CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 103: REGRET

Song Qizheng didn’t expect Li You to ask such a question.

He and Song Xian are father and son, yet it has come to this point. What have they been through over the years? Song Qizheng is reluctant to tell outsiders one by one.

But at this moment, Song Qizheng vaguely recalled Song Xian’s childhood appearance, with bright and handsome features, especially fond of smiling, very endearing. Every time when he returned from outside, Song Xian would come running with outstretched arms, his tender little hands hugging his legs. When he was busy in the study, Song Xian would sneak into the room. Once, Song Xian fell asleep holding his leg.

Song Xian liked to call him "Daddy" instead of "Father." The child enjoyed eating with him, liked to send him off and welcome him home.

He once asked Song Xian if he liked horseback archery, Song Xian always shook his head, with a childish voice saying: "I don’t want to go to war, then I won’t see Grandmother, I just want to stay at home."

Song Xian’s appearance at first glance resembles the Song Family, but upon closer inspection, the brows and eyes are especially like his birth mother. His temperament also followed his birth mother, he didn’t like running about outside, was particularly attached to everything at home, and that was originally what he liked too. But later, he fought outside more, that woman’s heart no longer had him.

He didn’t know why, Song Xian gradually became estranged from him, always causing various incidents at home, speaking harsh words to his two younger brothers.

Later, Madam Rong had an incident, Song Xian was kidnapped and taken out to sea, Song Yu and Song Min were captured by Liao people, he was assassinated, Song Xian seized military power in front of the formation... All sorts of incidents wore down father-son affection until it was spent.

Thinking of this, Song Qizheng finally said: "I’m sorry for causing Mr. Li worry, we father and son usually have some disagreements, but even a tiger would not eat its cubs. I won’t harm my own son, what Song Min did was unexpected, but in any case, I cannot shirk responsibility..."

Song Qizheng met Li You’s gaze: "Secretly mobilizing troops, colluding with Liao people are not trivial matters. I will follow the court’s arrangements and penalties, hoping to investigate the matter thoroughly."

The conversation reached a pause, Li You could not further elaborate to Song Qizheng, the relationship between the Song Family father and son was their family affair, he was not in a position to say much.

Li You said: "Indeed, this needs to be checked carefully. Vice General Qiao around National Guardian General has connections with those people. Vice General Qiao has followed the Great General for so many years, it’s best for the General to think about whether Vice General Qiao has ever behaved unusually in the past."

Song Qizheng had many Deputy Generals around him, but Vice General Qiao was one of his reliable ones. Now, Vice General Qiao has had an incident, among these intertwined relations it’s hard to see clearly, not to mention Song Min, even he may be unable to escape the crime of colluding with the enemy.

Song Qizheng responded: "I will immediately have someone write clearly the battles Vice General Qiao has participated in over the years, and inform the government office about those who interact closely with Vice General Qiao."

Li You nodded, his gaze deepened, he raised his eyes to look at Song Qizheng: "Surely the National Guardian General has already guessed that I came to the North for the Military Governor position."

Song Qizheng felt a moment of daze, Li You finally no longer concealed it from him, yet it was in such a situation.

Li You continued: "But the National Guardian General doesn’t know why the court arranged it this way; not because the Emperor fears the Song Family holding military power, fearing you would become too powerful in the North, hard to control in the future. Daqi has so many Military Governors, as long as one is devoted to working for the court, the Emperor won’t harbor suspicion. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let you stay in the North for so many years."

Upon hearing this, Song Qizheng couldn’t help but feel tense and listened more closely to Li You’s following words.

Li You said: "It’s because someone secretly reported to the Emperor that the Song Family was colluding with the Liao people."

Song Qizheng’s face completely changed.

Li You sighed: "Although the Emperor sent me here, he hopes that such a report is nothing but fabrication."

There was no need for Li You to say the next words, Song Qizheng understood everything. It turned out that what blocked his way was such a secret report, now caught red-handed by the court, what could he say to defend himself?

