You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 201 Enemies on All Sides
royal palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen was cultivating the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique, and his aura was powerful and imposing.

boo...

As if a shackle had been removed, and everything fell into place naturally, Zhou Chen's aura became even stronger than before.

Zhou Chen opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

Feeling the power emanating from his body, Zhou Chen couldn't help but smile slightly.

"It won't be long before I'm also among the masters."

Zhou Chen thought to himself.

Zhou Chen gained a lot from this cultivation and made another breakthrough.

I believe it won't be long before Zhou Chen will be able to join the ranks of Grandmasters.

At that time, with the power of the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique, Zhou Chen would not be afraid of even a half-step Celestial Being.

"Your Majesty, Commander Cao Shaoqin is requesting an audience outside the palace."

At this moment, a palace eunuch came in to report.

"Let him in."

Zhou Chen withdrew his aura and glanced at the eunuchs and guards.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The eunuchs and guards bowed and withdrew.

moment.

Cao Shaoqin hurriedly entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your Majesty, news has come from Xiliang that Mr. Jia and his men have captured the Marquis of Xiliang and taken control of the Xiliang army."

"However, Yumen Pass was breached by the Western Rong."

"Urgent news has also come from the southern border: the second adopted son of the King of Kao Shan has colluded with the southern barbarians and breached the South Gate Pass."

"Your Majesty, please review this."

Cao Shaoqin hurriedly handed the two urgent messages in his hand to Zhou Chen.

what?
Did the Western Rong break through Yumen Pass?
The southern gate of the southern border was also breached by the southern barbarians?
Zhou Chen's expression changed immediately upon hearing Cao Shaoqin's report.

Yumen Pass served as a barrier for the Western Liang, while Nanmen Pass served as a barrier for the southern border.

Although the Great Zhou Dynasty has declined in recent years, the reason it has been able to keep out foreign invasions is precisely because of these formidable passes.

But now, both Yumen Pass and Nanmen Pass have been breached by foreign tribes, which is bound to shock Emperor Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen immediately took the two documents from Cao Shaoqin's hand, opened them, and began to read them.

The first message Zhou Chen opened was from Xiliang.

Upon seeing the reason for the breach of Yumen Pass in the news, Zhou Chen's expression turned grim.

Zhou Chen never expected that the Western Rong tribe would break the agreement they had made and send a powerful expert, a half-step Celestial, to attack the generals in the army.

No wonder they were able to breach the Jade Gate Pass.

A powerful expert at the half-step Celestial Realm attacked and killed the generals of the Western Liang Army at Yumen Pass. If these generals of the Western Liang Army at Yumen Pass were to die, the army would surely fall into chaos.

If the Western Rong take the opportunity to attack again, the Jade Gate Pass will be breached by them without any effort.

"It seems these alien races had planned this all along."

Zhou Chen put down the news in his hand with a grim expression and picked up the urgent news from the southern border to read.

After Zhou Chen finished reading the urgent message from the southern border, he slammed his palm angrily on the dragon desk.

"Asshole."

"Damn it."

Zhou Chen's face was so gloomy it could drip water.

Zhou Chen never expected that Zhou Er, the adopted son of King Zhou Zhan, would collude with the Southern Barbarians to break through the South Gate Pass from the inside and outside, resulting in the annihilation of tens of thousands of garrison troops at the South Gate Pass.

The southern border was completely exposed to the onslaught of the southern barbarians.

This is absolutely deserving of death.

Zhou Chen hates traitors who betray their own side the most.

Zhou Chen's eyes turned icy cold when he saw the words "hunt in the Central Plains" in the message.

These mere foreign tribes dare to boast that they will hunt down the Central Plains; they're courting death.

"First the Northern Barbarians attacked Yanmen Pass, and now the Western Rong and Southern Barbarians have breached the Yumen and Nanmen Passes. It seems that these foreign tribes have secretly joined forces long ago."

Zhou Chen's eyes flashed coldly.

The breach of the Jade Gate and South Gate passes directly disrupted Zhou Chen's plans.

Fortunately, the Marquis of Xiliang was captured, and the power of the Xiliang army was also taken back.

With a large army, Zhou Chen would have the confidence to deal with these alien races.

Zhou Chen looked up at Cao Shaoqin; "Cao Shaoqin, immediately notify all officials to attend court and prepare for the court assembly."

Such a major incident has occurred; the two border passes of Yumen and Nanmen have been breached by foreign tribes. Zhou Chen must convene a court meeting immediately.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Shaoqin bowed and immediately turned and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After Cao Shaoqin left, Zhou Chen looked at the words "hunting in the Central Plains" on the news from the Southern Frontier, and a hint of murderous intent flashed across his face.

Will they hunt in the Central Plains?

"Humph."

"I will bury you all in the Central Plains, so that you may never return."

Zhou Chen muttered to himself, a cold glint in his eyes.

……

Jinluan Palace.

The morning assembly began.

