Heeding Heaven and the People to Found Great Zhou, Eight Hundred Lords March Against Yin Shang

For the next period of time, the entire Xiqi City was shrouded in an eerie silence.

On the surface, everything seemed normal; the people lived in peace and contentment, and merchants came and went in an endless stream.

Everyone knew that a storm that could determine the Fate of Xiqi, and even the entire Human Clan race, was brewing.

On this day, in the council hall.

Ji Chang sat high in the main seat, with Bo Yikao, Ji Fa, Nangong Shi, and other important civil and military officials standing on his left and right, all in complete silence.

All eyes were focused on the travel-worn figure in the center of the hall.

It was San Yisheng who was sent out to contact various warlords.

"How is the situation?"

Ji Chang's voice was calm and composed, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

San Yisheng bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Reporting to the Marquis!"

"Your subject has not failed in his mission and has conveyed the intentions of Xiqi to the three marquises of the South, East, and North."

Everyone in the hall held their breath.

The attitudes of these three marquises will directly determine the Fate of Xiqi and the future direction of the eight hundred vassal states across the land.

San Yisheng didn't keep them in suspense and continued.

"Marquis of the South, E Chongyu said that Di Xin was tyrannical and acted perversely."

"Now that the Marquis has issued a call to action, he is willing to lead his two hundred vassal lords to join forces with Xiqi in a great undertaking to punish the wicked!"

"Good!"

Ji Fa, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but let out a low growl and clench his fists.

With the support of the Marquis of Nan, they were no longer fighting alone!

Ji Chang nodded slightly, signaling San Yisheng to continue.

"The Marquis of the North, Chong Houhu, also has this intention," San Yisheng continued.

"Like the Marquis of Nan, he suffered greatly from the Edict of Recommendation, and the feudal lords under his command were also full of complaints."

"He said that as long as Xiqi raises its arms and calls, the two hundred vassal lords of the north will surely respond!"

An uncontrollable commotion arose inside the hall.

The two powerful vassal states, the Southern Marquis and the Marquis of the North, both chose to stand with Xiqi without hesitation!

As a result, six hundred of the eight hundred warlords in the land stood against Chaoge!

The old ministers who had previously harbored doubts now had all their fears vanished, replaced by a fervent excitement.

If only the Xiqi family rebels, they are courting death.

But if half the feudal lords in the land rebel, then it will be an inevitable trend!

Ji Chang's heart also began to beat violently and uncontrollably.

He suppressed his overwhelming joy and looked at San Yisheng.

Where is the Marquis of Dong?

"What did Jiang Huanchu say?"

This is the crucial question.

Marquis of Dong, Jiang Huanchu was the head of the four great marquises and the most powerful.

More importantly, his daughter is the current queen.

His attitude is crucial.

San Yisheng's expression became complicated.

"The Marquis of Dong... did not directly agree to launch a military Campaign Against Shang."

"The Marquis of Dong said that once the Edict of Recommendation was issued, the feudal lords under his command were also filled with fear and rebellions broke out everywhere."

"As the Marquis of Dong, he must first quell the internal strife and stabilize the east, leaving him no energy to look westward."

Unable to look westward.

These four words already reveal his stance.

Neither side will help the other.

This was the best news for Xiqi, which was about to launch a rebellion.

As long as Marquis of Dong doesn't stab them in the back, they can devote all their strength to the Xiqi battlefield without any scruples!

"Good!"

"Good!"

"Good!"

Ji Chang exclaimed "Good!" three times, and the pent-up frustration in his chest vanished.

He surveyed the excited ministers before him, and at that moment, his ambition, suppressed for decades, erupted completely.

"Everyone, did you all hear that?"

"The Marquis of the South is willing to rebel, the Marquis of the North dares to rebel, and the Marquis of Dong will not stop them!"

"Of the eight hundred vassal states under heaven, six hundred have already pledged their allegiance to Xiqi!"

"The feudal lords of the land have suffered under Di Xin!"

"Since all the lords of the land share this sentiment, what is there for Xiqi to hesitate about!"

His voice, like a resounding bell, echoed throughout the entire hall.

"Pass on the order!"

"From this day forward, I, Xiqi, will raise Campaign Against Shang!"

"Raise Campaign Against Shang!"

"Raise Campaign Against Shang!"

The entire hall echoed with shouts as loud as a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing.

Just as the frenzied atmosphere reached its peak, a composed figure slowly stepped out from the queue.

It was Shen Gongbao.

He walked up to Ji Chang and gave him a slight bow.

"My lord."

Ji Chang looked at him and solemnly returned the greeting.

What advice does the Grand Master have?

Shen Gongbao smiled calmly.

I dare not presume to offer my guidance.

"However, I have a word to say: Your Excellency's Campaign Against Shang is an act in accordance with Heaven's will and the people's will."

"However, if the name is not correct, the words will not be proper; if the words are not proper, things will not be accomplished."

"Your Excellency is still the Marquis of Xibo of Shang. For a subject to attack his ruler is a grave act of treason."

Even if success is achieved, it will be difficult to silence public opinion, and will only give other feudal lords ammunition to criticize.

Ji Chang's heart stirred; he had already understood Shen Gongbao's meaning.

"In your opinion, Grand Master, what should be done?"

Shen Gongbao turned around to face the crowd. His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"The Phoenix cries on Mount Qi, the Mandate of Heaven is with Zhou!"

"This is the will of Heaven!"

"Your Excellency is ordained by Heaven and is rightfully the ruler of this land!"

"Now that the Yin Shang Dynasty has lost its virtue, the world should have a new ruler."

