Junior Uncle is too cunning.

As King Zhou listened to Jiang Ziya's plan, he became more and more excited. He thought he was already radical enough, but he didn't expect Jiang Ziya to be even more radical.

However, upon hearing his plan, King Zhou had to admit that it was a perfect and feasible action plan, more suitable for the current situation of the Shang Dynasty than his own slow and gradual approach.

King Zhou couldn't resist any longer and slapped his dragon throne, exclaiming, "Very well!"

Shang Rong, standing to the side, was also filled with complex emotions, a mixture of shock and admiration. As expected of a disciple of a sage, his foresight was truly remarkable; he himself was indeed a step behind Jiang Ziya.

Compared to himself, Jiang Ziya might be more suitable as King Zhou's strategist, since he was actually better at handling political affairs, while strategizing was not his forte.

Previously, King Zhou simply lacked capable advisors. Bi Gan, despite being the emperor's uncle, was too upright and inflexible, making him more suited to be a remonstrating minister than a military strategist. Wen Zhong, though intelligent, was better suited to commanding troops and warfare, making him less suitable as a strategist. Shang Rong had no choice but to step in himself. Now it seems there is a suitable candidate.

After glancing at King Zhou, whose eyes were practically gleaming, Shang Rong slowly stepped forward and bowed to him. "Your Majesty," he said, "I believe that Brother Jiang Ziya's decree to reduce the power of the vassal states is particularly suitable for the Great Shang at this moment. I suggest that this policy be implemented immediately."

Bi Gan and Wen Zhong exchanged an excited glance and said to King Zhou, "Your humble servants second that opinion!"

King Zhou was very satisfied with what Shang Rong and the other two said. Shang Rong, in particular, was worthy of being the prime minister of the Shang Dynasty. Jiang Ziya's talent was evident from his performance just now, and he was definitely a capable minister no less than him. Yet Shang Rong was still willing to stand up and support Jiang Ziya's plan, which showed his magnanimity and tolerance.

Seeing King Zhou nod happily, Shang Rong continued, "However, this method requires a wise, quick-witted, and decisive minister. I have searched the court extensively but have not yet found anyone with such talent. Fortunately, there is a particularly suitable candidate here. I wonder if Your Majesty would allow me to recommend one?"

King Zhou nodded slightly. "Agreed."

Shen Gongbao and the others watched the conversation between King Zhou and Shang Rong with some admiration. On one hand, they were impressed by their junior brother Jiang Ziya, who was truly a man of great talent and wisdom, despite his low cultivation level.

What impressed him even more was the Prime Minister Shang Rong of the Shang Dynasty. He disregarded personal gains and losses and was wholeheartedly devoted to the Shang Dynasty. With such a talented person by his side, it seemed that the Shang Dynasty's fate could be extended for hundreds of thousands of years.

"Your humble servant recommends that Daoist Jiang Ziya of the Chan Sect be the chief instigator of this decree to reduce the power of the vassal states."

Upon hearing this, Bi Gan and Wen Zhong bowed in unison and said, "Your humble servants second that opinion."

Jiang Ziya looked at Shang Rong, Bigan, and Wen Zhong, and a surge of excitement flashed through his heart. The path of cultivating immortality and seeking the Dao had been cut off. If he could become the person in charge of the decree to reduce the power of the vassal states and allow the Shang Dynasty to continue its national fortune, it would be no less than the founding achievement of Tang of Shang. However, he was too shrewd and could not show any expression on his face.

King Zhou said "Good," turned his head to Jiang Ziya, slowly stood up, bowed, and asked, "I wonder if you would be willing to come out of seclusion and help my Great Shang Dynasty overcome this crisis?"

King Zhou bowed to Jiang Ziya, which startled the surrounding immortals. This was the salute of the Human Emperor, and not even a minor celestial being, let alone a high-ranking Golden Immortal or Quasi-Saint, deserved such a bow.

It is estimated that only a few sages could enjoy the rites of the human emperor, which shows how much King Zhou valued Jiang Ziya.

Jiang Ziya's expression changed slightly at this point. He quickly stepped aside and accepted King Zhou's half-bow. When King Zhou stood up, he hurriedly gave a full bow, saying, "Your subject Jiang Ziya greets Your Majesty."

When King Zhou saw that Jiang Ziya had taken the sword, he laughed with joy. Even Shang Rong, Bigan, and Wen Zhong behind him showed a hint of delight.

