Zhang Kui Asks the Way in Investiture of the Gods

Enjoy reading "Zhang Kui Asks the Way in the Investiture of the Gods".

Wen Zhong had led his army to the East Sea to quell the rebellion for over a month, and after the Grand Tutor's departure, Chaoge City seemed to have lost its last shackle. King Zhou reverted to his old ways of indulging in wine and women and favoring treacherous officials, even becoming more extreme in his behavior.

Mianchi, the quiet room in the backyard of Jishan Hall.

Zhang Kui held a jade slip sent by the Embroidered Uniform Guard in his hand. He scanned the information within with his divine sense, his brows furrowed, and finally he let out a helpless sigh.

"Really... relentlessly rushing down the path of courting death!" he muttered to himself, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

The jade slip details King Zhou's recent absurdities. To please Daji, he listened to slander and built the "Wine Pool and Meat Forest" again next to the Deer Terrace, wasting countless resources. The aftermath of Bigan's tragic death had not yet subsided, and several loyal ministers who dared to speak out were either burned at the stake or thrown into a pit of scorpions. Among them, the Marquis of the North, Chong Houhu, was particularly active. He not only instigated King Zhou to undertake large-scale construction projects, but also colluded closely with Fei Zhong and You Hun to control the government, form cliques for personal gain, and suppress dissent. His evil deeds were too numerous to list, and the people were filled with resentment.

"Suppressing dissent, persecuting the loyal and virtuous, exploiting the people... nothing could be more self-destructive than this." Zhang Kui put down the jade slip, his gaze piercing through the roof, looking at the mysterious river of destiny. "This Shang dynasty has lost the hearts of the people, its fate... is truly nearing its end."

Xiqi, the Prime Minister's residence.

Jiang Ziya, also holding a secret report about the movements of Chaoge, frowned slightly, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

Upon reading the detailed account of Chong Houhu's heinous crimes, a glint flashed in his eyes. He stroked his beard and pondered, "When a nation is about to perish, monstrous evils will surely arise. This scoundrel Chong Houhu is utterly wicked; it is Heaven's will to destroy him. Our Western Qi is newly established and needs to establish its authority over the world and win the hearts of the people... Why not begin by eliminating this traitor?"

The following morning at court, Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, sat upright, his aura even more magnificent and imposing than when he was in Youli. He looked at Jiang Ziya below him and asked, "Prime Minister, have there been any unusual developments in Chaoge recently?"

Jiang Ziya, holding a jade tablet, stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, I read the secret report yesterday. King Zhou is tyrannical. Recently, he listened to the words of the sorceress Daji and had the heart of Bi Gan, the second-ranking official, cut out to make medicine for him. Marquis Chong Houhu of the North is disrupting the court, oppressing ministers, and bewitching the emperor. He also levies exorbitant taxes in his fiefdom, causing the people to complain and starve to death everywhere."

He paused, then spoke with fervor and righteous indignation, “Your Majesty has been granted the white banner and yellow axe by the Emperor, granting you the power to wage war. Traitors like Chong Houhu have brought disaster to the country and its people, formed cliques for personal gain, persecuted loyal officials, and distorted the truth. They are truly the greatest traitors to the nation! If we do not punish them, how can we uphold the justice of Heaven and appease the people? I implore Your Majesty to send troops to punish Chong Houhu, the Marquis of the North, to cleanse the court of these corrupt officials and set the record straight.”

Ji Chang was benevolent. Although he felt that the matter of conquest would harm harmony, he thought of Chong Houhu's various evil deeds and the suffering of the people. In the end, he sighed and approved Jiang Ziya's proposal.

He ordered the mobilization of 100,000 elite troops from Xiqi, with Jiang Ziya as commander and Nangong Shi as vanguard, to attack Chonghouhu.

Beneath the towering city walls, war clouds loomed.

The Xiqi army besieged the city, their discipline impeccable and their morale soaring. Chong Yingbiao, son of Chong Houhu, led his troops into battle, but his army was undisciplined and its soldiers resentful; how could they possibly be a match for the fierce and powerful army of Xiqi?

