529: Chapter 529 Pacifying the Rebellion in Beihai - The Grand Tutor Returns to Court

Gui Lingzi’s life was going exceptionally smoothly these days. He spent his entire day buried in account books and manifests, nearly forgetting the sensation of sitting in meditation and regulating his Qi. His business had already expanded, and right now, over a dozen shopkeepers were lined up to report the annual earnings of the Jizhou Merchant Guild to him—

“Revered Master, the Jizhou Merchant Guild has a net income of ten thousand taels of gold this year. Ten crates of assorted treasures have also been logged and sealed in the warehouse.”

“Reporting to Revered Master, the Nanzhou Merchant Guild has brought in thirty thousand taels of gold this year, along with five crates of rare curios.”

“Reporting to Revered Master, the Xizhou Merchant Guild has brought in fifty thousand taels of gold this year and fifteen crates of rare curios. Every single piece is a heavy treasure, radiant and dazzling.”

“Reporting to Revered Master, the Beizhou Merchant Guild has finally stabilized its footing this year. We didn't lose everything like last year and have managed to barely hold our ground.”

Gui Lingzi listened and nodded slightly, yet he still cautioned them in a deep voice: “In business, the key is to be steady and sure. Silver can be earned slowly, but once a reputation is ruined, it can never be picked up again—credibility is heavier than gold and hotter than fire.”

“Yes! Revered Master’s teachings are engraved in our hearts! We will certainly abide by our duties and protect the golden reputation of this merchant guild!”

“Good! Everyone has done their best this time, so rewards will be distributed as per the rules. You few will receive an extra ten percent bonus as a reward for your hard work.” Gui Lingzi was now well-versed in the ways of the world. He was no longer the naive, green youth he was when he first started, who didn't even know how to flip through an account book.

“We thank the Revered Master for his great kindness! Even if our bodies are ground to dust, we would not dare forget today’s grace!” The shopkeepers responded in unison, bowing their waists even lower.

“Mm, rise. Go about your business. Oh, right—bring a pot of Cloud Mist Peak Spring Tea. My throat is dry.” Ever since he had tasted the tea roasted by his Revered Master’s own hands, that flavor had been etched into his bones. After being sent down the mountain for tempering, he had never tasted anything so crisp and sweet again. Fortunately, mortal tea wasn't bad; though it didn't reach a tenth of his Revered Master’s handiwork, a sip of it served as a small comfort for his homesickness.

The shopkeepers bowed and withdrew. They only gathered once a year, rushing from thousands of miles away and then hurrying back to manage their shops, watch the accounts, and coordinate warehouses; every one of them was incredibly busy. Fortunately, Gui Lingzi was a Cultivator and often gifted them pills that strengthened the foundation and nurtured the essence—everyone was full of spirit, walking with a spring in their step and handling matters efficiently, which left him at ease. Who knew these shopkeepers had long ago had their souls hooked by the fragrance of the pills?

Who truly wanted to spend their days suffering in sickness? Who was willing to watch their lifespan slip away day by day? Now that there was medicine to extend their lives and energy to be spent, along with tangible bonuses and a future, how could their hearts not be warm and joyful?

Gui Lingzi sat alone for a moment, his gaze drifting toward the direction of Jiangtang Pass: Was Revered Master still there? Should he make a trip back?

“Revered Master! Revered Master! Urgent news just arrived—that Daoist at Jiangtang Pass has left! Right before everyone's eyes, he vanished in a wisp of blue smoke, leaving no trace. It was truly miraculous! Do you... have any instructions?”

Gui Lingzi was stunned upon hearing this, but he quickly felt relieved: Revered Master must have seen that the time was ripe and set off on his travels. Wasn't he the same back then? He just walked slower and thought more. Only one thing was certain—the Great Tribulation was approaching, and it was not far off.

“Quickly, pass the order! Stockpile grain and armaments throughout the territory, intensify the brewing of vinegar and the curing of meat, and dry and store salt! Also, the shopkeepers haven't gone far yet; call them all back to receive orders!”

The housekeeper was utterly confused but didn't dare ask more, immediately cupping his fists: “As you command, Revered Master!”

Watching the housekeeper hurry out the door, Gui Lingzi looked up at the sky—a faint light was splitting through the clouds. He thought to himself: It’s time for me to step out onto my own path as well.

In the city of Zhaoge, King Zhou was still living in a drunken stupor, bullying the virtuous and dominating the kind. Under Daji’s bewitchment, he introduced new torture devices and cruel laws one after another. Even several seasoned and steady pillars of the state had their official posts stripped and were driven into desperate straits. Instead of waking up, he became even more excessive, caring only for indulging in wine and women.

