Although this was precisely Minister Sun's objective, the Sun Estate truly experienced an earthquake that day.
Everyone was in a state of extre tension, terrified of saying sothing wrong and being beaten to death with clubs.
What was originally supposed to be Sun Jinhu's groom selection day had devolved into a complete farce.
After going to comfort her father, having a heart-to-heart with her mother, and listening to the teachings of her two older brothers, Sun Jinhu was finally able to return to her chambers.
The mont she rounded the privacy screen and entered her inner room, the ladylike deanor she'd maintained completely relaxed. She directly drew a slender sword from the weapon rack and began dancing with it like a graceful immortal.
The blade sliced through the air as her accompanying maid hurriedly dodged, skillfully evading each potentially sweeping strike while anxiously and innocently advising: "Miss, please stop practicing with swords. The Minister has repeatedly instructed... secretly transporting these weapons from Yangzhou is already a cri of deception."
After playing around in quite a relaxed and cheerful manner, the smile on Sun Jinhu's face dropped all pretense.
Seeing her display such an expression, Awu nervously said again: "About this betrothal being ruined... Miss, you mustn't show happiness about it in front of others."
"Of course not. During our talk just now, Mother even comforted ."
Sun Jinhu was very satisfied with her own 'forbearance.'
So much so that her father believed she had quit practicing martial arts and discovered the beauty of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
In reality, over these years at ho she'd only learned that one lody, "Erging Lotus."
If anyone asked her to perform two pieces, she'd be completely exposed.
"But Miss, among those sub-yuan candidates, you must have at least slightly favorable feelings toward one of them, right?" Awu asked.
"All the young masters are outstanding talents among n. What right do I have to judge likes and dislikes?"
"Miss, I an the one you actually like," Awu said. "Setting aside that obviously obsequious Han Zhongchen, there's Master Fan Wuji—he ranked third in the examination, he's the legitimate eldest son of his family, and his father is a general. No matter how you look at it, his future is incredibly bright. Do you truly have no thoughts about him at all?"
After Awu finished this lengthy speech, Sun Jinhu suddenly began humming the tune of "Erging Lotus" while swinging her sword again.
Playing deaf.
Seeing this, Awu tentatively tried again: "What about Song Shi'an then? Although he's the jieyuan and fairly handso—just a bit less refined than Master Qian—he's so arrogant and has offended the Sun clan. I'm afraid his future won't be good..."
"Please, sir, ascend Cloud Pavilion for a mont."
The dancing sword stopped. Gripping its hilt, she extended it straight forward, gazing ahead. Thinking of everything at the banquet, Sun Jinhu's eyes held not a trace of 'family grudge' hostility. She even unconsciously smiled faintly: "If this scholar becos a marquis commanding ten thousand households, then what?"
Awu was completely alard: "No, Miss, you—"
………
"Brother Jingxiu, you actually did such a bold thing!"
After Song Shi'an wandered around and returned to the inn, Wang Shuishan—who had already heard all these 'stories'—was completely dumbfounded by his close friend.
How could soone be this audacious?
"You must have been drunk, right?"
Standing by the bed, looking at him as he lay there picking up a novel to read, Wang Shuishan said anxiously.
"Lang liquor is indeed fragrant and potent. It does go to one's head a bit."
Song Shi'an smiled, speaking in a dazed manner.
"Minister Sun truly ca with hostile intent, wanting to thoroughly suppress you. But why did you actually confront him head-on?" Wang Shuishan asked, puzzled.
"Because the Emperor needs a sword."
Song Shi'an's expression slowly changed from casual teasing to solemn and serious: "So I'll serve as that sword for him."
"So Minister Sun's objective really is as we speculated—resisting military farming?"
