Chapter 235: Uprising
As the morning light shines, Xiqi City wakes up in tranquility.

The sky gradually changed from dark blue to light blue, and on the eastern horizon, a faint golden red began to spread, heralding the arrival of a new day.

The outline of Xiqi City gradually became clear in the morning light. The bricks and stones on the city wall seemed to be coated with a layer of golden glow, making it look solemn and mysterious.

On the streets of the city, early-rising vendors have already begun their busy day.

They pushed carts loaded with goods, shuttling back and forth on the cobblestone road. The sound of the wheels rolling and the crowing of chickens and barking of dogs in the distance intertwined to form a vivid morning symphony.

Smoke rose from the roadside breakfast stalls, and the aroma of fried dough sticks, buns, and soy milk filled the air, attracting passers-by.

The buildings in the city appear more solemn in the morning light.

The flying eaves, carved beams and painted buildings, every brick and tile tell of the vicissitudes of life. The sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves and sprinkles on the neat stone road, as if it is a mark of time, which makes people slow down and savor it carefully.

The moat of Xiqi City sparkled in the morning light. The water was clear and reflected the scenery on both sides.

Occasionally, a few water birds fly across the river, causing ripples and adding a bit of vitality to this quiet morning.

Auspicious clouds were like a flowing brocade, sliding slowly from the horizon, blocking the rising sun and casting several huge shadows.

In Xiqi City, people looked up in amazement at this sudden vision, not knowing whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Auspicious clouds stopped over the residence of Marquis Xiqi, golden light flickered in the clouds, and twelve figures stood out of thin air. They were the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect.

Behind them, the outline of Yuxu Palace was vaguely visible, surrounded by immortal aura, as if heaven had descended to earth.

Shen Gongbao had a premonition, and he hurried forward to greet them in a green Taoist robe and holding a whisk. His face was filled with awe and excitement, as this was a manifestation of God's will and an opportunity for Xiqi to rise.

"Welcome all the senior brothers, Shen Gongbao has been waiting here for a long time." Shen Gongbao bowed respectfully to the ground.

The Twelve Golden Immortals slowly descended, the clouds dissipated, revealing their true faces.

Guangchengzi was tall with a solemn face. He wore a golden Taoist robe, a purple gold crown on his head, and held a whisk in his hand, looking majestic and sacred.

Upon hearing the news, Ji Chang, the King of Xibo, rushed over with excitement on his face. Behind him followed his son Ji Fa, who also looked curious and awed.

"Greetings to all the immortals." Ji Chang and Ji Fa also bowed.

Guang Chengzi nodded slightly, his eyes swept over everyone present, and his voice was as loud as a bell and a drum: "King Zhou of Shang was assassinated and the world is in chaos! Now the time has come, you should quickly raise your army, destroy Shang, and restore order in the world.

You must remember that the destruction of the Shang and the rise of the Zhou were destiny."

Ji Chang and Ji Fa looked at each other, and they could both feel the unquestionable nature of Guangchengzi's words.

Ji Chang took a deep breath and answered firmly: "I will obey the order of the immortal. Xiqi will definitely fulfill the mission."

Guangchengzi, the leader of the Twelve Golden Immortals, nodded with satisfaction. He knew that Ji Chang was a monarch capable of shouldering great responsibilities.

He turned to the other Golden Immortals and signaled them to split up and assist Xiqi in preparing for the uprising.

In Xiqi City, with the arrival of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Orthodox School, an unprecedented force began to brew.

Soldiers were called up, and the blacksmiths were forging armor and weapons with flames rising to the sky. Taoists chanted incantations and prayed for the gods' protection, while the people donated food to support the uprising.

The entire Xiqi City was boiling with excitement because of the arrival of the Twelve Golden Immortals, and everyone's face was filled with determination and expectation.

Guang Chengzi looked around Xiqi City and saw that the soldiers and horses in the city were in good order and the people were in a stable mood. He said to Shen Gongbao, "Shen Gongbao, you have worked hard in Xiqi and you have lived up to my trust. The soldiers and horses are strong, which is the foundation for achieving great things."

