The next morning.
Jiang Ziya, who spent the whole night preparing his words, came to the city lord's mansion and asked to see Jichang, the Marquis of Xibo.
At this time, Ji Chang was nearly sixty years old.
However, this age is the prime of life in the ancient world, and the body is not aging at all. If there are no accidents, there will be no problem in living for another forty or fifty years.
If the immortal fate arrives, it is very common to pick up an elixir and spiritual fruit or something, eat it, and ascend directly in the daytime.
"The Prime Minister is here so early, but what are your orders?"
Ji Chang walked out of the hall, looked at Jiang Ziya and asked curiously.
Jiang Ziya was also unambiguous and directly explained to him the reasons for sending troops to attack the merchants.
It's better to fight quickly while your illness kills you.
Taking advantage of the endless turmoil inside and outside Dachang and the dissatisfaction of people's hearts, we immediately sent out troops to attack!
After hearing this, Ji Chang remained silent.
He knew in his heart that what Jiang Ziya said made sense.
But he always felt that it was too hasty.
Although Xiqi has had good harvests year after year and has a lot of money in the treasury, how can it be so easy to gather the power of a whole country?
Moreover, if we compete with the big merchants for the world, will we definitely win?
Besides, what happens after winning?
Sitting on the Central Plains?
How will the princes and people in the world view him?
Rebellious ministers and traitors!
Will other princes follow suit?
After all, in the hearts of most princes, surrendering to him may not be much better than being under the great Shang.
Besides, the power gap between the two sides is huge.
The main generals of Xiqi were basically rebel generals of Dashang.
In terms of ability, Dashang is definitely stronger.
Coupled with the power of the princes under his command, Xiqi will not have any advantage at all.
But now the risk of sending troops to attack merchants is too great.
He didn't know who won and who lost.
But what he can be sure of is that even if Xiqi wins, the situation will not be much better than now.
But if he loses, then Xiqi will really be doomed.
"Prime Minister, I don't think now is a good time to send troops to attack the merchants." Ji Chang hesitated for a moment, then simply stated his thoughts.
Hearing this, Jiang Ziya frowned and said, "Of course the Marquis' worried ministers can understand, but do you think there is a better time to send troops?"
"Nowadays, Da Shang's luck is still strong and his army is strong. How can we, Xiqi, have the strength to fight against others?" Ji Chang said in a sincere tone: "It is not a wise man's behavior to risk his own life against a small enemy. We should take a long-term view, and we cannot lose the capital we have saved so hard just for a temporary opportunity!"
Jiang Ziya listened to what he said, nodded, and then said with a smile: "What the Marquis said is true, but you have to know that if you miss this opportunity, I am afraid that others will take the lead. By then, you will be able to replace Dashang It’s not Dazhou, but Dahuai!”
"Dahuai?"
Ji Chang was stunned for a moment and quickly reacted.
"Are you talking about Linhuan Pass?"
"Not bad!" Jiang Ziya nodded slightly.
This was the most convincing reason he could think of.
As long as Ji Chang has the ambition to be king, he believes that his reason can definitely convince the other party.
Sure enough, after hearing Jiang Ziya's words, Ji Chang hesitated again.
But after thinking about it for a while, he still couldn't make up his mind.
After all, launching an army to attack the Shang Dynasty is not a matter of a few people, but is related to the future of Xiqi and the entire Great Shang Dynasty!
As the leader of the Western princes, he must be cautious in every move he makes, let alone such a major matter related to the survival of his family and country!
"Prime Minister, please wait for a while. I will consider this matter carefully."
Jiang Ziya heard what he said and knew that there was still hope in this matter.
"Okay, then I'll wait for the good news from Mr. Hou!" he said with a smile.
"Prime Minister, don't be too anxious." Ji Chang waved his hand and said, "I have to think about this matter carefully and give you an answer in a few days."
"That's fine." Jiang Ziya nodded, turned and left.
After he left, Ji Chang immediately summoned Boyikao, Ji Fa and others.
These dozen people are all his sons.