In the North Sea camp, Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong was sitting on pins and needles. Since his teacher had secretly ordered him to return to court, his heart felt as if it were weighed down by a block of ice—subsequently, secret reports flew in like snowflakes: Zhaoge was in chaos, and the absurdities were growing worse. Could such a king truly inherit the six-hundred-year foundation of the Great Shang? His Revered Master’s order for him to return to court was indeed not without reason.

How could he not want to break camp immediately? But the North Sea rebels had not yet been quelled. If he withdrew now, he feared a resurgence. He could only use an iron fist to clear them out, raking the halls and sweeping the nests. After several years of bitter fighting, he finally crushed the rebellion and returned to the capital in triumph.

When the news reached Zhaoge, King Zhou’s face instantly turned ashen. Toward Wen Zhong, he had always felt three parts respect and seven parts fear—Wen Zhong had taught him martial arts as a child, instructed him in the principles of governing, and even the deployment of the palace guards followed his command. How could he not be afraid?

“Your Majesty, why does your face look so pale? Are you unwell?” Daji leaned against the Phoenix couch, her brow slightly arched, her tone soft and light, but a cold glint flashed in the depths of her eyes.

“It's nothing, nothing! It's just that Grand Preceptor Wen has quelled the North Sea and is about to return to court... We must throw open the palace gates, ring the bells, and line up the troops to welcome him grandly!” King Zhou forced a smile, speaking loudly, but his back was already soaked in cold sweat, and his voice was tight.

“Oh? The Grand Preceptor is back? That is truly a blessing for the state!” Daji picked up a wine goblet, smiling radiantly. “With the Grand Preceptor guarding the court, Your Majesty’s realm is as stable as Mount Tai. You can rest easy and enjoy your pleasures—come, drink this cup to calm your nerves.”

Her fingertips gripped the jade cup until her knuckles turned white, while alarm bells were already ringing wildly in her heart. Wen Zhong’s illustrious reputation was not built on hot air. A single slip-up would mean her head and body in different places, her Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering—but she could never say those words aloud.

Wen Zhong was unlike ordinary court officials—his prestige was like a mountain pressing down, and his cultivation was like a thunderbolt splitting the sky; even King Zhou himself had to weigh his actions. If he were truly pushed too far, King Zhou feared his head would be moved before the dragon throne even got warm. In the entire court, he was the only one who could make King Zhou hold his breath and not dare to act recklessly. For now, only by keeping him calm could she keep her own bones safely within her body.

“Good! Good! Good! My beloved concubine truly understands my heart.” King Zhou beamed, draining the wine cup Daji handed him, and his furrowed brows finally relaxed a bit.

“I heard that Grand Preceptor Wen is returning to Zhaoge tomorrow! This is a momentous occasion!”

“Isn't it! Finally, someone can restrain the King! If he continues to indulge himself so willfully, the Great Shang’s realm will likely collapse into ruins! General Huang, you must tell the Grand Preceptor everything that has happened these past few years, word for word, without leaving anything out!”

Huang Feihu nodded solemnly, a fire already burning in his chest—this time, he would definitely expose all of King Zhou’s absurd behavior. He could no longer let him have his way, otherwise the nation would no longer be a nation, and it would be too late for regrets!

“Rest assured, everyone. When the Grand Preceptor returns, I will present the situation in person, every word truthful, with nothing hidden!”

The officials nodded one after another, a long-absent brightness appearing on their faces, as if they could already see that ray of light breaking through the clouds and shining into the increasingly dim court.

In the blink of an eye, Grand Preceptor Wen led his army to ten miles outside Zhaoge. King Zhou actually led the entire civil and military court out of the city to welcome him, showing no imperial arrogance at all—this showed that this man held immense weight in his heart.

Wen Zhong arrived riding a Qilin. Seeing the imperial carriage from afar, he dismounted, stepped forward with steady strides, and touched one knee to the ground, his voice like a resonant bell: “Your old servant Wen Zhong kowtows to Your Majesty!”

King Zhou rushed forward to help him up, his tone earnest: “The Grand Preceptor has worked hard on his journey. The great victory in the North Sea is a service to the state! Quickly follow me back to the palace to tell me the details!” He then raised his voice to command: “Prepare a feast to reward the army! All soldiers of the three armies are to be heavily rewarded!”

“I thank Your Majesty for your great grace!” Wen Zhong cupped his fists and bowed his head.

“We thank Your Majesty for your great grace!” The soldiers knelt in unison, their throats choked with emotion and their eyes red, too moved to speak clearly.

A grand feast was already prepared in the palace, with pipes and flutes playing in unison to celebrate Grand Preceptor Wen’s triumphant return.

After three rounds of wine, Wen Zhong suddenly left his seat and knelt, his every word powerful: “This old servant boldly implores Your Majesty: Attend to state affairs diligently, purge the treacherous and sycophantic, dismiss those who manipulate power, and restore clarity to the court!”