"In my humble opinion, Your Excellency should obey the will of Heaven, report to the heavens, and declare yourself king!"

"Only in this way can we legitimately and justifiably, in the name of the royal army, punish the tyrannical and incompetent ruler, and command all the feudal lords under heaven to join in this grand undertaking!"

Found a nation!

Become king!

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone was stunned by Shen Gongbao's groundbreaking proposal.

This is no longer just about Campaign Against Shang.

This is to... replace it!

"No!"

Bo Yikao was the first to step forward, his face full of anxiety.

"Father! You mustn't!"

"Our uprising can still be called an act of redressing grievances for the feudal lords and a purge of corrupt officials from the court."

"But once a nation is established, it will be an undeniable act of treason! It will be establishing oneself as king!"

"At that time, we will go from acting on behalf of Heaven to becoming traitors whom everyone wants to kill!"

"Brother, you are mistaken!" Ji Fa immediately retorted, "What Doctor Shen said is exactly what I think!"

"My Ji Clan are descendants of the Human Emperor. What's wrong with us replacing the Yin Shang Dynasty?"

"Father, I believe we should establish a kingdom and become king!"

Inside the main hall, the courtiers were divided into two factions, arguing endlessly.

Ji Chang observed all of this with a clear mind.

He knew that Shen Gongbao was right.

He knew even better that his second son, though he was ruthless, was more insightful than anyone else.

He looked at Ji Fa, whose face was full of fanaticism, and then at Bo Yikao face was full of worry.

Finally, their gaze fell upon Shen Gongbao's face, which wore an inscrutable smile.

This Daoist priest always gave him a push at the most crucial moment.

They pushed him to that supreme position.

a long time.

Ji Chang let out a long breath.

That's enough.

Now that we've come this far, there's no turning back.

"Good!"

"Grand Master said is exactly what I thought!"

Ji Chang turned around and announced loudly to the crowd in the hall.

"Three days later, we will build an altar to offer sacrifices to Heaven, to comfort the heavens and our ancestors of the Ji Clan."

"Establish a nation!"

Three days later.

Xiqi City, a newly built nine-story High Platform.

Surrounded by a group of important officials from Xiqi, Ji Chang ascended the steps.

He lit the incense and candles for the sacrificial ceremony, and loudly read the eulogy towards the vast sky.

"... The current ruler of the Yin Shang Dynasty, Di Xin, acts perversely and tyrannically, his virtue is unworthy of his position, he harms all the feudal lords under heaven, causing the people to suffer and incurring the wrath of Heaven and the resentment of the people..."

"... I, Ji Chang, am grateful for the grace of Heaven, and in accordance with the will of the people, I cannot bear to see Human Clan decline and the state collapse."

"Today we establish our nation, named ' Great Zhou,' and I, as King of Zhou, shall punish the wicked and bring peace to the world..."

May Heaven bless and assist my Great Zhou to quell the chaos and restore peace and Qiankun to the world!

As soon as he finished speaking, he threw the eulogy into the brazier.

Flames rose, and a wisp of smoke shot straight into the Yunxiao.

"Great Zhou!"

"Great Zhou!"

"Great Zhou!"

After a brief silence, cheers erupted from below the High Platform, as loud as a landslide.

After the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven was completed, Ji Chang returned to the palace and held the first grand court assembly.

He sat high on the chair that had been replaced with a royal throne, looking down at the kneeling courtiers below.

"All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your the King."

"Our Great Zhou has just been established, and everything needs to be rebuilt. The great undertaking of Campaign Against Shang Dynasty is imminent. The country cannot be without a prime minister for even a day."

His gaze finally settled on Shen Gongbao.

"Doctor Shen possesses extraordinary talent and has made unparalleled contributions to the founding of our Great Zhou."

"Today, I hereby appoint you as the Prime Minister of my Great Zhou Dynasty, to oversee all officials and preside over all matters related to the conquest of Shang!"

These words shocked everyone in the room.

Prime Minister!

Second only to one person, above ten thousand!

They actually gave it to this Daoist priest who's only been here for fifteen years?

But no one dared to refute it.

Everyone knows that without Shen Gongbao and the Clarify Sect behind him, there would be no nation today.

Shen Gongbao stepped out of the ranks, a smug smile on his face, and bowed deeply to Ji Chang.

"Your subject, Shen Gongbao, obeys!"

"I will certainly live up to my king's trust and assist my Great Zhou in achieving our goal as soon as possible!"

Ji Chang looked at Shen Gongbao and nodded in satisfaction.

He then looked at his second son.

"Ji Fa, receive your conferment!"

"Your child is here!"

"I hereby appoint you as the Grand Marshal for the Campaign Against Shang, commanding all the troops of my Great Zhou, along with the armies of the two hundred vassal states of Xiqi, to march east and Campaign Against Shang!"

"Your son obeys!" Ji Fa's eyes gleamed with fighting spirit.

Subsequently, Ji Chang bestowed titles and rewards upon Bo Yikao, San Yisheng, Nangong Shi, and others.

A brand new court team belonging to the Great Zhou was thus formed.

The news of Xiqi's establishment of the state and its Campaign Against Shang spread like wildfire throughout the land in a single day.

Having prepared for some time, Marquis of the South, E Chongyu and Marquis of the North, Chong Houhu immediately led their four hundred vassal lords to raise an army in response.

In an instant, war broke out across the land, and three armies marched in from the south, north, and west, sweeping towards the Human Clan capital, Chaoge.

Meanwhile, Marquis of Dong, Jiang Huanchu was also busy suppressing the rebellions that were rising one after another in his own territory, as promised, and had no time to attend to anything else.

A massive war that would engulf the entire human realm was about to begin.