You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 190 A Person Who Forgets Their Ancestors
Zhenbeihou Mansion.

Meeting hall.

After being neglected by the Marquis of Zhenbei for several days, Fan Shaohe stepped into the place again.

Marquis Xue Shaowen of Zhenbei looked at Fan Shaohe below and said, "Young Master Fan, have you been settling into your life in Zhenbei City these past few days?"

Fan Shaohe nodded; "With the Marquis looking after us, it's much better than outside the Great Wall."

"However, the imperial henchmen in Zhenbei City do have a keen sense of smell."

"Lord Marquis must have made quite a haul these past few days!"

Fan Shaohe looked at Xue Shaowen, the Marquis of Zhenbei, who was in the main seat.

How could the fact that the Marquis of Zhenbei used Fan Shaohe as bait possibly escape the notice of a noble family like Fan Shaohe?

It should be noted that none of the younger generation leaders of the Jiexiu Fan family, one of the seven great families, are simple individuals.

However, Fan Shaohe didn't care about any of that.

In Fan Shaohe's view, being used as bait by the Marquis of Zhenbei was a kind of useful value.

What people fear most is having no value to be exploited.

In that case, there would be no difference between them and a useless person.

Xue Shaowen gave Fan Shaohe a deep look.

I wasn't surprised that Fan Shaohe could see these things.

Fan Shaohe is, after all, a rising star among the younger generation of the Fan family in Jiexiu. If he can't even see this, then he's not qualified to lead the younger generation of the Fan family.

"This is all thanks to Young Master Fan."

"If it weren't for Young Master Fan, I would have had to put in a lot more effort to achieve anything."

Xue Shaowen made no attempt to conceal anything.

"Young Master Fan, let's get down to business first!"

Xue Shaowen looked at Fan Shaohe and said.

……

royal palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen buried himself in processing the memorials.

At this moment, a palace eunuch entered.

"Your Majesty, Lord Xun Yu has arrived and is requesting an audience outside the palace," the eunuch reported.

"Announce him to come in."

Zhou Chen said something without even looking up.

The eunuchs and guards withdrew.

moment.

Xun Yu entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your subject Xun Yu greets Your Majesty." Upon entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xun Yu bowed respectfully to Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

"No need to be polite."

Zhou Chen looked up at Xun Yu; "How is the land survey going? Is there anyone who dares to disobey or obstruct this matter?"

"Your Majesty, after Your Majesty's reprimand in court, no one dares to disobey me."

"The resistance to my land surveying has also been greatly reduced."

"Your Majesty, I have surveyed the land surrounding Luoyang and the entire Sili region. Please review it."

Xun Yu took out a memorial and bowed as he spoke.

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs and guards standing in the hall immediately stepped forward, took the memorial from Xun Yu's hand, and presented it to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen opened the memorial presented by Xun Yu and began to read it page by page.

Xun Yu waited silently.

After Emperor Zhou Chen's reprimand in court, Xun Yu, the Minister of Revenue, made much smoother progress in measuring and surveying the land.

No official, high or low, or noble in Luoyang dared to openly disobey Xun Yu, the Minister of Revenue.

Of course, some landlords and nobles still harbored illusions and secretly resorted to underhanded tactics, failing to cooperate fully.

As a result, without exception, these people were all used as examples of public punishment to establish authority, and were thrown into the Eastern Depot's prison.

From then on, no one dared to use such methods in secret anymore.

Within just a few days, Xun Yu, the Minister of Revenue, had already completed the surveying and accounting of the entire Sili region.

However, Xun Yu was not complacent.

Because Xun Yu knew that the task of measuring and surveying the land of the entire country was not carried out within the jurisdiction of the Sili region of Luoyang.

Instead, they were found among prominent and wealthy families in various regions.

These powerful and influential families were deeply rooted in various regions, wielding more influence than the imperial court in those areas, and had always outwardly obeyed but inwardly defied the court.

Especially in recent years, with the decline of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the increasing power of aristocratic families, these families have become decadent and have little respect for the imperial court.

Therefore, the biggest obstacle to measuring and surveying the land across the country came from the powerful and wealthy families in various regions.

That was the real test for Xun Yu, the difficult part.

After Zhou Chen finished reading Xun Yu's memorial, which included measurements and statistics, his expression turned somewhat disgraceful.

Within the entire Sili region, more than 70% of the land was in the hands of officials, nobles, and powerful landlords, while less than 30% was in the hands of ordinary people.

In other words, more than 70% of the land within the entire Sili region was exempt from taxes.

Less than 30% of the land is taxed.

These numbers shocked Zhou Chen.

It should be noted that Luoyang Sili was the center of culture and power in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, and also the wealthiest place in the entire Great Zhou.

There is a lot of land in Sili, and it is not ordinary land, but all of it is top-quality fertile land.

These lands generate a significant amount of tax revenue.

Zhou Chen never expected that the land problem in Sili had deteriorated to such an extent.

This is still right under the emperor's nose.

