The carriage departed from the Su residence. Song Mao lifted the curtain and glanced at the swirling snow outside before turning to Song Kai to reconfirm the prepared gifts.

"That ginseng we bought last time... and then the calligraphy requested from Lin Fu, the great master... Hmm, the ginseng should be placed in the middle, a bit inconspicuous. Master Qin's favorite is calligraphy and painting, so he should like this piece..."

Song Kai had been by Song Mao's side for many years and was known for his caution and reliability. It was impossible for him to make mistakes with these things that had already been instructed. Song Mao only confirmed it once more because he had nothing else to do. He was truly somewhat moved by the conversation he had just had with Su Wenxing. He sighed at the fact that this nephew lacked ability and vision, but for now, there was really nothing he could do.

Of course, in terms of kinship, although Song Mao was close to the Su family, it was impossible to say that there was any blood ties-like affection between him and this sister and nephew. He didn't have much contact with his cousin, who was the Second Madam of the Su family, when he was in his hometown. Later, after he made some progress, the Su family invested a lot of money in him. He remembered this act of providing charcoal in the snow, but it was basically for Su Taigong and the Su family.

As time passed, he was now a prefect. In the past, the Su residence was a major help to him, but now it was just icing on the cake. If the Second Branch of the Su family could control the entire Su family in the future, it would naturally be beneficial to him, but the relationship was actually not that significant. Su Wenxing was, after all, a closer relative to him. If he could control the Su family, the entanglement of interests would be closer, but given this nephew's aptitude, whether he could manage the Su family well was actually doubtful. He might even implicate himself in the future.

And if that Su Tan'er controlled the Su family, that girl was capable and even more able to assess the situation. She would definitely curry favor with him in his position as prefect. In fact, this source of support would not change. And because of his existence, even if his sister and nephew's branch could not obtain the management rights of the Su family, they would still retain their identity as members of the Su family, and have some small power and be provided with food and clothing. In this way, it could become a link between him and the Su family, and perhaps it was not necessarily a bad thing for Wenxing, who lacked ability.

He was hesitating in his mind whether or not to make such a choice. Of course, Su Taigong was still alive, and he naturally took into account family relationships and was closer to his sister and nephew. He had heard of the reputation of the "Shui Diao Ge Tou" before. Of course, after inquiring recently, he received some strange news. If he was really someone who was just seeking fame, he would expose him at his nephew's request. This was something he needed to consider in the evening. He looked at the gifts, shook his head, and put it out of his mind.

Seeing his expression at this time, the steward Song Kai handed over the gift list and smiled, "Master, Duke Qin has resigned for several years, but recently I heard that the situation in the north is complex, with frequent disputes between the Jin and Liao, and there are voices in the court calling for Duke Qin to be reinstated. Master, do you think Duke Qin will come out again?"

Song Mao shook his head, paused for a moment before speaking, "I'm afraid it's difficult. The situation when Master Qin left that day was complicated. The Black Water Alliance, Master Qin took all the blame, actually taking the blame for others. If it were a normal matter, it would be fine, but in terms of the situation in recent years, I'm afraid it will be difficult to be reinstated..."

The Wu Dynasty had been weak for nearly a hundred years. The Liao people had been invading the border. The Wu Dynasty had twice sued for peace, and the treaties signed were criticized. The Chanyuan Alliance sixty-five years ago humiliated the country and almost cut off the Wu Dynasty's will and possibility of recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. In the Black Water Alliance six years ago, the annual tribute that needed to be paid was almost doubled, which was a heavy blow to the hearts of many patriots.

At that time, the Liao army went south. Qin Siyuan, who was then the Minister of Personnel, strongly advocated resistance and even went to the front line to supervise the battle. However, after several defeats at the front line, the pro-peace faction prevailed. After deciding to negotiate peace, it is said that the somewhat disheartened Qin Siyuan rushed back from the front line day and night and took on the mission of negotiating peace.

It is said that when he walked into the Golden Luan Hall that day, he had not taken off his battle robe. His hair was disheveled, his armor was broken in several places, and he was covered in smoke. His hands were also injured, looking extremely tragic. Everyone thought he was going to remonstrate with his death. The Emperor, who had only been on the throne for a year, quickly ordered someone to hold him back. Who knew that he was not going to object, but to take on the thankless task of negotiating peace.

At that time, there were naturally various voices of opposition in the court, saying that he was unfavorable in supervising the battle on the front line, how could he bear the responsibility of negotiating peace, it was clearly to make trouble and sabotage the peace talks. However, those who understood a little also knew that those defeats were not the responsibility of this minister who had always been a civil official. After two days of discussion on this matter, the responsibility of negotiating peace was actually given to him.

Subsequently, in the Black Water Alliance, adding up all the items, the annual tribute almost doubled. However, considering the situation of the Wu Dynasty, the Liao people agreed that if the gold and silk were insufficient, they could be offset by ceramics, treasures, and other items. At this time, the Chanyuan Alliance had passed sixty years. The Liao Kingdom was developed, and the demand for these items had increased. After the peace talks were reached, although the Emperor did not intend to punish him at that time, Qin Siyuan was disheartened and took on the responsibility for the defeat of the war and a number of responsibilities for negotiating peace. After being imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison for a month, he was released, but he still resigned in dismay. Later, he did not even return to his hometown, only saying: "This is an eternal infamy, I have no face to see the elders of my hometown." He then retired to Jiangning. Until now, he has not been reinstated.

"...I'm afraid that even if the Emperor really let Master Qin come out again, given Master Qin's state of mind, he will not come out of the mountain again in the next few years." Song Mao thought, shaking his head. The carriage was quiet for a moment, and Song Kai, who was on the side, remembered something and lowered his voice.

