Chapter Sixteen: The North is Settled, Nezha Emerges

  Xī Bó Hóu, again Xī Bó Hóu! Zhāng Dì Xīn looked at the brocade and couldn't help but furrow his brow. A great sage among men, he had thought that if the Son of Heaven was without virtue, Western Zhou would overthrow him, but he hadn't expected Ji Chang to be so cunning and deceitful, influencing all the way from the palace to the vassals of Zhou Prefecture. Truly a "sage" who has won over the whole world!

  Thus, King Wen of Zhou, if he can't be seen, wouldn't it be a pity? Zhang Emperor Xin secretly sighed, and his evaluation of this King Wen of Western Zhou increased by several points. He was able to gain the world and enjoy great fame; in the world, there is only one such person!

  Zhang Di Xin pondered for half a day, but he didn't dare to easily believe in the words of Cang Jie. At this time, the beacons were lit everywhere, and the various marquises couldn't help but have their own ulterior motives. In this situation, there must be a compromise solution that would neither give them complete freedom nor lose control over them.

  That night, the Crown Prince summoned Chonghou Hu, Chongheitu, Yuan Futong and others to pay their respects. The next day, a proclamation was issued: Although Yuan Futong of Beihai had caused trouble, he also had circumstances beyond his control. Considering that he was for the people and did not dwell on past mistakes, this year's tribute would be reduced and exempted, counted as compensation to the people. In years of abundance, it would be repaid to the court in double.

  Bei Bo Hou Chong Hou Hu, seeing the neighboring country in danger, repeatedly blocked and obstructed, causing countless lives to be lost. Although the rebellion in Bei Hai was eventually put down, it was still a great mistake. Cao Zhou Hou rescued the emperor and had merit, so he specially promoted Chong Hei Hu to Bei Ding Hou, to govern the north together with Bei Bo Hou.

  Ji Fa of Western Zhou did not decline hard work and toiled for ten thousand li to serve the king, being a loyal minister, he was granted the title of Marquis Xi Ping, and on an auspicious day, he was crowned.

  Those who create chaos will die, it has long been a universal principle. When Yuan Futong heard the news, he couldn't even believe his own ears, and led all of Beihai to express gratitude for the emperor's great kindness.

  Chong Hou Hu was displeased in his heart, but he could only be a mute eating bitter melon. After all, Chong Hei Hu was still a member of the Chong family and didn't have much objection, so he agreed to it for the time being.

  Ji Fa was originally not the crown prince of Xiqi, but when he heard that he would be enfeoffed as a marquis, he was overjoyed and immediately led his troops back to Xiqi overnight to prepare for the ceremony.

  After accomplishing everything, Zhang Emperor Xin was secretly pleased in his heart. Yuan Futong had suffered heavy losses in this battle and would not be able to recover for a decade or so. Even if he didn't receive severe punishment, he wouldn't be able to stir up any more trouble. Moreover, the northern region was currently impoverished, making it the perfect time to win people's hearts. Missing such an opportunity would be regrettable.

  As for Chong Hou Hu and Chong Hei Hu, the two men, having two marquises from one family seems glorious on the surface, but in reality, it weakened the strength of Beidi. With two marquises governing together, there must be differences, and with differences, they cannot be united. This situation is exactly what Emperor Zhang Xin wants to see.

  The situation with Ji Fa is even more so. If you let him be the Marquis of Pingxi, he can't become the Marquis of Xibo. Ha! Western Zhou Wu Wang, humph, first cut off your thoughts!

  As for the return to Xiqi, the contradictions between Xi Bo Hou and Ping Xi Hou are none of my business, Zhang Di Xin. This is an internal family conflict, you'd better resolve it privately!

  The merchants and commoners, having heard of Emperor Zhang's edict, all said that the Crown Prince was benevolent and kind. On the day he ascends to the great treasure, he will surely greatly revive the foundation of the Cheng Tang dynasty. Above, he will be compared to the three virtuous emperors of old; below, he will be a lesser version of the two Emperors Kang. For a time, his majestic name and reputation will spread far and wide, and all the people will praise him.

  Hand over the northern affairs, and three days later, the army will return to the court. Zhang Emperor Xin led Huang Feihu, Li Jing, Jia Mengguan and other four generals to rush to Mo County, only because of a heavy news: Li Jing's wife Yin gave birth to a son, Nezha was born!

  Zhang Di Xin rushed all the way, but it made Huang Fei Hu and Jia Meng Guan's four generals think about it, Yin Furen gave birth to a child, the crown prince was so anxious, could there be some unspeakable secret in this, it was said that the palace was romantic, it seems...

  Of course, the five of them just thought about it and didn't dare to say more. Instead, Li Jing's face became increasingly ugly. He is my son, not your son, what are you anxious about?!

  Long before the expedition, he had already brought Li Jing's family to live in Shouwang Fu. Zhang Emperor Xin hurried back and was about to rush to Concubine Yin's residence when he was stopped by Jiang Wencan: "Your Highness, don't you see the time? How can you go to a woman's quarters at this late hour?"

  As soon as Jiang Wenchang said this, Zhang Dixing finally came to himself and looked out the window. The sky was already bright with sparse stars, and it was already midnight.

  "This..." Zhang Di Xin's heart was reluctant, but he also knew that visiting Yin Furen at this time might not be reasonable. He also knew that Li Jing had just returned and the two had not seen each other for a long time, so they would naturally have to talk about their separation. When emotions ran high, they couldn't help but do some things that children shouldn't see. Only then did he stop in his tracks. " Nezha was born, could that Daoist have arrived?"

  Jiang Wenchang couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and curl up the corners of his mouth when Zhang Dixing asked him: "You're really capable, that Taoist priest was helping you just a while ago, now you want to scheme against him, where is the justice in this world?"

