Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 31: After revision - 30 Rivalry

Chapter 31: After revision: Chapter 30 Rivalry

Song Min’s face was full of resentment, but he didn’t rush to speak; instead, he first went forward to serve Song Yu some medicine.

Song Min’s silence made Madam Rong more anxious, but she couldn’t urge him. She had no choice but to sit aside and watch her two sons.

Song Yu and Song Min both had eyebrows and eyes resembling Song Qizheng, with thick black eyebrows, big and lively eyes, looking very heroic.

Song Yu’s face shape followed her, adding a touch of elegance, with a scholarly aura.

Song Min’s jaw was slightly wide, his temperament was cheerful and straightforward, making his smile particularly appealing.

Both sons were her dearest; they were thoughtful and considerate. But now, one was lying sickly on the bed, while the other had a gloomy expression, full of anger.

The two were not exactly confined at home, but were trapped in the Prefecture.

All because of Song Xian.

Song Min placed the empty medicine bowl on the table and poured Madam Rong a cup of hot tea.

Madam Rong tasted a sip of the tea and barely resisted the tears in her eyes. She had thought that after the Northern Border was settled, they could finally reunite happily, but instead, they were met with this result.

Song Min said, "Song Xian knew long ago that the court would send Shangguan here; he secretly arranged everything well, getting a group of rogue people to act in front of Li You. Now, in Li You’s heart, Song Xian is a good official wholeheartedly serving the country and the people, while second brother has become a villain oppressing the people."

Song Min talked about the paper-making workshop: "Li You sent the dried papers to the Capital, definitely speaking in favor of Song Xian. Li You is trusted by the Emperor, and in this way, the military power in Zhenzhou will surely fall into Song Xian’s hands."

Madam Rong, though she had already expected this, felt a tumultuous pain when hearing it directly from Song Min. The master had mentioned to her the intention of letting Yu take over Zhenzhou, but now it seemed it would fall into Song Xian’s hands.

Compared to Song Min’s furious demeanor, Song Yu appeared much calmer. He interrupted Song Min, saying, "Don’t bother mother with this matter anymore; it’s my fault."

"What did second brother do wrong?" Song Min said, "Why does second brother need Silver? Does father not know? After the war with the Liao people this time, how many soldiers have we lost? To raise soldiers, it takes Silver Coin. The court openly allocates to us, and that’s hardly enough. Without thinking of a way ourselves, isn’t it like being choked at the throat?

Song Xian does nothing to help, but still undermines us. Is he really a member of the Song Family?"

Song Yu frowned, warning his brother again: "Alright, if you have nothing else to do, leave first, I want to talk with mother."

"I won’t go," Song Min said, "Some things need to be said clearly, and only mother would understand this matter."

Madam Rong was puzzled about what Song Min was referring to, so she lifted her head to meet her younger son’s gaze.

"Mother," Song Min said sternly, "Tell us the truth: did father say on the surface that he would give Zhenjiang to second brother, but in reality, had he already planned to give it to elder brother?"

Madam Rong was quite surprised: "Where is this coming from?"

Song Min sneered: "This kind of situation isn’t just a one-time occurrence. When Song Xian was young, the teachers and Martial Arts Master hired for him were top-notch. He is father’s legitimate eldest son, and father poured all his efforts into him. Chang Yue, Chang An, and several household generals around Song Xian were personally selected by father.

There are people around second brother and me as well, but they don’t handle things as competently as theirs.

Song Xian could achieve so many military accomplishments; could he have done it without father’s support? Saying that you can believe that doesn’t involve father would be unbelievable, as winning battles depends not only on the bravery of the chief commander."

As Song Min spoke, he picked up the tea and drank it all in one go, wiping the corners of his mouth: "We also have opportunities to achieve greatness, but father doesn’t allow us to step forward, fearing that we’ll overshadow Song Xian."

Madam Rong countered upon hearing this: "No... it’s because mother fears you might get hurt; you’re still young after all. Your father is constantly out, making me worry about him day and night. If you were to go... and something were to happen, how would I live?"

"Mother, don’t be fooled by father," Song Min said, "For people like us, the most important thing isn’t opulent living, but military accomplishments. Without military achievements, how can one gain respect? Just like this time, Song Xian can do whatever he wants in Zhenzhou, while we can only suffer pending, unable to confront him.

In the end, our brothers rely on father’s protection, while Song Xian has a court position, his own soldiers, and can directly communicate with court officials.

Wealth is just fleeting; father keeps mother confined within the house, yet secretly teaches Song Xian how to establish himself in the court. Song Xian has inherited all of father’s skills, and though father doesn’t speak about it openly, he has already given everything to the legitimate eldest son."