Chapter 127: Song Shi'an, Imprisoned |
In an instant, all the escorting jailers were frightened by this scene.
They felt that in the next moment, they would be swallowed by the crowd.
Only then did the prison official realize—as a mere seventh-rank official, how could he dare arrest another seventh-rank official?
Those bigshots were making him the scapegoat!
They'd said to bring him into the city at night, masked, and deliver him to the Court of Judicial Review.
If he'd actually dared to do that, he'd truly be finished!
The common people's information network was well-informed. They knew Song Shi'an would enter the city today, but they hadn't expected him to be brought in shackled at this hour, which immediately enraged them.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xiang and Ran Jin had just ridden their horses into the city when they hastily reined them in.
"Dismount," Ran Jin said.
The victor in shackles, the defeated riding fine horses behind him—did the meritorious nobility still want any face?
"We should... enter the city at night instead."
Zhao Xiang's face was burning now, knowing what would happen if they stayed with Song Shi'an at this moment.
Even as nobility, if someone randomly threw a cabbage or rotten egg, would he dare get angry and have their whole family killed?
Anyone with the slightest sense of shame, having lost so disastrously in a war they shouldn't have lost, would know to keep face and stay low.
"So this Song Shi'an—there's no one who can kill him?" Zhao Xiang asked in surprise.
"But," Ran Jin didn't think this was necessarily good for Song Shi'an, "there are still considerable hidden dangers."
......
Once again, Xinyue witnessed the people's will.
All flowing toward Song Shi'an.
Unconsciously, a rare smile appeared on her face as she looked at Song Shi'an, only to discover his expression was unusually heavy, without a trace of joy on his face.
Was he not happy?
Holding Xinyue's small hand, Song Shi'an continued walking forward.
"If Shuofeng can't be defended, the Qi bandits will attack Sheng'an! You're arresting the hero who can resist Qi, letting a bunch of pampered wastrels earn military merit!"
"You cannot chill the hearts of brave warriors! You cannot arrest Lord Song!"
"Exactly! Just because he's different from those wine-sacks and rice-bags, you want to exclude and isolate him?"
"Those impeaching Lord Song are all wine-sacks and rice-bags!"
This was leveraging public opinion.
It wasn't a sudden improvisation—Song Shi'an had decided to do this long ago.
The benefit was that it would make the officials and the Emperor wary.
The drawback was also that it would make the officials and the Emperor wary.
But profits are always generated within risks.
Being quietly tried would indeed be very safe.
Actually, no matter what happened, Song Shi'an wouldn't die.
From the moment he held Shuofeng, his and Song Jing's wealth and honor were already decided.
That was the Emperor's will.
Minister Sun, the Prince of Jin, and some experienced bigshots all understood this point—no one was a fool.
Why there was still obstruction and resistance was because this was perfectly normal political behavior—being in that position, one had to have an attitude.
Therefore, Song Shi'an also had to have an attitude.
He was here to harvest public sentiment, to earn what he deserved.
Generally speaking, in ancient times, people who did this—if they didn't become emperor—all died badly in the end.
But the situation was different.
This was an era of division, an era of aristocratic clans. Song Shi'an wasn't playing the innocent.
Power arose through struggle.
It was simple—I'll just seize power.
As long as I'm strong enough that no one can kill me, then the popular support I have now won't need to be feared!
......
In the courtyard of the Minister's estate.
Sun Heng was now filled with anxiety.
"Father, I had the officials from the Court of Judicial Review bring Song Shi'an into the city at night, but those people didn't know how to do their jobs properly. They're bringing him in at this hour, and the whole city's common people are shouting in protest." Thinking of this, Sun Heng felt somewhat resentful.
"Would you have dared to personally arrest him yourself?"
Looking at this troublesome legitimate eldest son, Sun Yan asked somewhat speechlessly.
"Your son was also worried about affecting our Sun clan's reputation..."
Sun Heng explained in a small voice, indicating he wasn't afraid of Song Shi'an.
"If even you have such worries, would a seventh-rank prison official dare do it?" Sun Yan broke it down in one sentence.
"Then... Song Shi'an himself wanted to walk into the city in broad daylight?" Sun Heng caught on.
"Your 'scheme' actually helped him instead," Sun Yan laughed. "Now he's put himself on the fire."
"He's leveraging public opinion—is that offending His Majesty?" Sun Heng seemed to understand the reason.
"Sitting in that position, what's more frightening—aristocratic families who've hidden some population and schemed for much private property? Or a young power minister who can rouse the masses with a single call?" Sun Yan asked once more.
"Then is this Song Shi'an finished this time?"
Expectation couldn't help but appear in Sun Heng's eyes.
"Foolish."
Then he was scolded by his father again: "At this critical juncture, how could he be finished? Both he and his father will step into prominence. But at least a seed has been planted."
When heaven rages there must be rain; when man rages there must be calamity.
"Then this time, we won't make a move..."
"Foolish."
His father's rebuke came again: "Previously I told you not to move because at that time His Majesty was fishing, catching those 'spies' who spread rumors hoping our great army would lose. Now is the time for settling accounts—we definitely need to continue maintaining our stance and impeach Song Shi'an."
Having been attacked several times in succession, Sun Heng became obedient and didn't quite dare to speak anymore.
"Are you worried that if we continue going after Song Shi'an at this time, it will affect our Sun clan's prestige and cause your father to step down?"
