You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 136 King Zhou Zhi of Shu

The imperial court issued an edict to exterminate the entire Cui family of Boling, including nine generations of relatives.

This news, once it spread, shocked the powerful and wealthy families across the land.

None of the powerful and wealthy families expected that the person in the palace would be so domineering.

Based solely on a fabricated investigation by the Eastern Depot, the person in the palace dared to issue an edict so recklessly to exterminate the entire Cui family of Boling.

Doesn't the person in the palace fear causing turmoil in the Great Zhou Dynasty by doing this?
It should be noted that the Cui family of Boling is one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Passed down through generations, the Cui family of Boling has long been deeply rooted in the Great Zhou Dynasty, with intricate and intertwined relationships.

If the Cui family of Boling were to raise a rallying cry, the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty would be predictable.

However, before these powerful families could recover from the shock of the imperial decree, they received another piece of news that left them speechless with shock.

That is, the Cui family of Boling had been wiped out by Lü Bu, the General of the Imperial Guard, who led the army of the Divine Martial Guard.

All members of the Cui family of Boling, regardless of whether they were direct descendants or collateral branches, were implicated and executed.

Even the connections of the Cui family of Boling in the imperial court and local areas were completely wiped out, with none spared.

The Cui family of Boling was completely uprooted.

When these powerful and influential families received this news, they were beyond shocked; they were utterly horrified.

The Cui family of Boling was one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and its influence was deeply rooted in the Great Zhou.

How could they be so easily eliminated by the imperial court?

All the prestigious and wealthy families were shrouded in an inexplicable shadow.

None of them had anticipated that the imperial court's methods would be so swift; the moment the decree was issued, the Cui family of Boling had already been wiped out.

Anyone who isn't a fool can understand what this means.

If the imperial court were to suddenly target these aristocratic families in the same sweeping manner, would they be able to escape unscathed?
The answer is obvious.

There's no escaping it.

Under the sudden attack of the imperial army, none of these aristocratic families were able to escape unscathed.

In an instant, an extremely solemn atmosphere was brewing among the powerful and influential families of the world.

Most of the prominent and wealthy families became cautiously vigilant.

The one in the palace first purged the powerful and wealthy families of the four northern states.

Now, the 'Boling Cui Family,' one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou, has been wiped out.

They feared that their powerful and influential families would become the next target of the person in the palace.

Therefore, most of the wealthy and powerful families not only exercised great caution but also took precautions.

They also restrained the people of each family and clan, telling them to behave themselves during this period to avoid bringing disaster upon their families.

……

While the atmosphere among the powerful families and noble clans of the land was tense due to the extermination of the entire Cui family of Boling by the imperial court, the martial arts world of the Great Zhou was also in turmoil because the Divine Fist Sect's influence was wiped out by the imperial court.

Divine Fist School.

A powerful force with a renowned reputation in the martial arts world.

While we wouldn't presume to call them the pinnacle of martial arts, they are certainly a first-rate force in the martial arts world, renowned throughout the entire community.

Yet, this very Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) force was actually wiped out by the imperial court.

This news was like a bomb exploding throughout the martial arts world.

No one in the martial arts world expected that the imperial court would actually take action against the martial arts world.

Moreover, his first move was with the power of thunder.

They wiped out the Divine Fist Sect, Fuyun Manor, and other renowned martial arts forces in one fell swoop.

This shocked everyone in the martial arts world.

At the same time, people in the martial arts world have come to realize once again that the majesty of the imperial court is not to be challenged, and they have developed a sense of dread towards the court.

Suddenly, many of the usually unruly people in the martial arts world became much more restrained, and their previous reckless behavior ceased.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that some people in the martial arts world did not take the imperial court's threat to eradicate the Divine Fist Sect seriously and continued to do as they pleased.

……

Shu land.

The Palace of the King of Shu.

Inside the council chamber.

A handsome young man sat in the main seat, looking at a document in his hand.

This exceptionally handsome young man was none other than Zhou Zhi, the ninth brother of Emperor Zhou Chen of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Prince of Shu.

After reading the news in his hand, Zhou Zhi couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined that the Cui family of Boling would be wiped out by my royal brother."

"This is quite unexpected for me."

"The Cui family of Boling is one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Doesn't it have any power to resist?"

As he spoke, Zhou Zhi handed the message to a middle-aged scholar below him.

"Take a look! The Cui family of Boling has been completely uprooted, and they are no longer worthy of their name."

The middle-aged scholar took the message from Zhou Zhi, glanced at it, and smiled slightly; "Your Highness, you can't say that."

"The Cui family of Boling is one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Their foundation and strength are certainly worthy of the name of the seven great families."

"It's just that Lu Bu is too strong."

"Without Lü Bu, the imperial court would not have been able to exterminate the entire Cui family of Boling, let alone quell the chaos in the four northern provinces."

