The Sidelined Marquis of the West

Although it looked grand and impressive, it seemed somewhat absurd no matter how you looked at it.

With six million soldiers all out farming, who's going to protect Xiqi?

After the autumn harvest, we're about to march on Chaoge, but instead of intensifying training, they're racing against time to clear land and plant crops. Do they really think farming can destroy the Yin Shang?

Xiqi is not currently experiencing a severe food shortage.

For a time, many powerful figures had reservations about Jiang Ziya.

Many people even harbored strong resentment towards Jiang Ziya.

Among them, the one most dissatisfied with Jiang Ziya was General Nangong Shi.

At this moment, Nangong Shi went directly to the palace of Marquis Ji Chang of the West.

They've started complaining.

"What exactly is that damned Jiang Ziya up to, Lord Marquis?"

"The soldiers of the Yin Shang were training intensively day and night, and it is said that they were even divided into Red Army and Blue Army to attack and fight each other, cooperating in exercises."

"And our soldiers are out there farming, turning into peasants one by one. It's utterly absurd! What the hell is that damned guy up to?"

"The soldiers of the Yin Shang Dynasty are fierce and powerful, having fought in countless battles. Are we to turn our soldiers of Xiqi into peasants before we fight them?"

Nangong Shi barged into the palace of Marquis Ji Chang of the West, began to complain.

All sorts of bad things came out of her mouth.

Originally, he was the Grand General of the Army of Xiqi, holding a high position and great power. However, after Jiang Ziya arrived, he seized his military power in one fell swoop, and the entire army of six million was taken into Jiang Ziya's control.

But he, the Grand General of the Army, had been relegated to a sinecure, even more leisurely than the civil officials. How could this not infuriate him?

Now that guy has even led his soldiers to farm, which is definitely great news for him.

If not now, when?

At this time, Ji Chang had not appeared in front of everyone for a long time.

Ji Chang is getting fatter and fatter, and looks like a rather prosperous old man.

But for some reason, Ji Chang's spirits were getting worse and worse, and he even looked somewhat listless.

His face grew even paler, and his body seemed to tremble slightly.

However, the enraged Nangong Shi was completely unaware of these things.

He just kept complaining to himself.

Hearing Nangong Shi's complaints, Marquis Ji Chang of the West, also revealed a wry smile.

"General, even I am puzzled by this matter; I don't know what the mystery is behind it."

"Grand Duke Jiang's actions were indeed somewhat unexpected."

"But there must be some special mystery behind it, right?"

"Grand Duke Jiang was, after all, a person of the Immortal Dao; perhaps he really did possess some special abilities."

He took a breath and paused for a moment, as speaking so much at once was quite strenuous for him.

The obese Ji Chang, in the dimly lit palace, surprisingly exuded an eerie aura.

"I asked Grand Duke Jiang about this some time ago, and Grand Duke Jiang answer surprised me."

"Grand Duke Jiang said that heavenly secrets cannot be revealed; when the time comes, we will naturally know the reason for things."

Hearing this answer made Nangong Shi even more depressed.

The incredibly dark environment grew increasingly eerie, but the passionate Nangong Shi failed to notice anything unusual.

"That Jiang Ziya is utterly incompetent; you can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth!"

"Do you think that by letting him lead our warriors to farm, the Yin Shang will destroy itself? That's utterly absurd!"

The one who truly commanded the military in Xiqi was Nangong Shi.

Even San Yisheng held him in the highest esteem.

Now that this awful old man has arrived, has he become nothing more than a decoration?

Would that frail, decaying old man fight a war?

This is a complete joke.

This is utterly ridiculous.

In the dim light, Ji Chang's eyes revealed a strange look, followed by a self-deprecating expression.

He was perfectly aware of why the other party was so angry, but what could he do?

He was determined to make good use of Jiang Ziya no matter what.

It wasn't just because of Jiang Ziya's own methods, but also because Jiang Ziya had the Mystic Gate Chan Sect backing him.

Behind Jiang Ziya stood several Saints.

Let alone Nangong Shi.

Even Ji Chang himself has now become a puppet.

Nangong Shi could vent his anger on him, but who could he vent his anger on?

Ji Chang sighed deeply in the darkness.

"I also want to issue an edict to change the commander of the army."

"However, I can't change it--------"

His words seemed to have a hidden meaning.

Now that he himself has become a puppet, how could he possibly replace the person in charge of the military?

He sighed deeply again in the darkness.

"Since the matter of conquering the Yin Shang has already been entrusted entirely to Grand Duke Jiang, it's too late now."

"Now we can only wait and see what he does."

As he spoke in the darkness, he let out another deep sigh.

He also sensed that Jiang Ziya was indeed a boastful person who didn't have any great talent.

Judging from Jiang Ziya's leadership of the army, it's clear that Jiang Ziya methods were actually quite mediocre.

But the crux of the problem is that he was merely a figurehead.

Behind Jiang Ziya stood countless powerful and influential Tongtian.

What else could be done if Jiang Ziya wasn't given important responsibilities?

Upon hearing Ji Chang's words, Nangong Shi gritted his teeth in hatred.

"My lord, that Jiang Ziya is clearly a pretentious charlatan. What does he know about Tao? What does he know about law?"

"He's nothing but a fraudster, probably just a freeloader waiting to die."

"Your Excellency's heavy reliance on him has truly placed our Xiqi military in dire straits—"

Having grown to the point of utter hatred for Jiang Ziya, Nangong Shi couldn't help but unleash a torrent of curses.

Upon hearing this, Ji Chang's expression changed.

"Shut up!"

"How can you, as the Grand General of Xiqi, utter such vulgar and offensive words?"

Nangong Shi was taken aback.

Seeing that the Marquis had suddenly become so angry, they naturally dared not speak any more nonsense.

"My lord, I misspoke. I hope you will forgive my petty mistake!"

Then, silence fell over the dimly lit palace once more.

Ji Chang, standing in the darkness, looked at Nangong Shi and sighed slightly.

"General Nangong, I understand the bitterness in your heart, but our Xiqi currently in dire straits. I have my reasons for making this arrangement, and I hope General Nangong can understand!"

"Let's wait and see for now. If he really does have some tricks up his sleeve, then we won't have failed in our mission."

"If he is truly just a charlatan, I will naturally deal with him. At that time, I will give General Nangong and Xiqi an explanation. What do you think, General Nangong?"

Hearing this promise, Nangong Shi finally shut his mouth.

It seems that this complaint has once again ended in failure.

I could only shut my mouth and obediently say goodbye.

Ji Chang, inside the palace, also had a gloomy and uncertain expression.

He really didn't want to talk about Jiang Ziya anymore lately.

Or rather, I've been talking until my lips are sore.

Countless ministers have come to see him during this period; Nangong Shi is not the first, nor will he be the last.

Almost all the ministers of Xiqi developed a deep aversion to Jiang Ziya.

He wields six million copper bells, yet instead of doing his proper duties, he leads his soldiers to farm?

It's an utterly absurd existence no matter how you look at it.

The soldiers of the Yin Shang were as fierce as wolves and tigers, and their combat power was extremely strong.