Chapter 371 Conspiracy
"Now is our last chance to rise up. If we hesitate any longer, we will lose Xiqi, which we have built up over generations," Ji Chang said with a heavy heart.
“Father, how is that possible? As long as we disagree, Di Xin will not dare to take over Xiqi by force. The people of Xiqi are grateful for our kindness. If Di Xin dares to use force, the people of Xiqi will be filled with resentment and it will be difficult to stabilize.”
Ji Fa had studied Emperor Xin and was convinced that with Emperor Xin's benevolence, he would never disregard the lives of the people of Xiqi, who were also people under Emperor Xin's rule.
“Di Xin is the best at bewitching people. Apart from Xiqi, the other three vassal states have been taken back by Di Xin. Before I returned, Di Xin had already taken full control of the three places and managed them in an orderly manner through a series of means. The people are at peace and the Shang Dynasty is about to be stabilized by Di Xin.”
"The fiefdoms of minor vassal states and nobles were gradually taken over by Di Xin. Which commoner made a fuss? On the contrary, those minor nobles could no longer stay and asked to return to Chaoge to save their lives. Why did the common people frequently riot? Why did they riot now, right after Di Xin took back the fiefdoms of the major vassal states? Who knows what dirty tricks Di Xin used?"
Ji Chang was full of resentment and prejudice against Di Xin. He could misinterpret any of Di Xin's words into several different meanings.
“Father, under what name do we establish ourselves and rebel against the suzerain state? The relationship between ruler and subject is one of righteousness. Your Majesty is virtuous and your benevolence extends to the world. The Marquis of the South and the Marquis of the North willingly surrendered their fiefdoms. Why don’t you follow suit, Father? How can you not have the heart of a ruler?”
Bo Yikao couldn't help but question Ji Chang, "The king is a good king, but my father really shouldn't have done that."
With a 'smack,' Ji Chang, unable to bear it any longer, slapped his eldest son, whom he had always doted on, and was extremely annoyed. "Bo Yikao, what have you been learning in Chaoge?"
Damn it, who instilled these strange and bizarre remarks in Boyi Kao, directly deposing his heir? Their intentions are despicable.
“You are disloyal and unjust, you hold military power and are plotting rebellion,” Boyi Kao said with wounded eyes. “Father, do not make another mistake. All the land under heaven belongs to the king, and all the people on the shores of the earth are the king’s subjects. The ruler is the guide for the subjects, which is a matter of course. Father, before you make a big mistake, Father, you should turn back from the wrong path as soon as possible.”
“Brother, how can you say such a thing? This is the mission passed down from generation to generation of Marquis of Xibo.” Ji Fa was secretly delighted. He knew that his elder brother was somewhat naive, but he did not know that his elder brother would talk nonsense in front of their father.
“Mission?” Boyi Kao’s face was ashen. “Father, second brother, you are both too obsessed.”
"Now that the arrow is on the bowstring and must be released, how can you say you won't rebel and just do it?" Ji Chang didn't want to listen anymore. "Guards, take the eldest son back to his room. Without my order, he is not to step out of the room."
Ji Chang immediately placed Boyi Kao under house arrest, saying, "With such a crucial matter at hand, how can you allow yourself to say things that undermine morale?"
Ji Chang was relieved that his order to summon his sons had just been delivered and the children had not yet arrived, so they had not heard Boyi Kao's remarks. Otherwise, given Boyi Kao's standing among the sons, Xiqi would likely have descended into chaos.
Disheartened, Boyi Kao silently followed the servants back to his room. He then took out the books that the Crown Prince had given him years ago and slowly flipped through them, hoping to find a way to change his father's mind.
"Ji Fa, it seems your elder brother is no longer able to make it. Your father can only rely on you." Ji Chang aged several years in an instant.
Ji Fa stood up. "Yes, Father, I will not let you down." He then leaned closer to Ji Chang and whispered about how Ji Chang had spread rumors in Xiqi.
