Chapter 8: The Debate at Zhaoxuan Hall! A Battle of Wits or Brute Force?

  Wei Zi Qi continued, "Although the 800 vassals are not all of equal quality, fortunately, the vast majority remain loyal to our dynasty. In particular, the four great vassals - Duke Xiang of East Qi, Duke Mu of South Chu, Duke Xi of West Zhou, and Duke Wu of North Yan - each possess unwavering loyalty and can serve as a powerful support for Your Majesty. These four great vassals govern 200 vassals each, dividing and ruling them. Furthermore, Duke Xiang of East Qi and Duke Xi of West Zhou can lead the eastern and western routes of vassals to resist the Eastern Yi and Quan Rong, allowing Your Majesty to reside safely in Mu Yi, broadly bestowing benevolence, and enjoying a peaceful and prosperous era."

  Wei Zi Qi finished speaking, and saw a smile on Emperor Yi's face. He was secretly delighted, but then heard a cold laugh from the side: "The great king's good 'strategy'! If we follow this, it's no different from digging our own graves. It's really ridiculous!"

  "Third prince! You..." Wei Ziqi heard Shouwang mocking him without any disguise in front of his father, the emperor, and his face turned red with rage, unable to speak for a moment.

  "Xin'er! How dare you be so rude!" Emperor Yi scolded Zhang Zixing, "What insight do you have, speak for yourself!"

  Zhang Zixing solemnly said: "I think that the greatest worry of the big business at present is not outside, but inside!"

  Emperor Yi's thick eyebrows rose slightly, and a sharp glint flashed across his eyes. On the surface, he remained calm and asked, "What do you mean by this?"

  "The internal worry I'm referring to is the 800 vassals scattered across the land!" Zhang Zixing's eyes gleamed with sharpness, noticing that Emperor Yi was somewhat moved, and without regard for the shocking words, he continued: "Although the various vassals on different routes appear to be obedient on the surface, in reality they each have their own thoughts, especially the four most powerful vassals. If we follow the strategy of the great king's brother, listening to them and indulging them, allowing them to grow stronger, wouldn't that be equivalent to handing over our own lives as well as the fate of our Great Shang dynasty into someone else's hands? The consequences of their rebellion would be too terrible to contemplate!"

  "Three kings, how dare you! You actually dare to speak such dangerous words and slander the loyal and good!" Wei Ziqi loudly interrupted Zhang Zixing's words: "The four great marquises are all loyal and sincere, as clear as day and night! Not to mention that East Marquis is still your father-in-law, which of South Marquis or North Marquis is not loyal to the country? And there is also West Marquis Ji Chang, a benevolent and virtuous gentleman, with a reputation for being a sage. In those years, he welcomed the sister of the emperor from Wei Water, shocking the world. Where did this talk of rebellion come from?"

  "Hmph! Perhaps the greatest threat to our great Shang dynasty is none other than this Zhong Hui. Even if 'loyal minister' Ji Chang does not rebel now, who can guarantee that his descendants will remain loyal to our dynasty? So-called 'sages' are like this, let alone other vassals?" Zhang Zixing was clearer about this than anyone else here, whether it was history or the outcome of the Shang dynasty being destroyed by Ji Chang's son, Ji Fa. "If we still do not awaken to this reality, a situation where no one respects the Son of Heaven and each does as they please will inevitably arise, with the consequence being the fragmentation of our territory and the downfall of our state!"

  "Shut up, you disobedient son!" Emperor Yi angrily shouted, clutching his chest in pain and struggling to breathe. It seemed that his old heart condition had flared up again. Wei Ziqi and Wei Ziyuan hastily knelt down on the ground, not daring to lift their heads, while Zhang Zixing continued to gaze calmly at her father's furious face.

  Wei Zixi and Wei Ziyuan saw Emperor Yi scolding Zhang Zixing, secretly rejoicing. During the day, they still showed concern for their brother's bravery, but unexpectedly at night, he was so presumptuous that he provoked the emperor's true anger.

  "Since the great merchant Tang Shengjun, there have been twenty-nine generations of kings until I, the orphaned one. Although there have been ups and downs in between, the mountains and rivers have always been as stable as a rock. Now I, who have inherited the heavenly mandate, govern with benevolence, and my virtue has subdued all under heaven. The eight hundred vassals are all sincerely obedient. How can there be talk of national subjugation?! You rebellious son dare to utter such dangerous words! I hereby order you to kneel here and reflect on your actions. If you still do not repent, I will definitely not pardon you!"

