I Am King Zhou, Human Emperor!

Would King Zhou apologize to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and the human race? Would he apologize to all the people under Heaven?

Some of the feudal lords had already been eager to make a move, but after seeing King Zhou's Edict of Self-Reproach, they no longer dared to act rashly.

At the same time, the contents of the Edict of Self-Reproach spread among the common people and became the focus of countless discussions.

This had to be credited to the fact that, when Zi Shou distributed the Edict of Self-Reproach throughout the human race, he had specifically selected a group of people.

Their task was simple. They only needed to travel throughout Great Shang and promote the contents of the Edict of Self-Reproach among the common people.

As a transmigrator, Zi Shou naturally understood the importance of publicity!

If he merely issued an Edict of Self-Reproach, then aside from the ministers and feudal lords, ordinary people would likely never even know that he had done so.

In the mouths of many commoners, he would probably still be a debauched and tyrannical ruler.

But with widespread promotion, many people now knew that the King had actually issued an Edict of Self-Reproach and apologized to all the people under Heaven.

The King had apologized to the common people?

Such a thing had never happened since ancient times. Upon learning the news, the people all spread the word far and wide.

"Did you know? The King issued an Edict of Self-Reproach and actually apologized to all the people under Heaven!"

"How could I not know? The King must have been misled by treacherous ministers before, but now he has come to his senses!"

"I heard that the King has already executed those treacherous ministers. From now on, he will surely devote himself to governing diligently!"

The King had apologized to them. As commoners, when had they ever received such treatment?

For this very reason, King Zhou's image in the hearts of the people began to slowly change.

"A ruler is a boat; the people are water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it!"

He did not care how the ministers viewed him! Nor did he care how the feudal lords viewed him!

So long as the people of the realm stood with him, he would fear nothing!

How could Great Shang become strong? By relying only on those ministers at court? Or by relying on the various feudal lords?

Neither! So long as the people were prosperous and able to live and work in peace, Great Shang would naturally become strong.

From the execution of Fei Zhong and You Hun, to the issuing of the Edict of Self-Reproach, certain changes had already begun to take place quietly.

However, to All Gods and Buddhas, these changes seemed insignificant, not even worthy of a second glance.

Yet as the Edict of Self-Reproach spread throughout Great Shang and the ministers' views of the King changed somewhat, some ministers also became deeply worried.

"The King has issued an Edict of Self-Reproach. What face do we ministers have left to face all the people under Heaven?"

This was Shang Rong's lament. Even the King had issued an Edict of Self-Reproach. As ministers serving at court, they naturally deserved death for their crimes.

After all, even if the ruler had made mistakes, did that mean the ministers themselves had done nothing wrong?

Moreover, Shang Rong remained deeply troubled that the King had not apologized to Heaven when issuing the Edict of Self-Reproach. He repeatedly said that this would anger Heaven.

Everything seemed to unfold just as Shang Rong had predicted. On this day, the Qi River near Chaoge City flooded, while Taihang Mountain shook.

Taihang Mountain shook and the Qi River flooded. This was an earth-shattering event, one that concerned the lives and deaths of countless commoners.

When the news arrived, Zi Shou immediately summoned the court ministers to discuss countermeasures.

"Taihang Mountain is shaking, and the Qi River is flooding. What do you all think should be done?" Zi Shou asked.

Chaoge City lay beside Taihang Mountain and the Qi River, so the people near Chaoge would suffer the greatest impact from this disaster.

In his view, since the natural disaster had already occurred, the next step was naturally to provide relief to the victims and minimize the losses.

Though natural disasters were merciless, people were not. If necessary, he would deploy the army. Disaster relief had to begin at once.

As the prime minister, Shang Rong was the first to step forward. After respectfully bowing, he said, "Your Majesty, Taihang Mountain has shaken and the Qi River has flooded. Disaster relief is naturally the highest priority, but this matter should also serve as a warning!"

Zi Shou's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged as he said readily, "Speak frankly, Minister!"

He had already realized something, but the specifics depended on what Shang Rong was about to say.

"This is a warning from Heaven. If Your Majesty cannot awaken to the warning, I fear further calamities will follow!" Shang Rong said.

The moment those words were spoken, all the ministers changed color. Some grew uneasy, while others were thrown into panic.

"Oh? Then what does Minister believe I should do?" Zi Shou asked gravely.

Taihang Mountain had shaken and the Qi River had flooded. This was a warning from Heaven? But why would Heaven issue such a warning?

Was it not because he, the King, lacked virtue, causing Heaven to send down calamity as a warning?

In later generations, this would have been normal enough. Whenever a natural disaster occurred, such claims would become widespread.

But this was the Investiture of the Gods World. This was Great Shang. He was the Human Sovereign, not the Son of Heaven.