Shen Gongbao was delighted when he heard Guang Chengzi's praise, and a proud smile appeared on his face. He immediately responded respectfully: "Brother Guang Chengzi, you are too kind. All these are to pave the way for Brother Jiang Ziya. I am just doing my part."

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Zhenren's face darkened slightly. He was not satisfied with what Shen Gongbao said.

Taiyi Zhenren took a step forward, his voice full of displeasure: "Jiang Ziya has joined the Renjiao in recent years and has been too close to Yang Ling. This move is really unsatisfactory.

If he forgets the fundamentals of our teaching, he would be disloyal to the Master."

As soon as Taiyi Zhenren's words came out, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

The smile on Shen Gongbao's face froze, and he hurriedly explained: "Master Taiyi, please don't blame me. Senior Brother Jiang Ziya cares about the world, and everything he does is for justice. He made friends with that man Yang Ling, probably to recruit talents and work together for the world."

Taiyi Zhenren did not respond, but just glanced at Shen Gongbao coldly, then turned to the other Golden Immortals and said, "We are here to assist Xiqi in raising an army and rebuilding order in the world. Anyone who stands in our way is an enemy!"

Upon hearing this, the other Golden Immortals nodded, expressing their agreement with Taiyi Zhenren's point of view.

They knew that the most important thing right now was to deal with the chaotic situation in the world, and personal differences could be put aside temporarily.

Seeing this, Guangchengzi changed the subject and said, "Shen Gongbao, you must gather the generals of Xiqi immediately. We need to make detailed plans for raising an army.

Time is of the essence and there is no room for error.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Gongbao quickly responded. He knew that this was an important moment concerning the fate of Xiqi.

He immediately ordered his men to quickly summon all the generals to prepare for an emergency military meeting.

Nangong Shi was a man of great stature and had a voice like a bell. He stood up and swept his eyes across the generals present: "Now that we have the help of the immortals, we should seize the opportunity, attack Huanglong, capture Chaoge in one fell swoop, and seize the world!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a steady voice sounded, interrupting Nangong Shi's momentum. Huang Feihu, dressed in military uniform, was no longer as majestic as he used to be, but his calm demeanor as a general remained unchanged.

He shook his head, his tone revealing some worry: "General Nangong's words make sense, but Chaoge is not a trivial matter. There are five or six dangerous city gates along the way. If we can't break through them one by one, our army's logistics will be severely hindered, and we will be in a dilemma."

After hearing this, all the generals present couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Although most of them were brave, they lacked a deep understanding of the battlefield. Huang Feihu's words made them realize the risks of taking Chaoge directly.

Seeing this, Shen Gongbao immediately seized the opportunity. He cleared his throat and stepped forward to ease the atmosphere: "General Huang is a famous general of the Shang Dynasty. He knows the formation and force distribution of the Shang army in detail. His experience is a rare treasure for Xiqi."

He turned to look at the generals and said firmly: "I propose that General Huang lead the troops. With his rich experience and deep understanding of the enemy, he can guide us in Xiqi."

Upon hearing this, all the generals nodded in agreement.

They knew that in the face of such a complex situation, they really needed an experienced general to take charge of the overall situation.

When Huang Feihu saw that everyone expressed their support, a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

He knew that this was his chance to clear his name and avenge his fallen brothers. He took a deep breath, stood up, and said loudly: "Since the generals trust me, Huang Feihu is willing to lead the army and will live up to everyone's expectations!"

Seeing that everyone had the same opinion, Guang Chengzi clapped his hands and praised: "Great! With General Huang leading the army and the help of the twelve golden immortals, this uprising will surely succeed in one fell swoop."

The meeting ended in a warm atmosphere, and everyone got busy preparing for the next action.

The atmosphere in Xiqi City became more tense and energetic, and everyone was preparing for the upcoming war.

As night falls, the lights in Xiqi City are bright, but the atmosphere in the city is heavy and solemn.