  Emperor Yi panted with effort, scolding Zhang Zixing before seemingly losing interest. He told Wei Ziqi and Wei Ziyuan: "You two may withdraw, leaving this rebellious son here to reflect. No one is allowed to plead on his behalf."

  The triumphant look in Wei Zi Qi and Wei Zi Yan's eyes can be seen, Emperor Yi's last sentence is equivalent to nonsense, the two exchanged a glance, bowed and retreated. Emperor Yi gave Zhang Zixing a sideways glance, turned his sleeve and left the Zhao Xuan Hall directly.

  The sky gradually sank, and the bright candlelight of the Zhao Xuan Hall also lit up. Unknowingly, two hours had passed, and Zhang Zixing was still kneeling on the ground, his face calm, seemingly unaffected by Emperor Yi's great anger, only secretly operating the Battle Soul Technique to relieve the pain in his knees from kneeling for a long time.

  "Rebellious son, do you know repentance?" Suddenly, Emperor Yi's voice came from behind him.

  As expected... Zhang Zixing let out a subtle sigh, still stubbornly insisting on his own point of view: "I admit that I have wronged the Emperor's favor, but I don't think I was wrong."

  It's strange that Emperor Yi didn't get very angry this time, but instead coldly snorted and said: "Good rebellious son, you actually refuse to repent until death! Since you insist on it so strongly, I'll listen to your argument. If you can't come up with a reasonable explanation, I'll expel you from the capital and banish you overseas!"

  Zhang Zixing saw the severe color of Emperor Yi, knowing that his treasure was indeed in the right place. A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and with the knowledge and perspective of later generations, he spoke eloquently about the pros and cons of the feudal system of enfeoffment. The future historical facts of the division and destruction of the Zhou Dynasty, as well as the chaotic situation of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, were also indirectly mentioned by him from a predictive perspective. He also mentioned the centralized power system that made Emperor Yi's heart flutter.

  Emperor Yi had always been wary of the various vassals, intending to reform, but had never heard such a precise and unique insight. Many terms were even unheard of by himself. He immediately suppressed his anger, personally stepped forward to help Zhang Zixing up, and sighed: "Qi'er and Yan'er, one only knows so-called 'benevolence' to govern people, the other has no talent or strategy, and doesn't know that our dynasty is now plagued by internal and external troubles, and is on the verge of collapse. It's truly disappointing for me. Our great Shang Dynasty has been declining in power since the prosperous era of Wu Ding. Looking at the various vassals rising up everywhere, it's becoming increasingly difficult to control them. During the time of my predecessor, Tai Ding, he was wary of the growing power of Xibo and had the then Marquis of Xibo, Ji Li (the father of Ji Chang), imprisoned and killed. However, his son Ji Chang inherited his father's legacy, and the power of Xiqi only grew stronger. I was forced to marry my younger sister, Tai Si, to him in order to make peace and prevent Ji Chang from seeking revenge. This is truly a shame for our great Shang Dynasty!"

  "I originally thought that my son was only brave but lacked wisdom, but today I realize that he is both intelligent and courageous, truly a blessing for our great business! Emperor Yi looked at Zhang Zixing with delight and asked: "But... according to the prince's words, how should we solve this problem of 'local' threatening 'central'?"

  "Should strengthen the power of the Son of Heaven, adopt the previous proposal by Er Chen - a 'centralized power' strategy with the Son of Heaven as the center, while continuously strengthening itself and gradually weakening the power of the vassals, waiting for the right moment to combine with military force to carry out reforms and establish a great work that will last for thousands of years!"

  "What a magnificent achievement that will last for ages!" Emperor Yi's piercing gaze fell on Zixing, and he suddenly asked: "If my son were to become the Son of Heaven, what strategy would he use to govern the country?"

  "The humble son is fearful..." Zhang Zixing heard these words, his heart racing, and quickly knelt down, saying the heroic words he had prepared earlier: "To implement benevolent policies to educate the people, with mighty military power to subdue the heroes, to reform laws and regulations to govern the four directions, to restore the prosperous era of Emperor Cheng Tang!"

