You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 226 Your Majesty, please reconsider

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Xiao He and the other ministers discussed the matter for most of the day before leaving the palace.

No one knows the specific content of the discussion between Xiao He and his ministers.

Aside from the individuals involved, perhaps only God knows.

After Xiao He and the others left, Zhou Chen began his daily sign-in.

"Sign in."

Zhou Chen silently recited it in his mind.

【bite…….】

[Check-in successful.]

[Congratulations, host, for gaining the loyalty of the character Pan Feng.]

Pan Feng?

Zhou Chen's face showed a moment of astonishment.

I have General Pan Feng who can slay Hua Xiong.

This was Pan Feng's battle that made him famous at Hulao Pass.

Pan Feng's battle that made him famous was different from the battle of the Three Heroes against Lü Bu.

On the contrary, it was the exact opposite of Lü Bu's rise to fame at Hulao Pass.

Pan Feng not only failed to live up to the title of general, but instead became Hua Xiong's victim.

Zhou Chen never expected that today's sign-in would lead to the signing of Pan Feng, a general whose reputation was undeserved.

A majestic figure appeared before Zhou Chen.

"This humble general, Pan Feng, greets Your Majesty."

As soon as Pan Feng appeared, he knelt down and bowed to Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

Zhou Chen glanced at Pan Feng and said, "No need for formalities!"

When Pan Feng appeared in the sign-in, Zhou Chen was only momentarily taken aback, but quickly regained his composure.

Although Pan Feng was a minor character who didn't survive more than three episodes.

But no matter what, Pan Feng was a figure who left his mark in the Three Kingdoms period.

It should be understood that those who left their mark on the Three Kingdoms period, even if it was just a fleeting moment, were no ordinary people.

At least in Zhou Chen's opinion, Pan Feng's strength was much greater than that of Song Xian and Hou Cheng, who had signed in earlier.

Currently, there are enough senior military commanders in the army, but there is a significant shortage of mid-level and junior officers.

Whether it was the Xiliang Army, the Zhenbei Army, or the Shenwu Guard.

After the previous purges, there are significant gaps in the ranks of junior and mid-level generals.

Pan Feng was recruited through the sign-in process, which is a good opportunity to fill the gaps in the ranks of mid- to low-ranking officers in the army.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Pan Feng stood up.

Zhou Chen didn't hesitate and said directly to Pan Feng, "Pan Feng, you will be temporarily assigned to the Divine Martial Guard. Go to the military camp outside the city and report to General Huo for orders!"

"The general will obey the order."

Pan Feng bowed and accepted the order.

Zhou Chen waved his hand, and an imperial guard led Pan Feng out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and out of the palace.

……

the next day.

The morning court begins.

Civil and military officials entered the Golden Palace in order of their rank.

After Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne, all the civil and military officials knelt down to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" the officials shouted.

Zhou Chen looked down at the civil and military officials and said calmly, "My dear ministers, please rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

All the civil and military officials stood up.

"When there is something going on, we will start, and when there is nothing going on, we will retreat."

Cao Zhengchun's sharp voice rang out as usual.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

A minister stepped forward.

Thus, the morning court session lasted for more than an hour.

As the morning court session drew to a close, Zhou Chen glanced at the civil and military officials below and asked, "Do any of you gentlemen have anything else to report?"

The civil and military officials below exchanged glances, and no one else stepped forward.

"Since none of my ministers have anything to report, I have something to say."

Zhou Chen stood up and walked down the imperial path.

"Since the founding of our Great Zhou Dynasty, we have experienced prosperity and decline, but the threat of foreign tribes has always been a major concern for our Great Zhou Dynasty."

"Whether it is the Western Rong of Xiliang, the Northern Di of the Northern Frontier, or the Southern Man of the Southern Frontier, their harassment of our Great Zhou has never stopped."

"For so many years, our Great Zhou has been plagued by invasions from foreign tribes."

"Previously, the foreign tribes outside the pass launched a joint invasion of our Great Zhou, breaking through the three strategic passes of our Great Zhou one after another, and wanting to go south to hunt in the Central Plains."

"They deserve to die a thousand deaths."

Zhou Chen's deafening voice echoed throughout the Golden Palace.

"How can our great Zhou Dynasty tolerate such rampant foreign tribes?"

"Therefore, I have decided to send troops beyond the pass to hunt in the borderlands, wipe out the foreign tribes in one fell swoop, and establish a peaceful foundation for my Great Zhou."

After returning to the dragon throne, Zhou Chen looked down at the civil and military officials below and spoke loudly.

what?
Send troops beyond the pass?

The expressions of all the civil and military officials changed, and they stared in disbelief at Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

It should be noted that throughout history, emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty had sent troops beyond the Great Wall to exterminate foreign tribes.

But without exception, they all suffered defeats.

The civil and military officials never expected that Emperor Zhou Chen would suddenly send troops beyond the Great Wall to hunt foreign tribes.

