You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 184 Shouldn't we take in a few concubines?
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Even after Xun Yu left, Zhou Chen continued to carefully examine the memorial that Xun Yu had just handed over.

Zhou Chen never expected that the land of the Great Zhou had been annexed and encroached upon to such a serious extent.

Although the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty prohibited the sale of land.

However, over time, the effect of such legal prohibitions has become negligible.

People couldn't afford to pay taxes, so they had no choice but to sell their land.

Powerful landlords had plenty of ways to annex and seize the land of ordinary people.

As the saying goes, "When there are policies from above, there are countermeasures from below," that's the point.

When ordinary people lose their land, their only way out is to farm for wealthy families in order to earn money and support themselves.

As a result, the common people gradually came to live under the control of powerful landlord families.

This is one of the reasons why powerful landlord families became increasingly prosperous.

This kind of thing has been a difficult problem to eradicate throughout history.

Throughout history, countless new laws and reforms have revolved around the issue of land.

Unfortunately, very few of them are ever fully implemented.

Because the resistance is too great.

Take the Great Zhou Dynasty for example. If you really get to the bottom of it, which of the civil and military officials in the court is truly incorruptible and doesn't own thousands of acres of fertile land?

Even loyal ministers and veterans like the Marquis of Weiwu and the Minister of War probably had countless tracts of land under their names.

Even the late Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, a veteran of three reigns, was like this.

To put it more bluntly, isn't the Great Zhou royal family the largest aristocratic landowning family in the world?
Therefore, throughout history, attempts to solve the land problem have almost always failed before they even began.

The few reforms that can be barely resolved are limited to a certain scope.

For the entire country and the imperial court, the effect was minimal.

However, this might be true for others.

But for Zhou Chen, it's just a bit of a hassle at most.

Who told Zhou Chen to be an emperor with a cheat-like advantage?

Given some time, these issues are not problems to resolve, and nothing can stop Zhou Chen's progress.

After carefully reviewing Xun Yu's memorial again, Zhou Chen's lips curled into a cold smile.

land?

Imperial examination?

Wait!
Once the land survey is completed, I will eliminate all your privileges in one fell swoop.

……

Northern Xinjiang.

Zhenbeihou Mansion.

Marquis Xue Shaowen of Zhenbei looked at a slip of paper in his hand.

The note was covered with dense writing.

The note contained details of Cao Xing, Hou Cheng, and Hao Meng's every move.

After Cao Xing, Hou Cheng, and Hao Meng joined the Zhenbei Army, their every move was under the surveillance of the Zhenbei Marquis.

Even if Cao Xing and the other two went to the outhouse several times a day, they could not escape the eyes of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

However, even with such close and meticulous surveillance, a loophole still appeared.

Marquis Xue Shaowen of Zhenbei put down the note in his hand, raised an eyebrow and looked at the general standing below; "Two days ago, Cao Xing and the other two disappeared from your sight for almost an hour. What happened?"

Why wasn't it reported in a timely manner?

The Marquis of Zhenbei looked at the general below and asked.

He had already given strict orders to keep a close eye on Cao Xing and the other two generals sent by the imperial court.

Unexpectedly, a mistake still occurred, causing Cao Xing and the other two to disappear from their sight for almost an hour.

Furthermore, there was no timely report at the time.

This made the Marquis of Zhenbei's face somewhat gloomy.

The general seemed to sense the Marquis of Zhenbei's displeasure and immediately explained, "My lord, Cao Xing and the other two took several generals from the army out for drinks that day. Those generals are all our men."

"Therefore, the people monitoring them didn't keep a close eye on them."

"Later, after they finished drinking, they went to the brothel, but the people monitoring them did not go in."

"However, I have since confirmed that Cao Xing and the other two have not left the Yihong Courtyard."

"I didn't think there was any problem, so I didn't report it at the time."

The general recounted the events.

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Zhenbei glared at his generals below; "Just because you've never left the Yihong Courtyard, does that mean there won't be any problems?"

"Send someone to investigate who entered and left the brothel that day."

"Investigate everything thoroughly for me."

"The Marquis of Zhenbei said sternly."

"Yes, my lord," the general replied.

"besides."

“Investigate the unfamiliar faces who entered Zhenbei City that day.”

“We should pay special attention to those coming from the capital.”

"From now on, keep a close eye on Cao Xing and the other two, and never let them out of your sight for a moment."

The Marquis of Zhenbei is no ordinary person.

In the eyes of the Marquis of Zhenbei, Cao Xing and the other two were out of their sight for less than an hour after entering the Yihong Courtyard.

There are too many possibilities that could happen in the meantime.

Therefore, the Marquis of Zhenbei should carefully investigate the people who entered and left the Yihong Courtyard that day.

Furthermore, even the unfamiliar faces who entered Zhenbei City that day had to be investigated.

