The state of the realm

As the royal house withdrew its forces from Fenghao, the Ying Lineage's influence in the Three Rivers region had grown too strong. Luo Cheng naturally had to make some arrangements here.

He needed to give them an incentive to fight the Western Rong to the death, without letting their strength swell until they no longer respected the royal house.

The Count of Qin was one of his most important pieces in the west.

Luo Cheng had yet to choose a principal wife for Ji Fu.

But a daughter born to the Count of Qin's primary wife could become one of his consorts. For Qin State, which had only just become a vassal state, that would be an immense honor.

Among the western lords, the Ying Lineage dominated, but just like the Ji lineage, it had long since split into separate branches.

Qin State's sudden establishment in particular had greatly affected declining Marquisate States such as Xu State.

Zao Fei's original Qin Fief had been a small territory less than fifty li across. After receiving a quarter of Shen State, however, his new state immediately exceeded a hundred li across, most of it populous, fully cultivated land.

In a single stroke, it had become the second-strongest power among the western vassal states, behind the Marquis of Fei.

Luo Cheng had allowed none of the lords outside the Royal Domain to lay a finger on the two crucial cities of Fengcheng and Haojing. He placed this land, where generations of former kings lay buried, under the joint administration of the Five Royal-Domain Nobles.

Every year, Luoyi would send men to inspect the land's output. If they failed to offer Luoyi sufficient Gold and Silver, grain, and silk, they would be punished.

After these adjustments, a balance took shape west of Hangu Pass between the Lords of the Royal Domain, Fei State, and Qin State, with the Rong People scattered across the mountains and plains between them.

The lords would expend their energies on the Rong People and have none left to cast covetous eyes eastward.

Luo Cheng was very satisfied with this arrangement. Unless one power produced outstanding rulers generation after generation, bloody warfare here would likely continue for centuries.

"Count of Qin, do you know why I summoned you alone?"

Luo Cheng stood atop the beacon tower, looking west.

Undulating mountains, murmuring rivers, and desolate ancient roads stretched before him. Several months had passed, and leaves fell endlessly from the trees. Haojing stood amid this land of natural abundance.

"Duke of Luo, I do not."

Summoned alone by the Marquis of Luo, Zao Fei, the Count of Qin, was filled with reverent trepidation. He dared not even use the sovereign form of address customary among vassal lords, instead referring to himself simply as "I" to express his humility.

Luo Cheng raised a hand and pointed into the distance. "Count of Qin, what do you see when you look that way?"

At Luo Cheng's question, Zao Fei looked up and said, "Duke of Luo, mountains and rivers."

Luo Cheng said nothing, and the Count of Qin barely dared breathe.

After a moment, he heard Luo Cheng say quietly, "These are the ancestral shrines of the Zhou State.

"Here, King Wu received Heaven's mandate, and here, the Sage King served as regent and oversaw the realm.

"Yet now, this land no longer belongs to the Zhou people."

Cold sweat immediately broke out on the Count of Qin. He hurriedly said, "Duke of Luo, the altars of the Zhou State still stand here. How could it no longer belong to the Zhou people?"

Luo Cheng waved a hand and said with apparent casualness, "No lord in the west has been appointed Bearer of the King’s Mandate for many years.

"Now Fenghao lies in ruin, and the Rong People come and go as they please.

"The seat of our sacred sovereignty has been reduced to this. Is that not a disgrace to the All Xia states?

"If we cannot deal with it properly, even the spirits of our ancestors will suffer shame on our account.

"Count of Qin, your martial prowess is exceptional, and your achievements immense. You are the best man to handle this matter.

"I intend to give you this position. The decree of investiture will be delivered to you before I leave."

The Count of Qin froze, feeling both delight and apprehension.

A lord appointed Bearer of the King’s Mandate ranked alongside a duke. Among the western lords, his standing would undoubtedly be the highest.

If managed well, this position could bring countless benefits to the Newborn Qin State.

The disadvantages were equally obvious. Qin State was merely a Newborn county-ranked state. Receiving such an enormous reward would surely provoke others' jealousy.

Though it had acquired a quarter of Shen State's lands, Qin State's foundations remained far too shallow.

