Covering the sky: Starting with the holy body, the immortal Taoist comes to attack

Chapter 153 Planning Before the Counterattack
"The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Evolution is forty-nine. One is removed, leaving a sliver of hope, which is the variable!"

Gu Xuan sat upright in the palace, softly muttering these words, a sharp, cold glint flashing in his eyes.

There is no doubt that the Sima family made this statement to create momentum.

When the time is right, they will surely force him, the King of Zhou, to abdicate.

And all indications suggest that this day is not far off.

A month ago, on the day of the founding ceremony of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a major event occurred in the imperial court.

It was the fourth month of summer in the third year of the Pinglu era of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which was also the third year since the original form of Gu Xuan was established as the King of Zhou.

that day.

General Sima Shang, fully armored and carrying a sword, entered the palace. The original King of Zhou rose from his throne and greeted him with great tact.

Below, the assembled officials all reported: "The General's merits are immeasurable; he should be made Duke of Jin and granted the Nine Bestowments."

No matter how much the King of Zhou tried to compromise, he still found it hard to accept.

This series of investiture ceremonies undoubtedly symbolized that Sima Shang was one step closer to the supreme throne, almost making him appear to be the de facto ruler.

Two thousand years ago, the Great Zhou Dynasty also experienced a usurpation by a powerful minister, just like back then.

He first granted the title of king and bestowed upon him the Nine Bestowments, thus guiding his ministers to align themselves with him. Not long after, he successfully seized the throne.

Fortunately, twenty years later, a descendant of a remote royal family launched a counterattack and purged the dynasty, allowing the Great Zhou Dynasty to continue to this day.

Unexpectedly, after so many years, that scene from back then has been repeated once again!
Feeling distressed, King Zhou lowered his head and remained silent.

But Sima Shang was clearly not going to let it go easily. His eyes were cold, and he shouted in a stern voice: "My father, sons and brothers, a total of five men, have rendered great service to the Zhou, and two of them died in service to the king. Now that I am the Duke of Jin, am I not worthy?"

These words resounded throughout the court, carrying immense prestige.

Sima Shang was indeed confident, because when he said "two of his fathers, sons, and brothers died in service to the king," he meant that his two younger brothers had died one after another in the war against the Quanrong tribe.

This is also one of the reasons for the Sima family's confidence.

King Zhou was forced into a corner. Looking at the ministers in the court, although they were clearly not all vassals of the Sima family, they were obviously shrewd people who would side with whoever won, and it was impossible for them to speak up for him, King Zhou.

In the end, he had no choice but to swallow his anger and reply, "Dare I disobey?"

Sima Shang was clearly not willing to let it go, and he pressed on sharply, "The poem 'Subduing the Dragon' treats us like eels; what kind of etiquette is this?"

The so-called "Hidden Dragon Poem" was a poem that King Zhou wrote in secret when he was feeling depressed.

His poem is as follows:

Alas, the dragon is subdued, unable to cross the abyss. It cannot fly above the Milky Way, nor can it be seen in the fields below.

I dwell at the bottom of the well, while loaches and eels dance before me. Hiding my teeth and claws, alas, I am no different!

Sima Shang's question caused the entire room to fall silent.

Among the ministers present were more than ten confidants of the Sima family. Upon hearing this, they glared angrily at the King of Zhou above, showing no regard for the proper etiquette between subjects.

As for the remaining ministers...

Some looked reluctant, some closed their eyes as if they were calm and collected, some wore sneers, and some were dumbfounded—the list goes on.

However, intimidated by the terrifying power of the Sima family and its allies, no one dared to stand up for King Zhou; those who did were long dead.

In the end, King Zhou lowered his head and remained silent, unable to answer.

Sima Shang and his entourage left the hall with cold smiles, leaving the assembled officials in awe.

This event can definitely be considered one of the major political events in the Great Zhou Dynasty in recent years.

As a result of this incident, the prestige of the Zhou king and even the royal family declined significantly, while the Sima family became even more powerful, attracting more forces to their side.

Furthermore, it greatly accelerated the Sima family's determination and actions to usurp the throne.

If nothing unexpected happens, King Zhou may have to issue an edict to abdicate within a year or two.

His likely fate was to be imprisoned in a small place near the capital, where he would "die in despair" some time later.

Judging from the Sima family's style and their actions of bribing various forces in order to usurp the throne.

They almost entirely continued to implement a governing system that aligned with the interests of powerful families and clans, known as the "family-based official selection system."

……

however.

With the arrival of Gu Xuan's incarnation, everything was destined to change.

