The history books say that Qi Lai is a warrior who can fight bears and tigers, and Fei Lin is good at running. They both served Emperor Xin with their physical strength.
Cao Cao frequently referred to Dian Wei as "the ancient Wu Lai," which is a high praise. Wu Lai was not a traitor.
On the contrary, Wu Lai fought and died on the battlefield for Yin Shang, and King Zhou burned himself to death. After King Wen of Zhou established the state of Zhou, Fei Lin still led troops in the east to resist the Zhou army for several years.
The actions of this father and son have nothing to do with traitors; they are a hundred times better than Fei Zhong and You Hun, those two scoundrels.
On the timeline of the Battle of Gods, this father and son surrendered to the Zhou country, and King Wuya, also known as Ji Fa, appointed them as middle officials.
The old ginger closed the shrine after he had conferred divine titles on all 365 positive gods, only to find that the next morning when the sun came up, he reopened the shrine and ordered the execution of Fei Lin and Wu Lai, his father and son. In a hurry, he added another deity. This series of operations were somewhat confusing. Only consider it as fate.
Now that Fei Lin and his son Wu Lai are being highly favored, King Zhou throws a grand feast. Fei Lin personally beats the drums bare-chested, while Wu Lai wrestles with a rhinoceros unarmed.
Wu Lai was a humanoid beast, even more powerful than a rhinoceros. The rhinoceros could not withstand his incredible strength, and its massive body was forcibly toppled. Wu Lai used his knees to firmly press against the rhinoceros's neck. If the rhinoceros could speak Yin language, it would definitely shout something like "I can't breathe."
"Hahahaha, what a true warrior!" King Zhou was highly entertained upon seeing Wu Lai defeat the rhinoceros with his bare hands.
He asked Huang Fei Hong with a hint of curiosity, "Is Your Highness willing to try your hand on the field?"
What's the trial for? Is it to challenge the rhinoceros or Wu Lai?
Huang Fei Hong's face changed abruptly. As a distinguished general of the state and the commander-in-chief of the three armies, to have him fight with a beast like this?
Deng JiuGong gently touched his elbow, and Huang FeiHong calmed down, smiling faintly: "I am not good at martial arts, far inferior to General Wu Lai."
King Zhou looked at Deng Jiugong: "What about Han Gong?"
Deng Jiugong coughed: "I am old, and last year I was stricken by a severe epidemic. I have barely been able to cling to life. Now, I am unable to take the field for combat."
King Zhou was satisfied. His gaze shifted to Wu Lai.
What a warrior! He has thousands and thousands of such warriors. Can the farmer from Xiqi resist them?
King Zhou raised his cup: "With Wu Lai such a brave warrior and all of you wise ministers to assist him, the destruction of Xiqi is at hand. How fortunate for the great Shang!"
The officials also raised their cups in agreement, "How fortunate for the great Shang!"
Amidst the harmonious melody, a dissonant note unexpectedly emerged.
Jiao Ge, the senior minister, also known as the distinguished figure mentioned in Mencius' essay "Born in peril, die in comfort," who was "brought up among fish and salt," stepped into the Palace of Longevity.
Ignoring the objections from the guards in front of the palace and some of the close ministers, Jiao Ge, with his neck stiffened, asked: "May I ask Your Majesty, what crime have the seventy-two palace maids in the east palace committed? Why are they to be thrown into the chameleon pot and killed by snakes and scorpions?"
King Zhou's mood was interrupted and he was quite angry, but with the ministers all present, he still managed to suppress his anger and said, "Those sluts were close confidants of the former Marquis of Jiang, who conspired with the Eastern Lu. How can they not be guilty?"
Jiao Ge spoke decisively: "Marquis of Jiang is virtuous, gentle, and kind. She is a woman of great wisdom and compassion. As your Majesty's consort, she has never committed any wrongdoing. How can there be any conspiracy?"
Marquis of Jiang's affair has become a taboo in the current city of Geshou. Many ministers feel that something is amiss, but under King Zhou's pressure, none dare to speak up.
