Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 86 Song Shi'an's First Blood
Despite the 'protests,' the moat outside the city still had to be dug when it was time for corvée labor.

Thus, all the soldiers and laborers outside the South Gate saw His Highness pull back a group of simply dressed noblemen and bring them into the city.

At this moment, Ran Jin, who was supervising the city's defenses, looked over and was quite moved by this situation.

Zhao Xiang, who had been demoted to a soldier, lay on the ground, showing no interest in anything.

“I advised you to hand over all the grain from those powerful clans, but you declined, saying it wasn’t worth offending anyone. You only raised funds once, why couldn’t you think of this method?” Although Ran Jin was Zhao Xiang’s deputy general, both of them were nobles and marquises, so there was no clear distinction between superior and subordinate.

"Won't that offend them?" Zhao Xiang retorted.

“You’re afraid of offending them, but that’s offending these people and making all the powerful families dissatisfied,” Ran Jin said. “Setting a trap like this, with reason and evidence, they can only accept their fate. The other powerful families will have nothing to say. That’s cunning.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xiang sat up and said with some confusion, "Wu Sheng, is he that kind of scheming person?"

Seeing that he was already somewhat insane, Ran Jin coldly rebuked him, "Shut up."

"So, this despicable thing was the idea of ​​that top scholar?" Zhao Xiang asked.

Ran Jin shook his head and said, "I don't know, but one person can't do it alone."

Upon receiving this answer, Zhao Xiang slowly clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, saying, "Was it him who taught me to humiliate me the other day?"

.........

After Wei Wusheng brought the powerful clans back to the city, he was greeted with cheers from the entire city.

Wherever he went, the people prostrated themselves in sincere worship.

The shabby appearance of these wealthy families made them a laughing stock for the common people.

This time, they not only gained huge practical benefits, but also completed a political show that greatly inspired the people.

This allows everyone to be of one mind.

Just like Zhuge Liang governing Shu.

The common people are not worried about scarcity, but about inequality.

Since Your Highness can keep your word, it is inevitable that orders will be strictly enforced.

"Let's stop discussing this matter and get everyone to work on building up the city's defenses."

Wei Wusheng gave the order.

Therefore, Qin Kuo separated from him and went to personally take command and mobilize the people.

These powerful families were also escorted back to their respective residences by the soldiers.

In the end, only Zhang Gong's family, a dozen or so people, remained.

"Your Highness, may I see Song Shi'an?" Zhang Gong asked Wei Wusheng calmly.

"What is it that Master Zhang wants to say?"

Wei Wusheng asked jokingly.

"I have some questions for you."

Zhang Gong slowly bowed.

"That's perfect, he's at home, waiting for you," Wei Wusheng said with a smile.

"In my old home?"

Puzzled, Zhang Gong returned to his mansion with his family only to find that all the grain had been moved out and all the servants were gone.

Zhang Ting looked around, feeling fear at the emptiness, and stammered, "Is...is there an ambush?"

Hearing his son's idiotic words, Zhang Gong felt even more desperate.

"All 1,100 servants of the powerful clan have been conscripted into the army to participate in the construction of city defenses, as well as washing clothes and cooking," Wei Wusheng explained generously. "As for Lord Zhang and his relatives, three rooms are enough. The rest will be temporarily requisitioned by the army. Once the Qi bandits retreat, the soldiers will also retreat."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhang Gong had given up all thought of struggling.

Now, he has nothing left.

All that remains is for the city to be defended.

If you lose, you lose.

Finally, the group arrived at the main house.

Inside the hall, Song Shi'an was already waiting, his face relaxed.

"You all, stay outside."

After giving these instructions to his family members, who were all grieving as if they had lost their parents, Zhang Gong went inside alone.

Since Song Shi'an was alone, there was a possibility that Zhang Gong might suddenly pull out a knife and stab him. In addition, out of curiosity, Wei Wusheng also took Xinyue inside.

Four people, in the lobby.

Family members and soldiers were some distance away outside the gate.

Upon seeing Song Shi'an, Zhang Gong became completely agitated, slamming his cane on the ground with a loud thud: "Young man, that's not how things are done!"

"Why?" Song Shi'an countered. "What flaws were there this time?"

“You made a promise to me, yet you deliberately broke it. Who will trust you in the future?” Zhang Gong questioned.

"Zhang Gong, do you trust me?"

Song Shi'an shook his head and exposed, "No, you don't trust me, you have no other way out. As wise as Zhang Gong is, you certainly understand that in the power struggles and intrigues of the court, there is never any such thing as trust. There is only the exchange of power for power. Tomorrow, if I have power with other powerful families, they will naturally trust me. Similarly, it is the same for others with power; if they have power, I can only trust them."

Take a simple example.

