Chapter 28: Ascending the Throne, Not a Weak King but a Martial King

  Many children are also a kind of reliance, let alone Ji Chang having 100 sons under his knees, among whom there were also people with both virtues and talents such as Bo Yu Kao, Ji Fa, and Ji Dan. This time, the Marquis of the West brought only one son, presumably he had made full preparations and was confident and calm in his heart.

  "Hahaha... Since the Marquis of Xihe is still in his prime, he should personally govern the western lands. Where would others dare to intervene?" Zhang Emperor Xin laughed and said, with a tone of sarcasm. Unexpectedly, Ji Chang did not take the bait and instead nodded in agreement: "Although Xiqi is under my personal governance, it is also an important commercial hub. If heaven has brought us to this point, what other options are there?"

  What a King Wen of Zhou, indeed eight sides shining, Zhang Emperor Xin sighed in his heart, and suddenly a bright idea flashed in his mind: "I heard earlier that the Marquis of the West was good at divination, knowing the astronomy above and the geography below. When I ascend to the throne, why not have him cast a great oracle for me?"

  "This..." Upon hearing this, Ji Chang's face turned difficult to look at, and he slowly stretched out his hands from his sleeves. However, it was seen that on his fingers, a bundle of silk gauze was tightly wrapped around, covering his palms completely. "Your Highness has given an order, and I should have obeyed, but unfortunately, this humble subject burned his palms sometime ago. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

  Ji Chang finished speaking and hastily knelt down to the ground. Zhang Emperor Xin glanced at him, not wanting to make things difficult for him, and sent someone to escort the Marquis of the West back.

  He arrived at the inn, and Ji Chang had already visited the three nobles early in the morning. After meeting with them, he returned to his room, his eyes fixed on his hands as he let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had prepared ahead of time, so he didn't have an excuse to be absent, and he felt more at ease.

  King Wen of the Western Zhou was indeed a cunning old fox. Zhang Emperor Xin returned to the Shou Wang Palace, his emotions still difficult to calm down. This time, he tried again and again to probe, but ultimately couldn't grasp the old fox's tail. This thief was truly crafty, and keeping him would surely be a great calamity. However, Zhang Emperor Xin didn't dare to act rashly. With Jichang here, there were only a few dozen people following him. Even if he kept him in Mifu, it wouldn't cause any loss for the Western Qi. On the contrary, it would accelerate Ji Fa's ascension to power. By then, it might be too late and they would suffer a great loss.

  The next day, the crown prince ascended to the throne. Bi Gan was in the city of Mo Yu, overseeing the construction of the Feng Chan altar. The altar was over 100 zhang high, with towers on all four sides. The steps were divided into three layers, each layer having nine levels. Black flags stood on both sides, embroidered with the mysterious bird of the Shang Dynasty. As the wind blew, the flags fluttered, creating a majestic scene.

  "The Crown Prince has arrived!" Suddenly, a loud shout was heard, and the crowd surged forward. Zhang Emperor Xin wore a white robe with nine black birds embroidered on it, his feet clad in bright silver boots adorned with dragon clouds, holding a jade scepter with a beast's head on top. His footsteps slowly fell onto the red golden carpet, as the four hundred vassals from the eight directions stood under the leadership of the four great vassals, divided and standing on both sides of the imperial platform. Seeing the Crown Prince emerge, they all knelt down to pay their respects.

  Zhang Di Xin was still taken aback by the grand reception, and his heart skipped a beat. His feet felt as if they were on clouds, and he was slightly floating. Jiang Wen Qiang followed closely behind him, seeing her husband like this, she couldn't help but smile secretly, quietly grasping his elbow, and slowly following along.

  Someone supported him, and Zhang Emperor's heart was already at peace, with a smile on his face. He nodded slightly to the people kneeling on both sides, and as he walked, the sound of drums and music filled the air. On the red carpet, there were suddenly bursts of fragrance, and in a daze, petals fell from the sky!

  The princes heard the fragrance and looked at each other, thinking in their hearts that this was a heavenly gift. Now that the king has ascended to the throne, it is also the will of heaven. The great merchant has met a wise lord!

  All the marquises were obedient, and on both sides of the red carpet, there was one person standing. One was Marquis Dongbo Jiang Huan Chu, who was the emperor's father-in-law. Before the ceremony, the crown prince had specially conveyed that he did not need to kneel or bow. The other person was the white-haired but youthful-looking Marquis Xibo Ji Chang.

