Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 87 I Will Keep Winning
Xin Yue's sword has never been wielded by anyone else.

Not to mention having your sword stolen.

However, she believes this has little to do with her own incompetence.

It was because she was completely unprepared for Song Shi'an.

But now, she doesn't care about her sword.

Song Shi'an, who had killed Zhang Ting with his sword, was completely enraged.

For the first time, a man who seemed to be able to think of anything lost his composure and succumbed to impulse.

Wei Wusheng, who had never killed anyone, knew that Song Shi'an was just like him. But he never expected that the one who would take this step first would be him.

The moment his neck was ripped open, blood gushed out. His eyes widened, and before he could react, Zhang Ting collapsed to the ground, swift and decisive.

"Ahhh!!!"

Outside the door, Zhang Ting's family members immediately screamed in terror and grief.

But soon, they were all pinned down by the soldiers, forced to kneel on the ground, and their mouths were forcibly gagged.

"..." His mind went blank as he watched his son die in front of him. Zhang Gong had no idea what was going on.

But the next moment, all that remained was anger.

He threw down his cane, pointed at Song Shi'an, and felt no goodwill towards this man as an opponent, only heartfelt contempt: "Did you win? You lost! Utterly undignified! How dare someone like you enter the imperial court?!"

Song Shi'an knew that the pain of losing his son was no longer important to Zhang Gong at this point.

Instead, he felt anger and disappointment about this game between the two.

What is dignity?

In a game of chess, the two fought fiercely until the very last moment. In a moment of adversity, Zhang Gong made a divine move that reversed the situation, putting his opponent on the defensive and causing him great trouble.

Zhang Gong waited smugly for his response.

Or rather, waiting until you're overwhelmed with problems but feel powerless to do anything about it.

But what he didn't expect was that a chessboard would smash him to death.

This is like a game of wits, and the final solution was a deus ex machina – because they couldn't win the argument, and in desperation, the one who was at a disadvantage pulled out a gun and killed the other.

It was a win, of course, but it was ugly.

It is full of flaws.

In other words, that wouldn't be considered a win.

"Have I really lost?"

With a blank expression, Song Shi'an asked in return.

"You've lost everything! You've lost without any dignity!" Zhang Gong said through gritted teeth.

Slowly, Song Shi'an took out a letter. Then, he casually tossed it behind Zhang Ting's back.

"What is this thing?" Zhang Gong asked Song Shi'an, annoyed. "Tell me, what is this thing!"

“A letter from Ji Yuan about his conspiracy with your son,” Song Shi’an explained.

"Foolish, absurd!"

Zhang Gong was completely speechless. Looking at Song Shi'an, he gave a sympathetic sneer: "What good do you think this kind of trick to fool children will do? You still think you're smart, still think you're smarter than others?"

“Zhang Ting was executed for treason, and his entire family was imprisoned, awaiting trial by the imperial court,” Song Shi’an said.

"stupid!"

Zhang Gong remained disappointed and speechless as he cursed, "Do you even have a brain? Do you think that killing someone and arresting our whole family on charges of treason would be any legitimate reason? Don't underestimate the officials in the court. The emperor is wise beyond his years. You think you can seize power like this? Young man, this isn't how things are done! I told you long ago, this isn't how things are done!"

"Come on, let me teach you again."

Zhang Ting's blood was still flowing, but Zhang Gong no longer cared at all. Even knowing he was going to die, it didn't matter. Because he wanted Song Shi'an to understand where he had lost: "If you've ever been to the imperial court, you should know that if a person is impeached by all the officials, he has no way out. Even if that person is the emperor's confidant. Why? Because killing one person is much easier than killing a hundred. Even the emperor has things he can't do anything about."

"This time, all the powerful clans in Shuofeng have signed their names and used their blood seals at the cost of their entire families to jointly impeach you. Even if you win this time and protect Shuofeng."

Knowing that Song Shi'an would kill more after killing one person, because the other party was enraged, Zhang Gong decided to speak without restraint: "For the emperor, for the Wei family, there is someone who can control and even sideline a prince. Even if such a person is a capable minister in chaotic times, can he be used? If you are eliminated, can your Song family still exist?!"

“The emperor wants to use me to suppress the powerful families, so he won’t kill me for now,” Song Shi’an said.

"ridiculous!"

Zhang Gong now only felt contempt for this overestimated child: "Such shallow understanding, treating the world like a piece of paper, spouting off here. An emperor needs a sharp sword to suppress powerful families, but not a blade that cuts down everyone indiscriminately. Won't the powerful families retaliate? Are they just lambs to the slaughter? Do they think they can let a madman like you take power? Even the powerful clans in Shuofeng City can jointly impeach you. What about the officials? If you ignore their impeachments, can the emperor still be an emperor?"

Every word Zhang Gong spoke represented his life experience and wisdom.

The young Xin Yue and Wei Wusheng were completely speechless, unable to refute what was said in their hearts.

They genuinely felt that Song Shi'an had disrupted the order.

By the time he returned to the imperial court, the charge of 'treason' could no longer be cleared.

Even if the emperor needed it temporarily, he couldn't withstand immense pressure.

The result is simple: kill.

The Song family, kill them.

Song Shi'an couldn't argue with him anymore...

Both men looked at him with concern, fearing that he might kill Zhang Gong in his anger.

