Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 43 Song Shi'an: Kill or Protect?

"Your subject is willing to go to the north wind."

Everyone was stunned when those five words were uttered.

Even if they had considered that today's court assembly was related to Wei Wusheng, they never imagined that the person going to his death would be the emperor's own son.

Even though he was not loved by the emperor.

But everyone felt that this was a very good solution.

Shuofeng is beyond saving; it is a city destined to fall. Zhao Xiang must hold out and fight to the death.

If he abandons the city and flees, the emperor will surely kill him.

A direct descendant of a founding noble was thus sacrificed.

But this is not enough to show His Majesty's determination to "not yield an inch of land," only the majesty of intolerance for defeat.

Therefore, the emperor's own son was sent to the battlefield.

How could the rest of us just sit idly by?

How could the hearts of the people not be stirred?

Faced with Wei Wusheng's request, the emperor did not immediately agree, remaining expressionless as if deep in thought.

"If we are defeated and the city falls, I will never surrender and live on; I will certainly die to atone for my sins!"

"It's a resounding, loud voice," Wei Wusheng declared.

The princes were all somewhat alarmed by what they saw.

As the emperor's sons, they would never die in battle as long as they didn't make any mistakes.

But some people are actually eager to go and die...

The princes all developed some 'respect' for Wei Wusheng.

But that's extremely rare.

He can go, he can die a glorious death, but if he comes back alive...

Then, he could no longer be treated as the dispensable Wei Wusheng.

"can."

The emperor stared at Wei Wusheng below the steps, seemingly without any emotion, and said, "Wei Wusheng, the General of the Household, is hereby promoted to Prefect of Shuojun and General Who Pacifies Bandits. Three days later, a thousand Imperial Guards will be mustered at the drill ground and sent to Shuofeng to replace Zhao Xiang."

He rose directly from the fourth rank to the third rank.

In just two days, Wei Wusheng, who had no official position, suddenly became a third-rank official in the imperial court!

This rapid advancement is somewhat outrageous even among the princes.

Of course, because none of them started from scratch.

Wei Wusheng started from scratch, and will soon return to zero.

No one understood the emperor's mind better than Sima Yu.

Initially, he had a dream that led him to want to kill Wei Wusheng without any excuse.

Now, if His Majesty is not absolutely certain of killing him, how could he possibly risk strengthening this rebellious son who "may seize the throne and kill his brother"?
Sima Yu finally realized that he could not bear the weight of this dream.

He is keeping the world's greatest secret.

If he didn't take his dream to the underworld, then his whole family would go with him!

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Wei Wusheng rose and thanked the emperor for his great kindness.

Then, return to the previous sequence.

After making this decision, the emperor continued, "Xia Chun, it's not even April yet. The rioters in Yizhou have already been suppressed, but there are still hundreds of thousands of refugees. Go over there and gather them up to cultivate the land."

Upon hearing this, the aristocratic families had already guessed the inevitable trend.

If we win this battle, all will be well, but if we lose, then the land reclamation program will have to be implemented quickly.

The emperor is currently referring to military settlements in Yizhou, a prefecture teeming with displaced people.

But it is clear to anyone with discernment that the policy of military colonization will inevitably be extended nationwide, and will still infringe upon the interests of the Jiangnan gentry.

It's just to give you some psychological comfort; let's postpone it for a year.

"His Majesty!"

Xia Chun, however, was even more resistant than the gentry, earnestly saying, "Can't this humble general serve as General Xiao's vanguard to fight against Ji Yuan?"

He understands perfectly well.

Tuntian (military agricultural settlement) is the reuse of old, weak, sick and disabled soldiers.

Similarly, it's about reusing veterans who are on the fringes.

But Your Majesty, I am in the prime of my life!

"Killing the enemy is serving the country, and so is cultivating land. Settle your mind and do it." The emperor did not intend to give him this opportunity.

Xia Chun was a man of great character. He was strict in his military discipline, kind and generous, and loved by many soldiers. He was also a rare man with a sincere heart, loyal to the emperor and patriotic.

It can be said that, apart from constantly losing battles, it has no shortcomings.

But at this critical juncture, we cannot afford to lose again.

"...as you command."

Xia Chun had no choice but to accept the appointment.

At the same time, they were forced to accept their own lives.

Some generals have been cultivating land for decades; such things are not uncommon.

