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

Emperor Xin actually summoned the four great marquises of the east, west, south, and north, each leading two hundred vassal lords under their command to pay homage to the Shang Dynasty.

It should be noted that since the previous emperor, Di Yi, the power of the four vassal kings had reached its peak.

Although they are still nominally subjects of the Shang Dynasty, in reality, they have long since established themselves as kings and controlled their own territories.

It was only after Emperor Xin ascended the throne and implemented sweeping reforms that the power of the vassal kings was somewhat restrained.

But it was still a behemoth, so powerful it was suffocating. At this time, what was the purpose of Emperor Xin ordering the four vassal kings to lead eight hundred vassal lords to pay homage to the Shang Dynasty?

Ji Chang pondered deeply and finally decided to first consult a divination to see if the trip would bring good or bad fortune.

Ji Chang's divination skills were unparalleled, reaching a level of perfection where he could act on his words without hesitation.

After taking the tortoise shell, bathing and burning incense, they began to deduce its meaning.

Soon, the divination yielded a result, indicating that this journey would bring either great fortune or great misfortune.

Ji Chang had never encountered such a divination before.

Ji Chang attempted to interpret the divination and ultimately concluded that something very bad would happen on this trip to Chaoge.

However, their own safety is not a problem, and they can return safely.

At this moment, the door to the study was pushed open, and the young and handsome Boyi Kao and Ji Fa walked in.

"Father, what did the decree from the King of Chaoge say?"

Ji Chang told Boyi Kao and Ji Fa the contents of the royal decree and the conclusions he had drawn from his divination.

After hearing this, the two frowned and said in unison.

"Since the divination indicates that something very bad will happen if we go to Chaoge, then Father can simply claim illness and not go. The King will not punish Xiqi for this reason."

"Not going? What will the king think? What will the feudal lords think?"

Ji Chang shook his head and said in a deep voice, "You have underestimated our king. The curved plow, refined sugar, refined salt, and white paper have accumulated so much wealth for Chaoge over the years. Our king has a master advisor behind him. If I don't go, it will surely bring disaster to Xiqi."

Boyi Kao asked worriedly, "Father, what should we do?"

"What else can we do but obey the king's order and take a look at how Chaoge has developed over the years?"

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed. The three feudal lords, namely, Marquis Jiang Huanchu of the East, Marquis E Chongyu of the South, and Marquis Chonghouhu of the North, all sent messages to Xiqi.

After reaching a consensus, the four vassal kings, having prepared sufficient forces to pay homage, led eight hundred local vassal kings and set off for Chaoge.

In the Longde Hall, Emperor Xin finished reviewing the memorials on his desk.

After thinking for a moment, he summoned Fei Zhong and You Hun.

The decree of grace had almost completely offended the four great marquises of the east, west, south, and north, as well as the eight hundred vassal lords under their command, so naturally it could not be proposed by him.

Looking across the court and the country, Fei Zhong and You Hun are the most suitable candidates.

A short while later, Fei Zhong and You Hun entered respectfully. "Fei Zhong and You Hun greet Your Majesty."

"Get up, everyone."

Di Xin waved his hand and had the eunuch hand the prepared edict of grace to Fei Zhong and You Hun.

The two men casually flipped through the pages, but after a while their eyes widened in disbelief as they looked at Di Xin. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this..."

The two opened their mouths several times, but they didn't know what to say. It was shocking, too shocking.

If the contents of this paper were to be leaked, it would likely cause a major upheaval throughout the entire Shang Dynasty.

This is reminiscent of the recent decree issued by Emperor Xin, summoning all the feudal lords of the land to Chaoge to offer their congratulations.

Fei Zhong and You Hun immediately understood the most important point.

Di Xin looked at Fei Zhong and You Hun, their expressions shifting from shock to fear, and laughed, "You should know what I want to do, right?"

"Understood."

Fei Zhong's voice was dry and hoarse.

"When the four major vassal kings and eight hundred minor vassal kings come to Chaoge to pay homage, you shall present this decree of grace."

"Ah, us?"

Fei Zhong and You Hun were greatly alarmed. The Edict of Grace weakened the power of the feudal lords. Who proposed it?

Those were the mortal enemies of the feudal lords; they wanted to live a few more days.

Di Xin's face darkened. "Could it be that your usual loyalty is all an act, and you are actually unwilling to share my burdens?"

Fei Zhong and You Hun immediately bowed down, saying, "Your Majesty, we are willing to share your burdens."

"This is truly my good subject."

Di Xin nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, I've heard that Su Daji, the daughter of Marquis Su Hu of Ji Province, possesses a beauty that could rival the most beautiful women in history. Is that true?"

Fei Zhong and You Hun searched their minds for information about the Marquis of Ji Province before finally finding the name Su Daji.

In my memory, she did indeed have a stunningly beautiful face, but it seems that Su Daji was engaged to Boyi Kao, the eldest son of Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo.

What does Your Majesty mean by mentioning Su Daji at this time?

"Your Majesty, Su Hu's daughter, Su Daji, is indeed of unparalleled beauty and is the most beautiful woman in Jizhou City."

Fei Zhong, You Hun hurriedly said.

"I plan to have you two propose marriage on my behalf when the four great marquises and eight hundred vassal lords come to Chaoge to offer their congratulations. I wish to arrange for you to marry Su Hu's daughter, Su Daji. What do you think?"

"Ah, this."

Fei Zhong and You Hun exchanged glances, their eyes meeting, and said, "We naturally have no objection to your proposal for the King's marriage, but..."

"Just what?"

Di Xin frowned. He was very good at using Fei Zhong and You Hun, but he couldn't stand Fei Zhong's hesitant and indecisive manner.

"Your Majesty, we have heard that Su Hu's daughter is engaged to Boyi Kao, the son of the Marquis of Xibo. If Your Majesty wishes to marry her..."

Fei Zhong and You Hun did not continue speaking.

The Marquis of Xibo was the most powerful of all the feudal lords. His decree of grace was enough to dismantle the power of the feudal lords.

If they were to take away what Ji Chang loved, Fei Zhong and You Hun were truly worried that Ji Chang would rebel directly.

The two thought that with Su Daji already engaged, Di Xin would give up the idea of ​​taking a concubine, but to their surprise, the smile on Di Xin's face grew even wider.

"It's good that you're engaged. Remember to mention it on the day of the morning ceremony."

"Yes"

Fei Zhong and You Hun exchanged a strange glance. If they didn't know that the current king was a man of great talent and ambition, with the ambition to conquer mountains and rivers, they would have been surprised.

They really think they are serving a foolish and incompetent ruler.

Time flowed slowly, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

The four major vassal kings, along with eight hundred minor vassal kings, slowly approached Chaoge.

A month earlier, Emperor Xin had closed all the paper-making workshops, sugar refining workshops, and salt refining workshops to prevent the feudal lords from discovering their specific manufacturing processes. The divine weapon, the curved plow, was strictly controlled by the army, with King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu, personally guarding it, leaving no possibility of leaks.

Soon, the four vassal kings, along with eight hundred regional vassal kings, entered Chaoge.

Emperor Xin ordered Prime Minister Bi Gan, along with Prince Wu Cheng Huang Feihu, to personally welcome them and prepare lodgings for them. (End of Chapter)