Song Min not only ruined himself but also caused him to lose the Military Governor position, perhaps even his years of military achievements could be destroyed.

If he had managed Song Min well, discovered these anomalies early, today wouldn’t have happened, but now it’s too late for regret.

Song Qizheng knew, this matter must be thoroughly investigated, he had no way out.

Li You had many matters to attend to, he stood up and said to Song Qizheng: "The Great General should be thankful, you have a good son."

With Song Xian, at least no military chaos occurred in the North. Song Xian captured the spies, accomplished great deeds, with these prior incidents, the court might still allow the Song Family to govern the North.

Li You hoped Song Qizheng could understand clearly.

Song Qizheng left the government office, just stepping out the door, he found Song Yu wasn’t waiting outside.

"Where is the Second Master?" Song Qizheng asked, he had many matters to ask Song Yu, wanting to understand what Song Yu and Mrs. Rong knew little about this affair.

The household general said: "The Second Master left, didn’t say where he was going."

Song Qizheng took a deep breath, Song Yu went to Dingzhou to find Mrs. Rong, wanting Mrs. Rong to plead for Song Min.

So foolish.

Even if he hadn’t followed him to battle, he should understand what the crime of colluding with the enemy is. If he helped cover for Song Min, he too couldn’t sever ties. What’s more, if Song Min truly did such a thing, then it’s truly unforgivable.

Song Qizheng contemplated, seeing Song Xian leading people towards the government office. Song Xian’s gaze was indifferent, as if he hadn’t seen him, under normal circumstances, Song Qizheng wouldn’t call out to Song Xian, but now was different, he also wanted to ask Song Xian questions, Song Xian certainly knew details he was unaware of.

"Song Xian." Song Qizheng spoke.

Song Xian’s horse happened to stop, Song Xian swiftly dismounted.

Song Qizheng also stepped forward.

"Do you have time?" Song Qizheng asked, "We can talk on the side."

Song Xian was unmoved, his gaze faintly meeting Song Qizheng’s: "Is the National Guardian General talking about official business or personal matters? If it’s official business, you can go with me to the second hall of the government office. If it’s personal matters, I’m currently overwhelmed with affairs, we can schedule another day for conversation."

"You..." Song Qizheng suddenly wasn’t willing to speak further, he turned and left, swinging his sleeves.

Song Xian also walked towards the government office, the figures of father and son drifting apart, getting further and further.

When Song Xian entered the second hall of the government office, he immediately saw Xie Liangchen standing next to Li You.

Wearing coarse cloth clothes and skirt, Xie Liangchen was carefully examining the wooden teeth in Li You’s hand. Song Xian had heard from Cheng Yanzhao that the wooden teeth from the spies’ mouths were discovered by Miss Xie.

Those wooden teeth were hidden so well; how did she notice them?

"Song Xian." Li You first lifted his head.

Song Xian was momentarily out of sorts, so he took a step later to bow and greet: "Mr. Li."

Li You beckoned to Song Xian: "This is the cloth taken from the spies’ mouths, with a place in Xingzhou written on it."

Due to Xie Liangchen’s presence, Li You didn’t make the words too clear. If he guessed correctly, Xingzhou was their refuge after leaving Zhenzhou.

That cloth was the document proving his identity. If the matter in Zhenzhou encountered errors, they would have to devise a way to escape; Xingzhou was likely prepared with new identities for them, when the storm passed, they would reappear and continue their activities.

Li You said: "I sent people to Xingzhou, although even if we capture the people there, we still can’t completely eliminate them, their spies are everywhere."

Song Xian said: "Although we can’t uproot, we can at least overhaul the North."

Li You nodded: "At the very least, we must find out the spies planted among the garrison commanders. Don’t worry, with me holding the front, you just need to proceed freely."

Song Xian responded.

Xie Liangchen then bid farewell to Li You: "Mr. Li, we finished the documents, we’ll return to the village first."

Li You nodded, as Xie Liangchen was about to step out of the hall, he heard Song Xian say: "I’ll go see the people of Chen Family Village."