txolops Chapter 188 Bi Gan and Shang Rong Come to the Door
Chapter 188 Bi Gan and Shang Rong Come to the Door
After giving Su Daji a dressing down, Taibai returned directly to the Grand Tutor's mansion in Chaoge City.
For the next three months, he hardly left his house, focusing on cultivation and nurturing his primordial spirit in a quiet room within the mansion.
Wen Zhong had finished his campaign against King Pingling of the East Sea and should have returned to the capital in triumph, but the Shang Dynasty was in turmoil, with evil gods and monsters causing trouble in many places.
Therefore, the Grand Tutor did not return to Chaoge, but instead traveled tirelessly to various places to quell rebellions and suppress demons, leaving him unable to spare the time.
After Su Daji entered the palace, Emperor Xin became like a wild horse, indulging in sensual pleasures even more.
Not only did he suspend court sessions and cease discussing politics, but he also indulged in palace life, reveling in music and song day and night.
During this period, there were indeed loyal and upright ministers who risked their lives to offer their advice, but their earnest words were ignored by the audience. The palace gates remained closed, and there was ultimately no response.
The old aristocratic forces took this opportunity to expand rapidly, becoming deeply entrenched, and undercurrents began to emerge in the court.
Taibai knew that the root of all this lay in the seed within Di Xin's body, so he could only patiently observe and wait for the situation to change.
On this day, Prime Minister Shang Rong and Vice Prime Minister Bi Gan came to the Grand Tutor's residence together.
The two were in a hurry and did not wait for anyone to announce their arrival before heading straight to the courtyard where Li Bai lived.
Once in the courtyard, their anxious expressions vanished, replaced by smiles, and they walked a few steps to Taibai.
"I never imagined the Imperial Advisor would live such a leisurely and carefree life; we are truly envious!"
Shang Rong cupped his hands in greeting and laughed heartily.
These words sound like mere pleasantries, but they contain a deeper meaning.
They did not address him as "Immortal Master" or "Senior," but instead specifically mentioned the title "National Preceptor."
This is not only a reminder, but also a positioning strategy:
Since you have been appointed as the Grand Preceptor of the Shang Dynasty, you are a subject of the Shang Dynasty and enjoy its offerings. Therefore, you should be concerned about its affairs.
In just a few words, it was clear that this visit was not for idle chatter, but rather to make a request.
"Your Excellencies are too kind. I am a recluse in the mountains, lazy by nature, and I hate trouble the most."
He had lived for countless years, and although he didn't understand Mandarin, he could still grasp some of the meaning.
Therefore, he went straight to the point, calling himself a free spirit, which was a tactful way of declining and indicating that he had no intention of interfering in the complicated affairs of the court.
Bi Gan stroked his beard, took over the conversation, and spoke with even greater earnestness:
"What are you saying, Grand Preceptor? The Grand Preceptor is a disciple of the Sage and is exceptionally capable. If the Grand Preceptor could ascend to the throne and be reinstated, His Majesty would surely repent and reform."
This statement was still a roundabout way of trying to bring Venus to the forefront and use his status and influence to restrain Emperor Xin.
In the present Shang Dynasty, the only person qualified to directly remonstrate with and restrain the king was Grand Tutor Wen Zhong.
However, it was heard that Zhong Yuan was still away on his expedition and had not yet returned. Although an urgent report had been received from the court, the emperor was too far away to reach him, and his return date was uncertain.
They might be able to wait, but Queen Jiang in the palace simply couldn't.
According to Shang Rong and Bi Gan, as Wen Zhong's senior brother, Tai Bai should be treated with respect even by Emperor Xin.
They had no other choice but to try this.
"What do you two want? Please speak plainly. Such roundabout ways are not to my liking."
Shang Rong and Bi Gan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness and anxiety in each other's eyes.
Bi Gan stepped forward, composed himself, and lowered his voice:
"Since that's the case, I'll speak frankly. Ever since Su Daji entered the palace, Your Majesty has indulged in pleasure and neglected state affairs."
Our repeated remonstrances have been ignored. We have no choice but to request an audience with Queen Jiang, hoping that someone in the inner court can advise the king.
Unexpectedly, this move only deepened the rift between the Queen and Su Daji, intensifying their conflict.
