My classmates chose martial arts and fantasy, but I chose the prehistoric world.

When the news reached Meng Chuan's ears, he didn't even lift an eyelid, simply saying, "Oh."

Then continue drinking tea.

The next day, the general died suddenly in the post station.

The cause of death is unknown.

There were no external injuries, no signs of poisoning, and he simply stopped breathing peacefully, as if he were asleep.

The news caused an uproar in Chaoge City.

Although there was no evidence to suggest that the general's death was related to Meng Chuan, everyone knew perfectly well that it was the work of that "Imperial Tutor".

Di Xin's handling of the situation was even more surprising to everyone.

Instead of blaming Meng Chuan, he issued an imperial edict:

"Imperial Tutor Meng Chuan is my revered teacher. To see the Imperial Tutor is to see me. Anyone who dares to disrespect him will be killed without mercy!"

The imperial decree shocked the entire court.

Everyone realized one thing—the King valued this Imperial Tutor far more than they had imagined.

From then on, no one dared to openly disrespect Meng Chuan.

Meng Chuan was happy to have some free time.

His daily life was very regular: he would get up in the morning and meditate for an hour, then go to the royal kitchen for breakfast, then take a walk in the palace to digest his food, take a short nap at noon, instruct Emperor Xin on his cultivation in the afternoon, and drink wine and admire the moon in the evening.

Life is even more comfortable than when we were on Mount Niming.

Sometimes, after finishing his official duties, Di Xin would come and chat with him.

"Teacher, what do you think of my conduct as king?"

Once, after drinking a few cups of wine, Di Xin asked, somewhat drunkenly.

Meng Chuan leaned against the railing, gazing at the moon in the sky, and casually replied, "It's alright. Not the best, but not the worst either."

What does "it's alright" mean?

Di Xin grumbled discontentedly, "I review memorials until midnight every day, and I rarely even go to the inner palace. Isn't that enough diligence?"

"Diligence is a good thing, but diligence alone is not enough."

Meng Chuan turned to look at him. "You need to know what you should do and what you shouldn't do."

"What do you mean?"

"For example, you may be reviewing memorials until midnight every day, which seems very diligent, but have you ever thought about why there are so many memorials that need your review?"

Di Xin was taken aback: "Because... there are many important national affairs?"

"wrong."

Meng Chuan shook his head. "Because your subordinates don't work, or they're afraid to work. They push all the decision-making power onto you. If it goes well, it's your credit; if it goes wrong, it's your responsibility. They don't have to take any risks."

Di Xin frowned and fell into deep thought.

You need to learn to delegate.

Meng Chuan continued, "Let those who are supposed to do the work do it. You just need to grasp the general direction. Otherwise, even if you work yourself to death, the Shang Dynasty will never truly become strong."

Di Xin remained silent for a long time, then nodded solemnly: "Teacher's teachings are correct, I will remember them."

Meng Chuan smiled, picked up his wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

This situation lasted for about six months.

Six months later, the first spark of the Investiture of the Gods calamity was finally ignited.

It all started with a small matter—

The seventy-two princes of Beihai rebelled.

This was not a big deal. The lords of Beihai had always been unruly and would cause trouble every few decades, which the Shang Dynasty court had long been used to.

But this time, things are different.

Because during this rebellion, someone who shouldn't have been there appeared—

Shen Gongbao!

Shen Gongbao, a disciple of the Chan Sect and a student of Yuanshi Tianzun, was expelled from the sect for his wicked intentions.

Harboring resentment, he traveled around persuading various feudal lords and independent cultivators, inciting them to rebel against the Shang Dynasty and oppose the Heavenly Court.

The rebellion of the seventy-two princes of Beihai was orchestrated by him.

When the news reached Chaoge, Emperor Xin was furious and immediately ordered troops to quell the rebellion.

But Meng Chuan sensed something unusual about it.

"Shen Gongbao..."

He murmured the name, his gaze becoming profound.

In the original Investiture of the Gods story, Shen Gongbao is an extremely important character.

Although he was not a central figure on the Investiture of the Gods, he was a key figure in driving the plot forward. It was his efforts to rally a large number of disciples of the Jie Sect to come down the mountain and help the Shang Dynasty that led to the complete defeat of the Jie Sect.

Now, Shen Gongbao has appeared in the North Sea, instigating a rebellion among the feudal lords—

This indicates that the gears of the Investiture of the Gods calamity have already begun to turn.

"interesting."

Meng Chuan stood up, stretched, and said, "Now that it's started, let me see just how deep this great calamity really is."

He turned his head to look in the direction of the palace, his gaze seemingly piercing through the palace walls, landing on the man who was reviewing memorials.

"Di Xin, Di Xin, your fate has been completely changed from this moment on."

Meng Chuan spoke in a low voice, a smile playing on his lips.

He didn't know what the future of this world would be like.

But he knew it would be very interesting.

……

When news of the rebellion in Beihai reached Chaoge, it was early autumn.

In the imperial court, civil and military officials stood on both sides, the atmosphere solemn.

Di Xin sat high on his throne, his face grim, clutching a military report sent from the front lines.

"Seventy-two warlords rebelling simultaneously?"

His voice was low and laced with suppressed anger. "Where did they get the nerve?"

Silence fell over the main hall.

No one dared to speak.

Although the lords of Beihai were located in a remote area, the joint rebellion of the seventy-two lords was a powerful and significant event, and no small matter whatsoever.

What's even more unsettling is that the rebellion came too suddenly—there were no prior signs, and the seventy-two warlords rose up almost simultaneously, their coordination so seamless that it seemed as if someone was directing them from behind the scenes.

Grand Tutor Du Yuanxian stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, although the rebellion in Beihai is powerful, the various lords each have their own agendas and it is unlikely to last. I believe that we only need to send a top general with 100,000 elite troops to quell the rebellion, and we will surely be able to wipe it out in one fell swoop."

Di Xin nodded, about to speak—

A languid voice came from a corner of the hall:

"Send troops? Send whom? Grand Tutor Wen Zhong has not yet returned from his expedition to the Eastern Barbarians. How many capable and experienced generals are left in the court?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Meng Chuan leaning against a pillar, holding a cup of tea in his hand, looking relaxed, as if he were not in the imperial court, but admiring flowers in his own backyard.

Du Yuanxian frowned, but remembering his previous lesson, he held back his anger and simply asked in a deep voice, "What insightful opinion does the Imperial Tutor have?"

"I wouldn't call it insightful, but I think you're underestimating this rebellion."

Meng Chuan put down his teacup and slowly walked to the center of the main hall. "The rebellion of the seventy-two lords of Beihai is being orchestrated by someone. If I'm not mistaken, that manipulator should be on their way to Chaoge right now."

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.

"What?!"

"Someone is manipulating things? Who has that kind of power?"

"Is the Imperial Tutor's statement true?"

Meng Chuan did not answer directly, but looked at Di Xin and said meaningfully, "Your Majesty, do you believe that within three days, someone will come to 'share your burdens'?"

Di Xin frowned: "What does the teacher mean...?"

"Just wait and see."

After Meng Chuan finished speaking, he turned and walked out of the main hall, leaving a room full of ministers looking at each other in bewilderment.