Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

Bo Jiang pulled Zhuang Weiyang into the Wu King's Palace, where a minor official immediately came forward to greet them.

The minor official before the King of Wu's palace was also a cultivator of the first realm. Under the official's guidance, the two took their seats.

On the outermost edge, near the entrance, one could only see Fuchai from afar.

Bojiang sat in his seat, which felt like a furnace, making him writhe incessantly.

"Weiyang, this is my first time entering the Wu King's palace. Please take a look at my demeanor. Is there anything inappropriate?"

"Perfect! If he were any more handsome, the doctors would be looking for him to marry!"

Hearing Bo Jiang's constantly changing forms of address, Zhuang Weiyang didn't care at all. She casually comforted Bo Jiang and looked around the Wu King's palace.

"Where are the Tian family members? I can't see them."

Just as Zhuang Weiyang was wondering, she heard Xiao Guan shout in her ear.

"Summon the envoy from Qi!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the three men, dressed in deep purple robes, with wide belts around their waists and cloud patterns embroidered on their sleeves, entered the hall.

The leader appeared to be only eighteen or nineteen years old, with a smile on his face. He showed no fear despite being scrutinized by the officials of Wu.

Behind him were two people. One walked with a brisk pace, sharp eyes, and thick calluses on his hands, clearly a military cultivator. The other had a solemn expression, and each step he took was the same distance.

Being in the Wu King's Palace, Zhuang Weiyang couldn't very well reveal her inner fire to confirm the cultivation paths of the three.

The next moment, Zhuang Weiyang learned about the three people's professions.

Before the King of Wu could speak, Wu Zixu, seated at the head of the assembled ministers, began to speak:

"The Tian family? Could it be that your Tian family truly harbors ambitions to devour the dragon? The eldest son doesn't cultivate, yet your retainers pursue the Legalist path!"

Tian Chang, who was in the lead, smiled slightly, remaining calm and composed.

"The Tian clan has always been loyal to the human race. If it means swallowing the dragon clans of the four seas and ensuring good weather and abundant harvests for the human race, the Tian clan will naturally do so without hesitation!"

After Tian Chang finished speaking, he ignored Wu Zixu, respectfully bowed to the King of Wu, and said loudly:

"As for the other dragons... When my envoy from Qi met with the King of Wu, before the King could speak, Prime Minister Wu questioned the people of Qi."

Wu Zixu also overstepped the bounds of propriety between ruler and subject.

Therefore, it is not unreasonable for my cousin Tian Ni to practice the Legalist way.

Fuchai frowned slightly. Although he knew this was a divisive tactic by the Tian family, Wu Zixu had recently been disobeying the king's orders and making decisions on his own, which had already displeased Fuchai.

To be a king is to control everything!

Faced with Tian Chang's provocation, Fuchai did not react on the spot, but instead made a mental note of it.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Wu Zixu, whose expression remained unchanged, signaling him to continue speaking.

Wu Zixu stood up and said with a cold laugh:

"Hahaha, you, Tian family, dare to say you've overstepped your bounds?"

Everyone in the world knows that your Tian family selects women from the state of Qi who are seven feet tall or taller to be your concubines, numbering in the hundreds, and you allow guests and servants to enter and leave the palace without restriction.

Such a violation of human ethics, yet they dare to speak of transgression and loyalty?

Tian Chang remained calm. As the eldest son of the Tian family, his bloodline traced back to Emperor Shun, making him the most authentic.

The faces of Tian Bao, the strategist, and Tian Ni, the legalist, standing behind him, were rather grim.

Because he was in the Wu Palace, he did not retaliate.

Tian Chang ignored Wu Zixu's provocation and continued speaking to Fuchai:

"King Wu, did you invite my Tian clan here just to have Prime Minister Wu humiliate us?"

Please speak frankly!

Fuchai opened his eyes, and the oppressive aura of a king emanated from him, making everyone breathless.

"Tian Chang, I wish to become the king of your state of Qi!"

Fuchai's words fully demonstrated his domineering power.

If such remarks were to fall into the ears of loyal ministers of Qi, they would probably immediately want to fight Fuchai to the death.

Tian Chang smiled slightly and took a step forward.

"King of Wu, I will convey these words to the King of Qi."

"I am speaking to you, Tian family! If I were to march my army upon Qi, what would you, Tian family, do?"

Wu Zixu's face was grim. He bowed and tried to speak, but Fuchai waved his hand to stop him.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

After a few breaths, Tian Chang smiled and said:

"The Tian family has served as ministers of Qi for generations, and should therefore obey the orders of the Marquis of Qi."

However, if the King of Wu truly governs Qi with benevolent rule, the hearts of the people will be with him, and how could the Tian family possibly obstruct him?

