Chapter 662: Emperor Xin

"My lord, guards from the palace have sent orders for you to enter the palace immediately."

Outside the study, the voice of the elderly steward of the residence carried a hint of weariness and anxiety. This old man, who had served in the Da Shi residence for over a decade, clearly sensed that tonight was unusually eventful.

The study door opened, and Li Changshou stepped out slowly.

This paper dao ren was dressed in a dark red wide robe, with pale hair tied in a crane crown, appearing as spirited and composed as ever, just as he had been when he first arrived here years ago, full of vigor.

Li Changshou took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to the elderly steward, smiling as he said:

"Tonight, after I go to the royal palace, you should lock the gates and instruct the guards not to venture out unnecessarily. If anyone asks, just say I have gone to the palace.

Once things settle down tomorrow, open this letter. It contains instructions on how to access the cabinet in my study. Distribute the money inside among the people in the residence.

Consider it a bond of fate between us."

The elderly steward's hand trembled as he held the envelope. "My lord, what is this about? Rumors are rampant in the city these past few days, saying the great king is gravely ill. Please, don't let anything happen to you!"

"It's not about anything going wrong; it's just time for me to leave," Li Changshou replied, patting the steward on the shoulder. "Don't overthink it."

With that, a wisp of smoke rose beneath Li Changshou's feet, lifting him half a zhang into the air. He turned and appeared in the empty front courtyard, walking unhurriedly toward the gate.

The steward opened his mouth but only bowed his head, kneeling toward the back of Li Changshou's paper dao ren in the night, letting out a soft sigh, as if in gratitude for the years of care.

As Li Changshou exited the residence, a large group of armored soldiers surged forward, surrounding the gate. A middle-aged general stepped forward, cupped his fists, bowed his head, and shouted loudly:

"My lord, the Da Zai requests your immediate presence in the palace. I have prepared a carriage for you."

"Not a ox cart?" Li Changshou frowned, speaking in an elderly tone: "With my old bones, I don't know if I can handle the jolting."

The general gave an awkward smile and whispered: "The situation is urgent, so please bear with it. If the ride jostles you, I'll have the driver's head chopped off!"

The two soldiers leading the horse couldn't help but shudder.

"No need for that,"

Li Changshou waved his hand and agilely climbed onto the carriage, leaving the group of armored soldiers staring in astonishment.

If this were in Li Changshou's old home on Blue Star, the young people around might chorus:

"Damn, this old guy is something else..."

But in the secular world of Nan Continent, it would just be: "This elderly lord truly has a sturdy constitution."

The carriage wheels rumbled as they turned, and Li Changshou sat inside, swaying as it sped toward the royal palace.

At the same time, outside the residences of various ministers around the royal palace, ox carts and horse carriages, escorted by soldiers, hurried toward the palace.

For the past several days, Chaoge City had been filled with tension and unease.

The old king's health had deteriorated severely, and he was now on the brink of death; the three princes were keeping vigil in the palace, while state affairs were temporarily managed by the Da Zai.

The Da Zai's midnight summons of the ministers was undoubtedly about one matter.

The king had passed away.

Li Changshou knew that Di Yi had died two hours earlier, and the azure dragon manifestation of the imperial destiny had appeared above Chaoge City before dispersing on its own.

Observing with the art of qi observation now, one could see clouds rising and swirling above Chaoge City, with a mass of purple-red mist churning continuously.

This was the imperial destiny yet to reconvene, indicating that the position of the human emperor remained undecided.

Although Zi Shou was the rightful heir, some incident must have occurred in the palace, or it wouldn't have been delayed for two hours.

The mundane world, the throne, greed, self-interest...

This night was truly suitable for Jade Ding Shixiong to come here for enlightenment.

Not long after...

"Da Shi, we have arrived."

"Hmm," Li Changshou responded, lifting the carriage curtain and being helped down by the soldiers.

Around him, carts and carriages were parked haphazardly, and one elderly minister after another was assisted down, hurrying toward the king's chambers.

Those hurried footsteps sounded like rain sweeping banana leaves or a defeated army in disarray.

Li Changshou blended into the group of elderly ministers, and several people approached to speak, but he gestured for them to stop.

Soon, the group of ministers reached the front of the chambers.

Hundreds of civil and military officials had already gathered there, but only a few were qualified to enter.

"Da Shi!"

An elderly minister called out, and the crowd of officials ahead parted to make way. Li Changshou walked quickly forward, furrowing his brow as he entered the partially open palace door.

