Primordial Era: A God-Level Choice, Possessing Zhao Gongming at the Start.

Chapter 282 Western Conspiracy: The Chaos in the North Sea

Emperor Xin reigned for seven years. He was a man of great talent and ambition, but the four great marquises of the east, west, south, and north had already gained considerable power. It was no easy task to weaken their influence.

Therefore, Emperor Xin firmly grasped the technology of the curved plow and used it within the Shang Dynasty.

In addition, strategic resources such as salt and sugar were inflated by Emperor Xin and transported to the vassal states where the four great marquises resided, in exchange for a large amount of wealth.

At the same time, Emperor Xin selected sites to build granaries in various places within the Shang Dynasty.

A hundred granaries were built, storing all the grain produced by the curved plow over the years, as well as the grain purchased from the four major vassal states.

In the future, these granaries will become the most solid foundation for pacifying the feudal states and unifying the Shang Dynasty both internally and externally.

In addition, under the tutelage of Zhao Gongming, Emperor Xin thoroughly studied the three volumes of military strategy that the Mysterious Woman had taught Xuanyuan, selected the essential parts, and passed them on to Wen Zhong, Huang Feihu, and other generals of Chaoge.

In the seventh year of Emperor Xin's reign, the decadent Shang Dynasty was revitalized.

After teaching Emperor Xin for seven years, Zhao Gongming left Chaoge, and the great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods began.

It would be somewhat inappropriate for him to continue staying in Chaoge.

Most importantly, Emperor Xin had the Kongtong Seal in his possession, making him impervious to all evils. Even a sage could not defeat him.

After Zhao Gongming left, the overwhelming aura of calamity that blotted out the sun suddenly surged to its peak.

Then it all erupted, spreading to every corner of the world.

The great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods has erupted!

In the endless river of humanity, the fortune of great merchants suddenly vanished, becoming impossible to predict.

A streak of light departed from Shouyang Mountain and flew to the heavens!

Jin'ao Island, Kunlun Mountain, Mount Sumeru, and Tai Su Heaven each emitted streams of light.

Soon, all the sages gathered in the Nine Heavens. Taiqing Laozi held the Investiture of the Gods in his left hand and the God-Slaying Whip in his right, and solemnly said.

"The great calamity has begun, and the disciples of the four sects are entering the calamity. Who gets on the list depends entirely on luck, and there must be no mistakes. If you all agree, then let's sign the Investiture of the Gods List."

Taiqing took out the Investiture of the Gods, slowly unfolded it to reveal a blank space, and then filled in the two characters "Taiqing" first.

The Tongtian Sect Leader then filled in the blank, followed by Nuwa.

The three saints, Yuanshi, Zhunti, and Jieyin, exchanged a glance and, without hesitation, filled in their names.

After signing the Investiture of the Gods, all the saints left one after another, and the disciples of the four sects entered the tribulation, determined to succeed!

In the West, at the sacred land of Sumeru, beside the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, the eyes of Cundi and Jieyin gleamed with a mysterious light.

"Senior brother, the fate of the Great Shang Dynasty can no longer be predicted. It's time to give the Great Shang Dynasty some appetizers."

A hint of coldness flickered in Jieyin's eyes. "Go."

Zhunti transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the land of the North Sea, north of the Great Shang Dynasty!

In the Beihai region, there are seventy-three vassal states, of which seventy-two are controlled by Yuan Futong, the King of Beihai, who is also the most powerful vassal state.

In the capital city of Beihai, Yuan Futong respectfully welcomed Zhunti inside, his face beaming with a fawning smile.

"Teacher, what brings you here?"

"What, you're not welcome?"

"Welcome, of course you are welcome. Without your guidance, how could I, Xiao Tong, possibly sit in the position of the King of Beihai?"

With no one else around in the hall, the renowned Yuan Futong transformed into a sycophant, fawning over Zhunti with great fervor.

The previous King of Beihai had eighteen sons. Yuan Futong was unremarkable and had no chance of vying for the throne.

If it weren't for Zhunti's help, Yuan Futong would definitely not be the current King of Beihai.