Among them, the eldest son Boyikao and the second son Jifa were the most valued by him.
"You all come here, I have something to ask you." Ji Chang said looking at them.
"Father, what are your orders?" Boyikao was the first to ask.
Ji Chang did not answer, but took the lead and said, "Jiang Ziya just told me that he wants me to send troops to attack the merchants. What do you think?"
"Cut down the merchants?" Boyikao was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion: "Why do you want to conquer the merchants?"
"The Emperor Xin of the Shang Dynasty was debauched and immoral. He created cannons, tortures and indiscriminate killings of ministers. He imposed extortionate taxes and wanted to build the Star-Zhaing Tower, which made the people miserable..." Ji Chang casually listed some of Emperor Xin's crimes, and then said sternly: "Do you understand now?"
"There is such a thing..." When Boyikao, Ji Fa and others heard this, they all showed anger.
They all grew up in Xiqi, and their sense of belonging to Dashang is not that strong, but they still identify more with Xiqi.
The news I have heard in Xiqi is much better than that in Dashang.
The people live and work in peace and contentment, and the officials are honest and diligent.
They will naturally agree more with Xiqi like this.
The legendary great merchant has always had a mysterious veil to them.
Now their father gently lifted a corner and made them think they were entering the depths of purgatory.
"This kind of tyrant should be punished by everyone if he finds it. He should indeed be punished!" Ji Fa said seriously.
"That's right, Father!" Several other people also agreed.
Only Boyikao didn't speak, just listened quietly.
Ji Chang turned to look at him and said calmly: "Do you have a different opinion?"
Boyikao nodded, frowned and said: "Father, after all, you are the leader of the princes of the Great Shang Dynasty. Using your ministers to attack the king is a treasonous and unethical act! Therefore, I think my father should write a letter to persuade the King of Shang to correct his evil ways instead of raising troops to rebel."
"How can this be a rebellion?"
Ji Fa said displeasedly: "Father's intention is just to protect the emperor and kill evil spirits! We are doing justice for heaven!"
"What do you mean by acting for heaven?" Boyikao retorted: "If we raise an army to attack the merchants now, it would be usurping the throne and seizing power, killing the king, and ignoring the principles of heaven and earth!"
When Ji Fa said this, he lost his temper and argued: "How can this be a usurpation of power? Those guys in Dashang are in ruins and the people are in mourning. If we don't save them, wouldn't it be more in line with the law of heaven? ?”
Boyikao shook his head and said: "What a bastard! Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. We are all princes of the Great Shang, and we have received the kindness of the Great Shang. How can we stab it in times of crisis?"
"The Great Shang Dynasty has exhausted its energy, King Zhou is tyrannical and unjust, and the Chengtang Kingdom has long been on the verge of collapse!" Ji Fa said eagerly: "If we don't take action, I'm afraid others will seize the opportunity!"
Boyikao heard this and said angrily: "You really still want to take advantage of the opportunity to seize the great merchants. The Qingjun's side attack on evil spirits is just a pretense!"
"I……"
Ji Fa was so angry after being accused by him.
"I am also thinking about our Xiqi. Unlike my brother, you are only thinking about Dashang! Besides, now that Huang Feihu is leading troops to suppress the rebellion, Chaoge will inevitably guard the void. If we don't send troops now, I'm afraid we will never have a chance! "
Seeing that he was agitated, Boyikao did not argue with him anymore. He just looked at him quietly and said calmly: "If this is really the case, then I think you should not be too bellicose."
He looked calm and said without joy or sorrow: "Even if we really want to clear the emperor and punish the evil spirits, Xiqi today is far from ready to conquer the merchants. At this time, we should hide our capabilities and bide our time, accumulate strength, and prepare for the future. prepare for."
"snort!"
Ji Fa snorted coldly, feeling irritated inside.
Obviously we are all brothers, but this person always contradicts me.
"Okay, you all go back first, I'll think about it again."
Seeing that the two of them were arguing, Ji Chang simply asked them all to leave.
"Yes." Everyone bowed and bowed and exited the hall.