Xibohou Jichang felt his breath gradually weakening and knew that his time was coming. He summoned his son Jifa, as well as ministers including Shen Gongbao, Nangong Shi, and Huang Feihu, and they gathered in the meeting room of the mansion.

Ji Chang's face looked extremely pale, but his eyes were still firm and powerful.

He looked at Ji Fa, his eyes full of fatherly love and expectation. Although his voice was weak, every word was clear and powerful: "Fa'er, the world is in chaos and the situation is difficult. I know that I don't have much time left. Today, I will pass the position of the Lord of Xiqi to you."

A trace of surprise flashed across Ji Fa's face, and then he knelt down, took the jade seal from his father's hand, and said firmly: "I will live up to your trust, and I swear to defend Xiqi and pacify the world until my death."

Ji Chang turned to Shen Gongbao and the civil and military officials present. Although his tone was gentle, it was full of unquestionable majesty: "Shen Gongbao, Nangong Shi, Huang Feihu, and everyone present, I hope you will assist my son to fight the enemy together and stabilize the four directions."

Shen Gongbao and the others saluted one after another, saying in unison: "We will obey the Marquis' order and assist the new monarch to face the national crisis together."

Not long after, Ji Chang passed away peacefully in the silence of the night.

Ji Fa succeeded to the throne and became the new King of Xibo. He had no time to indulge in grief. He immediately began to vigorously reorganize military affairs and prepare for the upcoming war.

Jifa's face was full of perseverance and determination.

He summoned all the generals and held an emergency military meeting.

He stood on the high platform, his voice sonorous and powerful: "My father has passed away. Now, I have ascended the throne as a marquis. We are facing a war that concerns the survival of the country. I need the strength of each and every one of you. We must unify our thoughts, integrate resources, and face this challenge together."

Generals such as Nangong Shi and Huang Feihu all showed a firm attitude. They knew that this was the most critical moment for Xiqi and everyone must shoulder their own responsibilities.

In the following days, the atmosphere inside and outside Xiqi City was filled with tension.

The fire in the blacksmith shop burned day and night, the soldiers trained day and night, and the people also spontaneously organized themselves to support the front line.

Ji Fa personally supervised the army, constantly inspected the military camps and boosted morale.

A few days later, outside Xiqi City, flags fluttered and drums thundered. Four hundred thousand soldiers lined up in neat formations, their morale was high, and their armor shone with a cold light.

The 200 princes in the west also responded to the call and gathered another 400,000 troops, totaling 800,000 people, ready to set off in a mighty force.

The early morning sun shone on the barracks, the golden light illuminated the face of every soldier, their eyes were full of fighting spirit and expectation.

The two forces met outside Xiqi City, with a total of 800,000 troops, like a vast black ocean, with flags fluttering and the desire to fight.

At daybreak, the gate of Xiqi City slowly opened. Ji Fa, wearing a battle robe and holding a long sword, led the generals out of the city gate.

His eyes gleamed with determination, and his steps were steady and powerful. He ordered people to build a high platform in front of the army, and the platform was filled with flying flags, symbolizing the majesty and glory of Xiqi.

Ji Fa was wearing military uniform and had a determined look in his eyes. He ordered people to build a high platform in front of the army. Flags were flying on the platform and sacrificial flags painted with dragons and phoenixes were fluttering in the wind.

He personally took the stage, facing the sky, holding his hands up to the heavens, and spoke in a loud and pious voice: "Gods of heaven and earth, ghosts and gods, today Ji Fa is offering sacrifices to the heavens, begging for the protection of the heavens, blessing my Xiqi army, sweeping away the chaos, and restoring peace to the world!"

As Ji Fa made his sacrificial sound, the clouds in the sky rolled, and rays of sacred light penetrated the clouds and shone on him. Suddenly, the figures of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect appeared in the air, their aura lingering, their demeanor solemn, as if they were messengers from heaven, announcing the will of God.

