Jiang Ziya continued, "In the end, Great Shang dispatched King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu, personally leading an army of 300,000 elite troops to suppress them, yet they were defeated by a mere 30,000 soldiers at Linhuan Pass... The reason for this defeat was the assistance of a Jie Sect Immortal at Linhuan Pass!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Fa's eyes widened in shock.

"Is what the Prime Minister says true?"

"Of course, it's true."

Jiang Ziya smiled and said, "I witnessed some of the battle of magic between the Immortal Gods outside Linhuan Pass that day. If the second prince is curious, I can show you a glimpse."

With that, he took out a Jade Scroll.

Ever since he descended the mountain, disciples from the Chan Sect had periodically sent him news related to Great Shang, allowing him to be informed about the "world" without stepping outside his door.

The scenes preserved within the Jade Scroll were precisely from the sky above Linhuan Pass that day, displaying the battle of magic between Liu Huan, Quyang Immortal, Princess Long Ji, and the Mo Family Four Generals. These dazzling Divine scenes astonished Ji Fa, who also became intensely curious about Jiang Ziya's identity.

Jiang Ziya was slightly reserved at first, but under Ji Fa's persistent questioning, he eventually revealed everything, stating he was a disciple under the Saint Yuanshi Tianzun of the Chan Sect, tasked by his mentor to descend the mountain and aid the ruler of Xi Qi until Great Zhou could replace Great Shang!

Upon hearing this, Ji Fa felt a jolt in his heart.

"Does that mean you're also an Immortal, Prime Minister?"

Jiang Ziya: "..."

He awkwardly said, "By the time of Great Zhou's rise and Shang's fall, I should be able to achieve true fruition."

Having said that, he quickly dropped this somewhat awkward topic, and turned grave again, saying, "The reason I bring up Linhuan Pass is to tell the second prince, if we do not seize the opportunity, it won't be Xi Qi who replaces Great Shang, but Linhuan Pass instead!"

"Hisss!"

Ji Fa took in a sharp breath of cold air.

Hearing this, he finally understood why Jiang Ziya had suggested an expedition to conquer Shang even when preparations were incomplete.

Time really does not wait for anyone!

"At present, Xi Qi can deploy 100,000 soldiers, all of whom are veterans of battle," Jiang Ziya looked at Ji Fa and confidently said, "Linhuan Pass could defeat 300,000 elite troops of Great Shang with only 30,000 new soldiers; our 100,000 elite of Xi Qi could also stand against a million-strong army of Great Shang!"

"Exactly!"

Ji Fa, as if stirred by a surge of heroic aspiration, shouted loudly, "Great Zhou shall be the one to replace Great Shang!"

The next day, Ji Fa went early to the Marquis Mansion to see his father, Ji Chang.

After leaving the Prime Minister's Mansion yesterday, he had been pondering until midnight and felt unsettled in his mind.

"Father, after thinking it over last night, I believe elder brother is right, we in Xi Qi indeed should not be hasty in waging war against Shang. Instead, we should perform our duty as vassals, send envoys to Chaoge to admonish the King, set an example for all princes of the realm, while secretly consolidating our foundation and amassing strength, in preparation for the future!" Ji Fa said earnestly.

"Is this all your own opinion?" Ji Chang looked at him, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

The Ji Fa from yesterday seemed to have more valor to spare and lacked wisdom.

But the words he spoke today carried a certain flavor.

"Yes!" Ji Fa earnestly nodded.

He did not say that these ideas came from the guidance of Prime Minister Jiang Ziya.

"Continue, tell your father all your thoughts," Ji Chang said with interest.

"I believe that although we should not rush into war against Shang, we should also not give up on the grand plan to conquer Shang," Ji Fa said straightforwardly: "Only if Xi Qi grows strong, can we be proactive in any future scenario. Moreover, by sending envoys to advise the King in Chaoge, regardless of success or failure, it will demonstrate your loyalty and integrity, enhancing your prestige... if the day does come when Great Shang meets its sunset, a rallying cry from you, father, will surely draw heroes from across the land to our cause."

"Young man... You're oversimplifying the issue," Ji Chang sighed with a helpless smile, shaking his head, "The idea to go to Chaoge to advise the King is a good one, but it's not a task for the ordinary."

"Then let your son go!" Ji Fa loudly volunteered.

"You're already striving enough, why push yourself further?" Ji Chang sighed.

This remark held a double entendre understood only between the father and son.

"I'm not afraid of hard work!" Ji Fa said resolutely: "If it can help my father accomplish his great undertaking, I am willing to do anything!"

Ji Chang looked at him, a flash of consideration in his eyes.

"If father plans to raise an army against Shang, your son is willing to serve as the vanguard!" Ji Fa stated with seriousness.

"Nonsense!"

Ji Chang scolded him, then shook his head saying, "As of now, we in Xi Qi do not have enough strength to wage war against Shang, so you needn't be anxious."

"Yes, then let your son go to Chaoge!"

"That role doesn't suit you."

Ji Chang smiled and shook his head, gesturing for him to leave.

Seeing his firm attitude, Ji Fa had nothing else to say and had to leave.

After a while, Bo Yikao also arrived at the Marquis Mansion to visit.

Upon seeing Ji Chang, he bowed respectfully and said, "Father, your son has a request."

"What is it?" Ji Chang asked curiously.

"Now that the Kingly Way of Great Shang has declined, and the people live in hardship, I have always been ineffectual and feel ashamed," Bo Yikao pondered, "Currently Great Shang still has a wise ruler. Why not let me go to Great Shang to persuade the King of Shang to mend his ways, to issue a decree acknowledging his faults, and to spare the people from further suffering."

"Ridiculous!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Chang was instantly furious, unable to help but shout out in rebuke.

"Do you realize how dangerous it is to go to Chaoge?"

"At the beginning of the Shang King's reign, he was indeed sharp in thought and receptive to advice on the court, treating the three Dukes with great respect; but now it's rumored that he has already been bewitched by the demoness Su Daji, indulging in debauchery, and has become cruel and tyrannical!"