A thick medicinal scent hit him.

The palace interior was somewhat dim, seemingly deliberately creating a oppressive atmosphere.

Moving ahead, over a dozen civil and military ministers were gathered around the bed in the center of the hall. Li Changshou looked closely and saw that they were all figures listed in the Feng Shen Bang, whom he had noted in his little notebook.

Bi Gan, in his prime, with a seven-orificed exquisite heart, in charge of the Great Shang's punishments.

Du Yuanxuan, minister of the Si Tian Jian, studying astronomy and celestial phenomena, determining the seasonal changes and setting the months for Great Shang's agriculture.

Mei Bo, the remonstrating official, specializing in arguing with the king.

Shang Rong, the outer minister, originally in charge of internal affairs alongside the Da Zai, but due to the king's taboos, now holding only a nominal position.

And Wen Zhong, showing signs of aging, tutor to the princes, assisting them...

Wait.

Li Changshou calculated silently and realized that Huang Feihu, who should have been qualified to enter, was not in the hall.

In front of these ministers knelt the three princes, each with their heads bowed in silence.

Zi Shou, the legitimate eldest son, knelt at the front, with his two older brothers, Wei Ziqi and Wei Zhongyan, the middle-aged scribes, behind him.

Li Changshou's footsteps drew many gazes. Wei Ziqi and Wei Zhongyan both looked at him with goodwill.

Only Zi Shou remained kneeling by the bed, utterly still.

The white-haired Da Zai hurried over and whispered: "Da Shi, you've finally arrived. The king has ascended to immortality. Please write the historical account to pass down to posterity."

Li Changshou coughed weakly twice and pulled out a luxurious silk cloth from his sleeve.

"I've already written it."

"Write it now!" The Da Zai glared at him, and several elderly ministers frowned.

Li Changshou whispered: "To ensure nothing goes wrong, I prepared in advance."

The Da Zai unfolded the silk cloth, held it up to the nearby lamp, and read it carefully before nodding slowly.

"In that case, this old minister will go announce to the assembly that the king has ascended. I ask the three princes to observe the rites."

With that, the Da Zai held the silk cloth and ordered the palace attendants to open the door, proclaiming in a distinctive tone:

"The king has collapsed!"

The ministers outside fell silent. By the bed, Zi Shou choked back sobs and cried out:

"Father king!"

Wei Ziqi and Wei Zhongyan called out in unison. Bi Gan lowered his head in tears, and all the ministers bowed, weeping. From the corners of the hall came the sound of women crying in grief.

The cries spread from the king's chambers throughout the palace, and soon the entire royal palace was filled with sobs.

This was the ritual; it had to be observed. Failing to cry would be a crime.

An hour later, the crying subsided.

The Da Zai called out loudly, ordering the female shamans to perform prayers and recitations, a process that would last a day and a night.

Then, he said:

"I ask the three princes and the ministers to proceed to the main hall.

Great Shang cannot be without a king for even a day. The king's final decree is in this old minister's hands, and you have all witnessed it just now.

Everything shall be decided according to this decree!"

Li Changshou couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

Di Yi had breathed his last two hours before Li Changshou arrived, and this decree had been prepared an hour and a half before that.

At the time, Di Yi had seemed to experience a brief revival, but it was merely some magical trickery.

The rules set by Heaven decreed that one could not interfere with the human emperor, and by the time Di Yi died, the imperial destiny had already dissipated, leaving only a corpse.

This ploy seemed crude but was quite effective.

The three princes rose and retreated with their heads bowed, not saying a word, followed by the elderly ministers.

Wen Zhong took the opportunity to approach Li Changshou, hesitating as if to speak, but eventually just sighed softly without saying more.

Soon, the ministers who had been crying earlier dispersed like a tide, leaving the grand hall with only a few female shamans hopping about, making it seem desolate.

One generation of rulers, one generation of officials—the tea cools as people leave, nothing more.

Half an hour later, in the main hall.

Before the empty throne, the Da Zai slowly unrolled the silk cloth in his hands, his somewhat weak voice echoing through the hall.

The three princes stood in a triangular formation below, with Zi Shou at the front, head bowed, listening to the proclamation.

Wei Ziqi and Wei Zhongyan stood slightly behind, exchanging a glance with meaningful smiles at the corners of their mouths.

The Da Zai read:

"I, the lonely one, have spent my life waging wars abroad, expanding our territory, capturing millions of enemies, and upholding our ancestors' glory, yet I have no great achievements or faults.

