He foresaw events like a god.
Zi Shou was utterly bewildered. Why had things turned out this way?
Wen Zhong's face was already grave. Yu Yue had rebelled again, but that was not really a problem. The King of Yu Yue was dead, and even if the new leader rebelled, he could not unite all the tribes of Baiyue to revolt and raid the borders as the former king had.
With Baiyue mired in internal strife, its fighting strength was nothing special. With Deng Jiugong there, they had nothing to worry about. The only nuisance was losing their local guides.
Lu Xiong hurriedly begged forgiveness. "Your Majesty, I should never have stopped you from keeping the leader of Yu Yue in Chaoge!"
Tai Luan also began explaining. "The chiefs of barbarian tribes are unlike the feudal lords, and their customs differ from those of Great Shang. They elect only capable men as leaders, and the leader and his tribespeople are one. Although the leader of Yu Yue installed by Chief Commander Deng is the former king's son, he cannot command everyone's loyalty. He received many rewards when he came to pay homage, but the people of Yu Yue received no benefits."
Understanding dawned on Yang Ren, and he picked up the thread. "In that case, the people of Yu Yue naturally would feel no gratitude toward Great Shang. After returning to his tribe, their leader could only compromise to secure his position and establish himself among them. This was the fault of us subjects who obstructed you. Your Majesty saw into the hearts of Yu Yue, yet we failed to obey and instead repeatedly stood in your way. I am guilty!"
"It is too late to beg forgiveness now," Wen Zhong said. "General Tai, if Three Mountains Pass needs troops