No one in the world dares to distrust the current emperor.

Because of him, he firmly controlled the situation.

Of course, this momentum needs to be earned through one's own abilities.

The emperor also devoted most of his life to this.

"You've driven yourself to the brink of ruin, what will you do then?" Zhang Gong asked again. "Doesn't your Song family need the acceptance of other powerful clans? Is it really that easy to isolate yourself from all the gentry in the world by acting like this?" "What I've done has nothing to do with my father," Song Shi'an laughed. "He's the head of the family now. If the Song family isn't trusted, it's definitely because he hasn't tried hard enough."

When he said that, Wei Wusheng almost lost his composure.

But as a prince, he still maintained his composure.

"Young man, this is not right!"

Zhang Gong raised his cane, pointed at Song Shi'an, and completely disagreed with such a trendy idea.

“It was you, Zhang Gong, who bribed the city, and the city guards who accepted bribes. The soldiers were also punished. What’s wrong with that?” Song Shi’an asked.

"You can fool the common people, but who would believe you!"

“Zhang Gong, your belief is not important, nor is your belief.”

In response, Song Shi'an smiled faintly and said, "His Majesty will forgive everything once he sees that Shuofeng has been defended."

These words are truly scathing.

Admittedly, the powerful families of Northern Liang and even Liangzhou were still far less influential than the nobility.

Their power is limited to this.

If one doesn't cause any trouble and takes the emperor's every word to heart, then that would be far too presumptuous.

"You've won now."

Gritting his teeth, Zhang Gong glared angrily at Song Shi'an: "But you won't always win! You'll lose eventually! And when you lose, will you regret how ruthless you've been?"

"Well, let's wait until we lose before we talk about it."

Song Shi'an's eyes were as still as water, completely calm.

With a long sigh and a thud, Zhang Gong realized he was powerless to help such a madman.

Just then, an officer suddenly came in and reported, "Your Highness, something has happened."

Everyone turned to look at him.

Zhang Gong also slowly looked over.

"What is it?" Wei Wusheng said, "Just say it."

After a brief hesitation, the officer said, "Some members of the powerful families, in order to mitigate their guilt for bribery, have voluntarily admitted that they signed a joint statement."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gong smiled and even laughed out loud: "Hahaha."

Song Shi'an's heart suddenly trembled.

"What condition?" Wei Wusheng asked warily.

Then, the officer said, "The powerful clans have jointly submitted a petition impeaching Magistrate Song for instigating His Highness to launch the Langya Mutiny. He is the main person in power in Shuofeng City, below His Highness."

Upon hearing these words, Wei Wusheng immediately became enraged.

And they panicked on the spot.

Xin Yue was the same, nervously looking at Song Shi'an, whose pupils trembled and whose expression was solemn.

These are the truths; everyone knows that.

However, a joint petition is different.

This means that these people are willing to take full responsibility for impeaching this matter.

In addition, they were all from Shuofeng City.

His words were more persuasive than those of others.

Of course, this matter has no impact on the current defense of Shuofeng City.

The situation will be different afterward.

This means that Wei Wusheng is no longer able to defend Song Shi'an as much as possible.

The thin veil has been lifted.

If it is a crime, then Song Shi'an's crime is heinous.

If it is merit, then Song Shi'an's merits are unparalleled.

But those who achieve great merit will stop at nothing to gain more. Doesn't the emperor fear this?
"You think that by keeping His Highness in your position as county magistrate without promotion, you can somehow overshadow your own prominence?"

Zhang Gong became the nonchalant one, raising his finger at the panicked Song Shi'an: "Young man, I'll teach you something. Never think you're smarter than others."

"Go and chase that person down! If you encounter him, kill him on sight!" Wei Wusheng immediately ordered.

"Yes!"

The officer then immediately carried out the order.

But it's like looking for a needle in a haystack; the chances of finding it are practically nonexistent.

Sanming is not here...

When Song Shi'an turned around, he discovered the problem.

Turning back, Zhang Gong, as if a victor, put on his usual arrogant face again: "I'll teach you something else. If you kill all the people who impeached you, it will be the same as confirming the matter."

Slowly, Song Shi'an raised his head, looked at the smiling old man, and calmly said, "Old man, you really like teaching people."

Then, he raised his hand: "Bring Zhang Ting here."

"..." Zhang Gong's expression froze, and he saw a soldier drag his second son in front of him and force him to kneel on the ground.

Zhang Gong raised his head and glared at him: "What are you going to do?"

"I'll teach you something too."

Song Shi'an walked up behind the trembling Zhang Ting, looked at Zhang Gong, and said coldly, "The pain of losing a son."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Song Shi'an drew the sword from Xin Yue's waist and slashed Zhang Ting's neck from behind.

(End of this chapter)