You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 217 Northern Barbarians and Western Barbarians

Zhou Yu did not respond to Zhou Zhan's words.

Zhou Yu knew that Zhou Zhan, the Prince of Kao Shan, was a veteran of three dynasties and his heart was as vast as the sea.

Prince Zhou Zhan, who was in charge of the court, had a clear understanding of the current situation.

Therefore, King Zhou Zhan of Kaoshan had the idea of ​​requesting to be enfeoffed and return to the capital, and giving up the Zhennan Army.

However, Prince Zhou Zhan underestimated His Majesty's magnanimity. His Majesty has no intention of taking action against Prince Zhou in order to regain military power.

Of course, Zhou Yu couldn't tell the Prince of Kao Shan about these things; he could only think about them in his heart.

Zhou Yi's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

It wasn't that Zhou Yu had any intention of taking over the Zhennan Army on Monday, but rather that he hadn't expected that Zhou Zhanhui, the Prince of Kaoshan, would suddenly request to return to the capital and let Zhou Yu take over the Zhennan Army.

This surprised Monday.

It should be noted that King Zhou Zhan of Kaoshan has always been stationed in the southern border region, deterring the southern barbarians.

This sudden request to return to the capital and relinquish control of the Zhennan Army would have shocked any general in the Zhennan Army.

After asking Zhou Yu a question, King Zhou Zhan of Kao Shan did not dwell on the topic any further, but instead discussed with Zhou Yu the various matters concerning the southern border after the great battle.

Previously, the Nanman army broke through the South Gate Pass and entered the southern border.

The entire southern border region, except for Zhennan City and a few other cities, was ravaged by the southern barbarian tribes.

Although these southern barbarian tribes were all wiped out by the Zhennan Army, the aftermath still depended on the Mountain King and Zhou Yu to make proper arrangements as soon as possible.

……

royal palace.

Cining Palace.

Since the Shu King's usurpation, the Cining Palace has become even more secluded from worldly affairs than before.

Inside the main hall.

The Empress Dowager and the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian sat down one after the other.

"Eighth Imperial Brother, I have heard that the foreign tribes beyond the Great Wall have invaded our Great Zhou and have successively breached the three border passes of Xiliang, the Northern Frontier, and the Southern Frontier. What is the situation now?"

The Empress Dowager looked at the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, and asked.

The news that the foreign tribes had attacked and breached three formidable fortresses was astonishing.

Even the fact that the Empress Dowager lived a secluded life in Cining Palace, eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures, was something that had been heard of.

"Your Majesty, the armies of the Western Rong, Northern Di, and Southern Man have been annihilated by our Great Zhou. The army of the Eastern Yi has retreated. Our Great Zhou has won a great victory."

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, briefly recounted the border war.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager nodded. "That's good. It's been many years since our Great Zhou has achieved such a great victory."

"Eighth Prince, this is a turbulent time for our Great Zhou. You should focus on serving the country and not worry about me. I am fine."

The Empress Dowager spoke to Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince.

Since the Shu King was killed after usurping the throne, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian would visit the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace from time to time.

The Empress Dowager understood that this must have been instructed by His Majesty to the Eighth Prince, fearing that something might happen to her, the Empress Dowager, because of the death of the Prince of Shu.

But she had experienced countless hardships and tribulations during her many years in the imperial harem.

The matter concerning the King of Shu is not enough to make the Empress Dowager so distraught.

"Your Majesty, I understand. I only came to visit the Empress Dowager during my day off, so I did not neglect state affairs."

"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Your Majesty, I have come to Cining Palace to see what arrangements the Empress Dowager has for New Year's Eve."

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, spoke.

The Empress Dowager shook her head; "I have no plans for tomorrow's New Year's Eve. You may do as His Majesty so decides!"