Great Shang today faces internal troubles and external threats.

After careful consideration, I find Zi Shou too young and sharp-edged. If the throne passes to him, he may lack the depth to advance, leading to the nation's division and collapse.

Zi Qi, as the eldest son, is diligent in studies, humble in demeanor, and can be entrusted with the throne."

The Da Zai paused, looking down at the three princes.

The hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, filled with an indescribable sense of oppression, making many civil and military officials hold their breath.

The Da Zai said gravely: "Prince Zi Shou, do you have any objections?"

Zi Shou remained silent, straightening his back and closing his eyes.

Wei Ziqi frowned slightly, while Wei Zhongyan sighed and said slowly: "I never expected Father to change his mind at the last moment.

Brother Zi Qi, compared to me and Zi Shou, is indeed more steady and possesses the bearing of a ruler."

Just then, a burly general stepped out from the military ranks and called out loudly:

"May I ask the Da Zai, when was this decree set? Why have I not heard of it?"

Another general added: "Is this truly the king's writing? Until today, the king has spoken highly of Prince Zi Shou. Why the sudden change in heir?"

"General Lu Xiong!"

A civil official scolded angrily: "Are you instructing the king?!"

The general named Lu Xiong retorted: "I am loyal to the king, as the sun and moon can attest! This matter is suspicious and must be clarified!"

"General Lu Xiong," the Da Zai sighed, "during the king's final moments, he ordered us to open the secret box by his pillow and retrieve this decree.

This was witnessed by five of the six chief ministers and the two royal uncles."

The leading civil official, Bi Gan, nodded slowly, and Xu Yu, who held no specific position among the ministers, also nodded.

Most of the military officials frowned in confusion, while half of the civil officials smiled faintly.

Li Changshou watched quietly from the side. He was curious to see how Zi Shou would ascend the throne and whether he would reveal his cruel and heartless side tonight.

He was quite looking forward to it.

"Third brother."

Wei Ziqi spoke up and sighed: "Don't be upset over this. We three brothers should share the throne."

Zi Shou said nothing, standing there silently, his back exuding an inexplicable aura of authority.

This was pure authority, not from any cultivation realm.

Like a mountain, like the vast sky, like the boundless seas!

"Third brother," Wei Zhongyan stepped forward half a step and said seriously: "In front of the assembly, don't embarrass our elder brother. I know you hate to give up the throne, but this is Father's decree..."

"Have you made enough noise?"

Zi Shou murmured softly, leaving Wei Zhongyan somewhat puzzled.

As Wei Zhongyan was about to continue, Zi Shou said calmly: "All ministers, withdraw. Those who do not will be executed."

"This..."

"Prince, how dare you issue commands?"

"Why can't we stay here, as ministers appointed by the former king?"

Clang!

From the military ranks, a large number of generals drew short swords from their leg armor, menacingly approaching the civil officials with killing intent.

The ministers hurried to retreat, and Zi Shou added: "Those who were present at my father's bedside, stay."

Wei Ziqi shouted: "Stop! Are you rebelling?!"

The generals did not respond; they simply herded the civil officials out and closed the hall doors tightly.

Wei Ziqi's face turned red with anger as he spun around and glared at Zi Shou.

"Zi Shou! Do you not respect Father's decree?!"

Zi Shou had already turned to face him, his cold eyes fixed on his brother, making the latter instinctively step back half a step, his fine robe wrinkling.

"Whether it's Father's decree or not, we all know in our hearts.

I have always respected you as my elder brother, but you dare to use Father's body for such schemes!

Do you think I don't know about those foreign arts?"

The Da Zai interjected hastily: "Third Prince..."

"Shut up!"

Zi Shou turned and glared angrily. Just then, thunder flashed outside, startling the Da Zai so much that he clutched his chest, nearly fainting.

At that moment, sounds of armor clashing echoed from outside the hall, as if a large force of soldiers was rushing in.

Wei Ziqi's confidence grew, and he straightened up, pointing at Zi Shou:

"Third brother, don't think your bravery can intimidate me and the ministers! Chaoge City tonight is not for you to control!"

"Is that so?"

Zi Shou smirked slightly, walking toward the high throne. He turned on the steps and sat in the center, looking at his brother with a hint of pity.

"Big brother... all these years, it seems you never noticed one thing.

From my youth, you and your father-in-law have targeted me with every means—poison, assassination, accidents—and yet, have I ever been in real danger?"

Wei Ziqi's face darkened, and he said coldly: "I know nothing of such things."