Guang Chengzi, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals, spoke in a voice as loud as a bell, spreading throughout the army: "Men of Xiqi, you have justice in your hearts and are obeying the will of heaven. This expedition is the will of heaven. We, the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, will protect you and march forward. We will be invincible!"

At this moment, all the soldiers were filled with emotion. They firmly believed that this expedition was destiny, and everything they did was for justice and the people of the world.

The soldiers raised their weapons high and shouted battle slogans, their voices were deafening and echoed between the valleys. Their faith was unprecedentedly strengthened, and everyone seemed to have obtained the power of God, ready to face the upcoming battle.

Ji Fa looked at all this, with strong emotions surging in his heart. He knew that this would be a war that would determine the fate of Xiqi, and it would also be the most critical moment in his life.

He took a deep breath, turned around and faced the countless expectant eyes, waved the sword in his hand, and announced loudly: "The army is moving!"

Following Ji Fa's order, the 800,000-strong army began to move slowly, winding forward like a giant dragon, embarking on the journey of conquering the troubled world.

……

The sky above Chaoge was filled with wind and clouds.

The inky black Qilin rolled up the dark clouds, and Wen Zhong rode on it like a god descending from heaven. His eyes were cold as he stared directly at the Chaoge Palace below.

His voice was like rolling thunder, piercing through the clouds and echoing over the entire Chaoge City: "Bigan, come out and answer!"

Inside the palace of Chaoge, Bigan's heart tightened when he heard Wen Zhong's call. He knew that Master Wen was famous for his integrity and once he identified a target, he would pursue him relentlessly.

Bigan walked through the palace corridor with a worried look on his face and walked out of the hall with heavy steps.

Wen Zhong stared at Bigan with a sharp gaze, as if he could see through people's hearts. "Bigan, there are rumors in Chaoge City that you are secretly colluding with the Yang family and plotting something bad. This matter is of great importance, and you must give me a clear answer!"

He looked up at Wen Zhong, who was hanging high in the air, with a solemn expression and a barely perceptible tremor in his voice: "Why do you say that, Grand Master Wen? Although Bi Gan is not talented, he is loyal and has never committed regicide or rebellion."

He straightened his back and said solemnly: "The accusation of regicide and rebellion is pure nonsense. Bigan was loyal to the Shang Dynasty all his life and never had the slightest intention of betraying.

Although the Yang family business was powerful, Bigan had no personal relationship with it, and would not betray the king for his own selfish interests.

Although Bigan has met the owner of Yang's business several times, he has never had any bad intentions. If anyone falsely accuses him of this, Bigan is willing to guarantee with his life that this is not the case! "

Bigan spoke firmly, looking directly at Wen Zhong, his eyes revealing an unquestionable clarity and determination.

All the officials and guards present were infected by Bi Gan's aura. They either stood or knelt, their eyes focused on Wen Zhong in the sky and Bi Gan on the ground, secretly judging the truth of the matter in their hearts.

Wen Zhong was silent for a moment. He knew that Bigan had always been loyal, but this matter was of great importance and could not be missed.

Finally, Wen Zhong slowly spoke: "Bigan, I will verify your words. If it is true as you said, I will not wrongly accuse a good person.

But if I find out there is fraud, you know I will not show any mercy."

Hearing this, Bi Gan felt a little relieved. He knew that although Wen Zhong was strict, he was also a fair person. He immediately responded, "Master Wen, Bi Gan is willing to accept all necessary investigations. Regarding the dealings with Yang's business, Bi Gan has complete account books for inspection, and there is absolutely no intention of regicide or rebellion."

Wen Zhong nodded and signaled Bigan to provide evidence.

Bigan immediately ordered someone to fetch the account book and hand it over to Wen Zhong.

Wen Zhong's subordinates took the account book, unfolded it in public, and examined it carefully.

Under the watchful eyes of the public, every transaction in the account books was clearly visible, all of which were reasonable and legal. The Yang family business made great contributions to the Shang Dynasty.

Wen Zhong stretched out his body and fell straight down from the clouds. As soon as his footsteps touched the ground, he was already standing in front of Bigan. His figure was like an unshakable mountain, giving people an endless sense of oppression.