Ji Chang watched the two of them leave, feeling uneasy.
He knew that these two sons were not mediocre people, but were the absolute core of Xiqi's future, so he wanted to hear their true thoughts.
Now after listening to both of them, he felt that they both made sense.
If the eldest son Boyikao takes over Xiqi in the future, he will be a benevolent monarch; if the second son Ji Fa takes over Xiqi, he will be a brave and courageous king.
How to choose?
He still needs to think about it carefully.
…
Ji Fa returned to his room, and the more he thought about it, the more depressed he became.
He felt that although his eldest brother Boyikao was knowledgeable and far-sighted, he was too pedantic in this matter.
Now that big business is in decline, people are struggling to make a living, and are in dire straits, how can we still abide by the rules?
"By the way, my father said that it was Prime Minister Jiang Ziya's suggestion to conquer the merchants. It seems that we have to discuss it with him." Ji Fa thought for a while, sent someone to call the bullock cart, and prepared some gifts to bring. Then go to the Prime Minister's Mansion.
He came here this time because he wanted to ask Jiang Ziya in person.
Ji Fa walked all the way and soon arrived at the Prime Minister's Mansion.
"I have met the Prime Minister."
After getting off the oxcart, Ji Fa bowed respectfully to Jiang Ziya.
"Second Young Master, I wonder if you have something important to come here at this time?" Jiang Ziya stepped forward and helped Ji Fa up.
"Ji came here to ask the Prime Minister for advice." Ji Fa followed him into the house and said bluntly: "Just now, my eldest brother and I discussed the current business expedition in front of my father, and I have some questions about this that I would like to ask the Prime Minister for advice. "
"Oh?" Jiang Ziya smiled and said, "Second Young Master, please speak frankly."
"I heard that the Prime Minister was a big businessman before, and he must be very familiar with the situation of big businessmen." Ji Fa said politely at first, and then asked: "What do you think is the possibility of success in the current campaign against businessmen?"
Hearing this, Jiang Ziya was silent for a moment, and then said: "This depends on Mr. Hou's own thoughts, and it doesn't matter what you or I say."
"I..." Ji Fa was choked by his words.
"Second Young Master, there is no need to worry. Now that you have understood the necessity of conquering merchants, you should plan carefully next." Jiang Ziya smiled and continued: "As Second Young Master said, although I, Xiqi, now We are inferior to Dashang in every aspect, but that doesn’t mean we can only sit back and wait.”
"Oh?" Ji Fa asked doubtfully, "Please give me some advice, Prime Minister."
"Preaching and traveling, elucidating the great road, forming good relationships, and practicing morality are all done by immortals." Jiang Ziya raised his hand and stroked his beard, and said slowly: "If I, Xiqi, can also invite these immortals to help, why not worry about not being able to cooperate with the great masters?" Are you going to compete with Shang Yi?"
"Immortal help?" Ji Da was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said: "Could the Prime Minister want to invite the gods from heaven to come down to earth to help? I am no longer a child, and the Prime Minister does not need to make me happy anymore."
"Second Young Master, please don't misunderstand me." Jiang Ziya smiled and explained, "Pindao is not joking with you."
He paused and said, "Second Young Master, have you ever heard of Linhuan Pass?"
Ji Fa frowned slightly, then nodded and said, "I heard my father talk about it. I heard that it was originally a pioneer outpost, but later it was almost abandoned because of the water demon's rebellion. Later, I went to the Wen clan of the Gewang clan. Go here to eradicate the water monsters, build city gates, gather people, and open up the wilderness..."
Jiang Ziya said: "In the end, Dashang sent Wucheng King Huang Feihu to personally lead an elite army of 300,000 to crusade, but he was defeated by 30,000 soldiers at Linhuan Pass... The reason is that there is a Jiejiao in Linhuan Pass Immortals help!”
Hearing this, Ji Fa's eyes suddenly widened.
"Does the Prime Minister really mean what he said?"
"Of course it's true."
Jiang Ziya said with a smile: "I also got a glimpse of the fight between immortals and gods outside Linhuan Pass that day. If the second master is curious, I can also take a look at you."
