Chapter 90: Another Town Betrayed

  Fei Zhong recommended Su Hu's daughter because the two had a past grudge. Su Hu was a straightforward person, but his words were somewhat harsh and he couldn't control his mouth, often humiliating Fei Zhong in public and private. Fei Zhong was extremely greedy for wealth, while Su Hu was as stingy as an iron rooster, not willing to part with a single hair, how could he not have earned Fei Zhong's resentment?

  Fei Zhong knew that he couldn't do anything about Su Hu for the time being, but he still worked hard to gather information about him. He had long known that Su Hu had a son and a daughter, his son was brave and outstanding among the three armies, and his daughter was beautiful and charming. Fei Zhong was secretly resentful that all good things seemed to have fallen into Su Hu's lap. This time, taking advantage of the opportunity, he recommended Su Hu's daughter to the Emperor.

  King Zhou invited Su Hu to the Shou Xian Palace, first speaking warmly and encouragingly, then immediately bringing up what he had heard about Su Hu's daughter being matchlessly beautiful. Su Hu was also a clever person, and upon hearing this, he knew that King Zhou wanted his daughter. Since ancient times, the palace has always been a bloody and filthy place, how could he send his own daughter into the palace?

  King Zhou, since he could take the initiative to ask for his own daughter, it can be seen that King Zhou is not a good thing, and even more cannot push his beloved daughter into the fire pit.

  "Your Majesty's young daughter is still young and ignorant, and lacks discipline, making it difficult for her to serve Your Majesty. I hope that you will forgive her."

  King Zhou was furious when he heard Su Hu's blunt refusal. "Since ancient times, when the ruler orders a minister to die, the minister must die; when a father orders his son to perish, the son must obey. I, the emperor, have granted you, Su Hu, the honor of presenting one of your daughters to me. This is an elevation for your family. Once your daughter receives my favor, your official position will surely rise rapidly. Think carefully about this, Su Hu."

  King Zhou spoke with a threatening tone to Su Hu, who was also a hot-tempered person. "Your Majesty, since ancient times, wise rulers have always prioritized state affairs and taken lightly personal indulgences. Now, Your Majesty ignores the great matters of the empire and is deeply mired in wine and lust. I fear that the foundation of our Zhou Dynasty, which has lasted for 600 years, will be destroyed by your hands."

  King Zhou, you don't understand the meaning of benevolence. I only want one of your daughters, why are there so many words? How can a small vassal like you easily talk about the great Jiangshan?

  "Bring men to take Su Hu out and execute him immediately." King Zhou ordered, the guards on both sides rushed up together, wanting to bind Su Hu. Fei Zhong watched from the side, thinking constantly in his heart that if Su Hu died here because of this, he feared that all the civil and military officials would not dare to criticize Your Majesty, but then they would have to take it out on him instead. He hastily rushed forward a few steps and memorialized King Zhou.

  "Your Majesty, Su Hu is ignorant of his own good fortune, but if he were to be killed for this crime, it would be unavoidable that the court officials would have some dissatisfaction with Your Majesty. It would be better to release Su Hu and let him come to his senses on his own. When the time comes, he will voluntarily offer up his daughter, wouldn't that be even better?"

  King Zhou was unwilling to kill Su Hu because of this, so he ordered his guards to beat Su Hu with sticks and drive him out. Su Hu became more and more angry as he thought about it, and when he saw Fei Zhong standing on one side, he knew that this treacherous minister had spoken ill of him. The foolish king and the treacherous ministers actually wanted him to offer up his daughter - how could this be? Su Hu was filled with bitter resentment and gathered his subordinates to discuss what to do. They were all Su Hu's trusted generals and family members, so they were naturally extremely indignant. Someone suggested that since the world was in a state of constant war and the Grand Preceptor had been defeated by Yuan Fu, and King Zhou was even more foolish than before, why not rebel and establish their own country?

  Su Hu also lost his head for a moment, and actually wrote on the gate of the palace: "The monarch is corrupt, the minister is lawless, there will be defeat in five ways. Su Hu of Jizhou, never to pay homage to the emperor again." After finishing writing, Su Hu took his family and generals to flee to Jizhou, along the way, Su Hu's mind cleared up a lot, knowing that he had brought disaster to his family, fearful and frightened, ran back to Jizhou.

