Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

"He just fell asleep after I used a magic spell. Instead of worrying about whether he's sleeping well, you should take me to see if Huang Feihu is still alive."

The crowd then looked up at him again, their eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and doubt.

Li Xiuyuan, somewhat impatient, glanced at them and walked straight into the inner tent. The crowd then realized what was happening and hurriedly stood up, following Li Xiuyuan inside.

Li Xiuyuan looked at the barely breathing Huang Feihu and slowly moved over. "What are you staring at like an idiot for? Get me a seat. I'm exhausted from walking all this way."

"Oh, oh, yes," the crowd seemed to understand and moved a wooden stool for Li Xiuyuan to sit on next to Huang Feihu's bed.

"Hmm, he's still alive." Li Xiuyuan sat down and gently squeezed Huang Feihu's wrist. Then he stood up, gathered his strength in his palm, and a beam of shimmering golden light flew out of his palm and flew towards Huang Feihu's brow.

Chapter 1132 Ji Chang Gains a Great General

In an instant, Huang Feihu's ashen face regained its color, his breathing gradually became stronger, and his chest rose and fell slightly. Without asking, Huang Feihu had come back to life!

The crowd looked at Li Xiuyuan with admiration and gratitude. Several generals immediately knelt down to thank him for saving their lives. "He has already taken my divine pill. He will wake up in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. This divine pill is made by melting spirit stones with snow water from the Heavenly Emperor's Temple. After taking it, one will be immune to all poisons. Let Huang Feihu recover and then quickly go to break through the barrier and kill the enemy." After saying this, Li Xiuyuan disappeared into the tent with a flash of golden light, leaving the warriors on the ground looking at each other in bewilderment.

When he came to his senses, Huang Feihu had already woken up. As soon as he woke up, he felt refreshed and his internal cramps were gone. His body was not only undamaged, but also much stronger.

"Who saved me? They possess such great power!"

"We don't know who it is, but the person had an extraordinary air about them. They carried a gleaming golden sword and had a black lotus flower at their waist. They said the medicine they gave you was made by mixing spirit stones with snow water from the Heavenly Emperor's Temple, and that after taking it, you would be immune to all poisons."

"Oh?" Huang Feihu thought for a moment and realized that it must be Li Xiuyuan who had come. He was immediately filled with gratitude and had even more faith in Li Xiuyuan's guidance.

"Quickly reorganize the army, let's go and avenge Chen Tong!" "Yes, sir."

At this moment, Chen Tong was enjoying fine wine and surrounded by beautiful women, celebrating his victory in advance. "Report! Huang Feihu's army is attacking the gate and will break through soon!"

"What? Huang Feihu? How could he not be dead?" Chen Tong exclaimed in disbelief, donning his armor and rushing out.

He had just rushed out when he saw Huang Feihu brandishing a large sword and charging towards him, yelling, "You despicable villain, prepare to die!"

Chen Tong's eyes widened, but before he could ask the question in his mind, Huang Feihu pierced his chest with his broadsword, pinned him to the tip of the blade, and flung him away violently.

"Soldiers, charge! If we break through this pass, we'll reach Xiqi!"

The battle cries of "Charge!" shook the heavens. Chen Tong's army was already in complete disarray, and soon Huang Feihu's army broke through the pass.

After several days of fighting, Huang Feihu's army finally arrived on safe land. The army was filled with the joy of victory, and Huang Feihu's face no longer showed a solemn expression.

"Lord Huang, we've arrived at Xiqi!" Huang Feihu looked at the tall city tower in the distance, and the huge characters "Xiqi" came into view. His eyes welled up with tears, and he quickened his pace.

"Lord Huang, the Marquis of Xibo has come to greet us personally!" the messenger said excitedly. Huang Feihu was also shocked and hurriedly went to pay his respects to Ji Chang.

"I, Huang Feihu, am merely a traitorous general. How dare I trouble the Marquis of Xibo to personally welcome me? I truly cannot accept such an honor."

