Frost for a Thousand Years

The garrison farms in Huai County were ready for harvest when the emperor arrived.

The reason Wei Wusheng claimed that he personally cut the ear of rice that was presented was because the soldiers and civilians had already started harvesting rice long ago, and whether he was the first to do so was impossible to verify.

In order to coincide with the harvest season of the Grand Ceremony for Settling Farms, twelve huge granaries were built around the area to gather and store all the harvested grain from the various counties.

Of course, this was not a spur-of-the-moment idea, because the previous grain storage warehouses only provided food for the people and soldiers. Compared to the grain produced, the throughput was less than one-fifth, so a new large grain warehouse was needed for unified management.

Furthermore, for fire prevention, these granaries are spaced far apart, hundreds of steps apart, with no buildings separating them. Even if one granary catches fire and a strong wind blows, it will not affect the other granaries.

The countless people of Huai County then transported their harvested grain, escorted by the army, towards this place.

"How do you think our grain will be distributed to us?"

"Didn't we say that the grain sent here belongs to the imperial court? Our grain will remain in the original military farms and will be distributed uniformly according to the acreage."

“If it’s 30%, then our family of six will have 30 shi (a unit of dry measure) to eat for a year and a half. That’s really much better than being a tenant farmer.”

"This is not only better than being a tenant farmer, but those people who own land can only save up enough food for seven or eight months at most in a year, and that's considered a lot."

"Anyway, it was Lord Song who promised us, so it can't possibly go back on its word, right? I think he still cherishes his reputation among us ordinary folks."

"Yes, he's ruthless towards the wealthy and powerful, and also towards those in positions of power."

"I wonder what happened to the land reclamation ceremony..."

During a rest stop while escorting the grain, a group of villagers were chatting when one of them suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Let me tell you, something seems to have happened at the land reclamation ceremony."

"What happened?"

Everyone asked nervously.

"During the grand ceremony, the seventh prince, Prince Zhongping, presented the emperor with a play, which was 'Journey to the West,' specifically the scene of 'Three Battles with the White Bone Demon.' Then, as the play was being performed, suddenly Sun Wukong pulled a sword from his golden cudgel and stabbed it at His Majesty."

"Such a thing is possible!"

Such shocking news stunned them all.

The man quickly raised his hand in a shushing gesture, saying impatiently, "Keep your voice down, do you want to get your head chopped off?"

How did you find out about this?

He replied, “When the grain was being transported, a county official, who is my nephew, was among those who sent the message. He told me that His Majesty had arrested the Prince of Zhongping, and that all the other officials, including our Lord Song, were unable to leave the palace because they were surrounded by heavy troops.”

Any speck of dust from the times, if it falls on the heads of ordinary people, can be a devastating catastrophe.

Therefore, everyone's heart was filled with fear.

"If this happens, will our grain not be distributed?"

"I'm afraid they'll use such irrelevant reasons to delay our supplies."

"As long as Lord Song is in charge, I'm not worried. But I'm afraid he might be replaced."

"I was really worried about that old eunuch, Lian."

"It's alright. With Lord Song's temperament, he would never agree to the land reclamation if it wasn't done according to his rules. In this Great Yu, who can take the lead without him? We simply can't do without him."

"Yes, yes, in the Great Yu Dynasty, only Lord Song is a truly capable minister..."

The crowd comforted each other with their simple understanding, which calmed their restless hearts a little.

With the issue of food no longer a concern, people began whispering among themselves about politics.

"But why would the Prince of Zhongping want to assassinate His Majesty?"

"Yes, he assassinated His Majesty, which didn't do him any good. The throne is definitely not going to him."

"But this Prince Zhongping seems to be a man of the Prince of Jin..."

…………

The Crown Prince then went to Wei Wusheng's place.

Similarly, he was accompanied by Shen Kang, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Similarly, that's the composition.

The two brothers sat facing each other.

"The generals of the military agricultural settlement have taken Hua Zheng and Zhao Yi hostage," the Crown Prince said bluntly.

After saying this, Wei Wusheng frowned, revealing a hint of confusion: "Hua Zheng and Zhao Yi went to the main camp?"

These words left the crown prince speechless.

That's right, Wei Wusheng was still unaware that his military power had been revoked.

After all, he had always been here and had no opportunity to contact the outside world.

The conversation between the two before the land reclamation ceremony did not mention that he was so eager to relinquish his position as commander-in-chief.

