Ever since Jiang Hengchu and E Chongyu died in Morning Song, Jiang Huan and E Shun, who had succeeded to the positions of Marquis of the East and Marquis of the South, began raising troops in rebellion against Shang.
The rebellion in Eastern Lu was severe. Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong, having returned from his northern campaign against the North Sea, personally led his army to suppress it.
Meanwhile, Marquis of the South was blocked by Deng Jiugong, the commander-in-chief of Three Mountains Pass.
After learning some methods from Li Li, his daughter Deng Chanyu's Five-Light Stone became ever more formidable, repeatedly winning merit in battle.
She even wounded E Shun with a single stone, crushing the morale of the southern feudal states. For a time, victory reports came pouring in.
Yet after so many years of warfare, the southeastern regions had long since lost their reverence for Great Shang, often rebelling and refusing to heed Great Shang's commands.
Marquis of the North Chonghou Hu, following close behind Di Xin, was likewise doing his utmost to squeeze the northern feudal lords dry.
Only Ji Chang, the Marquis of the West, who had escaped back to Western Qi with Huang Feihu's aid, proclaimed himself King Wen after returning to his native city of Western Qi, establishing Zhou State in accordance with Heaven's will.
He also appointed Jiang Ziya as his prime minister, recruited troops and purchased horses, gathered worthy men, and allied with virtuous men among the generals and officials of every feudal state willing to rebel against Shang.
For a time, his benevolent reputation spread throughout the land. Revered by feudal lords in all directions, he became the man toward whom the lords turned, the one everyone looked to.
Yet when he campaigned against Chonghou Hu and personally witnessed Chonghou Hu's