The next day, Shen Gongbao rode out alone.
The barbarians' commander was called Wu Shu. He had once been a formidable general of Gong Fang.
Unfortunately, the Gong Fang Chieftain had something wrong with his head: he had tried to assassinate Huang Feihu, and failed at that.
The terrified northern tribes had all rushed to acknowledge their ancestral roots. To prove their loyalty, they had even offered to slaughter everyone in Gong Fang.
Wu Shu had been frightened then. Huang Feihu would not kill them, but he feared Dou Rong might secretly poison them.
So he had fled south with his tribespeople, thinking they would be safe once they reached Chaoge and met King Zhou. But they did not know the way, and a string of wrong turns had brought them to Pingling instead.
King Pingling valued Wu Shu and put him in command of the Northern Tribes he had gathered.
Seeing Shen Gongbao ride forward alone, Wu Shu asked curiously, "Who's this fellow with the little mustache?"
He did not recognize him. Judging by his clothing, he was a man of the Central Plains. Beyond that, Wu Shu knew nothing.
Shen Gongbao showed no fear. "I am the Imperial Preceptor of Great Shang. King Pingling has falsely claimed the title of Commandery Governor and rebelled. I have come to execute him on King Zhou's behalf."
"Huh?"
Wu Shu was stunned. Hadn't Pingling been changed from a kingdom into a commandery?
They had only joined the unrest because they thought it was King Zhou's decree.
"Have you ever seen an envoy from Chaoge? Have you ever seen the Commandery Governor of Pingling?"
Everyone exchanged glances. It seemed none of them had.
Shen Gongbao produced the Dark Phoenix Jade Pendant. "This is the jade pendant His Majesty wears on his person.