Nangong Shi took the lead and his swordsmanship was divine. In just a few rounds, he defeated Chong Yingbiao and sent him fleeing back to Chongcheng in a panic. He closed the city gates and dared not go out again.

Jiang Ziya, who was in charge of the central army, saw that victory was assured and was about to order an attack on the city. However, Ji Chang could not bear to do it and dissuaded him, saying, "Prime Minister, the Chong family has committed evil deeds, but the people in the city are innocent. If we forcibly attack the city, the swords will surely kill many lives. This is not the way of a benevolent person."

Jiang Ziya knew Ji Chang's benevolence and dared not disobey him, but the opportunity to fight could not be missed. He devised a plan and secretly wrote a letter, sending Nangong Shi to Caozhou to request an audience with Chong Houhu's younger brother, Marquis Chong Heihu of Caozhou.

The letter clearly stated the advantages and disadvantages, implying that if Chong Heihu could put righteousness above family ties, not only could the Chong clan's ancestral temple be preserved, but the future title of Marquis of the North would also be his.

Inside the Marquis's residence in Caozhou.

Chong Heihu read Jiang Ziya's letter three times, his expression shifting constantly. He already despised his elder brother Chong Houhu's actions, and was even more dissatisfied with him occupying the position of Marquis of the North by virtue of being the eldest son.

At this moment, he pondered to himself: "My brother's perverse actions have angered Heaven. Xiqi is powerful and has capable advisors; Chongcheng is in grave danger. What Jiang Ziya said is indeed an opportunity... What virtue and ability does Chong Houhu possess to usurp the title of Marquis? It's time to replace him with a new Marquis of the North..."

After weighing the pros and cons, a resolute glint flashed in Chong Heihu's eyes. He said to Nangong Shi, who was waiting, "Please go back and report first, General. There is no need to say anything else. Chong Heihu has his own plans. He will definitely escort my elder brother... to the Xiqi gate to plead guilty."

The following day, Chong Heihu mustered three thousand elite soldiers from Caozhou and set off for Chongcheng under the pretext of rescuing it.

Upon arriving in Chongcheng, Chong Yingbiao, without suspicion, led his men out of the city to greet him. He bowed from his horse and said, "Because I am in armor, I cannot perform the full ceremony. I hope my uncle will forgive me."

Chong Heihu pretended to be unaware of the "insider information" of Xiqi's attack and inquired about the reason. Chong Yingbiao angrily replied, "That old man Ji Chang has incurred our wrath without cause by sending troops to invade our territory."

Chong Heihu sneered inwardly, but reassured him on the surface, "Nephew, do not worry. Now that your uncle has come, I will definitely help you repel the enemy."

The next day, Chong Heihu led his army out of the city and challenged Zhou's camp. Jiang Ziya then ordered Nangong Shi to come out of the camp to "meet the challenge".

On the battlefield, Nangong Shi and Chong Heihu clashed swords and axes, seemingly engaged in fierce combat, but in reality, they were in perfect sync. After more than twenty rounds, Chong Heihu whispered to Nangong Shi, "General, we can feign defeat and return to camp. I will surely send my brother here later."

Nangong Shi understood, feinted with his sword, turned his horse and rode away, shouting loudly, "The Marquis of Caozhou truly lives up to his reputation."

Chong Heihu did not pursue, sounded the retreat, and made a show of force.

After returning to the city, Chong Heihu discussed the matter with Chong Yingbiao and offered a plan: "Ji Chang's power is great, so we need to ask you to return to the city to take charge of the overall situation. You should write a letter as soon as possible, asking your father to return to Chongcheng quickly so that we can discuss a strategy to defeat the enemy."

Chong Yingbiao, without suspecting any deception, followed his instructions.

Chaoge, the residence of Chong Houhu.

Upon receiving his son's letter, Chong Houhu slammed his fist on the table in fury and berated Ji Chang: "You old scoundrel! Back then, you fled your post and deceived the emperor. If it weren't for my intervention before His Majesty, you would have lost your life long ago. Now, instead of being grateful, you dare to invade my territory. You are truly hateful!" He immediately donned his court robes and went to the palace to meet King Zhou.

