Early the next morning.

Jiang Ziya, who spent a night preparing his speech, came to the City Lord's Mansion and asked to see Xibo Hou Jichang.

At this time, Ji Chang was nearly sixty years old.

However, at this age, it is the prime of life in the desolate world, and the body does not age at all, and if there is no accident, there is no problem in living for another forty or fifty years.

If the immortal fate arrives, it is very common to pick up an elixir spirit fruit or something and eat it, and it is very common to soar directly in the daytime.

"The prime minister came so early, but what are your orders?"

Ji Changying walked out of the hall door, looked at Jiang Ziya and asked curiously.

Jiang Ziya was not ambiguous, and directly explained to him the reason for sending troops to attack merchants.

Take advantage of your illness to kill you, and fight quickly.

Taking advantage of the chaos inside and outside the big business, and the people's hearts are scattered, immediately send troops to fight!

After Ji Chang listened, he was silent.

He knew in his heart that what Jiang Ziya said made sense.

But he always felt that it was still too hasty.

Although Xiqi has bumper harvests year after year, and there is a lot of money in the treasury, where can it be so easy to gather the power of the country?

Moreover, if you compete for the world with big businessmen, will you definitely win?

And what happens if you win?

Sitting on the Central Plains?

How will the princes and the people of the world think of him?

Rebels and thieves!

Will other princes follow suit?

After all, in the hearts of most princes, it may not be much better to submit to him than to be under the hands of the Great Shang.

Besides, the disparity in power between the two sides is not small.

The main generals of Xiqi are basically rebel generals of the Great Shang.

In terms of ability, it is definitely stronger than Dashang.

Coupled with the strength of those princes under his command, Xiqi would not have any advantages at all.

And now sending troops to attack merchants is too risky.

He doesn't know who won and who lost.

But what he can be sure of is that even if Xiqi wins, the situation will not be much better than it is now.

But if he loses, then Xiqi will really be doomed.

"Prime Minister, I don't think it's a good time to send troops to attack merchants." Ji Chang hesitated for a moment, but simply said what he thought.

When Jiang Ziya heard this, he frowned and said, "Lord Hou's worries can naturally be understood, but do you think there is a better time to send troops?" ”

"Now that the big business is still prosperous and the military is strong, how can we Xiqi have the strength to fight with others?" Ji Chang said in a sincere tone: "Being outnumbered and risking one's life is not the act of a wise man. We can't lose the capital we have accumulated for a momentary opportunity! ”

Jiang Ziya listened to him, nodded, and then said with a smile: "What Hou Ye said is very true, but you must know that if you miss this opportunity, I am afraid that others will take the lead." At that time, it will not be Da Zhou who can replace Dashang, but Da Huai! ”

"Dahuai?"

Ji Chang was stunned for a moment, and quickly reacted.

"You're talking about Linzhuanguan?"

"Not bad!" Jiang Ziya bowed slightly.

That was the most convincing reason he could think of.

As long as Ji Chang has the heart to be the king, then he believes that his reason will definitely be able to convince the other party.

Sure enough, after hearing Jiang Ziya's words, Ji Chang hesitated again.

It's just that after thinking about it for a while, he still can't make up his mind.

After all, it is not a matter of a few people to start an army to defeat merchants, but it is related to the future of the entire Xiqi and the entire big merchants!

As the chief of the Western princes, he must be cautious and careful in his every move, let alone such a major event related to the survival of his family and country!

"The prime minister will wait for a while, and I will carefully consider this matter."

Jiang Ziya heard him say this, and knew that there was still hope for this matter.

"Okay, then I'll wait for the good news from Master Hou!" He said with a smile.

"Prime Minister, don't be too anxious." Ji Chang waved his hand and said, "I have to think about this matter carefully, and I will give you an answer in a few days." ”

"That's fine." Jiang Ziya nodded and turned to leave.

After he left, Ji Chang immediately recruited Bo Yi Kao, Ji Fa and others.

A dozen of them were his sons.

Among them, he valued the most his eldest son Bo Yi Kao and his second son Ji Fa.

