You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 118 Welcoming the Grand Tutor Home

Zhou Chen was already fully aware of what the Minister of Works and other officials in the court had done regarding Fang Xuanling's actions in the four northern prefectures.

This was precisely the real purpose behind Zhou Chen's dispatch of Fang Xuanling, the imperial envoy, to the four northern prefectures.

However, during the morning court session, Zhou Chen did not reveal much in the face of the officials' accusations. He simply told the ministers who had impeached Xuanling, "The Eastern Depot will investigate."

Such blatant delaying tactics are obvious to everyone.

Zhou Chen understood this, and so did all the officials in the court.

After the court session, Zhou Chen returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne, pondered for a moment, and glanced at Cao Zhengchun standing beside him, saying, "These days, these officials in the court have all been under the surveillance of the Eastern Depot, haven't they?"

Cao Zhengchun immediately bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"These are the daily routines of the court officials these days. Please take a look, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun had already compiled the daily information of the officials over the past few days and carried it with him at all times.

Upon hearing Zhou Chen's words, Cao Zhengchun immediately understood Zhou Chen's meaning, took out the organized information, and placed it in front of Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen took these items from Cao Zhengchun and began to look through them.

It must be said that Cao Zhengchun was indeed a powerful figure of his time. He managed the daily affairs of the officials very well. Zhou Chen could get a general idea of ​​them with just a glance.

After Zhou Chen finished reading the daily reports of the officials in the court, he couldn't help but sneer. "Just as I thought, Fang Xuanling's actions in the four northern prefectures have made some people restless."

"However, these people are quite cautious. The Eastern Depot has been keeping an eye on them, but they haven't been able to find out anything about Fang Xuanling today."

"It seems your Eastern Depot hasn't penetrated deep enough!"

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Zhengchun and said.

Cao Zhengchun immediately knelt on the ground and said, "This old servant is guilty."

The fact that so many officials criticized Fang Xuanling at the morning court session clearly indicated that the meeting had been planned in advance.

However, the Eastern Depot failed to detect a single clue, which was a dereliction of duty on their part.

"Do you know what the Minister of Revenue and his associates were talking about, since they gathered at the Prime Minister's residence many times?"

Zhou Chen looked at Cao Zhengchun and asked again.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister's residence is heavily guarded, making it difficult to overhear their conversation."

Cao Zhengchun lowered his head even further.

First, he hadn't heard in advance about the news that the ministers were impeaching Fang Xuanling at the morning court session, and then he was completely unaware of the conversation that the Minister of Revenue and others had gathered at the Prime Minister's residence. Cao Zhengchun, the head of the Eastern Depot, was somewhat ashamed.

Actually, this can't be blamed on Cao Zhengchun.

After all, what kind of place is the Prime Minister's residence? If news of it could be easily discovered, then it wouldn't be the Prime Minister's residence.

Moreover, the Eastern Depot has only been established for a short time. It is not something that can be accomplished in a short period of time to ensure that no matter what happens in the Prime Minister's residence can escape its surveillance.

After hearing Cao Zhengchun's words, Zhou Chen's expression did not change much. He simply said, "Next time they gather at the Prime Minister's residence, I want to know what they are talking about."

No matter how heavily guarded the Prime Minister's residence was, that was not a problem for Zhou Chen to consider.

Zhou Chen wanted results.

As for the process, that was something Cao Zhengchun, the head of the Eastern Depot, should consider.

Otherwise, what would Zhou Chen need the Eastern Depot for?
"Yes, Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengchun quickly responded.

The Prime Minister's residence was heavily guarded, and the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards couldn't find out anything, but that didn't mean that the head of the Eastern Depot couldn't find out anything either.

Even if the Prime Minister's residence is heavily guarded, how could it possibly stop him, the half-step Celestial Supervisor of the Eastern Depot?

……

While Zhou Chen and Cao Zhengchun were discussing this matter.

Prime Minister's House.

The Minister of Revenue and several others gathered together at the Prime Minister's residence.

in the hall.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo sat in the main seat, with the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Works, and the Minister of Justice seated below him.

Besides these three, there were seven or eight other officials.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy, and everyone looked tense.

The Minister of Works glanced at the crowd and said with a grim expression, "It seems that the one in the palace is determined to take over the four northern prefectures."

"The so-called investigation by the Eastern Depot is just a pretext."

"This is to stabilize the other aristocratic families first, and buy time for Fang Xuanling."

"Once Fang Xuanling has completely pacified the four northern prefectures, what can we aristocratic families do even if we have objections?"

"Everything is settled now."