  King Zhou heard that someone reported Su Hu was reciting rebellious poems at the Wu Gate and had already escaped back to Jizhou. He became extremely enraged and wanted to dispatch troops to attack, but Fei Zhong suggested sending Beihou Chonghou Hu with an army to eliminate Su Hu instead.

  Chong Hou Hu originally cooperated with Wen Zhong to conquer Yuan Fu Tong, but didn't know that Zhou Wang summoned various lords and Wen Zhong took advantage of the situation to let Chong Hou Hu go to Chaoge, himself waiting for an opportunity to frame Chong Hou Hu and thoroughly control the military power of Beidi.

  Chong Houhu knew his position was precarious, so he brought countless wealth and went to Chao Ge, bribing the high-ranking officials in the court. The wealth that fell into Fei Zhongyou's hands was by no means small. Originally, Su Hu was under Chong Houhu's rule, but when Su Hu rebelled, Chong Houhu also had a share of responsibility. Unexpectedly, with Fei Zhong's help, not only did Chong Houhu not have to take responsibility, but he could also regain his military power in a legitimate manner. He was overjoyed at heart.

  These ministers were not vegetarians, and they knew Su Hu very well. How could they suddenly rebel? Chong Houhu and others were even clearer, and among them was Fei Zhong. Even if they didn't know the actual situation, they knew it wasn't a good thing. At this time, the old prime minister represented all the ministers to lead Xibo Hou Jichang to go and punish Su Hu together.

  There was a Ji Chang who was high in years and virtue, holding the reins of power for Zhou Xuan. It was thought that Su Hu would not suffer any unjust treatment, but the entire imperial court was in an uproar, unsure why the emperor had suddenly changed so greatly, and their hearts were all shrouded in darkness.

  Su Yu returned to Jizhou, told his family about the situation, and his eldest son Su Quanzhong strongly supported his father's approach. He immediately prepared for battle, wanting to have a decisive showdown with King Zhou.

  Another general under Su's command was Zheng Lun, a disciple of Du'e Zhenren, who had always been close to the Western Pure Land and was actually not much different from the Western Outer Gate, but was more hidden. At this time, Zheng Lun was accompanying a fat Taoist priest, whom he treated with great respect, and this person was Maitreya.

  "Haha, Zheng Lunxian, no need to be so tense, just relax, now is your chance to make a name for yourself."

  "Also, please inform me of one or two things." Zheng Lun was still a young man, with an extremely strong desire for fame and success.

  "Heh heh, Su Hu's rebellion is a blessing in disguise. With the battle about to unfold in Jizhou, countless civilians will suffer, but it's precisely an opportunity for a military general like you to make a name for yourself."

  When Maitreya told some things to Zheng Lun, after Maitreya left Mount Sumeru, he happened to arrive at Jizhou City. Zheng Lun had learned from the True Man Du E and had met Maitreya once before. Now that he had run into Maitreya again, he was naturally extremely respectful. Maitreya also knew that there would be a great battle in Jizhou, and Su Daji and Su Hu were key figures in the great calamity, so he stayed at Zheng Lun's mansion.

  Su Hu gathered his generals to discuss the war, when he heard that Chong Houhu was approaching with a large army. Su Hu did not dare to be slow and let his son Su Quanzhong lead 30,000 elite soldiers to form an array outside the city to fight against Chong Houhu.

  Chong Hou Hu was eager for merit and quickly rushed to Jizhou City, wanting to capture Su Hu alone. In fact, Ji Chang had his own plan in mind and deliberately fell behind.

  Su Shi and Chong Hou Hu's two armies faced each other, Su Quanzhong was young and vigorous, riding a horse and holding a spear, killing his way out of the formation.

  Chong Hou Hu saw Su Quan Zhong's robust body, with a steel spear in his hand, shining with cold light, and he couldn't help but feel some fear. However, the generals under him were not afraid of this, and General Mei Wu swung his large knife to welcome him.

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  There are quite a few characters that have been harmonized in the previous text, and Xiao Dao only just discovered this. I will make changes immediately. Sorry to all fellow Taoists, I am not very clear about this matter, alas.