"Come here, I have something to ask you." Ji Chang looked at a few of them and said.

"Father, what do you command?" Bo Yi Kao was the first to ask.

Ji Chang didn't answer, but took the lead in speaking: "Just now Jiang Ziya said that he wanted me to send troops to fight merchants, what do you think?" ”

"Fellers?" Bo Yi was stunned for a moment, and wondered: "Why do you want to cut merchants?" ”

"The Shang Emperor Xinjiuchi Meat Forest, desolate and unreasonable, created cannons, tortured and killed ministers indiscriminately, expropriated violently, and wanted to build a star-picking tower, which made the people miserable......" Ji Chang casually listed some of Emperor Xin's crimes, and then said: "Have you ever understood now?" ”

"There is still such a thing...... Bo Yi Kao, Ji Fa and others all showed anger when they heard this.

They all grew up in Xiqi, and their sense of belonging to Dashang is not so strong, and they still identify with Xiqi more in their hearts.

The news I have heard in Xiqi has always been much better than that of Dashang.

The people live and work in peace and contentment, and the officials are honest and diligent.

Such a Xiqi, they will naturally identify more.

The legendary merchant has always had a veil of mystery for them.

Now their father gently lifted a corner and made them think they were in the depths of purgatory.

"Such tyrants, everyone should be punished, and indeed they should be crusaded!" Ji Fa is colorful.

"That's it, Father!" Several others chimed in.

Only Bo Yi Kao did not speak, but listened quietly.

Ji Chang turned his head to look at him and said calmly, "Do you have a different opinion?" ”

Bo Yi Kao nodded, frowned, and said, "Father, after all, you are the chief of the princes of the Great Shang, and it is a great rebellion to attack the king with a minister!" I think my father should write a book to exhort the Shang king to change his evil ways and return to righteousness, instead of raising an army to rebel. ”

"How can this be a rebellion!"

Ji Fa said unhappily: "Father's meaning is just to clear the monarch's side and punish demons and evils!" We're doing the right thing for heaven! ”

"What is the way of heaven?" Bo Yi Kao retorted: "If we raise an army to invade merchants now, it will be usurping the throne and seizing power, killing the king, and ignoring the principles of heaven and earth!" ”

Ji Fa was also a little overwhelmed by what he said, and defended: "How can this be a usurpation of power!" Those guys of the Great Shang are in misery, and the people are mourning all over the wilderness, if we don't save them, wouldn't it be more in line with the way of heaven? ”

Bo Yi Kao shook his head and said, "Bastard! Water can carry a boat, but also can overturn a boat, we are all princes of the great merchants, by the kindness of the great merchants, how can we stab it again when it is in danger? ”

"The number of big business spirits has been exhausted, the king of the Xuan Dynasty is tyrannical and unreasonable, and the Chengtang Jiangshan has long been crumbling!" Ji Fa said eagerly: "If we don't act again, I'm afraid we will be seized by others!" ”

Hearing this, Bo Yi Kao said angrily: "You really still want to take the opportunity to seize the big business, what Qingjun is to punish the demon and evil is just a disguise!" ”

"I ......"

Ji Fa was accused by him, and he suddenly became angry.

"I'm also thinking about our Xiqi, unlike brother, you are specifically thinking about big business! Besides, now that Huang Feihu is leading his troops to quell the rebellion outside, Chaoge is bound to guard the emptiness, if we don't send troops now, I'm afraid we will never have a chance! ”

Seeing that he was emotional, Bo Yi didn't argue with him anymore, just looked at him quietly and said lightly: "If that's the case, then I don't think you'd be too belligerent." ”

He looked calm, and said without joy or sorrow: "Even if you really want to clear the monarch's side and punish the demons, the current Xiqi is far from ready to cut down the merchants. Now is the time for us to keep our heads up, gather strength, and prepare for the future. ”

"Humph!"

Ji Fa snorted coldly, feeling a pang of irritability in his heart.

Obviously, everyone is a brother, but this person always sings against himself.

"Alright, you all go back first, I'll think about it again."

Ji Chang saw that the two of them were arguing, so he simply asked them all to retreat.