That would be even worse.

If the ringleader of the direct impeachment is executed without authorization, then the case is completely confirmed.

Once this happens, the imperial court will have no choice but to suppress the rebellion.

Even if it means losing the Northern Liang Valley, we must use Song Shi'an's family to coerce him into submission.

Because Ji Yuan only seized territory, while Song Shi'an was undermining the foundation of the state.

"You think you can kill my son, stuff a so-called letter from Ji Yuan on his person, and then label our whole family as traitors? How can you be so naive?"

Looking at Song Shi'an with sorrow, Zhang Gong said disdainfully, "I didn't lose to you, and you didn't win because of power. You're like a band of mountain bandits who slaughtered my whole family with barbarity. Don't talk about dignity in front of me, you don't deserve it!"

Just when the matter seemed to have been settled, Song Shi'an looked at Zhang Gong and finally said, "Zhang Gong, I still overestimated you."

"Hmph." Zhang Gong laughed indifferently, "What other sophistry do you want to use to refute the fact that you are not worthy to play chess with me?" "Zhang Gong, just because you say that the powerful clans of Shuofeng have jointly impeached me, does that mean I am wrong?" Song Shi'an retorted.

Does it matter whether something is right or wrong?

Wanting Song Shi'an to accept defeat wholeheartedly, Zhang Gong instructed, "Once the joint impeachment is submitted and the court and powerful families respond, what have you actually done? Have you defended your territory or carved out your own territory? What are your true intentions? Are you loyal or rebellious? Will it make any difference?"

Gazing at Zhang Gong, Song Shi'an, who had shown no emotion before, slowly curved his lips into a smile and said:
"What if the Shuofeng clan was coerced by you?"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell completely silent.

Xin Yue and Wei Wusheng both looked at Song Shi'an in astonishment.

Zhang Gong's expression froze, and he immediately stood still.

The next moment, my heart clenched as if it had suddenly stopped.

For a long, long time, no one spoke.

What swept over him was a fear that could completely crush him.

"Master Zhang".

Looking at the pitiful old man with great pity, Song Shi'an continued to press, "Shuofeng has held out, and the entire Zhang family has been imprisoned and tried for treason. I'm giving the powerful clans of Shuofeng a way out: let them go to Sheng'an to confess, withdraw their joint impeachment, and plead that they were coerced by Lord Zhang into signing the petition with their bloodstains. Will they take this path?"

go.

I can only leave.

Why did I forget this?
Why do I feel that they are definitely on my side and will fight Song Shi'an to the end?
Zhang Gong found it hard to believe that he had made such a mistake.

“Master Zhang, let me teach you.”

Suddenly, Song Shi'an spoke casually.

Zhang Gong raised his head and looked at him without saying a word, as if he were really asking for advice.

"You've never encountered a real setback because the north wind is too strong."

Looking at the old man, Song Shi'an's smile grew even more wicked: "You were able to beat them, and that has nothing to do with your dignity. You were able to win purely because you are the governor's uncle."

"!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gong's face instantly turned red.

It was like an arrow piercing his heart.

Such hurtful remarks nearly killed the 70-year-old man.

Anxiety surged through my veins, causing my blood to swell.

Now, things have finally turned around.

Song Shi'an's victory is the real victory.

Zhang Gong, however, merely took advantage of the situation.

This man is terrifying.

Xin Yue and Wei Wusheng finally saw the dark side of Song Shi'an.

That killing just now wasn't even an impulsive act.

Even when he was really pushed to the limit, he didn't flip the chessboard.

Such people do indeed provide a great sense of security.

But it also gives one a sense of... apprehension.

If he really has bad intentions.

Although he was almost driven mad with anger, Zhang Gong tried his best to adjust himself, all in order to reach a state where he could talk to Song Shi'an.

Looking at him, Zhang Gong asked with eager anticipation, "Young man, I still have the same question: what exactly do you want?"

Logically speaking, Song Shi'an should have had other paths to take.

If it's just about wealth and status.

Or is it that you simply want to use military achievements to embellish your reputation?

Since he is so clear-headed, if this matter succeeds, he will surely become a figure of great merit, overshadowing his superiors.

Just as he said, he would only be spared from being killed by the emperor for the time being.

What's next?
Song Shi'an already had the answer to this question in his heart: "I just want to fight with you."

Hearing this, Zhang Gong was satisfied.

Even if I only caused him trouble for a moment.

“Of course, I haven’t won yet,” Song Shi’an said.

"But I've already lost everything."

Zhang Gong did not concern himself with the pleasure of a good word.

The reason is very simple.

Song Shi'an won; his entire family was executed.

Song Shi'an lost, but he could also take himself to hell before the city fell.

“If I lose, I will not kill you,” Song Shi’an promised him. “But whether Ji Yuan kills you after the city falls is none of my business.”

Let's take another gamble.

But Zhang Gong showed absolutely no enthusiasm.

Because in this game, I'm no longer playing it myself.

He wasn't even a pawn.

Turning around, Song Shi'an left.

However, before stepping out the door, he slowly turned his head and looked at Zhang Gong, who had lost all will to live. To the man with the strongest pride, he used the most frivolous insult: "Zhang Gong, even for the sake of your family, you must live on, clinging to life. And then, desperately pray that Ji Yuan can win."

(End of this chapter)