What about the situation in different places?
Zhou Chen didn't want to think about it anymore.

Zhou Chen looked up at Xun Yu; "Xun Yu, now that the land survey and statistics within the jurisdiction of Luoyang have been completed, let's hurry up and survey and statistics of the land in each other place!"

"If the Ministry of Revenue is short-staffed, you can go to Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui."

"Have them allocate manpower to assist you in measuring and surveying the land in various places."

Zhou Chen said to Xun Yu.

The land survey data from the Sili region of Luoyang made Zhou Chen realize that the land problem in various parts of the Great Zhou was probably even more serious.

Only after Zhou Chen has quickly surveyed and counted all the land in the world can he begin to solve the land problem.

As for the results of the survey and statistics within the jurisdiction of Luoyang, Zhou Chen could only put them aside for the time being.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Xun Yu bowed.

Zhou Chen then asked Xun Yu about the specific details of the land measurement and statistics, and Xun Yu reported them one by one.

After reporting on all the land surveying and statistics, Xun Yu left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and Zhou Chen fell into deep thought.

……

Southern Xinjiang.

Zhennan City.

Inside a mansion.

A general in full armor sat in the main seat, looking at the figures standing below, his expression shifting slightly.

"Young Master Yuan, you are truly audacious! You even dared to enter the pass."

"Do you know that your Yuan family has been labeled as traitors and has been completely exterminated?"

“There are wanted posters for you all over the city now. Aren’t you afraid of being recognized when you enter the country?”

"At that time, you won't be able to escape beyond the pass even if you have wings."

The armored general looked at the figure standing below and said.

Yuan Ziming nodded; "I know all of that. I saw it when I entered the city."

Even if we get recognized, you're still here, aren't you?

"With you, General Zhou, here, saving my life shouldn't be too difficult."

Indeed, the figure standing below was none other than Yuan Ziming of the Yuan family, who had previously escaped beyond the Great Wall.

After Yuan Ziming finished speaking, he sat down in the chair without any hesitation.

They showed no signs of being unfamiliar with each other, displaying no awareness whatsoever of being a guest.

Upon hearing this, the armored general in the main seat on Tuesday's face darkened slightly. "Young Master Yuan, your Yuan family colluded with the King of Shu to rebel and usurp the throne. This is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family. It was His Majesty who personally ordered the extermination of your entire Yuan family." "If you are recognized, I cannot protect you."

"Because of you, that seventh brother is already dead."

"Cao Zhengchun, the supervisor of the Eastern Depot, came to the northern frontier in person and killed the seventh prince in the Prince's mansion."

"I don't want to follow in Lao Qi's footsteps. I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore."

"For the sake of our past relationship, I'll pretend I never met you today. You can leave!"

On Tuesday, he directly told them to leave.

Zhou Qi's fate served as a warning.

It was because of Yuan Ziming that Zhou Qi, who held a prominent position in the Zhennan Army and was the adopted son of the Prince of Kaoshan, was ultimately killed by Cao Zhengchun himself.

Moreover, it happened in the Prince Kao Shan's residence, right in front of the Prince Kao Shan.

Therefore, on Tuesday, she didn't want to follow in Zhou Qi's footsteps and have any further involvement with Yuan Ziming.

Unfortunately, just because Tuesday didn't want to have anything to do with Yuan Ziming didn't mean Yuan Ziming was willing to let Tuesday off the hook.

"Heh, General Zhou, don't you think it's a bit too late for you to try and sever ties with the Yuan family now?"

"You've certainly taken a lot of benefits from my Yuan family."

"Now that my Yuan family is in trouble, you want to sever all ties with my Yuan family? Do you think that's possible?"

Do you think you have any way out?

Yuan Ziming looked at Zhou Er with a cold smile.

The benefits he and the Yuan family receive are not so easy to obtain.

If you take advantage of the Yuan family, profit from them, or gain something from them, then you've essentially boarded their ship.

It's too late to sever ties now.

Upon hearing Yuan Ziming's words, Zhou Er, who was sitting in the main seat, immediately turned cold.

"how?"

"Yuan Ziming, are you trying to threaten me?"

"I address you as Young Master Yuan only because of the past relationship with the Yuan family."

“Now that the Yuan family has been exterminated and has been labeled as traitors, what right do you, Yuan Ziming, have to threaten me?”

"Believe it or not, I can make you disappear from this world without a trace."

On Tuesday, he looked at Yuan Ziming with a cold expression.

If it were before the Yuan family was wiped out, given the Yuan family's power as the head of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he would have given Yuan Ziming some face on Tuesday.

But now, the Yuan family has been labeled as traitors and has been exterminated.

Without the Yuan family, the behemoth that is the head of the seven great families of the Great Zhou, what is Yuan Ziming?

He's just a stray dog ​​who escaped beyond the Great Wall.

How dare you threaten him on Tuesday? You're asking for it.

He could easily make Yuan Ziming disappear with a flick of his finger on Tuesday.

And it disappeared without a trace.

