Xu Zhonglin or Lu Xixing
This chapter is titled "Clash Between Two Grand Dukes". As General Nangong Kuo left to Caozhou at immediate pace, he soon took lodgings within an official hotel upon his arrival at Black Tiger Chong Heihu's residence. Leaving his office upon Nangong's reported arrival, Heihu soon obtained a letter from Jiang Ziya on the current situation. Reading the letter over continuously, he decided that it will be for the greater good if he puts an end to his brother in the name of the people; despite the blood that he is to stain on the faces of his ancestors through such an action. Before he departed, 3,000 soldiers were individually chosen to accompany him from Caozhou while his son, Chong Yingluan, ensures the protection of the city during his leave. As Chong Heihu arrived before the north grand dukedom's city gates in short time, Yinbiao emerged forth and earnestly welcomed his fellow uncle—who had arrived with reinforcements after obtaining report on the situation. Sitting within the main hall by his cousin's side, Chong Heihu asked the true reason as to why Ji Chang has suddenly attacked their residence; the latter stated that a man by the name of Jiang Ziya said earlier that they arrived out of some form of malice towards his father and have thus attacked with most probable intentions to kill him. Easily seeing such words as accurate and on the side of rationality, Chong Heihu charged from the city gates to do battle against the opposing forces of Prince Wen at the following dawn. Jiang Ziya was completely rational of Chong Heihu's intentions upon the arrival of Nangong Kuo—and thus sent the latter to do battle with Black Tiger. As both warriors battled with great renown, Chong Heihu silently told Nangong to feign retreat after giving up ground as a pretext to the combat's end. Seeing the enemy general flee while Heihu did not pursue in any form, Yingbiao approached his uncle and inspected the reason for such an action. Being told Jiang Ziya is widely known for his magical renown, there alone arose the chance that the former would use such tactics in order to ensure his victory at all costs possible—considering the additional rashful ways of such pursuit. As Heihu and Yingbiao thus returned to the city, Black Tiger stated that their probability of victory should increase dramatically if Houhu and King Zhou are effectively contacted and informed of the current happenings upon Chong City.
With Sun Rong thus being sent to the capital, he arrived before Chong Houhu's residence first and handed the duke the intended letter. Pounding his desk in utter rage at the ill-gratitude and treacherous motives that Ji Chang possesses towards him--despite the many sacrifices that he has made in order to ensure the safety of the former—Chong Houhu presented himself to King Zhou and elaborated the current case on hand. After the king had ensured his minister that he shall back him with soldiers if the need be, Houhu confidently set out with 3,000 soldiers from the capital in quick pace. As soon as Chong Heihu had obtained word that his brother was heading to Chong City, he told General Gao Ding to await in ambush inside the city gates and only emerge to seize the grand duke when the rattling of a sword is effectively heard. After Shen Gong had been told in addition to arrest the entire Chong family and bring them to the Zhou camp upon Heihu's emerging from the city, both Chong Heihu and Yingbiao set out shortly to await the arrival of Houhu. As the grand duke was thus invited inside of the city gates, all soldiers suddenly seized both Houhu and his son once the sound of rattling had been heard. Being fully rational that if Chong Houhu was effectively seized and destroyed before the eyes of the people, the Chong family wound not only live on in an honorable prestige but his own reputation will soar due to reinforcing the greater good despite the blood that is to be shed. After thus placing the duke before Jiang Ziya's feet, and warmly greeting Ji Chang, Prince Wen became displeased at Heihu's actions for being ruthless. Informing the prince that such an action is for the greater good, and well on the side of virtue, Jiang Ziya ordered Chong Houhu and his son to be placed before him while their heads are immediately cut from their bodies. Having no original intention whatsoever to kill the grand duke and his son, Prince Wen blinded his eyes from the sight of their decapitated heads while shrieking with fear and disgust. Ordering Chong Heihu to free all remaining captives, Jiang Ziya and Prince Wen took their leave from Chong City while Heihu remained to govern the people as the new grand duke of the north. Unfortunately however upon their return to the Western Foothills, Prince Wen began to see Chong Houhu's decapitated head at every moment he happened to close his eyes -- and his health thus slowly decreased out of clear digust and resentment.
Once Wei Zi, the secretarait of Morning Song, obtained word that Chong Houhu had been executed while his younger brother, Chong Heihu, took control over the former's territory, he realized that the threat of Ji Chang would become even more greater due to Heihu's independence from the capital—and thus informed King Zhou immediately less any further trouble evolved. Seething with rage at the north grand duke's death upon the hearing of such an incident, King Zhou ordered a contigent of soldiers to bring back both Ji Chang and Chong Heihu for trial. However, Li Ren moved forward from the ministers present and stated that if he were to effectively act in the benefit of Chong Houhu—who was widely despised by the ministers and people alike—then they naturally would feel great malace towards him for supporting one of criminal traits rather than the loyal. Realizing the rationality in his words, King Zhou decided to abandon the idea of attacking Heihu altogether. Unfortunately back at the Western Foothills however, Prince Wen's health worsened day by day forcing constant medical attention from doctors within the capital. As Jiang Ziya knelt before his master one day upon the former's request, Prince Wen calmly told him from his bed to never ally the Western Foothills with the rebelling nobles at any costs whatsoever; due to the many unroyal actions that had been taken earlier that proved a level of disloyalty towards the king's wishes, peace must always remain between the west and Morning Song as atonement for their past defiance.
Gazing at the tear-filled eyes of Prince Wen, and seeing the indomitable spirit of loyalty that surges through the former's heart, Jiang Ziya ensured that he shall eternally obey such instructions. With Ji Fa's sudden entrance, Prince Wen told his son that he shall take his place as governor over the Western Foothills following his death—but at no account should he dare listen to any words that may harm the king during his succession. After telling the prime minister and Ji Fa to instill virtue and true loyalty to both the king and the people so that the future generations can possess eternal happiness, Prince Wen breathed his last, dying at the age of 97 and being given the title of King Wen of Zhou. Following King Wen's funeral, Jiang Ziya proposed to all ministers present that Ji Fa should succeed his father with the title of West Grand Duke and King Wu. As all ministers were risen one rank with additional benefits, the 200 marquises came constantly to offer their obeisance to the new king over the Western Foothills. Once Commander Han Rong of Sishi Pass had obtained word on Ji Fa's succession to the throne, and the unexpected death of Ji Chang, a messenger was immediately sent before the capital's secretariat. With both Yao Zhong and Prince Wei Zi being the first to hear of such urgent news, Yao Zhong declared that he shall see the king on such a matter no matter what the outcome may be.
Categorized Events edit
- Letter to Black Tiger; Black Tiger's consent
- Black Tiger's successful ruse; letter to Tiger Duke
- Beheadment of Young Tiger and Tiger Duke; Ji Chang's moral distress
- Black Tiger, the new head of Tiger Town
- The failing health of Ji Chang
- The solemn promise not to attack King Zhou
- Death of Ji Chang; the shattered will
- Ji Fa becomes King Wu