  Ji Chang's face was full of smiles, but the corners of his eyebrows flashed with disdain. This little trick may deceive many people, but it can't escape his discerning eyes. Those five little ghosts, stirring up wind and rain in mid-air, how could they possibly escape?

  Wen Zhong saw the five ghosts making trouble, just about to take action, but was pulled by Bi Gan's sleeve, hinting with a shake of his head: "This is the way of the Son of Heaven, the talk of gods and ghosts, perhaps there's another meaning."

  Wen Zhong just nodded, and the third eye on his forehead opened, but did not close. If it were a reversal of the five ghosts, he could take this person down.

  In a short while, Zhang Emperor Xin had already arrived at the top of Mount Tai, turned around and looked back, but behind him was already a layer of fine sweat. With so many people watching, even walking became uncomfortable: "The princes are all present, the great merchants have received the emperor's favor, to me, it has been over 800 years..."

  At ordinary banquets, the Son of Heaven had to make a speech, let alone at the grand ceremony of ascending the throne. There were many words of gratitude to the heavens and thanks to the ancestors of Cheng Tang. After reading through the whole article, Emperor Zhang Xin felt dry mouth and tongue, extremely impatient.

  "The prayer to heaven, the Son of Heaven ascends the throne!" The crown prince finished speaking, and the knife shouted again. As soon as the words fell, the sacrifices that came out were not slaves, but the heads of three animals: pigs, cows, and sheep, placed on a jade plate and slowly placed on the altar for the ceremony to heaven.

  All the princes were stunned at first, and then they started discussing it in a flurry, "The Son of Heaven has abdicated, how can he be so ungenerous?"

  "Is this sacrifice not disrespectful to Heaven?"

  "How can the crown prince be so reckless as to abandon the ancestral rites and laws without a care!"

  "Thus it will be, and King Tang will suffer great calamity!"

  Everyone discussed, as expected by Zhang Emperor Xin, the Shang Dynasty's "human sacrifice" had been going on for nearly a thousand years. For a while, it was difficult for the vassals to accept, but people are not trees or wood, who can be without feelings? Today's "human sacrifice", tomorrow's "human sacrifice", enduring for a moment is possible, but if it goes on for long, there will surely appear Chen Sheng and Huang Chao-like figures. If waiting until then, the country will lose its people's hearts, the people will have no peaceful days, and it will be the downfall of the great dynasty, already a predetermined fate.

  "I, the humble one, have heard of Heaven's decree, saying that our great merchant has offended the atmosphere...” Zhang Emperor Xin had just opened his mouth when he saw a commotion below. It was an old man who knelt down on the ground, crawling up the slope, and kowtowed as he spoke: "Your Majesty's wise judgment, how can we abolish the rituals of Shang Tang!"

  Alas, it's this person again! Zhang Di Xin was extremely annoyed in his heart. At the wedding celebration earlier, he had already given this person enough face, and now that he has ascended to the throne, he still wants to do so, how can he be so ignorant of the heights of heaven and the thickness of the earth?!

  Everyone heard Shang Rong's words, and they all knelt down and begged him to reconsider. Some even drew their long swords from their waists and placed them on their necks, asking the emperor to follow the proper rituals and laws. If not, they would rather kill themselves as a "human sacrifice" to complete the ritual for Cheng Tang!

  "Enough! The Emperor's actions are guided by Heaven's will, what use is there for you to speak out!" Zhang Emperor Xin had never expected that at this moment, the first person to speak up for him would be none other than Fei Zhong, the treacherous minister who had just been demoted.

  "Under the sky, there is no land that is not the king's territory; on the border of this land, there are no people who are not the king's subjects. The Son of Heaven loves his people, how could he have abolished the laws and rituals established by Tang?!" Fei Zhong's words flowed like a river, and in between them, he became more and more agitated. "You don't talk about the benevolence of the Son of Heaven, but instead say that he has ruined the laws of his ancestors - isn't this having a heart that is not loyal to one's lord?"

  "Treacherous Fee Zhong! You deceitful little man! If it weren't for the Crown Prince's presence, how would we have such corrupt officials like you wasting our ancestral rites and laws!" The old man was furious, furious! Shang Rong was also enraged, and didn't even bother with the formalities of addressing an elder official. He loudly scolded Fee Zhong, "Even if I die today, I won't let the rituals of Cheng Tang be abolished!"

  "You... you!" Fei Zhong was so angry that his fat body trembled, but he couldn't retort. Firstly, Shang Rong was a veteran official of the past three dynasties, and even if it were the previous king, one had to show him respect and courtesy; secondly, this man was the Prime Minister, and in terms of position, there was no one higher than him in the court or outside, so he couldn't be offended!