"General Huang, you flatter me! General Huang has traveled a long way to Xiqi, and has encountered many hardships and dangers along the way, yet Ji Chang has been unable to help you in the slightest. I heard that you were in danger of losing your life on the way, so how could I not come to welcome you in person?"

Seeing how Ji Chang treated him, and remembering how King Zhou had forced his family to perish, Huang Feihu felt that he had met a wise ruler and was already loyal to Ji Chang.

"Thank you for your kindness, Marquis of Xibo. Huang Feihu is determined to be loyal to you. If he has any disloyal intentions, may he be struck by lightning!"

"General Huang is loyal and courageous. It is my good fortune and the blessing of the people of Xiqi that you have come to join us. General Huang is highly skilled in martial arts. I hereby appoint you as King Wucheng to protect the peace of the people of Xiqi!"

"Thank you, Marquis of Xibo."

……

"Grand Tutor Wen, Huang Feihu has already escaped beyond the pass and fled to Xiqi."

"What?" Wen Zhong's aged face was covered with deep wrinkles. His old fingers slowly took the military intelligence report and slowly unfolded it. "Huang Feihu broke through five passes in succession, killed Zhang Feng and Chen Tong, betrayed Chaoge, and the army marched towards Xiqi."

"Alas, I never expected Huang Feihu to be so brave. In just a few days, he has already reached Xiqi. Now that he is within Xiqi's territory, I'm afraid the Shang Dynasty's army can no longer pursue him."

Wen Zhong had been busy with military affairs for several days, and his aged face was full of fatigue. His thin figure looked rather frail. Huang Feihu was his prized student. He and Huang Feihu were known as the two pillars of the Shang Dynasty, protecting the Shang Dynasty's rule. There was a saying among the people that "their literary skills were enough to secure the country, and their martial skills were enough to stabilize the nation," which referred to the two of them.

But now, Huang Feihu has betrayed Chaoge. Although it was King Zhou's incompetence and lust that caused the trouble, King Zhou is the ruler, and Wen Zhong and Huang Feihu are his subjects. Wen Zhong is a loyal and patriotic man, and he cannot betray the Shang Dynasty for Huang Feihu no matter what.

"Sigh-" A sigh came from the empty room. The elderly Grand Tutor seemed to have lost his usual majesty and sat helplessly at his desk like an ordinary old man.

"Your Majesty, this is a secret report sent back from Xiqi."

With his left arm around Daji's slender waist, King Zhou impatiently took the secret letter, then tossed it aside with one hand, his expression immediately turning sour.

"Huang Feihu has broken through the pass and escaped from Chaoge. He was received by the Marquis of Xibo in Xiqi and was granted the title of King Wucheng by the Marquis of Xibo."

"How could you let Huang Feihu, a traitor who deceived the emperor, escape? What are you generals who lead troops into battle for?"

"Ji Chang, I spared your life, but you dared to accept Huang Feihu and openly defy me. What right do you have to bestow titles upon him!" King Zhou was so angry that his face turned ashen. He tightened his grip on Daji's waist, and he threw the objects on the table to the ground, venting his rage with a series of crashes.

Daji glanced at the secret letter presented to her, understood immediately, her eyes darted around, and she spoke in a high-pitched, seductive voice.

"Your Majesty, please don't be so angry. You've frightened me. How could those lowly people be worthy of making Your Majesty so angry? You're lowering yourself."

King Zhou, upon hearing Daji's words, barely suppressed his anger and let her soothe the fire in his chest while nestled in his arms.

"Your Majesty is the ruler of the Shang Dynasty, and the entire world belongs to you. The lives of these few people will eventually be yours as well. If you don't want them to live, just send troops to fight them. There's no need to get so angry. Your Majesty is a king ordained by Heaven, so naturally you can do whatever you want. Heaven will protect you in everything. Why worry about such a trivial matter?"