After saying that, he took out a jade slip.
Since he came down from the mountain, disciples of the Chan Sect have sent him news related to Dashang every once in a while, allowing him to know about "the world" without leaving home.
The scene preserved in the jade slip is exactly the scene of the battle between Liu Huan, Qu Yangxian, Princess Long Ji and the four generals of the Demon family in the sky over Linhuan Pass on that day. Those scenes of gorgeous gods surprised Ji Fa, and at the same time, he also had doubts about Jiang Ziya's identity. Strong curiosity.
Jiang Ziya was a little reserved, and then told Ji Fa's questioning that he was a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun, the saint of the teachings, and he was ordered to go down the mountain to assist Lord Xiqi until the Great Zhou Dynasty replaced the Great Shang!
Hearing this, Ji Fa was shocked.
"In that case, Prime Minister, are you also an immortal?"
Jiang Ziya: "..."
He said with some embarrassment: "By the time the Shang Dynasty flourishes in the Zhou Dynasty, I should be able to achieve righteous cultivation."
After saying that, he hurriedly dropped this unpleasant topic and said seriously: "The reason why I brought up Linhuan Pass is to tell the Second Young Master that if I don't seize the opportunity, I will replace Dashang." It’s not Xiqi, it’s Linhuan Pass!”
"hiss!"
Ji Fa suddenly took a breath of cold air.
After hearing this, he finally understood why Jiang Ziya proposed cutting off merchants when he was not fully prepared.
We really can’t wait for time!
"Now Xiqi can send 100,000 troops, all of whom are elite soldiers who have experienced battles for a long time." Jiang Ziya glanced at Ji Fa and said confidently: "Linhuan Pass can defeat 300,000 elite merchants with 30,000 recruits. We Xiqi’s 100,000 elites are as good as Dashang’s million-strong army!”
"That's right!
As if his ambition was aroused, Ji Fa shouted loudly: "The one who will replace Da Shang will definitely be me, Da Zhou!"
On the second day, Ji Fa went to the Hou Mansion early and met his father Ji Chang.
After leaving the Prime Minister's Mansion yesterday, he kept thinking about it until midnight, and he always felt that he was not very happy.
"Father, I thought about it yesterday and feel that what my elder brother said makes sense. At present, we in Xiqi should not be in a hurry to attack the merchants. Instead, we should fulfill our duties as ministers and send people to Chaoge to persuade the king and serve the world's princes. Set an example, and at the same time secretly consolidate the foundation, accumulate strength, and prepare for the future!" Ji Fa said seriously.
"Is this all your opinion?" Ji Chang looked up at him with a bit of surprise in his eyes.
Yesterday's Ji Fa looked more than brave, but not very resourceful.
But what I said today has some flavor.
"Yeah!" Ji Fa nodded seriously.
He didn't say this because he got advice from Prime Minister Jiang Ziya.
"Go on, tell your father what you think." Ji Chang looked at him with interest.
"Haier feels that although we should not rush to conquer the merchants, we should not give up the plan of conquering the merchants." Ji Fa said bluntly: "As long as we, Xiqi, become stronger, we will be able to take the initiative in the future no matter what. In addition, send people to Chaoge I would like to advise the king, whether you succeed or fail, you will be able to demonstrate your loyalty and enhance your prestige... If the great businessman really reaches the sunset in the future, if you, my father, stand up and shout, heroes from all over the world will surely come to vote for you."
"You kid... you think this matter is too simple." Ji Chang smiled helplessly, shook his head and said: "It is indeed a good idea to go to Chaoge to persuade Wang Jia, but it is not an ordinary person who can act as a messenger. "
"Father, just let the child go!" Ji Fa asked loudly.
"You've already worked hard enough, why bother pushing yourself like this anymore." Ji Chang sighed.
This sentence is a pun, and only the father and son know the deep meaning.
"Children are not afraid of hard work!" Ji Fa said resolutely: "As long as it can help the father complete his great cause, the child can do anything!"
