Chapter Forty-Five: Yin Cheng Meets His End

Yin Cheng had been deeply troubled of late.

Physician Dan Pian had sent a letter, proposing an alliance with the state of Zheng to raise an army against the Zhou court. Many men had already gathered at Yi Su under his command. The letter brimmed with passionate rhetoric, stirring the blood. Yet Yin Cheng felt no enthusiasm. From the moment he set foot in Chu, he understood that so long as the state of Jin endured, the Yin clan could never be restored.

What plagued him more was the disappearance of his liege, Ji Chao. Ever since his father, Yin Gu—the ruler of Yin—had secretly returned to their homeland seven years ago, only to be discovered by the Zhou court and executed in public, not a day had passed without sorrow and anxiety.

Ten years earlier, the Yin clan and three other families had followed Ji Chao into exile in Chu. It happened just as the King of Chu died, leaving the border guards leaderless and unwilling to grant passage. They were forced to remain in Wan, and so they had stayed for ten years.

Now, for Yin Cheng, it no longer mattered who had the rightful claim to the Zhou throne, nor whether the nation could be restored. What mattered was the survival of his family. Wan, situated on the border, was a barren land, ill-suited to sustain thousands. The supplies brought from the capital had long since been depleted, and much of their bronze ritual vessels had been traded away for sustenance. If this went on, even the Nine Tripods might have to be sold.

It was at this moment that news arrived of Ji Chao’s disappearance. He had vanished while seeking out an old friend; the guards who managed to escape reported that they had encountered the Zhi clan of Jin. By the time Yin Cheng and the others arrived, no trace remained.

“Summon the heads of the other three clans for counsel,” Yin Cheng said, rubbing his forehead. It was time to make a decision.

Before long, Mao Du of the Mao clan, Zhao Ji of the Zhao, and Nangong Shuru of the Nangong all arrived as requested.

“Our lord has been missing for months,” Yin Cheng began. “What do the three of you propose?”

“Propose? Does the Yin clan have some proposal we haven’t heard?” Nangong Shuru, rough in appearance and hot-tempered, leapt up and bellowed his challenge.

Mao Du and Zhao Ji hurriedly tried to calm him. Of the four clans, the Yin were the most powerful, so the other three often stood together, subtly opposing the Yin.

“Of course I have proposals,” Yin Cheng said, barely restraining his anger, his face dark. “We four clans and thousands of artisans have been stranded here for ten years. Are we to remain here for a lifetime?”

“Then what do you suggest, Lord Yin?” Mao Du inquired, hands clasped in respect.

“Why not surrender to Jin?”

“Absolutely not!” Mao Du exclaimed in alarm. “Were it not for Jin, would we be exiled here?”

Nangong Shuru sneered from the side, while Zhao Ji, thoughtful, said slowly, “Recently, Dan Pian wrote to us, saying Shan Qi and Liu Di are dead, and we could seize this chance to reclaim the Zhou court.”

“Hmph, Dan Pian sees only what’s before him. The Shan and Liu clans remain strong, and with Jin’s support, raising arms now is suicide.”

On this point, none dissented. And even if they reclaimed the capital, who would rule with their lord missing?

“Alternatively, we could trade ritual vessels and books for grain and weather the hardship,” Yin Cheng suggested.

“Ha! I knew you had your eye on the Nine Tripods—impossible!” Nangong Shuru’s hair and beard bristled as he roared. The Tripods had always been guarded by the Nangong clan as their lifeblood.

“If this won’t do and that won’t do, then you can all starve!” Yin Cheng, his motives exposed, flew into a rage and stormed out.

The three left behind exchanged helpless glances, conferred in hushed tones, and departed, each weighed by worry.

Meanwhile, Ji Chao and Zhong Ying, escorted by Xiao Wu, arrived in Wan after half a month’s journey. To avoid drawing suspicion from Chu’s border guards, they brought only a few men to the lands of the four clans.

News of their lord’s safe return brought the clans hastily to pay their respects. Ji Chao offered little explanation and announced that he had found, within the borders of Yue, a vast and fertile land suitable for settlement. He ordered everyone to seize the chaos in Chu and move at once.

