Rebirth of Nezha in the Investiture of the Gods

The Marquis of Chong grew greedier, more ruthless each day,

Siphoning the people's marrow to enrich himself endlessly.

A thousand-year tune he wished to play,

Yet only knew a hundred sordid schemes to dig his own grave.

Forced labor drained men to their last breath,

Seizing chances to stir plots and quell dissent.

Ziya, righteous and just, marched against corruption,

To mend a country broken and a land decayed.

Let us first speak of Jiang Ziya of West Qi. One day, he received border reports that King Zhou indulged in debauchery and vice, lavishing favor on traitorous sycophants, and had also betrayed the King of Pingling in the East Sea. It was said the Grandmaster had been dispatched to suppress the rebellion.

Another notice arrived, reporting that the newly appointed Northern Marquis, Chong Shun, had enmeshed himself in corruption. He sought to deceive the emperor with flattery, undertook vast construction projects, harmed loyal ministers, and inflicted misery upon the common people. Secretly, he colluded with Fei Zhong and You Hun, forming alliances both within and without the court. He manipulated governance with impunity, forming cliques of conspirators, silencing dissent, and acting with utter disregard for morality.

Reading these reports, Ziya's fury flared to the heavens, and he exclaimed, "If this traitor is not eliminated swiftly, he will become a lingering scourge!"

The next day during court, King Wen asked, "Prime Minister, after reviewing the frontier reports, what news from Chaoge?"

Ziya stepped forward and said, "Chong Shun has plunged the court into chaos, abusing ministers with unchecked audacity, bewitching the emperor into oblivion, committing all manner of wickedness, and inflicting grave harm upon the people, who dare not cry out. He slaughters with impunity, and the populace dares not lament. His transgressions are too numerous to recount. The people of Chaoge suffer as if drowning or burning day by day, their lives hanging by a thread. Your Majesty reigns with righteousness and benevolence. I humbly request that we first eliminate this traitorous minister to cleanse the court and remove its corruption. If we strike him down, then righteous men will again surround the emperor, providing him the opportunity to repent and reform. Thus, Your Majesty's role as the emperor's protector will not be in vain."

King Wen replied, "Though your words are true, Chong Shun and I hold equivalent ranks. How could I justify acting unilaterally to wage war against him?"

Ziya said, "The welfare of the world must permit plain and honest counsel, without concealment. Your Majesty, upon receiving the emperor's White Banner and Yellow Axe, was granted the power to wage war for curbing tyranny and eliminating traitors. This treacherous official corrupts the nation, forms factions inside and out, oppresses the populace, and casts blackness over what is white. He slaughters the loyal and good, committing unspeakable wickedness against the state. With compassion, Your Majesty could rescue the people from such suffering. If the emperor thus repents and emulates the virtuous rulers Yao and Shun, Your Majesty's achievement will shine eternally."

King Wen, hearing Ziya's argument and desiring to persuade King Zhou to emulate Yao and Shun, was greatly moved. He said, "Prime Minister, you may lead the army, but who shall serve as the general to march against Chong Shun?"

Ziya said, "I am willing to take on this burden with my utmost loyalty."

Fearing that Ziya might employ excessive force, King Wen pondered, "If I go along, I may moderate the measures taken." He then said, "I shall accompany you, Prime Minister. Should any unexpected developments occur, we can deliberate together."

Ziya replied, "If Your Majesty personally leads the campaign, the entire world will rise in support."

King Wen issued the White Banner and Yellow Axe and assembled an army of one hundred thousand. He selected an auspicious day to conduct the sacred ceremony of the treasure-adorned banners. Nangong Shi was appointed as the vanguard, with Xin Jia as his deputy. The Four Sages and Eight Talents accompanied the march. King Wen and Ziya fired the signal cannon to launch the campaign. Along the road, elder villagers welcomed the army with cheers, dogs and chickens undisturbed, and the people rejoiced at the news of Chong's punishment.

It must be said that Ji Chang was indeed much like Jiang Ziya. Though moments ago, he had hesitated to attack because of their equal ranks, the mention of emulating Yao and Shun swayed him entirely.

Truly, the desire for power has no limits. Even someone as virtuous as Ji Chang found it hard to resist.

Learning of Jiang Ziya's plans to march against Chong Shun, Li Mingzhu also raised an army, appointing Huang Feihu as the commanding general.

Three months later, Jiang Ziya's army arrived beneath Chong City's walls.

