Genesis of the Gods

Part 7 FEI ZHONG PLOTS TO DEPOSE THE QUEEN

"Who are you?"Fei Zhong asked.

The stranger knelt down. "My name's Jiang Huan," he replied.

"How long have you served in my place?"

"It's already been five years since I left East Lu and came here. I'm very grateful to you for the way you've treated me. I don't know how to repay you. Seeing you look so worried, I meant to stay out of your way; I hope you will pardon me for interrupting you."

When he heard that Jiang Huan was from East Luand shared the queen's surname, a plot suddenly leaped into Fei Zhong's mind. "You may get up, Jiang Huan. I would like you to do something for me. If you accomplish this mission,I will reward you generously with wealth and honor."

"I will do everything within my power to carry out your orders. I would even dare to rush into fire or leap into boiling water on your behalf."

"I had no idea how to solve the problem at hand, but seeing you has given me the perfect solution. If you succeed, you will be promoted and wear a golden belt around your

waist," Fei Zhong promised.

"That is the most I could hope for. I will do just as you order," Jiang Huan replied with great sincerity.

Fei Zhong leaned over and whispered the entire plot into Jiang Huan's ear. "If our plot succeeds, both of us will be rewarded with boundless wealth and power. But you must keep this absolutely secret, or else will only meet disasters," he warned.

JiangHuan nodded in silent agreement and left the place. Fei Zhong hastily sent anote to Gun Juan telling Daji what he was planning to do. Several days later KingZhou was relaxing at the Fairy Longevity Palace when Daji said,"Your love for me has caused you to be absent from the Grand Hall for nearly ten months now. I pray that you hold court tomorrow morning so as not to lose the respect of your ministers."

"You're right. Your words are as virtuous as those of the great empresses of old. I will appear tomorrow in the Grand Hall and deal with state affairs, for this is your wish, my lady."

The next morning, he left the Fairy Longevity Palace in his coach, with generals and soldiers, carrying red lanterns and fragrant incense, guarding him closely. The magnificent train had passed through the Dragon Virtue Hall and come to the Central Palace Tower when a man, fourteen feet tall, and wearing a red scarf, leaped out from behind a corner. He held a sword in hand, and was fierce as tiger.

"You wicked and lascivious tyrant! You've drowned your reason in wine and sex. I've come by order of my mistress to put you to death so that the Shang Dynasty won't come to an end. The power to rule over the kingdom shall pass into the hands of my mistress'father,"he cried, swinging his mighty sword at King Zhou, but the king was immediately surrounded by a cordon of generals and guards. The assassin was forced back, seized and tightly bound up. When he was thrown on the ground, he knelt before the king.

King Zhou was both shocked and enraged, yet he continued on his way, entered the Grand Hall, and ascended the throne. After the greeting ceremonies were over, the king ordered Huang Feihu and Bi Gan to approach the throne. "Ministers! Something quite extraordinary happened this morning. A man attacked me near the Central Palace Tower with a sword. I've no idea who is behind this plot."

Huang Feihu was stunned. "Who was the general on duty last night?" he demanded sharply.

Lu Xiong stepped out and knelt down before the king. "I was on duty, but neither my guards nor myself found anyone suspicious in the palace. The assassin may have entered the palace at the fifth watch among the ministers who came here to see Your Majesty on state affairs,"he explained.