"Bigan, I want to meet the owner of Yang's business to ask him questions clearly. Let him come now." Wen Zhong's voice was unquestionable, and his eyes were like sharp swords, staring straight at Bigan.

Bigan's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. He nodded and signaled the guards behind him to quickly deliver the message.

Soon, Jiang Ziya entered the palace, his steps were calm and his demeanor was composed. Under the gaze of everyone, he walked straight to Wen Zhong and bowed.

"Senior Brother Yang is not here because of something. If Master Wen has anything to do for you, please feel free to ask me." Jiang Ziya's voice was calm, but every word was clear and powerful.

Wen Zhong frowned. He originally wanted to get the answer directly from the owner of the Yang family business, but now it seems that he can only start with Jiang Ziya.

"Who is the regicide?" Wen Zhong went straight to the point, with a hint of severity in his voice that could not be ignored.

Jiang Ziya was not in a hurry to answer. Instead, he spoke slowly, with a hint of deep power in his voice: "Master Wen, Emperor Xin has committed many crimes since he ascended the throne. Everyone knows about his ten major crimes."

He began to list Emperor Xin's crimes one by one. Each one was so heinous that it terrified everyone present.

"He was licentious and immoral, and built a world of wine and women; he was cruel and ruthless, and killed loyal people; he was greedy and exploited the people's blood and sweat; he was arrogant and called himself the Son of Heaven, but he didn't know the will of heaven..."

Jiang Ziya's voice became louder and louder, and every word he said seemed like a heavy hammer hitting the hearts of everyone present.

"Such a tyrant deserves death!" His last words were like a bolt from the blue, echoing throughout the palace.

Wen Zhong listened to Jiang Ziya's words, his brows furrowed, but his heart was full of ups and downs. He knew that what Jiang Ziya said was true, and what Emperor Xin did had already made the people of the world angry.

But as the Grand Tutor of Chaoge, he had to consider the stability of the country and could not easily convict him.

Wen Zhong's face turned livid, and his anger was boiling in his chest like lava. His voice shook the earth, filled with uncontrollable anger: "You are the ruler of the world. Killing the king is treasonous and against the will of heaven! How dare you say such treasonous words in public!"

Jiang Ziya was unmoved. A sneer appeared on his lips. There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice: "Master Wen, don't you understand? If the monarch loses his virtue, the people will have no one to rely on. Killing the monarch may be in line with the will of heaven."

His words were sharp, pointing directly to Wen Zhong's blind spot, like a hard slap in the face, hitting Wen Zhong's self-esteem.

Wen Zhong's anger reached its peak. He clenched his hands into fists, almost crushing the weapon in his hands: "You...you are challenging the dignity of the court and the limit of my patience!"

A powerful aura suddenly burst out from his body, and he was like a lion about to get angry, ready to pounce on Jiang Ziya and tear him apart at any time.

Seeing this, Bigan stepped forward and stretched out his hands, trying to calm Wen Zhong's anger: "Master Wen, wait a minute! Although Jiang Ziya's words are fierce, his original intention is not to rebel. Master, please think twice and don't cause irreversible consequences because of your anger."

There was a hint of urgency in Bigan's voice. He knew that once Wen Zhong took action, Jiang Ziya and Yang Ling behind him would definitely fight back.

In that case, the plan to peacefully subdue Wen Zhong would be impossible. The entire Shang Dynasty would fall into chaos and countless innocent people would be implicated.

Wen Zhong's anger was slightly suppressed by Bigan's words, but his eyes still shot towards Jiang Ziya like sharp arrows, as if a fatal attack could be launched at any time.

Jiang Ziya remained calm. He knew that his words had caused Wen Zhong great dissatisfaction, but he also knew that what he said was his true thoughts.

The atmosphere between the three people was extremely tense, and the entire palace fell into a depressing silence, like a powder keg ready to explode with just a spark.

