Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 177 Calm Down Everyone (Happy New Year!!!)

Chapter 177: Chapter 177 Calm Down Everyone (Happy New Year!!!)

When they arrived in Xiqi, Lei Zhenzi bid farewell to Nezha and, following his master’s instructions, returned to Zhongnan Mountain.

He handed the letter to Yun Zhongzi.

Yun Zhongzi rubbed the rough, dark yellow paper with his hand and, with his wisdom, immediately understood what it was. He thought to himself that there were indeed many clever people in the world and felt pleased.

He muttered to himself, "If only the pulping process were a bit more meticulous, it could be even better."

After saying this, he read the letter on the paper. After reading it, he laughed and said, "Silly child, who doesn’t know what you’ve mentioned? However, you are the Outer Heaven Demon and have offended the Chan Sect and Taiyi Zhenren, and this is your original sin."

...

Ji Chang and Bo Yikao returned to their homeland, and all of Xiqi celebrated. The old woman, Tai Ji, led a group of Ji Chang’s wives, while on the other side, the pale-faced Ji Fa brought along a group of younger brothers.

Two red banners fluttered in the breeze, with Great General Nangong Shi on the left and Upper Doctor San Yisheng on the right, leading the four sages, eight handsome men, thirty-six warriors, Xin Jia, Xin Mian, and several others were all present.

As soon as they met, the second son, Ji Fa, stepped forward, knelt on the ground respectfully, and said, "Father, you were tethered in a foreign land, and elder brother went far to Zhaoge. As the days and nights alternated, I, Ji Fa, being your son, could not share your worries and burdens, which truly makes me a sinner under heaven and earth. I hope Father will forgive me, and elder brother will understand. Today, seeing your kind face and witnessing your good health fills me with great comfort."

Seeing that every one of his sons was well, Ji Chang, with tears in his aged eyes, helped Ji Fa from the ground.

Father and son started exchanging small talk shoulder to shoulder, and now and then, Ji Chang would reach out to gently pat Ji Fa’s thin back and laugh heartily toward the sky.

Nezha only watched Ji Fa for a moment and noticed that Ji Fa’s face was pale, his steps unsteady, as if he was severely physically depleted, unlike Bo Yikao, who was full of spirit. He could see nothing else remarkable.

Not bearing the sight of such a lively familial gathering, Nezha took his leave.

Partings always arrive so suddenly. Just after taking leave of Ji Chang and Bo Yikao, Little Dragon Girl also came to say goodbye.

She said that her sister on Phoenix Mountain had invited her over for a visit, and she intended to stay for a while.

The two agreed to meet again later, and Nezha first returned to his small world.

After Ji Chang finished speaking with his sons, Upper Doctor San Yisheng seized the moment to say, "In the past, Chengtang’s king was imprisoned at Xia Tai but returned one day to reclaim his homeland and eventually rule the world. Today, the lord has returned to the country, is working to improve governance, foster people’s well-being, and will act in due course. How do we know today’s Youli is not the Xia Tai of the past?"

Upon hearing these words, everyone around, including Ji Chang, turned pale.

Ji Chang watched San Yisheng, thinking of his old friend who excelled in strategy, both grand and minute, wondered why he was so unwise today to say such treasonous words publicly.

If he really had such thoughts, he should have shared them privately.

Once heard by ill-intentioned people, it could lead to trouble if reported in Zhaoge.

Ji Chang was undecided, but also aware that San Yisheng would not act foolishly without reason, so he said, "Doctor’s words are neither correct nor suitable for a subject. Ji Chang is guilty. Though imprisoned in Youli for seven years, I was granted the mercy of the emperor who imprisoned but did not kill me. This is indeed the grand graciousness of the Emperor. Now that I’ve returned home, been promoted and enfeoffed as King Wen, bestowed the yellow battle-axe and white pennant, specifically commissioned for campaigns, such immense grace! We who are subjects should all the more fulfill our duties to serve the country. Why would the Doctor say such things? As if making those present harbor rebellious thoughts."

That day, Ji Chang, along with various ministers, toured the old land, observing the people of Xiqi living in relative peace and comfort.

It was apparent that even though he was imprisoned in Youli for years, his eldest son, Bo Yikao, governing Zhaoge, conducted everything with order.

After giving many instructions and just about to start the banquet, San Yisheng suddenly emerged from the crowd, knelt on the ground, and submitted, saying, "My lord’s virtue is renowned throughout the world, spreading kindness widely. Now, of the three parts of the world, two have already belonged to our Xiqi, and you’ve witnessed it yourself. The people of Xiqi are healthy and prosperous. Since ancient times, it has been said: ’To keep virtuous thoughts brings myriad blessings; to harbor evil thoughts brings myriad calamities.’