The Minister of Works said with a grim expression.

Compared to everyone else present, the Minister of Works had the most unpleasant and angry expression.

Because the Cui family of Qinghe Prefecture is a major branch of the Cui family of Boling, and a major force supporting the Cui family of Boling.

The reason why aristocratic families like the Cui family can become one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty and have deep roots in the Great Zhou Dynasty is because of these tentacles that support them.

Now that the Cui family of Qinghe Prefecture has severed this tentacle, it can be said that the overall strength of the Cui family of Boling has been indirectly weakened.

As a figure who held sway over the court by the Cui family of Boling, how could the Minister of Works not be furious!

Upon hearing the Minister of Works' words, the others remained silent.

They all knew that the Minister of Works was right; the one in the palace was indeed determined to move against the four northern prefectures. Even their petition to the officials who had spoken out against the emperor had been evaded and pushed back.

But so what?
With the imperial army of over 100,000 Shenwu Guards stationed in the four northern prefectures to quell the rebellion, who could stop them?

Even with the use of some methods, it was all in vain against the hundreds of thousands of Divine Martial Guards who were suppressing the rebellion.

The Minister of Justice sighed; "Yes! We all underestimated that person in the palace."

"I originally thought that the chaos in the four northern states would put the Great Zhou in a dead end, but I never expected that the person in the palace would turn it around."

"They also used a tactic of feigning an attack while secretly advancing, taking the opportunity to clear out the four northern states."

"What a good plan."

"It's too late to say anything now."

"Ordinary methods are no longer effective; let's put the matter of the four northern states on hold for now!"

The Minister of Justice sighed and said.

The situation in the four northern prefectures is already a fait accompli, and it's impossible to stop the actions of that person in the palace.

Unless there is a way to deal with the hundreds of thousands of troops sent to quell the rebellion in the four northern states.

Otherwise, everything is empty talk.

Should we put it aside for now?
Upon hearing the words of the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Revenue glanced at him with a cold smile and said, "How can we let it go?"

"What if that person in the palace finishes clearing out the four northern prefectures and then moves on to the other prefectures?"

"Furthermore, have you considered how many people and families will be implicated in this cleanup of the four northern states?"

"Is it only the four northern provinces?"

The Minister of Revenue's words caused the faces of all the officials present to change.

Yes!

This cleanup of the four northern provinces will not only involve those four provinces, but will also implicate officials and powerful families in other places, and even people in the imperial court.

Which local official doesn't associate with court ministers and form cliques? Which aristocratic family doesn't connect with other aristocratic families and engage in clandestine exchanges of interests?

If Fang Xuanling were to find out about this, how many people would be implicated?

It's definitely a case of pulling up a radish and bringing out the mud along with it.

The Minister of Works' face turned cold, and he said bluntly, "If all else fails, then let the person sitting on the dragon throne be changed."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

All eyes turned to the Minister of Works.

Each of them wore an expression of disbelief.

They never expected that the Minister of Works would dare to say such a thing.
Should we change the person sitting on the dragon throne?

Are emperors so easy to replace?
Do you think the person sitting on the dragon throne is some lowly ninth-rank official who can be replaced as easily as you want?

Let alone now, the one on the dragon throne has consolidated some power, has the Divine Martial Guard army at his disposal, and has two half-step Celestial Realm experts by his side. Even when he was seriously ill on his bed, he couldn't be replaced just because you wanted to.

Faced with the gazes of the crowd, the Minister of Works immediately realized what was happening; "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"I was just saying it in a fit of anger."

The Minister of Works realized he had misspoke and quickly explained.

Such words are not something he, as the Minister of Works, one of the six powerful ministers, should be saying.

If things go wrong, your family could be raided and your entire clan wiped out; people could die.

The other officials present gave the Minister of Works a deep look at his explanation before looking away.

However, after the Minister of Works' words caused a stir, everyone present looked at him with a strange and inexplicable gaze.

Even Prime Minister Yuan Bo, who was sitting in the main seat, was inexplicably startled.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo glanced at everyone present and said, "It seems that it won't work to resolve this matter through Fang Xuanling."

"This was within our expectations."

"Then let's stick to our previous agreement and send messages back to our respective families!"

"Let's relay our opinions back and let them make the decision!"

The Prime Minister looked at the officials sitting below and spoke in a deep voice.

This kind of matter, after all, involves all the prominent families.

Therefore, the people present cannot make the final decision on their own; the decision must be relayed back to each family and made by the heads of each family.

This also includes Chancellor Yuan Bo.