Otherwise, the Crown Prince wouldn't have sent Hua Zheng to take over the command of the General Camp without even taking the Tiger Tally.

But even if I didn't say it, you should be able to guess that I secretly took away your military power.

Playing dumb!
Wei Wusheng was, of course, pretending to be stupid.

However, he was indeed somewhat shocked.

Those military generals actually did such a thing.

Actually, it makes perfect sense.

Wei Wusheng's military management style was somewhat similar to that of the perpetually defeated general Xia Chun: strict military discipline and leading by example. These generals all deeply respected him. Moreover, his execution of Hua Qu, without offering any preferential treatment to the nobles, made the younger generation feel that there was something to strive for.

On the other hand, when Wei Wusheng whipped Xi Shan, all these military generals stood on his side and spoke out in defense of their commander.

Therefore, being abruptly replaced without any prior notice will definitely cause fear and unease among these people.

In politics, how can things end well if you choose the wrong side?
Perfect, it can help relieve some of the pressure here.

"Because the main camp needs someone to take charge, I sent Hua Zheng there..." the Crown Prince explained.

"Where is Zhao Yi?" Wei Wusheng asked, puzzled. "With no battles or disasters, is it necessary to send two high-ranking generals from noble families?"

The crown prince became restless.

Clearly, he felt guilty.

Yes, I'll have Hua Zheng keep an eye on your subordinates, and then I'll have Zhao Yi keep an eye on Hua Zheng. And I'll be here keeping an eye on Zhao Yi. Are you satisfied now?

"Has Beiliang been given an order to move north?" The Crown Prince couldn't answer any of these questions. So, he could only pose a new one.

"Heading north, does that mean war has broken out?" Wei Wusheng continued to press. "Who gave the order to head north?"

He is completely different from Song Shi'an.

Song Shi'an was a clever man, clever to the point of being too clever. No matter what he did, he could always know the intentions of those who came beforehand.

Therefore, the two people's reactions should not be like this.

Song Shi'an should use a blunt knife to humiliate his own foolishness in a sarcastic and sarcastic way.

Wei Wusheng, on the other hand, delivered a heavy blow, openly expressing his disappointment and anger.

However, in such situations, the two people exhibit completely different behaviors.

Song Shi'an is going head-to-head.

Wei Wu was born in Yin and Yang.

The prince understood that when people feel extreme aversion, they become a different version of themselves.

The Crown Prince did not receive Song Shi'an's tactful advice to make the situation look better; nor did he have the opportunity to let Wei Wusheng lash out at him to alleviate his guilt.

However, he also has a temper.

“Wusheng.” The Crown Prince extended his hand and said seriously, “Give me the Tiger Tally, and I will take care of the rest. You will be perfectly fine.”

The meaning of "something happening" here is quite narrow.

You will not die.

"Fourth brother."

Wei Wusheng slowly shook his head and said, "When I resisted Ji in Beiliang, I had my first chance to establish myself. Later, when I led troops to Qi, I had my second chance. Now, with 50,000 troops and millions of acres of fertile land under my command in Huaijun, I have my third chance. Tell me, why would I establish myself here without any troops or power, under your constant surveillance? What am I after?"

The Crown Prince's outstretched hand trembled. Looking at the Crown Prince, Wei Wusheng sneered, "The Emperor has lost his mind. He truly believes he is the Son of Heaven, able to hear divine pronouncements. He had a dream in his old age and senility, and he takes it as divine guidance. There are no gods or ghosts in this world. The Emperor is nothing but a mortal. Your worship of him is excessive."

On this day, Shen Kang heard words of madness and savagery that he had never heard before in his life.

He wished he could go deaf himself, to prevent His Highness the Prince of Qin's materialistic democratic ideas from entering his mind.

Just hearing it makes me feel like I should have my entire family executed.

“Disobedience”.

The crown prince raised his voice and warned him in a serious tone.

“You all use the character ‘Yi’ in your generation names. Only I am called ‘Wusheng’.” Wei Wusheng sized up the Crown Prince, who was putting on a brave face, and said, “Fourth Brother Crown Prince, will you treat me as a brother?”

The prince's hands had stopped trembling.

Completely stunned and rooted to the spot.

Wusheng was different from the other princes.

It's as if there was never such a brother.

How could I possibly trust him?

The Crown Prince had always wanted to get rid of Wu Liu'an.

I've always been wary of him.

He was absolutely right. He regarded his father as the emperor, and his deep-seated admiration made him feel that the dream was not unfounded.