"Yes." Everyone bowed and bowed and exited the hall.

Ji Chang watched the two of them leave, and his mood was difficult to calm down.

He knew that these two sons were not mediocre people, but the absolute core of Xiqi's future, and it was he who wanted to hear the true thoughts of the two.

Now after listening to the words of the two of them, he felt that they both made sense.

If the eldest son Bo Yi Kao takes over Xiqi in the future, he should be a benevolent monarch; If the second son, Ji Fa, takes over Xiqi, he will be a brave and resolute king.

How to choose?

He also had to think about it.

……

Ji Fa returned to his room, and the more he thought about it, the more depressed he felt.

He felt that although his eldest brother Bo Yi was very knowledgeable and far-sighted, he was too pedantic in this matter.

Now that the business climate is declining, the people are struggling to make a living, and in the midst of dire straits, do they still have to abide by the rules?

"By the way, my father said that the matter of cutting merchants was proposed by Prime Minister Jiang Ziya, and it seems that I still have to discuss it with him." Ji Fa thought about it, sent someone to call an ox cart, and prepared some gifts to take to the Prime Minister's Mansion.

He came this time to ask Jiang Ziya in person.

Ji Fa walked all the way and soon came to the Prime Minister's Mansion.

"I've seen the prime minister."

After getting off the ox cart, Ji Fa respectfully bowed to Jiang Ziya.

"Second son, I don't know if there is something important to come here at this time?" Jiang Ziya stepped forward and helped Ji Fa up.

"Ji is here to ask the prime minister this time." Ji Fa followed him into the mansion and said bluntly: "Just now, my eldest brother and I discussed the current business situation in front of my father, and I have some questions about this and want to ask the prime minister for advice. ”

"Oh?" Jiang Ziya smiled and said, "Please also ask the second son to speak up." ”

"I heard that the prime minister used to be a big businessman before, and he must know the situation of big businessmen very well." Ji Fa first said politely, and then asked, "What do you think is the possibility of success now?" ”

When Jiang Ziya heard this, he was silent for a moment, and then said: "This depends on Hou Ye's own thoughts, you and I don't count." ”

"I'm ......" Ji Fa choked on his words.

"The second son doesn't have to be entangled, now that you have understood the necessity of cutting merchants, then you should plan well." Jiang Ziya smiled and continued: "As the second prince said, although my Xiqi is inferior to the big business in all aspects, this does not mean that we can only sit idly by. ”

"Oh?" Ji Fa asked suspiciously, "Please also ask the prime minister for advice." ”

"Preaching and traveling, expounding the Tao, forming good karma, and practicing morality are all done by immortals." Jiang Ziya raised his hand and stroked his beard, and said slowly: "If I, Xiqi, can also invite these immortals to help, why can't I compete with the big merchants?" ”

"Immortal help?" Ji Fa was stunned for a moment, and then said with a smile: "Could it be that the prime minister wants to invite the heavenly immortals to come down to help?" I'm no longer a child, and the prime minister doesn't need to make me happy anymore. ”

"Don't misunderstand, second son." Jiang Ziya explained with a smile: "Poor Dao is not joking with you. ”

He paused and said, "Have you ever heard of Linzhuanguan?" ”

Ji Fa frowned slightly, then nodded and said, "I've heard my father talk about it." I heard that it was originally a pioneer outpost, but later it was almost half abandoned due to the water demon rebellion. Later, the Wen clan of the Chaowang clan went here to eradicate the water demon, build the city pass, gather the people, and open up the wilderness......"

Jiang Ziya said: "In the end, Dashang sent Huang Feihu, the king of Wucheng, to personally lead 300,000 elite troops to attack, but he was defeated by 30,000 soldiers from Linzhuanguan District...... The reason for this is because there are sectarian immortals in Linzhuan Pass to help! ”

Hearing this, Ji Fa's eyes suddenly widened.

"Is this true?"

"Nature is true."

Jiang Ziya said with a smile: "I also got a glimpse of the picture of the immortal god fighting method outside Linzhuan Pass that day, if the second son is curious, I can also take a look at you." ”

With that, he took out a jade slip.

