Chapter 6: The Jing Kingdom Must Perish in This Lifetime!
The capital of the Jing Kingdom, Anping, lay to the northwest of Yuan City, some 800 li away (roughly 250 miles).
A month later, Zhang Yang led Heitu and the others to Anping.
The city at that time was quite different from those in later generations.
There was a strict separation of the four social classes.
Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants each had designated living areas, with their professions passing down through the generations.
At the heart of the city lived the nobility; the second and third rings housed the scholars; beyond the third ring were the merchants and craftsmen.
The surrounding countryside was home to the farmers.
Although this seemed to narrow the search area, it actually made things more complicated.
The city was tightly organised — five households formed a 'track', ten tracks made a 'neighbourhood', all keeping watch over one another. Not to mention outsiders, even if neighbours were to make enquiries about one another, the news could easily spread, attracting the court’s attention, or even an investigation.
Trying to find out the whereabouts of the Zhang family under such circumstances could only be described as—
Ah, of course it’s not difficult.
Money can work miracles and solve countless problems.
Inside a private room of a tavern in Anping City, Zhang Yang sat at a table with a middle-aged man in his forties.
The man was cautious, yet carried a certain reverence.
He was the Gongzheng of the Jing Kingdom, an official responsible for managing craftsmen, holding the rank of a lower senior official.
The Gongzheng said, “Sir, I have investigated the matter you entrusted to me. Of the bronze artisans brought back from the Yuan State all those years ago, fewer than one fifth remain in the Jing Kingdom.”
“The rest of the craftsmen have either passed away, been given as part of bridal dowries or gifts to other feudal states, or rewarded to other nobles.”
"Among the craftsmen still alive, none bore the surname Zhang. As for where the Zhang artisans from back then ended up, that remains unknown."
Zhang Yang's expression darkened.
Although he had anticipated difficulties, this outcome was still unbearable for him.
His own family had been given away as gifts, their whereabouts unknown.
What a damned world this was.
The crucial point was that, if his family were still in the Jing Kingdom, no matter the trouble, Zhang Yang still had hope of finding them.
But if they had been sent to other feudal states, tracking them down would be much harder.
The world was so vast.
In the end, he was just one man, how could he—
Hmm—
All alone, searching for his family was indeed a nearly impossible task.
But—
Zhang Yang stood up and strode away.
Gongzheng watched Zhang Yang’s retreating figure, his face troubled, hesitating to speak.
“My good sir, you haven’t settled the final payment!”
Yet, thinking of Zhang Yang’s abilities, Gongzheng ultimately didn’t dare to say it aloud.
After all, he was a cultivator at the Bloodhorse Realm!
Wherever he went, he was treated like a noble guest by lords; crushing me would be as easy as crushing an ant.
Zhang Yang left the tavern, where Heitu was waiting outside.
Heitu stepped forward to meet Zhang Yang, seeing his grim expression and already guessing the outcome.
Heitu sighed and scratched his head. “Master, where shall we go now?”
Zhang Yang looked up at the deep blue sky, his eyes burning with a chilling murderous intent. He gritted his teeth and said, "We’re going to the Shang Kingdom."
The Shang Kingdom lay to the southeast of the Jing Kingdom, nestled deep within the Heng State. It had once been a great feudal state boasting thirty cities, renowned far and wide.
Well, that was in the past. Over the years, as the Jing Kingdom expanded, it had seized twenty cities from the Shang Kingdom—more than three-quarters of its land. Now, the Shang Kingdom had only ten cities left.
"The Shang Kingdom?"
"Master, why are we going to the Shang Kingdom?" Heitu asked, puzzled and somewhat surprised. He had been following Zhang Yang from the Yan Kingdom for nearly half a year, passing through dozens of feudal states, so he was familiar with the Shang Kingdom.
Zhang Yang didn’t reply, only his expression growing colder still. What to do?
Very simple.
Take revenge!
He intended to destroy the Jing Kingdom!
To slaughter all the descendants of Marquis Jing!
But the Jing Kingdom possessed a hundred cities and was the most powerful feudal state in the land, bar none.
For him to wipe it out alone was almost impossible.
Yet!
That was a minor matter.
The Jing Kingdom had far too many enemies. The Shang Kingdom was one of them.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend!
Besides seeking vengeance, Zhang Yang had another goal.
If he were alone, finding his lost relatives would be nearly impossible.
The world was vast, the crowds endless—where could he even begin to search?
But if his reputation grew great enough, renowned across the land and resounding throughout Heng State, might his missing family hear of him and come seeking him?
