Tuxingsun Descends the Mountain

Jizi and Weizi left Morning Song under imperial orders and raced through the night. Before many days had passed, they arrived at Deng Family Village, where Deng Jiugong lived in retirement, and called upon him.

Upon seeing Deng Jiugong, the two immediately explained the crisis at court and earnestly begged him to emerge from retirement once more and lead troops against Western Qi's army.

But after hearing them out, Deng Jiugong merely shook his head slowly and firmly refused.

When he had resigned and returned his seal of office years ago, it was because he had seen through Di Xin's debauchery and incompetence, the utter decay of the court. Unwilling to bury the loyal reputation he had built over a lifetime in the hands of a foolish ruler amid chaotic times, he had chosen to retire to the countryside and stay out of courtly strife.

With those old events still vivid in his mind, how could he willingly repeat the same mistake and return to the mire?

When he learned that even Wenzhong, a pillar of Great Shang, had been defeated and died gloriously at Dragon-Ending Ridge, deep sorrow instantly filled Deng Jiugong's brow. He could not help but grieve for the Grand Tutor, who had devoted his life to the kingdom.

Yet even amid his grief, his resolve did not waver in the slightest. He still shook his head firmly.

"Your Highnesses," Deng Jiugong said heavily, his tone filled with helplessness and clarity, "even Grand Tutor Wen, a man with abilities that reached the heavens, could not turn the tide and ultimately perished on the battlefield. The greater situation has collapsed; the outcome is already decided. Asking me to lead an army into battle now is no different from sending me to my death for nothing."

Jizi and Weizi