Chapter 55: Returning Home, Going to the Battlefield |
The next day, the court's letter of appointment arrived.
The one for Song Shi'an as Magistrate of Shuofeng County was delivered directly to the Scholar's Inn.
And he could finally leave that place.
He was going home.
The main gate of the Song Estate was open.
Of course, during the daytime, the side gate was also open.
But Song Shi'an didn't even think about it and entered through the main gate.
"Young Master Shi'an has returned—"
The gate servant remembered Song Gan's instructions and announced his arrival warmly.
Upon hearing this news, Jiang-shi, who had already cried herself into a state, came running out and grabbed his hand: "You child, are you really trying to worry your mother to death!"
She didn't understand the court's situation, and she had even less concept of warfare, but going to the front lines at this time after a defeat—how dangerous that must be, how could she not know in her heart?
Even though Song Jing had already comforted her and analyzed some 'facts' about how it wasn't actually that dangerous.
"Mother, you must take care of your health."
Song Shi'an, who had been embraced by Jiang-shi the moment he entered the estate, held her arms with both hands and smiled.
"You are your mother's life. Now you're going to such a dangerous place, how can your mother take care?" Raising her head to look at this tall, handsome son, Jiang-shi said with a catch in her voice, "Can you really not avoid going? I heard... Shuofeng is a place where nine out of ten die."
"The appointment has already been issued. If I don't go, wouldn't that be deceiving the emperor?"
After Song Shi'an asked this in return, he leaned close to Jiang-shi's ear and said in a low voice: "Mother, the Emperor is also sending his own son there. Would he let him go to his death for nothing?"
"..."
Jiang-shi froze.
This one sentence was more useful than all of Song Jing's consolations.
When it came to her own flesh and blood, Jiang-shi found it harder to part than anyone.
Although that Sixth Prince wasn't favored, even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs.
Wasn't the Emperor's son even more 'precious' than her own?
Right, would the Emperor let his son go to his death for nothing?
"This trip is to earn merit for the Sixth Prince. So, as long as I go along, I'll be able to share in the wealth and honor." Song Shi'an continued to deceive her.
"Son, your mother doesn't need you to have wealth and honor, your mother only needs you safe and sound." Jiang-shi looked at him with extreme reluctance, still full of worry.
She knew that Song Shi'an was doing this to earn merit so that he and she could hold their heads high in the Song Estate.
But for a concubine who had nothing but her son, wealth and dignity weren't so indispensable.
"Mother, rest assured. As a civil official, I won't stick my neck out for anything. If something happens, I'll definitely shrink to the back. I'll just wait to return home safely together with the Sixth Prince."
"You must do this, you absolutely must do this, understand?"
"Your son understands. Pack up some clothes for me. Later I'll go report to the training grounds, and tomorrow I'll depart with the army."
The army's departure wouldn't wait for anyone, so generally the night before, all accompanying civil officials would lodge with the military camp.
"So soon? Then Mother will pack for you."
Seeing this, Jiang-shi hurried back to her room to pack Song Shi'an's belongings.
At this moment, he raised his head and looked toward the main residence.
Song Jing and Madam Cui were standing at the base of the steps. Madam Cui's expression was somewhat gloomy, but it was obvious she was restraining her emotions.
Beside the two of them stood Song Qin and Song Ce in silence.
That girl not yet fifteen stood there like a lackey.
Thinking about how her hand had been beaten into a pig's trotter that day and she'd been punished by kneeling in the courtyard for half the day, Song Qin's brow furrowed deeply as she glared at the instigator, extremely displeased.
I kindly passed on a message for him, and he dared to trick me!
Song Shi'an walked over and bowed to Song Jing. Because Madam Cui was standing right beside him, whether or not he showed her equal respect was extremely subtle.
Song Jing walked down, taking a few steps forward. After reaching Song Shi'an's side, he asked: "To defend Shuofeng, nothing but extreme measures will work. You must have thought of an extreme path, correct?"
"Father is wise."
Song Shi'an nodded, immediately acknowledging it.
"I won't ask what method."
Song Jing had a vague guess, but he showed no fear. Looking at this determined child, he said solemnly: "Do what you must."
