Li Ping'an was the first to get the news of Ji Chang's accident.

Because he can always pay attention to the drama of "Assassinating the Princes" in Chaoge City.

But the direction of development of this matter... just highlights a magic.

This was Emperor Xin's preparation. After planning for several years, he took the initiative to attack. Nanbohou E Chongyu became the lamb to be slaughtered by Emperor Xin. He also used a little moral kidnapping to roast other great princes on the fire.

【Whoever intercedes for Marquis Nan Bo will be praised as a sage by the world.】

Li Ping'an originally thought Di Xin's move was childish. Who could be fooled by such a shallow trick?

But he didn't expect it...

All the princes can be fooled;

Many veterans can also be fooled;

Shang Rong, the Prime Minister of Shang State, is even more likely to be fooled.

Nan Bohou was imprisoned for only four or five days, but already dozens of important princes and business ministers entered the palace to plead with Emperor Xin to save Nan Bohou from death.

Shang Rong was scolded by Emperor Xin and shed tears in the palace.

A large number of merchant officials were punished with fifty rods and fined three years' salary.

A group of minor princes were tortured, but the punishments were not fatal and could not be called torture among the punishments of the Shang Dynasty.

For a time, there were cries of mourning in front of the palace gate of Chaoge City. The merchants were saying that Emperor Xin was too cruel and shouldn't fight so many ministers. He could discuss everything.

As time went on and things continued to ferment, two voices emerged in Chaoge City.

Those who went to intercede for Marquis Nanbo were all loyal ministers of the Great Shang; those who were able to receive the punishment of Emperor Xin were all good ministers whose reputation would be passed down to future generations.

Emperor Xin's knife to kill Nan Bohou has been hanging in the balance.

At this time, a more abstract scene appeared.

When Dong Bohou entered Chaoge City, he still led a small team of men and horses, riding the fastest exotic beast, and ran wildly for more than half a month, and his old frame was almost broken.

Emperor Xin's father-in-law, Dongbohou Jiang Huanchu, is here to increase his prestige!

As soon as this Jiang Huanchu appeared, Emperor Xin was so excited that he almost overturned the table. He immediately sent people to secretly block the gate of Chaoge City. Grand plans one after another flashed through his mind. Even Queen Jiang, who had not favored him for a long time,

They were all summoned by Emperor Xin overnight.

Jiang Huanchu rested all night.

Early on the next morning, this elderly leader of eight hundred princes led dozens of princes stationed in Chaoge City into the palace and went straight to Emperor Xin's main hall to plead for Nan Bohou's life.

Ji Chang, who had already seen the problem at this time, wisely chose to protect himself wisely and did not participate in this wave of linkage between princes.

As a result, Ji Chang was accused by several friends, saying that he was cowardly and afraid of getting into trouble.

As the princes entered the hall to worship, the palace gate slowly closed.

Ji Chang put his hands behind his back and sighed softly from where he lived. His body, which had been hunched over subconsciously, slowly stood up straighter.

Boom——

There was a muffled thunder in the sky, and at some point, the sky was filled with dark clouds, and heavy rain continued to fall.

On that day, Nanbohou E Chongyu attempted to unite with the Southern Barbarians to rebel, but was executed by the emperor.

Dongbohou Jiang Huanchu and dozens of other princes interceded for Nanbohou. The emperor was furious and Jiang Huanchu was burned to death. Dozens of princes were severely punished and half of them died.

There was silence in Chaoge City, and troops and horses were arrayed outside Chaoge City, ready to start the Eastern Expedition at any time.

An old official from the Shang Dynasty entered the palace and reprimanded Emperor Xin for his cruelty. He was tortured and his body was found outside the palace gate.

On the same day, Emperor Xin announced the appointment of a group of merchants and ministers, and a group of talented and capable people from minor aristocrats to common people entered the court.

Emperor Xin also announced that the Eastern Expedition would be postponed, and all princes should contribute food, grass, soldiers, armor, and slaves. Anyone who failed to arrive at Chaoge City in another two months would be punished for treason.

Half of the princes rushed to pay tribute.

Half a month later, Jihou Su Huzhao told all the princes in the world, denounced Emperor Xin's cruelty, and shouted that he would never go to Shang Dynasty.

Emperor Xin immediately ordered to suspend the Eastern Expedition and mobilize an army of 500,000 to attack the country of Ji personally.

That is to say, on the eve of Emperor Xin's personal attack on Su Hu, Emperor Xin held a banquet in the palace, and only one person was entertained by Emperor Xin.