Only in this way can the Marquis of Zhenbei feel at ease.

"As ordered."

The general cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Go!"

Marquis Zhenbei waved his hand.

The general turned and left.

After the general left, Marquis Xue Shaowen of Zhenbei pondered for a moment and then asked, "Has the Eastern Depot still not found its spies in Zhenbei City?"

"No."

A dark figure appeared beside the Marquis of Zhenbei, shook his head, and said...

"Continue the investigation. I will make sure to uncover all the Eastern Depot's spies in Zhenbei City."

"The Marquis of Zhenbei said in a deep voice."

The imperial court had openly sent spies into the Zhenbei Army, so the Marquis of Zhenbei did not believe that the court had not secretly sent people from the Eastern Depot to Zhenbei City.

The Marquis of Zhenbei has ordered his undercover forces to thoroughly investigate Zhenbei City.

We must uncover all the spies sent by the imperial court.

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

The dark figure vanished in the blink of an eye.

……

Xiliang.

The Marquis of Xiliang's residence was located in Xijing City, which was also the largest city in Xiliang.

On this day, a carriage slowly entered Xijing.

"This Xijing City is in no way inferior to Zhenbei City!"

Jia Xu lifted the carriage curtain and looked around Xijing City.

Indeed, the person sitting in the carriage was Jia Xu.

Jia Xu's mission was not only to capture the Marquis of Zhenbei, but also to capture the Marquis of Xiliang.

After learning about the situation of the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Zhenbei Army in Zhenbei City, Jia Xu made some arrangements.

Then, Jia Xu immediately set off for Xiliang Xijing.

"Mr. Jia, are we going directly to our Eastern Depot's secret hideout?"

The guard from the Eastern Depot, who was driving the carriage, asked the question.

The Eastern Depot had a presence in Zhenbei City in the northern frontier, and naturally, it also had a presence in Xijing, the capital of Xiliang.

After all, both the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang were powerful figures with their own armies, making them key targets of the imperial court's attention.

"Hmm, let's go straight to your Eastern Depot's secret hideout!"

Jia Xu nodded.

He came to Xijing with a significant mission: to go directly to the Eastern Depot's hidden hideout and first gain a basic understanding of the situation of the Marquis of Xiliang and the Xiliang army. ...

night.

Xijing, a secret location of the Eastern Depot.

Jia Xu sat in the main seat.

Two figures stood below.

These two figures were none other than Song Xian and Cheng Lian, who had been sent by the imperial court to the Western Liang army.

After reading the imperial edict, Song Xian and Cheng Lian said to Jia Xu, who was in the main seat, "Mr. Jia, we are aware of His Majesty's decree."

"Mr. Jia, please just say the word. We will obey your orders."

Song Xian and Cheng Lian both expressed their views.

The decree was written very clearly, instructing the two of them to follow Jia Xu's arrangements.

Jia Xu nodded and glanced at Song Xian and Cheng Lian; "Tell me about your situation with the Xiliang army!"

"Also, what have you found out about the Xiliang army during this time? What are the situations of the Xiliang army's generals? Tell me everything you know."

What Jia Xu needed to do was to first understand these situations.

As the saying goes, if you know yourself and the enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger.

Without hesitation, Song Xian and Cheng Lian began to share what they had learned during this period.

Like Cao Xing and the other two, Song Xian and Cheng Lian also spent a lot of time in Xiliang Army eating and drinking with the generals of all ranks.

This allowed the two of them to learn about some aspects of the Xiliang army indirectly.

Most importantly, they obtained a great deal of information about some of the generals of the Xiliang army.

……

royal palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne, looking at the message that Cao Zhengchun had sent over.

"Jia Xu has already gone to Xijing."

Zhou Chen was somewhat surprised.

Zhou Chen was surprised by how quickly Jia Xu acted; he had only been in Beijiang Town's North City for a few days before leaving.

Could it be that Jia Xu already has a plan in mind for the Marquis of Zhenbei?
Zhou Chen glanced at some other news about the Northern Frontier Garrison Army and then put it aside.

Zhou Chen entrusted Jia Xu with the affairs of the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang.

Once Jia Xu has truly found a breakthrough, Zhou Chen can simply take action.

Zhou Chen didn't care about the rest of the process.

"Cao Zhengchun, prepare to travel to Cining Palace."

Zhou Chen stood up.

These past few days, Zhou Chen has been making time to visit Cining Palace every day.

However, each time he was turned away by the Empress Dowager with various excuses, and he was never able to see her.

Zhou Chen knew that the Empress Dowager had not yet recovered from the matter of the Prince of Shu and did not want to see him.

However, as a son of the Empress Dowager, Zhou Chen had to visit Cining Palace every day because the Empress Dowager was unwell.

……

Cining Palace.