He wanted to see what Shang Rong, so eager to step forward, could possibly say.

"Since Your Majesty has already issued an Edict of Self-Reproach, why not submit a memorial to Heaven atop Taihang Mountain and request Heaven's forgiveness?" Shang Rong said.

The ministers wore varied expressions. Shang Rong was still making the same argument as before, but it was different from the last time.

Previously, the King had voluntarily issued the Edict of Self-Reproach, apologizing to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and all the people under Heaven.

But this time, because Taihang Mountain had shaken and the Qi River had flooded, the King was to seek forgiveness from Heaven.

One was voluntary, while the other was forced. The meanings they represented were completely different.

"Are there any Immortals and Gods within Taihang Mountain and the Qi River?" Zi Shou ignored Shang Rong and instead asked.

Shang Rong's words had already made him realize certain things, but he still needed to learn more about the specifics.

Though he knew the general course of Canonization of the Gods, now that he was truly within it, many things seemed as hazy as flowers seen through mist.

Xiqi, the Exposition Sect, and the Jiejiao Sect were certainly the center of attention, but there were still many other matters worth noting.

For example, the Western Religious Sect, which quietly amassed its strength, and the Heavenly Court, which would become the ruler of the Three Realms after Canonization of the Gods.

"Your Majesty, there is a Mountain God in Taihang Mountain and a River God in the Qi River. The people often offer sacrifices to them," Assistant Minister Bi Gan said.

Bi Gan was not only the Assistant Minister of the court, but also the current King's uncle. His status at court was naturally extraordinary.

"Mountain God? River God? Then this disaster must be related to these Immortals and Gods?" Zi Shou asked in a deep voice.

In an ordinary world, landslides and floods would naturally be disasters that could be explained through science.

But this was the Investiture of the Gods World. Could Taihang Mountain's shaking and the Qi River's flooding truly have nothing to do with the Mountain God and River God?

Shang Rong said he had angered Heaven, leading to this disaster. In a sense, that was not entirely wrong.

But more accurately, this was not a natural disaster at all. It was a calamity caused by Immortals and Gods.

"Your Majesty, Heaven cannot be deceived, nor can Immortals and Gods be offended. Only sincere sacrifices can eliminate this calamity!" Shang Rong immediately said.

As soon as he spoke, quite a few ministers stepped forward. They all supported Shang Rong's proposal.

Looking at these ministers, Zi Shou's expression became solemn. He had already realized how serious the matter was.

Mortals' reverence for Immortals and Gods was almost instinctive. Moreover, in the Investiture of the Gods World, Immortals and Gods truly existed.

Even with the Qi River flooding and Taihang Mountain shaking, no one would think to investigate the reason behind it. They would only assume that they had angered Heaven.

If they had angered Heaven, what else could they do? Naturally, they could only offer sincere sacrifices and beg for Heaven's forgiveness.

Faced with the current situation, what could he do?

Obediently offer sacrifices and ask for Heaven's forgiveness?

Just then, someone hurried in and reported, "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Wen is waiting outside!"

Zi Shou was overjoyed and immediately said, "Quickly summon Grand Tutor Wen to the court!"

More than ten days had passed since he had ordered Grand Tutor Wen to return to court. At last, Grand Tutor Wen had returned.

As he pondered this, an elderly man with white hair and beard strode into the hall with the bearing of a dragon and tiger.

Upon closer inspection, Grand Tutor Wen looked solemn and imposing without anger. Just as the legends said, he indeed possessed three eyes.

"This old minister pays respects to Your Majesty!" Grand Tutor Wen immediately performed a grand salute upon approaching.

For a moment, everyone's gaze gathered upon this Pillar of Heaven of Great Shang, this veteran minister who had served three dynasties.

"Grand Tutor, you have traveled far to campaign in the North Sea and rendered great service. You have truly worked hard!" Zi Shou said as he personally stepped forward to help Grand Tutor Wen up.

Surprise appeared on Grand Tutor Wen's face. He had heard certain rumors long ago, but he had still harbored doubts.

Now, seeing the King personally help him to his feet, the doubts in his heart only increased rather than diminished.

As a veteran minister of three dynasties, he could be said to have watched the King before him grow up. How could he not know what kind of person the current King was?

If it had been the former King, his fear of Grand Tutor Wen would likely have exceeded his respect. How could he have personally helped him up?

"Your Majesty, though I have only just returned to court, I heard some of the situation outside the hall. How does Your Majesty intend to handle this?" Grand Tutor Wen asked.

For a moment, everyone's attention focused upon the King. They all wanted to know what the King was thinking now.

Would he do as Shang Rong suggested—go to Taihang Mountain, offer sacrifices, submit a memorial to Heaven, and beg for Heaven's forgiveness?