"Your son is... somewhat worried."
"Let me tell you, it won't happen," Sun Yan said with certainty. "Throughout the entire Northern Liang war, our Sun clan did nothing wrong. Although we're being watched, at least there's nothing overtly problematic that can be picked out."
Humiliating the jieyuan—that was poor personal virtue.
Not speaking for His Majesty during court—that was stance and attitude.
Impeaching Song Shi'an—that was because the military mutiny matter truly existed, and the joint impeachment letter from Shuofeng truly existed.
Even if those wealthy families were 'truly' coerced by Zhang Wen, that was their own problem. What did Minister Sun say wrong?
Nothing at all.
"Now Song Shi'an's power has grown, and ours has weakened somewhat—that much is true. But toppling the Sun clan? Still far too early."
Sun Yan had even accepted the fact that after Song Shi'an returned, he would ruthlessly kill a wave of people. But he couldn't remain passive: "Let me tell you one more thing—impeaching Song Shi'an is fine, but don't praise the Sixth Prince. Do the latter, and that's when you're truly dead."
Impeaching Song Shi'an counted as internal struggle among officials.
But praising the Sixth Prince—that was participating in the succession struggle.
How many lives would dare do that?
"Hiss..." Hearing this, Sun Heng lowered his voice: "But those civil officials are egging Chen Kefu on to impeach Song Shi'an and praise the Sixth Prince. If he really does that, won't he be finished?"
A trace of coldness flowed through Sun Yan's eyes: "What's there to fear? If they kill him, they can't kill us."
A sacrifice!
"A second-rank military general—isn't that enough for Song Shi'an to vent his anger?"
Sun Yan had long ago strategically abandoned certain people.
This Chen Kefu, unwanted by the nobility, disdained by the aristocratic clans, with zero political acumen—wasn't he the perfect pig for slaughter?
"Father is brilliant."
Sun Heng bowed to his father, completely convinced.
Foxes—the old ones are still the craftiest.
"How is Qian'er doing in Zhang County?" Sun Yan asked.
"He was just promoted to county magistrate recently and should be returning soon." Mentioning this younger brother, Sun Heng was clearly indifferent.
"Good." A smile curved Sun Yan's lips, filled with confidence. "It's also time for us to make our move."
......
Leaning back on the dragon throne in Xuanyu Hall, the Emperor was quite calm.
"The people from the Court of Judicial Review told Song Shi'an and the others to enter the city at night. But Song Shi'an didn't comply and arrived outside the city in broad daylight," Chen Bao said.
"Whose order was that?" the Emperor asked.
"There was no written order, and Wang Chen and the others didn't stamp or sign anything," Chen Bao continued. "It was a seventh-rank prison official who sent someone to relay it verbally."
"To arrest a seventh-rank county magistrate, having a seventh-rank prison official do it—does that follow protocol?" The Emperor was displeased. "Penalize all officials of the Court of Judicial Review half a year's salary and straighten them out."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Chen Bao accepted the order.
"After entering the city, what was the common people's reaction?" the Emperor asked.
"Replying to Your Majesty, they said all sorts of things, mostly curses," Chen Bao said.
"What kind of curses?" the Emperor continued asking.
So Chen Bao selected some of the mainstream voices:
"Those who lost battles and lost cities aren't arrested, but they arrest the one who defended the city—what kind of logic is that?"
"The nobility and aristocratic families embezzled so much money and still lose year after year, yet they still get high positions and generous salaries. Song Shi'an turned the tide so powerfully, but as soon as he returns to the capital he's imprisoned—this chills loyal officials' hearts."
"In this realm, only Song Shi'an can deal with Ji Yuan. Song Shi'an cannot be killed."
"Well said," the Emperor looked at Chen Bao. "What do you think?"
"..." Chen Bao was somewhat troubled but still reluctantly opened his mouth: "No matter what, only Your Majesty can pass judgment. The voices of the common people can serve as a reference, but they cannot be the final word."
"Then Zhen will listen to the voices of the common people."
His fingers lightly tapping on the armrest, thinking of that jieyuan, the Emperor's face showed killing intent: "Jieyuan Song, being a power minister is not so easily done."
But being emperor wasn't easy either.
While he was alive, he could suppress everyone.
But after death, could the Prince of Wu do it? Could the Prince of Jin?
The image of Wusheng prostrating himself, refusing all rewards, flashed through his mind.
Could it be that Ji Yuan was right...
"Your Majesty, when shall Song Shi'an be tried?" Chen Bao asked.
"After he enters the Court of Judicial Review, begin the trial immediately."
After speaking, the Emperor added: "The Office of Imperial Clan Affairs can also simultaneously try Wusheng."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
......
The segment through the outer city that should have taken only half a shichen took nearly two shichen.
But after entering the Palace City, passage was smooth and unobstructed.
No vested interest holders would sympathize with rule-breakers.
Xinyue escorted Song Shi'an all the way to the Court of Judicial Review.
"Stop here."
Finally, the prison official stretched out his hand, telling Xinyue not to continue.
If she followed further, she'd go in and be imprisoned together.
Xinyue also released his hand, watching Song Shi'an enter the Court of Judicial Review.
Before going in, he slowly turned his head to look at that woman who rarely showed any change in expression, but when he was about to be locked up, still couldn't help but worry. He smiled: "Xinyue, you're truly wonderful."