Luo State, Zhao City.
This city, founded five hundred years earlier, was renowned throughout the world of All Xia. The weathering upon its walls proclaimed its antiquity, while its magnificent buildings displayed Luo State's deep foundations.
Even during Qi State's hundred and twenty years of hegemony, no one could overlook this place. As the saying went, sacrifices belonged to the Son of Heaven, governance to the regional lords, and the Marquis of Luo was the bridge between them.
Luo Ci and Luo Yan sat in a quiet chamber, reading the state letter the Count of Qin had sent by messenger.
After Yi Li analyzed the state of the world for the Count of Qin, this letter had crossed a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers to reach the ruler of Luo State.
With the ghost of a smile on his face, Luo Ci pushed the bamboo slips toward Luo Yan and said, "A very interesting state letter."
Luo Yan unrolled it. "Five hundred years ago, Zhou State received Heaven's mandate, and King Wu enfeoffed your ancestor, the Sage King, in the lands of Luo. Thus was an ancient state founded.
"Over five hundred years, your clan has thrice served as regent, and nine generations of Marquises of Luo have served as ministers to the Son of Heaven. What a glorious history!
"Duke Huan of Qi assembled the lords nine times and set the world to rights. His prestige surpassed even the Son of Heaven's, and he could use the Son of Heaven's rites and music, cauldrons, carriages and horses, and robes. Could anyone in Zhou State have been more honored than he?
"He achieved all this because your ancestor Duke Ming escorted him home and gave him support.
"Now you have helped Prince Chong'er ascend the throne. It seems Jin