Chapter 86: Song Shi'an's First Blood |
Although they were "protesting," when corvée labor time came, the moat outside the city still had to be dug.
Thus, all the soldiers and laborers outside the southern gate witnessed His Highness leading a group of shabbily dressed noble clan members back into the city.
At this moment, Ran Jin, who was supervising the city defenses, looked over with considerable emotion at this sight.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xiang, who had been demoted to a common soldier, lay on the ground, uninterested in anything.
"I advised you earlier to confiscate all the grain from those noble clans, but you declined, saying there was no need to offend them. Yet after just one fundraising campaign, why didn't you think of such a method?" Although Ran Jin was Zhao Xiang's deputy general, both were meritorious nobles and marquises, so there wasn't much of a superior-subordinate distinction between them.
"Does this mean we won't offend them?" Zhao Xiang retorted.
"If you're afraid of offending them, that would offend these people and displease all the aristocratic families," Ran Jin said. "But setting a trap like this, with proper reasoning and evidence, they can only accept their losses. The other aristocratic families have even less to say. This is what you call scheming."
Hearing this, Zhao Xiang sat up, somewhat puzzled: "Wusheng—is he really that kind of scheming person?"
Seeing how he'd already gone somewhat mad, Ran Jin coldly rebuked: "Shut your mouth."
Ran Jin shook his head: "I don't know, but one person couldn't pull it off alone."
Receiving this answer, Zhao Xiang slowly clenched his fists, grinding his teeth: "Was it also him who taught them to humiliate me the other day?"
————
After Wei Wusheng brought the noble clans back into the city, he was greeted with cheers throughout the entire city.
Wherever they passed, the common people sincerely prostrated themselves in worship.
And the shabby appearance of these noble clans also gave the commoners a good laugh.
This time, not only did they obtain enormous practical benefits, but they also completed a political performance that greatly rallied the people's hearts.
It allowed everyone to become "of one mind."
Just like Zhuge Liang's governance of Shu.
The common people don't resent having little, but rather resent inequality.
Since His Highness could keep his word, then enforcing orders and prohibitions was inevitable.
"Let's not discuss this matter further. Have everyone intensify the construction of the city defenses."
Wei Wusheng ordered.
Thus, Qin Kuo parted ways with him to personally command and mobilize the people.
These noble clans were also separately escorted back to their estates by soldiers.
In the end, only Duke Zhang's family remained—over a dozen people.
"Your Highness, may I see Song Shi'an?" Duke Zhang calmly requested of Wei Wusheng.
"Then Duke Zhang, what do you wish to say?"
Wei Wusheng asked teasingly.
"This old fool wishes to ask about some matters."
Duke Zhang slowly bowed.
"Well, that's perfect—he's at your house, waiting for you." Wei Wusheng said with a smile.
"At this old fool's home?"
Only after the puzzled Duke Zhang returned to his estate with his family did he discover that the grain had long been moved out, and not a single servant remained in the house.
Zhang Ting looked around at the emptiness, feeling terrified, stammering: "Is... is there an ambush?"
Hearing his son's idiotic words, Duke Zhang felt even more desperate.
"The eleven hundred servants from the noble clans have all been conscripted into military service to participate in constructing city defenses and doing laundry and cooking," Wei Wusheng explained quite magnanimously. "As for Duke Zhang and his family, three rooms will suffice. The rest will be temporarily requisitioned by the military. When the Qi bandits retreat, the soldiers will also withdraw."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Duke Zhang no longer had any thoughts of resistance.
Now, he had nothing left.
Everything could only be placed in the hope that the city could hold.
If they lost, then they lost.
Finally, the group reached the main hall.
And in the hall, Song Shi'an had already been waiting, his face relaxed.
"All of you, stay outside."
After giving these instructions to his family members, who looked as if they were at a funeral, Duke Zhang walked in alone.
Since Song Shi'an had no one beside him, and there was a slight possibility that Duke Zhang might suddenly draw a knife and stab him, plus he was somewhat curious, Wei Wusheng also walked in with Xinyue.
Four people, in the great hall.
Family members and soldiers remained outside at some distance.
Upon seeing Song Shi'an, Duke Zhang became thoroughly agitated, pounding his walking stick forcefully on the ground, making thumping sounds: "Young man, things shouldn't be done this way!"
"Why not?" Song Shi'an countered. "What flaw is there in this affair?"
"You made a promise to me, then deliberately broke your word. Who will dare trust you in the future?" Duke Zhang demanded.
"Duke Zhang, do you trust me?"
Song Shi'an shook his head, exposing the truth: "No, you don't trust me—you simply had no other path to take. Someone as wise as Duke Zhang naturally understands that in court intrigue and scheming, there has never been such a thing as trust. There is only exchanging power for power. Tomorrow, with the other aristocratic families, if I have power, they will naturally trust me. Likewise, others are the same with me—if they hold power, I can only trust them."
To give a simple example.
