Chapter 62: Rebellion in the Royal Palace
As the saying goes, good fortune never comes alone, and misfortune never comes singly.
Just as the Yi and Luo Rong were moving downstream along the Luo and Yi rivers, a bloody scene was taking place in Luoyi City.
Ever since Duke Huan of Qi began to dominate and the State of Luo began to pay tribute, the royal family lived a relatively good life. At least they no longer had the poverty and misery they had before.
Most of the talented people in the world were busy developing their own countries and had no time to care about the Zhou royal family.
Although the power of the royal family had declined greatly, it was still considered a second-rate country. Moreover, he was the emperor of Zhou and was protected by the three kingdoms of Jin, Qi and Luo.
Small countries could not defeat him, and big countries had no intention of destroying him, so he lived a very comfortable life.
But once people lose their lofty goals and have no obstacles to survival, something bad is bound to happen.
The root cause of the royal family’s misfortune can be traced back to half a year ago.
…
On this day, Emperor Ji Tai handed over government affairs to the Grand Chancellor as usual, and he himself lay in the palace enjoying the singing and dancing of the dancers.
People’s threshold for pleasure will increase. I used to think that dancing was very graceful, but now the more I watch it, the more annoyed I become.
So he threw down the wine cup and sighed, "I am the emperor, but the princes are unwilling to marry their noble daughters to me. The women they offer as tribute are like women from the countryside, with ugly appearances.
The palace is full of vulgar women. Is this what the emperor deserves? How pathetic!
If I could find a beautiful woman, I would give her a whole city."
His close attendant Feng Ji was a servile villain who was very good at currying favor with Ji Tai. Seeing Ji Tai so angry, he was very happy, knowing that this was an opportunity to please the emperor.
Ji Tai's poverty and weakness were relative to a big country like Jin. For Fengji, the royal domain of the Zhou royal family was still a huge behemoth.
It would be a great blessing if one could obtain a city as a fief and be appointed as a doctor.
Thinking of this, his eyes rolled, a hint of viciousness and pride flashed in his eyes, he bowed and said flatteringly: "Your Majesty, it is my fault that you failed to get the most beautiful woman in the country.
As your close attendant, it is unforgivable that I cannot understand your thoughts. I only hope that you can allow me to atone for my sins with my merits.
I know there is a noble lady in Luoyi, who is extremely beautiful, and I believe she will please the king."
Hearing Feng Ji's words, Ji Tai was overjoyed, and hurriedly helped Feng Ji up, and asked anxiously: "Feng Ji, is there really such a woman?
Bring her to the palace immediately. If she is truly stunning, I will surely reward you handsomely."
Feng Ji smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this woman's identity is somewhat special. If you fail to handle it properly, it may damage your reputation. This is not what a loyal minister should do.
I will take care of this matter for you, please wait for a few days."
Although Ji Tai didn't want to wait even a moment, since everyone said so, he had to suppress his restless mood temporarily and returned to the harem.
In the palace, Prince Shu was kneeling in the hall feeling somewhat uneasy. His father had never liked him and had never summoned him alone.
Now sitting in the empty hall, he just felt a little uneasy.
"Greetings, Prince. May you be well!"
A voice that was somewhat familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar was heard. Wang Zishu came to his senses and saw that it was Feng Ji, the attendant who he hated very much and who often accompanied his father.
Wang Zishu and Feng Ji had some hatred, so they were always at odds with each other. Besides, he was a prince, and Feng Ji was just a favored minister.
"Fengji, what are you doing here?"
Feng Ji's eyes flashed with coldness, but he smiled and said, "Prince, the king asked me to tell you that Prince Shu is wise and brave, and has the demeanor of King Kang and King Zhao. He is a son who can be entrusted with the country.
The Rong people in Yi and Luo have frequently invaded the royal capital. The king has asked you to lead the army to conquer the Rong people in Yi and Luo. When you return victorious, you will be able to convince the world and be crowned the crown prince. "
A trace of panic flashed in Wang Zishu's eyes. Is there anyone who knows his father better than his son?
He didn't believe at all that his father would appoint him as the crown prince, nor did he think he had any chance of inheriting the throne.
Now that Feng Ji said this, it must be a conspiracy. It is possible that he died accidentally during the expedition against the Yi and Luo Rong.
This way of killing people is not uncommon. On the battlefield, swords and guns are indiscriminate and death is reasonable.
So Wang Zishu knelt on the ground, his eyes instantly filled with tears, and he cried, "I am not virtuous enough and my ability is low.
Such mediocre people can probably be found everywhere on the streets of Luoyi.
The wealth and honor I have today is only due to the luck of inheriting the bloodline of my king and father.
Now that my king and father trust me so much, if I don’t repay them with my life, will God forgive me?
Fengji, where is the military seal? I will go and prepare the army to set out."
