Song Yan Shi's Counterattack (II)

After several days of interaction, Song YanShi grew increasingly fond of the young man. He possessed both literary talent and military knowledge, with a resilient character. Through various tests, Song YanShi glimpsed a hint of ruthlessness hidden deep within him, a trait that further endeared him to Song YanShi.

Moreover...

The girl liked him.

However, he also seemed qualified to be my son-in-law, Song YanShi thought.

In those days, Song YanShi was indeed in high spirits. He even thought about Bai ShiXuan, his once formidable opponent in court. Interestingly, both of them shared a similarity—they had no sons but each had a lone daughter.

Bai ShiXuan detested scholars, but if he were to meet this young man, perhaps he might find him likable, just like me, Song YanShi pondered.

For some reason, Song YanShi thought this way.

However, things took a turn when Song YanShi revealed his true identity to the young man...

"Left Prime Minister of Dawu Country, Song YanShi!"

Once the young man learned this name, he suddenly froze in place.

Song YanShi thought to himself: My daughter still understands the importance of discretion; she didn't reveal my identity to this scholar due to personal matters. This had been a rule Song YanShi established for his family over the years—no plaques in the mansion and no discussion of his matters when outside.

But then, in the next moment...

The look in the young man's eyes made a lasting impression on Song YanShi.

An intuition arose within Song YanShi, making him inexplicably want to abandon the idea of making him his son-in-law.

Even to the extent of...

The saying, "If not for my use, then for my destruction."

At that moment, Song YanShi, for some unknown reason, felt a sense of murderous intent.

However, in the end, due to the appearance of his daughter, the conversation between the two men that day didn't continue. For some time afterward, they did not speak.

It wasn't until several months later that the daughter suddenly announced her intention to marry him.

Song YanShi least wanted a rift between his daughter and himself.

Since Song YanShi valued talent and harbored a lingering fear, he devised a plan to make the young man withdraw, even though the method was not particularly admirable.

First, the daughter couldn't marry him, but the young man could choose to marry into the family.

Second, a name change.

The name "Qingming" was good, but Song YanShi chose 'GaoSheng.'

GaoSheng, rising step by step.

For ordinary people, this was surely an auspicious name, but for Confucian scholars, it was too explicit.

Like those powerful figures in history who ascended to the throne, they always went through elaborate processes of three refusals and three resignations.

For scholars, unless their parents chose their names, no one liked their name to reveal a blatant meaning of 'I just want to become a high-ranking official' or 'I study just to become a high-ranking official.'

Both matters carried a sense of humiliation.

...

...

In the capital city, under the night sky, a storm was brewing.

Leaning against the railing, Song YanShi lightly tapped the border guard's railing with his fingertips.

Why did Lu Gaosheng want to deal with him?

Over the years, aside from the slightly humiliating act of changing his name and making him a county magistrate, had he mistreated him in any way? The top scholar's title, luxurious lifestyle, and grand estate—everything was at his disposal.

No.

Now was not the time to think about these things.

After eliminating all possibilities, what remained was the truth.

Lu Gaosheng...

"Six years ago, when I sent him to become a county magistrate, I only intended to temper the aggression in him, but I never expected..."

Nurturing a tiger invites calamity!

The Prefect of Tian Ge isn't beholden to him, nor is he to Tang Li. Perhaps the Prefect of Tian Ge, being wary of his status as the Left Chancellor, wouldn't dare to suppress Lu Gaosheng, but he certainly wouldn't go out of his way to protect him either.

According to the information gathered by Song YanShi in the past few months, in these short six years, Lu Gaosheng has risen solely based on his own abilities, steadily climbing up the ranks. Even the position of the next Prefect is almost within his grasp.

After careful consideration...

Song YanShi ultimately issued a decisive order.

"Spread my command: Have Flowing Fox disperse the remaining men to every township in Tian Ruo Prefecture. As for Lu Gaosheng himself, select a few skilled individuals and immediately enter Tian Ruo City to blockade his mansion. Keep a close eye on him; as I suspected, the grain and provisions are likely in his hands!"

"If he knows what's good for him, there's no need for conflict. But if he insists on being my enemy..."

Song YanShi remained silent, but made a sliding motion at his neck.

The figure in black immediately understood and nodded, replying, "Yes, Chancellor Song! As for Miss's side..."

Song YanShi suddenly hesitated, caught off guard by a moment of uncertainty.

Just a bit.

Song YanShi calmly stated, "As I said earlier, if Lu Gaosheng doesn't know his place, kill him and be done with it. My orders are not to be questioned!"

Then, Song YanShi turned and asked, "Where is the squad from the Zhennan Army now?"

The figure in black answered, "After receiving the secret order, the Grand General has already selected a group of elites. However, the journey is long, and as you know, the Right Chancellor's side has been keeping an eye on the Grand General, so they have not yet entered Tian Ge Prefecture. But from what we know, they're close! It will only take a day or two."

Song YanShi nodded.

His final move would certainly not rely on Flowing Fox and the hastily assembled mercenaries.

The elite soldiers under the Grand General of Zhennan Army, that's the real ace up his sleeve!!

Originally, it was anticipated that they would catch up after the grain and provisions were transported to the Northern Land, but now, an unexpected event, which might not all be bad, seemed to be unfolding.

As the figure in black rose to relay the orders, Song YanShi casually added, "Use Red Eagle for the message."

The figure in black widened his eyes, thinking it was rather imprudent, and advised, "Chancellor Song, Red Eagle is for urgent military matters. It shouldn't be used unless it's absolutely necessary. Every time it's used, it leaves a record in the military department, and this..."

"Do you think I need your reminders?"

Song YanShi's icy tone made the figure in black silently lower his head.

"Lu Gaosheng is not Tang Li, let alone a worthless Prefect of Tian Ge! Dealing with him requires speed! It requires ruthlessness! What I'm competing with him now is time!"

...

...

This dream has been recurring for a long time.

When did it start?

Actually, I know.

My naturally keen ears always seem to pick up on various truths in this world, like...

That year, beneath the towers of the brothel.

These ears overheard a conversation:

"Hehe, studying? Brother Li, in this day and age, who needs to study for the imperial examinations?"

"Brother Lin, you topped the provincial exam three years ago, so naturally, you wouldn't understand the struggles us common folks face."

"Well... it's no secret. Actually, these exams are just a formality. You slip some money, get the examiners to pick a few papers, swap the names, and there you go!"

"What? You can do that?"

"Hehe, I'll be honest with you. Three years ago, that's exactly what I did. The nobleman at the time even chose a top-notch paper for me. As for the original name... uh, I forgot, seemed to be surnamed Lu, anyway, I ended up at the top of the list."

"But... isn't that unethical? The scholars who earn the top spot legitimately would lose out if their names are swapped."

"Hey! I treat you as a brother, invite you for drinks, and this is how you talk?"

"Uh, sorry, my apologies."

In the end, that dandy surnamed Lin muttered:

"The books I'm supposed to read? My old man finished them for me when he toiled away back then! Why did he work so hard? Wasn't it all for our Lin family to have officials for generations to come? So, now that I want to become an official, do I still need to study?"

Study?

What a load of crap.

Just like what Zhang San said on the first day he entered Tianruo City, and what Lu Gaosheng heard upstairs:

"Why should the efforts of generations in our family lose to your ten years of studying?"