Ji Chang looked at him with a strange look in his eyes.
Ji Fa said solemnly and honestly: "If my father wants to launch an army to attack the merchants, my child is willing to be the vanguard!"
"Nonsense!"
Ji Chang scolded him, then shook his head and said: "For now, we in Xiqi are not strong enough to conquer merchants, so don't worry."
"Yes, then let the child go to Chaoge!"
"This job isn't for you."
Ji Chang smiled and shook his head, waving him to leave.
Seeing his resolute attitude, Ji Fa couldn't say anything more and had to leave.
After a while, Boyikao also came to the Hou Mansion to pay his respects.
When he saw Ji Chang, he respectfully held his hands in his hands and said, "Father, I have something to ask for."
"What's the matter?" Ji Chang asked curiously.
"Now that the Great Shang Dynasty is declining and the people are living in poverty, I have been doing nothing, and I feel ashamed." Boyikao pondered and said: "Now that the Great Shang Dynasty still has the British Lord in power, why not let me go to the Great Shang Dynasty to persuade the Shang King to change his ways? , the next edict to sin against oneself is to avoid the ruin of all living beings."
"Nonsense!"
Ji Chang was furious when he heard this and couldn't help but yelled.
"Do you know how dangerous it is to go to Chaoge?"
"When King Shang came to the throne, he was very clever in writing. He was able to accept advice from the court and was very respectful to the three ministers. But now it is rumored that he has been deceived by the demon concubine Su Daji, and he is licentious and cruel. tyrannical!
Several ministers have already written letters, stating that they had been chopped into mincemeat by their random knives, or burned into charred bones by the cannon!
I know you are loyal, benevolent and filial, but you really can’t go to Chao Ge! "
"That's why I want to go!" Boyikao said solemnly: "The king was not born to be so licentious and violent, but was deceived by the demon concubine Su Daji. Since I know this, how can I sit back and watch? reason?
This time when I go to Chao Ge, I must advise the king so that he can find his way back and get rid of the evil intrusion! "
"Absolutely not!"
Ji Chang quickly scolded: "If you act like this, how can the Demon Queen tolerate you?"
"I have made up my mind. There is no need for father to persuade me any more."
Boyikao said calmly: "If the king can be awakened, so what if the child dies? I just cannot live up to the kindness of my father and mother in raising me."
After saying that, he knelt down and kowtowed to Ji Chang solemnly, with a very determined expression on his face.
"well!"
Ji Chang sighed heavily.
He knew that his eldest son was very stubborn, and once he made a decision, there was no possibility of changing it.
Even if he was tied up with a rope and locked up in a house, he would still find a way to escape and sneak away.
Instead of doing this, it would be better to comply with his wishes and send more people to escort him all the way.
Thinking like this, some of him couldn't help but smile.
Of his two sons, one is gentle and loyal to the great merchants, even if he pays his life for it without any complaints; the other is brave and courageous, but he always thinks about launching an army to attack the merchants, overthrow the rule of Shang Tang, and replace him with Ji Zhou !
Obviously these brothers grew up together, how could there be such a big difference?
Ji Chang couldn't understand.
He could only choose to believe in these two extremely opinionated children.
Without any hesitation, Boyikao packed up his luggage and gathered a group of servants. He brought three treasures, namely the seven-scent car, the sobering mat, and the white-faced ape, to be presented to the King of Shang, as well as a large amount of gold, silver, jewelry, and precious medicinal materials. Wait, set off in a mighty manner.
The group of them took the water route.
You can take a big boat from the upper reaches of the Yellow River to the hinterland of the Central Plains.
After getting off the boat, we were not far from Chaoge.
Since they left, Ji Chang has not thought about food or tea, and often uses divination to deduce the bad luck of Boyi's trip.
However, now that the aura of calamity and calamity is permeating the world, even a saint cannot see clearly, let alone him?
Worried, he sent several groups of people to Chaoge to inquire about the news.
About half a year later, a merchant envoy came from outside Xiqi City, claiming to be on the orders of the King of Shang and came to reward Xibohou by giving him secret preserved meat.