King Zhou’s temples throbbed upon hearing this. But his fear of Wen Zhong was etched into his bones, and even the Golden King-Beating Whip bestowed by the late emperor hung in the corner of the hall—it could strike a dim-witted ruler above and execute rebellious ministers below; he himself didn't dare touch it even slightly. At this moment, he could only lower his voice and say with a forced smile: “Grand Preceptor, today is a victory feast... perhaps we can discuss this tomorrow?”

“It cannot wait, Your Majesty!” Wen Zhong’s back was as straight as a green pine. “If I do not speak today, I would be failing the heavy trust the late emperor placed in me and would be ashamed to face our ancestors!”

The entire hall fell silent. The officials bowed their heads in silence, knowing that a storm was brewing.

King Zhou sighed helplessly: “...Since the Grand Preceptor has important matters, feel free to speak.” The only person in the world who could make him act so submissively was this man.

Wen Zhong immediately presented the 'Ten Remonstrances,' requesting King Zhou to decide and implement them point by point. As a senior minister of the regency and a trusted official of the late emperor, his gaze was burning, allowing no evasion.

King Zhou had been raised under Wen Zhong’s admonishments since childhood. Now his palms were sweating and his fingertips were trembling, and he could only take up the brush to agree to seven of the points. Only three remained unresolved: keeping Daji, building the Deer Terrace, and protecting Fei Zhong and You Hun. He looked up tentatively: “Grand Preceptor, regarding these three matters, may I deliberate further?”

Wen Zhong did not yield an inch, stepping forward with a voice that shook the hall’s beams: “Your Majesty! How can such Prodigies who harm the nation be tolerated? If they are not executed, how can the people’s indignation be pacified? If they are not slain, how can the court’s discipline be rectified? Please issue the decree immediately, Your Majesty, lest delay breeds trouble!”

Before he could finish, Fei Zhong and You Hun suddenly stepped out, pointing at Wen Zhong and shouting: “The Grand Preceptor has overstepped the rites and has no respect for the Sovereign!”

Wen Zhong sneered and questioned the two on their crimes on the spot. Without waiting for them to finish answering, he waved his hand and ordered his attendants to drag them out for a caning. Clubs flew and blood splattered the crimson steps, and they were then dragged to the Meridian Gate to be beheaded in public. King Zhou sat frozen on the dragon throne, his fingers inside his sleeves turning white from gripping so hard, yet he didn't dare say a word to stop it—who told them to go and crash into this iron-faced Yama?

The victory feast turned into a disciplinary court in the blink of an eye, but every official in the court felt refreshed, wanting nothing more than to clap their hands in approval.

Wen Zhong bowed again and petitioned: “Please issue the penal decree, Your Majesty, and carry out the execution according to the law.”

The wild words of Fei and You just now had indeed caused a slight ripple in King Zhou’s heart—he felt the Grand Preceptor’s actions were too sharp, yet he suffered from being unable to do anything; he wanted to save the two, yet he feared Wen Zhong’s wrath. He could only say softly: “What the Grand Preceptor has petitioned is reasonable in every word. I grant all three of these matters. However, though Fei and You offended the Three Ducal Ministers, their crimes are still debatable. Let them be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for a detailed investigation. If their crimes are proven, they shall be dealt with according to the law, and they will have no grievances.”

Seeing King Zhou yield repeatedly, his face actually showing a look of trepidation, Grand Preceptor Wen’s heart suddenly sank: Even though I am loyally remonstrating for the sake of the nation, I have made the King fear his minister like a tiger—is this not first committing the crime of deceiving the Sovereign? As soon as the thought occurred, he dropped to both knees with a thud, his voice low and earnest: “My only wish is for peace throughout the four seas, for the common people to live in security, and for all nations to return their hearts to us. If this wish is fulfilled, I have no other desires!”

King Zhou immediately issued a decree to hand Fei Zhong and You Hun over to the Ministry of Justice for strict investigation. The seven rectifying measures were implemented immediately, while the three were temporarily delayed for deliberation. The Emperor returned to the palace and the officials dispersed, but everyone had an uncontrollable excitement on their brows—as expected, the old general’s methods were sharp; the name 'Grand Preceptor Wen' truly held a thousand catties of weight!

“Grand Preceptor, this is wonderful! The King can finally cast off those treacherous sycophants and be a wise ruler!”

“Exactly! Fortunately you rushed back in time, otherwise the court would have completely collapsed!”

Everyone gathered around Wen Zhong, each pouring out their grievances. But then the conversation shifted, and remembering how the Vice Prime Minister Bi Gan had his heart gouged out for his direct remonstrance, everyone’s throats tightened, their faces grew tense, and no one dared to laugh out loud again.

What a pity—when the world is about to flourish, good governance arises naturally; when the world is about to fall, the roots of disaster are already buried.