Chapter 128: Shang Tang’s Dilemma
Page 1 of 3
The Xia Dynasty was teetering on the brink of collapse, its destiny unstable. As a result, even the fortunes of the Celestial Court began to fluctuate.
Nuwa stepped out of Wa Palace and gazed down at the mortal world from behind the railing. Her brows furrowed slightly.
The situation below was already quite clear. Anyone with the slightest insight could see that the fortune of Xia was nearing its end, while Yin-Shang was like a crimson sun slowly rising, radiating vigorous vitality...
Moreover, with the Three Pure Ones secretly providing support, the overthrow of the decayed Xia Dynasty was only a matter of time. Anyone with eyes could see that.
“Why have you come out?” Li Tian also emerged from Wa Palace. Seeing Nuwa’s back, he smiled and walked over.
“Look.”
Nuwa waved her hand, and two scenes appeared before them. In one, Jie indulged in extravagance and debauchery; in the other, Shang Tang was sharpening his weapons and training his armies.
Li Tian glanced at them but did not take them to heart. With a wave of his hand, he made both images vanish.
He had known about the situation in the mortal world for a long time. He simply could not be bothered to interfere.
“Dynasties rise and fall; such things are commonplace. The fate of Jie and Xia has run its course, and they should rightly be replaced by Shang.”
As he spoke, Li Tian smiled at Nuwa, took her hand, and led her back into Wa Palace.
Nuwa could not fathom his thoughts and frowned slightly.
“It seems the Three Pure Ones have had a hand in this. They are determined to restore the rule of the common realm. If they succeed, would that not cause the Celestial Court’s fortune to lose a large portion for nothing?”
“Do not worry.” Li Tian remained unconcerned. “Shang Tang is ambitious as well. Do you truly think he would be willing to restore the old system of common rule?”
Nuwa pondered briefly before grasping the key point. Her eyes lit up.
“You see farther than I do. If Shang Tang wishes to establish hereditary rule, he can only follow the example of Qi and become a subject of the Celestial Court, borrowing its power to withstand the pressure from the Three Pure Ones!”
“Exactly.” Li Tian nodded with a smile.
The system of common rule had already become history. Restoring it now was plainly impossible.
The feudal lords would never agree to it, for one thing.
As for the common people, what voice could ordinary people possibly have at a time like this?
...
Events unfolded just as he had predicted.
After a period of development, Shang Tang’s strength rapidly increased. Following Yi Yin’s advice, he sent out large numbers of envoys to win over the feudal lords who were dissatisfied with Xia. Once they received Shang Tang’s assurance that their positions would remain untouched, many of them were naturally tempted.
Page 1 of 3
Page 2 of 3
Many others had remained undecided, but after witnessing Shang Tang’s current strength and hearing his promises of various benefits, they too began to waver...
Thus, over the course of several years, nearly half the feudal lords under Heaven secretly submitted to Shang.
This alone showed how completely Jie had lost the people’s support.
Once the time was ripe, Shang Tang boldly launched his war against Xia. With the assistance of numerous feudal lords, the Yin-Shang armies swept forward like a breaking tide, conquering three continents in only a few months!
Along the way, feudal lords from every region surrendered at the slightest sign of danger, causing Shang Tang’s forces to grow stronger with every victory.
The news soon reached the royal city of Xia. When Jie learned that the armies of Yin-Shang were advancing, he panicked at once and hurriedly summoned his ministers to discuss how to repel the enemy.
Unfortunately, after so many years, every minister remaining at court was an idler devoted to women, music, hunting, and horses. Not one capable talent could be found!
With no other choice, Jie could only conduct a ceremony to Heaven and seek the assistance of the Celestial Court. After all, Xia was a vassal of the Celestial Court. Now that Xia faced the danger of destruction, the Celestial Court naturally ought to intervene.
When Li Tian learned of this, he did not delay. He immediately sent two divine beings at the initial stage of the Great Principal Golden Immortal realm down to the mortal world to assist Xia.