Under heaven, no one dares not to trust the current emperor.
Because he firmly controls that power.
Of course, this power needs to be earned through one's own capabilities.
The emperor also dedicated most of his life to it.
"You've cut off all your paths like this—what will you do in the future?" Duke Zhang asked again. "Does your Song clan not need acceptance from other great clans? Acting this way, cutting yourself off from all the aristocratic families of the realm—is this good?"
"What do my actions have to do with my father?" Song Shi'an laughed. "He's the family head now. If the Song clan isn't trusted, that's definitely because he didn't work hard enough."
When he said this, even Wei Wusheng almost couldn't maintain his composure.
But as an imperial prince, he still maintained his dignity.
"Young man, this is wrong!"
Duke Zhang raised his walking stick, pointing at Song Shi'an, completely disapproving of such excessively novel thinking.
"It was Duke Zhang who bribed, it was the garrison officers who accepted bribes, and the soldiers also received punishment—what's wrong?" Song Shi'an inquired.
"You can fool the commoners with this, but who would believe it!"
"Duke Zhang, your belief doesn't matter, and their belief doesn't matter either."
In response, Song Shi'an smiled faintly: "When His Majesty sees that Shuofeng has held, he will forgive everything."
This statement was the truly heart-piercing remark.
Indeed, compared to the meritorious nobility, the aristocratic families of Northern Liang and even Liang Prefecture were still too insignificant.
Their power was limited to this area.
If they caused no ripples, wanting the emperor to take their every word to heart would be too presumptuous.
"You've won this time."
Grinding his teeth, Duke Zhang glared at Song Shi'an with eyes wide: "But you won't always win! You will lose eventually! When you lose, will you regret having cut off all your paths so thoroughly!"
"Well, we'll talk about that when I lose."
Song Shi'an's pupils were like still water, without any ripples.
Taking a long breath and pounding his chest, Duke Zhang was already powerless against such a madman.
Just then, a military officer suddenly entered to report: "Your Highness, there's trouble."
Everyone looked at him in unison.
Duke Zhang also slowly turned to look.
"What is it?" Wei Wusheng said. "Speak directly."
After hesitating briefly, the officer said: "Among the noble clans, someone has voluntarily confessed to reduce their bribery charges, admitting that they signed a joint petition."
Hearing this, Duke Zhang broke into a smile, even laughing aloud: "Ha ha ha."
Song Shi'an's heart suddenly trembled.
"What petition?" Wei Wusheng also asked alertly.
Then the officer said: "The noble clans jointly submitted a petition impeaching County Magistrate Song for insti... instigating Your Highness to launch the Langya military mutiny. They are the main power holders in Shuofeng City below Your Highness."
With these words spoken, Wei Wusheng immediately became furious.
And he also panicked on the spot.
Xinyue was the same, nervously looking at Song Shi'an, whose pupils trembled, his expression solemn.
These words were the truth—everyone knew it.
But a joint petition was different.
This meant these people were willing to bear full responsibility to impeach this matter.
Moreover, they were all people from within Shuofeng City.
Their words carried more credibility than others.
Of course, this matter had no impact on the current defense of Shuofeng.
But the aftermath would be different.
This meant Wei Wusheng had no way to shield Song Shi'an as much as possible.
This window paper had been torn.
If it was a crime, Song Shi'an was guilty of heinous offenses.
If it was merit, Song Shi'an's achievements would be world-shaking.
But would the emperor not be wary of someone whose achievements shook the world, who would stop at nothing to establish merit?
"Ah, did you think that by having His Highness keep you in your county magistrate position without promotion, you could slightly conceal your prominence?"
Duke Zhang became the one speaking lightly, raising his finger at the panicking Song Shi'an: "Young man, let me teach you something. Never think you're smarter than others."
"Quickly go retrieve that person! If you encounter them, you can kill them on the spot!" Wei Wusheng immediately ordered.
"Yes!"
Then the officer hurried to execute the order.
But finding a needle in a haystack—the possibility of finding them was essentially nil.
Sanming isn't here...
Looking back, Song Shi'an realized this problem.
Turning his head back, Duke Zhang, like a victor, assumed that smug expression again: "Let me teach you one more thing—if you kill everyone who impeaches you, you're essentially confirming this matter."
Slowly, Song Shi'an raised his head, looking at the smiling old man, and calmly spoke: "Old bastard, you really enjoy teaching people."
Then he raised his hand: "Bring Zhang Ting over."
"..." Duke Zhang's expression froze as he saw a soldier drag his second son before him, pressing him to kneel on the ground.
Duke Zhang looked up, glaring at him: "What are you going to do?"
"I'll also teach you something."
Song Shi'an walked behind the trembling Zhang Ting, looking at Duke Zhang, coldly saying: "The pain of losing a son."
As soon as the words fell, Song Shi'an directly drew the sword from Xinyue's waist and slashed Zhang Ting's throat from behind with one stroke.
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