Wang Shuishan found it sowhat hard to believe, saying in confusion: "Although Minister Sun is ranked among the Three Excellencies, anyone with eyes knows this position is essentially ceremonial. His actual power is less than when he held one of the Nine Ministers positions, and even less than the various generals appointed by the Qin Prefecture ritorious nobility. Being this the case, how dare he directly resist His Majesty's imperial authority?"
"That's precisely the crux of the matter."
Song Shi'an sat up, pointing at him and saying: "When Great Yu was founded, it relied on the Qin Prefecture nobility for warfare and the Sun clan of Yangzhou joining the alliance. But now, all power in the realm is in the hands of the ritorious nobility. Though the aristocratic clans have grown stronger, they're not limited to just Minister Sun's family—he's rely their leader."
"Indeed." Wang Shuishan nodded. "Those nobility not only control the court's military power, but can be said to each possess elite private armies numbering from several thousand to over ten thousand, passed down through generations. Compared to status, the actual power the Minister possesses is still far too little."
"He could tolerate it before because His Majesty was young, divinely martial and powerful, capable of personally leading campaigns with many victories."
When speaking these treasonous words, Song Shi'an cautiously lowered his voice: "But now, His Majesty is old."
Swallowing audibly, Wang Shuishan quietly speculated: "Minister Sun is taking advantage of His Majesty's age and Ji Yuan taking advantage of the internal chaos to invade from the south, trying to seize so power..."
"Opposing military farming serves two purposes. First, to protect his own interests. Second, to bargain."
Song Shi'an had long since figured out what Minister Sun wanted.
Take the simplest example.
As the leader of the southern aristocratic clans, since the dynasty's founding, the Sun clan hadn't produced a single empress.
Basically all ca from the Qin Prefecture nobility.
There was only one exception—when an emperor wanted to suppress the consort families and nobility, he chose a commoner empress.
The current wife of the Prince of Jin, who might inherit the throne, was also from the nobility clique.
How exaggerated was the nobility clique?
That famous losing general Xia Chun—never won a battle, never had his position reduced.
"Then will His Majesty... yield power to the aristocratic clans?" Wang Shuishan asked.
"That's where the use of my sword cos in."
Opportunities create heroes—this was absolutely true.
If Song Shi'an didn't make a scene, if he didn't stick his neck out, then he would miss this best opportunity.
Of course, if the land reform failed, his own head would definitely fly imdiately.
The entire Song clan would be implicated.
At that point, the Emperor absolutely wouldn't protect him.
So what?
Coming to this world, Song Shi'an sought wealth and honor.
Wang Shuishan, fully enlightened, looked toward Song Shi'an with so shock, already unable to speak.
"Oh right, Shuishan, you're supposed to report for duty tomorrow, aren't you?"
Suddenly rembering sothing, Song Shi'an said with a smile.
Wang Shuishan, his face solemn, spoke in a wooden tone: "You should focus on your own future first."
………
Xuanqing Hall.
The place where the Emperor cultivated himself.
Leaning back on the dragon throne, Emperor Yu rested his hands loosely in front of him with eyes closed, nurturing his spirit.
Beside him, Eunuch Chen reported truthfully.
"The Prince of Zhongping went as well?"
The Emperor slowly opened his eyes and asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What do you make of it?" The Emperor looked at him. "Chen Bao."
After being asked, Chen Bao also raised his head, speculating: "Perhaps Minister Sun heard so whispers about the northern campaign situation?"
"Of course, his intelligence won't be much slower than Zhen's."
"Then his aning should be clear." After making his judgnt, Chen Bao lowered his head.
"If he truly wants it, Zhen must also give it."
Rubbing his thumb, the Emperor said calmly.
"Your Majesty, what about the jieyuan?" Chen Bao asked earnestly.
"When does he report for duty?"
"Your Majesty, the twentieth of the sixth month."
After brief contemplation, he raised a finger: "Go on that day and give him so guidance."
Chen Bao lowered his head: "As you command."
The Emperor turned back, his finger gently tapping on the dragon-head armrest: "Don't let him die."
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