  "Words and deeds, sparse and dense, are the way of emperors." Emperor Yi's eyes lit up, his face gradually relaxed, as if he had put down a heavy burden, and blurted out in praise: "Wang Er is wise and brave, with deep strategies and far-reaching plans, seeing clearly for thousands of miles, truly the best candidate for the crown prince!"

  Zhang Zixing seemed to see a destined fate that had taken several turns and finally landed on himself, and he couldn't help but feel emotional. He had long made up his mind to face everything, so there was no hesitation: "Thank you, Father Emperor, for your kindness, I will not disappoint your expectations!"

  "Good! Good! Good!" Emperor Yi had resolved his greatest worry, and was overjoyed. He laughed three times, then asked another question, "By the way", which made Zhang Zixing pause: "Right, Wang Er, I heard you want to marry Huang's daughter?"

  "In fact, Zhang Zixing had never even seen Miss Huang's face before, and was taken aback. When he thought of Wei Ziqi also pursuing her, he immediately replied: 'Indeed, nothing can be hidden from the Emperor... I do have such intentions!'"

  Miss Huang is destined to be my third wife, Wei Ziyu you hypocrite don't have any illusions, get out of here!

  "Huang Nu's father, Huang Gun Lao Er, has always supported you, Da Wang Ge. If Wang Er can marry her, it will also make the entire Huang family's power belong to your side, which is a win-win situation! Emperor Yi stroked his long beard and smiled: "I'll just go ahead and make this beautiful thing happen, how about I issue an imperial decree to grant their marriage tomorrow?"

  Alas, another political marriage! Zhang Zixing lamented in his heart, but loudly thanked: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

  Zhang Zixing can only pray now that the appearance of this "tiger" girl is not too ferocious, because in the original book, her appearance was simply blank.

  Emperor Yi and Zhang Zixing have been talking until now, with a gradually tired expression on his face. Zhang Zixing noticed this and tactfully bid farewell and left. As he passed by a pillar in the Zhaoxuan Hall, he suddenly felt something, furrowed his brow, but didn't dare to linger and left directly.

  After he left, Emperor Yi suddenly asked a strange question: "What does the second duke think?"

  At this time, the two figures of Shang Rong and Wen Zhong suddenly appeared behind the pillar in the hall. It turned out that the two had been hiding their bodies with Wen Zhong's Taoist skills, listening to Emperor Yi and King Shou's conversation clearly. However, Wen Zhong did not know that his wooden hideout was faintly sensed by Zhang Zixing, otherwise he would be greatly surprised.

  "It's not an old minister's flattery, but Your Majesty has great talent and wisdom, with bravery and strategy. Many of your wise words have opened up the old minister's mind," Shang Rong said: "Your Majesty having such a son is a blessing for our dynasty, and also the hope for the prosperity of the Great Shang!"

  Wen Zhong also nodded: "I heard that after the third prince's strange illness, his temperament changed greatly, as if he had been reborn. Today, I see that it is indeed so. The third prince not only has more bravery than before, but also surpasses others in wisdom. His theory of using 'horizontal and vertical alliances' to deal with the vassal states and powerful lords is truly unprecedented. Although this old minister has always been self-confident, he cannot help but sigh that he is inferior to him. This must be the blessing of the wise ancestor Cheng Tang, and in the future, the Great Shang will have another wise ruler!"

  Upon hearing that the two most powerful ministers of the court, Wen and Wu, were praising Shou Wang in this manner, Emperor Yi felt greatly comforted: "Since it is so, after I ascend to heaven, you two should devote your hearts and exert your utmost efforts to assist Shou Wang."

  Hear Wen Zhong and Shang Rong hastily knelt down: "Your Majesty is in the prime of life, with a thousand years of longevity ahead, please treasure your dragon body, and absolutely must not speak such words again!"

  "You don't have to comfort me anymore," Emperor Yi sighed, gazing out at the starry sky outside the window, his face bearing a faintly weary expression. "I myself sense that my time is running out..."

  Wen Zhong and Shang Rong were shocked at the same time, fell to the ground, and said in unison: "I should have been loyal to the death, assisted the crown prince, and died a thousand times without regret!"

  Emperor Yi nodded with satisfaction and waved his long sleeves, indicating that the two ministers should withdraw.

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