Chapter 52: Wei Wusheng, Song Shi'an |
Those who truly want to win don't have smiles on their faces.
Of course, it's just a little game—no need to get worked up over it.
But Zhao Yi and Ye Changqing were both genuinely shocked.
The content of their wager had actually been rather abstract.
Zhao Yi had said that Song Shi'an would definitely earn political achievements for the county magistrate, but would never go to Cangxia.
As long as he didn't go to Cangxia, Zhao Yi would win.
Conversely, Ye Changqing had said that Song Shi'an would definitely gamble his life for wealth and status, so he would certainly go to Cangxia.
Shuofeng.
Technically speaking, with this option appearing, Ye Changqing should be counted as the winner.
After coming to his senses, he quickly moved to the Prince of Wu's side to see the intelligence report with his own eyes.
"Does this prince not know how to read?"
The Prince of Wu looked at the disbelieving Ye Changqing and retorted sarcastically.
"This subordinate doesn't mean that, but..." Pointing at the characters on the paper, Ye Changqing had even sobered up somewhat. "Your Highness, is this even possible?"
Wasn't this utterly absurd?
"Are you certain?"
The Prince of Wu also felt this was somewhat ridiculous and looked toward the eunuch.
"Your Highness, it's absolutely true. This slave confirmed it many, many times. The rankings should already be posted at the Secretariat by now." The eunuch said with certainty.
"Then it must be true." Zhao Yi nodded.
An official announcement couldn't possibly be wrong.
Even if an official announcement was wrong, they'd have to stick with the mistake.
"This is truly..." After slowly accepting this reality, the Prince of Wu sighed. "Truly, the younger generation is to be feared."
"Your Highness, gentlemen, there's also a poem." The eunuch spoke again. "This slave heard it on the way back—it was recited by Song Shi'an during his appointment ceremony."
Hearing this, Ye Changqing was extremely interested and raised his hand. "Then let us appreciate the jieyuan's talent."
The eunuch smiled faintly and nodded in response.
Noticing the eunuch's expression, Zhao Yi lowered his head and took a sip of chilled wine.
Although he was a eunuch of the Prince of Wu's household, he was still considered someone from the palace.
For a non-imperial family member to "order him around" like this was indeed somewhat improper.
But Ye Changqing was inherently unrestrained, and after drinking, he had become even more unruly...
As long as the Prince of Wu didn't mind, it was fine.
Slowly, the eunuch recited: "The bright moon rises over Tianshan, vast among the sea of clouds. The long wind blows for tens of thousands of li, passing through Tongmen Pass."
After finishing the recitation, Zhao Yi, who was savoring it carefully, slowly nodded. "I've been to Tongmen Pass. This poem truly suits the scene."
"Bangyan-lang, give us your evaluation of this poem." The Prince of Wu teased Ye Changqing.
Both men were juren.
Among them, Ye Changqing had even passed the jinshi examination, ranking second as bangyan.
Among the current second generation, he was absolutely outstanding in terms of talent.
"How should I evaluate it?"
Ye Changqing smiled, then said without hesitation: "After reading that piece 'An Exhortation to Learning,' I said long ago that Song Shi'an would definitely pass the jinshi examination."
Ye Changqing simply felt that Song Shi'an was his alternate self in another world.
"Then I'll guess that he won't pass the jinshi examination." Zhao Yi spoke calmly.
Ye Changqing immediately retorted: "You military brute, yet you're evaluating lyrical compositions and essays..."
"Will he even have the life to return and take the jinshi examination?"
Slowly raising his head, Zhao Yi's single statement made everyone fall silent.
The atmosphere also became somewhat oppressive.
It wasn't until a moment later that Ye Changqing initiated conversation again.
Of course, he skipped over the well-worn topic of death.
"If Song Shi'an and the Sixth Prince manage to hold the city and return to the capital, he'll truly be unstoppable."
"Indeed, such military merit would be enough to propel Song Shi'an directly into the court. Of course, that's only if he played the primary role." Zhao Yi said.