Seeing that Wen Zhong was furious, Bigan stepped forward quickly, his voice revealing a hint of urgency: "Master Wen, please be patient. The previous emperor has passed away, and what the Shang Dynasty needs most now is internal stability. If the fate of the country is damaged due to internal strife, it would be truly disloyal and unfilial."

His eyes were firm, trying to make Wen Zhong realize the seriousness of the situation: "Now, we must unite as one and face the foreign enemies together. If there is unrest at home, foreign invaders will take advantage of the situation and invade. By then, the country of Shang will be in danger."

Wen Zhong glanced at Bigan coldly, with a sarcastic smile on his face: "Bigan, do you think I don't know what you are thinking? You want to inherit the throne, but in my eyes, you are just a member of the rebellious gang."

His voice was full of disdain and suspicion, questioning Bi Gan's loyalty: "Do you think that by wearing the royal robe, you can convince the people? Without the Mandate of Heaven, how can you sit firmly on the throne?"

When Bigan heard this, he couldn't help feeling sad.

He wanted to calm the situation, but unexpectedly, it aroused Wen Zhong's rage. He knew that if he could not convince Wen Zhong, the future of Da Shang would be full of uncertainties.

At this time, Jiang Ziya shook his head slightly, showing a sarcastic look on his face, and said to Wen Zhong: "Master Wen, you are so foolishly loyal and stupid. You only know how to blindly follow the late emperor, but you are unwilling to listen to the voice of the people."

There was a hint of disdain in his tone: "You think you are being loyal to the Shang Dynasty, but in fact, you are just maintaining a corrupt rule. The people are suffering terribly, how much do you know?"

Jiang Ziya's words were sharp and hit directly at Wen Zhong's weak spot.

He knew that in order to shake Wen Zhong's beliefs, he had to make him realize the impact of his actions on the people.

The people present were touched by Jiang Ziya's words. Many of them had witnessed Emperor Xin's tyranny and deeply agreed with Jiang Ziya's words.

Wen Zhong's expression became even uglier, his hands clenched into fists, and anger flashed in his eyes.

His eyes swept across Bigan and Jiang Ziya coldly: "This is just an excuse for you to kill the king! The king is not a king, and the minister is not a minister. The world is so big, how can we allow you to do whatever you want!"

Seeing this, Bigan became anxious. He knew that the situation had reached a critical juncture and he had to do his best to calm Wen Zhong's emotions.

He stepped forward and said sincerely, "Master Wen, I know you are loyal, but please understand that Emperor Xin's tyranny has made the people of the world suffer. If nothing changes, the future of the Shang Dynasty will be irreversible."

"Shut up!" Wen Zhong shouted angrily, his eyes seemed to be emitting flames, and he angrily interrupted Bigan's words, "You traitors, you dare to talk about the so-called people of the world in front of me! How could I not know what you are thinking?"

Bigan hesitated to speak, for he knew that Wen Zhong was extremely angry at this moment, and any persuasion would only provoke a greater backlash.

Jiang Ziya was observing the situation from the side. Seeing Wen Zhong was furious, he raised a faint ironic smile and said contemptuously, "Master Wen, your loyalty is admirable, but it is also stupid.

You guarded a foolish and cruel King Zhou of Shang, but you didn't know that the people of the world had suffered from him for a long time. "

When Wen Zhong heard what Jiang Ziya said, he was so angry that his whole body was shaking. His fists were clenched until they turned white, and his nails were almost digging into his flesh.

He turned around angrily and strode out, leaving behind a cruel remark before leaving: "Okay! Okay! Okay! Soon, I will lead the army back to Chaoge to quell the rebellion! When the time comes, let's see how you can argue!"

After saying this, Wen Zhong disappeared outside the palace gate.

Bigan and Jiang Ziya looked at each other, and a trace of worry flashed in their eyes.

They knew that Wen Zhong’s departure did not mean the end of things, but that a bigger storm was coming.

Bigan took a deep breath. He knew that they had to be fully prepared to deal with the challenges that Wen Zhong might bring.

(End of this chapter)