The officials entered the Golden Palace one by one.

After Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne, all the officials bowed in unison, saying, "Long live the Emperor!"

The officials knelt down and shouted.

Zhou Chen looked down at the civil and military officials; "All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The officials stood up, puzzled.

The morning court session has already taken place, so why is His Majesty suddenly summoning all the officials for another court session? Could it be that something major has happened?
Looking at the civil and military officials below, Zhou Chen spoke without hesitation: "I have just received news from the border that the Western Rong have invaded our Great Zhou and have already breached the Jade Gate Pass."

what?
The Western Rong have invaded the border and have already breached the Jade Gate Pass?

Upon hearing this news, all the officials' expressions changed drastically.

Yumen Pass is the vital gateway to the west of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Once Yumen Pass is breached, the iron cavalry of the Western Rong will be able to advance unimpeded into the west of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and even into its heartland.

However, before the officials could recover from this news, Zhou Chen announced another shocking piece of news.

"I have also received news from the southern border that the southern barbarians have invaded the South Gate Pass of our Great Zhou. The Zhennan Army guarding the South Gate Pass has been completely wiped out, and the South Gate Pass has been breached by the southern barbarians."

As soon as the news came out.

The civil and military officials were no longer just pale-faced; they all gasped in shock.

If the breach of Yumen Pass by the Western Rong shocked all the civil and military officials...

The breach of the South Gate by the Southern Barbarians was not only shocking to the civil and military officials, but also terrifying.

First, Yumen Pass was breached by the Western Rong.

The South Gate Pass was breached by the Southern Barbarians once again.

The civil and military officials present were no ordinary people, and they immediately sensed something was amiss.

In addition, news had come from the northern frontier that the Northern Barbarians had knocked on the gates of Yanmen Pass, causing the officials' expressions to change several times.

It is clear.

This incursion by foreign tribes is probably not so simple; it was premeditated, and they even secretly allied with each other.

The thought of this possibility made some ministers turn pale.

They were all too aware of the current situation of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Although there was a trend of returning to prosperity, it was still in a trough of decline.

At the same time, facing the joint invasion of three foreign tribes, the Great Zhou did not have enough strength to resist.

After Zhou Chen finished delivering these two messages, he gestured to Cao Shaoqin, who was standing beside him, and said, "Cao Shaoqin, read the news from the border to the officials."

Upon hearing this, Cao Shaoqin stepped forward and read aloud the message sent from the border.

Upon hearing the news read aloud by Cao Shaoqin, all the officials were filled with righteous indignation.

The Western Rong broke their promise and sent a half-step Celestial to assassinate the general guarding the pass, which was considered extremely shameless by the officials.

Furthermore, the adopted son of the King of Kaoshan in the Southern Frontier actually colluded with the Southern Barbarians, betraying the King of Kaoshan and also betraying the Great Zhou.

He's utterly unfilial.

However, to the surprise of the officials, Emperor Zhou Chen quietly seized the Marquis of Xiliang and took control of the Xiliang army.

This is good news for the imperial court.

After Cao Shaoqin finished reading the two reports from the border, Zhou Chen looked up at the officials and said, "You have all heard the news from the border. Yumen Pass and Nanmen Pass have been breached by foreign tribes. What do you think we should do about this?"

All the civil and military officials wore extremely solemn expressions.

This matter is of utmost importance and unlike anything before.

The alien tribes have launched a joint invasion of the Great Zhou Dynasty and have already breached the Jade Gate Pass in Xiliang and the South Gate Pass in Nanjiang.

If this is not handled properly, it could plunge the Great Zhou into war.

"Your Majesty, our Great Zhou has just experienced turmoil and rebellion, the north is suffering from continuous drought, and the Divine Martial Guard has also suffered great losses."

"The Great Zhou Dynasty can no longer withstand turmoil or major wars."

"The people of the Great Zhou need rest and recuperation."

"Therefore, I believe that we should immediately send envoys to foreign tribes to discuss the matter of ending hostilities."

An old minister stepped forward and spoke.

Other ministers, upon hearing the old minister's words, all stood up and agreed with his suggestion.

The Great Zhou is indeed in a weak state. Even if it takes over the power of the Zhenbei Army and the Xiliang Army, it has no advantage in the face of the invasion of the foreign tribes.

Once a large-scale war breaks out, the consequences will be unpredictable.

"Nonsense! The alien races have already breached the Jade Gate and South Gate passes, how can they possibly stop fighting?"

A military officer stepped forward and said angrily.

"Your Majesty, the last general invites you to fight."

"Please fight to the death."

"The alien races have already breached the Jade Gate and South Gate passes of my Great Zhou, and have reached the doorstep of my Great Zhou."

"If my Great Zhou were to yield and not retaliate in any way, where would the prestige of my Great Zhou remain?"

"Our Great Zhou is not what it used to be, but we are not afraid to fight."

The military officer spoke loudly to Zhou Chen, who was on the dragon throne.