Since he came down from the mountain, there have been people from the sect who have sent him news related to big business every other day, so that he can know the "world" without leaving home.

The picture preserved in the jade slip is the scene of Liu Huan, Qu Yang Xian, Princess Longji and the four generals of the demon family fighting in the sky above Linzhuan Pass that day, those gorgeous scenes of gods surprised Ji Fa, and at the same time he had a strong curiosity about Jiang Ziya's identity.

Jiang Ziya was a little reserved, and then under Ji Fa's questioning, he said that he was a disciple of the sage Yuan Shi Tianzun, and he was ordered by the master to go down the mountain to assist the Xiqi monarch, until the Great Zhou Dynasty replaced the Great Shang!

Hearing this, Ji Fa's heart was shocked.

"In this case, Prime Minister, you are also an immortal?"

Jiang Ziya: "......"

He said with some embarrassment: "When the Zhou Dynasty is prosperous, I should be able to achieve positive results." ”

After that, he hurriedly dropped this unpleasant topic, and turned to a straight tone: "The reason why I took Linzhuanguan to talk about things is to tell the second prince that if I don't have a chance, it will not be Xiqi who will replace Dashang, but Linzhuanguan!" ”

"Shhh

Ji Fa suddenly gasped.

Hearing this, he finally understood why Jiang Ziya proposed to cut merchants when he was not fully prepared.

It's really time to wait!

"At present, Xiqi can send 100,000 troops, all of whom are elite soldiers who have been in battle for a long time." Jiang Ziya glanced at Ji Fa and said confidently: "Linzhuanguan can defeat 300,000 elites of the Great Merchants with 30,000 recruits, and the 100,000 elites of our Xiqi can also be worth the million-strong divisions of the Great Merchants!" ”

"That's right!

As if he had been aroused by his ambition, Ji Fa shouted: "It must be my Da Zhou who replaces the big business!" ”

On the second day, Ji Fa went to the Hou Mansion early and met his father Ji Chang.

After leaving the Prime Minister's Mansion yesterday, he thought about it until midnight, and he always felt that his heart was not very happy.

"Father, the child thought about it yesterday and felt that what the eldest brother said was very reasonable, at the moment, we in Xiqi should indeed not be in a hurry to cut down merchants, but should fulfill the duties of courtiers, send people to the court to persuade the king, set an example for the princes of the world, and at the same time secretly consolidate the foundation, accumulate strength, and prepare for the future!" Ji Fa is serious and authentic.

"That's all your opinion?" Ji Chang glanced up at him, with a bit of surprise in his eyes.

Yesterday's Ji Fa looked still brave and brave, but his wit was insufficient.

But what is said today has a bit of flavor.

"Hmm!" Ji Fa nodded earnestly.

He didn't say this because he got the guidance of Prime Minister Jiang Ziya.

"Go on and tell the Father what you think." Ji Chang looked at him with interest and said.

"The child thinks that although the logger is not in a hurry, he should not give up on the plan of the carpenter." Ji Fa said bluntly: "Only if we Xiqi are strong, we will be able to take the initiative no matter what happens in the future." In addition, send people to the court to persuade the king, no matter whether you succeed or fail, you can show your loyalty and enhance your prestige...... In the future, if the big business really arrives at sunset, father, you will climb high and shout, and the heroes of the world will inevitably come to vote. ”

"You kid...... But it's too simplistic. Ji Chang smiled helplessly, shook his head and said, "It is indeed a good idea to go to Chaoge to persuade Wang Jia, but it is not an ordinary person who can act as a messenger. ”

"The father will let the child go!" Ji Fa shouted and pleaded.

"You've worked hard enough, so why push yourself so hard." Ji Chang sighed.

This sentence is a pun, and the deep meaning of it is only known to father and son.

"Children are not afraid of hard work!" Ji Fa resolutely said: "As long as you can help your father complete the great cause, let the child do anything!" ”

Ji Chang looked at him, a hint of strange color flashed in his eyes.