"If he can return, he certainly will have." Ye Changqing judged. "The Sixth Prince has never participated in state affairs or political matters. This thousand-man imperial guard unit might be usable by him. But Shuofeng's garrison commander and strategists have almost no connection to His Highness whatsoever. Song Shi'an must have seized upon the fact that His Highness has no one available to use, while his own background is clean—as long as he has His Highness's trust, he can quickly seize significant power."
A rank-seven county magistrate was fucking useless.
But if he's the prince's only trusted confidant, then he becomes the only blade.
After speaking, Ye Changqing, who felt Song Shi'an was his "alternate self in another world," added: "From our perspective, Song Shi'an is going to his death, and he himself must certainly know this in his heart. But even so, he won't entrust his life to someone else's hands."
"Indeed, if he must die, he'll die for himself." Zhao Yi agreed.
"If Wusheng can return alive, he should be enfeoffed as a prince as well."
It wasn't that the title of prince was particularly important—after all, for imperial sons, not being enfeoffed as princes would be strange.
It was just that since His Majesty was using him, the prejudice against Wusheng couldn't be too deliberate.
Sacrificing Wusheng was "complying with" the people's will; naturally, rewarding Wusheng would also need to comply with the people's will.
"If he can return, then the military funds we donated will have been put to great use." Zhao Yi evaluated.
Ye Changqing smiled. "Perhaps we can make him part of the Wu Prince faction."
"But what if he sides with the Prince of Jin instead?"
Once the Prince of Wu asked this question, the three of them gradually fell into silence.
Together, they looked toward the door.
If he sided with the Prince of Jin, then they would have completely lost.
………
At Hening Palace, Wei Wusheng was having his armor fitted by serving maids.
At this moment, Xinyue entered from outside the hall and stood beyond the screen, waiting.
"Xinyue, wait a moment." Wei Wusheng said from behind the screen.
After a while, Wei Wusheng—wearing golden scale armor, iron boots, and a copper-wire gold-inlaid crown on his head, his hand resting on a sword at his waist—walked out with resounding clang clang footsteps, carrying a trace of confident smile as he asked: "How do I look in this outfit? Do I look like a general?"
"Does Your Highness want to hear pleasant words?" Xinyue asked calmly.
"You're certainly more sophisticated in your speech than before."
Wei Wusheng was gratified that she hadn't directly told the truth, but still found it somewhat tragicomic. "Fine, then tell me honestly."
"You look like some wealthy young master from the capital playing at being a general."
"..."
Such a sharp assessment wounded Wei Wusheng deeply, and he couldn't help but protest: "I've ridden horses and practiced archery since childhood, and I can lift heavy objects—yet I'm only the same as those wastrels?"
"Your Highness should kill a few more people and that will be fine."
Xinyue suggested.
With her putting it this way, Wei Wusheng roughly understood. Then, recalling the scene when he'd met the Duke of Li earlier, he sighed: "Perhaps I really do need to see some bloodshed. When I was young, every time I saw the Duke of Li and looked at that scar on his face, I'd feel a chill run through me and be terrified... I think that's what makes the bearing of a great general."
Xinyue didn't respond, only listening expressionlessly.
"By the way, what did you come to say?" Wei Wusheng asked.
"Your Highness, Song Shi'an is going to Shuofeng as county magistrate."
"..."
Wei Wusheng froze, unable to react for a long moment.
And when he finally belatedly processed this information, his face broke into a smile as he said excitedly and joyfully: "Is he going for my sake?"
"Unknown, but the appointment has already been issued."
Seeing the Sixth Prince getting overexcited, Xinyue couldn't help but remind him: "But this subordinate believes Your Highness, as an imperial prince, should maintain some nobility and dignity."
The Sixth Prince was already looked down upon; if he lacked authority as well, he wouldn't be able to command his subordinates.
His hand gripping the sword trembled. After taking a deep breath, Wei Wusheng calmed his emotions, then smiled and asked: "Now, do I look more noble and dignified?"
"Forgive this subordinate's bluntness, but you still look very happy."
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