You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 222: Courtesy first, then attack
Luoyang.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen looked at some messages sent up by the Eastern Depot.

Now, all parts of the Great Zhou are under the surveillance of the Eastern Depot. Any major disturbances in the Great Zhou will be reported back to Luoyang immediately.

It can be said that Zhou Chen could know everything happening in the world without leaving the palace.

Looking at the message sent back from the Eastern Wilderness, Zhou Chen nodded in satisfaction.

Although the Marquis of Donghuang came from a powerful family, he was still quite sensible.

Instead of outwardly complying while inwardly making things difficult for the Ministry of Revenue, they took the lead in cooperating with the Ministry to measure and count the land in the eastern wilderness, which saved the Ministry of Revenue a lot of trouble.

However, the Song family of Lingnan seemed unwilling to cooperate with Xun Yu in measuring and surveying their land, and they had not responded at all.

Zhou Chen picked up a piece of news from the side and raised his eyebrows slightly.

This message was sent back by the Lingnan Imperial Guard.

The above describes how Xun Yu visited the Song family, but the Song family never responded.

Zhou Chen looked at the contents of the message, glanced at Cao Zhengchun standing beside him, and said, "Your Eastern Depot should pay close attention to the four major clans during this period."

"I'd like to see if the four great clans really have the guts to disobey the court."

After saying that, Zhou Chen put down the message in his hand and stopped paying attention to it.

The power has already been relinquished; this is not something Zhou Chen should worry about.

That's something for Xun Yu, the Minister of Revenue, to worry about.

If everything needs to be resolved by Emperor Zhou Chen, then what use are the officials in the court?

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and said.

That's right, Cao Zhengchun, the Grand Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, has returned to Luoyang from Xiliang.

After reading the messages sent by the Eastern Depot, Zhou Chen didn't say anything more and began to deal with government affairs.

Cao Zhengchun, who was standing nearby, put away the messages sent by the Eastern Depot and withdrew.

……

The Ministry of Justice, Minister's Office.

Wang Yangming, the Minister of Justice, sat in the main seat.

Four officials were seated below.

Since the purging of powerful and influential officials like Prime Minister Yuan Bo, the power of these families in the court has been greatly weakened.

Wang Yangming was appointed Minister of Justice by Zhou Chen to appease the powerful and influential families. Wang Yangming came from the Wang family of Langya.

The Langya royal family was also one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

However, the Langya royal family had not been involved in the affairs of the four northwestern prefectures, nor had they participated in the Shu king's usurpation.

Therefore, Zhou Chen did not launch a large-scale attack on the Langya Wang family.

However, Zhou Chen still took the opportunity to clean up some of the bad apples from the Langya royal family in the court.

Not only the Langya Wang family, but also the other two of the other seven great families, as well as some corrupt officials in the court, were all dealt with by Zhou Chen.

"Minister Wang, the Marquis of Donghuang has already taken the lead in cooperating with the Ministry of Revenue to measure and count their land."

"What should we do now?"

"Does this mean that each of us has no choice but to cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue in measuring and surveying our land?"

An official said solemnly.

"Yes! His Majesty's surveying and counting of the land throughout the land is definitely aimed at acquiring more land."

“Land is the most important asset of each of our families. Once His Majesty has measured and counted it and wants to take away our land, how will we survive?”

Another official spoke up.

These people were all officials from powerful families, each with their own influential clans behind them.

The Ministry of Revenue was surveying and counting the land throughout the country. It was not a big deal that they cooperated in counting some of the land under their names in Sili.

What they are really worried about is their families.

If the imperial court were to survey and count the land of each family behind them, and if the person in the palace really wanted to take over the land, how would those families survive?

Upon hearing the words of the two officials, Wang Yangming sighed and said, "The situation is beyond our control. You have all seen the Ministry of Revenue's previous survey and statistics on the land within the jurisdiction of Luoyang."

"Whether they were landlords, nobles, or aristocratic families, anyone who didn't cooperate was thrown into the Eastern Depot's prison."

"Therefore, at this time, anyone who dares not cooperate with the court will definitely be met with His Majesty's thunderous rebuke."

"However, on the other hand, some people are really too ugly. We are all from noble families, but we are also officials of the Great Zhou."

"We all know how serious the land consolidation in the Great Zhou Dynasty is."

"This is a chronic problem and a drawback of the Great Zhou Dynasty. His Majesty must have seen this as well, which is why he issued an edict to measure and survey the land of the entire country."

"I have already sent a message back to Langya, suggesting that the clan should cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue in this matter."

"You can decide what to do yourselves."

That's all Wang Yangming could say.

Although the Langya Wang family was one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the four families that were exterminated by the court, such as the Runan Yuan family and the Rongyang Zheng family, were all stronger than the Langya Wang family.

But what happened in the end?