  "Are you going to abandon us old ministers and ignore us now that the Emperor has ascended to the throne?" A voice called out from behind Shang Rong, an old man who Zhang Emperor naturally recognized as Mei Bo, another stubborn and unyielding individual, "If the Emperor does not respect Heaven, how can he expect the people to be filial?"

  "Your Highness, if not..." Bi Gan saw that things were getting out of hand and advised from the side. Zhang Emperor Xin was already furious, and upon hearing these words, he became even more indignant: "The ruler is the boat, the people are the water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Don't you know this principle?"

  "Treated like slaves and dogs, how can we be considered merchants!" Shang Rong loudly exclaimed from below, and hundreds of people responded!

  You'd better watch out, if I didn't see that you're old, I would have gone down and beaten you up! Zhang Di Xin's anger in his heart grew even stronger, he shouted loudly: "Guards! Take the old minister away for me!"

  Although Zhang Di Xin was furious, he still didn't utter the words "ordinary man". His words only mentioned please, which sounded like thunder in Shang Rong's ears. He drew out his long sword from his waist and placed it on his neck: "The Emperor is unfilial, an old minister can only apologize with death!"

  You're really asking for it! Zhang Di Xin's anger reached its peak, he rushed down the stairs in a hurry and snatched the sword away: "Are you all deaf?! Hurry up and invite the Prime Minister out!"

  "Your Highness, this is..." Forget it, even if you can tolerate the presence of Shang Rong, but you're still chattering away here, and you can't even move the Prime Minister, what are you doing sticking your nose in!

  Zhang Di Xin strode forward quickly, one hand picking up Mei Bo and throwing him directly to the ground. Although everyone was speaking, no one dared to come forward!

  Zhang Di Xin raised the long sword in his hand, swung it smoothly, and pierced directly through Mei Bo Hua's skirt: "If you mention this again, there is no need for you to take action, I will personally send you on your way!"

  The blade was inserted into the ground several feet deep, and the reflected cold light fell directly on Meibei's face, making her complexion even paler, with cold sweat all over her back.

  "The Son of Heaven follows the heavens and loves his people, isn't this a wise ruler? Such benevolence is indeed the good fortune of our Shang dynasty!" Ji Chang gazed out for a long time before speaking. The two hundred vassals behind him immediately knelt down and hailed him as "Long live the king!"

  It has come to this, and Shang Rong is powerless to change the situation, so he can only slump down weakly on one side. The guards see that the emperor is angry, how dare they not obey? They hastily lift the prime minister down.

  Everyone saw the Marquis of Western Zhou, Ji Chang, kneel down and no longer pretend to be strong. They all knelt down on the ground, calling out the heavenly virtues of the emperor. Emperor Xin stood on the altar, but in his heart, he was filled with emotions. This matter had already become extremely difficult, and if they were to carry out reforms again, it would likely lead to even greater chaos.

  "The sacrificial rites are complete, the Son of Heaven is offering incense!" Seeing this, Chu Dao hastened his steps, not daring to be slow, and hastily went through the motions, only hoping to quickly bring things to a close.

  Emperor Zhang Xin worshiped heaven with three knocks, then offered three incense sticks. At the waist of Mount Tai, he suddenly obtained nine tripod cauldrons burning simultaneously. The fragrance and fire were extremely prosperous at that moment: "I, the humble ruler, will ascend to the throne and bring good fortune to the people, reviving the ancestral enterprise of Cheng Tang!"

  Hearing that Zhong had finished with the ceremony, he stepped forward to proclaim the edict: the old city of Muye was renamed Chaoge, and the crown prince's title was "Wu", making him the Great Shang Wu De Tianzi!

  Previously, as soon as the character "Wu" was mentioned, Wen Zhong said it was inauspicious, saying that the four seas were subject and the eight directions were peaceful, how could a single character be used. Zhang Emperor Xin did not agree, saying that "Wu" was the backbone of the country, without military achievements, how could one save the world? Wen Taishi argued but ultimately had to agree, adding only a "De" character after the name.

  You think you can be the Martial King, how beautiful! The Western Zhou Martial King? This title I've taken first, as for your future self-proclaimed name, go think about it yourself! Zhang Emperor Xin stood on the altar of Fengchan, his emotions stirred up, today he ascended to the throne and officially took over the mandate of Emperor Xin, the path against heaven, from now on there's no turning back!

  PS: Today Xiaxia's subject 2 exam, kneeling and begging to pass, God bless, God bless ~~