Xibohou, Ji Chang.

…

A shadow of Li Ping'an appeared in the corner of the side hall. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wooden pillar, looking at the somewhat depressing scene at this moment.

Di Xintan's chest was exposed, wearing a long coat made of gold thread, leaning on a low couch. In front of him were two kneeling beauties. There was a table on their backs, and several kinds of delicacies were placed on the table.

.

Ten feet away, Ji Chang, who was already looking very old, was sitting on his knees with his head lowered. In front of him was a low table, and beside him were two guards with swords.

Several side dishes were placed in front of Ji Chang.

"Eat, my love."

Emperor Xin's eyes were full of smiles.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ji Chang stretched out his hand with some fear, grabbed a piece of animal leg meat, brought it to his mouth and chewed it.

Di Xin said warmly: "You don't have to look like this. You are a sage and a born god. Who can you show yourself to in such a miserable state?"

He sneered, his face with beard full of mockery.

Di Xin's voice became lighter and lighter:

"In this Chaoge City, the person who understands people best is probably you, Ji Chang.

"My father, I killed your father, do you have any grudge?"

Ji Chang quickly bowed his head and knelt down, ignoring the oil stains, and shouted vaguely: "Your Majesty Mingjian! Old minister! My only loyalty is to the late king and your Majesty!"

"Okay, stop shouting."

Di Xin waved his hand:

"Sit down, I don't have a suitable reason to kill you now. There should be rumors outside that as long as I am drunk, I will easily become furious and kill innocent people indiscriminately.

"In exchange for my reputation as an alcoholic and violent person, I, the great merchant, can live longer for a thousand years. What do you think, Lord Xibo?"

Ji Chang slowly raised his head, but after glancing at Di Xin, he quickly lowered his head, rested his forehead on the carpet, and shouted: "Your Majesty! You must put the country first! Take care of yourself! Don't drink anymore!"

"You old thing, there are no outsiders here."

Di Xin clicked his tongue lightly, looked at the bell in front of him, and thought about Fei Zhong and the fifty swordsmen and axemen outside the palace.

He said leisurely:

"I have been waiting for this day, do you know how long you have been waiting?

"That Jiang Huanchu, who is known as the leader of the eight hundred princes, secretly wants to share the world with Chaoge City, but he has forgotten that this world belongs to my businessman! Don't say that he is just a daughter who marries me, even if he recognizes me

As a father, I cannot possibly allow him to act so wantonly and forget his ancestral roots!

"If the Jiang family hadn't been rewarded by the great merchants, how could they be where they are today, how could they be where they are now!"

Ji Chang lowered his head and did not dare to say anything.

Di Xin seemed to be venting his anger, and as if he wanted to anger Ji Chang, he continued:

"Don't you think you're a widower and don't want to kill me directly?

"Actually, you and Jiang Huanchu can only die one at a time. Killing two will force both sides to rebel at the same time. That little Su Hu is just a clown. He can't see clearly what the situation is. He really thinks that there is so-called righteousness in this world.

"I first killed him to sacrifice the flag, and then sent troops to attack eastward to cut off the Jiang family's foundation and destroy the Dongyi tribes supported by the Jiang family.

"With only two more expeditions to the east, I can redefine the rich and prosperous lands in the eastern part of the Shang Dynasty and show the glory of Tang Zu again!"

Di Xin raised his arms high and vibrated vigorously.

"Then look now, who is the real sage!"

Ji Chang said anxiously: "Your Majesty is a sage!"

"I've already said it, you can relax. Why do I want to kill you now? To make people around you rebel?"

Di Xin sneered:

"Jichang, your sons have been thoroughly investigated by the people.

"The eldest son is cowardly, the second son is mediocre, the third son is mediocre, and the fourth son is a god. You claim to have hundreds of sons, but most of them are adopted sons who can win people's hearts and control military affairs. The only one who can be of great use is your second son.

"But unfortunately, he met a widower.

"When I pacify the Jiang family, what can you, the Zhou Kingdom, do?

"Actually, I have another reason not to kill you... You are guarding the west gate of Chaoge City. Those Qiang people are so brave and cruel. Before the Zhou Dynasty without you, they had threatened the hinterland of our Shang Kingdom several times, and our ancestors had to move the capital.

Avoid.

"Therefore, our ancestors used a clever plan to introduce a group of Qiang people to the border of Great Shang, teach them how to forge weapons and forge armor, and treat them as our subjects of Great Shang.

"This is how your Zhou Kingdom is today.
To be continued...