These four great families all ended up as victims of the imperial court's blade.

Therefore, Wang Yangming saw it very clearly.

Now, cooperating with the imperial court is the only option.

Otherwise, they would follow in the footsteps of the four great families of Runan, the Yuan family.

"Minister Wang, aren't there also the four major clans?"

"The four major clans are quite powerful. If they don't cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue, even His Majesty probably won't be able to do anything about it."

"One official said with a gleam in his eye."

The Four Great Clans were the top aristocratic families of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Although members of powerful clans do not enter officialdom or the imperial court, no one dares to underestimate their power.

Even the imperial court is the same.

No way?

"hehe."

A cold smile appeared on Wang Yangming's face; "The powerful clans are strong, but they are still somewhat inferior to the imperial court."

"You haven't forgotten the fate of the Yuan family of Runan, the Zheng family of Rongyang, and the other three families, have you?"

Wang Yangming's words caused the expressions of the four officials present to change slightly.

The upheaval that occurred more than a month ago, when the four great families, who had been passed down for many years, were uprooted by the imperial court and their entire clans were exterminated, is still fresh in memory.

Even now, the four of them still feel lingering fear when they think about it.

From the highest-ranking prime minister to the lowest-ranking official.

Many officials have been brought down and purged.

It’s chilling to think about.

After Wang Yangming explained it this way, the four of them understood the current situation.

This is an irreversible trend.

Anyone who tries to go against the tide will be crushed, leaving not even bones behind.

……

Lingnan.

The main hall of the prefectural government office in the prefectural city.

Xun Yu sat in the main seat, looking at some information about the aristocratic landlords in Lingnan Prefecture.

The prefect of Lingnan Prefecture stood there looking uneasy, with beads of sweat already seeping from his forehead.

These past two days, the Lord of Lingnan has been living in constant fear and torment.

He never expected that the Minister of Revenue of the imperial court would be so bold as to measure and survey the land in Lingnan. Anyone who did not cooperate, no matter who they were, was arrested directly.

Even some members of the Song family were arrested.

This greatly frightened the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture.

What is the Song family?
This is the uncrowned king of Lingnan Prefecture, one of the four great clans of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Not to mention in Lingnan, even in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, the Song family is a force to be reckoned with.

But Xun Yu insisted on arresting people from the Song family. Wasn't this putting him, the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture, in a very difficult position?

However, the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture dared not voice his grievances.

Who told Xun Yu to be the Minister of Revenue of the Imperial Court! He was not someone that the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture could oppose.

The saying "a higher-ranking official can crush you" perfectly illustrates this point.

Moreover, there were people from the Eastern Depot accompanying them.

"Lord Zhang, is this all the information about the prominent landowners in Lingnan Prefecture?"

"Why does this differ from the information given to me by the Eastern Depot?"

Xun Yu glanced at the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture and asked.

"This..." The prefect of Lingnan Prefecture was at a loss for words.

Xun Yu put down the news in his hand and looked at the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture, saying, "Prefect Zhang, prepare a new set of detailed information on the aristocratic landowners in Lingnan Prefecture."

"Remember, what I need is information on all the prominent landowners in the entire Lingnan Prefecture, including those in the county town."

"I hope that Prefect Zhang will not cause me any more trouble this time."

Xun Yu looked at the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture with a blank expression.

The prefect of Lingnan Prefecture quickly replied, "Lord Xun, rest assured, this time I will definitely not make a mistake again."

"besides."

"The government will now begin investigating the malicious annexation and land grabbing of the people within Lingnan Prefecture."

"No matter who it is, once the investigation is completed, arrest them immediately."

"Even members of the Song family are no exception, understand?"

Xun Yu looked directly at the Lord of Lingnan Prefecture and said in an unquestionable tone.

"Lord Xun, this..."

"If you can't do this or that, I'll have the Eastern Depot reserve a position for you."

"Do you think the imperial court is unaware of the things you've done over the years?"

Xun Yu didn't give the Lord of Lingnan Prefecture a chance to hesitate at all, and said coldly.

Upon hearing this, the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture trembled, and even more cold sweat poured down his forehead.

This is really going to drag him, the lord of Lingnan Prefecture, into a deep pit!
You need to know, what kind of people are those who can seize and annex the land of ordinary people?

They were either landlords or members of powerful and wealthy families.

Even the Song family has this situation.

If this is investigated and discovered, would he, a mere prefect of Lingnan Prefecture, dare to arrest him?

"I obey your orders."

The prefect of Lingnan Prefecture finally reluctantly obeyed the order.

It wasn't that the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture was unaware of the dangers, but rather that he had the audacity to do so.

However, the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture knew that he had no other choice.

If he doesn't obey orders now, he'll probably be captured by Xun Yu immediately and become a prisoner.

"Get to work!"

Xun Yu waved his hand.

