Ji Zhao's passing

It was now the ninth year of King Kang's reign, nearly five years since the last great enfeoffment. The Grand Duke, the only man who could check Ji Zhao, had passed away, and the Son of Heaven sent an envoy to offer condolences. Grand Steward Ji Zhao, who exercised royal authority on the king's behalf, remained quiet, staying in the Royal City.

Yet he placed immense psychological pressure on the lords throughout the realm.

So far, he had stripped four lords of their titles and abolished their states for using rites and music reserved for the Son of Heaven. He had ordered one of them to die by a cup of poisoned wine, while two others had been reduced to commoners. Still more lords frequently received edicts reprimanding them for failing to subdue Yi and Di.

Ji Zhao, however, thought he had done little beyond visiting Luoyi in winter to inspect the construction. Every day, he simply entered the Royal Palace early, personally taught Ji Yun how to handle affairs of state, received officials from the Royal Domain, and dealt with visiting envoys from the various lords.

Ji Yun had not yet undergone his coming-of-age ceremony, but he was already a fairly strong young man. With Ji Zhao's instruction and example, combined with his own natural talents, he already showed the makings of a worthy ruler.

The legitimate daughter of Qi State reached marriageable age and came to the Royal Domain to marry King Kang, formally becoming queen of the Zhou State.

King Kang's marriage changed the atmosphere throughout the Zhou Dynasty. Although he had not yet undergone his coming-of-age ceremony and could not formally govern, everyone felt that day was imminent. Transitions of power were always troublesome, especially when a minister returned authority to his king. History offered only the story of Yi Yin, whose truth was uncertain.

Seven years earlier, when the four traitors launched their rebellion, they had falsely claimed Ji Zhao harbored treasonous ambitions and intended to depose the king and take the throne himself. They had even forced him to swear an oath in the ancestral temple. After all these years, however, none of the realm's lords or high ministers still believed he intended to usurp the throne.

Yet deciding what position to give a powerful minister who had served as regent for twelve years after he returned authority remained a matter of great importance.

Throughout those years, Ji Zhao had kept a close watch on the lords. He took thirty percent of the spoils from their campaigns into the Royal Domain Treasury, greatly strengthening the Zhou State's central power.

Outside, rumors and speculation abounded, but the Royal Palace remained peaceful. Ji Yun differed from his imposing, spirited father: he had never commanded an army in battle. The four regional lords had not disappointed Ji Zhao's expectations or support, keeping all of Yi and Di outside the Royal Domain. This fertile expanse, a thousand li square, had enjoyed great peace over the years.

Apart from handling state affairs, Ji Zhao devoted most of his energy to teaching Ji Yun the Way of Ruling.

"Royal Uncle, Marquis Shen and Count Jia are disputing territory. Marquis Shen accused Count Jia of disrespecting him and defying his superior. Count Jia submitted a memorial saying Marquis Shen used his higher rank to insult him, calling him a Rong dog."

Ji Zhao took the bamboo slips and asked Ji Yun, "Your Majesty, as the lords grow more numerous and their territories expand, such disputes will become increasingly common. How do you think this should be handled?"

Ji Yun considered for a moment before saying, "Both men were at fault, and each should receive an edict of reprimand. A count holds a middle rank, while a marquis holds a higher one. Although Count Jia spoke disrespectfully to Marquis Shen in anger, the rites cannot be disregarded. He should be sternly reprimanded so he understands the dignity of dukes and marquises and knows that noble rank must not be lightly insulted. If he does it again, he must be severely punished.

"Marquis Shen's insult calling Count Jia a Rong was entirely baseless. Though many Western Rong people live in Count Jia's state, he himself belongs to the royal Ji lineage, and he has diligently delivered tribute over the years. Marquis Shen's words undermine the assimilation of the tribes into Xia and obstruct the implementation of state policy. That is truly reprehensible. His tribute next year should therefore be increased by thirty percent."

Ji Zhao was very pleased with Ji Yun's handling of the matter. Smiling, he said, "Your Majesty is entirely correct. Your treatment of both men is most appropriate, taking account of both ritual law and the realities within our states. Then let the response be issued as Your Majesty has proposed."

As Ji Yun matured, Ji Zhao gradually entrusted more matters to him, and his performance remained quite satisfactory.

For a young man, he was neither arrogant nor impatient. He considered matters thoroughly and listened to useful advice without blindly following others, holding to convictions of his own. If he maintained these qualities, he would surely become an enlightened ruler.

Ji Yun was always delighted by Ji Zhao's praise. He took another set of bamboo slips from the mountain-like pile. This one was a memorial from the Marquis of Luo.