Chapter 1133 Suppressing the Rebellion in Xiqi

"In Daji's opinion, it would be better to attack Xiqi tomorrow. With Your Majesty's mighty army, we are sure to achieve a resounding victory, let Ji Chang know the consequences of opposing Your Majesty, establish Your Majesty's authority, and gain the trust of the world!"

"Hmm, it is indeed the Queen who can share my burdens, hahaha, I toast the Queen." King Zhou was extremely pleased with Daji's flattery, and his anger vanished. He drank the wine in his hand in one gulp.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Daji raised her wine cup, smiled sweetly at King Zhou, tilted her head back and drank the wine in the cup to the bottom. She then stuck out her delicate tongue and licked her lips as if she hadn't had enough. King Zhou's eyes widened at the sight, and he forgot everything else.

The next day, King Zhou held court and, looking at the assembled civil and military officials, angrily declared, "A few days ago, the traitor Huang Feihu openly rebelled in Chaoge, even going so far as to flee the city and kill several of my Shang Dynasty's generals. Now he has fled to Xiqi. I thought that since the Marquis of Xibo was loyal to me, he would capture Huang Feihu and hand him over to the Shang Dynasty. Unexpectedly, the Marquis of Xibo personally received Huang Feihu and even bestowed upon him the title of King Wucheng!"

"Huang Feihu was originally a traitorous general, and I must kill him. As a regional lord, the Marquis of Xibo openly accepted him, which is already a rebellion against my Shang Dynasty. The Marquis of Xibo dared to accept Huang Feihu, which is a provocation against me. I will just destroy Xiqi as well to eliminate future troubles!"

"You are all pillars of my Shang Dynasty. Do you have any objections? Is there anyone willing to lead troops to pacify Xiqi?"

For a moment, the hall was abuzz with discussion. Everyone was well aware of Xiqi's strength. Now that Huang Feihu had also pledged allegiance there, Ji Chang was even more powerful. On the other hand, although the Shang Dynasty had a vast territory and a strong military, King Zhou was incompetent and foolish, spending his days indulging in pleasure and causing the national treasury to be empty. Who knew if the court would have enough money to launch a campaign against Xiqi, or if the military supplies would be guaranteed?

Moreover, King Zhou was tyrannical. If he led his troops out and returned defeated, he would likely be subjected to cruel torture, and his family members might even be implicated.

The ministers pondered their options, but none dared to step forward and take on this hot potato.

"Hmm? Why are you all silent! What use are you all to me? You don't even have a single one who can lead an army into battle." King Zhou looked at the obsequious ministers below, his face turning ashen with anger. Just as he was about to lash out, he heard an old yet firm voice from below.

"I am willing to lead troops to pacify Xiqi and bring Huang Feihu back to be punished!" These words were spoken by Wen Zhong, the Grand Tutor of the court.

King Zhou was pleased to see that someone had finally accepted the challenge. "Grand Tutor Wen, it is you who can share my burden at this critical moment. Grand Tutor Wen, you should make preparations quickly. Tomorrow, I will see the army that will conquer Xiqi set off from Chaoge!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ji Chang died

When Wen Zhong returned from court, a familiar general pulled him aside and asked, "Grand Tutor Wen, this campaign against Xiqi is no easy task. You are already so old, how could you agree to it so easily? Moreover, the Marquis of Xibo actually wants us to set off tomorrow. There are so many things to prepare for the army's departure. Your Majesty is treating this so lightly, why don't you say anything?"

"We have to fight this battle no matter what. Since we can't stop him, we might as well fight him properly. Huang Feihu was my prized student. Now that he has pledged allegiance to Ji Chang, I need to have a good talk with him and find out what happened these past few days." Wen Zhong raised his head slightly, gazing into the distance with deep eyes, lost in thought.

