Chapter 178

Qing Dynasty.

The bedridden Qianlong looked at the bloody scene and also felt a wave of discomfort, muttering:

"Wine pools and meat forests, cannon burning and scorpion pits... later scholars may have exaggerated, but the tyranny of King Zhou and the evil of Daji are indeed clearly recorded in history."

"I... although I enjoy pleasure, I also know how to pity the lowly, and would certainly not go this far."

He couldn't help but defend himself, but remembering what I said earlier about his later literary inquisitions and extravagance in his old age, his confidence seemed less solid.

The Golden List did not pause due to the shock and anger of the myriad worlds; the scenes continued to flow, turning from the bloody execution ground to more grand and absurd scenes of extravagance.

【However, the evil of King Zhou and Daji did not stop at torture and slaughter.】

The heavenly voice carried endless sarcasm,

【To satisfy their extreme and unimaginable desires for pleasure, they used the strength of the entire nation, exhausting the people's lifeblood, to build the legendary "Wine Pool and Meat Forest" and the "Lutai Jade Chamber."】

The scene unfolded, leaving people dumbfounded:

A massive pond, filled not with water, but with turbid fine wine, the scent of which seemed to permeate through the screen.

By the pond, on the branches of the trees, hung not fruits, but dense clusters of various roasted meats; this was the "Meat Forest."

Countless men and women, wearing only thin gauze or completely naked, frolicked in the wine pool and chased among the meat forest, drinking wine and eating meat, indulging in debauchery all night long, unaware of the passage of time.

And higher up, on that towering Lutai, King Zhou and Daji sat high above, enjoying this scene of "ultimate earthly bliss," drinking and toasting.

【Lutai was a thousand feet high, took seven years to build, conscripted countless laborers, and the dead lay one upon another on the roads. The Jade Chamber and Jade Gates on the platform collected all the rare treasures of the world.】

The scene showed the grandeur of Lutai and the luxury inside, with jewels piled like mountains and exotic beasts wandering within.

【If the people had complaints, they were subjected to cannon burning; if the feudal lords were dissatisfied, they were subjected to military campaigns.】

The scene flashed with images of people living in misery and starving to death everywhere, forming a hellish contrast with the "heaven" of the wine pool and meat forest in Zhaoge.

Feudal lords came to pay homage, their faces full of worry and anger, but were threatened by King Zhou with military force.

【Consequently, the people lost their hearts, the feudal lords all rebelled, and the eight hundred feudal lords turned their hearts toward Qizhou.】

The scene finally turned to the side of justice.

Xiqi (Zhou), by the banks of the Wei River, the benevolent Xibo Hou Ji Chang (later posthumously titled King Wen) was diligent in governing and loving the people, while his son Ji Fa (King Wu) was sharpening his weapons and horses.

Jiang Ziya was fishing by the Wei River, waiting for a wise ruler.

The hearts of the people were clearly turning.

【In 1046 BC, King Wu of Zhou, Ji Fa, allied with the feudal lords of the world and swore an oath at Muye to crusade against the lawless!】

The scene presented the magnificent Battle of Muye.

The morale of the Zhou army and the allied feudal lords was like a rainbow, while King Zhou's hastily assembled slave army defected on the front lines.

The Shang army was defeated and collapsed.

【Seeing that the situation was lost and knowing his sins were heavy and he could not escape the Heavenly Dao, King Zhou climbed Lutai, dressed in his crown and robes, and burned himself to death upon it, turning to ashes along with the luxury he had built by exhausting the people's strength.】

In the scene, roaring flames engulfed the top of Lutai.

【And Daji...】

The scene focused on Daji, who was searched out by the Zhou army from the ruins or her hiding place.

She was still beautiful, but her face had lost its color.

King Wu of Zhou ordered her to be executed.

Regarding her end, the Heavenly Screen showed two possibilities:

One is the official history route: taken by armored soldiers to the execution ground, beheaded outside Zhaoge city, and her head hung on a white flag to be shown to the public.

On that bewitching face, the final expression was one of unbelievable terror and resentment.

The second is the romance route: at the execution ground, three executioners were changed in succession, all of whom were so softened by Daji's beauty that they could not swing their blades.

Finally, Jiang Ziya appeared, brought out the magic treasure "Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife," said "Treasure, please turn around," a white light flashed, Daji's head fell, and at the same time, a fox-shaped demon soul shrieked miserably as it tried to escape, only to be sealed by Jiang Ziya with a talisman.

The scene clearly showed her true form as a nine-tailed fox demon.

【The demon concubine was executed, and the six-hundred-year reign of the Great Shang ended here. The Zhou Dynasty replaced Shang, opening a new era.】

【Heavenly Screen Commentary: "Jade bones give birth to demons, bewitching bones are heaven-sent. Slender fingers point at the rivers and mountains, turning them into a sea of blood; soft laughter sits and watches the cannon burning reflect the red makeup."】

【Wine pools and meat forests, drunken dreams and death, squeezing the people's marrow to build Lutai.】

【Cruel punishments and slaughter, taking pleasure in cruelty, the six-hundred-year foundation of Cheng Tang was buried in demonic atmosphere and muddle-headed tyranny.】

【Do not say all beauties are calamities; the brush of history is like iron, the primary crime lies with King Zhou. However, Daji's "aiding the tyrant in his evil" is also hard to absolve. She is the embodiment of desire, the most poisonous and beautiful flower that bloomed under the corrosion of power.】

Finally, an eight-character summary, scarlet and eye-catching:

Nine-tailed demon fox, heaven and earth overturned

【Fifth place: Daji, counting finished.】

With the presentation of Daji's end, the eerie red light and bloody aura that permeated the Golden List slowly dissipated.

But the shock, disgust, warning, and reflection left in the hearts of the viewers of the myriad worlds could not be calmed for a long time.

Bao Si's story made people feel absurd and chilling, Zhen Ji made people feel sympathy and regret, while Daji directly triggered the deepest fear and rejection of tyranny, demons, and the evil of human nature.

Her existence almost confirmed the most extreme side of "beauty as a calamity."

"The demon concubine has been executed, the tyrant is dead, but the warning remains."

Ying Zheng slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and said in a deep voice, "A ruler must constantly reflect on himself, draw close to virtuous ministers, stay away from villains, and be even more vigilant against the words of demons and the bewitching colors."

"Even with great talent, if the heart is not upright and controlled by private desires, one will surely fall into the demonic path and be abandoned by the world!"

His words were both a summary of history and a warning to himself, as well as an instruction to all the ministers and princes present.

"Your Majesty is wise!" The ministers responded in unison.

After this episode of Daji, everyone had an unprecedented intuitive understanding of the terrifying consequences that could be caused by a "monarch losing his virtue."

Gu Shanhe sat on the platform, quietly watching the light of the Golden List flow, preparing to reveal the next one.

He knew that after this "heavy bomb" of Daji,

The subsequent counting, no matter who it was, the impact and discussion it brought,

Would all be conducted within the heavy framework of reflection on "beauty and power," "individual and country" established by Daji.

There were four beauties left on the Beauty List.

The further forward, the more astonishing their beauty, legends, and controversies would likely be.