Although this might be a trap, Wang Zishu knew that he had no power to refuse. He thought that military preparations would take time, so he could delay it.
Feng Ji sneered to himself and said leisurely, "Prince, the army is ready and is only waiting for you, the commander."
God is going to kill me!
Wang Zishu felt as if the world was spinning around him, and Feng Ji could no longer conceal the sneer on his face.
The next day, Wang Zishu led his army out of Luoyi. Fortunately, there were still one or two of his good friends in the army, which made him feel a little relieved. With the presence of these children of great nobles, they surely would not send him to his death.
He didn't know that just as he left Luoyi, Feng Ji summoned his wife Yi Jiang into the palace in the name of the emperor.
Ji Tai has never seen his daughter-in-law, which shows how bad the relationship between father and son is.
Although Wang Zishu's wife was not of high birth, she was of good appearance.
She had bright eyes, white teeth, skin as white as cream and a graceful figure. She was the only one Feng Ji had ever seen in his life. He believed that the emperor would definitely like her.
Wang Zishu grew up in the palace and was afraid of it, not to mention Yi Jiang. Feng Ji directly lied, "Madam Yi Jiang, Wang Zishu must have told you that he went to Luoyang to fight against the Yi and Luo Rong, but that was a lie to you.
Do you know why he left Luo?"
Yi Jiang shook his head and threatened Feng Ji: "He has committed a serious mistake. If the king does not forgive him, he may not be able to return to Luoyi in this lifetime."
"ah!"
Yi Jiang exclaimed, "What kind of wrong thing could have angered the emperor and father so much?"
Feng Ji then told Yi Jiang the words he had prepared long ago. Yi Jiang was not very knowledgeable and was deceived. She was overwhelmed with grief and did not know what to do. She could only shed tears and said, "Doctor Feng Ji, you are the close attendant of my father and my king. Do you know any way to get my husband back to Luoyi?"
Hooked!
Feng Ji was secretly delighted, but he did not show it on his face. He said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty has no hobbies in his life, except for women dancing in the tent. I wonder if Madam is willing to dance for the emperor?"
"this?!"
Yi Jiang was dumbfounded. How could the tent be a place for dancing and music?
Heaven and earth know Fengji’s intention!
Yi Jiang was so angry that he was shaking all over and was about to leave immediately.
A faint voice came, "Madam, do you want a noble man like the prince to travel abroad for the rest of his life, or even die at the hands of the soldiers?"
It was still the same dancers, dancing the same unoriginal dance, but Ji Tai's mood was completely different.
He smiled and said to Feng Ji: "Feng Qing, I have been the emperor for twenty years, and I have never felt as happy as I do today.
Now that I have this girl, I have no regrets in my life. This is all thanks to you, Fengqing.
I will never break my promise. I will grant you a city as your fief. You must do more for me in the future."
Yi Jiang waited anxiously for Wang Zishu to come back for four months. Finally, Wang Zishu and others were going back to the country to rest. After being away from home for four months, Wang Zishu was eager to return home. As soon as he returned home, he took Yi Jiang into his arms.
As soon as she saw Wang Zishu, Yi Jiang could no longer conceal the pain she had been feeling these days. She didn't dare to say anything, but just threw herself into Wang Zishu's arms and cried bitterly.
But there is no wall that is impenetrable, and rumors still leaked out vaguely. Wang Zishu was very anxious, and under questioning, Yi Jiang told the story in tears.
Wang Zishu looked up to the sky and cried out, "Such an immoral thing actually happened in the royal court. How absurd it is!
As a king and father, he actually coveted...coveted..."
His face was full of tears, he was extremely sad, and he said in a hateful voice: "The King of Su once said: If the king treats his subjects like dirt, then the subjects will treat the king like an enemy!
Is there any man who can endure such humiliation?
Can such a monarch rule the Zhou Dynasty?
Killing such a monarch will surely be approved by heaven!"
Seeing that Wang Zishu actually had the idea of killing his father, Yi Jiang cried and said, "You are a royal noble who is as eternal as the sun. How noble you are.
I am just a lowly person like water grass. It is not right to damage the noble because of the lowly.
Please don't have such thoughts, I will leave on my own."
Wang Zishu held Yi Jiang's hand tightly and said angrily, "I am a descendant of King Wu. It is natural to comfort the people and punish the criminals. Ji Tai is incompetent and cannot rule the world.
This is not regicide, but killing a tyrant for the sake of the people of the world. God will surely bless you.
The campaign against the Yi and Luo Rong lasted four months, and I have already gained followers in the army. This must be the power bestowed on me by God."
…
King Jie defiled the royal family, causing resentment between the ruler and his subjects, and between fathers and sons. This could not be tolerated by Heaven, and the clan law would not forgive him.
In the autumn of the 20th year, Shu killed King Jie in Luo. This was not murder, but execution! - "Historical Records: Annals of Zhou"
No more
(End of this chapter)
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