He couldn't help but feel a little jealous of the Sixth Prince, who was willing to sacrifice himself for his country. "Then that's settled."

After arranging everything, the emperor announced: "Xiao Qun and Chen Ling, go to the Grand Council and wait. Xia Chun and Wei Wusheng, stay here. The rest of you, leave the court."

In the end, the court assembly came to an end.

Inside the main hall, only Wei Wusheng and Xia Chun remained.

"Take down and read this 'Strategy for Military Farming' and the 'Five Strategies for Military Farming for Disaster Relief.' Within three days, no, within seven days, write a strategy for military farming in Yizhou and submit it to me," the emperor ordered.

Next, the eunuch Xi presented two policy proposals to Xia Chun.

After receiving it, Xia Chun hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

But there was nothing he could do; His Majesty's mind was made up. He could only bow in thanks and then leave the hall.

In the end, only Wei Wusheng and the emperor remained.

This father and son had never spoken to each other before.

"We are heading to Beiliang."

Looking at the other person, the emperor asked calmly, "What do you want?"

Without hesitation, Wei Wusheng replied, "I am grateful for Your Majesty's trust and dare not ask for anything more."

"Now that we've won this battle, what reward do you want?"

The emperor knew that this battle was unwinnable.

"To be able to serve the Great Yu is already a great blessing."

Wei Wusheng once again politely declined.

"You don't want anything?"

The emperor's brows furrowed slightly as he solemnly inquired.

When asked about this, Wei Wusheng slowly knelt on the ground and took off the hair ornament from his head.

Her long, dark hair slowly cascaded down.

"If I go there, I may die without a burial place."

Wei Wusheng raised his head and earnestly requested, "I pray that Your Majesty will build a cenotaph for me and bury me next to the tomb of the late Emperor's concubine, Consort Zhang."

"can."

.........

After the court session ended, the officials left the palace through a side passage and returned to their respective residences by carriage.

Sun Situ found the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Ouyang Ke.

"Lord Sun," Ouyang Ke quickly bowed.

Although Minister Sun was one of the Three Dukes, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat was the head of the Nine Ministers and the most powerful civil official. Therefore, he did not put on airs and responded politely, "Lord Ouyang."

"What is this, Situ?" Ouyang Ke asked.

With a darkening expression, Minister Sun, known for his narrow-mindedness, immediately retorted: "Does the Minister know that the top scholar was staying in my residence?"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ke couldn't help but laugh and raise his hand, saying, "Who doesn't know? Who doesn't understand?"

"Then the top scholar will go to the Ministry of Personnel to report for duty the day after tomorrow," said Minister Sun.

"What are your instructions, Minister Situ? Please speak frankly."

Ouyang Ke spoke with an extremely serious expression.

"Then I won't hide it anymore."

Remaining angry, Sun Situ said directly, "This boy is far too arrogant. On the day of his report for duty, he will definitely choose a poor and remote county as his magistrate. Since that's the case, why not send him to Cangxia to pursue his 'great ambitions'?"

Upon hearing this, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat looked around to make sure no one was watching, and then said solemnly, "I know, but the Minister of Works has never said this to me."

"I will not tell anyone about this."

The two of them reached an understanding in this way.

They then bowed to each other and parted ways.

After a while, a man who was about thirty-five years old, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and regular features walked over.

Yu Xiu, a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel.

"Master, is that Minister Sun involved with Song Shi'an?" Yu Xiuguo asked.

"He told me to assign Song Shi'an to Cangxia."

“Cangxia?” Upon hearing this, Yu Xiu muttered to himself, “And just now when we left the palace, Right Chancellor Cui requested that Song Shi’an be sent to Chong County.”

After the analysis, he asked, puzzled, "Master, what should we do?"

"Let's wait for someone from the palace to come before we talk about it."

As he spoke, Ouyang Ke prepared to get into the carriage.

Yu Xiu quickly helped him up and helped him to the carriage, asking, "Has no one from the palace come these past two days?"

"Then let's listen to Song Shi'an's opinion."

After getting into the carriage, Ouyang Ke lowered his head and stared at Yu Xiu outside. He said seriously, "Unless the palace gives orders, we should neither kill him nor protect him."

"Understood, dear teacher."

Before the departure, the curtain was drawn.

Suddenly, Ouyang Ke lifted the curtain again and said to Xiu, "But I think this person might be able to accomplish something. You can get close to him in private."

(End of this chapter)