On the way to Xiqi with Wen Zhong's troops, Huang Feihu was filled with mixed emotions. He recalled the relationship between Wen Zhong and his master. Huang Feihu did not know how to face his former teacher. Hearing that Wen Zhong was coming to Xiqi to quell the rebellion, Huang Feihu felt an indescribable sadness. So, Huang Feihu was depressed for the past two days. Every time Jiang Ziya saw him, he was gloomy and looked preoccupied.

Years ago, Huang Feihu was considered one of Wen Zhong's most promising students. Unlike King Zhou, he genuinely respected his teacher, Wen Zhong. Therefore, out of consideration for Wen Zhong, he didn't immediately rebel. Wen Zhong cared deeply for King Zhou, treating him like family. As a general, Huang Feihu could have continued his service, protecting the Shang Dynasty and Chaoge. However, King Zhou didn't give him that opportunity; he was forced onto this path. Huang Feihu never intended to rebel. He lived a comfortable life with a wife and family; why would he bother fleeing Xiqi to rebel against King Zhou? Unfortunately, King Zhou was tyrannical, killing his own sister and not even sparing his wife.

Because of King Zhou's debauchery and tyranny, he still chose to seek justice for the people, to overthrow the tyrannical King Zhou, and to let the people live a happy and joyful life, no longer oppressed by King Zhou. He did not want to become the Marquis of Xibo, known to all the people; he did it for the common people and for himself. King Zhou was a cruel and tyrannical person, extremely difficult to deal with. If he continued to be under his control, he would surely be killed. Thinking of this, Huang Feihu was no longer afraid. He would definitely sweep away Chaoge and overthrow King Zhou.

At this moment, Ji Chang was also in his room, secretly grieving, because he thought of his son Boyi Kao. It was because of King Zhou's tyranny that his child died, and in such a tragic way.

He himself had no choice but to eat his own child in order to leave Chaoge alive. Ji Chang was not unaware of this at the time, but the burdens he bore and the responsibilities he had placed on him made it impossible for him to confront King Zhou directly. Otherwise, he would not have returned to Xiqi alive, and the overthrow of Shang and the conquest of Zhou would have been impossible.

In the past two days, Ji Chang has increasingly felt that his body is failing. Every day, he will have a period of time when he is in a daze and thinks back to the past, recalling things that happened before, whether sad or painful. These things will pass through his mind recently. Ji Chang knows that his days are numbered.

That day, contrary to usual, Ji Chang felt better than he had been a few days ago after waking up. He looked radiant and seemed to have a kind of final burst of energy before death. Ji Chang understood and sent someone to invite Jiang Ziya over.

Chapter 1134 Entrusting the Orphan

"Someone, go and invite Grandfather over. Tell him that I have important matters to discuss with him, and also summon the master of ceremonies."

"Yes, Marquis of Xibo."

Before long, a servant came to report that Jiang Ziya and the master of ceremonies had arrived. Ji Chang then had someone invite Jiang Ziya in first, preparing to say something to him, while the master of ceremonies waited in the outer room.

When Jiang Ziya saw that Ji Chang had summoned him this morning, he probably already knew what Ji Chang meant, but he still couldn't quite believe it.

"Your subject Jiang Shang pays his respects to the Marquis of Xibo. I wonder if the Marquis of Xibo has summoned me here today for some important matter?" Ji Chang, dressed neatly, sat at his desk, his face showing a radiant spirit that he hadn't seen in many days. Jiang Ziya could tell at a glance that Ji Chang's time was near, and he couldn't help but feel a little regretful and sad.

Ji Chang was, after all, the first person to appreciate his abilities and who had treated him well. Now that Ji Chang was in such a high mood, Jiang Ziya had no choice but to pretend he knew nothing.

"Grandpa, please sit down. I have invited you here today because I have an important matter to entrust to you. Please do not refuse. If you can agree, I will be eternally grateful even in the afterlife."

"You flatter me, Marquis of Xibo. I will obey your orders. Please explain further, Marquis of Xibo." Jiang Ziya lowered his head, cupped his hands, and agreed.

