Regent (13): 

When night fell, the commoners inside and outside the capital would stay at home and not go out again.

It was too dark at night, they could not see the outside situation clearly, and if they were careless, they might encounter danger, so naturally, they were unwilling to go out.

But the nobles of the capital would sometimes indulge in pleasures all night long.

Of course, some would also summon guests at night to discuss important matters.

In a large hall at Lord Mòshān’s residence, many oil lamps were lit, and Lord Mòshān was discussing with his retainers how to deal with Zhōu Qīnghào.

Zhōu Qīnghào and the late king both wanted to make the State of Jin strong.

And for Jin to become strong, it needed more population and grain. Only then could they conscript enough laborers to fight wars, build cities, and have enough provisions to feed these laborers.

To increase the population, the commoners needed land to farm, to support themselves, and to raise children.

This conflicted with the interests of the royal clan and nobility.

The population of Jin’s royal clan and nobles had always been increasing; they needed more land to support them and to allow them to live luxuriously.

As a result, they would seize land from the commoners, making the commoners their serfs.

Zhōu Qīnghào and his father had once managed land and serfs for the nobles.

Zhōu Qīnghào knew the situation at the bottom level. He had always been at odds with the nobles, and if the late king had not died early, he might have already carried out reforms.

Even though he did not carry out reforms, before leaving the capital, he had always been at loggerheads with the nobles.

But this time, he had been back for a month and had not come to trouble them at all.

“Zhōu Qīnghào has always been cautious. Why has he stayed in the palace every night this month? For what purpose?” Lord Mòshān was puzzled.

The others were equally puzzled.

Zhōu Qīnghào living in the palace every day had stirred up many rumors, which was not actually good for him.

In fact, they themselves had spread many of the rumors—saying Zhōu Qīnghào did not take the King of Jin seriously, not only seizing the royal estate but also occupying the palace, perhaps harboring treacherous intentions.

Now, rumors had spread in the capital and surrounding areas, all saying Zhōu Qīnghào disrespected the King of Jin and intended to rebel.

Normally, someone in such a situation would try to clarify matters, but Zhōu Qīnghào completely ignored it.

A strategist under Lord Mòshān asked, “Lord Mòshān, what is the king’s temperament like?”

Was Zhōu Qīnghào’s behavior related to the King of Jin?

Lord Mòshān said, “I have always thought the king incompetent, but on the day Zhōu Qīnghào returned to the capital, his conduct was different from before.”

Lord Mòshān had never taken Gù Jūntiān, the King of Jin, seriously. He and other royal clansmen had planned to use the king against Zhōu Qīnghào.

But not only had the king taken them along to welcome Zhōu Qīnghào, he had since refused to meet them, and had even ordered that the royal estate be given to Zhōu Qīnghào—quite unlike before.

Could it be that during the past three years, the king had only been pretending?

Lord Mòshān discussed with his retainers for a long time and finally decided to continue their previous strategy: sow discord between the King of Jin and Zhōu Qīnghào and spread rumors about Zhōu Qīnghào everywhere.

After the discussion, it was naturally time to feast. Lord Mòshān and his retainers began drinking wine and eating meat.

Recently, Lord Mòshān had been building a house.

His steward had found some commoners to help with the construction.

While the scholars of the capital were saying Zhōu Qīnghào was going to rebel, another rumor circulated among these laborers.

It was said that Heaven would send down lightning to punish those who kept people from having enough to eat.

The scholars, who did not mingle with commoners, were completely unaware of this saying, but the commoners repeated it often.

After working all day, the commoners were driven to the cowsheds, where they huddled with cattle and sheep for warmth, telling the stories they had heard—one of their few forms of entertainment and comfort.

“They say when lightning punishes the wicked, you mustn’t run around.”

“Some say that even nobles might be punished.”

“I heard a story that the person who will lead Jin to strength will ride flames and fly in the sky.”

…

Zhōu Qīnghào knew both of these rumors.

The first had already been reported to him, warning him to be careful.

He didn’t care.

He had little time left to live; a few rumors about him didn’t matter.

As for the second rumor—that was one he had arranged to have spread.

Gù Jūntiān had written several stories for him to have told to the commoners, so he had sent his soldiers to share them with the people of the capital.