Despite the murderous tone from the head of the table last Tuesday, Yuan Ziming's expression showed little fear, remaining calm. "General Zhou, I know that it is indeed easy for you to make me disappear without a trace."

"But General Zhou, don't forget that since I dared to enter the pass to see you, I'm not afraid of you doing this."

"General Zhou has taken benefits from my Yuan family and done a lot for my Yuan family, and these have left a lot of traces."

“If General Zhou touches me, then these traces will fall into the hands of the Eastern Depot.”

"At that time, the Eastern Depot will also present these documents to the emperor in the palace."

"General Zhou probably doesn't want to be buried with me, does he?"

Yuan Ziming glanced calmly at Zhou Er, who was sitting in the main seat.

To employ such strategic tactics, Yuan Ziming, born into a wealthy and powerful family, would be absolutely adept.

On Tuesday, his attempt to scare Yuan Ziming in this way fell short.

Since Yuan Ziming dared to come today, he must have made full preparations.

If they dare to touch him on Tuesday, then the final result on Tuesday will definitely be that he will be buried with him.

However, Yuan Ziming believes that they will not do so on Tuesday.

Seeing Yuan Ziming's calm expression and hearing his implied threat, Zhou Er's face darkened considerably.

On Tuesday, he stared intently at Yuan Ziming.

He wanted to judge from Yuan Ziming's expression whether what Yuan Ziming said was true.

But in the end, Tuesday brought disappointment.

He couldn't detect a single clue from Yuan Ziming's expression.

Yuan Ziming's expression was nothing more than calm and undisturbed.

"Speak! What do you want?"

On Tuesday, with a gloomy face, he withdrew his gaze.

Tuesday dared not gamble. If Yuan Ziming had indeed left behind a contingency plan regarding him, then Tuesday would definitely follow in Zhou Qi's footsteps.

Therefore, on Tuesday, we can only compromise for the time being and see what Yuan Ziming is trying to do by risking his life to enter the pass.

"I want revenge."

"To avenge the Yuan family members who died tragically."

Yuan Ziming said quietly, his eyes flashing with intense hatred.

The Yuan family of Runan was exterminated by the imperial court, and their entire clan was wiped out. This was an immense hatred.

It's an unresolved, irreconcilable hatred.

revenge?

Upon hearing this on Tuesday, a hint of sarcasm flashed across his face.

"Just you, Yuan Ziming?"

"You should know that it was His Majesty who wiped out your Yuan family. Your Yuan family, as the head of the seven great families of the Great Zhou, was a behemoth that was wiped out."

"Do you think you, Yuan Ziming, can avenge this all by yourself?"

Tuesday said with a disdainful look.

The Yuan family of Runan, a prestigious and powerful family that had been passed down for generations, was no match for the Emperor in the palace. His entire clan was exterminated.

Yuan Ziming dares to boast about taking revenge all by himself; isn't he out of his mind?
Yuan Ziming ignored Zhou Er's sarcasm and looked at him, saying, "Of course I, Yuan Ziming, can't do it alone."

“But Yuan Ziming has already defected to the area outside the Great Wall. You should know what the area outside the Great Wall represents.”

"With the help of outsiders, it's not impossible for me, Yuan Ziming, to avenge my Yuan family."

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Zhou Er's eyes, and he said sarcastically, "You ungrateful wretch, even so, do you think you can avenge yourself?"

On Tuesday, I felt somewhat disgusted by Yuan Ziming's behavior.

Yuan Ziming was, after all, the eldest son of the Yuan family of Runan in the Great Zhou Dynasty, a family of scholars.

Even if we're now homeless, we shouldn't be associating with barbarians!

This is a disgrace to the Yuan family ancestors of Runan.

Yuan Ziming's expression turned somewhat unpleasant upon hearing Tuesday's sarcastic remark.

Perhaps, in Yuan Ziming's heart, he also did not want it to be this way.

But reality left Yuan Ziming with no other choice.

"Hmph, whether I can get revenge or not is not something General Zhou should worry about."

Yuan Ziming snorted coldly, glanced at Zhou Er in the main seat, and said, "I heard that the Prince of Kaoshan is not in the Southern Frontier. He has already left the Southern Frontier and returned to Luoyang."

"Those from beyond the Great Wall must know how to hunt in the Central Plains."

"This is why I risked entering the pass today to see General Zhou."

Yuan Ziming stopped wasting time and looked at Zhou Er, who was sitting in the main seat, and got straight to the point.

Will they hunt in the Central Plains?

Upon hearing this on Tuesday, his expression changed.

Those barbarians have quite the big mouth.

How dare they so brazenly claim they can hunt in the Central Plains? Do they think the Central Plains are their pasture and the people of the Great Zhou are mere sheep?
On Tuesday, he glanced at Yuan Ziming with some disdain, said nothing, and instead frowned and fell silent.

Yuan Ziming remained silent and did not speak further.

Give yourself time to think on Tuesday.

The hall fell silent for a moment, and the atmosphere became somewhat somber.

……

(End of this chapter)