At Ji Zhao's urging, his legitimate son had formally taken up his fief in Luo State. For Ji Zhao, who oversaw royal affairs and stood foremost among the Three Excellencies, the title of Marquis of Luo was of little consequence.

"Royal Uncle, the Marquis of Luo has submitted a report on Luoyi's construction. Most of the main city structures and palace buildings have been completed. At the current pace, we can gradually begin moving subjects into Luoyi to populate it."

People of this era believed a newly built city lacked human vitality. Naturally, the Son of Heaven could not move in immediately; subjects first had to settle there to nourish that vitality.

"Five years of construction, followed by five years of nurturing its vitality. Order each vassal state to relocate households to Luoyi and increase its population."

[Luoyi has been completed. This great city will shine through a thousand years of future history. You have obtained a mystic-tier item-Divine Striking Talisman. Your fortune points have increased.]

Running his fingers over the bamboo slips, Ji Yun asked softly, "Royal Uncle, you once explained to me the policy of dividing the realm into separate jurisdictions. You said that when disorder in distant regions could no longer be contained, trusted ministers or royal kinsmen could be sent to oversee them. Now warfare between the eastern lords and the Eastern Yi is frequent. Some lords have even been reprimanded because they could not leave their campaigns in time to pay homage to the Son of Heaven. Is Luoyi the jurisdiction you chose for yourself?"

Ji Zhao paused and looked at Ji Yun. The young Son of Heaven bore some resemblance to King Wu around his eyes and brows. Handsome, with black hair and black eyes, he was spirited and kindhearted. He had actually guessed that Ji Zhao had chosen Luoyi as his place of retirement, and had even supplied a justification for him.

Ji Zhao smiled faintly. "Your Majesty guessed correctly. In just over two years, you will come of age and the King will govern personally. The Zhou State must pass entirely into your hands, and naturally, this old minister must relinquish his duty of overseeing royal affairs."

"Luoyi lacks human vitality, so I shall go there and nurture it for Your Majesty.

"Besides, the eastern lords have enjoyed success in their campaigns against the Eastern Yi these past years, and their strength has grown rapidly. Qi State obtained the Sea-Salt Land the year before last and has become quite wealthy. It is already a great state spanning three to five hundred li. I worry that some might encroach on the Royal Domain lands around Luoyi. I would feel more at ease if I went to keep watch over them."

Hearing his suspicions confirmed, Ji Yun said anxiously, "Royal Uncle, you can remain in Haojing. You can continue serving as Grand Steward, and I can consult you whenever matters arise. Luoyi is newly built, its chill piercing to the bone. How could we let a sage live there?"

Ji Yun had lost his father as a child. Only Ji Zhao had remained beside him, rising early and retiring late to manage the state for him, personally teaching him what to do. He was utterly loyal, too, willing to return authority without clinging to power.

Although Ji Zhao's influence had made Ji Yun decisive and ruthless when necessary, he remained kindhearted by nature. Naturally, he did not want Ji Zhao to leave Haojing like this.

Ji Zhao was no longer young. He had exhausted himself securing the Newborn Zhou Dynasty. Maintaining the structure between the Son of Heaven and the lords was extraordinarily difficult: he had to keep the lords sharp as blades while preventing those blades from turning inward.

Ji Yun's plea comforted Ji Zhao. His years of devotion had not been wasted; at least he had not raised an ingrate. Still, he smiled and refused. "Your Majesty, of everyone in this vast Zhou State, I alone cannot remain in Haojing. If I do not leave, rumors will likely spread the very next day calling you a puppet king."

Ji Yun fell silent. He was no longer an ignorant child. Naturally, he knew his royal uncle had suppressed the lords too harshly over the years. Once he began governing personally, the lords would never allow his uncle to retain control of royal affairs.

In Luoyi, Ji Zhao could still put his experience to use and intimidate the eastern lords. Thinking of this, Ji Yun looked at the gray hair appearing at Ji Zhao's temples, and his heart ached. He understood even more clearly what his uncle often said: the realm ultimately belonged to all its people. Anyone who insisted on having his own way would inevitably be abandoned by everyone.

The twelfth year of King Kang's reign.

The lords of the realm gathered in Haojing to celebrate the Son of Heaven's coming-of-age ceremony. Countless rare treasures were presented to him, and almost everyone rejoiced. Ji Zhao, who had loomed over them all this time, was finally leaving. They would no longer have to live in constant fear. They did not want to endure even one more day of receiving reprimands for the slightest misstep and offering wealth to escape punishment.

