Chapter 118: How Should Song Shi'an Be Rewarded? |
"Laoye! Laoye!"
The moment the jubilant clamor outside reached a crescendo, the prison warden hurried to Song Jing's cell in the imperial prison.
Upon seeing Song Jing, before the other could even speak, he called out joyfully from outside the bars: "Shuofeng has held!"
Song Jing froze.
Then he released a long, deep breath.
There was no joy on his face—only the relaxed relief of one who had survived a catastrophe.
And also, some lingering fear.
If they hadn't held in those final moments, if Ji Yuan had managed to breach the city, even though they'd already made considerable contributions in depleting the enemy's forces, it still wouldn't count as victory.
Defeat meant complete ruin for the Song clan.
"Song Shi'an... is he still alive?" Song Jing asked.
"The last military report said he was alive. This time there's only news of victory, and it's only been a few days—there shouldn't be any problems. Besides, commanding from within the city should be the safest position."
After saying this, he hastily added: "Of course, young Master Song's contributions cannot be erased. Apart from His Highness, he has rendered the greatest meritorious service."
Emotional intelligence matters greatly in how one speaks.
He realized his previous statement had made Song Shi'an sound like a civilian official who'd simply "reaped the rewards without effort."
"Merits and faults, right and wrong—those still need to be judged by the Court of Judicial Review and the Emperor," Song Jing said.
But to Song Jing, none of that mattered anymore.
What Song Shi'an had accomplished couldn't be erased with a few words.
He had the Emperor's guarantee. Even without witnesses, that was enough.
If someone really wanted to renege and overturn the table, what they'd be overturning wasn't just the Song clan of Huai Commandery.
It would be the Wei imperial family itself, their own realm.
"Laoye speaks truly, speaks truly."
The prison warden nodded, then bowed to Song Jing: "If there's nothing else, this humble official will take his leave."
"Warden Liu, take care," Song Jing nodded.
"This humble official takes his leave."
Warden Liu departed with a joyful expression.
In the corridor, he immediately ran into Wang Chen, the Acting Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
"Daren," the warden hurriedly bowed in greeting.
"What were you doing?" Seeing him coming from Song Jing's direction, Wang Chen's eyes narrowed slightly with a questioning air.
The warden smiled honestly: "Reporting to daren, this humble one informed Master Song of the news of Shuofeng's victory."
At these words, Wang Chen's expression darkened immediately.
The warden was so frightened he quickly wiped away his smile, his face stiffening.
"You may go," Wang Chen said dismissively.
"Yes."
"You too, I'll go alone," Wang Chen instructed his accompanying official.
The two departed together.
After glancing back and seeing Wang Chen had gone far, Warden Liu asked with some confusion: "Did I say something wrong? Daren seemed a bit angry."
"Who told you to go tell Master Song the good news about the victory?" his companion asked.
"Master Song instructed me to, and besides, Wang-daren also said to serve Master Song well and answer all his questions," Warden Liu grew even more puzzled.
"You fool." Raising a finger, his companion explained, "When news of victory arrives from outside, you go tell Master Song—who does Master Song credit for this kindness?"
"Ah—"
Warden Liu felt his scalp tingle.
"You should have told Wang-daren that Master Song asked for news from outside, but according to Court of Judicial Review protocol, this doesn't conform to regulations. So you came to ask Wang-daren how to proceed."
After hearing this, Warden Liu slapped his forehead with his palm, full of regret.
"This is why you've been stuck at rank seven for so many years. Think hard about the reason."
......
Wang Chen walked to the prison cell and gestured for the guard to unlock the door before entering.
Song Jing had just started to rise and bow when Wang Chen stepped forward, gently placing a hand on his shoulder with a light smile: "Master Song, please remain seated."
"Thank you," Song Jing returned a faint smile.
"You've heard the news of victory from outside, haven't you?" Wang Chen asked.
"That Warden Liu mentioned they seemed to be celebrating something, but I don't know the details," Song Jing asked. "Wang-daren, did we truly win?"
"Yes." Wang Chen nodded in confirmation.
"And my worthless son—is he still alive?" Song Jing asked anxiously.
"Shi'an is alive." Placing his hand on Song Jing's, he answered with certainty, "Master Song, absolutely certain."
"Then I can rest easy."
Song Jing exhaled with profound relief.
"With Shi'an returning from this, he's certain to be a pillar of the nation with an unlimited future," Wang Chen said with some emotion. "So young, so accomplished—it puts our generation to shame."
"He merely benefited from the Sixth Prince's glory and claimed some credit. Civil officials serve the state through strategy, military officers guard the borders. Compared to Wang-daren, he still cannot measure up."
"Such words shame me," Wang Chen waved his hand. "Such heavenly merit—I'll never have the chance to achieve it in my lifetime."
"He just had good fortune, that's all."
"Don't be too modest. From now on, the Song clan will surely rise rapidly," Wang Chen said quite directly. "When the time comes, if Master Song hosts any banquets, might you let me witness the bearing of our jieyuan-lang?"
"If I truly can leave this prison, I'll need to be cautious and honest in the future. How would I dare host grand banquets?" Song Jing smiled.
Declined so tactfully, Wang Chen could only smile.
"But having just endured the suffering of imprisonment, I will hold a small family banquet," Song Jing looked at him with some apology. "Nothing grand—I hope Wang-daren won't think it beneath him?"
At this, Wang Chen's smile broadened: "Wonderful, wonderful! This thick-skinned old face of mine loves nothing more than family banquets."
......