Among these western states, even its fellow Ying Lineage kinsmen included established nobles such as the Marquis of Fei, who were stronger than him.

If jealousy drove the Marquis of Fei to attack Qin State, the outcome would be far from certain.

But the Count of Qin was a formidable man who had truly fought his way through winds reeking of blood and rains of slaughter. These concerns merely flickered through his mind before he bowed solemnly and declared with iron resolve, "Duke of Luo, your grace towers higher than Heaven.

"I will never disappoint your expectations. The ancestral shrines and altars of the Zhou State shall stand forever upon the land of Fenghao."

Luo Cheng smiled, taking little notice of that promise. Once land fell into these lords' hands, how could it possibly be recovered without war?

Still, land held by the All Xia states was far better than land falling into the rank, bloody hands of the Rong People.

"Do not let your guard down. After repeated natural disasters, Fenghao is no longer what it once was. If the Zhou people cannot survive here, report it promptly and send them to Luoyi."

"Duke of Luo, I understand."

Luo Cheng pointed toward Hangu Pass, the most important route eastward. "Count of Qin, within twenty years, I want to see the Twelve Linked Cities there.

"Their purpose is to defend against the Western Rong. As the lord charged with guarding the west, you will coordinate the other lords' contributions of men and labor.

"I will send my Second Son by the Primary Wife to serve as Construction Commissioner. This matter is of the utmost importance. Take it to heart."

Naturally, the Twelve Linked Cities were not intended solely to defend against the Western Rong. They would also guard against the western lords.

Luo Cheng believed that the wars between the western lords and the Rong People would ultimately produce one dominant power.

If the royal house achieved a revival through the Luoyi Royal Domain before the final victor emerged, it could naturally advance through Hangu Pass and reclaim the Fenghao Royal Domain.

If the royal house failed to gather enough strength to return to its ancestral lands, it at least had to ensure that the western powers could not launch an Eastern Expedition.

At Hangu Pass, one man could hold the gate against ten thousand. It was the most important passage for moving large armies between Luoyi and Haojing.

So long as this place remained firmly held, an Eastern Expedition or an advance westward would be a matter of a single decision.

The Count of Qin knew this was no enviable assignment, but he also knew he could not refuse.

By making him the lord guarding the west, Luo Cheng intended to have him fight the Rong People and struggle against the other lords, ensuring that nowhere west of Hangu Pass could settle into peace.

What he failed to see was that Luo Cheng had another objective.

Building fortified passes required enormous resources and manpower. These could be scraped from the Lords of the Royal Domain, who were so fat that grease practically dripped from them. Those useless men were no good at war; all they knew was graft.

Better to give their wealth to the lords outside the Royal Domain to nourish their strength. At least those lords still possessed ample martial vigor and could fight the Western Rong to the death.

Luo Cheng's carriage passed through Hangu Pass. He lifted the curtain for one final look and sighed deeply. "What magnificent rivers and mountains. Who knows when the descendants of the Luo Clan will return to their ancestral lands?"

Originally, Luo Cheng had intended to stay in Haojing a while longer, but Luoyi had sent repeated letters urging him to return as soon as possible.

Since that was the case, Luo Cheng prepared to return to Luoyi and begin constructing a new system of governance. After the war and the crisis of relocating the capital, the old ruling order no longer suited the present circumstances.

After returning to the Luoyi Royal Domain, Luo Cheng hurriedly changed into his court robes and rushed to the Royal Palace.

The route was still fairly prosperous. After so many years, the king of All Xia had returned here, and the vast lands had blossomed with vigorous life once more.

When he entered the palace, Ji Fu was already waiting in the emperor's ceremonial robes and crown. Seeing Luo Cheng enter, he said delightedly, "Duke of Luo, you have finally returned. I have missed you greatly."

"Your Majesty, I have missed you greatly as well. Where are the Dukes of Jin and Zheng?" Ji Fu had appointed the Marquises of Luo, Jin, and Zheng as the Three Dukes assisting his rule, so they were respectfully addressed as dukes.

