Two or three years after "Luo Discourses" was completed, Luo Xiu began aging more rapidly, until he suddenly fell ill one winter. Often, he would be lucid for only a brief moment all day, and his condition grew steadily worse.
Everyone knew in their hearts that their ruler probably would not survive this bitter winter.
This was the natural exhaustion of the body's blood and vital essence, not poisoning or some strange illness. Even the Yellow-Tier Item, the Medicine Talisman, was useless.
When word reached Lü Xiao Bai that Luo Xiu was old and critically ill, and probably would not survive the winter, he was drinking and making merry.
Qi State's newly built palace was tall and magnificent. With state affairs entrusted to Guan Zhong, Lü Xiao Bai spent his idle hours in the palace, drinking fine wine and singing with beautiful women. Life could hardly have been more pleasant.
Over the years, Qi State had grown increasingly powerful. In particular, helping restore Wei State had raised his prestige to new heights.
Among the states, only the rulers of Jin State and a few other places had yet to attend his alliance assemblies, but Lü Xiao Bai believed it was merely a matter of time.
With Guan Zhong assisting him, no one beneath heaven could contend with him.
Just as he stood at the pinnacle of his life, brimming with satisfaction, he received this news like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
"My uncle is gravely ill?"
Lü Xiao Bai could scarcely believe it. "Hasn't my uncle always been in good health? I remember..."
He paused in a daze to think back. The last time he had seen his uncle was already several years ago, at his birthday banquet. He touched the white hairs gradually appearing on his own head