After the death of the King of Shu, the Empress Dowager devoted herself to nothing but vegetarianism and Buddhist chanting, and stopped caring about anything else.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, hesitated for a moment. “Your Majesty, I have another matter to discuss. Since the Wu clan was exterminated, the harem has been without a mistress. Your Majesty has been on the throne for several years, but still has no heir. This has a great impact on both the Great Zhou and the royal family.”

"Therefore, I dare to suggest to the Empress Dowager that we should consider arranging for His Majesty to take a concubine."

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, looked intently at the Empress Dowager.

Now Your Majesty has cleaned up the court, eliminated powerful families, consolidated power, and won a great victory over foreign tribes. The Great Zhou Dynasty is showing signs of revival.

However, Emperor Zhou Chen's harem remained vacant, which had a profound impact on the stability of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If Emperor Zhou Chen remains childless, he will not be able to unite the hearts of the people of the Great Zhou.

The Great Zhou Dynasty could not truly stabilize.

The Empress Dowager naturally understood what the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian meant.

Whether an emperor has an heir or not has had a significant impact on the court and the world since ancient times.

If an emperor has no heir, people's hearts will be restless and unstable.

When people's hearts are unsettled, the nation will be unstable.

These are all interconnected.

However, even the Empress Dowager was somewhat helpless in this matter.

Previously, the Empress Dowager had mentioned this matter to Emperor Zhou Chen, but Zhou Chen had politely declined.

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, then looked at the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian and said, "I understand what my Eighth Prince means."

“I have already mentioned this matter to Your Majesty before.”

"But His Majesty politely declined."

"Why don't you tell the court officials about this matter and submit a memorial to His Majesty to ensure the stability of the country?"

The Empress Dowager suggested that the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, be appointed.

Previously, when the Empress Dowager brought up this matter, Emperor Zhou Chen politely declined.

So, when the court officials submit their memorials, Emperor Zhou Chen should surely give them some consideration!

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, nodded; "Your Majesty's words are understood by your subject."

Afterwards, the Eighth Prince and the Empress Dowager chatted for a while before leaving Cining Palace.

……

Northern Di.

In the palace.

The King of the Northern Barbarians sat on his throne, his face extremely gloomy.

Below stood five high-ranking officials of the Northern Di, all with solemn expressions.

As the Lunar New Year approached, the entire Northern Di people were filled with joy.

But a message that reached the Northern Barbarians shattered their joy.

The Northern Di King looked at his five high-ranking officials below him and said, "You all know the news: General Maha has died in battle, and the Imperial Preceptor has also died."

"Our 300,000-strong Northern Di army has been wiped out on the northern border of the Great Zhou. Our plan to go south for the hunt has failed."

"Our Northern Di have suffered heavy losses. What do you think we should do now?"

The Northern Di King looked at the five people and asked in a deep voice.

This time, they joined forces from all four sides, and in order to go south for the hunt, the Northern Di mobilized an army of 300,000.

This army of 300,000 men constitutes half of the entire Northern Di army.

Even the Grand Preceptor of the Northern Barbarians personally intervened.

But in the end, the southward hunt failed, and the entire army of 300,000 was wiped out, and the Grand Tutor also died.

This outcome is not just a matter of heavy losses for the Northern Di, but a devastating blow.

The five Northern Di ministers exchanged glances, none of them daring to speak easily.

The Grand Preceptor died, and the entire army of 300,000 was wiped out.

This event had a huge impact on the Northern Di.

They had originally thought that even if their plan to head south and hunt in the Central Plains failed, they could still plunder some territory.

Even if the Northern Di army suffers some losses, it will be within their tolerance range.

But who would have thought that not only did their opportunity to go south for a hunt fail, but their entire army of 300,000 Northern Di was wiped out, and the Grand Tutor also died.

This outcome has exceeded their tolerance level.

"how?"

"They've all become mute."

"Didn't everyone say before that there were no problems with the plan to go south?"

"now what?"

"Our Northern Di's Grand Tutor is dead, and our 300,000-strong army has been wiped out. I'm afraid it will take us more than a decade to recover from this loss." "Tell me, what should we Northern Di do now?"