"That's right, Your Majesty, our Great Zhou is not afraid to fight."

"We, your humble servants, request permission to fight, and we are ready to fight to the death."

One by one, the military officers stepped forward and spoke loudly.

The old minister who spoke first was so angry when he saw these generals asking for battle that he glared and said, "You warriors, all you know is to boast about your bravery! Fight, fight, fight!"

"War requires money and supplies, an army, and sufficient support."

"The situation of my Great Zhou has just stabilized a bit. Once the great war breaks out, no matter what the final outcome is, my Great Zhou will be dragged into the abyss, and it is unknown how many years it will take to recover."

Upon hearing this, the military officer snorted coldly; "That's still better than groveling and bowing down to foreign tribes for peace."

“The spines of the generals of my Great Zhou have not bent.”

The words of the military officer caused the faces of the civil officials to turn red instantly.

The general's spine was straight.

Does that mean the spines of civil officials are bent?

Isn't this a blatant mockery of them, the civil officials?

"enough."

Zhou Chen sternly reprimanded them, stopping the argument, and looked at the Minister of War and his entourage; "Li Yuan, you are the Minister of War, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

The Minister of War pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, the foreign tribes have joined forces to invade our Great Zhou and breached our surrounding passes. It is obvious that the foreign tribes came prepared.”

"It would be very difficult to send envoys to stop the fighting."

"Unless my Great Zhou pays an unimaginable price by ceding territory and paying reparations."

"Otherwise, the foreign tribes would never cease their hostilities."

"Therefore, I believe that we should first try to lull the Southern Barbarians into a false sense of security and resist their attack, and then focus all our efforts on dealing with the Western Barbarians."

"Once we've dealt with the Western Rong, we can turn back to deal with the Southern Barbarians."

The Minister of War then expressed his thoughts one by one.

After hearing this, Zhou Chen did not make any comment, but instead looked at Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui.

"Your Majesty, the foreign tribes have joined forces to invade our Great Zhou. Their purpose is clear: to hunt down the Central Plains."

“The Northern Di, Western Rong, and Southern Man have all sent troops, and I estimate that the Eastern Yi should be no exception.”

"Our Great Zhou is facing a joint invasion from all sides. Given the current situation of our Great Zhou, it is somewhat difficult to wage war on all sides."

"I agree with Minister Li's idea: first defeat two, then take them down one by one."

Seeing Zhou Chen looking over, Fang Xuanling did not hesitate and stepped forward to speak.

Fang Xuanling's words made the officials' expressions even more solemn.

Now the Northern Di, Western Rong, and Southern Man have all sent troops. What if the Eastern Yi also send troops to attack the Eastern Wilderness?

Then the Great Zhou was surrounded by enemies on all sides, and war raged on all sides.

Zhou Chen showed no surprise at Fang Xuanling's words.

From the moment the news came back from Xiliang and Nanjiang, Zhou Chen had already guessed that the alien tribes on all sides had united, and Dongyi would definitely send troops as well.

Following that, Du Ruhui, Liu Ye, and the others also spoke up, offering their respective suggestions.

After listening to Du Ruhui and the others' suggestions, Zhou Chen pondered for a moment and then said directly, "Cao Shaoqin, draft an imperial edict to appoint Lü Bu as General Who Guards the North and Zhang Liao as General Who Guards the West, in charge of the Northern Army and the Western Liang Army."

"Send an edict to Lü Bu and Zhang Liao: Foreign tribes are knocking on our gates; I will not care how they wage war."

"I only want one result: those who offend my Great Zhou shall be executed."

Zhou Chen said coldly.

This can be considered Zhou Chen's formal appointment of Lü Bu and Zhang Liao as commanders of the Zhenbei Army and the Xiliang Army, respectively.

"besides."

"Issue an edict to the Prince of Kao Shan, ordering him to immediately return to the Southern Frontier to guard it and stop the advance of the Southern Barbarians."

Zhou Chen continued.

With the South Gate Pass breached, Zhou Chen immediately ordered King Zhou Zhan to return to the Southern Frontier to oversee the overall situation and resist the advance of the Southern Barbarians.

"Issue an edict to the Marquis of Donghuang, ordering him to guard Donghuang for me. If the Dongyi break through the pass, I will hold him accountable."

Now that Zhou Chen had guessed that the Eastern Barbarians would also send troops, he had to issue an edict to the Marquis of Donghuang.

Let the Marquis of Donghuang guard Dongyan Pass and block the attack of the Dongyi.

The Zhou Dynasty had one king and three marquises guarding the four border passes. The Marquis of Donghuang was in charge of guarding Dongyan Pass to resist the Eastern Yi.

Zhou Chen issued several decrees in succession.

Surrounded by enemies on all sides, this battle is crucial to the rise and fall of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Zhou Chen knew this, and all the civil and military officials in the court were well aware of it.

Therefore, after Zhou Chen issued his decree, the entire court sprang into action, preparing for the impending war.

(End of this chapter)