Meanwhile, Wen Zhong returned in triumph. The moment his army entered Zhaoge, he went straight into the palace to meet King Zhou and gave a detailed account of how King Pingling's rebellion had been put down.
But before ruler and minister could finish speaking, an urgent report suddenly arrived from outside the palace. King Wucheng, Huang Feihu, had rebelled against Great Shang and fled Zhaoge with his troops!
Wen Zhong's expression changed dramatically. He shot to his feet in shock.
"This is absolutely impossible! Huang Feihu is a pillar of the court, and the last force of trusted elite troops at Your Majesty's side. If he has defected, Zhaoge's very foundations will be thrown into chaos!"
Yet King Zhou showed no change in expression. He quietly dismissed the attendants, then met privately with Wen Zhong and disclosed, word for word, the entire plan involving the immortal schemes behind Daji, Huang Feihu's feigned rebellion, and the hidden deployment of troops.
Wen Zhong was deeply shaken upon hearing this and immediately understood. Huang Feihu's defection was actually a crucial part of the king's self-inflicted scheme.
But now that the eyes of the heavens were fixed upon Zhaoge, the performance had to be convincing enough.
At court the next day, King Zhou flew into a rage before everyone, slamming the table as he denounced Huang Feihu for repaying kindness with betrayal and betraying both ruler and country.
He immediately issued an edict, ordering Wen Zhong to personally lead an army and capture Huang Feihu, bringing him back to court for severe punishment.
Only then did Wen Zhong bring Shen Gongbao before the court, just as he was about to introduce his background to King Zhou.
But the imperial edict had already been issued, and military orders were like mountains. He had no choice