The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 69 Bi Gan Makes the List

Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Bi Gan Makes the List

In order to foster good trade relations in the future, neither side played any tricks this time, and the transaction went relatively smoothly.

San Yisheng was directly stationed in Nantang as a diplomatic envoy. While the position was undeniably crucial to the lifeblood of West Zhou, it was also distant from the political center, leaving little work aside from keeping accounts.

Nevertheless, San Yisheng happily accepted Ji Fa’s arrangement. Wei Hu, on the other hand, was recalled to assist with military matters. With Nantang’s grain supplies now bolstering West Zhou, Ji Fa sharpened his blades, readying to attack Chuanyun Pass.

Wen Zhong’s side reacted quickly as well. The situation had deteriorated to such an extent that it was no longer merely about eradicating heretical sects. Wen Zhong admitted it was impossible to say he had no regrets at all, but alas, the Primordial World offered no Regret Medicine for sale.

Currently, Great Shang only shared a border with Li Tang through Nanbo Hou E Chongyu’s territory. Wen Zhong didn’t even need to deliberate to discern E Chongyu’s stance—the man who had been feigning death all this time. Thus, Wen Zhong decisively made a choice between West Zhou and Nantang.

First, he visited Yin Shou’s palace to obtain an Imperial Decree, which appointed Daji as King Tang, granting her authority over the Three Mountains Pass and the regions southward.

Great Shang concentrated its military forces to combat West Zhou.

Additionally, two disciples were dispatched to mobilize troops from Eastern Marquis and Nanbo Hou to encircle and attack West Zhou.

Li Tang’s decree sent Imperial Uncle Bi Gan as its emissary. In these times, Yin Shang suffered no chaos from Demon Concubines plaguing the court, so Bi Gan was doing well, though he was just a mortal and now considerably old. Whether he could return successfully from this journey was uncertain.

Nevertheless, old Bi Gan agreed to the task for the sake of Great Shang.

Jili carried the decree and Queen Jiang’s letter toward the east. Though Queen Jiang was furious with Wen Zhong, she realized this was a critical juncture for Great Shang. Moreover, hearing that her two sons had returned, she also wrote to plead for help from her father.

And the third son in the original timeline, Wu Geng?

Yin Shou was fully engrossed in his cultivation, seldom visiting the harem. Considering the divide between immortals and mortals, if Queen Jiang had conceived, Yin Shou would’ve been cuckolded.

The Eastern Marquis didn’t hesitate at all, promptly deploying troops. In his eyes, the throne was for his grandson; it couldn’t be handed to another.

Meanwhile, Bi Gan traveled alongside Yu Qing. They first headed to Nanbo Hou’s territory before Bi Gan proceeded to Nantang, primarily to avoid potential interception by Xiqi forces.

Nanbo Hou was considered the most honest and straightforward of the four marquises. Despite Li Jing and his faction moving so boldly, Nanbo Hou paid no heed, continuing his act of feigning death, as his nature suggested.

When the emissaries arrived, E Chongyu claimed to be bedridden—though it wasn’t entirely feigned, as his age indeed weighed heavily.

E Chongyu did not personally receive Yu Qing but met privately with Bi Gan. Whatever the two elderly men discussed, outsiders would never know. All that was clear was that Bi Gan left with red-rimmed eyes.

The following day, the princely heir E Chong personally led 30,000 elite soldiers to escort Bi Gan to Nantang.

E Chongyu stepped forward to accept the decree himself and led soldiers to attack West Zhou.

Bi Gan and E Shun, accompanied by the 30,000 troops and supplies, grandiosely arrived in Xinye, startling Deng Chanyu within the city.

When she came out to confront them and saw familiar faces, she didn’t rush to act, saying, "Xinye is thousands of miles from Chaoge. Minister Bi Gan, you are old and frail; what brings you here?"

Indeed, Bi Gan was elderly and badly fatigued from his journey. Though his condition was poor, he tried to muster his strength and responded, "I am a special envoy of Great Shang, here to seek an audience with King Tang!"