Of course, he was merely putting on a show. In the Celestial Court, Great Principal Golden Immortals of the initial stage were little more than ordinary soldiers, not even qualified to stand guard at the gates.
Since the wars of humanity were now fought through direct confrontation, with soldier against soldier and general against general, the two celestial generals accomplished very little after descending to the mortal world. They were soon swallowed up by the sea of humanity.
Although the Great Principal Golden Immortals of humanity had long since withdrawn from the world, a few still remained.
And so, the Xia Dynasty, which had stood for more than two thousand years, was finally overthrown by Yin-Shang.
...
At the sacred land of humanity, Qi let out a long sigh when he received the news. Yet, under Yu’s guidance, he naturally did nothing rash. He merely felt a little regretful.
After all, it was the dynasty he had fought so hard to establish.
The Three Pure Ones also learned of the matter at once. While delighted, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the Celestial Court had not intervened, and Shang Tang’s conquest of Xia had succeeded.
They immediately sent disciples from their respective sects, bearing generous gifts, to attend the enthronement ceremony of the new Human Sovereign.
As for the possibility that Shang Tang might break his promise and deceive the three Saints?
The Three Pure Ones had never even considered it. They were simply too accustomed to standing high above all others.
Besides, in their eyes, Shang Tang and his people were no more than ants. Would a mere ant truly dare provoke a Saint? Was it tired of living?
...
At the same time, Shang Tang had already led his armies and the various feudal lords who had submitted to him into the former royal city of Xia.
At that moment, Shang Tang was deeply conflicted.
Page 2 of 3
Page 3 of 3
Should he become the Human Sovereign, or the Human King?
Compared with becoming the Human Sovereign, Shang Tang unquestionably wished to become the latter.
By then, he possessed a certain level of cultivation and a long lifespan. If he became the Human King, he ought to be able to rule for a very long time...
The mere thought made his blood surge with excitement.
Yet the towering presence of the Three Pure Ones forced him to deliberate carefully before making his decision.
Upon entering the palace that had once belonged to the Xia Dynasty, Shang Tang sat upon Jie’s throne and looked down at the assembled feudal lords. In an instant, his eyes brightened.
“Gentlemen, Jie and Xia have been destroyed. Yet humanity cannot remain without a ruler for even a single day. What do you think? Should I become the Human Sovereign, or... the Human King?”
The feudal lords below immediately understood. They all fell to their knees and bowed.
“We pay our respects to the Great King!”
To become the Human Sovereign would mean restoring the old system of common rule. Would that not reduce them once again to the chieftains of their former tribes?
The thought of their territories no longer belonging to them in the future was simply unbearable.
After all, their lands had been passed down hereditarily for so many years. They had long since come to regard them as their private possessions. Naturally, they would never willingly surrender them.
Seeing the reaction of the feudal lords below, Shang Tang was secretly delighted, but on the surface he wore the expression of a disappointed teacher looking upon incorrigible pupils.
“I wish to follow the example of the sages of old and restore the noble tradition of abdication by merit... How can you fail to understand the greater picture?”
At that moment, a feudal lord who usually commanded great respect stepped forward and cupped his hands.
“Great King, you must not act on impulse. Humanity was created by the Celestial Emperor and the Celestial Empress, and therefore ought rightly to be ruled by the Celestial Court. The Celestial Court stands above all. If you were to call yourself Sovereign, where would that leave the Celestial Court?”
“We second this proposal!”
Immediately, the other feudal lords bowed as well, their words firm and resolute.
“The Great King should hold a ceremony to Heaven at once, pay homage to the Celestial Emperor, and announce humanity’s submission to the Celestial Court. This must be our foremost priority!”
“But...”
Shang Tang appeared deeply troubled. He argued at length for the many advantages of the common realm, but in the end he was “unable to overcome” the united ministers. Helplessly, he ascended the sacrificial altar.
After a series of rituals, Li Tian once again manifested his divine presence as a matter of course, making his existence known before leaving the matter alone.
Thus, Shang formally replaced Xia and became the second dynasty of humanity.
Page 3 of 3