You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 218 New Year's Gift Package, Left Prime Minister Xiao He

Luoyang.

Crowded.

It was not affected by the border war.

Laughter could be heard from time to time throughout the streets and alleys of Luoyang.

Because today is the last day of the year in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and also the most important day.

The streets and alleys were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations to celebrate this joyous day.

The palace was no exception, with large red lanterns hanging everywhere.

However, compared to the atmosphere outside the palace, the palace was much quieter and less intense.

This may be related to the previous upheavals in the imperial court.

The King of Shu, the King of Xiaoyao, the King of Kang, and Zhou Junxian were all members of the royal family, yet they were all implicated in a rebellion and faced life and death within a few short months.

Therefore, it would be strange if the atmosphere in the palace were to be festive.

However, as the emperor, Zhou Chen, following custom, also bestowed a royal banquet today, feasting the imperial clan and officials.

This added a touch of atmosphere to the deep palace, preventing it from appearing so quiet.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully wish you good health."

"Wishing the Empress Dowager a long and healthy life."

"Wishing the Great Zhou Dynasty peace and prosperity."

At the banquet, all the officials and ministers raised their glasses in congratulations.

Emperor Zhou Chen also raised his cup to drink with his officials, accepting their congratulations.

……

late at night.

After the banquet, Zhou Chen returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Standing on the steps outside the hall, Zhou Chen looked up at the starry sky, somewhat lost in thought.

Although he has adapted to his current identity and life, Zhou Chen still feels a sense of loneliness.

It's not the loneliness of being an emperor, but a loneliness that comes from the depths of one's soul.

"Your Majesty, it's late at night, and the weather outside is chilly. Let's go back inside!"

Cao Shaoqin stepped forward and whispered.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen snapped out of his daze, let out a long sigh, said nothing, and turned to return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

In fact, with Zhou Chen's current strength as a first-grade grandmaster, even the coldest weather wouldn't affect him much.

Back in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, after sitting on the dragon throne, Zhou Chen thought about today's sign-in.

"Time to start today's check-in."

"I wonder if there will be any New Year's gifts today, and what kind of outstanding person will appear when I sign in?"

Zhou Chen thought to himself, somewhat looking forward to today's sign-in.

Monthly sign-ins come with gift packs, so the New Year's holiday sign-in event shouldn't be any worse than the monthly sign-in event.

"Sign in."

Zhou Chen silently recited it in his mind.

【bite…….】

[Check-in successful.]

[Congratulations, host, you have received a New Year's gift pack.]

Should I open the New Year's gift package?

New Year's gift package?

Zhou Chen's face lit up with joy.

Sure enough, there were gift packages for the New Year.

"Open."

Zhou Chen silently repeated it to himself once more.

【bite…….】

[Congratulations, host, for gaining the loyalty of the character Xiao He.]

[Congratulations, host, for gaining the loyalty of the character Huo Qubing.]

[Congratulations, host, for gaining the loyalty of the character Hua Xiong.]

Xiao He?

Huo Qubing?
Hua Xiong?

Zhou Chen's spirits lifted, and he could hardly hide the joy on his face.

Xiao He was one of the three heroes of the early Han Dynasty, a top figure whose name is etched in history. It was precisely because of Xiao He's existence that the foundation for the Han Dynasty's dominance over the world was laid.

It can be said that Xiao He's contribution to the Han Dynasty's unification of the country and its conquest of all directions was paramount.

Zhou Chen never expected that the New Year's sign-in gift package would actually lead to the appearance of Xiao He, a remarkable figure.

Now, he, the prime minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty, has been appointed.

Then there's Huo Qubing, who was granted the title of Marquis for his meritorious service, the highest honor any general could dream of.

Unfortunately, this General of the Cavalry died young. He should have been as bright as the moon, illuminating all directions, but in the end, he passed away like a shooting star.

It's truly regrettable and a cause for lament.

As for Hua Xiong, he was somewhat inferior to these two outstanding individuals.

But Hua Xiong is a figure who will leave his mark on history, especially after he killed several generals of the eighteen warlords at Hulao Pass.

This is enough to show that Hua Xiong was a remarkable person.

Three figures appeared in front of Zhou Chen.

"Xiao He greets Your Majesty."

"This humble general, Huo Qubing, greets Your Majesty."

"This humble general, Hua Xiong, greets Your Majesty."

Xiao He, Huo Qubing, and Hua Xiong bowed to Zhou Chen on the dragon throne as soon as they appeared.

Zhou Chen glanced at Xiao He and the other two; "No need for formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xiao He and the other two stood up.

Two outstanding individuals.

A second-rate talent.

Zhou Chen became more and more satisfied the more he looked at it.

This New Year's sign-in gift pack was quite a surprise for Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen looked at Xiao He and the other two and immediately gave the order: "Appoint Xiao He as the Left Chancellor, in charge of all officials."

"Huo Qubing was appointed as General of the Divine Martial Guard, commanding the Twelve Divine Martial Guards, and Hua Xiong was appointed as a Lieutenant General of the Divine Martial Guard, joining the Divine Martial Guard."

After bestowing official titles upon the three men, Zhou Chen looked at Huo Qubing.

"Huo Qubing and the Twelve Divine Warriors suffered considerable casualties in their previous suppression of local rebellions."

"You must quickly replenish the Twelve Divine Martial Guards and restore their organization and combat strength."

The Twelve Divine Martial Guards suffered heavy casualties after suppressing the rebellion in the four northern states, and have not yet had time to replenish their forces.

Furthermore, since the death of Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, the Twelve Guards of Divine Martial Arts have not actually had a true general in command.

Originally, Zhou Chen had assigned Lü Bu and Marquis Weiwu to command the Southern and Northern Camps of the Divine Martial Guard, respectively.

But a few days later, Lü Bu went to the northern frontier, and the Marquis of Weiwu died in battle, leaving the position of general of the Divine Martial Guard vacant again.

Now that Huo Qubing has appeared in the sign-in event, Zhou Chen can first let Huo Qubing take command of the Twelve Divine Martial Guards to complete their organizational structure and restore their combat strength.

"The general will obey the order."

Huo Qubing bowed and accepted the imperial decree.

Xiao He and Hua Xiong also accepted the imperial decree and expressed their gratitude.

Subsequently, Xiao He, Huo Qubing, and Hua Xiong left the Hall of Mental Cultivation under the guidance of Cao Shaoqin.

After Xiao He and the other two left, a slight smile appeared on Zhou Chen's lips.

With the arrival of Xiao He, a remarkable figure, Zhou Chen will no longer have to work as hard to handle government affairs as before.

"Should I form a cabinet?"

Zhou Chen's eyes flickered, and he suddenly thought to himself.

As Zhou Chen continues to sign in, the number of talented individuals under his command will only increase.

Especially those top-tier individuals, they are all unique.

If such outstanding individuals could form a cabinet, handling political affairs would be much more efficient.

Most importantly, Emperor Zhou Chen can then become a hands-off ruler and no longer have to work so hard.

"It's not the right time yet. We need to wait a bit longer. We must first eliminate the foreign tribes and solve the fundamental problems within the Great Zhou before we can naturally consolidate power at the central level."

Zhou Chen shook his head, temporarily dismissing the thought that had suddenly popped into his mind.

Centralized power is still somewhat premature.

Zhou Chen must first resolve some fundamental problems of the Great Zhou Dynasty and eliminate the foreign tribes beyond the Great Wall before he can begin this task.

……

(End of this chapter)