The disciples of the sages present were overjoyed to see King Zhou and Jiang Ziya in harmony, especially the members of the Chan Sect. After all, with Grand Tutor Wen Zhong in the Jie Sect, they would surely protect the Jie Sect in this confrontation with Western Buddhism.

Although the Chan Sect had many disciples in the Southern Continent, none of them actually held official positions in the Shang Dynasty's imperial court. Now that their second-generation uncle, Jiang Ziya, had become a subject, they felt no envy, only boundless joy. After all, judging from King Zhou's attitude, Jiang Ziya's official position must be quite high, which meant they now had a powerful backer.

As the saying goes, a local official is more powerful than a distant one. Although they were disciples of a sage, those participating in this battle were all of great importance. Not to mention the Jie Sect, they were from the same sect as them. And this time they were going to face Western Buddhism, whose members were also disciples of a sage and no less powerful than them. Moreover, before they left, they had already heard from their elders that they could only rely on themselves in this great calamity, and that their lives were in the hands of fate. Their elders could not interfere at all. After all, if the Chan Sect and Jie Sect sent out Great Luo Golden Immortals, the West would definitely send out as well. So unless it was a cross-border conflict, they were powerless to help.

Although they and the Jie Sect were all disciples of Taoism, and the Three Pure Ones were essentially fellow disciples, Wen Zhong was still a step away from them, and they felt safer with Jiang Ziya, their uncle.

After Jiang Ziya had finished fulfilling his duties as a subject, King Zhou directly announced Jiang Ziya's appointment: "Issue the decree."

Shang Rong took out a blank, golden imperial edict from his sleeve and placed it in the air. He held a jade pen in his right hand, which was clearly no ordinary object. After preparing, he waited quietly for King Zhou to dictate.

"Jiang Ziya, a disciple of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable of the Chan Sect, is now serving as the Deputy Prime Minister of the Great Shang Dynasty."

This occurred in the 328th year of Emperor Xin's reign.

It was simple and straightforward, a meteoric rise to power. Jiang Ziya hurriedly expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty," and then took the imperial edict from Shang Rong's hands.

As soon as Jiang Ziya received it, a small golden dragon flew out, circled Jiang Ziya's body once, and then entered his dantian.

Jiang Ziya, who originally looked white-haired, suddenly seemed much younger. Although he still had white hair, he looked to be only in his forties.

Those present were all disciples of the sages, possessing considerable knowledge. They immediately recognized that the small golden dragon they had just encountered was the destiny of the human race. Even the Primordial Celestial Venerable could only temporarily prolong Jiang Ziya's lifespan, but the destiny golden dragon directly granted Jiang Ziya youth and vitality. Judging from Jiang Ziya's current complexion, it had at least added more than eight hundred years to his lifespan. This was the power of the human race's destiny golden dragon.

This is also why many cultivators aspire to become officials. Whether they are celestial officials in the Heavenly Court, underworld officials in the Underworld, or ministers in the human imperial court, they are all protected by destiny.

In particular, ministers who can reach the first or second rank can extend their lifespan even if they are only at the mortal level. This is why Shang Rong, who has served three dynasties at the Celestial Immortal level for several thousand years, still looks like a middle-aged man.

Even if a Celestial Immortal maintains their health perfectly, their lifespan is at most three thousand years. Shang Rong, on the other hand, has been cultivating for over three thousand two hundred years, which is well beyond his lifespan limit.

Moreover, the fortune of the human royal court can not only prolong life but also break through one's cultivation realm. This is why many young disciples of the royal family and the Jie and Chan sects are now serving as officials in the court.

For various reasons, they are unable to break through their own realm and become officials in the Heavenly Court or the Human Royal Court in the Underworld. This would not only temper their Dao heart but also gain the favor and fortune of the Heavenly Dao. It is not impossible that they might have an epiphany and break through their original realm one day.

I dare not speak of others, but just take the current Yin Ancestor of the Great Shang Dynasty as an example. Back then, he was just an ordinary eunuch. However, because he served the emperors of the Great Shang Dynasty for many generations and received the blessing of the Great Shang Dynasty's fortune, he actually broke through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm smoothly. At that time, it can be said that he amazed many people.

It is precisely because of him that so many cultivators are now flocking to the Great Shang Imperial Court. After all, unlike the Heavenly Court, there are not many thresholds here. As long as you work hard, you can climb up. Anyway, they have plenty of time.