Zhunti glanced at Yuan Futong indifferently, "How are the training of the seventy-two vassal lords in Beihai City going? How many capable and battle-hardened troops do they have?"

Yuan Futong's expression changed slightly. "Teacher, what are you going to do?"

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask!"

"Yes, teacher."

Yuan Futong wiped the sweat from his forehead and said respectfully, "Seventy percent of the seventy-two lords of Beihai have already surrendered to me. As for the remaining few troublemakers, they can't cause any trouble under the influence of the general trend."

Yuan Futong paused for a moment, then continued, "As for the armored soldiers, there are a million of them, all of them elite troops and capable generals, ready to go to war at any time."

Zhunti nodded. "Then let's lead the seventy-two tribes of the North Sea to rebel against the Great Shang Dynasty a month from now."

"Huh? They've rebelled against the Shang Dynasty?"

Yuan Futong was very surprised, as he had received many benefits from the big merchants over the years.

Sugar, salt, sturdy armor, sharp weapons, and easy-to-write white paper.

Once he rebels against the Shang Dynasty, all these things will be lost, and Yuan Futong will be branded as a traitor, becoming a disgrace to Beihai.

Zhunti gave Yuan Futong a very strange look, and Yuan Futong immediately broke out in a cold sweat. "Yes, teacher."

"Beihai is a large territory, and the seventy-two vassal states are not to be underestimated. I guess that the King of Shang will send Grand Tutor Wen Zhong or King Wu Cheng Huang Feihu to lead the expedition. I will cooperate with you in Beihai to kill the generals of Shang."

The current state of the Shang Dynasty has made Zhunti realize that something is amiss. He has changed his strategy from holding back the Shang Dynasty and weakening its national strength to attacking it head-on.

"Yes."

Yuan Futong dared not refute.

Time flew by, and a month passed. Yuan Futong of Beihai officially issued the order to rebel against the Shang Dynasty.

With an army of two million, Yuan Futong dominated Beihai and became the true King of Beihai.

Within the Great Shang court, a scout arrived on horseback to report the rebellion in the North Sea to Emperor Xin.

Inside the Longde Hall, the civil and military officials of the Shang Dynasty spoke in hushed tones, but if one got close, one could clearly hear what they were saying.

"Yuan Futong of Beihai has truly lost his mind, daring to rebel against our Great Shang!"

"Hmph, young man, you are ignorant of your own limitations and the might of the Great Shang cavalry!"

"You dog, you traitor, you villain, you rebel!"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead a large army to quell the rebellion of Yuan Futong in Beihai."

King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu, stepped forward, his eyes wide open.

"I am also willing to go to war!"

"Your Majesty, I am also willing!"

Almost all the military generals stood up, filled with righteous indignation, and vowed to fight against the Northern Sea for the Great Shang Dynasty.

Di Xin waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet, and then looked at Wen Zhong.

"Grand Tutor, are you willing to wage war in the North Sea?"

Wen Zhong rose from the throne bestowed upon him by the emperor, cupped his hands, and said, "I am willing to go as Your Majesty commands."

Wen Zhong has a golden divine mark between his eyebrows, rides a black Qilin, and has studied under the Golden Spirit Mother for many years. With the blessing of human fortune, his strength is unfathomable and he can fight against a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

"Very well, then I command you to lead a million-strong army on a distant expedition to the North Sea, and you must bring back Yuan Futong's head for me."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wen Zhong, a trusted minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor and the Grand Tutor of the Shang Dynasty, experienced countless battles throughout his life and can be called the God of War of the Shang Dynasty.

Even if Yuan Futong had three heads and six arms, he would only end up failing once Wen Zhong set out.

Immediately, Wen Zhong mobilized troops and led a large army to Beihai.

A steady stream of provisions, supplies, and weaponry were provided to support the elite troops of Dashang.

When Zhao Gongming saw the letter from Emperor Xin saying that Yuan Futong of Beihai had rebelled, his eyes narrowed and he sensed that something was wrong.

According to the original timeline, the rebellion in Beihai was tantamount to tolling the death knell for the Shang Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)