"Grand Duke, there's no need for you to address me as your subject. There's no need for such formality between us. We've been close friends for a long time. So, I'll be frank. My only wish is that after my death, you take good care of my son, Ji Fa. My eldest son, Boyi Kao, died for me, as you must have heard. I only have this one son now, and I'll have to rely on you to guide him. I entrust him to you, and I beg you to grant my request." As Ji Chang spoke, he was about to kneel before Jiang Ziya. Jiang Ziya was shocked and quickly helped Ji Chang up, saying repeatedly, "Lord of the West, how can I accept such a gesture? I dare not, I absolutely dare not accept the courtesy due to the Lord of the West."

"Grandfather, after I die, you will be second only to the emperor, above all others. As long as you say it, Ji Fa will not dare to disobey. I only ask that you assist my son well and not let the bloodline of the Marquis of Xibo be extinguished in my Ji Chang lineage!" As Ji Chang spoke, he could not control his emotions and tears streamed down his face as he spoke to Jiang Ziya with great emotion.

Jiang Ziya found it very pleasing. He hadn't originally intended to refuse, since Ji Chang was dead and he still needed to find a wise ruler to assist him in overthrowing the Shang Dynasty and allowing the people to live in peace and prosperity.

"I know, I will definitely assist Ji Fa well. Since the Marquis of Xibo has entrusted him to me, I will definitely take good care of him. I will also fulfill the Marquis of Xibo's wish to pacify this chaotic world and let King Zhou of Shang get the end he deserves. Today, I, Jiang Shang, swear that I will definitely keep my promise. Please rest assured, Marquis of Xibo."

As he spoke, Jiang Ziya raised his hand and swore an oath in front of Ji Fa, looking very serious. Ji Chang knew that Jiang Ziya had truly agreed, and he no longer needed to worry about the Marquis of Xibo's mansion being leaderless after his death. Xiqi would finally have a place to settle down.

Seeing that Jiang Ziya had agreed to Ji Chang's request, Ji Chang had someone invite the master of ceremonies in. In front of the master of ceremonies, Ji Chang reiterated his intentions and asked the master of ceremonies to write them down, which would serve as a kind of will in the future. This way, he could rest assured, and Jiang Ziya could also rest assured.

The matter was settled, and the master of ceremonies left the Marquis of Xibo's residence with Ji Chang's instructions, leaving only Jiang Ziya and Ji Chang behind.

"Grandfather, you are a man of extraordinary talent and ability, truly a dragon among men. Have you ever thought about becoming the overlord of this world, unifying the world and holding a high position?" Ji Chang chatted casually with Jiang Ziya, seemingly unintentionally, but little did people know that Ji Chang was deliberately testing him.

"Lord Xibo, you flatter me. I am but a commoner. Before I joined you, I was just a farmer. I have no great ambitions. Power is like cabbage to me; there is nothing worth pursuing. My only wish now is to enable everyone in the world to live a happy and joyful life. I will not think about anything else." Jiang Ziya said tactfully.

In fact, as clever as Jiang Ziya was, how could he not know what Ji Chang meant? He was just pretending not to understand in order to put Ji Chang at ease. However, Jiang Ziya really did not want to be the Marquis of Xibo, otherwise he would not have gone through the thankless task of assisting Ji Chang. Now he also had to assist and take care of Ji Fa.

"Alas, Grandfather, to tell you the truth, my days are numbered. My body may seem fine now, but I am actually on the verge of death. I suffered all the cruel tortures inflicted by King Zhou in Chaoge a while ago, and my body is already weak on the outside but weak on the inside. I fear my time is up in the next few days. Grandfather, it's a pity we didn't meet sooner!" Ji Chang looked up at the roof, his gaze unfocused, and Jiang Ziya knew at a glance that something was wrong. He couldn't help but close his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, his expression was completely blank.

"The time for the Marquis of Xibo to pass has come. All I can do is try my best to put his mind at ease. May the Marquis of Xibo have a safe journey."