"The Marquis Shen of Southern sent an envoy with military intelligence. The Duke of Jin went to receive him."

"Song State and Chen State also sent envoys, reporting unusual activity in Xu-Huai. The Duke of Zheng went to receive them."

As they spoke, the Dukes of Jin and Zheng entered the hall. "Duke of Luo, we were just about to report to His Majesty on both regions. You have returned at just the right time."

"Duke of Jin and Duke of Zheng, what is happening in Han-Yang and Xu-Huai?"

The Duke of Jin knelt on his seat and said, "South Shen State reported that Chu State has been extending its influence toward Ba State and has grown increasingly powerful over the years.

"Some time ago, he contacted the five Han-Yang states to campaign against Chu, but they ultimately returned without achieving anything. This left him feeling that something was amiss, so he reported it to the Royal Domain."

Chu State had defied the Zhou State ever since the reign of Xiong Dun. Though it later submitted, it had acquired a reputation that "Chu would not bow to Zhou."

"Early in our ancestor Duke Wen of Luo's reign, he established the Five Han River States. Later, he reestablished the Four Han-Yang Ji States.

Successive Luo Clan rulers strengthened the Ji-Surname Feudal Lords on the Hanyang Plain, all to contain Chu State and the Huai Yi.

"We have relaxed our efforts slightly in recent years. Chu State will likely not leave matters at that.

"Now that the King has returned to Luoyi, strengthening the Han-Yang Ji States should also be placed on the agenda.

"But Chu State is, after all, one of the All Xia states. As long as it does not invade the Central Plains, the Zhou State should continue to focus its main efforts on the Yi and Di."

The present Han-Yang Ji States were no longer the four states of Luo Su's time, but included more than a dozen Marquisate States.

Among these Marquisate States, Shen State, Tang State, Sui State, and Ba State surrounded Chu State from the east, north, and west.

Xi State, Ying State, Xu State, Fang State, Shen State, Cai State, and Chen State served as defenses against the Huai Yi.

These Ji-Surname Feudal Lords and their marriage allies firmly guarded every major route by which Chu State and the Huai Yi could enter the Central Plains.

With support from the Royal Domain and the states of the Central Plains, this defensive line had so far remained impregnable.

The Duke of Zheng nodded. "It is not only the Chu State front that needs strengthening. The Huai Yi front does as well.

"Wu-Yue has developed very well in recent years, causing quite a few southern Fang States to begin migrating northward.

"These people retain Yin Shang customs and have mingled with the Ying Lineage Fang States of Xu-Huai, leaving people's loyalties unsettled.

"Song State probably feared being held accountable by the Royal Domain, which is why it reported this news.

"Chen State reported discovering that the Huai Yi were moving troops, apparently preparing to attack our Zhou State.

"If Xu State rises together with the Huai Yi, the entire southeast will be plunged into war. We may have to muster the armies of the whole realm again."

The remnants of Yin Shang!

Even after more than two hundred years, those words could still tug at the heartstrings of every Ji lord. When faced with the remnants of Yin Shang, everything else became a minor concern.

Xu State had been the Regional Earl of the east under Yin Shang, holding a position much like that of the Zhou State in the west.

Thus, from its founding, the Zhou State had treated Xu State with great caution. To diminish its standing, it had granted Xu State's ruler only the rank of viscount, an unmistakable act of suppression.

It had also established numerous Ji states to the west and north of Xu State to monitor its movements.

"Truly an autumn of mounting troubles!"

Luo Cheng gathered his thoughts and said, "Since King Mu's reign, the royal army has suffered repeated defeats, so for now we can only adopt a defensive posture.

"The Zhou State currently faces threats from the Yi and Di on every side. The states established by the former kings have all suffered attacks. This cannot be permitted.

"The most serious threat, the Western Rong, has been entrusted to the Ying Lineage lords. We should not need to worry about it for a hundred years.

"Next are the Yi-Luo Rong. We must rely primarily on the Marquis of Western Zhou, though the Duke of Jin could also move south to clear them out.

"But Duke of Jin, you must also face the White Di on the plateau and the Red Di to the east. You may not have the strength to spare for now."

