The Third Elder's "Anti-Zhou Proclamation" was copied into countless millions of copies.
It spread throughout the Southern Ten Provinces.
Every city gate, post station, dock, and ward wall across the ten provinces—
Overnight, all of them were plastered with it.
Crowds gathered everywhere.
Those who could read recited it; those who could not listened.
The Anti-Zhou Proclamation—every word was like a blade.
For a time,
The emotions of the Southern Ten Provinces' people were inflamed.
Everywhere, cries rang out to launch a northern expedition, overthrow the tyrannical Zhou, and die in service of the King of Chu.
Meanwhile, in the north,
Night Owl Hall moved.
Overnight,
The Anti-Zhou Proclamation began circulating in secret throughout the northern provinces.
When people saw the contents of the proclamation clearly,
Their legs went weak on the spot.
They collapsed to the ground.
Shenjing City, South Garden Ward.
The people living here were all collateral branches of the Jiang Clan.
So-called collateral branches carried Jiang Family blood in their veins.
But that blood was too far removed from the Dragon Throne.
So far that they were unworthy of being made kings, unworthy of being made marquises.
They were only fit to receive a stipend and wait for the day they were summoned to guard the Imperial Mausoleum.
Inside a small courtyard,
A white-haired old man sat on the threshold.
He clutched a scroll of paper in his hand.
He stared at what was written on it.
His aged hands, dry as kindling, trembled without cease.
His name was Jiang Shouzhuo.
A collateral member of the imperial clan.
Twenty years ago, his eldest son had been summoned into the Imperial Mausoleum.
Twelve years ago, his second son had been summoned into the Imperial Mausoleum.
Three years ago,
His grandsons had all been summoned as well.