This news was like a thunderbolt, shocking the civil and military officials quite a bit.

Only Xiao He and a few other important officials, including the Minister of War, remained unmoved.

Yesterday, Emperor Zhou Chen summoned them to the palace and held a small court assembly.

Today's morning court session was merely Zhou Chen announcing something to the officials.

"Your Majesty, sending troops beyond the Great Wall is absolutely unacceptable!"

"My Great Zhou has sent troops out of the pass more than a dozen times before, but all of them have returned empty-handed. Not only have they wasted manpower and resources, but they have also suffered defeats almost every time."

"Your Majesty, please think again."

An old minister immediately stepped forward and spoke.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"The terrain outside the pass is complex, the environment is harsh, and it is also the land of foreign tribes."

“If our Great Zhou soldiers rashly leave the pass, they will lose both the advantage of timing and the advantage of terrain.”

"I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

One by one, the veteran officials stepped forward to offer their advice.

These veteran officials were all loyal ministers and generals of the Great Zhou Dynasty, as well as conservative and stubborn ministers in the Great Zhou court.

These veteran officials may have disagreements with some of Emperor Zhou Chen's decisions, but their loyalty to the Great Zhou cannot be denied.

Zhou Chen's expression remained unchanged as he watched these veteran officials stand up to oppose him.

This imperial court is not a place where one person has absolute power.

Even Emperor Zhou Chen couldn't make a decision on his own.

There should be debates and opposition; this is what a court should be like.

Zhou Chen was well aware of this.

Zhou Chen looked at Xiao He; "Left Prime Minister, what do you think of sending troops beyond the pass?"

"Your Majesty, our Great Zhou is a great nation that commands respect across the world. The dignity of our Great Zhou cannot be challenged."

“These mere foreign thieves dare to boast that they will hunt down my Central Plains and invade my Great Zhou.”

"If our Great Zhou does not retaliate and remains indifferent, where will the prestige of our Great Zhou be?"

"But sending troops beyond the Great Wall is no small matter either, I believe..."

Xiao He stepped forward, first explaining the reasons for sending troops to counterattack, and then analyzing the details of the campaign.

All the officials in the court couldn't help but nod in agreement, agreeing with what Xiao He said.

As Xiao He spoke, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and the others also stepped forward to agree with Prime Minister Xiao He's intentions.

Now, all the civil and military officials in the court understood.

The Prime Minister and the other ministers probably already knew about this.

Furthermore, they had already discussed and agreed to send troops beyond the Great Wall to hunt foreign tribes.

With the approval of Xiao He, the Left Chancellor, and several ministers, the decision to send troops beyond the Great Wall was essentially finalized. After all, Xiao He and the ministers were all important officials in the court, the leaders of all officials.

Their every word and action could influence the officials and sway the court.

Even if some veteran officials still opposed the matter, they could only reserve their opinions in the face of the prevailing trend and could not change the outcome.

……

Xiliang.

Xijing City.

The General's Mansion in Zhenxi.

Jia Xu looked at the imperial decree that had just arrived in his hand, his expression somewhat inscrutable.

"Mr. Jia, what did His Majesty say in his decree?"

Seeing that Jia Xu's expression was somewhat strange, Zhang Liao, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu looked up at Zhang Liao and said, "General Zhang, I'm afraid I can no longer stay with the Xiliang army."

"His Majesty has issued an edict ordering me to immediately proceed to the northern frontier, join the Northern Army, and serve as a military advisor."

As Jia Xu spoke, he handed the imperial edict to Zhang Liao.

what?
His Majesty has decreed that you, sir, shall go to the northern frontier?

Zhang Liao was taken aback, but immediately accepted the imperial decree handed over by Jia Xu.

After glancing at it, Zhang Liao frowned slightly.

"Why did His Majesty send you to the northern frontier?"

"You should know that there are General Lü and General Gao Shun in the Northern Frontier, while I am the only general in the Western Liang."

"If Mr. Jia leaves Xiliang, I alone will not be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the Xiliang army."

Zhang Liao said with a puzzled look.

The Zhenbei Army consisted of Lü Bu, Gao Shun, and Cao Xing.

It can be said that the imperial court had more generals in the Zhenbei Army than in the Xiliang Army.

The Western Liang army consisted only of Zhang Liao and Jia Xu, as well as Song Xian and Cheng Lian, who had been sent to Western Liang by the imperial court.

If Jia Xu were transferred to the Zhenbei Army, the Xiliang Army would place all its hopes on Zhang Liao.

Zhang Liao really couldn't understand the court's intentions.

Jia Xu smiled and said, "Xiliang is now relatively stable. General Zhang only needs to continue recruiting soldiers and preparing for war."

"Whether I'm here or not won't make a big difference."

"If I'm not mistaken, His Majesty's decree ordering me to go to the northern frontier to assist in military affairs means that troops are about to be dispatched."

