Song Hong heard these words and didn’t speak for quite so ti. After a while, he slowly sighed, revealing a look of fatigue: "I know, you resent —"
Song Chongjin’s lips curled into a sarcastic arc but he said nothing.
Wang Yongzhu silently remarked to himself, so the Lord Duke does have so self-awareness.
Song Hong’s words elicited no response, and the room remained silent.
He took a deep breath, looking out the window, his tone turning sowhat lancholy: "I have wronged you, I have wronged your mother! It’s right for you to resent , to hate ! Yet, now I only wish to compensate you, nothing more."
"I want you to recognize your ancestral roots for your own good. You are still young. Do you really think becoming a Graduate or even a Scholar is sothing remarkable? That’s simply a joke! Even if you beco a Scholar, you must know that only the top three can enter the Hanlin Academy. The second and third ranks must undergo selection to beco an Imperial Scholar at the Hanlin Academy."
"An Imperial Scholar must endure three years at the Hanlin Academy, take exams, and only those with excellent results can stay on as an Editorial Secretary or Reviewer. The rest will be sent to serve as Chief of Affairs in the six ministries or as an Imperial Censor. The less fortunate are assigned official duties in various places."
"Surely you know that since the previous dynasty, the tradition has been that only Scholars enter the Hanlin Academy, and only those from the Hanlin Academy enter the Cabinet. If you truly wish to achieve sothing, you must enter the Hanlin."
"But do you know what rank an Editorial Secretary of the Hanlin Academy is? The seventh rank! Nationwide, every three years there is an examination, producing at least a hundred Scholars. With so many monks and too little gruel, positions are limited. You want to climb up? So do others! Many ambitious students like you endure years, even decades, in the Hanlin Academy, yet remain rely Editorial Secretaries."
At this point, Song Hong retracted his gaze, looking sharply at Song Chongjin: "Are you willing to endure decades of struggle just to remain a re seventh-rank Editorial Secretary in the Capital City? As they say, at the gates of the Pri Minister, you’ll find seventh-rank officials. Not to ntion among the Imperial Relatives, noble families like the Princes’ Mansions or Duke’s Mansions, where even a Steward would have more influence than an Editorial Secretary."
"In the Capital City, if you want to advance, besides your own efforts, you need soone to help you. Otherwise, on your own, you’re likely to spend your life going in circles in the Hanlin Academy. It may be prestigious but is worth nothing, and you may even struggle to make ends et for your family."
"This house you’re in—wasn’t it bought by your wife? Do you plan to have her support you your whole life? As a man, if you can’t honor your ancestors above or protect your wife and children below, is slogging away in the Hanlin Academy your purpose after years of hard study?"
"That’s still acceptable. If you have no backing, and there’s a power struggle in court, you’ll simply beco the best stepping stone or cannon fodder—silently consud whole!"
"If you really were unrelated to , so be it. But we are flesh and blood. I, as your father, have not cared for you enough in the past. Now that I’m offering you recompense, you should gladly accept it. Why stubbornly refuse? Do you really prefer to be bullied?"
"Even if you can endure it, what about your wife? I see she has a good head for business. In the future, when she collaborates with the Lee Family, do you think a re Editorial Secretary can earn their respect or protect your wife?"
"Think carefully, is this not reasonable? I am your biological father; how could I harm you?"
Song Chongjin remained silent, unaffected by Song Hong’s eloquent speech.
Song Hong’s eyes darkened, and he changed his tone: "You must realize, not only the blood of the Song Family flows in you, but also that of the Qi Family. The Qi Family was exiled after their household was confiscated; just recently, I received news that all the male mbers of the Qi Family have died in exile. Now, you’re the only bloodline left of the Qi Family."
"Don’t you wish to restore the Qi Family? To overturn the case against them? To allow your mother to openly have her grave relocated to the Song Family ancestral tomb, receiving offerings from descendants?"
"The Qi Family’s downfall was because they offended the previous emperor. If you wish to redress their case, you must plan early. With the Duke’s Mansion aiding you, it’ll be like adding wings to a tiger!"
At these words, he subtly observed Song Chongjin’s expression.
Song Chongjin seed startled, perhaps moved by these last words of Song Hong.
Seeing this, Song Hong’s eyes glead with hope as he continued: "Though I have several children, none are as esteed in my heart as you. You’re my eldest son, and the one I value the most. If you recognize your ancestors and the clan, this Duke’s Mansion might all be yours one day!"
"Once you beco a son of Duke Weiguo, you can walk with your head high in the Capital City. Who would dare not give face to Lord Duke in the whole Capital? Given my rank in court, your rank among the gentry in the Capital will reflect this. Who would dare contradict you?"
"Next year’s Imperial Spring Examination, with the backing of Duke Weiguo, not saying you’d make the top three, but securing the second tier is certain! The Emperor trusts greatly, and with at your back, he’ll undoubtedly view you with favor. At the very least, your career in the bureaucracy will be significantly smoother than others!"
"Once you beco part of the Emperor’s inner ministerial circle and earn the Emperor’s trust, won’t the Qi Family’s reversal of fortune be in sight? You might even secure a Phoenix coronet and robes of state for your mother! Surely she’d be pleased even below!"
Song Chongjin clenched his fists tightly within his sleeves, teeth grinding as he struggled to control his anger, afraid he’d lose control and physically confront Song Hong.
Yet his reason anchored him firmly in place.
Song Hong observed everything, noticing Song Chongjin’s agitation, feeling a spark of joy, for it seed his words were effective. Better for them to have so effect than none at all, with Song Chongjin remaining indifferent regardless of what was said.
Nonetheless, Song Hong knew when to stop. Seeing so reaction from Song Chongjin, he said no more, casually dropping, "In life, a man must understand trade-offs! Think it over carefully, and I’ll co back for your answer in a few days."
With that, he stood up, opened the door, and left.
Wang Yongzhu heard a series of light footsteps moving away down the stairs outside, gradually fading.
Once there was no longer any sense of nearby presence, he stepped forward to take Song Chongjin’s hand: "Brother Song?"
Song Chongjin gripped Wang Yongzhu’s hand tightly, his expression grim, squeezing out a sentence through his teeth: "Let’s talk about it when we get ho."
Descending the stairs together, the inn’s main hall was still deserted and silent.
With no one around, they hurriedly made their way out of the inn.
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