This time, Zhou Chen was not stopped by the Empress Dowager's people and walked directly into Cining Palace.

"I have met His Majesty."

When the palace maids and eunuchs of Cining Palace saw Emperor Zhou Chen arrive, they all knelt down to pay their respects.

Zhou Chen entered the inner hall and saw the Empress Dowager sitting there with her eyes closed, tapping a wooden fish and moving her prayer beads.

"My son has met his mother."

Zhou Chen stepped forward and bowed to the Empress Dowager.

The sound of the wooden fish stopped.

The Empress Dowager opened her eyes and glanced at Zhou Chen; "His Majesty has arrived."

This was the first time Zhou Chen had seen the Empress Dowager since the death of the King of Shu, and also the first time the Empress Dowager had spoken.

"Your Majesty, I heard that Your Majesty is unwell, so I came to visit you."

"When did Mother become a Buddhist?"

"Your Majesty is not feeling well, so please make sure you get plenty of rest."

Zhou Chen said with concern.

"I am fine, Your Majesty, I have worried you."

"Your Majesty need not always worry about me. Your Majesty should focus more on the affairs of the state, be diligent in governing and love the people, and be a wise and virtuous ruler. Only in this way can you live up to the expectations of the ancestors of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

The Empress Dowager put down her prayer beads and was about to get up.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Chen immediately stepped forward and helped the Empress Dowager to her feet.

"What the Empress Dowager says is true. I will be a wise and virtuous ruler."

"However, for me, the Empress Dowager is just as important as state affairs."

Zhou Chen helped the Empress Dowager sit down.

"I'm practically halfway to the grave, how can I compare this to matters of state?"

After the Empress Dowager sat down, she also had a stool brought over for Zhou Chen.

Then, after Zhou Chen sat down, he inquired about the Empress Dowager's health.

……

Half an hour later.

Zhou Chen left Cining Palace and returned to Yangxin Hall.

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne and sighed inwardly.

Although he met the Empress Dowager and chatted with her for half an hour, Zhou Chen still sensed a slight change in her.

It seems that the death of King Zhou Zhi of Shu had a significant impact on the Empress Dowager.

Zhou Chen had originally planned to subtly inquire about the matter Zhang Guojiu had mentioned to the Empress Dowager, but in the end, he abandoned the idea.

Now, because of the death of King Zhou Zhi of Shu, the relationship between the Empress Dowager and him has changed.

If Zhou Chen were to subtly reveal the truth about this matter, it would only make things more awkward between them.

This is not what Zhou Chen wanted.

Besides, were the things Zhang Guojiu told us really that important?

Even if we figure it out, what then?

What practical significance does it have?

Whether Zhou Chen was born to the Empress Dowager or not is irrelevant.

The important thing is that Zhou Chen is now sitting on the dragon throne, the supreme ruler of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

that's enough.

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Zhengchun beside him; "Cao Zhengchun, send an imperial edict to Prince Kaoshan, instructing him to arrange the defense of the southern border and return to Luoyang as soon as possible."

Zhou Chen needs to resolve the issues in the Northern Frontier and Western Liang before the end of the year.

Zhou Chen didn't have time to slowly boil the two frogs, Zhenbei Marquis and Xiliang Marquis, like boiling frogs in water.

With Jia Xu, a cunning strategist, devising a plan to deal with the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang shouldn't be too difficult.

The real challenge lies in managing to keep the hundreds of thousands of troops on both sides of the Zhenbei Army and the Xiliang Army in check.

To add an extra layer of insurance.

Therefore, Zhou Chen had to recall the Prince of Kao Shan.

After all, the Prince of Kao Shan was a veteran of three dynasties, and like Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, he was one of the two pillars of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

He enjoys considerable prestige and influence, especially within the military.

When the time comes, sending the Prince of Kaoshan, a veteran of three dynasties, to the northern frontier and western Liang should be enough to easily dismantle the Zhenbei Army and the western Liang Army.

The problem of the Zhenbei Army and the Xiliang Army was resolved.

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

Zhou Chen didn't say anything more. After reviewing a few memorials, it was time for his meal.
The palace maids were already waiting outside the hall, carrying meals carefully prepared by the imperial chefs, ready to be brought in one by one as soon as the emperor nodded.

By the time Zhou Chen finished his meal, it was almost dark.

If things were as they used to be, there would be many more memorials that Zhou Chen would need to review.

However, in the past few days, the court has returned to normal. With such outstanding individuals as Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, and Liu Ye, Zhou Chen has delegated some unimportant memorials to these four for handling.

Therefore, Zhou Chen no longer needs to work late into the night these days.

Zhou Chen got up and went into the inner hall to rest.

But looking at the empty inner hall, a thought suddenly popped into Zhou Chen's mind: as the emperor, he couldn't just stay a monk forever!

Shouldn't we take in a few concubines?
(End of this chapter)