Zhang Yang did not know.
But it was his only choice.
Zhang Yang set off.
In April, he departed from Yan Kingdom and, after travelling through several places, arrived at Anping, the capital of Jing Kingdom. When he left Anping, it was already deep autumn.
Two months later, Zhang Yang arrived at Hao, the capital of the Shang Kingdom.
At that time, heavy snow was falling, and from a distance, Hao City looked like a snow-white tomb.
In fact, that was quite an accurate portrayal.
Because the Marquis of Shang had died.
Just half a month before.
At the age of twenty-seven!
Heitu and Guan returned to the carriage after gathering the news and reported the current situation in Hao City to Zhang Yang.
“Ah, it’s truly a pity about the Marquis of Shang.”
“He inherited the sovereign’s throne at twelve and ruled for fifteen years. Throughout, he was constantly suppressed by the Jing Kingdom, losing twenty cities of land one after another.” “The eldest son was sent to the Jing Kingdom as a hostage when he was five, and mysteriously died less than two years later.”
“It is said the Marquis of Shang wept bitterly before he died. He was too ashamed to face his ancestors and demanded to be buried with his hair unbound and his face covered—a sign that he died with unresolved regrets.”
“The new ruler who succeeded him is just a two-year-old toddler.”
“Master, given the current state of the Shang Kingdom, perhaps we should try another state.”
“Yes, Master, I reckon the Jing Kingdom won’t miss this opportunity. The Shang Kingdom is probably doomed.”
“We just passed by the city gate, where the Lady of Shang has posted a Proclamation for Talents, recruiting virtuous and valiant men. It seems she is aware of how dire the situation is—quite perceptive of her.”
“What a pity.”
Heitu and Guan exchanged words, describing the present state of the Shang Kingdom, their faces etched with worry. Of course, they were not concerned for the kingdom itself but for Zhang Yang—and for themselves.
On the road, Zhang Yang shared his thoughts with them.
He planned to seek refuge in the Shang Kingdom and use its power to eliminate the Jing Kingdom.
But now—
After listening to their account, Zhang Yang paused for a moment, then broke into a smile.
He said firmly, "Danger always accompanies opportunity."
"What opportunity without risk would ever come our way?"
"Precisely because the Shang Kingdom is so unstable, that’s where we outsiders have our chance."
"Go to the city gate and take down that Proclamation for Talents."
Heitu and Guan exchanged glances at his words.
Are we really going to stay in the Shang Kingdom?
Though somewhat uneasy, having travelled with Zhang Yang for over half a year, they knew well what he was capable of. After a brief hesitation, the two men said no more and saluted in agreement.
Once they had taken down the Proclamation for Talents, the news immediately caused a stir throughout Hao City, the capital of the Shang Kingdom.
“Have you heard? The Lady of Shang’s Proclamation for Talents has been taken down.”
“Oh? Where are they from?”
“It’s not about where they’re from, but who they are.”
“What do you mean? What does ‘who they are’ even mean?”
“I’ve heard it’s a cultivator at the Bloodhorse Realm.”
“Ah, someone at the Bloodhorse Realm? Really?”
“It’s probably true; the whole city’s talking about it.”
“But how could that be possible?” “A cultivator at the Bloodhorse Realm—are there even ten of those left in the world today?”
“Even when the Shang Kingdom was at its strongest, it never possessed such a practitioner.”
“Let alone the Shang Kingdom, even the current Jing Kingdom has only one.”
“A talent of such calibre would receive the highest honours in any feudal state they travelled to. There’s no way they’d come to our Shang Kingdom.”
“That’s not quite how it is. Although a cultivator at the Bloodhorse Realm is powerful, in the stronger feudal states they might only receive honours. But our Shang Kingdom is unstable and in dire need of strength—here, such a person would have the chance to become one of the High Ministers.”
“That’s true enough. Yet who is this distinguished figure? Practitioners at the Bloodhorse Realm are scarce indeed—without exception, they are renowned figures throughout the lands. I haven’t heard of anyone coming to our Shang Kingdom.”
“No one knows for sure. I’ve heard they came from the bitterly cold lands of the Yan Kingdom.”
“The Yan Kingdom? Doesn't ring a bell. Where exactly is that?”
“Not certain myself. I believe it’s a small state up north.”
“No wonder.”
“All right, enough talk. Let’s hurry to the Drill Ground.”
“What are we going to the Drill Ground for?”
“The Lady of Shang and the High Ministers in court want to witness this outsider’s skills for themselves.”
“I see. Well then, let’s go and watch the excitement together.”
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