CHAPTER 208: CHAPTER 206 COMPENSATION

Qu Chengmei picked up Song Xian at the government office and explained what Song Qizheng had asked on the way to the second hall.

In Qu Chengmei’s eyes, the National Guardian General’s attitude toward his eldest son had softened a lot. Although it was still far from the usual father-son affection, it was also not as confrontational as before.

The National Guardian General had seen the situations in Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou. As long as there were no major natural disasters this year, the people could eat their fill, taxes could be paid on time, and some grain and fodder could be stored for the camps.

The legitimate eldest son being as he was, no matter how Song Qizheng thought about it, he added glory to the National Guardian General Mansion. In other words, without Song Xian, Song Qizheng’s family would have long fallen to the Liao people and the Henghai Jiedu Envoy.

When the two of them walked into the second hall, Song Qizheng was standing by the window, watching the busy people outside.

"National Guardian General."

Song Xian’s voice came from behind, and only then did Song Qizheng turn around. Song Xian had not called him father for many years. At first, he didn’t mind. In the army, in front of soldiers, there was no father and son, only subordinates.

He didn’t know when Song Xian started calling him this privately as well.

Song Qizheng looked at Song Xian. After not seeing him for some time, Song Xian seemed thinner. At such a young age, he held the position of Commander, and behind this glamorous facade, there were heavy administrative duties and responsibilities.

Song Qizheng couldn’t help but think of the recent chaos at home.

After Song Min’s death, Mrs. Rong refused to let anyone move Song Min’s belongings, often going to sit in Song Min’s room and cry for half a day, ignoring all the household affairs. Even the female relatives who came to persuade her were of no avail.

Just when Song Qizheng was at his wit’s end, Old Mrs. Song returned to the Dingzhou house.

Hearing Mrs. Rong’s cries, Old Mrs. Song sought her out, and he had no choice but to follow along.

Song Min was no longer there, but the courtyard was still maintained as if he were alive, and the house was filled with the things Song Min often used. Mrs. Rong looked at those objects, thinking of the person, and was haggard and unrecognizable.

Song Qizheng thought Old Mrs. Song would persuade Mrs. Rong with a few words, but instead, she said, "Look at this house. How much have we given him since he was young? If anyone in the Song Family had treated him unjustly, I, Old Mrs. Song, would be the first not to agree."

Old Mrs. Song pointed at Mrs. Rong: "What are you trying to do like this? Blame your husband for not saving your son? What do you want us to do to satisfy you? Have the entire Song Family betray and accompany you and your son to the underworld?"

Mrs. Rong was stunned by the scolding.

Old Mrs. Song continued, "Don’t say the Song Family owes anything because Song Yu and Song Min were once captured by the Liao people. Haven’t you seen what the entire North has become in recent years? It’s not the Song Family that’s wronged you. On the contrary, the Song Family has sheltered you. When you’ve been enjoying happiness, Song Qizheng and Song Xian have been fighting bloody battles against the Liao on the front lines."

Mrs. Rong couldn’t say a word, just kept crying.

Old Mrs. Song said, "After all, Song Min is your flesh and blood, more important than anything. If you can’t get over this hurdle and truly blame the Song Family, then go back to your maiden family. I won’t force you to be the wife of the National Guardian General Mansion."

Song Qizheng hadn’t seen Old Mrs. Song like this for a long time, and Mrs. Rong didn’t dare to sob anymore.

Old Mrs. Song walked out of Song Min’s room and looked sternly at him: "They’re all your sons. Have you checked what’s in Xian’s room? People can be biased, but not without limits. I think the Emperor was too lenient this time, he shouldn’t have allowed you to keep the position of National Guardian General.

You claim to be a worldly man, but even someone casually picked from the street is not as confused as you are.

Song Min made a mistake and was killed, yet there are still people protecting him. Your legitimate eldest son, who accomplished great deeds, still gets blamed. Do you know why I don’t want to talk to you? I truly can’t stand your bias.

The same goes for you. If you think Song Xian has committed any mistakes, find the evidence and send him to the court for them to deal with him. Without evidence, don’t lay those accusations on him.

If you can’t get through this, and don’t want this legitimate eldest son, then just have him adopted into the clan. The old lady will handle it for you, and from then on, there will be no father-son relationship between Song Xian and Song Qizheng."

After that day, Song Qizheng thought a lot. There were many things he hadn’t done well, so he started thinking about the time he was assassinated, and about Song Xian being captured by the Liao people. Some aspects were indeed suspicious and needed thorough investigation, rather than unfounded suspicion.

With such considerations, when Song Qizheng faced Song Xian again, he felt more guilty.

The father and son stood silently for a while. Just as Qu Chengmei was thinking of how to break the stalemate, Song Qizheng came back to his senses, saying to Song Xian, "You’ve worked hard recently, take care of your health."

Song Xian was slightly surprised, yet he still responded calmly, "Thank you for your concern, National Guardian General."

Upon hearing that official tone, Song Qizheng instinctively took a deep breath, then turned to sit down on the chair.

"The court wants to establish twenty additional Official Medicine Bureaus in Daqi," Song Qizheng said, looking at Song Xian. "These bureaus will need a large amount of medicinal materials, and the medicinal materials in the northern regions, around Zhenzhou and Dingzhou, are the best. I see a lot of herbs being planted in Zhenzhou, and there are many unutilized mountains in Dingzhou too..."

At this point, Song Qizheng paused.

Song Xian understood Song Qizheng’s implication, but he didn’t respond immediately.

Qu Chengmei licked his dry lips, feeling the atmosphere in the room was indeed uncomfortable, seemingly ready to ignite at a spark.

Song Qizheng frowned and finally let go of his imposing manner: "I wonder if you can mobilize some people to help in Dingzhou."

Song Xian’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes full of detachment: "By the command of the National Guardian General, the Zhenzhou Government Office will do its best to arrange it."

Song Qizheng tried to remain calm: "As for how to proceed, you can directly instruct the Dingzhou County Magistrate." Initially, there were many things he wanted to say, but in such an atmosphere, he didn’t wish to speak any further.

Song Qizheng stood up: "The court has asked you to take charge of Baimaling. There are still one thousand Song Family Army soldiers in the Baimaling Camp. You can train them, there’s no need to send them back to the Dingzhou Camp."

Song Xian didn’t expect Song Qizheng to hand over the troops so easily.

After speaking, Song Qizheng glanced at Qu Chengmei, who understood and exited the second hall.

Song Qizheng looked at Song Xian: "What do you want Baimaling for? Do you want to reclaim the lands of Prince Guangyang?"

Song Xian said indifferently: "The court only ordered me to guard the pass, and whether to launch military action in the Northwest depends on their arrangements."

Song Qizheng’s eyes narrowed: "I know what you’re contemplating, but now is not the right time. In this recent case, Cai Rong, in order to extricate himself, did not hesitate to push out his Deputy General and the county magistrate to take the fall, so he could retain his position as Henghai Jiedu Envoy. His resentment towards you is evident.

The Emperor is suspicious of Cai Rong, but Cai Rong has entrenched himself deeply in the north for many years, making it difficult to take him down, otherwise, you would not have been promoted to check him. Until Cai Rong is removed, do not make any major moves, or it will give Cai Rong the opportunity to target you."

Not waiting for Song Xian to speak, Song Qizheng let out a long sigh: "In the past, I was too harsh on you, not caring for you enough. But we are father and son after all. I hope for a chance to make amends."