As the flood of information subsided, Gu Xuan closed his eyes and began to ponder his situation as the King of Zhou, and what possible way to break the deadlock.

The current situation is quite clear.

For him personally, his situation was similar to that of Emperor Xian of Han, or more figuratively, Cao Mao.

For the entire dynasty, it could be said that it was in danger.

To the west lies the powerful Quanrong tribe, which has now grown into a large and influential clan that frequently raids the borders and enslaves people.

In the north, there was also the fierce, barbaric, cruel, and bloodthirsty Jie tribe. On the surface, they accepted the investiture of the Great Zhou Dynasty and became the so-called Dragon General Guard, sweeping away the northern enemies for the dynasty. But in reality, they were an insatiable wolf.

When the Great Zhou was powerful, it could suppress these foreign tribes.

However, over the centuries, the Great Zhou Dynasty had long since declined, riddled with internal conflicts, and its borders were desolate.

All of this was observed by the Quanrong and Jie tribes, who were all sharpening their knives, thinking that sooner or later they would invade the Central Plains and fulfill their desires to burn, kill, rape, and plunder at will.

Moreover, the Sima family, a powerful clan, was not oblivious to this situation.

However, the prominent figures of the Sima family, represented by Sima Shang, were adept at internal strife, but only so-so at external struggles.

Back then, during the battle against the Quanrong tribe, if it weren't for Sima Shang's two younger brothers risking their lives to hold the rear, Sima Shang himself probably wouldn't have been able to escape.

In recent years, even when Sima Shang was in charge, he could only barely hold his own against the Quanrong and Jie tribes, and could only watch as these foreign tribes burned, killed, and looted within his territory. He could not do much or even make any progress.

Given his foreign military capabilities, this is the best he can do.

Secondly, the Sima family itself had selfish motives. Even if they were unsuccessful in their external campaigns, they could retreat to the southern border, live in peace in a corner of the country, and still be local emperors, enjoying wealth and honor!
For Gu Xuan

Now that he is the King of Zhou, the actions of Sima Shang, the Sima family, and even their vassals are a recipe for disaster.

However, his most important problem right now is how to turn the tide, regain power, and only then can he possibly quell the foreign invasion.

Gu Xuan closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, pondering how to turn the tide.

First of all.

His greatest asset was, of course, his own martial prowess.

In this degenerate age, the martial prowess of his incarnation is enough to rival a thousand men, even surpassing that of the former Tai Zhou Gaozu.

Whether it was power struggles in the capital or battles on the battlefield, he was unparalleled in the world. No so-called commander or fierce general could stop him!
Most importantly, no one knew of Gu Xuan's arrival; they all still thought he was the same puppet King Zhou.

As for the Great Zhou Divine King Technique passed down by the royal family, it wasn't too low-level for Gu Xuan. However, it was still somewhat inadequate for an avatar of a Heavenly Emperor-level expert.

But now that he is the King of Zhou, Gu Xuan has still developed and practiced this technique to its fullest extent, and his mastery of it has surpassed that of the former Emperor Gaozu of Zhou.

Second.

The power in the imperial court was clearly not monolithic, consisting of the Sima family. Although they had achieved temporary dominance, they still had opposing forces; otherwise, they would have already seized power.

One last point.

The Zhou Dynasty, having existed for thousands of years, still had some popular support.

At least, many of the former Imperial Guards are still around.

They were also known as the Orphans of the Imperial Guards, who were the descendants of many soldiers who had died for their country, selected by successive Zhou kings and organized into an army to protect the royal family.

However, decades ago, after the Sima family successfully seized power, they did not dare to massacre the Imperial Guards. Instead, they dispersed them and placed them among various armies.

In addition, some people in local areas and among the ministers were also resentful of the Sima clan's monopoly of power and were disrespectful to the royal family.

Over the years, these people had also tried to unite and rise up in rebellion to restore the royal family, but they were all brutally suppressed by the Sima clan and other powerful families, resulting in the extermination of many clans.

In addition, the original Zhou king and his father were indeed incompetent and weak, and incapable of accomplishing anything.

Therefore, in recent years, no one has launched a military campaign in the name of restoring the monarchy with such real force.

This is also normal.

If even the royal family itself cannot rally, what use are those who are full of loyalty and courage? Every death is one less.

As a result, in the end, most of the passionate people either died or became disillusioned, turning into conformists who followed whoever won.

……

While thinking.

Suddenly, screams of agony came from outside the palace gates.

"Ah...ah..."

Listening to the voice and searching his memories, Gu Xuan recognized it as Huang Jing, one of his few trusted eunuchs, being punished in some way.

