My Immortal Brother-in-law

Chapter 193 Emperor Xin ascends the throne
"If you have a legitimate son, then don't make a concubine your successor, my king!"

As soon as Emperor Yi asked the question, Bigan was startled and quickly refuted it.

While refuting, he looked at Zhong Su nervously, fearing that Zhong Su would say something different from his opinion.

And Zhong Su...

To be honest, when Zhong Su heard what Emperor Yi said, he really wanted to give Emperor Yi a thumbs up.

If the Shang Dynasty could really let Ziqi become the emperor, then... no matter how badly Ziqi did, it shouldn't be worse than what Zishou did, right?
The core reason why the Shang Dynasty fell during Zishou's generation was that after Zishou ascended the throne, he actually abolished the system of burying slaves alive with the dead.

As long as Zi Qi does not implement this order immediately like Zi Shou did, but abolishes it slowly, bit by bit in line with the pace of the times.

It is possible that the Shang Dynasty could last another hundred or eighty years.

after all……

The current Dashang is actually very strong.

Even the future Shang Dynasty that was played around with so much that the whole world rebelled against it was actually very strong. They were so strong that Ji Chang did not dare to go to war with Shang Dynasty again in his entire life. They were even stronger than Ji Fa, who was almost dying of old age, before he finally started the final war.

If the future Shang Dynasty is really easy to defeat, why should Xiqi wait so long?

Did he finally make up his mind after several generations of Zhou kings died?

However, although Zhong Suli could think so, he really couldn't say it.

Because, including Bigan, almost no one among the three dukes and nine ministers might agree with Emperor Yi's current decision.

The system of establishing the eldest son as the heir of the Shang Dynasty had lasted for too long. Since Emperor Yi already had an eldest son, no one would support Zi Qi even if he was Emperor Yi's eldest son out of wedlock.

As for why Emperor Yi had such thoughts at the end of his life... ?
Emperor Yi took a deep breath, then smiled bitterly and patted Bigan's arm.

"You, Ah Gan, even though I have become like this, you still... don't even want to comfort me.

What about your intelligence? Don’t you understand the ways of the world very well?

Then you should comfort me.

I don't know why, but these days, my heart has become more and more flustered. Whenever I think of the appearance of that kid Zishou, I feel... uneasy!
The closer I get to the Fire Cloud Cave, the more I feel that... Zishou might bring disaster to the Shang Dynasty!
Alas, I am perhaps really old, and old people begin to have wild thoughts. How can I accuse Zishou of a crime based on this? Whether he has done good or bad as a king, I will leave it to time to prove.

"Alas..., I just... feel inexplicably uneasy!"

Having said that, Di Yi stopped using his arms to support the ground and just lay loosely in Zhong Su's arms.

Raising his head slightly, Di Yi looked at Zhong Su with his gradually dim eyes and shook his head gently.

"A Su."

He said with a sigh.

"When you meet a big brother like this, do you feel...disappointed?

Brother, I have always felt that I have done better than my father and grandfather, but who would have thought that even though I thought so, now that I am getting older, the impulses in my heart are even more intense than those of my father and ancestors.

Before, you hadn’t returned to Yindu...ah.

Now it's Chaoge, I moved there.

When you didn't return to Chaoge, I, your elder brother, had Agan, Arong, and Azhong.

I've had more than one quarrel with the three of them.

You may not know this, but at that time, Agan was still in this hall, scolding me for being old and foolish in front of Azhong and Arong.

I have indeed become confused. Even last year, I didn't think there was anything wrong with Zishou.

But... it's very strange. Now I finally understand why my father took such a big risk and executed Ji Li in the palace before he died.

I am now like my father, almost...unable to listen to any persuasion.

But I am still better than my father, because my father does not have you by his side, and I, it is Agan and his determination that has prevented me from doing anything stupid...

I have been raising my son for twenty-four years. Since the second year since I became king, I have been teaching him how to be a good king.

But now, I actually want to give up the heir whom I have educated for more than 20 years, and instead turn my attention to Ziqi, the eldest son in my life, whom I have never educated.

Because of that ridiculous feeling?
Is it because every time I think of Zishou being the king, I always inexplicably develop a kind of... uneasy feeling?

I am old, I am about to die, I...haha!
Fortunately, I have you, my brothers, who have saved my reputation after my death!"

Having said that, Emperor Yi let out a long breath, then gently patted Bigan's hand.

"Agan, don't worry, I won't mention the matter of deposing Zishou again.

