and stood outside the screen to wait.

"Xinyue, please wait a moment," Wei Wusheng said from behind the screen.

After a while, Wei Wusheng, dressed in golden scale armor, iron boots, and a copper-wire gilded crown, walked out, carrying a sword at his waist and making a 'tap-tap' sound as he lifted his foot.

"How do I look? Do I resemble a general?" Wei Wusheng asked with a confident smile.

"Does Your Highness want to hear something nice?" Xin Yue asked calmly.

"You do speak more eloquently than before."

Wei Wusheng was relieved that the other party didn't tell the truth directly, but he was still somewhat amused and exasperated: "Alright, then tell the truth."

"Like some rich young men in Beijing who play generals."

"..."

This incisive remark deeply hurt Wei Wusheng, who couldn't help but retort, "I've been riding horses, shooting arrows, and even lifting heavy objects since I was a child. How can I be considered just like those spoiled brats?"

"Your Highness should kill a few more people."

Xin Yue suggested.

Hearing her say that, Wei Wusheng probably understood. Then, recalling the scene when he met the Duke of Li, he sighed, "Perhaps, one really does need to see some bloodshed. When I was a child, every time I saw the Duke of Li and saw the scar on his face, I felt a chill and was terrified... I think that's the demeanor of a great general."

Xin Yue didn't respond, but listened expressionlessly.

"By the way, what did you come here to say?" Wei Wusheng asked.

"Your Highness, Song Shi'an is going to Shuofeng to serve as the county magistrate."

"..."

Wei Wusheng was stunned and didn't react for a long time.

After finally realizing the information, she smiled and said with surprise and excitement, "Did he go for me?"

"I don't know, but the appointment has already been made."

Seeing that the Sixth Prince was too excited, Xin Yue couldn't help but remind him, "But I think that Your Highness, as a prince, should maintain some dignity."

The sixth prince was already looked down upon, and without authority, he would be unable to control his subordinates.

His hand holding the knife trembled. After taking a deep breath to calm himself, Wei Wusheng asked with a smile, "So, are you being a little more dignified now?"

"Excuse my bluntness, but they seem quite happy."

(End of this chapter)