Ji Fa said solemnly: "If the father wants to raise an army to fight the merchants, the child is willing to be a pioneer!" ”

"Nonsense!"

Ji Chang scolded him, then shook his head and said, "At present, we in Xiqi don't have enough strength to cut down merchants, so don't worry." ”

"Yes, then let the child go to the song!"

"This is not for you."

Ji Chang shook his head with a smile and waved him away.

Ji Fa saw that he was resolute, and he didn't want to say anything more, so he had to leave.

After a while, Bo Yi Kao also came to the Hou Mansion to pay a visit.

When he saw Ji Chang, he respectfully bowed his hand and said, "Father, the child has something to ask for." ”

"What's the matter?" Ji Chang asked curiously.

"Now that the royal road of the great merchants is declining, and the people are living in poverty, I have been doing nothing, and I am ashamed." Bo Yi Kao groaned: "Now that the Great Shang still has the British lord in power, it is better for me to go to the Great Shang to persuade the Shang King to reform and make a new sin, so as not to destroy the soul." ”

"Nonsense!"

Ji Chang was furious when he heard this, and couldn't help but scold.

"Do you know how dangerous it is to go to the court?"

"At the beginning of his ascension to the throne, the king of Shang was quick in his writings, and he was able to accept advice in the court, and he was very respectful to the ministers of the three princes, but now it is rumored that he has already been confused by the demon concubine Su Daji, and he is lascivious, cruel and tyrannical!

Several ministers have already written to bluntly admonish and have been chopped into minced meat by their knives, or burned into charred and dry bones by the cannon!

I know that you are loyal, righteous, benevolent and filial, but that song is really unbearable! ”

"That's why I'm going all the more!" Bo Yi Kao said solemnly: "The king was not born so absurd and tyrannical, but was bewitched by the demon concubine Su Daji, since I know about this, how can I sit idly by?"

This time, I will go to the court to sing, and I will persuade the king, so that he will know his way back and get rid of the infestation of demons! ”

"Never!"

Ji Chang hurriedly said, "If you act like this, how can the demon queen tolerate you?" ”

"I've made up my mind, and my father doesn't need to persuade me anymore."

Bo Yi Kao said calmly: "If you can wake up the king, why not if the child dies?" It's just that I can't live up to my father and mother's nurturing grace. ”

After saying that, he knelt down on his knees and solemnly kowtowed to Ji Chang, with an extremely firm expression on his face.

"Alas!"

Ji Chang sighed heavily.

He knew that his eldest son was very stubborn, and once he made a decision, there was no possibility of changing it.

Even if he was tied up with rope and locked in the house, he would find a way to escape and sneak away.

Rather than this, it is better to follow his wishes, and you can also send more people to escort you all the way.

Thinking like this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

His two sons, one of whom is polite and courteous, are loyal to the big merchants, and even if they pay for it, they have no complaints; The other is brave and resolute, but he always thinks of raising troops to defeat Shang, overthrow Shang Tang's rule, and let Ji Zhou take his place!

Obviously, the two brothers grew up together, how can there be such a big difference?

Ji Chang couldn't figure it out.

For these two extremely assertive children, he can only choose to believe.

Without the slightest hesitation, Bo Yi Kao packed his bags, gathered a group of door guests and servants, and set off with three treasures to be presented to the king of Shang, such as a seven-spice cart, a sobering felt, and a white-faced ape, as well as a large number of gold, silver, jewelry, and precious medicinal materials.

The group traveled by water.

From the upper reaches of the Yellow River, you can take a big boat to the hinterland of the Central Plains.

After getting off the boat, it was not far from Chaoge.

Since they left, Ji Chang didn't think about tea and dinner, and often did divination, deducing the bad luck of Boyi's trip.

However, if the calamity of heaven and earth is pervasive, even a saint can't see it clearly, let alone him?

Worried, he sent several groups of people to Chaoge to inquire about the news.

About half a year later, a big merchant envoy came from outside Xiqi City, claiming to be ordered by the king of Shang to come to reward Xibohou and send him a secret dried meat.

"Bring it in." Ji Chang nodded and motioned for the doorman to bring the man in.