At the Sima Estate.
Sima Yu was leisurely enjoying tea in his residence when a fourth-rank official colleague from court personally arrived at his gate.
Though puzzled, since this was an old friend, he received him personally.
In the courtyard, the two savored tea together.
After dismissing the attendants, the visitor spoke: "Sima-daren, the battle's been won and that Song Shi'an will return. We're preparing to impeach him with several memorials. What say you?"
Hearing this, after a flash of hesitation, he replied self-deprecatingly: "I'm just the Director of the Imperial Observatory. My daily work is divination. My office can't even muster ten clerks. Outside this capital, not even a county magistrate takes me seriously. I'm a person of little consequence—even if I impeach him, my words carry no weight."
"Regardless, you're still fourth rank," the other insisted. "Besides, everyone plans to impeach."
"The battle was won—why impeach at all?"
"Overstepping a prince's authority, deploying troops without orders, and I heard he even promised soldiers promotions on his own authority. Even if he lives, shouldn't merit and fault offset each other? And this boy wants to implement military farming. If not in Qin Prefecture, then certainly in his home Huai Commandery. When that happens, won't we be the ones paying in money and labor?"
He spoke quite bluntly.
But Sima Yu didn't care about those fields or money at all.
He was simply thinking about how to refuse being dragged into this...
Just then, a servant suddenly arrived and reported: "Master, someone from the palace has come."
Excellent, this would let him change the subject.
What the hell!
Why is someone from the palace coming at this exact moment?!
Sima Yu felt almost desperate, but still maintained his composure, telling him: "His Majesty summons me, so let's discuss this another time."
"Since His Majesty summons you now, why not make your appeal now?" The other stood and suggested.
"His Majesty has business with me, business."
He waved his hands repeatedly, brushing the other off. Then, supported by his household servants, he left his estate.
Outside the palace, a eunuch was already waiting.
After both parties exchanged courtesies, Sima Yu boarded the carriage to the palace.
Outside the palace, he descended from the carriage and was once again led by Eunuch Chen.
The scene replicated itself.
But this time he'd learned his lesson and didn't ask questions.
After all, asking would only get cryptic riddle-like answers that made him more anxious.
Finally, at Xuanyu Hall, he met the Emperor.
The Emperor sat on the dragon throne while Sima Yu stood before him.
This time it wasn't beside the dragon couch in the inner chamber, and there was no seat for him.
"The battle was won."
Upon meeting, the Emperor opened with a smile.
"This subject congratulates Your Majesty," Sima Yu bowed with great ceremony.
"Such a victory truly deserves celebration." Leaning back on the dragon throne, the Emperor pondered before saying, "I believe everyone should be rewarded."
"Your Majesty is wise."
"Wusheng has reached this age and achieved such merit—his princely title should be properly bestowed," the Emperor asked. "What say you—should it be a single-character or double-character title?"
Currently, there were seven princes total.
Three with single-character titles, three with double-character titles.
Single-character titles were more prestigious, and among them, the great states were most prestigious of all.
Thus: Prince of Jin ranked above Prince of Wu, who ranked above Prince of Su.
If it were single-character and also a great state, wouldn't that immediately place him on par with the Prince of Wu?
This question wasn't something Sima Yu dared answer.
"Entirely at Your Majesty's discretion."
Sima Yu replied.
"Then I'll think on it further," the Emperor accepted this quite easily, then looked at him again with curiosity. "And what about Song Shi'an?"
"Entirely at Your Majesty's discretion."
Sima Yu's breathing had become somewhat unsteady.
"Having won the battle, he must certainly be enfeoffed. Wusheng will receive his princedom, Song Shi'an must be promoted as well. Otherwise, how can we reward loyal subjects?"
"Your Majesty... is brilliant."
"Yet now, all the court officials oppose Song Shi'an. It's as if this realm of Great Yu cannot accommodate this one man."
Gazing at him, the Emperor's tone grew increasingly serious: "Getting close to a prince while earning the opposition of all under heaven—could this Song Shi'an be the one from my dream, the treacherous minister who destabilizes the foundation of the state?"
"......"
Sima Yu was instantly filled with dread.
He knew it would be this question!
And it's landed on him again!
He had previously said that anyone who intended to destabilize the state's foundation and get close to a prince was the dream-fulfilling traitor.
If he's the dream-fulfilling traitor, he should be executed immediately!
So this Song Shi'an should be killed.
But why are you asking my opinion?
If I say kill him, can he actually be killed?
If I recommend execution, will the Sixth Prince ever forgive me?
And if I say don't kill him, I'm opposing all the court officials—do I have that kind of power?
Your Majesty, you can't abuse your imperial authority like this!
You're the ruler of all under heaven—you should make your own decisions!
"Sima-daren?" Seeing his prolonged silence, the Emperor pressed: "Now the state's foundation seems to be wavering. Do you think this dream-fulfilling traitor is Song Shi'an?"
He pursued the kill relentlessly.
Sima Yu knew his opinion didn't actually matter.
But if he answered wrongly, he'd be taking the blame.
So he had to guess.
Guess correctly!
"Your Majesty, the dream-fulfilling traitor may exist... but hasn't appeared yet."
After struggling, Sima Yu raised his head and answered tremulously.
"But all the officials oppose Song Shi'an, and the state's foundation is wavering," the Emperor reminded.
To this statement, Sima Yu replied excitedly in his fear: "Your Majesty, the state's foundation should not have been shaken at present... Holding Shuofeng has stabilized the state's foundation!"