Despite being the Prime Minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty and one of the Four Assistant Ministers, Yuan Bo only had the right to participate in matters concerning the Yuan family, not the right to make the final decision.

The officials present, including the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Works, all nodded silently after hearing Prime Minister Yuan Bo's words.

For now, this is the only way.

This was something they had agreed upon beforehand. If the plan didn't work out with Canfang Xuanling, they would relay their respective opinions back to the various powerful families behind them, so that those families could discuss and decide.

"besides."

"From now on, unless there is an unavoidable reason, everyone should try not to gather together anymore."

"The Eastern Depot's henchmen are all keeping an eye on things. Although we can't hear what everyone is saying, it's best to avoid gathering together to prevent any accidents."

Prime Minister Yuan Bo then reminded everyone present of something else.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo knew that the gathering of so many officials at his Prime Minister's residence could not be kept secret from the Eastern Depot and its guards.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo never thought he could hide it from the Imperial Guard. As the prime minister, it was only natural for him to gather officials to discuss matters of state.

Even if the person in the palace knew, it wouldn't matter.

As long as their conversations aren't overheard by the Eastern Depot's guards, everything will be fine.

It's better to be safe than sorry!
Even though his prime minister's residence was heavily guarded, he couldn't say that he could be absolutely safe every time.

Therefore, it's best to avoid gathering together too often.

The Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Justice, and other officials nodded in deep agreement, understanding Prime Minister Yuan Bo's meaning.

If the Eastern Depot were to overhear their conversation, they would be in serious trouble.

Immediately afterwards, these officials left the Prime Minister's residence.

……

"Welcome the Grand Tutor home."

On this day, ten miles outside Luoyang, Prime Minister Yuan Bo stood at the forefront, followed by the civil and military officials of the court.

On both sides stood tens of thousands of troops who had stayed behind at the Northern Camp of the Divine Martial Guard.

Everyone gazed at the distant official road.

When they saw a cart carrying a wooden coffin slowly approaching, escorted by thousands of elite guards, tens of thousands of guards on both sides began to shout loudly.

After the cart carrying the wooden coffin arrived, tens of thousands of Divine Martial Guards knelt down in unison with a 'whoosh'.

Because the wooden coffin being pulled by this cart contained none other than Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, the commander-in-chief of their Divine Martial Guard.

This is the spiritual pillar of their Northern Camp Divine Martial Guard.

They were also the figures who created the legend of their Northern Camp Divine Martial Guard.

He led his Northern Camp Divine Martial Guard in battles across the north and south, becoming the pillar supporting half of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Therefore, the person lying in the wooden coffin deserved to be welcomed by the entire Divine Martial Guard for ten miles.

Chancellor Yuan Bo, along with all the civil and military officials, bowed to the wooden coffin, as did Cao Zhengchun, who was standing nearby.

A veteran of three dynasties, he dedicated his life to public service and supported half of the Zhou Dynasty. He deserves everyone's respect.

The majestic Marquis on horseback looked at the tens of thousands of Northern Camp Divine Martial Guards kneeling to welcome him ten miles away, his eyes slightly red.

He led 100,000 troops of the Northern Camp Divine Martial Guard on an expedition, but the result was a disastrous defeat, with more than half of his troops killed or wounded.

But he managed to personally welcome the Grand Tutor back, thus not failing the trust placed in him by the soldiers of the Northern Camp's Divine Martial Guard.

"Welcome the Grand Tutor home."

Marquis Weiwu shouted loudly.

"Welcome the Grand Tutor home."

"Welcome the Grand Tutor home."

"Welcome the Grand Tutor home."

The tens of thousands of Divine Martial Guards kneeling also roared hoarsely, their voices shaking the heavens and earth, and even the people in Luoyang could hear their thunderous roar from afar.

As Chancellor Yuan Bo and the civil and military officials watched the shouts of tens of thousands of Divine Martial Guards, they couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Grand Tutor Wen Zhong's prestige in the army was simply unmatched.

I'm afraid that apart from the one who is stationed in the southern border, no one else can compare to him.

Amidst the shouts of tens of thousands of Divine Martial Guards, Marquis Weiwu and Prince Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, rode their horses, accompanied by thousands of Divine Martial Guards, to escort the wooden coffin on the carriage towards Luoyang.

Prime Minister Yuan Bo followed behind with civil and military officials.

Tens of thousands of kneeling Divine Martial Guards also rose and followed closely to the left and right.

A large number of people gathered inside and outside the gates of Luoyang City, and when they saw the wooden coffin cart, they couldn't help but shout.

"Welcome the Grand Tutor home."

……

(End of this chapter)