However, if I do not worship my father...

After his death, I became someone else's father. Who will worship me?

As an emperor, one should wholeheartedly acknowledge the divine right of kings.

Lowering his hand, standing up, and looking down at his brother, the Crown Prince declared, "I am the Crown Prince. I do not need the Tiger Tally to mobilize the armies of the entire realm."

After that, he turned and left.

Wei Wusheng remained seated, his face expressionless for a long time.

Then, he gave a bitter, light laugh.

When the cards were revealed, Song Shi was always unconvinced, so he could only feel anger.

But Wei Wusheng was different; he was truly heartbroken.

The prince left with lightning speed, his steps quick and hurried.

Immediately afterward, like Song Shi'an, Wei Wusheng was also surrounded, with only his own guard and a eunuch trembling outside the post station.

The crown prince, sitting in the carriage, looked quite displeased.

He felt he hadn't done anything wrong.

Admittedly, he lacked the magnanimity of a sage ruler.

Why can't An Sheng and the others, knowing that they are not a sage ruler, compromise, tarnish their own image, and blend in with the world to put his mind at ease?
They insist on letting the whole world see that you are the best An Sheng.

Civil officials assist the court, and military generals protect the country.

This military officer was also his own brother.

I can't take it, I can't take it.

The prince drove the carriage forward.

A man dressed in armor with a sword at his waist, though old, was still sharp and ready to fight, was already standing at the crossroads waiting for him.

The carriage stopped.

The crown prince also went down.

"Your Highness," the Duke of Li said, clenching his fist.

"Duke," the Crown Prince said, "were you waiting for me?"

"Yes." The Duke of Li asked, "Your Highness must have gone to Song Shi'an and Prince Qin's place, right?"

"Yes, I have already taken these two into custody," the Crown Prince said. "Now, I am on my way to see His Majesty."

"Your Highness, this is His Majesty's military order."

The Duke of Li held the military order in both hands, bowed his head, and presented it to the Crown Prince.

The crown prince took it and began to examine it.

After reading it, she looked at the Duke of Li and asked, "Will the Duke and I go to the main camp together?"

"Yes," said the Duke of Li. "The situation there is not something this old minister can resolve alone. Your Highness needs to accompany us to calm things down."

"Won't there be any danger?" the prince asked.

"No," said the Duke of Li. "At this time, you must go in person, and you cannot send a large force."

"What I'm saying is, isn't there any danger here at the land reclamation ceremony?"

What the Crown Prince truly cared about was that the Emperor was already that age, left alone here. And was it risky for him to separate from him at this critical juncture?
"Your Highness, please rest assured," the Duke of Li replied. "This old minister has followed His Majesty for so many years, and His Majesty's majesty has never diminished in the slightest. Even now, with His Majesty present, he alone can command an entire army."

The Duke of Li was not wrong.

It's hard to say what others might say.

With the emperor sitting here, even if someone were to stage a mutiny and storm in, all he would have to do is ask those soldiers one question: "Do you really want to rebel?"

The soldiers were immediately terrified and their legs went weak.

Which emperor who emerged from the struggle for the throne didn't employ ruthless methods?

What's more, he was the one who invented the terrifying and bizarre Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Song Shi'an still has assassins, the number of whom is unknown," the Crown Prince reminded him.

"His Majesty knows everything," said the Duke of Li. "His Majesty knows everything."

The Duke of Li also had the right to say this.

After all, even his secret was known to the emperor.

Is there any secret left in this world?

"it is good."

The prince boarded the carriage and then extended his hand.

Then, the Duke of Li sat down beside him.

The two rode in a carriage, accompanied by only a few hundred elite Imperial Guards, and sped towards the main camp.

…………

Inside the main hall of Jianxing's military settlement.

It's the same group of people.

This includes Zhao Yi and East China University of Political Science and Law.

They are waiting, waiting for an outcome.

Just then, a soldier reported: "General, the Crown Prince's entourage is coming this way, and he has sent an eunuch ahead first."

Everyone got excited.

Zhang Mu forced himself to remain calm and asked, "Why has Your Excellency come here?"

"First, announce to the entire army the imperial decree that the Sixth Prince is innocent, and that all of you are innocent," he said.

Upon hearing this, the tense military officers all relaxed.

Zhao Yi and Hua Zheng, on the other hand, were filled with regret.

These guys actually succeeded in forcing us to resign! (End of Chapter)