The commoners seldom heard stories, so they quickly spread them around.

He hoped that tonight, people wouldn’t cause trouble, which would make their plan smoother.

After dark, twenty thousand of Zhōu Qīnghào’s soldiers, under their officers, came near the capital.

At the same time, a hot air balloon was sent to the vicinity of the palace.

Along with it came some firecrackers.

These firecrackers were crude; if lit and thrown, they wouldn’t always explode—they had to be thrown into a fire. So Zhōu Qīnghào also had men light bonfires all over the city.

At Lord Mòshān’s residence, just as he was eating and drinking, a loud bang suddenly came from outside.

Startled, he led his retainers out to look, and saw flames at his gates, along with the sound of explosions.

Even more shocking, in the distance a ball of fire rose into the sky.

Below the fire, a person was standing.

It was a bit far, so Lord Mòshān couldn’t make out the person’s face, but he felt an overwhelming fear in his heart.

Who was that flying in the sky?

Where had that noise come from?

While Lord Mòshān was in shock, shouts of “By order of the king, seize Lord Mòshān!” came closer and closer.

Hearing this, Lord Mòshān regained some composure and quickly called his private soldiers to protect him, saying he would go to the palace to demand an explanation from Gù Jūntiān.

All royal clansmen and nobles kept private soldiers, and they treated them relatively well—but these private soldiers were still commoners.

They had heard the recent rumors.

Thunder at night, someone flying in the sky…

At that moment, how would they dare to obey Lord Mòshān?

Amid the firelight and shouting, they knelt on the ground, trembling, praying for Heaven’s protection.

Lord Mòshān was anxious, and at that moment, he finally saw the person flying in the sky clearly.

Who else could it be but the King of Jin?

…

That night, the capital of Jin was in chaos, but not in total disorder.

Gù Jūntiān’s preparations kept many from even thinking of resisting. The royal clansmen and nobles he wanted to capture surrendered one after another.

In addition to Jin’s nobles, the Qí state agents who had been stirring up trouble in Jin were also captured by Gù Jūntiān.

He wasn’t ready to turn against Qí yet; these people would be sent back to Qí.

Standing on the hot air balloon, Gù Jūntiān tried to steady himself while remaining on guard.

He hadn’t brought firecrackers up with him, but under his royal robes he wore armor woven from copper wire, made for craftsmen.

This armor was part of King Wu of Jin’s collection, said to have taken dozens of craftsmen seven or eight years to make.

It was indeed made of solid materials and was somewhat heavy.

As he thought this, he noticed the balloon’s flame weakening, so he grabbed fuel made from grease mixed with wood shavings and added it in.

On the ground, many people knelt and bowed toward him, but up in the sky, the cold wind made him uncomfortable.

After tonight, he still had much to do, likely working day and night.

But if he worked hard for a few years, things should improve.

The sight of Gù Jūntiān flying in the sky not only shocked and frightened the commoners, but even the scholars of the capital were uneasy and dared not resist.

Especially since Zhōu Qīnghào’s soldiers kept shouting, “Our king is commanded by Heaven.”

Many scholars, too, knelt in fear.

Of course, some did not believe Gù Jūntiān’s trick, but when everyone around them believed, they were powerless to object.

Gù Jūntiān captured many people. They didn’t think he would kill them, so they eventually gave up resisting.

The sun rose in the east, slowly driving away the night.

Gù Jūntiān had already descended from the sky and was holding a porcelain cup of hot tea to drive the chill from his body.

At this moment, Zhōu Qīnghào approached from the direction of the morning sun, bringing a large group of bound nobles with him.

The morning light fell on Gù Jūntiān, as if covering him in golden radiance.

Gù Jūntiān’s looks were truly outstanding—it was no wonder Zhōu Qīnghào was so captivated.

But Zhōu Qīnghào also sighed inwardly.

After these people were dealt with, it would be his turn, wouldn’t it?

Gù Jūntiān clearly wanted sole control of power.

At this time, Gù Jūntiān also saw Zhōu Qīnghào.

Zhōu Qīnghào was wearing armor today, his entire demeanor brimming with killing intent, stirring the heart.

Such a general—this was his partner!

Gù Jūntiān very much wanted to pull this uncle into his arms and kiss him, but unfortunately, there was still much to do.