Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 77 Zhang Gongying, Song Tangzungao
It seems that Luo Ting also has a comprehensive plan.

Like himself, he was no ordinary person.

But there's nothing we can do about it.

“General Luo believes he can win, and I also believe Your Highness can win.” Looking into Wang Dalong’s eyes, Song Shi’an said calmly, “It seems that we have irreconcilable differences.”

“Yes.” Wang Dalong had no intention of compromising. “Since Your Highness can win, there is no need for the support of the opponents. If you release me, I will definitely lead my men out of the city.”

"That would be too troublesome."

Although he said that, there was no hint of unease in Song Shi'an's tone.

Neither of them was in a good mood.

On this matter, they are locked in a fierce confrontation.

After a moment of cold staring at each other, Song Shi'an turned his head slightly and casually said, "Arrange a cell for General Wang Dalong. Do not mistreat or humiliate him. Provide him with meals at regular times every day."

After the order was given, the jailer opened the cell door.

Wang Dalong walked straight in, sat down on the pile of straw, and remained calm and composed.

Imprisonment cannot change one's principles.

"General Wang Dalong refuses to perform corvée labor, does not dig up the city defenses, and does not cook or wash clothes for my army like the women in the city. He will be given only the minimum rations." Song Shi'an instructed again.

Wang Dalong knew he was being provoked, so he kept his eyes straight ahead and remained unmoved.

Looking at the person sitting in the cage, Song Shi'an's tone was sharp, and he deliberately raised his voice, saying, "General Wang, if you think His Highness will lose, then just wait. Do nothing but sit in the prison, wait for the city to fall, wait for the slaughter, wait for the blood of the Yu people to run dry, and wait for Ji Yuan to find this place. Then you can excitedly tell him, 'Just say it, I was right, and His Highness was wrong!'"

"..."

These words made it impossible for Wang Dalong to maintain his feigned composure any longer.

He lowered his head, remained silent, and avoided meeting Song Shi'an's gaze.

But his pupils trembled with wavering.

The things Song Shi'an said, which he chose to say, were indeed hurtful.

Everything he upheld—his loyalty to the court, to Luo Ting, and to himself—became his greatest selfishness.

"Your Excellency, the steward of Lord Zhang's household requests an audience." At this moment, a county clerk announced.

"Make him wait!"

After uttering those words in a fit of rage, Song Shi'an turned and went back to his office.

Only Wang Dalong remained, sitting in his cell.

Looking up at the arrogant young man's back, he was momentarily shaken.

If Your Highness firmly controls this city, fortifies it, builds defenses, and waits for Ji Yuan to come and besiege it, then will I still be sitting here doing nothing, just waiting for the north wind to fall...?

……

Back in his office, Song Shi'an, who had just finished breathing in the sun, instantly changed his expression and returned to his calm and composed demeanor.

Many things are said differently depending on the person.

For someone like Wang Dalong, who isn't cowardly or opportunistic, but simply a heretic who doesn't accept his own beliefs, then it's necessary to offer him some value.

After all, when something hasn't happened, one person can never convince another.

He must think the Sixth Prince is an idiot for ruining the empire's plans in order to defend the city, and also causing Luo Ting's long-planned final battle with Ji Yuan to fall through.

He must hate the people who made the decision to stage this coup.

That includes me.

But let me ask you, are you from Dayu?

The Qi bandits are coming. Do you have any hunting rifles?

You killed my compatriots and humiliated my sisters. Do you want to fight alongside me?
That's for sure, because someone like Wang Dalong is a true iron-blooded warrior of the Great Yu.

And Wolf Warrior is the best to use.

We'll just have to wait and see. When that time comes, he will definitely be loyal to the Sixth Prince.

Then what……

Who just came?

.........

"Is there something you need, Master?"

At the entrance of the prison, Zhou An, the head steward of the Zhang family, waited for a long time before asking the county official at the gate.

"It's your first day here, Your Excellency. You have a lot to handle during the handover," the county official said with a smile. "Please wait a little longer." "Did they say you were from the Zhang family?" he asked.