Well then, please, and everyone else here, please continue to serve Zishou loyally, with the same gaze I gave him!
The future of the Shang Dynasty lies in the hands of you and my good-for-nothing son!
No matter what, we must protect our Dashang. No matter what, remember this!"

At this point, Di Yi once again used his hands to support himself on the ground and lifted himself up from Zhong Su's arms.

Then, under the care of his attendants, he returned to his seat.

By now, the servants had prepared everything needed for the banquet.

Then, Emperor Yi used up his last bit of strength to distribute meat and soup to everyone, and then he summoned up his energy and had a delicious meal with everyone.

At the banquet, Zhong Su drank while looking at Emperor Yi who seemed increasingly powerless.

He suddenly felt a little emotional, because what Emperor Yi had just said actually proved the saying that when a man is about to die, his words are good.

As the emperor of mankind, the king of the Shang Dynasty indeed possessed a considerable degree of sacredness.

This sacredness may not be too clear to them in normal times, but when every great merchant emperor is about to die, fate seems to give these human emperors a final reminder.

Before Wu Yi died, he dragged Ji Li's old father out to fight the barbarians to the death.

When Tai Ding was dying, he forced Ji Li, the god of war of Xiqi, to stay in the Shang palace.

And now, it is the time when Emperor Yi is about to die.

Even though he had trained Zishou for more than twenty years, he still relied on that little bit of inexplicable feeling and guidance and almost ruined Zishou's position as the Human Emperor.

It seems that no matter how foolish or not the emperors of the Shang Dynasty were during their lifetime, they always seemed to make the most correct decisions when they were dying.

They also always know who is the biggest threat to them and to Da Shang.

Unfortunately……

Zhong Su shook his head slightly.

Unfortunately, no one can understand the profound meaning of Emperor Yi.

And Zishou, as the eldest son of Emperor Yi, has a great chance of winning.

Otherwise, if Emperor Yi really succeeded in changing the heir.

Then... maybe the Great Shang doesn't even need Zhong Su to take action, and can just outlast a large group of elite troops from Xiqi.

In short, everyone except Emperor Yi enjoyed the meal today.

Maybe it was because Emperor Yi had drunk some wine, so he looked more energetic than usual. Seeing that his elder brother was in high spirits, Wen Zhong also became happy.

As for Bigan, after getting Emperor Yi's promise, he no longer worried about the heir to the Shang Dynasty, and his mood became much better.

Shang Rong needs no introduction, he loves wine, and he is always happy when he drinks more. Tonight's banquet ended in a good atmosphere. When it was late at night, Zhong Su left the Shang Palace and returned to the Zhong Mansion specially reserved for him in Chaoge to rest.

Although Emperor Yi's health was extremely poor, it was not his last moment.

In this way, Zhong Su lived in Chaoge for more than two months.

Two months later, one day, it rained heavily.

Zishou rode the dragon all the way to Zhong Su's mansion.

Seeing Zishou coming, the servants of the Zhong Mansion hurried out to greet him, but Zishou showed no arrogance at all. Instead, he adhered to the etiquette of a junior and came all the way to the outside of Zhong Su's bedroom.

He came early and Zhong Su was still resting at that time.

So, Zishou stopped the servant who wanted to wake Zhong Su up and waited quietly outside Zhong Su's door.

About half an hour later, Zhong Su pushed open the door and looked at Zishou who was standing at the door with a little surprise.

"Your Highness, why are you here, and why have you been waiting until now?"

"uncle!"

In response to Zhong Su's question, Zishou clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Zhong Su.

Zhong Su quickly lifted Zishou's wrist and continued asking.

"Don't do this. It's too much for me. Your Highness's body is worth a million dollars, so I can't do that to you."

"My nephew is paying respect to my uncle, so why can't I do that? Besides, my uncle helped me convince my father a few days ago. My nephew has kept all these in mind, so don't worry, uncle!"

Zishou seemed a little excited. As he spoke, he held Zhong Sulu's arm.

"My father... wanted to make my elder brother the king some time ago. Although he didn't tell me about it, I know about it.

Fortunately, Uncle Bigan, Uncle Wenzhong, and Uncle Shanjun persuaded my father, so that I, the nephew, did not end up... going to my fiefdom in disgrace!

It is too late for Zishou to come to his uncle's house to express his gratitude for such a great favor.

Uncle will accept this gift no matter what, and I would like to thank you for your support!"

As he spoke, Zishou gave Zhong Su a skillful hug.