The only people who would dare to whip a confidant in front of the King of Zhou, right outside his palace, are clearly from the Sima family!

In addition to Huang Jing's screams, there was also a triumphant yet vicious rebuke.

"You dog of a servant, don't think you're so great just because you've joined the Weiyang Clan. You have no manners whatsoever when you see us!"

The speaker was named Cheng Bao, the second-in-command of the palace eunuchs and one of the people Sima Shang had placed in the palace to monitor the Zhou king.

This man has always been arrogant and domineering, sometimes not even giving face to the King of Zhou, let alone whipping his trusted eunuch at this moment.

have to say.

For a king of the Zhou dynasty to be reduced to being bullied by his own servants is a tragedy in itself.

However, compared to the countless ordinary people within the entire Great Zhou Dynasty who couldn't even get enough to eat and died tragically, both King Zhou and Huang Jing were already considered to have had much better fates.

At least they have enough to eat and wear, and won't freeze or starve to death.

Gu Xuan had already made up his mind.

Huang Jing must be saved, otherwise he will further alienate the few trusted eunuchs he has left!
On the other hand, he did not come forward regarding Huang Jing's beating, nor did he want to alert the perpetrator.

He summoned another personal eunuch at the palace gate, then took out a gold thumb ring from a box behind him and instructed the eunuch to deliver it to Cheng Bao, the second-in-command, asking him to show mercy.

Before long, the sound of whipping finally stopped, and Huang Jing, limping, was helped back by his personal attendant.

As someone planted by the Sima family, Cheng Bao certainly dared not accept the gold ring, otherwise he would surely be killed by the Sima family the next day and become a corpse.

Although King Zhou had fallen from grace, he was still the nominal ruler of the dynasty. Cheng Bao was quite pleased with his humble attitude and, after a slight punishment, let Huang Jing go.

This was just a minor incident, but it made Gu Xuan realize his identity and situation as the King of Zhou.

Time is really running out for him.

The time left for the common people with tragic backgrounds in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty was even less, especially for those in the border regions who were cruelly harmed by foreign tribes!
The following days.

While trying his best not to arouse the Sima clan's suspicion, Gu Xuan communicated with the palace guards, servants, and officials in the palace, either having heart-to-heart talks or bestowing favors, and roughly identified some candidates.

……

That morning was the day of the grand court assembly held every five days.

General Sima Shang himself did not attend, but sent his third brother Sima Gu as his representative.

Over the years, Sima Shang rarely entered the palace, giving the Zhou king no opportunity to take advantage of him.

Sima Gu, whose position was General of the Central Guard, was a ruthless man with a military background who exuded a chilling aura.

Wherever his gaze fell, many ministers lowered their heads and bowed.

There's no other reason than that Sima Gu was truly capable of killing, even murdering his opponents in court.

On this day, Gu Xuan also made a small test.

During the court meeting, he interrupted with a question, asking whether there were any measures to be taken regarding the Jie people's burning, killing, raping, and looting in Luocheng.

The people he questioned included the Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue, both trusted confidants of the Sima family.

This clearly surprised all the courtiers.

For a long time, the Zhou king, who sat high on the throne, was just a figurehead. He rarely spoke, and even when he did, he only echoed the Sima clan.

What's going on now? Why are you even concerned about the war in Xijing?

This action undoubtedly drew a cold, low rebuke from Sima Gu: "Your Majesty, wasn't this matter already discussed in court? Why bring it up again?"

Sima Gu's so-called "previously discussed in court" naturally refers to allowing the Jie people to plunder Luoyang, and the court should not interfere too much.

"Oh, I only grieve for those subjects who died..."

A look of sorrow appeared on Gu Xuan's face, a genuine expression of his feelings, for he had indeed sensed the tragic state of affairs before arriving on this land.

Upon seeing that the King of Zhou was actually putting on an act of bribing his subjects, Sima Gu's eyes flashed with a fierce light.

The next moment, one of the eunuchs he had planted, with keen insight, tugged at Gu Xuan's clothes from behind, while almost imperceptibly saying behind Gu Xuan's back, "Your Majesty, be careful with your words."

Gu Xuan ultimately remained silent.

But he eventually saw through the reactions of the ministers below.

Some looked angry, some looked reluctant, some looked sorrowful, and some had narrowed their eyes slightly—the expressions varied greatly…

Under these circumstances, Gu Xuan could not escape the notice of everyone's reactions. Clearly, these people were not on the same side as the Sima family and their allies.

This achieved Gu Xuan's goal, giving him more confidence in his final action the next day.

(End of this chapter)