Chapter 144: The Great Merchant Cuts Off the Teachings of the Nüwa Palace

  Emperor Yi trained several of his sons in governance from a young age, letting them help him with state affairs. Among them, Emperor Xin and Viscount Qi were the most outstanding.

  Emperor Xin was the youngest son of Emperor Yi, with his mother as queen. He was the heir. Emperor Xin was naturally intelligent and wise, heard and saw very much, had extraordinary strength, had the power to pull nine cows, had the force to move mountains and rivers, and deeply won the heart of Emperor Yi.

  Weizi Qi, although also the son of Emperor Yi, and still the eldest son, was born out of wedlock. His mother came from a humble background, so he did not receive Emperor Yi's favor. However, Weizi Qi did not become disheartened. On the contrary, apart from doing his own duty well, he advocated for governing the country with virtue. Gradually, Weizi Qi's reputation in Dashang grew greater and greater, and even Emperor Yi couldn't help but think of this eldest son whom he had never truly cared about.

  After that, Emperor Yi let Wei Zi Qi and Emperor Xin work together to help him handle government affairs. Under the governance of Emperor Xin and Wei Zi Qi, who combined civil and military power, the strength of Da Shang was greatly developed. The prestige of the two men rose sharply in Da Shang, which made Emperor Yi extremely satisfied.

  The great merchants have been cultivating immortals for generations, and many of them have come to the imperial court to offer their services. Over the centuries, the disciples of the Interception Sect who came to the imperial court became the backbone of the Great Merchant Dynasty. As disciples of the Interception Sect, they naturally carried with them the aura of the Interception Sect. During their long tenure in the Great Merchant Dynasty, it was inevitable that they would infuse some of the Interception Sect's aura into the dynasty.

  After the Great Merchant Dynasty obtained these aura, its strength naturally grew rapidly. After the Great Merchant's aura increased greatly, some of the aura was fed back to the Intercept Sect through the disciples who held positions, causing the Intercept Sect's aura to increase. In this way, the Intercept Sect is tied to the same chariot as the Great Merchant, sharing honor and loss together.

  The Tian Gong Sect Master was originally quite satisfied with this result, but as the Da Shang's several declines and revivals caused the sect's fortune to fluctuate, making the Tian Gong Sect Master anxious. Fortunately, he understood that the great calamity period was not far away, and at that time, he could take advantage of the opportunity to separate the fortunes of the Jie Sect and the Da Shang.

  The Tongtian Sect mainly didn't know that the Western Sect would rise in the future, and the Demon Realm would arrive. Perhaps there would still be some resistance, but at this time they already knew, and also learned about some benefits of the Sealing God List, so naturally they let the Great Calamity develop on its own, sitting stably on the fishing platform.

  Emperor Yi was in power, and Wen Zhong, a disciple of the Golden Spirit Mother, came to Da Shang for training. Emperor Yi treated him with courtesy, and later Wen Zhong was heavily reused by Emperor Yi. Wen Zhong did not disappoint Emperor Yi's expectations, commanding the army of Da Shang to conquer east and west, and making great efforts for Da Shang.

  After Emperor Yi's death, Wen Zhong was made a regent minister to assist Emperor Xin in handling state affairs. Due to Wen Zhong's upright and unyielding character, he had great prestige and was extremely loyal to the Shang Dynasty. Therefore, before his death, Emperor Yi also gave Wen Zhong a golden rod with which to punish anyone who disobeyed him, whether they were an incompetent ruler or corrupt officials.

  After Emperor Xin ascended the throne, he vigorously developed agriculture and sericulture, greatly enhancing the productive capacity of the people. With national strength flourishing, Emperor Xin began to contemplate attacking neighboring regions.

  At this time, the Great Merchant was still the orthodox of the human race, but when Xia Qi rebelled against Bo Yi, it naturally caused dissatisfaction among some humans. As Bo Yi's representative forces prepared for war, these forces and some dissatisfied forces with Xia Qi thought about migrating to the periphery of human power.

  These forces live in the deep mountains and old forests, living with fierce beasts, but their physical quality has not decreased. Unlike the human tribe of great merchants, whose survival environment has improved, making the danger to humans decrease, while the physical quality of humans is unknowingly decreasing. This shows that the descendants of these forces have a stronger physical quality than others.