  Zhang Di Xin chuckled and smiled, seeing Jiang Wenchun's beauty, he swept the beauty into his arms: "Prevent fire, prevent theft, prevent Taiyi, love the country, love beauty, love Wenchun, hehe, you tell me, what about that Taoist?"

  Although Jiang Wenchang didn't know where Zhang Disheng had picked up the phrase, he knew that this person was sincerely teasing him. His face turned red with embarrassment, like a crimson cloud in the sky: "Hey, you rascal! When that Taoist priest arrived, it was all about swords and guns, how could anyone say half a word? But as for you, where is even half of your prince-like demeanor?"

  "Hahaha...... That's good, that's good!" Zhang Di Xin burst out laughing, wanting to snatch the person from my hands. If he didn't bring out some real skills, how could he succeed...

  The next morning, Zhang Emperor Xin got up early and tidied up his clothes. Jiang Wenchu, however, was exhausted from the continuous battles and couldn't get out of bed, so he could only pretend to be ill and lay in bed.

  "The Crown Prince has arrived!" Li Jing and his wife, Yin Shi, had just gotten up, their clothes not yet properly put on. Hearing that Emperor Zhang of Xin was approaching, he could only hastily push his wife back into the inner quarters. Li Jing rushed to greet him: "Your Highness, forgive me, your humble subject...your humble subject has not yet..."

  Li Jing spoke halfway, but didn't know how to continue. Seeing the crown prince's clothes were disheveled, this was a serious offense of disrespect. Emperor Zhangxin knew he had come too early and didn't blame him much, only asking: "I heard that General Li has added a new member to his family, I came especially to offer congratulations, is your esteemed son present?"

  "Third Master? Where's Third Master?! Hurry up and call Third Master over!" Li Jing heard Zhang Di Xin's words and hastily shouted, but the servant beside him said that Third Master had rushed to Hu Long Chi early in the morning!

  Zhang Di Xin heard Huā Lóng Chí and his forehead fell with countless black lines. The place where he fell into the water, was it just so attractive to people?

  "Your Highness, please wait a moment, I'll call back my son!" As soon as Li Jing heard that the Third Prince had left, he couldn't help but feel annoyed. This guy had been in his wife's womb for three years without saying anything, and now the Crown Prince was summoning him, yet he went out to play. If he grew up like this, he would probably become a spoiled brat!

  Zhang Di Xin hastily intercepted Li Jing and turned around to head towards the Huálóng Chí, but with a smile on his face said: "Just a child, why get angry."

  Li Jing and Zhang Erxin rushed along the way, searching all the way, but did not see Nezha's figure. Li Jing couldn't help but frown, and secretly scolded his son for being unfilial!

  Zhang Di Xin and Li Jing walked side by side, but suddenly noticed some unusual movement in the nearby Huilong Pond. They immediately understood what was happening and quickly dodged as a large wave of lake water surged up!

  Li Jing was already anxious and didn't notice the water splashing up from the lake, so he got splashed all over his body, getting a thorough cool water bath!

  "Hehehe... so much fun, so much fun!" Suddenly, a child emerged from the water, with only a red bellyband on his chest, and a golden bangle with intricate carvings on his wrist. His face was as delicate as carved jade, extremely adorable.

  According to common theories, the little guy could only be considered a month-old baby, but because he had been in Yin's belly for more than three years, as soon as he was born, he could run and speak. At this time, Nezha was even on top of the lotus leaf, holding his stomach and laughing loudly.

  "Rebellious son! Come quickly and pay your respects to the prince!" Li Jing shouted, seeing that it was his own son, without even bothering to clean up the water stains on himself.

  The little guy's big, watery eyes stared at Zhang Di Xin, his face showing a curious expression, and he blurted out: "Just now, if you hadn't dodged quickly, you would have been a drowned chicken!"

  "Rebellious son, rebellious son! Your Highness the Crown Prince, please forgive me!" Li Jing heard San Gongzi say this and knew it was a grave offense. He immediately knelt down on the ground, knocking his head against the floor like he was pounding garlic, his face filled with fear.

  As for Li Jing's behavior, Zhang Daoling had long been accustomed to it and instead put him aside, directly stretching out his hand to pick up the little guy and bring him ashore: "Your eldest brother is Jīn Chǎ, your second brother is Mù Chǎ, today I will grant you the name Né Chǎ, how about that?"

  Li Jing was away on a military campaign and had not returned, and during the Shang Dynasty, only women of noble birth had names. It would have been impossible to give this little one a name. Zhang Emperor Xin's actions were those of a crown prince bestowing a name, and later it became the emperor granting a name. In ancient times, this was an immense honor!

  It is said that the crown prince gave a name, Li Jing was overjoyed and kowtowed even more. However, Nezha pouted his small mouth and thought for a long time before slowly saying: "The name isn't bad, I'll take it then! By the way, what's your name? Let's be friends!"

  Upon hearing Nezha's words, Li Jing, who was originally overjoyed, suddenly felt a pang in his heart. This unfilial son! How could he have given birth to such an unruly and unbridled child? This...this is simply...

  Overjoyed and grief-stricken too quickly, Li Jing's chest suddenly felt stifled, and he directly fainted!

  This mental endurance is also a bit poor! Zhang Di Xin has such a treasure as Nezha, where can he still take care of Li Jing? He ordered the servants to lift the general down and hugged the little guy to play aside.

  But Madam Yin saw Li Jing return, already unconscious, and thought to herself that something was amiss. She suspected that her careless son had gotten into trouble and didn't bother with much else, hastily rushing towards the Dragon Pool...