"Master, I heard that Duke Qin was extremely capable in his work, and he seemed to be informal in many things, but no one ever dared to criticize him for this. In recent years, the disputes between the Jin and Liao have not stopped. I have also heard some rumors, saying that the Black Water Alliance was considering the fact that the Jin Kingdom was becoming more and more prosperous at that time and had repeatedly requested trade rights from the Liao Kingdom without success, so it designed to use a large number of luxury goods as bait to provoke disputes between the two countries. In the first few years of the Black Water Alliance, there was a black market trade between Wu and Jin. After the Black Water Alliance was signed six years ago, the imperial court not only paid tribute to the Liao Kingdom, but also secretly transported out a large number of porcelain treasures, and even rouge and water powder flowed into the Jin Kingdom. There is also a saying that the Emperor selected a batch of objects from the palace and sent them out. And the second year, half of..."

Song Mao frowned: "Who did you hear this from?"

"The fourth young master of the family once discussed this matter with others, it seems to be the fourth young master's own speculation..."

"The fourth." Song Mao sighed, "It is too whimsical to use the power of a country as a bargaining chip to provoke discord. A-Hui is not doing his job properly, and he only thinks wildly all day long... But whether it is true or false, do not tell others about it."

"I understand."

While speaking, the carriage had already arrived at its destination. Song Mao and Qin Siyuan were not really master and disciple, but Qin Siyuan was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel back then, and Song Mao later built some connections. After the other party left office, although many people no longer had contact with Qin Siyuan because of the Black Water Alliance, as long as he came to Jiangning, Song Mao, who was always thorough, would come here as a disciple.

In his life motto, it is better to provide charcoal in the snow than to add flowers to the brocade. Qin Siyuan's two sons are also in the officialdom now, although they are still below the fourth rank, but Qin Siyuan took the blame for a large group of people back then. With his background here, it is very likely that he will be greatly used by the Emperor in the future. Especially looking at the situation in the recent period, it is not impossible for Qin Siyuan to be reinstated in a few years.

After retiring to Jiangning, Qin Siyuan's residence was not luxurious, just a simple scholarly courtyard. Song Mao presented his name card as a disciple and was invited in after a while. Then he realized that there was already another guest here. Song Mao had not seen this gorgeously dressed old man before, but he thought that his identity was extraordinary. After Old Master Qin introduced him, Song Mao understood the other party's identity.

Consort Kang Xian Kang Mingyun, the husband of Princess Chengguo. Although this old man is not involved in the court, he is the current Emperor's uncle, and he has a great reputation in the literary world. Being able to get to know him is naturally a great help to himself as an official, so he quickly paid his respects as a disciple.

Old Master Qin did not have much contact with this disciple on weekdays, but he had come every year in recent years, so of course he also showed his kindness at this time. He was originally admiring calligraphy and painting with Kang Xian, and at this time he pulled Song Mao, who happened to be there, to come over. Song Mao was flattered for a while, but although he had talent, he was much worse than these two, so he did not dare to interrupt, but stood respectfully aside, listening to the two of them discussing and talking. Occasionally when he was asked, he would open his mouth to answer, thinking that he could visit the Chengguo Princess's residence in a few days.

It was also in this atmosphere that footsteps came from outside. Then it was the voice of Qin Gong's concubine Yunniang: "They are admiring paintings in the study... Uh, this is..." Old Master Qin and Kang Xian were studying a long scroll. Kang Xian said casually while looking carefully, "He has come, I really don't know what kind of object can surprise this old man..." Old Master Qin laughed. Then, someone opened the half-closed door and walked in.

This person seemed to be very familiar with Kang and Qin. He was wearing a blue robe, but he was carrying a jar in his hand. What surprised Song Mao was that the person looked only in his early twenties. The person came in, originally smiling and wanting to speak, but when he saw Song Mao, he was also slightly stunned. Song Mao thought that this was probably the children or nephews of Kang and Qin, and was about to introduce himself, but Old Master Qin had already spoken.

"Haha, Liheng, you have come. Come and meet, this is my disciple, Song Mao, Song Yufan..."

The young man smiled and cupped his hands: "Brother Song, nice to meet you."

Then, Song Mao heard Old Master Qin say: "Yufan, this is my and Minggong's young friend..." He said, "Ning Yi, Ning Liheng."

Song Mao's pupils changed slightly, and then he showed a simple smile: "Young Master Ning... Could it be Ning Yi Ning Liheng of "When will the moon be clear?" Haha, I have heard of you for a long time."

After a few greetings, Kang Xian casually started talking to Ning Yi: "Didn't you just say that you brought some good things? Could it be in this jar?"

"Haha, naturally." Ning Yi casually put the jar on the table, "It's good that Brother Song is also here, today let's taste this century egg together..."

Kang Xian was slightly stunned, then seemed to shake his head with a somewhat wry smile: "Fortunately, this old man was thinking about what kind of novel thing it was, I didn't expect it to be some food. Ning Yi, this is not this old man boasting, there are really not many snacks and dishes that this old man has not eaten or seen in the world today, you are afraid to make a fool of yourself today... Oh, this looks like a salted duck egg, although the appearance is different, it is just a salted duck egg after being pickled like this, can you pickle a flower?"

Ning Yi laughed: "I will pickle a flower for you to see..."

Song Mao was not very interested in sweet eggs and salted eggs. He was now a prefect, and he had always been restrained in front of these two. At this time, watching a few people talking and laughing, then the concubine Yunniang brought a basin of clean water from outside and brought in a few pairs of bowls and chopsticks, actually looking quite familiar with Ning Yi. Thinking of what he saw in the library today, his heart was still shocked...