Shen Gongbao Offers a Plan

Suddenly, the Universe Ring) on her bodice flew out and transformed into a hundred-zhang-long red ribbon, dancing wildly in the air.

Immediately afterwards, he lightly tapped the ground with the Fire-Tipped Spear in his hand, and the hard bluestone floor cracked in response.

Li Jing's hand gripping the sword trembled involuntarily, and his tiger's mouth went numb.

This is no ordinary power, nor is it something that ordinary demons could achieve.

His murderous intent began to waver.

Seeing this, True Man Taiyi pressed his advantage, saying:

"This child is destined for greatness. General, you may temporarily keep him in your residence to raise him. After he turns seven, I will come to take him up the mountain to cultivate. For now, I will first impart to him a Heart-Clearing Mantra to suppress the innate evil energy within him, so as to prevent any trouble from arising."

With things said to this point and the strange phenomenon before his eyes, Li Jing, despite his reluctance, could find no reason to refute it.

He sighed deeply, slowly sheathed his sword, and bowed respectfully to True Man Taiyi.

"Everything... is entirely up to the Daoist priest."

That night, Li Jing named the child Nezha.

After the turmoil in the manor subsided and everyone dispersed, in the dead of night, the figure of True Man Taiyi silently appeared in Nezha's room.

At this moment, her face was solemn. "Nezha."

She whispered, "You are the vanguard of the Great Calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, destined to overthrow King Zhou. Your status is noble, but you are also bound by numerous tribulations and endless bloodshed."

"Now that you have descended to the mortal realm, you must be careful with your words and actions in the mansion, restrain your temper, and never harbor any murderous thoughts, or great calamity will not be far off."

Nezha was playing with the Universe Ring in his hand when he chuckled and replied nonchalantly, "I know, Master!"

However, in the instant he lowered his head and chuckled, a strange crimson light flashed and disappeared deep within his eyes.

This scene did not escape the discerning eye of the True Man Taiyi.

She sighed inwardly.

The seeds of Tribulation of Killing have been sown, and the nature of evil is hard to change; it seems there is no way to escape it in the end.

Enough, enough. The cycle of nature is inevitable, and the trend of the times cannot be changed by human effort.

All I can do is go with the flow and try my best to maneuver.

What's meant to come will come eventually.

Time flies, and seven years have passed quietly.

Chentang Pass favorable weather and abundant harvests, and Li Jing's General's Mansion remained peaceful and undisturbed.

On this day, seven-year-old Nezha was sitting listlessly on the steps in front of the mansion, his chin resting on his hands, staring blankly at the sun in the sky.

I am bored.

I'm so bored I'm practically going moldy.

He had long since memorized the Heart-Cleansing Mantra that his master had taught him.

He was tired of hearing his father talk about being careful with his words and actions.

Confined to this small mansion every day, I feel like I'm about to explode from suffocation.

In the sweltering heat, Nezha wiped the sweat from his brow, and suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.

His eyes lit up, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, as he muttered to himself.

"With this sweltering heat, the sea with its Nine-Bend Bay outside the city must be quite cool..."

Seven years ago.

Chaoge City.

All eyes of the court officials were fixed on the same figure— Shen Gongbao.

A few days ago, this Daoist priest of unknown origin, with his magical powers of summoning wind and rain and moving mountains and seas, won the favor of King Di Xin and was exceptionally appointed as the Imperial Preceptor.

The entire court and the public were shaken.

Shang Rong, Bi Gan, and other senior ministers were heartbroken, believing that the king had once again been misled by treacherous sorcerers.

Fei Zhong, You Hun, and their ilk were secretly delighted, thinking that a kindred spirit had arrived who could join them in their corrupt ways.

But no one expected that the first thing this newly appointed Grand Preceptor would do after taking office would be to offer his strategies for governing the country right here in the imperial court!

What does a mysterious outsider know about governing a country and ensuring its stability?

However, Di Xin granted his request.

Thus, today's bizarre scene unfolded.

Di Xin, seated high on his throne, had a stern face, revealing neither joy nor anger, and said calmly, "Speak."

Shen Gongbao took out a scroll of bamboo slips from his sleeve and slowly unrolled it.

"Your Majesty, I have ten strategies for securing peace and prosperity for the nation, which I present to you!"

"First strategy: Investigate land ownership and revise taxes!"

These words caused an uproar throughout the room!

More than half of the officials in the court are nobles, and land annexation is the foundation of their wealth. Shen Gongbao's actions are tantamount to cutting flesh off their bodies!

"Quiet!"

Di Xin frowned, and the hall fell silent once more.

Shen Gongbao seemed not to hear him and continued loudly, "Nowadays, nobles and powerful families are frantically seizing land, causing the people to be displaced and the national treasury to become increasingly empty."

If this continues, the nation will cease to exist! Your Majesty, I implore you to order Grand Tutor Wen to personally lead a large army to inspect the fields throughout the land. Anyone who conceals information or resists should be stripped of their rank and their family investigated, as a warning to others!

