Chapter 109: Damn You! Wen Zhong, You Traitor!

For many days, Chu Xiaoyu, this “Sacred Ruler,” had spread through Chaoge City like a virus, becoming the talk of the people.

The Sacred Ruler’s manifestation foretells a bountiful year.

Thanks to the abundant harvests of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and other crops, the food shortage among the Yin-Shang populace was greatly alleviated, instantly reducing the nationwide death toll caused by famine.

It must be said that the emergence of these miraculous crops like sweet potatoes and potatoes was the greatest blessing for all the people under the Yin-Shang realm.

The entire world rejoiced, and the realm celebrated in unison.

However, there was one incident during the festivities that greatly displeased King Zhou.

On the day of the grand celebration—a day of immense importance—all the ministers of the court attended, except for Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xiqi.

It was said that Marquis Ji Chang had fallen ill, and by an unfortunate coincidence, it happened precisely on the day of the celebration.

Someone in Chaoge City immediately seized upon this to stir trouble, whether intentionally or not remains unknown, but King Zhou happened to overhear it.

On the day of the celebration, King Zhou was busy with his duties and didn’t pay attention to Ji Chang’s absence.

In hindsight, it was true—Ji Chang’s figure was nowhere to be seen that day.

How dare he absent himself on such a crucial day?

Unthinkable!

King Zhou was furious, even enraged.

At the court meeting the next day, the king brought up the matter for discussion with his ministers.

Uncle Bi Gan squinted and said, “This business of Ji Chang’s illness is rather inconveniently timed, happening right on the day of the celebration. I don’t know if Marquis Ji Chang deliberately chose to be absent.”

Shang Rong shook his head and replied, “If Marquis Ji Chang intended to be absent, I doubt it. From what I know of his character, he wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“Hmph! That Marquis is always like this, relying on the king’s special favor, growing arrogant and presumptuous. This is not the first time he’s caused such trouble.”

Senior official Mei Bo seemed to harbor a deep grudge against Ji Chang, criticizing him without restraint.

The ministers’ quarrels quickly darkened King Zhou’s expression. He waved his hand and said, “Enough of your bickering, it gives this king a terrible headache. Brother Wang, Grand Tutor Wen, what are your thoughts on this matter?”

The ministers in the hall continued to debate Ji Chang’s absence from the celebration, but Wei Ziqi and Wen Zhong remained indifferent, as if the matter did not concern them.

When the king addressed them, Wei Ziqi had no choice but to respond: “Your Majesty, I think we should not rush to judgment. If Marquis Ji Chang truly is gravely ill and thus missed the celebration, it is only natural. After all, men are not beasts; even the fiercest animals fall ill, let alone us humans. It is only common sense.”

Brother Wang’s response was measured—neither condemning nor speculating.

As full brothers sharing the same mother, the king had always been disdainful of his elder brother’s gentle disposition, often sneering at it.

By all rights, he, King Zhou, had ascended the throne, while his elder brother was left a mere idle prince. It seemed as if King Zhou had “stolen” Wei Ziqi’s rightful throne.

Yet the truth was different. When Wei Ziqi was born, their shared mother was only a concubine; by the time Emperor Di Xin was born, she had been formally crowned queen.

According to Yin-Shang royal customs, Di Xin was the legitimate firstborn son, while Wei Ziqi, born earlier but to a concubine, was unfortunately excluded from the line of succession.

This system was deeply entrenched in their great Shang dynasty, where even the highest royal power could not alter the established order of succession.

Unable to get a satisfactory answer from Brother Wang, King Zhou turned to Wen Zhong: “Grand Tutor Wen, what is your view on this matter?”

In his heart, the king could not forget what his teacher once told him: the downfall of the great Shang was caused by the Ji family from distant Xiqi.

Even if he had to annihilate the entire Ji clan, bearing the infamy of a tyrant and a foolish king, so be it.

The Ji family was a thorn in King Zhou’s side, one he was desperate to remove.

Wen Zhong had no particular friendship with Ji Chang. They were merely colleagues in court who exchanged nods without deeper interactions.

They were not of the same path.

Since the king had asked, Wen Zhong replied, “Your Majesty, if you doubt whether Marquis Ji Chang is truly ill, simply send an envoy to Xiqi to investigate. The truth cannot be hidden; falsehood cannot stand.”

The innocent will be clear, the guilty will be exposed.

Wen Zhong’s suggestion was immediately approved by King Zhou: “Good! Let it be so. Now, who shall be dispatched as envoy to Xiqi?”

The sudden question silenced all the ministers in the hall.

Damn!

Once again, a group of willfully deaf and dumb people, indifferent and aloof.

“Hmph, what’s the matter with all of you? There’s a saying: ‘Raise soldiers for a thousand days to use them for a moment.’ You are all ministers of this king. Can you not share even a small burden for me? You enjoy the king’s bounty— is this how you repay me?” King Zhou’s anger flared.

Looking down at the ministers, each seemed like a cunning old fox, shrewd and unwilling to take any loss.

Wen Zhong glanced at Shang Rong, who hung his head low, then reported to the king: “Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the mission to Xiqi should be entrusted to Chancellor Shang. Chancellor, what say you?”

Weren’t you just trying to defend Marquis Ji Chang? Then surely you are the best choice for this task.

The remark struck Shang Rong like a hidden arrow to the backside. Staring at the sly Wen Zhong, Shang Rong was so stunned he couldn’t utter a word.

Damn it!

Wen Zhong, you traitor, why pick on Shang Rong like that? Why recommend him in front of all the ministers?

Xiqi, thousands of miles away—a godforsaken backwater.

This was a harsh assignment.

Shang Rong looked as if he wanted to cry but had no tears and tried to refuse. Suddenly, he lifted his head and saw King Zhou’s fierce gaze aimed directly at him.

Such a piercing look—both ruthless and domineering.

Startled, Shang Rong finally bowed his head and said, “Your servant… receives the order and will obey!”

“Good! Truly the breadth of our prime minister of Chaoge. Then the mission to Xiqi will be your charge, Chancellor Shang,” King Zhou declared decisively, leaving no room for discussion.

A bitter taste filled Shang Rong’s heart.