Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 28 Song Shi'an, I Want to See You
"Shi An, go home. Your father has forgiven you!"

Jiang sensed that Song Shi'an was sulking and was afraid that he had really "grown up" and wanted to start his own business.

But this kind of thinking is very dangerous.

"Mother." Seeing her so agitated, Song Shi'an comforted her, "I will definitely go home, but not in the next few days."

He never intended to cut ties with Song Jing.

On the contrary, the Song family, this big tree, is a solid backing for him.

The so-called illegitimate birth no longer mattered after I passed the imperial examination with top honors.

There are generally only two possibilities for a son born out of wedlock to not rise in rank.

First, the illegitimate son is too weak.

Second, the sons born out of wedlock are not weak, but they are weaker than the sons born out of wedlock.

If two people are of similar skill level, they will generally receive the support of the entire clan as long as they can contribute to the clan.

If a son born out of wedlock is stronger than a son born out of wedlock, and the maternal family of the son born out of wedlock is not too powerful, the head of the family may even change.

The traditions passed down through generations of ancient aristocratic families are brimming with wisdom.

A pair of brothers is a perfect example.

Cao Chun and Cao Ren.

Cao Ren was Cao Chun's older brother. In Cao Wei, Cao Ren was Cao Cao's confidant and obviously had more power and influence. His military capabilities and achievements were also more outstanding. However, Cao Chun inherited the family property of Cao Ren's family.

The reason is that Cao Chun was better at family management, treated scholars with respect, and was welcomed by the gentry.

Cao Ren, who had already broken away, was able to establish his own faction due to his high position and power.

The two relied on each other to ensure the prosperity and growth of their family.

If Song Shi'an had demonstrated even greater talent in officialdom, Song Ce would undoubtedly have been the one to inherit the family business.

But Song Ce will also do his best to help him have more children.

The reason for this change is...

It was because Shang K, a wandering brothel enthusiast, attained enlightenment and became the top scholar in Sizhou.

My father forgave me?

We're all family, let's talk about this.

"When was that? Tell Mother a specific time," Jiang said earnestly.

“Just in the next few days,” Song Shi’an said.

"Are you sure?" Jiang was a little scared. "You're not lying to your mother, are you?"

"I would never lie to my mother, no matter who I lie to," Song Shi'an prepared to swear.

"That's enough, that's enough. I believe you, son."

Jiang held his hand and then reminded him, "Seven days from now, you are to report to the Ministry of Personnel. Your official robes have already been delivered to your home. You absolutely cannot be late, or you will be considered to have forfeited your duty. And then, everything will be over!"

"Absolutely. My son is pursuing officialdom for the sake of wealth and status."

Song Shi'an said these words that put Jiang's mind at ease.

"Then son, what exactly do you want to do? Can you tell your mother?" Jiang asked, puzzled.

What words are forbidden to be spoken?

Or is it that his father wouldn't allow this kind of thing?
To put Jiang's mind at ease, Song Shi'an solemnly promised, "For the sake of family harmony, and for the sake of a complete reconciliation with Father."

Hearing these words, coupled with that sincere expression, Jiang was relieved: "I believe you."

"Then Mother, you should go back first, it's getting late."

Song Shi'an said with a smile.

"OK then."

Jiang reluctantly agreed, but before leaving, she looked around and said, "Don't forget to go to Situ Sun's birthday celebration the day after tomorrow. I'll send someone to deliver clothes to you, and I'll have your father prepare some gold as a birthday gift for Situ."

"Good girl."

After agreeing to Jiang's request and personally going downstairs to see her out of the inn, Song Shi'an's gentle smile was quickly replaced by a serious expression.

Military colonies were seen as harming the interests of powerful families.

The most prominent family in Jiangnan was the Sun family of Yangzhou.

If he has grievances, will he keep them to himself?
If he were to vent his anger, would he dare to target the emperor?
No.

This isn't a question of whether or not we dare to.