Chong Shun's younger brother, Chong Yingbiao, rode forth on horseback and, upon sighting Ziya, demanded, "Who dares trespass upon my territory?"

Ziya replied, "I am Jiang Ziya, Prime Minister under King Wen. You and your father heap crimes vast as the sea, hoard poison high as mountains, devour the people's wealth like starving tigers, and torment them like wolves. You mislead the emperor, destroy the loyal, and incite universal hatred against your family. Not even children of three years old would spare your flesh if they could. Today, King Wen has raised a righteous army to cleanse Chong lands of your tyranny, cut off the vile faction, and restore justice for heavens and mankind, fulfilling the emperor's mandate under the White Banner and Yellow Axe."

Upon hearing this, Yingbiao roared at Jiang Shang, "You, an old fool from Panxi, dare utter such nonsense!"

Turning to his men, he bellowed, "Who will capture this rebel for me?" Before the command could be completed, a general rode out to face Ziya.

King Wen immediately shouted, "Chong Yingbiao, cease your rampage. I am here!" Seeing King Wen charge forth, Yingbiao was livid. He pointed at King Wen and cursed, "Ji Chang! Instead of remaining loyal to the court, you proclaim righteousness while invading my lands!"

King Wen said, "The crimes of you and your father overflow; I need not elaborate. Surrender now, present yourself to West Qi, and build an altar to Heaven. Remove the wickedness of your family and spare the innocent of Chong City needless suffering."

Yingbiao roared, "Who will capture this traitor for me?"

A general stepped forward—Chen Jizhen. On the other side, Xin Jia rode out on horseback, axe in hand, shouting, "Chen Jizhen, hold! Do not trample my battle lines!"

The two combatants clashed, spear against axe. Horse and rider collided, and after twenty rounds of fierce fighting, Yingbiao saw that Chen Jizhen could not overcome Xin Jia. He called for reinforcements, summoning Jin Cheng and Mei De to assist.

Seeing the reinforcements join the fray, Ziya ordered Mao Gong Sui, Zhou Gongdan, Zhao Gongshi, Lv Gongwang, Xin Mian, and Nangong Shi to charge forth and break the enemy ranks with a sudden onslaught.

Yingbiao, rallying his forces with desperation, stormed into the chaos. The skies darkened with swirling banners and rampant war cries, horns blaring endlessly as clouds of despair rose. Amid the melee, Lv Gongwang pierced Mei De with a spear, and Xin Mian split Jin Cheng with an axe. The Chong forces were soundly defeated and retreated back into the city.

Ziya commanded the gongs to signal withdrawal, and the troops victoriously returned to camp.

Meanwhile, within Chong City, Yingbiao, battered and beaten, closed the gates and convened with his generals to discuss strategies for retreat. The generals agreed that the forces of West Qi were invincible, and there was no viable countermeasure to propose. Ziya, emboldened by victory, prepared to issue an order to besiege the city.

King Wen intervened, "The crimes of Chong's father and son are their own; the lives of the commoners are unrelated. If we attack and breach the city, I fear innocent lives will be consumed alongside the guilty. This would betray the benevolence we declare. We must not allow it!"

"The matter of the North Sea's Huang Feihu remains unresolved," King Wen remarked. "Should he pledge his full support, we may naturally seize Chong City without undue bloodshed."

Jiang Ziya considered this thoughtfully and said.

However, the truth is, the Huang Feihu of today is no longer the same as before. He will not be swayed by a few words from Jiang Ziya. Only after Ziya and Chong Shun exhaust themselves in battle will Huang Feihu make his move.

And what of Ji Chang's so-called righteousness? In the end, isn't it just a ploy to minimize his own losses by dragging Huang Feihu into the fray?

As for Huang Feihu, though he claims to march under the banner of punishing Chong Shun, his true aim is merely to capitalize on the chaos. He couldn't care less about the rest!

His plans have long been solidified. If Chong Shun offers enough in return, he might even turn against Jiang Ziya with greater force.

At most, Huang Feihu might deliver a final fatal blow to Chong Shun in the end. He's the sort to revel in such double-dealing, caring not for honor or virtue.

Once, the King Wu Cheng would never have stooped to such deceitful tactics, but ever since Li Mingzhu stationed advisors at Treasure Division Rock to guide him, he has fully adopted their ways.

A strategy rooted entirely in brigandry, leaving Jiang Ziya and Chong Shun powerless against him. They can do little but watch as he reaps the spoils in the end.

For while they are locked in a no-win battle, Huang Feihu watches, free to act with impunity.