The Song clan with its several hundred years of history couldn't possibly fall because of this.
"Thank you, Father."
Song Shi'an cupped his fists with both hands, his tone earnest and forceful.
He actually hadn't expected this father to 'love' him more than he'd imagined.
Because the Song clan could have remained indifferent and minimized their losses.
And with this solid promise, his determination to seek wealth and honor for the family could be a bit more firm.
"Shi'an, here are your clothes and luggage, and some medicinal salves and bandages... though you definitely won't need them."
After taking the bundle from Jiang-shi, Song Shi'an smiled gently, cupping her face with his hands and smiling quite tenderly: "Mother, I'm leaving now."
"So soon?" Jiang-shi reluctantly tried to keep him. "At least eat a meal first."
"If I go early, I can build good relationships with the soldiers." Song Shi'an said.
"That's good, get close to those military guards." Jiang-shi instructed earnestly, "In the bundle is all of Mother's savings... distribute them all to them."
After she finished speaking, Song Jing looked at him and suddenly reminded: "Captain Zhu, you can completely trust."
What did this mean?
Song Shi'an didn't quite understand. Why suddenly bring this up?
But seeing Song Jing's somewhat subtle expression of disdain for his 'slowness,' he had a sudden realization.
Oh, he'd been bribed!
That's settled then. With Forbidden Army guards, I can feel even more at ease about taking risks.
"Your son understands. Father, Mother, I'm leaving."
After saying this final sentence, Song Shi'an was finally about to depart.
However, before leaving, he beckoned to Song Qin and Song Ce.
The two of them walked over with confused expressions.
Suddenly, a pair of hands pulled them together.
One on the left, one on the right, Song Shi'an's hands resting on their shoulders, he said gently: "Big brother will always love you."
"..."
Both Song Jing and Madam Cui were dumbfounded.
And the hearts of these siblings skipped a beat in unison.
Abruptly, they felt inexplicably moved.
Clearly their relationship hadn't been that good before—in fact, they were barely even acquainted—but this sudden statement forcibly twisted that familial bond into an invisible thread...
The moment he released them and turned around, the bewildered dragon-phoenix twins suddenly felt guilty attachment.
Silly children, you've read too little family literature.
The moment he stepped out of the family gate, Song Shi'an's mood completely emptied.
It was like a fish entering the vast sea, a bird soaring into the azure sky, free from the restraints of nets and cages.
Wei Wusheng, I'm coming.
………
Imperial City Military Camp.
Commander of the Five Offices' headquarters.
Money, cloth, and rice—nearly a hundred boxes in total—had been transported here by Zhao Yi the previous night under the guise of routine supply transport.
He then explained to Wei Wusheng that this was military provisions the Prince of Wu had raised using the Prince's Estate's family wealth, gifted to him to reward the families of the departing soldiers. He hoped he wouldn't inform His Majesty, and if asked, he should say it was donated by a patriotic wealthy merchant who sought no reward.
Looking at these provisions, Wei Wusheng was silent for a long time.
"What is the Prince of Wu's intent in this?" Xinyue didn't understand.
"Fourth Brother is making a show for His Majesty, trying to compete for reputation." Wei Wusheng said with amusement.
"Then how does doing it secretly compete for reputation?"
"His Majesty's Jinyiwei are spread throughout the entire city. Could he not know about nearly a hundred boxes of military supplies being transported to the barracks?"
Wei Wusheng had long seen through his two brothers' personalities.
One was dignified, the other virtuous.
But regardless of which one, he couldn't afford to offend either.
"I'll submit a secret memorial to His Majesty, reporting this matter truthfully. Of course, I'll also convey Fourth Brother's instruction not to leak this."
"Your Highness, it seems the Prince of Wu intends to win you over." Xinyue reminded.
"Fourth Brother gifted these for two reasons: first, for reputation; second, in case I have even the slightest chance of returning, I might become part of the Wu Prince faction."
Slowly turning his head to look at Xinyue, Wei Wusheng said resolutely: "But we are loyal only to His Majesty, belonging to no faction or clique."