"Good, I was right about you. You are indeed intelligent and quick-witted." Ji Chang said with satisfaction. It's alright that Bo Yikao is ruined. He still has Ji Fa. With the father and son working together, they will surely overthrow the Yin Shang.
"Before Father returned, I received news that the Nine Yi tribes were restless again. Emperor Xin will surely deploy a large number of troops to stabilize the four directions. This is our best opportunity." Ji Fa strongly urged Ji Chang to start a rebellion immediately. He shared the same view as Ji Chang: the longer they waited, the less hope they had.
Before Ji Chang returned, Ji Fa and Boyi Kao jointly ruled Xiqi. His elder brother Boyi Kao was a virtuous man and did not guard against his younger brother. Ji Fa, who was already in power, naturally wanted to go further and become the emperor.
"That's right, I have already missed a golden opportunity. If I had known that the young Emperor Xin would be so troublesome, I should have immediately raised the banner of rebellion when Emperor Yi died, instead of hoping that Chaoge would be unstable, that the important ministers would fight for power, and that the royal power would fall into the wrong hands." Ji Chang was filled with regret.
“It’s not too late now,” Ji Fa comforted him. “However, we need to have a legitimate reason to fight in order to win the hearts of the people. Does Father have any ideas?”
Ji Chang pondered deeply, then solemnly said, "My son, arrange an auspicious omen. Our rebellion against Shang is acting on behalf of Heaven. Heaven's mandate is not constant; only virtue can guide it. Emperor Xin was tyrannical, and both gods and men are outraged."
"By the way, let's compile all the measures taken by Emperor Xin since he took the throne and put together several major crimes. It is true that Emperor Xin disrespected the gods and abolished sacrifices. Heaven and the gods were angry and punished him. What virtue did he have to sit firmly on the throne of the human emperor?"
Ji Chang firmly believed that he was in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, and he consulted the oracle many times, saying that he was ordained by Heaven.
Ji Chang understood that faking auspicious omens was a big deal, as it concerned whether the morale of the army could be stabilized in the future. After all, they were rebels, and no matter how loud their slogans were, they would still feel guilty and weak in the face of the suzerain state.
Ji Chang told his sons about his plans and ordered them to train the troops diligently and secretly stockpile grain in various parts of Xiqi in preparation for war.
Ji Chang originally wanted to create an auspicious omen and invited Jiang Ziya to inquire about divine miracles.
Jiang Ziya immediately accepted the invitation. Although Ji Chang did not appear to be virtuous, Ji Fa was courteous to the virtuous and talented and promoted those with ability, showing the qualities of a wise ruler.
Jiang Ziya comforted himself, saying that he had joined Xiqi because he was moved by Ji Fa, and that he had not misjudged him.
"Sir, my father is about to launch an uprising, and Ji Fa is increasingly worried. Regardless of the rise and fall of the nation, the people will suffer." Ji Fa used the words that Bo Yikao always said to coax Jiang Ziya, knowing that Jiang Ziya would fall for it.
"Second Prince, there is no need to worry. Heaven has no favorites, but only virtue is supported. Xiqi is the mandate of Heaven. Without destruction, there can be no construction. Emperor Xin is tyrannical and has harmed the people. What you are doing is to save the people." Jiang Ziya comforted the 'benevolent and virtuous' Second Prince.
Ji Chang's lips twitched slightly as he gazed at the distant Qishan Mountain, lost in thought. Although Jiang Ziya possessed great talent, he was too idealistic.
Hmm... When Jiang Ziya and his men saw the scene of carnage and carnage on the border, they were so shocked that they believed his fabricated rumors. It's best not to let them find out the truth.
“Sir, look…” Ji Fa suddenly pointed at Qishan with an excited expression.
Jiang Ziya looked in the direction Ji Fa pointed and saw a large golden bird circling down from the sky, landing on the hillside. It preened its feathers, which shimmered in the sunlight. Then it spread its wings and stirred up a hurricane, and a clear cry echoed throughout Xiqi.
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