"His Majesty may not be entirely at ease with the Northern Frontier, which is why he issued an edict ordering me to go there."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao frowned even more deeply; "Mr. Jia, isn't His Majesty planning to fight on two fronts?"

"Since the Northern Frontier is going to send troops beyond the pass, then our Western Liang must also go west out of Yumen Pass."

"Does Your Majesty trust the Western Liang more than the Northern Frontier?"

Zhang Liao said with a frown.

The northern frontier at least has Lu Bu, a near-celestial being, as well as elite forces like the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry and the Trapped Camp.

He's from Xiliang!

To be honest, Xiliang should be the one that makes people the least at ease.

"General Zhang, His Majesty must have made some arrangements for Xiliang."

"If nothing unexpected happens, General Huo of the Divine Martial Guard should come to Xiliang."

"General Zhang, there is no need to worry about anything else. The most important thing now is to replenish the Xiliang army as soon as possible and prepare for war."

As a cunning strategist, Jia Xu had already discerned the court's plan.

Fighting on two fronts.

Heading west from Yumen Pass, heading north from Yanmen Pass.

The commander-in-chief who led the troops westward out of Yumen Pass should have been General Huo; otherwise, the imperial court would not have issued an edict to transfer him to the northern frontier to assist in military affairs.

"General Zhang, after I leave, be careful of the remnants of the Marquis of Xiliang."

"Although the Marquis of Xiliang's power has been almost completely eliminated, there are still some who have escaped the net."

"Also, General Zhang can now begin sending scouts beyond the Great Wall."

"Although the Eastern Depot has already sent people out of the pass, the army still needs to personally dispatch scouts out of the pass."

"In this way, we can ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Jia Xu began to give Zhang Liao some instructions.

After listening to Jia Xu's instructions, Zhang Liao nodded; "Don't worry, Mr. Jia, I will be careful and will also send scouts out of the pass."

"Well."

"Then I won't delay any longer."

"I'll make preparations and head to northern Xinjiang immediately."

Jia Xu stood up, said nothing more, and went to make preparations.

……

Northern Xinjiang.

Zhenbeicheng.

The General's Residence in Zhenbei.

Lü Bu also received the imperial decree.

A glint of light flashed in Lü Bu's eyes as he looked at the imperial edict in his hand.

Sitting below Lü Bu were Gao Shun, Hao Meng, Cao Xing, and Hou Cheng.

"General, what did the imperial decree say?"

Hao Meng couldn't help but ask.

"Take a look!"

Lü Bu didn't say much, but handed the imperial decree in his hand to Gao Shun and the others.

After reading the imperial decree, Gao Shun and the other three had a glint in their eyes.

Lu Bu glanced at Gao Shun and the other three; "You have all seen the imperial decree."

"I will not say anything more."

How many soldiers does my Zhenbei Army have now?

Lu Bu's gaze settled on Gao Shun.

Gao Shun's injuries have healed, and Lü Bu has never been fond of meddling in military affairs.

Therefore, Gao Shun is now managing all the trivial matters of the Zhenbei Army.

"General, after this period of conscription and replenishment, my Zhenbei Army now has 150,000 soldiers."

"There are 30,000 cavalry."

Gao Shun stood up and reported.

Fifteen thousand?
Upon hearing this, Lü Bu raised an eyebrow.

An army of 150,000 sounds like a lot.

But the Zhenbei Army previously had a force of 300,000.

Now, however, there are only 150,000 troops, and it is only after continuous conscription and replenishment over this period that the number has reached half of the peak strength of the Zhenbei Army.

"General, many cities in the northern frontier have suffered casualties due to the rampage of the Northern Di barbarians."

"We have already done our utmost to recruit and replenish our troops."

"It's simply impossible to replenish the previous 300,000 troops in a short period of time."

Cao Xing stood up and said.

After hearing this, Lü Bu said nothing more, and looked at Gao Shun and the other three, saying, "Summon me, general, to begin full-scale military preparations from now on."

"Once the imperial reinforcements and imperial decree arrive, we will leave the pass and hunt beyond the Great Wall."

As soon as Lü Bu said this...

The four people below, including Gao Shun, were all shocked.

For a general, being able to venture beyond the Great Wall to hunt and eliminate foreign tribes is something every general dreams of.

Gao Shun and Hao Meng were no exception.

"As ordered."

Gao Shun, Cao Xing, and the other three all spoke in unison.

Lu Bu then looked at Hao Meng; "General Hao, you will personally lead scouts out of the pass and investigate the terrain outside the pass and the situation of the northern barbarians as thoroughly as possible."

Despite having information from the Eastern Depot, Lü Bu still needed to personally send someone out of the pass to feel at ease.

"I will obey my orders."

Hao Meng bowed and accepted the order.

"Go!"

"All of you, prepare according to my orders!"

Lu Bu waved his hand.

Then, Gao Shun, Cao Xing, and the other three turned around and left the Zhenbei General's Mansion.

(End of this chapter)