Chapter 111: Shang Rong’s Mission to Western Qi

No matter whether Shang Rong was willing or not, the mission to serve as envoy to Western Qi had become an unavoidable fate stamped firmly upon him. The king’s orders were like mountains—when the ruler commands a subject to die, the subject must comply.

Within the city of Chaoge, all the ministers knew that Shang Rong’s assignment to Western Qi was an ill-fated burden, a task laden with misfortune. Thus, on the day Shang Rong departed from Chaoge to Western Qi, not a single former colleague among those with whom he had once been close accompanied him to see him off.

Heh. Could this truly be what they call “when a person leaves, the tea cools”?

Shang Rong’s heart was bitter with this realization.

Yet, could he blame others? If he had not, that day in the court, deliberately stood up to protect Duke Ji Chang of Western Qi, King Zhou would not have taken offense and promptly dispatched him to Western Qi.

The mission to Western Qi was a solemn and significant affair. The Ji clan in Western Qi, thousands of miles away, had long received news from Chaoge about Shang Rong’s arrival.

In response, Ji Chang declared that his family would receive Shang Rong with utmost ceremony, demonstrating the king’s concern.

Ji Chang mobilized his entire clan, meticulously preparing every detail throughout Western Qi.

As Duke Ji Chang lay seriously ill, the king sent Prime Minister Shang Rong to pay his respects, an act that led some uninformed people to believe King Zhou was a compassionate ruler who cared for his ministers.

However, those ministers in Chaoge who were close to Shang Rong felt anxious beneath the surface.

Though it was ostensibly a gesture of condolence, in truth, it was a calculated attack on the heart.

King Zhou did not specify how long Shang Rong’s journey to Western Qi should take, but Shang Rong had his own plan.

This matter could not be delayed; it required swift resolution to avoid unnecessary complications and rumors.

Therefore, Shang Rong took two days, arriving at Western Qi at dusk on the second day.

As soon as Shang Rong and his envoys reached the city gates of Western Qi, the guards immediately informed Ji Chang.

Ji Chang hurriedly led his sons and trusted aides to welcome them.

Beneath the gates of Western Qi.

“Ah, Prime Minister Shang, you have endured the hardships of travel all the way from Chaoge. Everyone must be tired. I have prepared some light wine for you all as a token of hospitality,” Ji Chang said warmly.

Ji Chang and Shang Rong were old acquaintances, close colleagues and friends.

It was precisely this bond that brought Shang Rong to Western Qi.

After a brief reunion, the two old friends exchanged words before returning to the city.

Ji Chang earnestly arranged a sumptuous feast for the envoys, with abundant fish, meat, and fine wine as expected.

In the elegant hall.

Ji Chang and Shang Rong took their seats.

Seeing his old friend seemingly in good health, Shang Rong’s previously anxious heart relaxed somewhat, and he sighed, “Old friend, why were you absent from the Chaoge celebration? Because of this, I merely spoke a word in your defense, and the king’s wrath was immediate and fierce. Do you realize the gravity of this matter?”

Hearing this, Ji Chang’s face grew solemn. After a long pause, he said, “Indeed, I was at fault. On the day of the celebration, I was unwell and could not attend. But I never imagined the king would take offense at this.”

“I understand now. Ever since the king brought back those sacred crops—the sweet potato, the potato—his temperament has changed drastically. From that day forward, he has grown increasingly hostile toward me, even…”

As he spoke, Ji Chang shuddered involuntarily.

He was acutely aware that since that day, King Zhou’s gaze bore a hidden, intense murderous intent.

Yes, murderous intent!

It was a powerful, unmistakable aura.

“Old Ji, this journey to Western Qi—there is a strange current in the Chaoge court. I am utterly confused. I hope you can shed some light on what is truly happening,” Shang Rong pleaded.

Ji Chang was merely ill and missed the celebration, yet the king’s sudden fury and his dispatch as envoy to Western Qi suggested deeper machinations.

Shang Rong had pondered the mystery for days, but his mind remained tangled, devoid of clarity.

Looking at Shang Rong’s troubled face, Ji Chang sighed again. “Old Shang, if you must blame someone, blame the closeness between us. Our relationship is too close; otherwise, you wouldn’t have this trip to Western Qi.”

“Heh!” Ji Chang suddenly sneered, “I can guarantee you, when you left Chaoge, none of those ministers who were close to you came to see you off. Not one. Am I right?”

Shang Rong shook his head. “Alas, you’ve hit the mark. Not a single one.”

“Actually,” Ji Chang said, “this is only natural. It’s not their fault. After all, your mission is a cursed one. Anyone who knows it’s a death trap would be a fool to leap into it willingly.”

“But... I still don’t understand. How could they...?”

“It’s simple. Because of my association, the king has already harbored murderous intent toward me. That’s the plain truth.”

Ji Chang’s blunt revelation stunned Shang Rong. “What? The king wants to kill you? Why?”

Ji Chang shook his head. “I don’t know why. As I told you before, ever since the king brought back those divine crops, his mind has changed profoundly.”

“That day in court, I inadvertently met the king’s gaze and saw the fierce murderous hatred in his eyes. From that moment on, I have tried to avoid the king as much as possible. But you cannot escape forever.”

The king wants to kill Ji Chang? But why?

Shang Rong’s mind was overwhelmed.

Could it be that Ji Chang had rebellious intentions?

After all, the Ji clan controlled the capital of Western Qi and had the support to claim kingship—that was not impossible.

Especially since Western Qi and Chaoge were far apart, any news would take days to travel between the two cities.

“But, Old Ji, you said the king wants to kill you? There must be a reason, right? Could it be just because you were ill and missed the Chaoge celebration, and so the king’s wrath was…”

“No! The king passed through a bizarre and unnatural gate, and since returning, I have felt nothing but malice from him.”

Because your Ji clan destroyed the Yin Shang dynasty, and given King Zhou’s infamous temper, it is extraordinary that he has not acted on the Ji family until now.

His restraint is entirely due to a warning from Mr. Chu Xiaoyu: to refrain from harming any member of the Ji clan for the time being.

Is Mr. Chu Xiaoyu biased toward the Ji family? Or does he have other motives?

This is the true reason King Zhou has delayed against Ji Chang.