King Zhou Digs a Pit

From Censor Official to Grand Master, the official ranks differed by two levels.

A Grand Master was already a top official among the court ministers. Above that were only the Prime Minister and Vice Prime Minister, the two heads of the Chancellery.

Upon hearing that the Great King had promoted him two ranks, almost elevating him to the heavens in one go, You Hun quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude.

Shang Rong, Bi Gan, Huang Feihu, Weizi, Weizi Qi, and other civil and military ministers immediately stepped out of the ranks to object, but King Zhou rejected all of them.

The crowd had no choice but to retreat. King Zhou had done many such things before; once he made a decision, he rarely rescinded it.

In the court assembly, You Hun sneered at his political rivals, showing off his power. Even if the entire world looked down on him, as long as the Great King favored him, his position in court was secure.

"Great King, at the Chen hour today, a meteorite fell from the sky, striking the Imperial Study. This is a warning from heaven..."

Shang Rong, who despised the likes of Fei Zhong and You Hun the most, stepped out again from his position in the court ranks, intending to use the meteorite as a pretext.

Unexpectedly, King Zhou waved his hand and interrupted him, "Prime Minister Shang, don't talk about warnings or anything like that. This King, on the contrary, considers it a good omen. For this reason, this King wishes to build a Star Stealing Tower, on the site of the original Imperial Study."

Star Stealing Tower?

Upon hearing these three words, the court ministers exchanged glances.

The name was so vulgar, were they sure the Great King was serious?

"This minister objects!"

Bi Gan was the first to step out: "Great King, you intend to build this for Consort Su, don't you? There are many palaces in the royal court; you could allocate one accordingly. There's no need for extensive construction that exhausts the people and wastes resources. This minister heard that Consort Su wanted to build a Star Picking Tower, why has the Great King changed it to Star Stealing Tower? Are you planning to steal some 'delicacies' there?"

Indeed, there were no secrets in the Royal Palace.

King Zhou hadn't expected Bi Gan to already know about this matter.

In fact, this information had been leaked by Daji herself. To show King Zhou's favor, she had even exaggerated and boasted about it.

Di Xin inwardly admired Bi Gan's boldness, but verbally, he began his twisted logic: "It is precisely because a meteorite fell from the sky that this King wants to build the tower; this is to comply with heaven's will. Why not call it Star Picking Tower, but Star Stealing Tower? When you 'pick' stars, immortals might know, but if you 'steal' them, they might not. As the saying goes, a wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as stealing... cough, forget that last part."

"This minister also objects!"

"This minister also objects..."

Hearing the Great King's muddled reasoning, some court ministers also stepped out to advise against it.

"No need to say more. This King only asks, is there no one who agrees?"

Without waiting for everyone to step forward, King Zhou feigned anger and looked around, asking, "Is there no one who agrees?"

"This minister agrees!"

Overjoyed, You Hun immediately stepped out and knelt on the ground: "The Great King aligns with heaven's will, cares for the inner palace, promotes the prosperity of the royal family, and strengthens the destiny of the Shang Dynasty. This minister wholeheartedly agrees."

"This minister also agrees!"

Following You Hun's declaration, another minister stepped out in support.

They're finally showing up!

King Zhou nodded inwardly. Birds of a feather flock together. This minister was also a Censor Official, named Fei Lian.

He was a sycophant, just like Fei Zhong and You Hun.

This person also had a son, E Lai, who served as a Grand Master in the court.

Both father and son were deeply favored by the previous King. However, unfortunately, they, along with You Hun, were on Di Xin's list for dealing with.

It was just that he couldn't have them dragged out and executed with a single command; he needed a good excuse, preferably one that would distance himself from the affair.

Speak of the devil.

As Di Xin was contemplating, E Lai also stepped out and stood beside his father to support Di Xin.

Although these three attracted disdainful glances from the court ministers present, the smile on Di Xin's face grew wider. "Ministers who object, you may leave the court and attend to state affairs. Ministers who agree, please stay behind to discuss the construction of the tower."

Seeing this situation, Shang Rong, Bi Gan, and the others knew they could no longer stop it and left the hall disheartened.

They were all extremely disappointed in Di Xin. The King's prestige in their hearts continued to decrease by one... by one... by one!

All those who needed to leave had gone, and Longde Hall became quiet.

"My three esteemed ministers, you are all pillars of this King's trust, capable ministers who can accomplish great deeds. For the construction of this Star Stealing Tower, this King's most basic requirement is that it cannot be struck by an extraterrestrial meteorite. Can you achieve this? Whoever can do it will be in charge. Upon completion, it will naturally be a great achievement, and you will reach the highest levels of officialdom."

It was at this moment that King Zhou began to set a trap.

"To make it impossible to be struck by an extraterrestrial meteorite?"

Upon hearing Di Xin's requirement, You Hun, Fei Lian, and E Lai all frowned.

With the current construction technology, it was impossible to withstand a meteorite strike, especially since they had personally witnessed the terrifying momentum of the meteorite falling from the sky just moments ago.

Let alone a Star Stealing Tower, even if this Longde Hall were reinforced ten times over, it would be of no use.

The three exchanged glances and fell silent for a moment, none daring to accept such a monumental task.

Di Xin's expression gradually darkened: "This King has always relied so heavily on you all, and yet not a single one of you has a solution? If you can't think of a solution this way, perhaps try thinking from a different perspective!"

"A different perspective?"

Upon hearing this, You Hun's eyes lit up, and he quickly replied, "Great King, this humble minister has thought of a way to resist extraterrestrial meteorites. However, the tower would need to be built deep underground. Even if a massive meteorite were to fall, Your Majesty and the Noble Consort would be completely safe."

"Remarkable talent, remarkable talent! Damn it, you truly are a remarkable talent!"

Seeing that You Hun was so sensible, Di Xin immediately became excited. He dismissed Fei Lian and E Lai, leaving only Fei Zhong to continue the discussion.

He had actually wanted to use the matter of building the tower to get rid of all three of them, but this matter wasn't significant enough.

It would easily arouse suspicion from others, so he could only let those two father and son off the hook.

The two of them discussed for over an hour, until Di Xin had intentionally or unintentionally conveyed his thoughts about Deyue Tower to You Hun. Only then did You Hun return to the Imperial Study with the tonics he had presented.

The ruins of the Imperial Study, which had already turned into a wasteland, were constantly ringing with the sound of hammering. The Imperial Guards were working with all their might to excavate the meteorite.

However, the meteorite was exceptionally sturdy. After all this time, the progress made was extremely limited.

At the current pace, it would probably take five to eight days before it could be smashed.

Di Xin was not in the mood to wait. He had been constantly guessing who the big hand behind the meteorite was. He decided to go to Shouxian Palace to see Daji.

"Beloved Consort, the matter of Star Picking Tower has been arranged. You Hun will be in charge of it, and it will surely satisfy Noble Consort."

As soon as he saw Su Daji, who came to greet him, Di Xin threw out a piece of candy first.

"Great King is so decisive and efficient, truly a man who accomplishes great things. This consort is grateful for Great King's benevolence and will certainly serve Great King well today!"

How could Daji miss such a good opportunity? With a fragrant breeze, she clung directly to Di Xin.

"Beloved Consort, today was quite perilous. Such a large stone fell. If this King hadn't happened to go out for some fresh air, we would have been parted forever today."

King Zhou suppressed the disgust in his heart as he spoke, while observing Daji's reaction.