Not long after, a thin middle-aged man was brought in by him.

The man was holding a box in his hand, and as soon as he entered the hall, he knelt directly on the ground, presented the box with both hands and said, "Qi Xi Bohou!" ”

"Get up!" Ji Chang said lightly.

"Thank you, Xibohou!"

After the man stood up, Ji Chang looked at him carefully and asked, "Did the angel ever see my son Bo Yi Kao when he was singing?" ”

"This ......"

Xin Chen's eyes couldn't help but glance at the box.

Ji Chang frowned, and there was a threat in his voice, "What are the angels worried about?" ”

"Small...... It is true that the younger one has never seen the son of Xibohou. As he spoke, the envoy looked at the box more and more obviously.

"And what's in this box?" Ji Chang asked.

"This ...... This is the secret dried meat specially instructed by His Majesty the King of Shang to bring to me and give it to Xibohou to taste. The merchant envoy replied.

"Preserved meat?"

Ji Chang's heart froze slightly, and he suddenly had a hint of something wrong.

At this time, a doorman hurried back from Chaoge, and said with a pale face: "Enlightenment...... Enlighten the Marquis! ”

Ji Chang recognized that the other party was one of the disciples he sent to Chaoge to find people, and hurriedly asked nervously, "Have you ever looked for the Wabel Yi exam?" ”

"Searching for ...... Found it! ”

The doorman said with a frightened face, "I...... I see the eldest son! ”

"Did you see Bo Yi take the test?" Ji Chang relaxed suddenly, and hurriedly asked, "Where did you see it?" ”

"Right in front of the palace!"

The guest was in a trance for a moment, and then the horror on his face became even stronger: "The eldest prince...... The eldest prince is ...... him."

"What the hell happened to him?!"

Ji Chang's face suddenly became gloomy.

"What's going on? You make it clear to me! ”

The doorman said with some fear: "That day, the eldest prince went to the palace and presented three treasures to the king, but when the white-faced ape was dancing, he suddenly pounced on the Daji Niangniang......

Hearing this, Ji Chang suddenly became nervous.

The white-faced ape is the Zhenling beast next to the mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan, extremely spiritual, able to sing and dance, but only close to virtuous and noble people, a pair of golden eyes can recognize demons and evils!

Could it be that Bo Yi wanted to expose the true face of the demon concubine in public?

The next words of the doorman also verified Ji Chang's guess, and finally whispered: "After that, the king will use the name of the eldest prince to deliberately assassinate Niangniang, and put that ...... The white-faced ape skinned and cramped and made into a yaksha to suppress the souls of the dead! He also ordered the eldest prince to chop him into meat sauce, and made it again...... Preserved meat! ”

"Dried meat!"

Ji Chang almost didn't come up in one breath.

He turned his head sharply to look at the messenger of the Great Merchant, and stretched out his trembling right hand to point at the box, "...... in here"

"That's right."

The envoy of the Great Shang looked at him with some fear, but still gritted his teeth and said, "The dried meat in this box is made from the meat of your son...... I'm just doing what I'm told, and it's none of my business!

The will has been delivered under the next, and this is back to the court. ”

With that, he bowed, bowed his head and made a gesture to leave.

"Bastard!"

Ji Chang stood up, clenched his fists fiercely, gritted his teeth and shouted angrily: "My son Boyi is brave and loyal, benevolent and reasonable, but he was chopped into meat sauce on the spot by the faint king and the demon queen, and made into dried meat and brought it to me!"

It just doesn't make sense! ”

"Xibohou!"

The envoy of the great merchant trembled and stammered, "Master Hou is calm...... It's none of my business......"

"Someone!" Ji Chang shouted coldly.

"Bring this man down!"

Ji Chang said with a cold expression: "When the army starts in the coming day, kill the banner of the Great Zhou in front of the battle!" ”

"What!"

The Great Business Envoy looked at Ji Chang incredulously.

"You...... You're going to rebel? ”

"You're wrong!" Ji Chang said coldly: "It's for the heavens!" ”

(End of chapter)