Having received secret information today, it is feared that Su Daji will strike first, intending to harm the Queen!
Upon hearing this, Taibai's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.
Su Daji's speed of action was indeed somewhat beyond his expectations.
In just three months, they have already plotted to seize the position of Empress, aiming directly at Queen Jiang.
As for intervening, Taibai had no such intention.
Queen Jiang's fate was predetermined; her name was on the Investiture of the Gods. This is part of the cycle of Heaven's will.
Even if they were to be forcibly rescued, it would not help the overall situation and might only cause trouble for themselves, which would be a losing proposition.
If we're talking about interest, at most he had a slight desire to observe and see how the game would unfold.
He appropriately showed a look of surprise on his face and asked, following Bi Qian's words:
"Oh? Is that so? But this is a matter of the palace, how do you two foreign officials know so much about it?"
The best course of action now is for you two to quickly send a fast horse to urge Grand Tutor Wen to return to the capital and take charge of the overall situation.
Only the return of the Grand Tutor could possibly quell the demonic aura and protect the Queen.
These words sound reasonable and logical, and the speaker appears completely detached from the situation.
He gently pushed the difficult question back, pointed out the subtleties of their information sources, and clearly drew a line between them.
Upon hearing this, Shang Rong and Bi Gan's expressions became even more complicated.
What Li Bai said, they certainly knew it.
However, Wen Zhong's return date is uncertain, and changes in the palace could happen in an instant.
Taibai's evasive manner dampened their hopes.
Before the two could say anything more to dissuade them, a servant from the Grand Tutor's mansion and a soldier rushed over.
Both men, their faces filled with anxiety and their breaths still unsteady, hurriedly reported:
"My lords, something terrible has happened! The King intends to execute Queen Jiang. We implore you to come to the palace immediately!"
Upon hearing this, Bi Gan and Shang Rong were terrified. They no longer had the heart to beg Tai Bai for help, nor did they have time to explain how they learned of the palace incident. They immediately lifted their robes and rushed towards the palace.
Upon seeing this, Taibai raised an eyebrow and followed behind at a leisurely pace, eager to see what kind of excitement was taking place in the palace.
Because of their status as prime ministers, the two of them traveled without any hindrance, and the guards and palace servants dared not stop them.
Thus, Taibai safely entered the deep palace and arrived at the Nine-Room Hall.
Inside the Nine-Room Hall, the lights were bright, but the atmosphere was heavy.
Su Daji sat limply on the ground, her delicate fingers constantly wiping away tears, and her sobs could be heard intermittently.
Di Xin stood holding a sword, the tip of which was pointed directly at Queen Jiang, who was kneeling on the ground.
Queen Jiang's hair was disheveled and her face was pale, but she still stood up straight with a piercing gaze.
"While I am still alive, you dare to lay a hand on my beloved concubine? Do you disregard me completely?"
"I implore Your Majesty to repent and cease your delusions. This woman is truly a demon, wreaking havoc in the palace; I cannot stand idly by!"
"Hmph! In my opinion, this is clearly a premeditated rebellion. You claim to be trying to assassinate my beloved concubine, but in reality, you want to assassinate me!"
Before the words were even finished, the sword had already pierced through the air, aiming straight for Queen Jiang's throat.
At the critical moment, Shang Rong forcefully pulled Queen Jiang back half a foot, while Bi Gan stepped in front to block her, his wide sleeves fluttering in the wind.
"What? Even the two prime ministers are rebelling? Does this mean the entire Yin Shang court is full of traitors?!"
Bi Gan and Shang Rong both knelt down, bowed their heads, and said in unison:
"We would rather die than do such a thing! Your Majesty, please understand that Queen Jiang has always been virtuous, kind, and gentle. How could she possibly commit such a treasonous act? There must be a hidden reason. We beg Your Majesty to calm your anger and investigate further!"
Di Xin snorted coldly, the sword slightly turning, reflecting a chilling light:
"A hidden story? She concealed a sharp weapon and infiltrated the palace intending to assassinate someone. Isn't that treason? Do the two prime ministers expect me to sit idly by and await my death?"
At the entrance of the Nine-Room Hall, Taibai stood as still as a pine tree, observing the conflict with indifference.