"Bring him in." Ji Chang nodded and motioned to the doorman to bring the man in.
Not long after, a thin middle-aged man was brought in by him.
The man was holding a box in his hand. As soon as he entered the palace, he knelt on the ground, held the box with both hands and said, "Report to Xibohou!"
"Get up!" Ji Chang said calmly.
"Thank you, Xibohou!"
After the man stood up, Ji Chang looked at him carefully and asked, "Has the angel ever seen my son Boyikao during the song?"
"this……"
Xin Zhen's eyes couldn't help but glance at the box.
Ji Chang frowned, and there was a hint of threat in his voice, "What are the angels worried about?"
"Little... I have indeed never seen Xibohou's son." As the ambassador of Dashang said, his eyes became more and more obvious as he looked at the box.
"Then what's in this box?" Ji Chang asked.
"This...this is the secret preserved meat that His Majesty King Shang specially asked me to bring to Xibohou for a taste." The Great Shang envoy replied.
"Jerky?"
Ji Chang's heart trembled slightly, and he suddenly felt a little bad.
At this time, a guest hurried back from Chaoge and said with a pale face: "Qi... Qi, Lord Marquis!"
Ji Chang recognized that the other party was one of the disciples he sent to Chaoge to look for him, and he quickly asked nervously: "Have you ever looked for Walboy Kao?"
"Looking for... found it!"
The doorman said with horror on his face: "I...I saw the eldest young master!"
"Did you see Boyi take the exam?" Ji Chang relaxed suddenly and asked quickly: "Where did you see it?"
"Right in front of the palace!"
The doorman was in a daze for a moment, and then the look of horror on his face became even stronger: "The eldest son... the eldest son, he, he..."
"What happened to him?!"
Ji Chang's face suddenly darkened.
"What's going on? Tell me clearly!"
The doorman said with some fear: "That day, the eldest son went to the palace to present three treasures to the king, but when the white-faced ape was dancing, he suddenly pounced on the Daji Empress..."
Hearing this, Ji Chang suddenly became nervous.
That white-faced ape is the mausoleum beast next to the tomb of the Yellow Emperor in Xuanyuan. It is extremely spiritual and can sing and dance, but it only gets close to people of high moral character. Its golden eyes can identify evil spirits!
Could it be that Boyi wanted to expose the true face of the demon concubine in public?
The guest's next words also confirmed Ji Chang's guess, and he finally whispered: "Then, in the name of the eldest son's deliberate assassination of the empress, the king will skin and cramp the white-faced ape, and make it into a yaksha to suppress the souls of the dead! And again! I ordered the eldest son to be chopped into meat paste, and then made into...dried meat!"
"Jerky!"
Ji Chang almost couldn't breathe.
He suddenly turned his head to look at the great merchant envoy, stretched out his trembling right hand and pointed at the box, "Inside this..."
"That's right."
The Dashang envoy looked at him with some fear, but still gritted his teeth and said: "The dried meat in this box is made from the meat of your noble master... I am only following orders, and these are none of my business!
I have sent my order, and now I am going back to Chaoge. "
After saying that, he bowed his head and bowed his head as if to say goodbye and leave.
"Asshole!"
Ji Chang stood up with a slap on the case, clenched his fists tightly, and shouted angrily through gritted teeth: "My son Boyi Kao was righteous, courageous, loyal, kind and sensible, but he was chopped into meat paste by the Hun Jun and the Demon Queen on the spot, and made into a Bring me the dried meat!
This is simply unreasonable! "
"Xi Bohou!"
The merchant envoy trembled all over and stammered: "Master Marquis, calm down... none of this is any of my business..."
"Come here!" Ji Chang shouted coldly.
"Push this person down!"
Ji Chang said with a cold expression: "When the army marches out in the future, kill them in front of the formation to sacrifice my flag of the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
"What!"
The merchant envoy looked at Ji Chang in disbelief.
"You...you want to rebel?"
"You are wrong!" Ji Chang said coldly: "You are doing justice for heaven!"
(End of chapter)