The middle-aged scholar remarked with great insight.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhi nodded; "Indeed, without Lü Bu, the imperial court might not have been able to quell the chaos in the four northern provinces."

Zhou Zhi wholeheartedly agreed with the middle-aged scholar's statement.

Despite being far away in Shu, Zhou Zhiyuan was very familiar with the specific situation of the chaos in the four northern prefectures.

Grand Tutor Wen Zhong died in battle in the four northwestern prefectures, along with 30,000 elite Shenwu Guards who were all wiped out.

Marquis Weiwu led an army of 100,000 Divine Martial Guards to quell the rebellion, but suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Yellow Heaven Sect, almost losing everything and incurring heavy losses.

If it weren't for Lü Bu's timely rescue, the Marquis of Weiwu and his 100,000-strong army might have died at the hands of the Yellow Heaven Sect, just like Grand Tutor Wen Zhong.

It can be said that the Huangtian Sect, with its two half-step Celestials and several Grandmasters, has become a force to be reckoned with and can challenge the imperial court.

Even when the imperial court mobilized that patriarch, it was still unable to suppress the Yellow Heaven Sect.

Without Lü Bu, the imperial court truly had no general capable of suppressing the Yellow Heaven Sect and quelling the chaos in the four northern provinces.

"I wonder where this Lu Bu came from, he's so strong."

"He quelled the rebellion in the four northern states, killed two half-step Celestials of the Yellow Heaven Sect with a single halberd strike, and now he has led his army to exterminate the nine clans of the Cui family of Boling."

"My elder brother is quite lucky to have such a powerful general serving him. No wonder he dares to take action against the aristocratic families."

Zhou Zhi said with a hint of sourness.

I felt both envious and jealous.

If he could use such a powerful general, then he, the King of Shu, could rest easy.

Upon hearing Zhou Zhi's words, the middle-aged scholar said calmly, "Your Highness, the Emperor's fortune is not limited to just Lü Bu; there is also Cao Zhengchun, the supervisor of the Eastern Depot, who is also a master who is half a step into the Celestial Realm."

"The Wu clan and the General's Mansion were all wiped out by this Director of the Eastern Depot."

"This Cao Zhengchun also killed that half-step Celestial being from the General's Mansion, so his strength is probably no less than that of Lü Bu."

The middle-aged scholar made some speculations.

Hearing the middle-aged scholar's words, Zhou Zhi nodded and said, "Indeed! I have never heard of two half-step celestial beings who can kill experts of the same level before."

"What surprised me the most was my elder brother."

"I never expected that he would take action against the Wu clan and even kill Wu Ying. This is far beyond my expectations."

"In my memory, my elder brother does not have such swift and decisive methods." "Especially the handling of the four northern states and the matter of the Cui family in Boling, are very different from the elder brother I know."

Zhou Zhi said with a frown.

The key to this is somewhat elusive.

As Zhou Chen's brother, Zhou Zhi understood his elder brother Zhou Chen's personality and other aspects best.

It can be said that in Zhou Zhi's eyes, his elder brother Zhou Chen was a mediocre ruler.

He is indecisive, his methods are mediocre, and his strategies and other abilities are even less so.

However, judging from the recent events, from purging the Wu clan, capturing Wu Ying and General Wu Jin, to suppressing the rebellion in the four northern prefectures, purging aristocratic families, and exterminating the nine clans of the Cui family of Boling, none of these actions seem to be in line with Zhou Chen's usual style.

This left Zhou Zhi feeling somewhat puzzled.

At this moment, the steward of the Prince's mansion walked in.

"Your Highness, someone outside the manor requests an audience." The manor's steward entered and bowed as he reported this.

Someone is requesting an audience?

Zhou Zhi raised an eyebrow.

"who?"

Did they introduce themselves?

Zhou Zhi asked.

As the King of Shu, Zhou Zhi was not someone anyone could simply request an audience with.

Zhou Zhi generally wouldn't meet with anyone who didn't have a certain status or position.

"Your Highness, the person requesting an audience claims to be from the Yuan family of Runan," the steward reported.

People from the Yuan family of Runan?

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Zhi's eyes.

Why would the Yuan family of Runan travel thousands of miles to seek an audience with the King of Shu?
It's important to know that Runan and Shu are thousands of miles apart, quite a distance.

Zhou Zhi frowned and exchanged a glance with the middle-aged scholar below. Then, he said to the steward, "Please invite them in!"

Regardless of why the Yuan family of Runan traveled thousands of miles to seek an audience with him, the King of Shu.

Zhou Zhi must see him.

Because the Yuan family of Runan is no ordinary family; it is the head of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and is much stronger than the Cui family of Boling.

Even Zhou Zhi, the King of Shu, dared not easily ignore it.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The butler responded and left.

soon.

The butler returned, leading three figures into the council hall.

The three figures were all middle-aged men, dressed in fine clothes and exuding an air of nobility; they were clearly of extraordinary birth.