The lord has returned to the western lands, truly like a dragon returning to the sea, a tiger back to the deep mountains, and should nurture the time while waiting to act.

Moreover, there are already four hundred vassals against the Zhou. King Zhou acts lawlessly, murdering wives and children, creating the paolao and spikey basins, dismembering ministers, abolishing the customs of former kings, building wine pools and Meat Forests, killing concubines, heeding Daji’s slander and rejecting remonstrance, drowning in indulgence, claiming the heavens are not to be feared, and saying there is no good to pursue, only indulging in debauchery without a hint of repentance. I predict Zhaoge, the royal capital, will soon belong to another."

Before finishing his speech, Ji Chang’s face had already turned extremely unsightly.

He realized that in his years of absence, those beneath him had grown restless, and after so much time, they indeed harbored rebellious thoughts.

While it’s said that conquering the world is easier than maintaining it, Ji Chang knew himself.

Though capable of governing the land and managing the people, he was indecisive in times of war.

Moreover, his heart was compassionate, unable to bear seeing soldiers killed, and held unrealistic hopes for the Chengtang Emperor.

To rebel, one must make the decision resolutely, and being hesitant like himself, he would absolutely accomplish nothing.

Before he could speak, another person came out from the west side of the hall and shouted, "Today, with the Great King having returned to the western lands, we should rally our banners to rectify the wrongs, responding to the two lords of the southeast.

Furthermore, Xiqi now boasts four hundred thousand strong soldiers and sixty generals; now is the right time to charge through the Five Passes, besiege Zhaoge, execute Fei Zhong and You Hun in the market, depose the foolish king, and establish a wise ruler to quell the people’s rage against the heavens."

King Wen Ji Chang’s face turned a steely blue, and he immediately rebuked the two, saying, "I thought you were men of loyalty and righteousness. How could you say such things to put a hat of rebellion on your own heads?

Rectify the wrongs?

I have been in Xiqi for many years. Were there no mistakes?

If a father makes mistakes, the son would not even dare to speak. The Emperor is the sovereign of all nations, mistakes are normal; we as subjects, just do our duties."

He continued at length, essentially telling those present to behave, settle their thoughts, and let him enjoy his hard-won return in peace.

Bo Yikao, at the side, listening, did not expect Ji Chang to say such a thing.

In his view, now that the Emperor acts against principles, they, as subjects, might not go so far as regicide or rebellion, but military remonstration to Zhaoge, urging them to execute Fei Zhong and You Hun, and abolishing the Demon Queen is the duty of faithful ministers.

His father, having stayed long in Zhaoge, was not unaware of the Emperor’s cruelty, so why would he say such things?

In truth, Ji Chang believed deeply in fate throughout his life, and although he knew Xiqi was destined to rise, he also calculated that even if the Chengtang perished, it would not fall by his hands. If heaven was to be conquered, now was not the time.

However, this also suited his intentions, allowing that after his death, these people before him could do as they wished, stirring the world to chaos, all unrelated to him.

Seeing Ji Chang’s firm stance, Nangong Shi and San Yisheng bowed their heads in gratitude and listened to King Wen’s admonishment.

King Wen said, "I want to construct a spirit platform in the southern part of Xiqi to arrange an array, calculate the timing and geographical advantages, to assist the Xiqi people in favorable weather for next year’s farming. However, realizing the Emperor’s extensive construction in Zhaoge, conscripting civilian labor into harsh servitude and wasting resources, the people suffering burdens, I feel hesitant."

Without mentioning rebellion further, San Yisheng said, "The lord wishes to construct a spirit platform, which is for the people’s divination, not for amusement or enjoyment, why would it cause the people’s concern and waste resources?

If the lord doesn’t tax the people too much, offering them fair wages, allowing them to come willingly to work and earn money without force, it would not harm the people; why wouldn’t they be willing?"

Seeing San Yisheng suddenly come up with a good idea, Ji Chang was delighted and said, "The Doctor’s words fit perfectly with my intentions."

Xiqi’s destined rise is no accident; going back three generations from Ji Chang are all capable rulers of the land. When the banquet dispersed, everyone left the table.

The second son, Ji Fa, returned to his palace, and upon entering, the first thing he did was remove his shoes.

Taking only a few steps further, he discarded his outer robe, and by the time he reached the center of the hall, he was stark naked.

He lay on the floor, naked, as the weather turned cool, the flue ran under the floor, making his palace exceedingly warm.

A ghost-faced masked attendant beside, seeing his master in this state, was already accustomed and said, "Reporting to the young master, the fourth young lady has finished bathing and changing and is waiting in the room."

Just having finished drinking, Ji Chang, with the heat in the room stimulating the spread of the wine’s aroma, his eyes slightly dazzled, feeling a bit drowsy, yawned, and asked doubtfully:

"Which fourth young lady?"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