Chapter 5 Eastern Expedition and Luoyi
Yan State.
Ji Zhao's chariot rumbled forward, and in front of him were countless captives kneeling on the ground. The people of Yan were all former citizens of the Shang Dynasty. The former king of Yan died in the rebellion of Wu Geng on the banks of Luo River. More than a year had passed since that battle, and the army was marching eastward.
During this period, the army first attacked the small Dongyi tribes located in various large cities, cutting off their communications with the outside world. It successfully wiped out dozens of tribes along the way, and then attacked those Fang countries to the north.
Yan was the largest of them. Its defense of the city caused considerable casualties to the army. When they entered the city, Ji Zhao glanced at them coldly and raised his sword, saying, "The people of Yan do not obey the will of heaven. If they are not punished, heaven will be angry. Kill the men taller than the wheel, castrate the men who are not taller than the wheel and give them to the princes as palace maids. The remaining women will all be demoted to slaves and distributed to the princes, ministers, scholars, and common people according to their merits. If I punish them in this way, I believe heaven will be satisfied."
The soldiers dragged the prisoners away one by one, and there was another bloody killing. This had become the norm during this year.
The princes all looked at each other with awe. The State of Yan was the most miserable of all the conquered countries. The whole journey to the east was almost a killing spree. Countless Dongyi people and old Shang clans became slaves. According to the current progress, in another year, the entire traditional Shang clan would become a historical term.
It was really because Ji Zhao's methods were too cruel. Although he looked gentle and polite, he was actually a butcher. During these days, even Taigong Wang hardly raised any opinions, and the other princes were even more trembling with fear. They just did whatever Ji Zhao told them to do and did not even dare to say no.
In fact, many people feel that they should have started to appease the people long ago. The so-called "treat them, behead them, and treat them like dogs". Now the beheading is almost done, and the remaining people have been scared out of their wits. If they want money, they will give money, and if they want people, they will give them. If they continue to kill like this, it will not benefit anyone.
The property looted by the army could not cover the consumption of food and fodder, which was why the massacre was carried out. The soldiers could not even get enough food, so how could they give food to the slaves?
But they didn't dare to say it. Taigong Wang knew what Ji Zhao wanted to do, so he didn't say anything.
Ji Zhao was naturally very clear about the current situation, but he had his own purpose. The power of the old Shang clan was still quite strong. Once they had recuperated for more than ten years, the power balance between Yi and Luo would become unbalanced.
In addition, the Eastern Expedition was an extremely important event for the Zhou Dynasty, almost as important as Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty's pacification of the kings of different surnames. Only after completing the Eastern Expedition could the Zhou emperor truly be regarded as the common ruler of the world. Moreover, as the progress of the Eastern Expedition increased, the luck points increased every moment, which made him unable to give up.
This time, he used 10,000 luck points in the Eastern Expedition and drew two yellow-level items and several blank items. Naturally, he had to replenish them, so he madly slaughtered the old Shang Dynasty.
After conquering the State of Yan and slaughtering the old Shang clan for the last time, the progress bar of the Eastern Expedition has ended. The system judged that the purpose of this Eastern Expedition has been completely achieved, and the luck points are no longer increasing. Naturally, he will not commit any more murders.
[Clan leaders: Ji Zhao, Luo Zhao (first generation ancestors)
Title: Marquis (Monarch)
Country: Zhou Dynasty, Luo State.
Faction: Royal Family.
Politics: 90; Strategy: 90; Military strategy: 92.
Faction reputation: hatred, indifference, neutral, friendly, respect, and admiration.
①Royal family: friendly; ②Nobles: respect; ③Army: respect; ④Fellow countrymen: friendly; ⑤Rebels: hatred.
Luck Points: 23426
Props:
① Heavenly Stage·Heavenly Man Card (How could one be like this if not the incarnation of a god?): Use this card to instantly become the incarnation of eternal wisdom. The three-dimensional attributes rise to 100. As a prime minister, you can stabilize the country, comfort the people, provide food and supplies, and ensure that the army has an uninterrupted supply of food. As a strategist, you can make plans in the tent and win battles thousands of miles away. As a general, you can lead millions of troops to win every battle and take every city.
②Tianjie·Sitianjiantai: This is a national treasure. Users can build it according to the blueprint. After it is built, they can stand in it to adjust the celestial phenomena of a country and bless the dynasty with good weather and good harvests.
③Earth Rank·Heart Knot: Use this item to connect with one person, and the trust will always be full.
④Huangjie·Snow in June: A heavy snowfall occurs at a designated time and place.
⑤ Whiteboard props × 3, can be exchanged for the specified real-world items in the current time and space. 】
Thinking of this, Ji Zhao glanced at the princes who were surrounding him and said, "The army has been fighting for days, so we need to rest in Yan for a while and send envoys to various countries. God is merciful, and this is the last chance. You must come to Yan to see me within 15 days, bare-chested and carrying thorns. If you don't come, Yan will be their fate."
Everyone's eyes lit up instantly. The war was over, and the next step was to divide the spoils.
As the envoys rushed out from the State of Yan, the haze covering the entire old site of Yin Ruins seemed to dissipate a little.