The prefect of Lingnan Prefecture left with a bitter face.

"Lord Xun, this prefect of Lingnan Prefecture has also annexed and seized some land. Let him investigate, what results will he find?"

After the prefect of Lingnan Prefecture left, Cao Shaoqin walked out from the side.

"I didn't expect him to find out anything."

"Our goal is to measure and count the land, not to investigate and adjudicate cases."

Xun Yu said, watching the departing figure of the Lord of Lingnan Prefecture.

"By the way, has the Song family made any moves yet?"

Xun Yu turned his head to look at Cao Shaoqin.

Cao Shaoqin shook his head; "No, it's been three days, and the Song family hasn't made a move."

"Should we visit the Song family again?" Cao Shaoqin asked Xun Yu.

"Another visit to the Song residence?"

"hehe."

A rare cold smile appeared on Xun Yu's face.

"You don't actually think that I, the Minister of Revenue of the Great Zhou Dynasty, am afraid of the Song family, do you?"

“A powerful and prestigious family is indeed good, but it is not enough to qualify me, Xun Yu, to visit your residence a second time.”

"Since the Song family has neither responded nor made any move, let's follow the imperial court's procedures!"

"The ceremony has been completed; now it's time for the troops."

A cold glint flashed in Xun Yu's eyes.

Since leaving the Song residence that day, Xun Yu had already begun measuring and surveying the land in Lingnan.

Xun Yu never imagined that the Song family would so easily cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue.

Therefore, Xun Yu has been making an example of those powerful families who don't cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue these past few days to remind the Song family that this is the consequence of not cooperating with the court.

Furthermore, Xun Yu also arrested some marginal figures of the Song family to coerce them.

However, the Song family has yet to respond or make any move.

It seems the Song family won't shed tears until they see the coffin.

Then Xun Yu no longer needs to be polite.

“Eunuch Cao, the Song family is a powerful clan, and who knows how many shady things they are hiding.”

"How many members of the Song family, relying on their power, have committed all sorts of evil deeds in Lingnan, bullying men and women."

"Your Eastern Depot must have uncovered quite a few cases these past few days. Arrest them all!"

"I'd like to see if the Song family can still sit still."

Xun Yu looked at Cao Shaoqin and said.

"This chief eunuch has been waiting for Lord Xun to say these words."

Cao Shaoqin gave a sinister smile, then turned and left.

……

"Get out of my way! How dare you block my path? Do you want to die?"

On the main street, a young man in brocade robes rode a horse through the bustling city.

Wherever he went, he charged and crashed into people, the young man in brocade robes occasionally lashing out at passersby with his riding whip.

It can be described as extremely arrogant.

"bump."

The young man in brocade robes on horseback never expected that someone would dare to attack him.

Before he could react, the young man in brocade robes fell off his horse.

Two gleaming crescent blades were placed against his neck.

"take away."

After he finished speaking, the two guards dressed in eagle-patterned uniforms escorted the young man in brocade robes away.

"How dare you! Who are you people?"

"Dare to touch me? Do you want to die?"

"Hurry up and let me go."

The young man in brocade struggled and shouted loudly.

"Heh, the Song family is really arrogant."

“Even we from the Eastern Depot aren’t as arrogant as you.”

"Snapped."

The head of the Eastern Depot guards stepped forward and slapped the young man in brocade robes, saying coldly, "Behave yourself. Others may be wary of your Song family's status, but we Eastern Depot are not afraid of your Song family."

"If you dare to yell at me again, I'll chop you up and feed you to the dogs."

The head of the imperial guards said menacingly.

East Factory?

Upon hearing this, the young man in brocade robes changed his expression.

Clearly, the young man in brocade robes had heard of the Eastern Depot.

"Damn it, you government lackey, you dare to hit me! You're dead..."

Before the young man in brocade could finish speaking, the imperial guards gagged him and dragged him away from the bustling city.

Such incidents occurred in many places in the prefectural city.

Those arrested were all members of the Song family, and those who made the move were all guards from the Eastern Depot dressed in eagle-patterned uniforms.

The arrest of members of the Song family was undoubtedly a shocking piece of news in Lingnan Prefecture.

Many people were discussing it.

No one expected that in this Lingnan region, someone would dare to touch the Song family.

That's truly astonishing.

It should be noted that the Song family was the uncrowned king of Lingnan and one of the four great clans of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

In this Lingnan region, they are absolutely invincible.

However, the fact that it was the Eastern Depot that made the move made many people who knew about the Eastern Depot feel somewhat relieved.

Perhaps most people in the Great Zhou Dynasty were wary of the Song family's power and dared not touch anyone from the Song family, but this definitely did not include the Eastern Depot.

Because the Eastern Depot is the weapon in the hands of the emperor in the palace, it only respects the imperial power and not anyone else.

(End of this chapter)