The wars against the Eastern Yi and Baiyue had actually stopped!
There were still clashes, but none were intense.
Chao Lei's attack across the sea had left the Eastern Yi unable to defend on both fronts. Infighting broke out among the tribes that had originally banded together, and none was willing to muster all its warriors for a major advance west!
The King of Yu Yue, who had led the Baiyue rebellion, had been assassinated by Mai Yun. Baiyue fell into chaos, with no one willing to submit to anyone else, leaving them no time to march north!
Chong Houhu suddenly saw the light.
Who had sent Chao Lei?
King Zhou.
Who had ordered the Navy's construction?
King Zhou.
Who had sent Mai Yun?
King Zhou.
And who had written the Chinese Opera that inspired Mai Yun to act for the greater good?
King Zhou again.
Clearly, all of this had been planned!
The Eastern Yi and Baiyue rebellions had all been part of King Zhou's plan!
King Zhou had You Hun tell the regional commanders who had come to claim credit to keep their lips sealed. That way, only King Zhou and the commanders stationed across the realm knew the rebellions had been quelled. The Feudal Lords on their way to Chaoge to pay homage could not possibly receive the news!
Then, during the homage ceremony, he only needed to have someone report the rebellions throughout the realm. On the surface, he would discuss suppressing them with the Feudal Lords, wait for them to use this as grounds to challenge him, then have Li Jing, Deng Jiugong, and the others step forward and declare that the rebellions had already been quelled. He could intimidate the Feudal Lords while discovering exactly which of them harbored ulterior motives!
And those scheming