The Shang Army acted with commendable efficiency. Zi Shou had not commanded the army himself at all, having handed command to Ao Lie from the outset. Thus, the instant he collapsed and cried out, Ao Lie wasted no time and led the army in a swift retreat.
Every soldier in the army had heard the words "Ji Fa has harmed me!" With King Zhou's fate uncertain and morale unsettled, forcing a battle would have meant certain defeat.
Moreover, Zi Shou knew perfectly well that, although his ministers misunderstood him in many ways, their loyalty was beyond question. They would certainly put his safety first.
Before long, the army returned to camp. When Lu Xiong in the other camp heard the news, he hurried over.
Lu Xiong had assumed King Zhou was taking the army out to probe the enemy. After all, after several days of fierce declarations, their taunts had reached their peak, and it was about time to attack the pass. He had never expected King Zhou to fall victim to a covert attack while meeting Ji Fa and remain unconscious. His thoughts instantly churned into a pot of porridge.
At that moment, Zi Shou lay asleep with his eyes closed, though he looked full of vigor, his complexion rosy, with almost no sign of illness or pain.
An odd expression crossed Lu Xiong's face. This looked rather like sound sleep.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?"
Lu Xiong called to him tentatively a few times. Perhaps his loyalty moved heaven and earth, or perhaps he shouted loudly enough to wake the sleeper. In any case, Zi Shou, who had remained "unconscious" all this time, opened his eyes at Lu Xiong's calls.
Zi Shou slowly opened his eyes and parted his lips to yawn. Suddenly remembering that he was pretending to