"I have said it, I definitely have," the county official said with a smile. "Once Your Excellency is finished with your work, you will naturally come to see me."

Zhou An pursed his lips, sniffed, and then turned to the side impatiently, continuing to wait. He said sarcastically, "In the past, Jiang Tangzun would always see anyone from the Zhang family quickly, no matter when. It's been a quarter of an hour already. Does Tangzun not understand the local customs of Shuofeng?"

"Then I wouldn't know."

The county official, not wanting to take the blame, smiled and said, "His Excellency was referring to making you wait."

Displeased, Zhou An took out a small ingot of silver, placed it in his palm, waved his hand, and urged, "Go and ask again when you can see me."

"Okay, please wait a moment." After receiving the money, the county clerk scurried back to the prison office.

He hurriedly went to the office and reported, "The people from the Zhang residence asked when we can see you, sir."

Song Shi'an stopped what he was doing, looked at him, and asked with interest, "Is that person getting impatient now?"

Upon hearing this, the shrewd county official immediately explained, "Judging from his appearance, it seems that he really has some urgent business to discuss with the magistrate."

To be a clerk in a county teeming with powerful local magnates, one must be tactful and avoid offending either side.

Even a steward in a large mansion has to be treated like a master.

After all, county officials are different from prefectural officials and county officials in important departments; their prestige is much lower.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, only those who had passed the imperial examinations could hold positions such as the capital official, the state official, and some important county officials with room for promotion.

And these minor county officials, or even prison guards, are basically just low-ranking officials.

Of course, they secretly looked down on stewards like Zhou An.

You're just a servant, yet you're putting on airs. Who the hell is afraid of you? Aren't they all just wary of the people behind you?
"How is Zhang Shifeng doing?" Song Shi'an asked curiously, "Is he quite arrogant?"

At this point, the county clerk, a lackey of the magistrate, whispered, "The Zhang family is considered a prominent clan throughout Liangzhou. Zhang Gong's branch is quite powerful. His son serves as a commandant in another prefecture, and his nephew is even more formidable..."

"Prefect, right?" Song Shi'an said.

The county official nodded: "Yes, yes."

That's truly remarkable.

My nephew is a high-ranking official, isn't he arrogant?

Moreover, the Great Yu only has six prefectures, and his nephew is the governor of one of them, which is indeed a very prestigious position.

This time, Tongmen Pass was lost, and he will inevitably bear the responsibility, at least being demoted two ranks.

Even so, he can still be on par with Lao Song.

At this moment, as if gossiping with his subordinates, Song Shi'an raised a finger and whispered, "They're going to surrender."

Upon hearing this, the county official covered his mouth in surprise, then nodded.

Is the governor about to leave?
Can this Zhang Gong of the North Wind continue to act arrogantly and domineeringly?

"Then let him in."

"That's about enough," Song Shi'an said casually.

"Yes, Master, I will go and fetch him right away."

The county official then left the office.

Song Shi'an leaned back in his chair and put his feet down on the wooden table with a 'kua'.

After a while, a middle-aged man who looked quite mild-mannered and was about forty years old walked in. Noticing his relaxed attitude, Zhang Gong concluded that he was a reckless playboy and said with a smile, "Master, I would like to ask when the city gates open?"

Song Shi'an tilted his head slightly and asked rather perfunctorily, "What's your name?"

This rude attitude startled Zhou An, and the smile on his face turned into a calm one: "Replying to the Master, my name is Zhou An."

What is your official rank?

"I hold no official position."

"Then are you a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations)?" Song Shi'an asked again.

"You flatter me, sir. I am but a servant of the Zhang family."

Zhou An deliberately emphasized the words "Zhang Mansion".

"Oh." Song Shi'an put his feet down, leaned forward, and said with a smile, "Then you must have passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, right?"

Looking at Song Shi'an, Zhou An's gentle tone vanished completely: "I don't have any."

Upon hearing this, Song Shi'an's smiling face immediately darkened: "Then why don't you kneel before me?"

(End of this chapter)