Chapter 196: Testing Ji Chang

You are indeed my good son!

Ao Yifan secretly gave Nezha a thumbs-up in his heart.

Although this brat wants younger siblings, the hardship falls on his old man, yet his filial heart is also moving to heaven and earth.

The people in the arena also looked at little Nezha with incredulous faces.

A son achieving merit and asking his father for a beauty—this counts as the strangest tale from ancient to modern times.

However, seeing these people's shocked eyes, Nezha felt a lofty arrogance of being the only sober one while everyone else is drunk.

"These people, where could they understand my ambition, Nezha?"

Nezha proudly thought: "My father passed on to me the deployment method of the Grand Formation of the Heavenly Stars and Big Dipper; this formation requires myriad immortals to deploy together, and must be absolutely trustworthy people—where in the world could I find those siblings worthy of trust?"

"However, the only regret is that my father has too few children, far from meeting the requirement for deploying the Grand Formation of the Heavenly Stars and Big Dipper; in this regard, father still needs to work hard!"

However, little Nezha didn't know that not only he knew this matter, but his brothers Jinzha and Muzha, as well as Ao Qian, Ao Ji, and many other siblings, also knew about the Grand Formation of the Heavenly Stars and Big Dipper.

So these good kids are all holding their breath, trying to quickly gather enough siblings to deploy the Grand Formation of the Heavenly Stars and Big Dipper; for this, they are also scouting beauties for their good father!

"This..."

Facing Nezha's request, Di Xin felt a bit numb, turning his head to look at his own sister.

However, after seeing that Lady Yin had no special expression, Di Xin waved his hand and said: "So be it; just recently, various feudal lords presented some beauties, I, the King, find it troublesome—Nezha, you handle them for me."

These words, heard by the officials in the court, were not believed in the slightest.

After all, during this period Di Xin has been infatuated with Consort Daji's beauty, been misled by her wicked words, yet he has issued many foolish policies harming the feudal lords and nobles, causing panic among the people.

Therefore, in the eyes of many feudal lords at court, Di Xin is a licentious and decadent king who lusts after beauty.

Now Di Xin actually says he finds beauties troublesome—how could that be convincing?

Naturally, these words, everyone only dares to think in their hearts, but dare not speak them out loud.

"King, now that Grand Tutor Wen returns victorious, it is a day of universal celebration; why not the King grant amnesty to all under heaven, letting the people of Great Shang share in this joy of victory?"

At this moment, Bi Gan stepped forward and said.

Hearing this, Di Xin gave his royal uncle a deep look.

He naturally knew what scheme the other had in mind.

You see, during this period Bi Gan has repeatedly pleaded on behalf of the Marquis of the West Ji Chang, not knowing how many times.

However, Di Xin has always prioritized the North Sea war, having no time to deal with these trivial matters, pushing them aside.

It is obvious that Bi Gan has never given up rescuing the Marquis of the West Ji Chang, and also hopes to take advantage of Di Xin's current good mood to pardon Ji Chang's crimes.

Di Xin wanted to refuse, but the court officials spoke up one after another, and for a while he could find no reason to refuse.

"Then, as the Royal Uncle said, grant amnesty to all under heaven!"

Saying this, Di Xin waved his hand and turned toward the throne.

However, as he passed Fei Zhong and You Hun, he lowered his voice and said two words.

Hearing Di Xin's words, Fei Zhong and You Hun shuddered, instantly leaping up from the ground excitedly and hurriedly leaving the court.

Regarding Fei Zhong and You Hun's departure, the court officials paid no attention.

After all, everyone already despised these two flatterers; their departure also spared everyone the annoyance.

Ao Yifan watched all this, and couldn't help thinking: "Looks like the Burger King is still going to appear!"

……

"Marquis of the West, great news!"

After leaving court, Bi Gan hurried to the prison where Ji Chang was held.

Seeing the Marquis of the West Ji Chang, face wan and holding a tortoise shell, Bi Gan felt ashamed and said: "Marquis of the West, it's my inadequacy that has caused such a loyal minister of Great Shang to suffer; however, the King has already issued an imperial edict preparing amnesty for all under heaven, you will be released soon—please, Marquis of the West, do not dwell on this."

Hearing this, the Marquis of the West Ji Chang's eyes flickered slightly as he said: "Royal Uncle, there's no need to say that; we are all subjects of Great Shang, all loyal to its foundation; at present, it is merely the King's slight misunderstanding of me, and I will not take it to heart."

"Good, this is the Marquis of the West with righteous courage that I, Bi Gan, know!"

Bi Gan firmly grasped the Marquis of the West's hands and said: "Marquis of the West, you and I, even after death, must cooperate well, jointly assist the King, so that the foundation of Great Shang may be more stable!"

"Good, I know..."

Just then, a clamor of footsteps was heard.

Turning his head, Bi Gan couldn't help but frown.

"Fei Zhong, You Hun, what are you two coming over for?"

Bi Gan said somewhat displeasedly, for these two who like to flatter and bewitch the King, Bi Gan detests them!

Hearing this, Fei Zhong and You Hun exchanged a glance.

The next moment, Fei Zhong waved his hand, and a servant behind him carried out a food box.

"Marquis of the West, this time the King imprisoned you, making you suffer greatly; the King, grateful for your contributions to Great Shang, hereby orders us to bring you a box of meat patties to console you."

Accompanying Fei Zhong's words, the servant opened the food box.

Instantly, a meat aroma filled the air.

Looking at the meat patty inside the box, Ji Chang's hands trembled slightly.

Meanwhile, Bi Gan urged: "Marquis of the West, why not thank the King for the gift? This is a good opportunity to ease ruler‑subject relations!"

Hearing this, Ji Chang took a deep breath, received the food box with both hands, and said: "Thank you, King, for the gift!"

Seeing this, Fei Zhong and You Hun's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness.

"Marquis of the West, since the King bestowed it, you must not waste it; eat it while hot—once cold, it won't taste good!"

You Hun said.

Hearing this, Ji Chang smiled, then picked up a piece of meat patty and began to eat heartily.

"Fragrant!"

……

"How?"

Di Xin looked at Fei Zhong and Yu Hun kneeling on the ground and asked.

"Your Majesty, Ji Chang finished the meat patty and only said one word: fragrant!"

Fei Zhong said.

"Unfortunately!"

Di Xin's eyes turned slightly cold as he said: "I didn't expect him to endure so much, even knowing the truth of that meat patty, he could still eat it."

To be honest, Di Xin also began to admire Ji Chang a bit.

After all, even if it were him, he couldn't endure being in Ji Chang's position.

When that happens, the one who has lost reason will face the butcher's knife of royal authority!

But Ji Chang managed to endure it!

"It seems the Prince Consort was right; this person Ji Chang must be sufficiently vigilant!"

Di Xin narrowed his eyes and said.

This time it was merely a probe; after all, with Ji Chang's divination ability, he would surely know what that meat patty was.

If he lost his reason, it would be convenient to deal with him then.

Now that the other party has endured, this matter must be plotted slowly.

There's no way around it; Ji Chang is the chief of the four great feudal lords, and the strength of Western Qi is far beyond what those minor feudal lords can match.

Now, the turmoil in the North Sea has just been quelled; the Great Shang should not immediately take up arms again.