The Northern Di King surveyed the five people below, his tone becoming even more forceful.

"Your Majesty, all 300,000 of my Northern Di troops have perished on the northern border of the Great Zhou, and the Imperial Advisor is also dead."

"Right now, the most important thing for the Northern Di is to mobilize troops to prevent the Great Zhou from sending troops to deal with the Northern Di."

One of the Northern Di ministers stepped forward and spoke.

"Your Majesty, our Northern Di should immediately unite with the Western Rong and the Southern Man to defend against the Great Zhou."

"Now, the Great Zhou Dynasty has regained control of the Zhenbei Army and the Xiliang Army, greatly increasing its strength."

"And we have just lost 300,000 troops, so we cannot withstand the Great Zhou on our own."

"Only by uniting the Western Rong and the Southern Man can we withstand the attack from the Great Zhou, which may send troops to deal with our Northern Di."

Another minister stepped forward and spoke.

The other three ministers also offered their suggestions one by one.

Although their four-way joint attack on the Great Zhou failed, the Great Zhou would certainly not remain indifferent.

Therefore, the most important thing right now is to guard against the possibility that the Great Zhou might send troops to deal with the Northern Di.

After hearing the advice of his five ministers, the King of the Northern Di on his throne pondered for a moment and then immediately said, "Immediately send envoys to the Western Rong and the Southern Man to discuss the failure of this southward hunting expedition."

"At the same time, scouts were dispatched to investigate the movements of the Zhenbei Army."

"Report back immediately once the Zhenbei Army is discovered to have left the pass."

The Northern Di King issued orders one by one.

It's really a waste of money.

Not only did this southward hunt fail, but it also resulted in the loss of 300,000 troops from the Northern Army.

Now, we must be wary of the possibility that the Great Zhou might send troops to settle scores later.

……

Western Rong.

When the King of the Northern Di received news of the annihilation of the Northern Di army, the King of the Western Rong also received news of the complete annihilation of the Western Rong army.

Inside the Western Rong royal palace.

The King of the Western Rong looked extremely grim.

The King of Xirong never expected that his carefully planned campaign to conquer the Central Plains would not only fail, but also cause the death of his state advisor in Xiliang and the complete annihilation of his hundreds of thousands of troops.

This result was a devastating blow to the King of Xirong.

Below, also standing, were several ministers from the Western Rong.

Compared to the Western Rong king's expression, the expressions of these Western Rong ministers were no better.

After all, the death of the Western Rong national advisor and the annihilation of hundreds of thousands of Western Rong troops were significant losses for the entire Western Rong force, and a considerable blow to the entire region.

"Your Majesty, even if the Great Zhou defeats the Marquis of Xiliang and reclaims control of the Xiliang army..."

"But the Western Liang army alone could not possibly annihilate my Northern Di army of hundreds of thousands!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"The strength of the Xiliang army is comparable to that of my Beidi army that has marched south, but the overall combat strength of the Xiliang army is not as good as that of my Xirong army."

"Didn't we get news that our Western Rong army has already breached Yumen Pass?"

"How come they've all been wiped out?"

The ministers of the Western Rong all looked puzzled.

To annihilate the Western Rong's southward-bound army, one's forces would need to be at least larger than the Western Rong's southward-bound army.

However, the Xiliang army was not as large as the Xirong army that marched south, nor was its combat strength as strong.

Furthermore, the Western Rong army had already breached Yumen Pass, making it even less likely that the Western Liang army could stop them.

How could the Western Rong army have been completely wiped out?

The King of Xirong said with a gloomy face, "The specific details are not yet clear."

"However, according to the news that came back, it was a man named Jia Xu who devised the plan to annihilate my Western Rong army."

"Furthermore, the Marquis of Xiliang was also captured by Jia Xu's scheme."

"As for the Imperial Advisor, he died at the hands of Cao Zhengchun, the Director of the Eastern Depot."

At this point, the Western Rong King's expression darkened even further.