The Duke of Jin nodded. "You are right, Duke of Luo. For Jin State to move south against the Yi-Luo Rong, its army would have to pass through several Marquisate States. That is unfavorable for warfare."

"King, Jin State occupies a position of vital strategic importance.

"If Jin State is not strong, the Royal Domain's safety may not be guaranteed. The royal house must give Jin State greater support.

"If necessary, we must support Jin State in consolidating the strength of the entire basin and regrant the surrounding small states fiefs elsewhere."

Luo Cheng's move to strengthen Jin State was not merely part of the exchange of benefits he had already promised. He believed the current situation truly required several powerful Ji-Surname Feudal Lords to guard the four quarters.

Divided, strength scattered; united, strength grew. After the internal strife, the entire Zhou State was in a weakened condition.

To guard against the dangerous prospect of a great Yi and Di counteroffensive against the All Xia states, they could not play the game of balancing powers in the Central Plains. All Xia was not yet strong enough to disregard the Yi and Di.

They now had to unite all the lords and first cripple the surrounding Yi and Di.

Although allowing the lords to grow powerful was a strategy of drinking poison to quench thirst, Luo Cheng could do no more than this.

Taking the opportunity, Luo Cheng brought over a map and explained his strategy to Ji Fu.

"King, look here. Across the entire Central Plains east of Hangu Pass, Jin State, Yan State, Qi State, Song State, Chen State, Wei State, Luo State, and Zheng State are the most important Marquisate States.

Of these eight states, five appear to be ruled by Ji-Surname Feudal Lords. In reality, however, Yan State relies entirely on Qi State's support. Otherwise, the Mountain Rong would have overrun it long ago.

"Wei State and the Han State and Xing State to its north all depend on my Luo State's support.

The Ji-Surname Feudal Lords have only three great states: Jin State, Zheng State, and Luo State.

"But the states belonging to the three of us are not as powerful as Qi State and Song State. Fortunately, Qi State has always stood on our side. Otherwise, the balance of power among the Central Plains lords would have collapsed long ago.

"Jin State struggles to hold up the sky alone in the basin north of the Royal Domain.

"My Luo State supports Wei, Han, and Xing, which is also extremely difficult.

"Song State and Chen State are ultimately ruled by lords of other lineages. Who can feel at ease placing them on the front line against Xu State and the Huai Yi?"

Ji Fu was gentle and yielding by nature, or, as people commonly put it, easily swayed. Hearing Luo Cheng's explanation, he found it very reasonable.

He hurriedly asked, "Duke of Luo, it seems the realm truly is as precarious as a stack of eggs.

"Then what should I do to secure the Zhou State's Mandate of Heaven?"

"King, there are hundreds of Marquisate States under Heaven. You need only attend to Jin State, Zheng State, Qi State, and Luo State. Ensure that these four remain strong and stable, and the royal house will be secure."

He only included Zheng because the Marquis of Zheng was present. Otherwise, Luo Cheng would have named only Jin State, Qi State, and Luo State. He believed that so long as these three states remained strong, and the Han-Yang Ji States south of Luoyi received support, the royal house's safety and standing would be assured.

"Duke of Luo, I understand."

Although the power of the Royal Domain now rested in Luo Cheng's hands, the Son of Heaven's attitude was still important.

There had always been a view that Duke Xuan of Luo was the gravedigger of the Zhou Dynasty, since he had enfeoffed Qin State's ancestor and supported its rise, and had also devised the policy of allowing the Central Plains lords to grow powerful.

But this was a classic case of judging matters divorced from reality. In fact, at the time, these policies effectively resolved the Zhou royal house's predicament of troubles within and threats without. -The History of the Zhou Dynasty's Rise and Fall

Although Cheng's abilities fell short of his ancestor's, he still needed a few shining moments. Otherwise, how could he deserve his position as the third regent?

Also, I revised the Divine Striking Talisman's effects a little. It felt unworthy of a Mystic Tier card, so I removed its negative effects.

Mystic Tier · Divine Striking Talisman (With my life, I shall sweep heaven and earth clean): Using this talisman raises martial prowess, command, and military strategy to 99 for four double-hours.