Zi Shou leaned back, propping his elbow on the steps, his eyes full of mockery.

He said slowly:

"For tonight, you spent three years secretly winning over the city guard commanders and twelve palace guard leaders, resorting to all sorts of despicable acts and making increasingly lavish promises.

If you become king tonight, you'll gain over a dozen vassal states.

Big brother, have you ever wondered what the real problems of our Shang kingdom are?"

Wei Ziqi replied indifferently: "The problems of Shang lie in the slaves and the vassals."

"I once thought the same, but not anymore.

The problem with Shang is that you, I, and our father are all standing on this iceberg, trying to melt it into living water, but the first to fall will be us."

Zi Shou rubbed his nose bridge. "I used to think I was the only one who saw the kingdom's ills.

Until I had a night conversation with the Da Shi, I realized I'm not the smartest prince in history.

Everyone can see these problems, and many have tried to reform, only to end up battered and broken.

Why?

Shang has eight hundred vassals, but Shang itself is the greatest vassal. When Great Shang grows old and weak, ambitious ones will always rise.

The true problem with Shang is...

The king is not king enough."

Thunder rumbled outside, followed by a heavy downpour.

Amid the thunder, shouts of battle suddenly erupted from the direction of the palace gates.

Wei Ziqi's face changed, and he quickly strode toward the doors, only to stop abruptly and turn back, glaring at Zi Shou on the steps.

"Third brother, what have you done?!"

"Suppressing the rebels."

Zi Shou answered calmly, shaking his head. "You only knew to scheme and delay Huang Feihu, but you didn't realize he had prepared in secret, building tunnels from the city gates to the palace.

Among the palace guard leaders you recruited, half are my people."

Wei Ziqi's eyes widened in shock. "You—you schemed against me!"

"I didn't want internal strife, but big brother, you went too far."

Zi Shou said: "Tutor, show Father's decree to the Da Zai."

"Yes!"

Wen Zhong responded energetically, stepped forward, placed another silk scroll in the Da Zai's hands, and gently patted the back of his hand.

The Da Zai's breathing became erratic as he tremblingly unrolled the silk and read aloud:

"I, the lonely one, know my time is short. Upon my passing, let Zi Shou be king, and all of you assist him fully to protect Great Shang's mountains and rivers.

Bury me beside my ancestors, without a grand funeral."

Wei Zhongyan whispered: "Is that all?"

"That's all..."

The Da Zai looked down at the sparse writing on the silk. "Yes, that's all, and it's the king's own handwriting."

Wei Zhongyan's face turned pale.

By now, the shouts outside had ceased, and the palace doors cracked open. A figure darted in, clad in golden armor, drenched by the rain, with a majestic face and steady aura.

It was Huang Feihu!

He knelt on one knee, sword in hand, and reported: "My king! The rebels have been suppressed!"

Wei Ziqi muttered: "No—impossible! I have a hundred thousand soldiers!"

Zi Shou asked: "Feihu, how many enemies were there tonight?"

Huang Feihu replied firmly: "Merely a few thousand scattered stragglers gathered at the palace gates, and with the palace guards' internal support, it was easily handled."

"You're lying to me!"

Wei Ziqi's face was ashen as he roared: "Guards! Guards!"

Outside the hall, all was quiet, as if even the ministers' breathing had vanished.

A faint clinking sound came as Wei Ziqi collapsed weakly to the ground.

Zi Shou said no more, turned around, and gazed up at the throne at the top of the steps. He lifted the hem of his long robe and ascended steadily.

From today, the glory of Great Shang and the foundation of our ancestors will be borne by me.

The ills of Great Shang and the dangers of nurturing tigers will be reformed by me.

Any of the eight hundred vassals who are disloyal will be destroyed one by one.

Any from the five lakes and four seas who do not pay tribute will be swept away by thunder.

I do not believe in the mandate of heaven!

Before the throne, Zi Shou suddenly turned, and the palace doors swung open wide. The civil and military officials entered with bowed heads, while the dozen or so ministers left in the hall remained silent.

Soon, Bi Gan stood at the head of the civil officials, and Huang Feihu at the head of the military.

Zi Shou raised his hands and slowly sat upon the throne.

Above Chaoge City, within the purple-red mist, golden light burst forth, and a golden azure dragon soared into the sky, rapidly absorbing Great Shang's destiny and roaring silently toward the Heavenly Palace.

I, the king, am the mandate of heaven! The entire book is free on the full book net.