Chapter 1082: Chapter 1081: The Duke’s Plan
If they don’t contain him now, when Song Chongjin truly becos a Scholar and captures the attention of the current tis, it’s possible they won’t be able to control him anymore. After all, the civil and military are distinct, and those scholars, as different as they may be, when it cos to dealing with military generals, they act in unison.
If it were possible, he wouldn’t want to do it this way either, as it hurts the father-son relationship too much.
But is there any other choice? Outsiders see the Duke Weiguo Residence as flourishing, deeply trusted by the Emperor, a pillar of the state.
The family mbers, one by one, only know how to enjoy the present conveniences of the Duke’s Mansion, not seeing the crisis behind this splendor.
The world has been stable for a long ti, and he has already noticed that the current Emperor has begun to favor civil over military affairs. Not to ntion anything else, in recent years, most of those promoted by His Majesty the Emperor have been civil officials.
For example, Zhu Haoran, who entered the court as an official just a few years ago, but his promotion speed is alarmingly fast, even without achieving any major rits, and now he stands nearly as high as those like him who have experienced nurous battles and galloped in the battlefield.
Of course, the Emperor, in appearance, still treats these veteran ministers and the old companions by his side quite favorably.
But Song Hong has already sensed the crisis.
As long as he is around, the Emperor, rembering past kindness and the rits he has achieved, allows the Duke Weiguo Residence to stand firm and unhard.
But if he’s gone, what will happen to the Duke Weiguo Residence? Will they just watch as the title of Duke Weiguo fades into silence in the next generation’s hands, ultimately becoming a third or fourth-rate noble title?
Song Hong certainly does not want that!
He wishes for the Song Family to remain glorious forever, at least becoming a century-old noble family!
After pondering for a long ti, he planned a path for the Song Family — converting from martial to literary pursuits!
Let the next generation focus on academics; with him watching over, as long as one among them can excel in studies and beco a Scholar, with proper managent, they can secure a footing in the court. With several generations of cultivation, even if there is temporary silence, they ultimately won’t depart from the center of the court.
His plan was good, but when he assessed his sons, he felt heartbroken.
In the past, he was solely focused on achieving rit and career success and hardly disciplined his sons. Now, desiring to educate them, he finds it already too late.
Besides Song Chongjin, he has five sons; the Eldest Brother, now 17, has married and had a child, but still relies on him, securing a minor position in the Imperial Forest Guard.
The others are neither accomplished in civil nor military, except for the youngest, Laowu, who looks smart but is still too young to predict his future.
Song Hong worries daily about the lack of successors for the Duke Weiguo Residence; how can this be resolved? He had promised his father on his deathbed to strive to ensure the Duke Weiguo’s prosperity for a hundred years!
Must he strive to live past a hundred years himself?
So the ergence of Song Chongjin gave Song Hong hope.
Not to ntion, Song Chongjin is not like the other children at ho, who’ve never tasted hardship. He was able to rise from such an environnt and beco a Scholar, largely with his own capability and that unyielding spirit.
The children at ho lack exactly that due diligence and drive.
But these children have been softened by riches; trying to temper them might only cost their lives instead of bad habits.
Privately, these children have grown under his watch, indulged into their current state, partly with his implied consent; he can’t bear to let them suffer hardship.
However, Song Chongjin has already been trained, perhaps because of the bloodline he shares with the Qi Family, not only excelling in martial arts but also becoming a Scholar, and now even a Graduate. Doesn’t this indicate his extraordinary talent?
The Song Family currently lacks exactly such a next generation.
If Song Chongjin were to be recognized and return to his roots, suppress his sharpness first, then properly educate him, let him understand the glory and responsibility of being part of the Song Family.
After further honing him, revealing his painstaking efforts to Song Chongjin, whether Song Chongjin aims for the position of Duke Weiguo or the honor of the family, he would inevitably strive with all his might for both.
With Song Chongjin present, and leaving so contingency plans, it’s at least ensured that the Song Family will be trouble-free for twenty years.
If Song Chongjin were to gain fortune in the future and catch the eye of the next Emperor, then the Song Family could once again shine brightly for another generation.
Song Hong could hardly contain his excitent at his own plans, unexpectedly blessed by heaven, recognizing the plight of the Song Family, and sending Song Chongjin over.
Therefore, the first step is to dampen Song Chongjin’s spirit, so he faces difficulties in the Capital City, to make him realize that this place is not a small county like Jing County.
To stand out, to gain respect, to rise above others, to achieve success; only his biological father can provide this for him!
Thus, even upon learning that Song Chongjin’s family had arrived in the Capital City, that they were staying in an inn, and that Song Chongjin was searching for a house, he rely watched coldly from the sidelines.
If Song Chongjin doesn’t taste hardship and hit so obstacles, how would he recognize the value of his father’s rare assistance?
Providing help in tis of need is far more profound than adding embellishnts to celebrations.
Yet Song Hong didn’t expect Song Chongjin to have such a good relationship with that Gu Family lad, who unreservedly introduced people and connections to Song Chongjin.
Moreover, Song Chongjin’s countryside maid he married also connected with that young man from the Lee Family, helping them smoothly purchase a house and settle down.
Watching Song Chongjin gradually establish his roots in the Capital City bit by bit, Song Hong panicked and worried.
If he didn’t show up now, perhaps once Song Chongjin truly becos a Scholar, he would be even harder to control.
After contemplating for several days, Song Hong swallowed his pride and took the initiative to co forward.
Witnessing Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu’s estranged deanor, his heart turned cold, realizing his previous plans might be scrapped.
After hesitating for a mont, Song Hong spoke, “Since you’ve co to the Capital City, right at the door of the ho, you should co back to the residence and et the other elders. I’ve already inford the clan; with this visit, you will be recognized and brought back to the family, added to the genealogy. Your mother’s na too, will be written in, and after the New Year, she will be moved to the Song Family’s ancestral grave, preventing her from being alone in Jing County—”
Not to ntion Song Chongjin, even Wang Yongzhu was almost amused out of anger by Song Hong’s shaless words.
Who gave him the courage and face to utter such words?
A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Song Chongjin’s downcast eyes but quickly subsided; he stood up, expressionless, and said, “Where do such words co from, Lord Duke? I rember we made everything clear back in Qi City! Although I am newly arrived in the Capital City, I’ve heard people ntion that Lord Duke has many children under his knee, all in filial piety and harmony, wives virtuous and concubines beautiful; truly a harmonious family. Why would you think about bringing an unrelated son back?”
“Moreover, I am but a humble rustic, ignorant of the rites, unworthy of associating with such a noble as Lord Duke, nor do I dare visit the Duke’s Mansion, for fear of offending the noble patron there! I beseech Lord Duke to speak prudently!”
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