The Western Rong National Preceptor is a major pillar of the Western Rong, a powerful expert who is half a step into the Celestial Realm.

Now that the Western Rong national advisor is dead, this loss is no less significant than the annihilation of the entire Western Rong army of 300,000.

"Now is not the time to talk about these things. Our Western Rong army has been completely wiped out, and our Grand Preceptor has been killed in battle. What should our Western Rong do now?"

The King of the Western Rong looked at the ministers below.

The Western Rong army that marched south was completely wiped out, and the Western Rong suffered heavy losses.

The most important thing to consider right now is what to do next.

"Your Majesty, our Western Rong army has been completely wiped out. I'm afraid the Great Zhou will not let this go."

"They might take the opportunity to send troops to Yumen Pass to deal with our Western Rong."

"Therefore, our Western Rong should immediately mobilize troops to guard against the Great Zhou."

A minister from the Western Rong tribe pondered for a moment before speaking.

"That's right. Now that the Great Zhou has taken back control of the Xiliang Army, it's possible that they will send troops to attack our Xirong."

The other Western Rong ministers also spoke one by one.

……

Xiliang.

Xijing City.

The General's Mansion in Zhenxi.

While the Western Rong were discussing how to guard against the Great Zhou, Zhang Liao and Jia Xu also received a secret imperial edict from Luoyang.

After reading the secret edict in his hand, Zhang Liao frowned and looked at Jia Xu beside him; "Mr. Jia, what is His Majesty's decree...?"

Jia Xu's eyes flashed, and he said, "The Western Rong have invaded our Great Zhou and breached our Yumen Pass. Although we have annihilated the Western Rong's southward-bound army, do you think His Majesty will let this matter go?"

"General Zhang, please reorganize and replenish the Xiliang army as soon as possible!"

"It won't be long before the Xiliang army heads west out of Yumen Pass to hunt beyond the Great Wall."

Jia Xu's eyes gleamed.

Cao Zhengchun, standing to the side, nodded in agreement. "Mr. Jia is right. His Majesty has already ordered our Eastern Depot to begin infiltrating beyond the Great Wall."

"It seems that after the end of the year, my Great Zhou will be expanding its territory."

Cao Zhengchun said in a feminine tone.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao frowned even more deeply; "The Xiliang army suffered considerable casualties in this battle."

"Even if we need to replenish our troops, it won't be something that can be done in a short time."

"In addition, the Xiliang army has just regained control and its morale is not yet stable. Is it too hasty to send troops out like this?"

Zhang Liao was a military commander and knew about military affairs.

Putting aside the previous casualties of the Xiliang army, the fact that the morale of the army is not yet stable means that we cannot rush to use troops.

If such a large army were to hunt beyond the Great Wall, it could lead to a disastrous defeat.

Jia Xu glanced at Zhang Liao and shook his head, saying, "There's no rush. With this victory in annihilating the Western Rong army, the morale of the Xiliang army is no longer a major issue."

"The only way to quickly win back the morale of the troops is through battle."

"If we fight a few more battles, the Xiliang army will be completely at our command."

"Let's prepare according to His Majesty's secret decree!"

Jia Xu said.

Zhang Liao nodded. His Majesty's secret decree had been issued; how could they dare to disobey it?
Cao Zhengchun glanced at Jia Xu and Zhang Liao and said, "Now that the war in Xiliang is over, my mission is also complete."

"I will be returning to Luoyang soon. The defense of Xiliang will now depend on General Zhang and Mr. Jia."

Zhang Liao and Jia Xu nodded.

Cao Zhengchun's original mission was to deliver an imperial edict to capture the Marquis of Xiliang. Later, his dealing with the Western Rong National Preceptor was also a temporary order issued by Zhou Chen.

Now that the Western Rong army has been annihilated and the Western Rong national advisor is dead, Cao Zhengchun should leave Xiliang and return to Luoyang to report back to the emperor.

(End of this chapter)