Indeed, this is true. Apart from one of them being from the Yuan family of Runan, the other two were from the seven great families.

"I am Yuan Ziming from the Yuan family of Runan. I greet the King of Shu." After entering the council hall, the middle-aged man in the middle of the three men was the first to bow to Zhou Zhi, who was sitting in the main seat.

Yuan Ziming?
The eldest son of the Yuan family?
Upon hearing Yuan Ziming introduce himself, Zhou Zhi's expression showed a slight surprise.

Yuan Ziming is the eldest son of the Yuan family, a leading figure among the younger generation, and renowned far and wide.

He held a very high position in the Yuan family.

Zhou Zhi never expected that the person from the Yuan family who wanted to see him would be the eldest son of the Yuan family.

"Young Master Yuan, there's no need for such formalities."

As Zhou Zhi spoke, he looked at the other two.

In Zhou Zhi's view, the two people who could enter side by side with the eldest son of the Yuan family, and whose aura and attire were in no way inferior to the eldest son of the Yuan family, must be of extraordinary status.

"I am Zheng Wangzhi of the Zheng family of Rongyang. I have come to pay my respects to the King of Shu."

"I am Fan Shaohe of the Fan family from Jiexiu. I have come to pay my respects to the King of Shu."

Faced with Zhou Zhi's probing gaze, the two introduced themselves and bowed to him in greeting.

"The Zheng family of Rongyang?"

"The Fan family of Jiexiu?"

Sure enough, Zhou Zhi's expression changed after hearing the two men introduce themselves.

Zhou Zhi knew that these two people were unusual, but he never expected them to be this unusual.

Like the Yuan family of Runan, the Zheng family of Rongyang and the Fan family of Jiexiu are powerful and influential families among the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Furthermore, Zheng Wangzhi and Fan Shaohe, like Yuan Ziming, held pivotal positions in the Zheng and Fan families, respectively, and were considered leading figures among the younger generation of their respective families.

Zhou Zhi's mind immediately became serious.

If it were just the Yuan family requesting an audience with him, the King of Shu, Zhou Zhi wouldn't care too much.

But now, three of the seven great families have come together to request an audience with him, the King of Shu.

Moreover, the person who came was a leading figure among the younger generation of the three great families.

This forced Zhou Zhi to take it seriously.

"Young Master Yuan, Young Master Zheng, Young Master Fan, you three are distinguished guests! Please have a seat."

"Butler, bring some good tea."

Zhou Zhi guessed in his heart why the three had come to see him, the King of Shu, and greeted them warmly, instructing the steward to serve them tea.

"Thank you, King of Shu."

Yuan Ziming, Zheng Wangzhi, and Fan Shaohe sat down together.

After the steward served tea, Zhou Zhi looked at Yuan Ziming and the other two and tentatively asked, "The three gentlemen have traveled a long way to Shu to see me. Is there anything important you wish to discuss?"

Upon hearing Zhou Zhi's question, Yuan Ziming, Zheng Wangzhi, and Fan Shaohe did not immediately speak, but instead glanced slightly at the middle-aged scholar beside Zhou Zhi.

The meaning couldn't be more obvious.

Zhou Zhi, seeing this, naturally understood what the three men meant and said directly, "This is one of my trusted men. You three gentlemen can speak frankly without any reservations."

Yuan Ziming, Zheng Wangzhi, and Fan Shaohe exchanged glances and disagreed with the presence of Zhou Zhi's confidant.

Yuan Ziming looked at Zhou Zhi, who was in the main seat, and said, "King of Shu, I think it would be best if this gentleman excused himself."

Upon hearing Yuan Ziming's words, Zhou Zhi's heart immediately tightened.

He had already said that this was a trusted confidant, but Yuan Ziming and his group still wanted the middle-aged scholar to leave.

This is enough to show that Yuan Ziming and his group's purpose in seeking an audience with this King of Shu was probably not ordinary.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in the middle-aged scholar's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

Zhou Zhi gave a nod to the middle-aged scholar, who then left the council hall.

After the middle-aged scholar left, Zhou Zhi looked at Yuan Ziming and the other two and said, "Gentlemen, what brings you to my court? You can speak now."

After exchanging glances, Yuan Ziming, Zheng Wangzhi, and Fan Shaohe looked at Zhou Zhi in the main seat and said earnestly, "King of Shu, we have come from afar to seek an audience with you because we have a very important matter to discuss with you."

"Oh?"

"what's up?"

Zhou Zhi looked at Yuan Ziming, waiting for him to continue.

"The position of the ninth and fifth."

what?
As soon as Yuan Ziming finished speaking, Zhou Zhi's expression changed, and he stood up, staring intently at Yuan Ziming.

After saying those four words, Yuan Ziming didn't speak again. Instead, he sat there expressionless, picked up his teacup, and started drinking tea.

The atmosphere in the council chamber became strange at that moment.

(End of this chapter)