Chaoge Arc: Three Men Walking (Part 2)

Li Ping'an was the first to receive news that something had happened to Ji Chang.

Because he could constantly watch the grand drama of "assassinating vassals" unfold in Chaoge City.

But the direction this affair took was... downright surreal.

This was Di Xin taking the initiative after several years of preparation and planning. Southern Count E Chongyu became a lamb awaiting slaughter beneath Di Xin's blade, while Di Xin used a little moral coercion to roast the other great vassals over the fire.

Whoever pleaded for the Southern Count would earn the world's praise as a sage.

Li Ping'an had originally thought Di Xin's move was childish. Who would fall for such a shallow trap?

But he had not expected it...

The vassals would fall for it.

Quite a few old ministers would fall for it too.

Even Shang Rong, the Shang Kingdom's prime minister, would fall for it.

Barely four or five days after the Southern Count was imprisoned, dozens of influential vassals and Shang officials had already entered the royal palace to plead with Di Xin, asking him to spare the Southern Count's life.

After being rebuked by Di Xin, Shang Rong wept in the royal palace.

A large number of Shang officials were caned fifty times and had their salaries docked for three years.

A group of minor vassals were punished as well, but none of the penalties were fatal. Among Shang Kingdom punishments, they could not be considered especially cruel.

For a time, cries of grief filled the area before the royal palace gates in Chaoge City. The Shang people all said Di Xin was excessively vicious, that he should not have beaten so many ministers so severely, that whatever the problem was, it could be discussed.

As time passed and the matter continued to ferment,