  These forces have evolved over thousands of years and have transformed into the two major forces of Dongyi and Xiyi. At this time, Emperor Xin went to the two tribes of Dongyi and Xiyi, hoping to achieve success through military merit.

  After several years, Di Xin successfully calmed down most of the power of the Western Yi. Only then did he return to Zongzhou in triumph. After returning to Zongzhou, Di Xin handled military and national affairs as usual.

  Years later, Emperor Xinzhi came to handle government affairs as usual. Looking at the civil and military officials standing on both sides, Emperor Xinzhi was also very satisfied. At this time, in the imperial court, there were Wen Taishi Wen Zhong, Wu Cheng Wang Huang Feihu, Wen Ke Dingguo, Wu Neng Anbang.

  Emperor Xin has been enjoying peace for years, with the help of his childhood friend Wu Cheng Wang Huang Feihu in conquering east and west. Emperor Xin is deeply grateful to him. Among the civil officials, there is Taishi Wen Zhong who stabilizes the court and maintains stability.

  The great Shang Dynasty was in a state of prosperity and peace under the rule of Emperor Xin, with all regions submitting to its authority. However, this peaceful atmosphere did not last long, as urgent reports arrived from the borders, and a sudden rebellion broke out in the capital city of Zhaoge, led by Gongzi Fu of Beihai, who was joined by 72 vassal lords.

  King Zhou was enraged, originally enjoying his great achievements, when suddenly a fly came to disturb him, it can be said that it was like a fishbone stuck in the throat, extremely uncomfortable. Later, King Zhou appointed Wen Zhong as the Grand Marshal of the Army and Navy, leading troops to suppress the rebellion in Beihai.

  Hear that the general is going to the North Sea, suppressing the rebellion, and has not returned to the capital for three years. Emperor Xin had already controlled the court these years. On this day, Emperor Xin came to attend the early morning court session, only to see the civil and military officials lined up on both sides. But saw auspicious clouds gathering, the golden throne hall sat the king; auspicious light surrounded, in front of the white jade steps, the civil and military officials were arrayed. The fragrant sandalwood incense burner, then saw that high pearl curtain; the orchid and musk fragrance wafting from the precious fan, also looked at the pheasant tail lowered together.

  King Zhou asked the officials on duty, "Is there any business to be reported? If not, withdraw from court." As soon as the words fell, a figure emerged from among the civil officials, bowed down at the golden steps, and held up his memorial tablet. It was none other than Shang Rong. He came forward and said, "Your minister Shang Rong has a matter to report. Tomorrow is the fifteenth day of the third month, which is the birthday of our clan's sacred mother, Nüwa Niangniang. I request that Your Majesty condescend to visit the Temple of Nüwa and offer incense and prayers for her blessings."

  King Zhou asked, "I don't know what merits this Goddess Nüwa has, I am the Son of Heaven, and I also want to move my throne to pray for her blessings?" Shang Rong heard this and couldn't help but secretly sigh, people's hearts are not like they used to be, the Holy Mother Goddess Nüwa was actually forgotten by people in just a few tens of thousands of years. He stepped forward and said: "Goddess Nüwa is the holy mother of our human tribe, she created our human tribe with her own flesh and blood, so all humans are considered to be the descendants of the goddess. Later, there was Gonggong, the leader of the Youmiao tribe, who bumped his head against Mount Buzhou, causing the sky to tilt northwest and the earth to sink southeast; Goddess Nüwa used five-colored stones to repair the sky. Therefore, she has merits for the people, and the common people have established a temple to repay her kindness. Now, if we worship this goddess of blessings, then the four seasons will be peaceful, the country's fortune will last long, the rain will come in time, and disasters will disappear. This is the true god who blesses the country and protects the people, Your Majesty should go and offer incense!"

  Emperor Xin heard this and said: "Since you have such achievements, I approve your request."

  On the second day, Emperor Xin rode in an imperial carriage, leading civil and military officials to offer incense at the Temple of Nüwa. When they arrived at the temple, they saw that the hall was magnificent, with five-colored golden decorations. Golden boys held flags in pairs; Jade maidens presented scepters in pairs. The jade hook hung obliquely, a new moon suspended in mid-air; precious canopies fluttered, countless colorful phoenixes soared towards the sky. On the green stone bed, all were dancing cranes and soaring phoenixes; the fragrant treasure throne was adorned with walking dragons and flying phoenixes. Colorful clouds floated, auspicious signs rose from the golden incense burner; purple mist swirled, silver candles shone brightly. Seeing that the Temple of Nüwa was built so magnificently, one could tell how much Nüwa was revered by humanity. Thinking this, Emperor Xin became even more curious about Nüwa.