The Mao, Zhao, and Nangong clans had no objections. Yin Cheng outwardly obeyed, but returned home sighing deeply.

When his close confidant inquired, Yin Cheng produced a wooden tablet bearing a few words: “Bring the Nine Tripods, and you shall be made a ministerial clan.”

“This was sent by an agent of Zhi Lue, Commander of the Jin Central Army.”

“My lord, do you intend to surrender to Jin?”

“The Yin clan has lost nation and home for the sake of our lord. Now we are to journey to distant Yue, a thousand miles away, with an uncertain future. I must consider the well-being of our people.”

Unlike his father, who had wholeheartedly supported the Zhou, Yin Cheng harbored resentment toward Ji Chao. For all their loyalty, following this lord had brought them nothing but a life of perpetual exile.

“In that case, why not go further? Seize Ji Chao and present him to Jin.”

“No,” Yin Cheng shook his head. “The Yin have served the Zhou for centuries. We cannot commit such treachery. The Tripods are enough.”

The two plotted inside, unaware that a shadow outside the door had overheard everything and slipped away.

At dusk, Ji Chao was conferring with Zhong Ying and Xiao Wu about the migration route. Without Chu’s permission, moving thousands would be no simple task.

Fortunately, Zhong Ying and Xiao Wu were familiar with the area. By coincidence, Wan lay near Fangcheng, where Meng Di had once trained cavalry. They needed only to pass through Cai to reach the Huai River.

Cai had just been destroyed by Zi Xi, and Chu remained in chaos. Xiong Zhen hurried back to Yingdu, the Qin army lingered in the country—no one would pay much mind to a group traveling along the border at such a time.

Following the Huai eastward would bring them into Wu’s territory, but King Helu of Wu was preoccupied with Fugei and Yue, unlikely to notice them.

All in all, it was the best opportunity, and the two were excited.

At that moment, someone reported that Yin Hu had come seeking an audience—Yin Cheng’s third brother.

Barely through the door, Yin Hu knelt to confess.

He had long noticed Yin Cheng’s dealings with Jin, but as a concubine’s son, his words carried no weight. Overhearing his brother’s plan to defect, he hurried to report.

“My lord, you must take the Nine Tripods and leave at once, before disaster strikes.”

Ji Chao had already been warned of Yin Cheng’s suspicious conduct by the other clans. Upon hearing this, he stamped his foot in distress. “What now?”

The Yin were a great family, and even in exile rivaled the other three clans and the artisans in strength.

Seeing Ji Chao hesitate, Yin Hu grew anxious. “My lord, you must go!”

“Wait.” Seeing Ji Chao’s indecision, Xiao Wu stepped forward. “If the Yin clan is so powerful, we cannot leave safely. Better to take a bold risk.” He made a slicing gesture across his neck, his manner hardened by years under Meng Di.

Yin Hu stared in shock. Since when had their lord kept such ruthless men at his side?

“Very well,” Ji Chao decided, and in celebration of Shan Qi and Liu Di’s deaths, he announced a banquet, summoning all four clans and the ministers.

The feast began at night. Lanterns hung in festoons, and though the food was simple, ceremony was maintained.

Yin Cheng, his mind elsewhere, forced a smile and went through the motions. After several rounds of wine, Ji Chao, seeing Xiao Wu had quietly moved behind Yin Cheng, spoke:

“When does Lord Yin plan to journey to Jin and accept his ministerial post?”

The clamor stilled. Yin Cheng realized his plot had been exposed. He kicked over the table and tried to bolt for the door.

A sword tip burst from his chest. Yin Cheng stared down in disbelief, mumbling something, then slumped over, lifeless.

Xiao Wu drew his blade, severed Yin Cheng’s head, and placed it on a tray before Ji Chao.

Ji Chao had always been more gentle than decisive; Yin Cheng, thinking he knew his lord well, had come to the banquet without suspicion. Even in death, he probably could not rest.

Outside came several desperate cries. An armored man entered and reported to Xiao Wu that all of Yin Cheng’s followers had been dealt with, and the right-flank soldiers had surrounded the residence—no news had leaked.

Before the stunned assembly, Zhong Ying stepped behind Ji Chao and announced loudly, “Yin Cheng betrayed us to Jin and has now paid with his head!”