Today, Jiao Ge has blown the whistle on this matter.
He is determined to uncover the truth of the matter.
King Zhou's eyes were a bit cold, and he loudly said, "Bring Fei Zhong here."
Fei Zhong, whose status has plummeted as he was excluded from this banquet, is likely in trouble. However, since he handled this matter a while ago, he must be brought back to face the consequences.
Fei Zhong arrived quickly, kneeling gracefully and then kneeling down and crawling two steps forward in a distinctive manner before speaking, "Your humble subject Fei Zhong pays homage to Your Majesty!"
King Zhou, suppressing his annoyance, said: "Tell General Jiao Ge and the officials about how the Marquis of Jiang dispatched her household troops to carry out an assassination attempt and how she plotted to seize the Shang dynasty."
At first, the Marquis of Jiang was truly unjustly accused. But after so much time has passed, King Zhou had long patched things up with Fei Zhong. Decades of conjugal affection? He even abandoned his own son; what does he need conjugal affection for!
All the evidence has been prepared in advance. The king cannot be wrong. In the end, the blame will be put on this dead person, Jianghou.
King Zhou thought it would go smoothly, but today, he encountered some unexpected issues.
Fei Zhong seemed to have suddenly gone dumb, and after a moment of thought, he spoke slowly, "The assassin, Jiang Huan, is currently under my custody. It would be fitting for Your Majesty to personally interrogate him today."
It seems that Fei Zhong is disobeying orders, despite having been instructed to eliminate Jiang Huan.
King Zhou's gaze was like a sword, piercing into Fei Zhong. The once overly flattering and obsequious eunuch now lowered his head, putting on a very respectful act.
Everyone present is a cunning person and knows that something must have happened between King Zhou and Fei Zhong.
Jiao Ge, who was mentioned by Mencius, is definitely not a fool. He furrows his brow, pondering whether to delve deeper into this matter.
"Your Majesty, why are you hesitating? Since there is a witness, then please present the witness so that all the officials can hear and understand what the Queen Mother has been accused of!"
Yin Ji, in his armor and helmet, walked confidently into the Palace of Longevity. Following him were the early deceased Yang Ren, the senior minister, whose eyes had already been gouged out.
"A ghost? Is this the Crown Prince? Oh, is this a sign of the god of fate appearing?"
"The Crown Prince is still alive? Wasn't he beheaded?"
"It must be the will of the ancestors of Tang! Dr. Yang was also dead before. They must have returned from heaven and are determined to revive this vast country!"
The ministers were in a state of confusion, for the idea of a person rising from the dead was too shocking. The Shang Dynasty held a strong belief in ghosts and spirits, often consulting their ancestors. The sudden appearance of a lively Yin Ji and Yang Ren, who had seemingly risen from the dead, greatly moved them.
To extend this further, since others can come back from the dead, might I also be able to do so?
Huang Fei Hong and Deng Jiugong exchanged a glance, and they continued to drink wine, observing the situation unfold.
King Zhou was enraged: "Rebellious son! Truly rebellious! Where are the palace guards? Take this rebellious son and behead him!"
Yin Ji smirked coldly and stood motionless.
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
Several uncles, led by Bian Gan, Ji Zi, and Wei Zi, immediately stepped forward in opposition.
Two palace guards were going to grab Yin Ji's arm, but they were pushed back by Bian Gan, who drew his sword.
Bian Gan, the Grand Priest of the Shang Dynasty, was responsible for all sacrifices and essentially served as the spiritual leader within the government. As an uncle, he held immense power.
Yin Ji knelt before him: "Please, Uncle, uphold justice for the ancestral temples of Shang! If my mother is guilty, I am willing to die and have no complaints. If my mother is innocent..."
He looked at King Zhou with a fierce glare, his gaze no longer showing any traces of filial piety.
Bian Gan looked at King Zhou, his expression grave and earnest. He spoke one word at a time: "The old subject believes that Crown Prince's words are reasonable. Marquis of Jiang died under mysterious circumstances, and the ancestors of Shang Dynasty deserve an explanation."