It's easier to target other people than the emperor.

Gradually, Song Shi'an understood. This meant that he had come in person to invite him.

Do not,
Sun Situ had two choices.

Leading the resistance, and leading the support.

His choice determined my future situation.

Heaven and hell are separated by a single thought.

.........

"master."

Upon returning, Jiang went directly to Song Jing, who was working in his study.

He looked up and frowned when he saw that Jiang was alone.

Immediately afterward, Madam Jiang quickly explained, "Master, Shi'an was very happy to hear that you have forgiven him and wanted to go home as soon as possible. But he has been afraid these past few days and has no place to stay, so he has become friends with some scholars who have passed the imperial examinations. They have arranged to get together these past two days... He means that he wants to say goodbye to his scholar friends before going home."

"Is he really a friend of the scholar?"

Song Jing was not angry when he heard her say that, but confirmed it.

He's been there too.

The friendship among those who passed the imperial examinations in the same year was indeed the deepest.

Later, he also received some assistance from officials.

"Yes, sir, I saw several more. They were all handsome and well-behaved children, excelling in both character and academics," Jiang said earnestly.

"I see."

Song Jing did not pursue the matter further.

“Then, sir…” Madam Jiang began somewhat apologetically, “The day after tomorrow is Minister Sun’s birthday. If Shi’an goes, he should bring some gifts. It’s also a matter of face for the Song family…”

"You don't have to say it."

Song Jing glanced at a beautiful little wooden box on the table and casually said, "Take it to him."

Seeing that he had already prepared everything, Madam Jiang was flattered and stepped forward to gently grasp his arms with both hands, her face beaming with smiles: "Master, you are so kind."

"Alright, alright..." Song Jingsui's tone was impatient, but not stern. "I have things to do."

…………

The outer city, the West Market, and the Yuewenge Bookstore share the costs.

The best-selling 'novel' today is the model essay of the top scholar.

The pass rate for the imperial examination was extremely low; not everyone who applied had the intention of passing.

Many people taking the exam for the first time do so with the mindset of participating and gaining some exam experience.

Therefore, even if these people fail the exam, their mentality won't be too bad. They won't feel so bad when they see the exam paper.

Another point is that, just like the annual college entrance examination Chinese essay questions spark nationwide discussions, literate lower-middle-class people love to join in the fun, especially with things they can understand.

Therefore, the essays of the top scholar in each year's imperial examination are highly praised by the people.

"This year's question is excellent! I had no idea the imperial court was so short of food if Yizhou wasn't plagued by locusts!"

"This is a big deal. We are still fighting Ji Yuan in Liangzhou. If the soldiers at the front don't have food and supplies, what's the point of fighting?"

“Indeed, military farming is good. In places where there is no fighting, the soldiers are idle anyway. If we gather the refugees and have them farm, we can definitely accumulate a lot of grain.”

"But what if the army forgets how to fight if this land reclamation continues for too long?"

"Then let the old, weak, sick and disabled soldiers go to garrison, and that general who keeps losing battles... let him be a garrison general."

"Hey, be careful what you say, don't let General Xia hear this."

"Hey, I didn't say which general!"

On the bustling market street, a simple horse-drawn carriage was parked to the side.

Inside the carriage, Wei Wusheng held the model of "The Strategy of Military Colonization" in both hands, completely absorbed in it.

After a while, the carriage curtain was lifted.

A young girl with a high ponytail, a cold face, and no tenderness in her eyes, dressed in men's clothing, stepped onto the carriage floor, leaned forward, and whispered, "Your Highness, I've found out that Song Shi'an is the eldest son of the Sheng'an magistrate's family, born out of wedlock. He was previously unknown and his hobby was listening to music in brothels."

"what?"

Upon hearing the last four words, Wei Wusheng suddenly sobered up and raised his head.

"Never mind, it's fine."

But when he returned to that article, curiosity returned to his eyes: "I really want to meet this Song Shi'an."

(End of this chapter)