Upon hearing this, King Zhou was furious and said, "Ji Chang's crimes are heinous. He betrayed me in the past, and now he dares to bully his ministers. He has no respect for his sovereign. My dear minister, you should return to your fiefdom first, and I will send troops to your aid."

Chong Houhu received the order and rushed back to Chongcheng day and night. However, just as he was about to reach Chongcheng, a sense of unease rose in the heart of this worldly-wise Marquis of the North.

He summoned a trusted aide and secretly instructed him, "Take my warrant, ride swiftly into the city first, and be sure to deliver this letter to my son Ying Biao, so that he may act according to the plan. Remember, you must not let anyone else know." The aide obeyed and quietly departed.

When Chong Houhu's large force arrived in Chongcheng, they were immediately surrounded by Chong Heihu's guards who had been lying in ambush on both sides of the city gate.

Chong Houhu was filled with shock and rage, struggling and roaring, "Chong Heihu, we are brothers from the same mother, what kind of logic is this?"

Chong Heihu's face was cold and stern, and he spoke with righteous indignation: "Brother, you hold a high position in the court, yet you do not cultivate benevolence and virtue, you mislead the king, you cruelly oppress the people, your evil deeds are beyond measure, and the world has abandoned you. Today, I, Chong Heihu, would rather bear the name of injustice than not escort you to the Zhou camp, so as to appease the world."

Just then, the deputy general whom Chong Houhu had sent to capture Chong Yingbiao rushed over to report: "My lord, Chong Yingbiao is nowhere to be found in the manor. According to the garrison, he led his troops out of the city to patrol two hours ago, and the soldiers returned, but he himself has not returned yet."

Upon hearing this, Chong Heihu turned his head sharply, his gaze like a knife shooting towards the bound Chong Houhu, his face instantly turning ugly: "Big brother, you actually... were already on guard against me, and pulled this trick of escaping right under my nose."

Chong Houhu snorted coldly, closed his eyes, and said no more.

Now that things had come to this, although Chong Heihu was furious that Chong Yingbiao had escaped, capturing Chong Houhu was already the greatest achievement. He didn't delay any longer and immediately escorted Chong Houhu to the gate of the Xiqi camp.

Upon hearing the news, Jiang Ziya personally came out of his tent to greet him.

Chong Heihu bowed and said, "I am grateful for the Prime Minister's instruction. I dare not let personal matters interfere with public duty. Today, I have brought my guilty brother, Chong Houhu, here to await his punishment."

Seeing Chong Houhu in such a sorry state, Ji Chang recalled their past as fellow ministers and felt a pang of pity. He thought to himself, "Even if he deserves his punishment, fratricide is not benevolent."

Jiang Ziya, discerning Ji Chang's thoughts, knew he had to act swiftly and decisively. Before Ji Chang could speak, he sternly demanded, "Chong Houhu, your crimes are heinous, you have corrupted the court, and harmed countless lives. Today you are executed. What else do you have to say?"

Knowing he could not escape death, Chong Houhu looked up to the sky and laughed wildly, cursing incessantly.

Upon seeing this, Ji Chang sighed and turned his head away.

Jiang Ziya no longer hesitated and decisively ordered: "These traitors are intolerable to Heaven and Earth. They shall be beheaded and their heads displayed to the public."

With a flash of light, Marquis Chonghouhu of the North was decapitated, his head hung high at the gate as a warning to others.

Chong Heihu seized the opportunity to take over the Chongcheng forces and, with the support of Xiqi, effectively succeeded to the position of Marquis of the North.

The Xiqi army returned to the capital in triumph. This battle marked the first shot fired by Xiqi in its campaign against the wicked, drawing the attention of all the feudal lords in the land.

Both sides had withdrawn their troops, and the battlefield returned to silence. No one noticed that on a secluded mountain path far from the main road, a lone rider, covered in dust, was galloping desperately into the distance.

The man on horseback was none other than Chong Yingbiao, who had narrowly escaped. His face was grim, and he tightly clutched a secret letter written by his father, Chong Houhu, in his bosom...