The princes who received the news did not dare to hesitate at all. They drove their chariots and brought their guards to the State of Yan to pay homage to Ji Zhao.
When all the princes and lords of the vassal states gathered in Yan, Ji Zhao received them in the palace of Yan. He sat at the head of the table, with the dukes, marquises and earls who had accompanied the army sitting in two rows on his left and right.
The princes of the old Shang Dynasty knelt down and bowed their heads, saying tremblingly: "The humble ministers of our small country come to see the Prime Minister of the great Zhou. May you shine forever like the sun on the world."
"Look up."
Everyone then dared to look up, only to see an elegant middle-aged man sitting at the top, looking at them expressionlessly. They couldn't help but feel panic in their hearts, and their bodies couldn't help but tremble.
Ji Zhao's cold voice came: "This time I led the army to the east because Wu Geng and the three thieves Guan, Yong and Bei rebelled. Now the four thieves have been beheaded and sent to Haojing. Wu Geng is your old king. I believe you are very dissatisfied with Bang Zhou?"
King Park bowed his head in tears and said, "Bangzhou is the dynasty that inherited the Mandate of Heaven. The emperor gave me and Wu Geng the golden book in front of the heaven. Wu Geng was a traitor to the emperor, and I was a loyal minister. I only wanted to protect the emperor. How could I be dissatisfied with Bangzhou because of a traitor like Wu Geng? Your wisdom is deeper than the sea and higher than Mount Tai. I am sure you can see my intentions."
In this situation, the only way to survive is to show loyalty, and after showing loyalty, you must demonstrate your value.
"Since Pu Zi is a loyal minister, he will surely serve the king faithfully?"
Although Ji Zhao's tone did not improve, Pu Zi was relieved. It was good to negotiate terms. He could save his life by negotiating terms. He said quickly, "Everything I have was given by the emperor. Naturally, I can dedicate everything to the emperor. This is what a loyal minister should do."
"Well said, they are indeed loyal ministers. If the four thieves Guan, Yong, Bei, and Song had such awareness, they would not have died in battle."
Seeing Ji Zhao's tone change, the other princes became a little anxious. It was too shameless for you to run away in this situation. Everyone rushed to beg for mercy.
"Tai Zai, even an outsider is willing to sacrifice everything for the emperor."
“…”
"Taizai, I am also a loyal subject of the Emperor."
"Tai Zai, I am willing to lead my tribe to submit to the emperor and listen to the holy voice."
This scene is very funny. Some of these people are kings of a country, and some are leaders of a tribe, but now they can only kneel here and beg for mercy.
At this moment, even the dukes and marquises felt the horror of war. Their noble bloodlines would be wiped out in just one failed war!
Looking at the princes who were frantically showing their loyalty, Ji Zhao smiled and said, "I believe you all know that the late king once entrusted me with an important task, which is to build a capital city in the land of Yi and Luo. This matter is related to the continuation of the Mandate of Heaven of our Zhou State. If you are willing to build the capital city, I believe that you are truly loyal subjects of our great Zhou State."
"Hiss~"
The cost of building a royal city is simply incalculable.
"I am willing!" Pu Zi was really good at adding merit, and said without hesitation: "I will mobilize all the people in the country to fully support the construction of the capital."
No one expected that Pu Zi, this bastard, would be so decisive and sell them out. They were furious but had to bow their heads to show their loyalty.
…
The group accompanied Ji Zhao to the banks of Yiluo for investigation.
The Luoyi he wanted to build here was the Luoyang of later generations. He wanted to leave a deep enough mark in history, and if he succeeded in this, he might be able to obtain a Xuan-level prop.
As each dynasty established its capital here, this city could continuously provide it with considerable luck points, which was a very profitable business.
"It is indeed the land of destiny chosen by the previous king. This fertile land is enough to support millions of people. With Luoyi as the capital, we no longer have to worry about rebellions in the east. We can send troops from here and quell them overnight."
Tai Gong Wang pondered and said, "If we want to build Luoyi, which is larger than the capital of Hao, it will probably take several years."
Ji Zhao didn't care and said in high spirits: "As soon as possible, the king still has many years before he is crowned and leads the army, which is enough time for us to build Luoyi. When the king takes power, we will implement the two capitals system. From Haojing City to Luoyi, it will be the sphere of influence that the emperor can control."
“Who will be responsible for supervising this matter?”
Ji Zhao and Taigong Wang are the three highest officials of the emperor. They have not returned to Haojing for two years. Naturally, they cannot stay in the east any longer. They have to return to Haojing City as soon as possible to take charge of the overall situation.
The subsequent management of feudal states, conquests and rewards to barbarians were all major events. This Eastern Expedition made the feudal system fully operational. The year for the princes to pay homage was approaching, and as regent he had to rush back.
"I will hand over the construction of Luoyi to my eldest son. He will replace me as the vassal of Luo State. He is located in a strategic location not far from Luoyi. He is the most suitable person to look after the old clans of the Shang Dynasty. I will come to inspect the progress every winter. This should be possible."
(End of this chapter)
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