Deng Chanyu cast a glance at the 30,000 soldiers behind Bi Gan, signaling that his visit did not appear entirely amicable.

E Shun then stepped forward and stated, "I am humble General E Shun. Hearing of Nantang’s peace and prosperity, where citizens live in joy, I have come to cast my lot!"

Deng Chanyu: "???"

Normally, it might not be surprising, but for the princely heir of Nanbo Hou to arrive, this was unexpected. She couldn’t help but wonder, perhaps her father-in-law, Li Jing, truly bore the Heavenly Mandate?

Regrettably, Deng Chanyu was not inclined toward literary pursuits, or she might have written a sensational tale, "My Father-in-law is Li Jing."

"May the two of you enter the city?"

Neither came to provoke conflict, so after exchanging glances, they entered Xinye together.

As a newly developed city, Xinye struck the two with its sense of order upon entry. Though the population appeared sparse, the uniformly arranged houses exuded a distinctive beauty.

Most cities at the time suffered from dire conditions internally, but Xinye was notably clean, with citizens displaying hopeful smiles for the future on their faces.

Deng Chanyu generously hosted the two, allowing Bi Gan to rest adequately, which visibly improved his health.

The following day, Deng Chanyu sent her elder brother to escort the two to Nanchang while she remained stationed in Xinye, monitoring the 30,000 troops outside the city.

With his progressive outlook, Nezha deeply understood the importance of transportation, so bandits between the two cities had been eradicated countless times. Nezha even paved concrete roads—not that he couldn’t create better infrastructure, but he deemed it unnecessary.

The roads weren’t comparable to today’s standards, but they were astonishing enough to leave the pair awestruck for the next century.

Deng Xiu took pleasure in seeing their provincial reactions and smugly asked, "How does this Changye Road compare to Chaoge’s?"

Old Bi Gan sighed and replied, "Chaoge falls far short!"

King Ji received the pair, and Bi Gan first stated his purpose and read aloud the decree.

Nantang’s high-ranking officials gathered for discussion and decided to accept it. In ancient times, legitimacy carried tremendous importance. Nantang previously lacked recognition, but now it had it.

With Nantang securing legitimacy, it refrained from causing further trouble, allowing Yin Shang to focus on West Zhou—a mutual win.

Finally, King Ji conferred the title of General upon E Shun, putting him under Li Jing’s command. With Li Jing supervising, even if E Shun harbored other ambitions, they wouldn’t amount to much.

Daji, having spent significant time in Chaoge, wasn’t unfamiliar with Bi Gan. Observing his frail condition, she assigned Bo Yikao to host him.

The news traveled back to Chaoge, where it was widely publicized, dampening West Zhou’s morale. Ji Fa grew uneasy and promptly sent Wei Hu to contact San Yisheng. San Yisheng elaborated extensively, finally calming West Zhou.

Bi Gan had been friends with Ji Chang for many years, holding great pride in him. Ji Chang’s eldest son was no stranger, and Bi Gan had a premonition: if he attempted a return trip, he might die halfway.

Thus, he opted not to return.

After observing Bo Yikao for some time, Bi Gan naturally stepped into the role of mentor. Though unfamiliar with Nantang’s burgeoning developments, his rich life experiences proved an invaluable Treasure Vault.

A little over half a year later, Bi Gan passed away due to old age. His dying wish was simply to return to his roots.

King Ji demonstrated generosity, organizing an elaborate funeral for Bi Gan. Following discussions, he dispatched Jinzha and Mu Zha to return the remains.

The choice of Jinzha and Mu Zha, with their high status and cultivation skills, ensured no mishaps along the way.

By this time, the forces of Shang and Zhou had amassed on both sides, and war was on the brink of eruption.

Just as the expected battle between Shang and Zhou was about to commence, trouble surfaced within Huang Feihu’s faction.

Huang Feihu had consistently expanded southward, approaching the Ten Thousand Mountains. Frankly, the area was poorly suited for human habitation. As he prepared to lead efforts in city-building, his army was suddenly attacked by unknown creatures.