As soon as he finished speaking, Bi Gan trembled with excitement. He was the first to step forward and bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty! This plan is excellent!"

This is a brilliant plan to save the people of my Great Shang Dynasty from suffering! This old minister is willing to give everything to assist in its execution!

Di Xin's gaze swept over the assembled officials with their varied expressions, finally settling on Grand Tutor Wen Zhong.

"Grand Tutor, you are in charge of handling this matter."

Holding Male-Female Twin Whips, Wen Zhong's face was ashen. He stepped forward and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Shen Gongbao smiled slightly and continued, "Second strategy: Develop water conservancy projects and reclaim the wasteland of the Eastern Barbarians."

In the eastern part of our Great Shang Dynasty, there are vast, undeveloped lands with sparse populations.

The Martial King Who Pacifies the Nation, Huang Feihu, may be appointed to oversee this matter and recruit refugees from all over the country to cultivate the land.

All those who volunteer will be allocated land and provided with farming tools, and will be exempt from taxes for three years!

A glint flashed in Di Xin's eyes as he looked at Huang Feihu: "Feihu, are you willing to take on this task?"

Upon hearing the call, King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu, stepped forward, his tiger-like eyes gleaming. He clasped his hands and said, "To share Your Majesty's burdens and to expand the territory of the Great Shang, I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

"Allow!"

Shen Gongbao's voice rang out again, calm and unhurried, each word piercing to the heart.

One plan after another.

Military buildup, encouragement of commerce, revision of criminal law, establishment of government schools...

The ten strategies, each linked to the next, unfolded like a grand blueprint before everyone.

The hall was deathly silent.

The expressions on the faces of the veteran officials, led by Shang Rong and Mei Bo, gradually changed from disdain and doubt to solemnity, then to shock, and finally only horror and disbelief remained.

They racked their brains but couldn't understand how these extraordinary and unparalleled strategies could come from the mouth of a sorcerer they regarded as a demon.

This person truly possesses the talent to govern the world!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Di Xin slammed his hand on the royal desk, abruptly rose, and strode down the royal steps with the imposing presence of a dragon and a tiger. "If I can obtain a royal advisor soon, why should I worry about the prosperity of the Great Shang? Why should I worry about the stability of the world?"

He walked up to Shen Gongbao and announced loudly, "Convey my decree!"

From this day forward, I hereby appoint Imperial Preceptor Shen Gongbao as Grand Astrologer, in charge of all matters related to the implementation of the new policies. Anyone who obstructs these policies will be executed without prior notification! I hereby grant you this authority!

Upon hearing this, Fei Zhong, You Hun, and the others turned pale, their legs went weak, and they almost collapsed to the ground.

Execute first, report later!

These four words are like a sword hanging over the heads of all those who embezzle and break the law!

After the court session ended.

Fei Zhong You Hun exchanged a glance, then quickly caught up with Shen Gongbao, who was walking ahead, and blocked his way.

"Doctor, doctor, please wait!"

You Hun forced a fawning smile onto his face.

Shen Gongbao stopped, glancing sideways at the two men with cold eyes, and remained silent.

Fei Zhong cleared his throat and feigned concern, saying, "Doctor, your new policy is good, but implementing it all at once might anger many nobles in the court. If they rise up against us, I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will be difficult to control."

Shen Gongbao's lips curled into a cold smile. "Are you two worried about me, or about yourselves?"

If you two are of Qingfeng and have nothing to lose, why worry about the new policies? If you have a history of illegal activities, then you should repent and hand over your ill-gotten gains as soon as possible, and perhaps you can save your lives."

Having said that, he didn't even glance at their ashen faces, flicked his sleeves, and left.

That arrogant back view seemed to say: Two pieces of trash.

"This is outrageous!"

Fei Zhong trembled with rage, gritting his teeth and growling, "How dare this heretical Daoist priest, who appeared out of nowhere, be so arrogant!"

You Hun narrowed his small eyes and said in a sinister tone, "Brother, please calm down. He has the King backing him now; we can't afford to offend him."

However... his ambition to take away the spoils of all the nobles is tantamount to courting death! Let's see how long he can remain smug!

Night, Kunning Palace.

Empress Jiang, her face full of sorrow, personally served Wen Zhong a cup of hot tea after he had just finished court.

"Grand Tutor, Your Majesty, do you truly believe in Shen Gongbao's actions today?"

Wen Zhong held the teacup but did not drink. After a long silence, he slowly spoke, "Your Empress, his strategy benefits the country and its people and is of great merit to the nation. Regardless of his intentions, this strategy should be implemented."

As for that person...

Wen Zhong paused, picked up his teacup, and said, "I have already sent several of my Interception Sect disciples from the Jie Sect to keep an eye on him."

If he truly cares for the country, then everyone will be happy. But if he shows the slightest sign of disloyalty, I will ensure his complete annihilation, leaving him no hope of redemption!