Tsk tsk, no matter how you put it, Zishou is really so likable in this era.

After a gentle hug with Zishou, Zhong Su let go of Zishou and took him to the pavilion to sit for a while.

In the rain, Zishou and Zhong Sulu exchanged greetings for two hours before Zishou left Zhong Sulu's house seemingly reluctantly.

Looking at Zishou's receding back, Zhong Su held his whisk and remained silent.

But he knew that just before today, Ziqi was finally sent back to his fiefdom, Wei State, by Zishou.

From now on, Zi Qi will be called Wei Zi Qi, and Zi Shou's position as the next king is completely secured.

You see, Zishou won’t reveal a single word until he wins the final victory.

Not until he had completely mastered all the initiative did the kid finally come to his door and made some seemingly offensive and urgent moves, but in fact, they only made his trusted ministers happy by reminiscing about the past and praising his achievements.

Emperor Yi's education of his son was successful, and he was destined to become a capable king.

I just don’t know how far Dashang will go in the future?

……

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, another forty-two days have passed.

The mournful sound of the chimes echoed in Chaoge, and the sad wind and bitter rain enveloped the entire royal capital.

A large number of slaves followed the guide's footsteps and walked to their own cemetery.

Emperor Yi's coffin was surrounded by them and buried in the mausoleum passed down from generation to generation by the Shang Dynasty emperors.

Emperor Yi's death was not painful. He didn't have any special disease, it's just that... his body parts were old enough.

In addition to being weak and powerless, on the last day before his death, when he was in his last moments of life, Emperor Yi even looked for Zhong Su and others and drank two glasses of wine.

Before Emperor Yi ascended the throne, his grandfather Wu Yi shot arrows into the sky with blood and killed loyal and good people indiscriminately, creating a huge mess.

At the beginning of Emperor Yi's reign, although the strength of the Shang Dynasty had improved slightly under the leadership of his father Tai Ding, the strength of Xiqi and the temptations of the princes from all directions made Emperor Yi inherit a precarious kingdom.

Since Emperor Yi ascended the throne, the increasingly dry weather and increasing natural disasters have made life difficult for the people of the Shang Dynasty and also increased the intensity of the invasions by the barbarians from all directions.

Even in the face of so many difficulties, Emperor Yi still worked hard to govern the country, and turned this precarious country into the one it is today with stability and sufficient food and grass.

In terms of civil governance, Emperor Yi made the greatest contribution.

As for military achievements, although Emperor Yi's reign was slightly weaker, he still had achievements in defeating Xiqi, pacifying Mengfang, conquering the barbarians for ten times, and intimidating the princes in the north and south.

As the 29th emperor of the Shang Dynasty, Emperor Yi reigned for 26 years, but his achievements would at least rank among the top eight emperors of the Shang Dynasty.

Except for Cheng Tang, Wu Ding and other kings who founded and revived the Shang Dynasty, although Emperor Yi's name is not well-known, his achievements are comparable to those of any other Shang king.

Until his death, Emperor Yi kept talking about his life. Somehow, at the last moment, he always felt that he had some regrets.

Only those who understand Emperor Yi's thoughts can understand what his final regret was.

At that time, Di Yi was staring at Zishou, whom he once had high hopes for, with a look of regret.

The last words of Emperor Yi's life were spoken by him while he was holding Zishou's hand with such a look in his eyes.

Facing Zishou's extremely sad expression, Di Yi held Zishou's hand and said word by word... with regret.

"Besides you, the only ones who came to see me off were your uncles.

I might as well be frank. Until now, I still don't think you would be a good king.

So, Zishou, prove it to me!
One day, when your soul returns to the Fire Cloud Cave, you must use your achievements to tell me that I was wrong!

I am really looking forward to it!"

This was Emperor Yi's last words.

This was also the first sentence Zishou said to Zhong Su, Bigan, Wen Zhong and Shang Rong after he officially succeeded to the throne.

Nine days after Emperor Yi's death, Zishou officially became the 30th emperor of the Shang Dynasty.

After holding a grand court meeting on the first day of his succession and receiving the four nobles including Ji Chang, Zishou...

No, now we should call him Emperor Xin.

Emperor Xin left Zhong, Su and the other three alone in the palace to make comments, and when there were only five of them left in the palace.

Facing the looks of his uncles including Zhong Su, Emperor Xin clasped his hands and bowed deeply to them.

"I also ask all uncles to help me work hard to govern the country.

I must let my father know that he is wrong!"

(End of this chapter)