The coming-of-age ceremony and the ceremony marking the king's assumption of power concluded amid grand proceedings. The Zhou Dynasty welcomed its new ruler.

The following day, the Son of Heaven issued an edict sending Ji Zhao, the former overseer of royal affairs, to govern Luoyi. He retained his title of Grand Steward and honors equal to those of the Three Excellencies, and received the additional title of "Overseer of Major Military and State Affairs by Royal Mandate." He ranked above the Four Regional Lords Commissioned by the King and held authority over the lords within his jurisdiction.

Faced with this appointment, the eastern lords could only suffer in silence, while the lords of the other three regions could not help laughing aloud.

Qi State still held the eastern appointment as Bearer of the King's Mandate and was also the east's greatest state. Thanks to its salt revenues, it was extremely wealthy. With a population exceeding five hundred thousand, the largest among the states, it was remarkably powerful.

Qi and Luo were linked by marriage, and over the years they had jointly campaigned against the Eastern Yi tribes, though Qi had always taken the lead. Now that Ji Zhao would oversee Luoyi, he would certainly curb Qi's growth, allowing the other Marquisate States to profit from conquest as well and preserving the balance in the east.

Outside Haojing City, banners snapped in the wind. The Three Royal Armies followed Ji Zhao, destined to garrison Luoyi upon arrival and become its defending force. Ji Yun came personally to see him off. Holding his hand with great reluctance to part, he said, "Royal Uncle, you are the sage of the Zhou State, the pillar holding up the heavens. Take good care of yourself in your new post, and send frequent letters to Haojing. If military or state matters remain unresolved, I shall still need to consult you."

Ji Zhao smiled and patted Ji Yun's hand. "Your Majesty possesses heaven-given gifts and the bearing of the ancient sage kings. You will surely bring prosperity to the Zhou State and glory to our clan. When I pass away and meet the Former King, I shall be able to declare with pride that I did not betray his trust."

Historians and painters recorded the scene. Since the Three Kings and Five Emperors, what ruler and minister had shared greater trust and affection?

A loyal minister like Ji Zhao, entrusted by the Former King with his orphaned heir, who held supreme power for twelve years before returning it to the king-how many such men could be found in all the histories?

A compassionate ruler who did not suspect the minister who had once controlled royal affairs, and instead rewarded him generously-was such a sovereign not worthy of loyalty unto death?

[Your family's political credibility has increased.]

Sure enough, the expected system notification appeared. Over the past eight years, as more and more people became convinced that he would not usurp the throne, and with the Marquis of Luo always keeping his promises, this notification had appeared from time to time.

Political credibility was extraordinarily valuable, especially since people in antiquity placed such importance on it. In later ages, that old scoundrel, the Minister of War, would swear an oath by the Luo River, only to utterly destroy his family's political credibility.

Ji Zhao would never allow his family to lose its political credibility. He wanted everyone in the realm to believe instinctively that the Luo Clan would never claim kingship!

Achieving that would not be easy, but neither would it be terribly difficult. As long as successive heads of the Luo Clan remained loyal to their sovereign and served the state even when they could usurp the throne, generations of such conduct would build immense political credibility and establish a fixed expectation in people's minds. Combined with system items, it would at least dispel most of a ruler's suspicions.

Besides the Three Royal Armies, many subjects from the Royal Domain accompanied Ji Zhao on the Eastern Expedition. They would become Luoyi's first inhabitants, with further settlers continually arriving from the Royal Domain and neighboring Marquisate States.

Ji Zhao did not know how large Luoyi had been historically, but the city he had overseen was now the greatest fortified city in the realm. Its walls were tall, broad, and thick, and a moat outside drew water from the Yi-Luo rivers for protection. In this era, any enemy hoping to breach the city would face despair.

After arriving in Luoyi, Ji Zhao did not impose the harsh rule the lords had expected. Instead, he gave the Marquis of Qi a relatively casual warning. In another two years, the appointments of the Four Regional Lords Commissioned by the King would rotate. Ji Yun, now ruling personally, would employ both rewards and intimidation, and the Marquis of Qi would certainly not retain his appointment.

Ji Zhao spent his days in Luoyi writing down his experience in governance and detailed interpretations of the Rites of Zhou, along with further adjustments to the enfeoffment system and ways to preserve the Son of Heaven's authority and superior strength over the lords.

Ji Yun handled state affairs adeptly, while the lords' expansion proceeded smoothly overall. Apart from a few whose capitals fell to Yi and Di, most could at least ensure their own safety. The strength of the entire Zhou State was expanding rapidly, and the grain, money, salt, silk, and other tribute the Son of Heaven collected from the lords even filled the treasury.