"You, the Tian family, aren't going to stop it?"

"The Tian family is a small clan, willing but unable to do so."

Fuchai laughed heartily, stood up from the dragon throne, and exuded a heroic aura as he waved his sleeves.

"If that's the case, what harm is there in me sparing your Tian family and treating you the same as the Gou family of the Si clan in Yue?"

Zhuang Weiyang listened attentively, and only at the end did she understand what Fuchai wanted to do.

Fuchai wanted to conquer the State of Qi, but he was wary of the powerful Tian clan.

If we launch a direct attack, we will inevitably inflict heavy casualties on the enemy, but also lose eight hundred of our own.

The Tian family's disloyal intentions are known throughout the land. If we can reach a tacit understanding with the Tian family, conquering Qi will be much simpler.

Wu Zixu consistently disagreed with King Fuchai's plan to attack Qi.

Wu Zixu consistently advocated first assimilating the Yue state and accumulating strength.

Therefore, when the people from the Tian family arrived, Wu Zixu immediately tried to provoke them so that they would misunderstand the attitude of the Wu state.

It would be best to make them so angry that they storm off.

Unfortunately, it backfired.

At this point, both sides had reached a tacit political understanding.

At least that's how it appears on the surface.

Fuchai got the answer he wanted, clapped his hands, and summoned the minor official.

"Please take seats! Let the banquet begin!"

Once the Tian family members were seated, Fuchai's face was full of smiles.

"Although my Wu Kingdom is located in a remote area, it is still a legitimate and orthodox nation! During the previous Xia Zhong sacrifice, the spirit of our ancestor, Duke Zhou Dan, descended and bestowed sacrificial wine and meat, which is just right to entertain our distinguished guests from Qi!"

Tian Chang was slightly taken aback after hearing this, then smiled and said:

"At the height of my Qi state's power, I only managed to summon the true spirit of Jiang Shang."

The Kingdom of Wu is indeed blessed with good fortune!

Upon hearing this, King Fuchai was overjoyed.

"Hahaha! Not only that, the place where our ancestors descended was merely a small border town of my Wu Kingdom..."

Zhuang Weiyang!

Zhuang Weiyang was engrossed in eating melons when she heard Fuchai call her name, and she was momentarily stunned.

After realizing what was happening, Zhuang Weiyang immediately stood up and bowed.

Tian Chang subconsciously turned around and met Zhuang Weiyang's gaze.

"This person is not simple!"

"This child is extraordinary!"

Fuchai, unaware of their thoughts, boasted:

"This is the person who personally witnessed the true spirit of our ancestors."

This man is a talented individual of our Wu Kingdom, whose loyalty and courage are known to all, and who has deeply inherited the true teachings of our nation's military sage!

"Wei Yang, tell the people of Qi, what unusual phenomena occurred when the spirit of our ancestor, the Duke of Zhou, descended?"

Zhuang Weiyang had a headache for a moment.

An unusual phenomenon? What kind of unusual phenomenon? Does the rice sprouting count?

If the truth were told, it would surely displease the King of Wu.

After a few moments of silence, Zhuang Weiyang decided to tell a little white lie.

"Your Majesty! When the true spirit of our ancestors descended, their fortune materialized, sometimes transforming into the Nine Cauldrons, the ancestral artifacts of the human race, and sometimes into the Golden Dragon of Fortune."

The sight was so magnificent that I could hardly open my eyes! When I came to my senses, my ancestor appeared on the altar, riding on a real dragon!

The ancestral spirit first praised the second young master, saying that he already possessed a portion of the king's divine might and a portion of the crown prince's gentleness.

Then, with a wave of his hand, the rice seeds in the public fields of Zuili immediately sprouted, and some even... produced rice that very day!

Zhuang Weiyang's rapid-fire delivery became increasingly fluent.

Tian Chang listened attentively at first, filled with longing, thinking that one day he would be like the people of Wu, attracting the true spirit of his ancestor, Emperor Shun.

But when he heard Duke Zhou praising a prince of the country, he understood what was going on.

What kind of military strategist is Zhuang Weiyang, that he has so deeply inherited the art of military strategy?

A favored minister!

Tian Chang's smile froze, but Fuchai became more and more delighted as he listened.

Do our ancestors approve of my ability to recreate the human race and conquer the Central Plains?

Upon hearing the final words, Fuchai feigned displeasure and wore a reproachful expression:

"Then why don't you bring the rice that people have brought, and present it to me?"

Zhuang Weiyang was momentarily speechless, her train of thought abruptly interrupted.

No, my king, you really believe me when I say I'm trying to save face for you?