The Grand Preceptor's Residence was ablaze with lights.
King Zhou held court once every three days to promote activities such as football, Chinese opera, and cockfighting. His ministers all understood.
Playing football was physically demanding-more exhausting than attending court. Elderly ministers such as Shang Rong felt this particularly keenly.
Shang Rong was getting on in years, and old people needed less sleep. Besides, rumors had been multiplying in Chaoge lately. Quite a few nobles from Li Territory had even visited the Chancellor's Residence, asking him to submit a memorial remonstrating with King Zhou.
He grew increasingly uneasy. Something disastrous was likely to happen in Li Territory.
But with his temperament, he dared not remonstrate with King Zhou directly. Someone else had to stand at the forefront before he could take the lead.
And so Shang Rong sought out Grand Tutor Wen.
If anyone at court could persuade King Zhou, it was Grand Tutor Wen.
With the Golden Whip bestowed by the late king in hand, he could haul King Zhou out even if he was in his bedchamber.
Shang Rong sat opposite Wen Zhong as they warmed their wine. Thinking of the rumors swirling throughout the city, he sighed.
Wen Zhong was troubled too. "Eight or nine out of every ten memorials submitted lately have been from nobles of Li Territory impeaching Jiang Wenhuan."
"Turning Li Territory into Li Commandery has its benefits, but His Majesty was ultimately too hasty. I heard that someone even used You Hun's connections today to deliver a memorial directly to His Majesty, yet he remained unmoved."
Shang Rong shook his head. "That isn't a concern. His Majesty has already responded. Although he burned the bamboo slips bearing the memorials, I investigated and found that he had already sent You Hun to spread their contents."