The enfeoffment system had achieved tremendous success. During the enfeoffments in the first and fourth years of King Kang's reign, the map had still shown isolated city-states like scattered dots. Now those dots had become broad stretches of territory.

Watching the territories change, Ji Zhao felt rather as though he were playing a coloring game. Unfortunately, no one else understood that pleasure.

In the seventeenth year of King Kang's reign, Ji Zhao knew his life had reached its end. He was about to formally become the founding ancestor of the Luo Clan.

From the void, he watched his own funeral.

The Three Excellencies supported his coffin, marquises cleared the way, and the Son of Heaven's three armies escorted him. Ji Zhao was buried beside King Wu of Zhou's mausoleum.

Ji Yun told his senior ministers, "On his deathbed, the Former King entrusted me to Royal Uncle, who bore me upon his back. For seventeen years, Royal Uncle exhausted his mind and strength. It was illness brought on by accumulated toil that caused his passing today. He was the Former King's minister. How could I treat him with the rites due to a minister of my own?

"The sages of old said that a sage who possessed the virtues of a king without occupying the throne was called a 'Sage King.'

"Royal Uncle possessed the ability to order heaven and earth. Let his posthumous name be 'Wen,' and let him be buried beside the Former King with royal rites, in recognition of his twelve years exercising royal authority on my behalf. This is what I can do for him."

[Posthumously invested as Sage King, buried with royal rites, and granted the posthumous name "Wen." You have obtained a mystic-tier item-Thousand-Li Talisman.]

The system notification appeared again. With the achievement completed, fortune points and items were awarded in turn. Ji Zhao opened his status panel, which had changed considerably.

[Founding ancestor: Ji Zhao, Luo Zhao

Clan head: Luo Kang (Ji lineage)

Noble rank: marquis (lord of the state)

States: Zhou Dynasty, Luo State.

Faction: nobility.

Politics: 90; strategy: 76; military strategy: 68.

Faction reputation: hostile, cold, neutral, friendly, respectful, worshipful.

① Royal Clan: friendly; ② Nobility: friendly; ③ Military: neutral; ④ State people: neutral; ⑤ Rebels: hostile.

Fortune points: 53,486

Items:

① Heaven-tier · Celestial Card (How could anyone be like this unless he were a Heavenly Avatar?): using this card immediately makes the user an embodiment of wisdom for the ages, raising all three attributes to 100. As chancellor, he can stabilize the state, comfort the people, provide supplies, and keep the army's supply lines unbroken; as chief strategist, he can devise plans within his tent and secure victory a thousand li away; as commander, he can unite a million troops, win every battle, and take every objective.

② Heaven-tier · Celestial Observatory Platform: a divine artifact that safeguards the state. The user can construct it according to its blueprints. Once completed, standing within it allows the user to regulate the weather of an entire state, blessing the dynasty with favorable winds and timely rain.

③ Earth Tier · Heart-Knot: using this item links the user to one person, keeping trust permanently at its maximum.

④ Yellow-tier · June Snow ×2: causes heavy snowfall at a specified time and place.

⑤ Mystic-tier · Thousand-Li Talisman ×2 (To the ends of the earth in an instant): using this talisman while silently picturing a destination allows the user to appear instantly at any location.

⑥ Yellow-tier · Attribute Card ×10 (Make up for deficient talent with this): using this card increases one of the three attributes by 1 point. The naturally highest attribute has a cap of 90, while the other two have caps of 80.

⑦ Mystic-tier · Divine Striking Talisman (With my life, I shall sweep the world clean): using this talisman raises military strategy to 99 for eight hours. Afterward, the user dies bleeding from all seven orifices.

⑧ Blank Item ×52: can be exchanged for specified real-world objects from the current time and place.]

Over the years, Ji Zhao had made numerous ten-pull draws. Unfortunately, all he received were yellow-tier items; he had not obtained even a single mystic-tier item from them.

The Thousand-Li Talisman had many ingenious uses. It could let someone escape after a defeat or assassinate a king. A miraculous item against which precautions were nearly impossible, it truly deserved its place among the treasures above yellow-tier items.

The Attribute Cards were mainly intended to prevent his descendants from becoming too incompetent. They could raise someone to the level of an ordinary distinguished minister, at least ensuring the family's survival.

Closing his status panel, Ji Zhao stopped attending to the real world and quietly sensed his fortune points continuing to grow.

Establishing virtue, achieving merit, and leaving enduring teachings were the three paths to immortality. For a thousand years, the Sage King alone embodied true sagehood.-Records of the Grand Historian, "House of Luo"

Ji Zhao officially logged off and began his career as an ancestor.