  Di Xin, accompanied by Shang Rong and others, arrived at the temple, where they paid homage to the goddess Nüwa under the guidance of a ceremonial officer. Just as he stood up, a strange gust of wind suddenly blew in from nowhere, lifting the curtains and revealing the sacred image of Nüwa. Her face was elegant and beautiful, with auspicious colors fluttering around her, and she seemed to be alive.

  Emperor Xin suddenly felt a dizziness, and in his confusion, he had a different idea. He thought to himself: "I am the Son of Heaven, rich and powerful, with all four seas at my command. Even with six palaces and three courts, there is no one as beautiful as this woman." He immediately ordered someone to bring him the Four Treasures of the Study. The eunuch hastily brought the Four Treasures and presented them to Emperor Xin. Emperor Xin took up the purple brush, dipped it in thick ink, and wrote a poem on the wall of the Temple of Nuwa:

  "The phoenix and the peony, a wonderful sight to behold, all adorned with intricate golden patterns. The distant mountains are shrouded in a misty green hue; the sleeves of the dancers flutter like clouds reflecting the colors of the sunset. The pear blossoms, accompanied by the rain, vie for attention with their beauty; the peonies, surrounded by smoke, proudly display their charm. If only this enchanting scene could be captured and brought back to entertain the king."

  The Shang Rong was shocked and changed color, stepped forward and said: "Nüwa is the holy mother of humanity, with great merit for all living things in the world. I beg your majesty to come and offer incense, pray for blessings, so that all people can live in peace, rain and wind are harmonious, and war and fire cease. Now your majesty has written a poem that blasphemes the sacred, without any sincerity of reverence. If this is because you have committed a crime against the holy one, it is not the ritual of the Son of Heaven to offer sacrifices and prayers. I hope your majesty will let someone use water to wash away this obscene poem, otherwise if others see it, won't they say that your majesty has no virtue?"

  Di Xin had already become clear-headed and realized something was amiss, but when Shang Yang spoke to him in such a manner, he still had some regrets. Now, being rebuked by Shang Yang, he asked discontentedly: "I saw that Your Majesty's beauty is matchless in the world, so I wrote a poem to praise you. Could there be any other intention? You should not speak too much. Besides, as the ruler of the myriad chariots, leaving it for the people to see, one can behold Your Majesty's peerless beauty and also my leftover brushwork." Having spoken, he was about to ascend his carriage.

  However, he was stopped by Shang Yang, and Emperor Xin said displeased: "Is there anything else in your family?"

  Shang Rong reported: "I report to Your Majesty that every time after burning incense at the Temple of the Heavenly Queen, we also burn incense at the nearby Temple of the Holy Emperor and the Temple of the Three Pure Ones."

  "Emperor Xin asked: 'What merits do the Holy Emperor and the Three Pure Ones have that I should go to worship them?'"

  Shang Rong was shocked and thought to himself: What's wrong with the king today? He's being so disrespectful to the Holy Mother, and now he's not even showing respect to the Holy Emperor and the Three Pure Ones. How can this be good?

  Shang Rong was puzzled by Emperor Xin's unusual behavior today, but still replied: "The Three Pure Ones taught the world and had a teaching effect on the entire world. The Holy Emperor Wujie saved the human race from the massacre of the Wu and Yao tribes in the past, and helped the female Nuwa repair the sky when Mount Buzhou collapsed. Later, he served as the Purple Emperor of the Heavenly Court, governing all the stars."

  Di Xin heard this and angrily said: "The Three Pure Ones have taught the world, why are there still traitors like Yuan Futong? Why didn't the Holy Emperor Wuji send heavenly soldiers to assist me? Since they are so useless, what's the point of my worshiping them?"

  After Emperor Xin finished speaking, he led the crowd away. Shang Rong, who was on the side, saw this and had a heavy heart. In the end, Shang Rong still returned to Nuwa Palace after Emperor Xin left, washed away Emperor Xin's inscription with clear water, and then went to Sanqing Palace and Wujie's Sacred Emperor Palace to apologize.