You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 235 The Great Victory of the Northern Barbarians
The troops marched beyond the pass to hunt foreign tribes.

This is the greatest feat that the Great Zhou Dynasty has accomplished in recent years.

From landlords and powerful families to noble ministers and high-ranking officials, many people were constantly paying attention to the war outside the Great Wall.

It wasn't because these people cared about national affairs, but because they understood that this expedition to the border would affect the entire Great Zhou Dynasty's situation for the next few years, or even decades.

If the Great Zhou wins and truly destroys the Western Rong and Northern Di, then the Great Zhou's resurgence will be unstoppable.

But if the Great Zhou is defeated, then all the efforts the emperor has made will be in vain.

This is not simply a matter of the overall situation affecting the entire Zhou Dynasty.

Similarly, it indirectly influenced the attitudes of landlords, powerful families, nobles, and ministers towards the court's strategies.

On this day, a messenger galloped into Luoyang from the north.

"Urgent dispatch."

"General Lü decisively defeated the Northern Di and killed their king at Luofengpo. The Northern Di achieved a great victory."

The messenger galloped along, whipping his horse and shouting.

what?
General Lü decisively defeated the Northern Di and killed their king.

With the messenger's shouts, many people heard this exciting news.

"So, our Great Zhou has won?"

"General Lü is truly a divine being. First, he quelled the rebellion in the four northern states, and now he has defeated the Northern Di and killed their king. With General Lü here, our Great Zhou will no longer fear any foreign calamities."

"Yes! Following the Grand Tutor, General Lü is the pillar of our Great Zhou. I wonder how the war is going with the Western Rong."

"If General Huo could also defeat the Western Rong like General Lü and kill their king, then our Great Zhou's Western Liang and Northern Frontier would never have to suffer from foreign tribes again."

Upon hearing the news of the great victory against the Northern Barbarians, many people were excitedly discussing it.

……

royal palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Cao Zhengchun carried the urgent report on the great victory delivered to the palace by a messenger and entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your Majesty, General Lü's report on his great victory has been sent back."

"Your Majesty, please review this."

Cao Zhengchun presented the report of the great victory to Zhou Chen.

With an unchanged expression, Zhou Chen took the memorial of Lu Bu reporting the great victory from Cao Zhengchun's hand.

I opened it and started reading.

Previously, the Eastern Depot had already sent back news of Lü Bu's great victory.

Therefore, Zhou Chen's expression didn't change much when the messenger brought back the report of Lü Bu's great victory over 800 li.

After reading the contents of the memorial, Zhou Chen pondered for a moment, glanced at Cao Zhengchun, and said, "Cao Zhengchun, immediately summon all civil and military officials to the Golden Palace for a meeting."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and left.

……

Jinluan Palace.

The civil and military officials who had been summoned entered the Golden Palace in order of their rank.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

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

Zhou Chen leaned back on the dragon throne, looking down at the civil and military officials below, and said in a calm voice, "You may all rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

All the civil and military officials stood up.

Zhou Chen glanced at the civil and military officials and said directly, "I'm sure you all already know about the great victory that just happened, delivered by urgent messenger!"

"General Lü defeated the Northern Di army and killed the Northern Di king in the Battle of Luofengpo."

"Let Cao Zhengchun read the details to you all!"

After speaking, Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Zhengchun, who was standing beside him.

Cao Zhengchun immediately stepped forward, opened the memorial reporting the great victory in his hand, and began to read it aloud.

After Cao Zhengchun finished reading the report of the great victory sent back by Lü Bu, all the civil and military officials were excited.

"Excellent! General Lü has so quickly defeated the Northern Di and killed their king. This is truly gratifying!"

"Yes! Our Great Zhou has sent troops out of the pass many times, but all of them have returned empty-handed. This time, we have finally destroyed the Northern Di."

Some ministers said excitedly.

Some loyal veterans, in particular, wept with joy.

The Great Zhou Dynasty had been declining for a long time, and it had launched several military campaigns beyond the Great Wall, intending to annihilate the foreign tribes there.

Unfortunately, each attempt ended in failure, with more defeats than victories.

This time, the Great Zhou army finally achieved its goal of annihilating the Northern Di by sending troops outside the pass.

How could these loyal veterans not be happy!
Looking at the excited civil and military officials below, Zhou Chen's face softened slightly. "My dear ministers, you have all heard the contents of General Lü's memorial."

"Our Great Zhou has wiped out the Northern Di, but what should be done with the Northern Di prisoners?"

"After the great battle, what should be done with the lands outside the Great Wall?"

"What suggestions do you, my esteemed ministers, have for these matters?"

Zhou Chen surveyed the civil and military officials below.

The report of the great victory sent back by Lü Bu included not only the news of the victory, but also requests for instructions on the arrangements for the lands beyond the pass and the treatment of the Northern Barbarian prisoners.

Although Lü Bu defeated the Northern Di army and conquered the Northern Di, he also captured many Northern Di tribesmen.

We can't just slaughter all these captured Northern Di tribesmen indiscriminately!

Therefore, the imperial court needs to discuss how to deal with these Northern Barbarian prisoners.

"Your Majesty, the Northern Barbarians are like jackals and tigers. Over the years, countless people of our Great Zhou have died at the hands of the Northern Barbarians."

"This old minister suggests that all these northern barbarian prisoners be buried alive."

An old general stepped forward and spoke in a resounding voice.

Those who have never experienced the brutality of the foreign tribes beyond the Great Wall will not know how hateful they are.

This veteran general once led troops beyond the Great Wall, experienced the war against the Northern Barbarian tribes, and witnessed their brutality.

All prisoners who fell into the hands of the Northern Di barbarians were mercilessly slaughtered.

Therefore, this veteran general has now stepped forward and suggested massacring these prisoners of the Northern Di tribe.

Use their own methods against them.

"inappropriate."

No sooner had the old general finished speaking than a minister stood up and objected, saying, "Our Great Zhou is a land of propriety and a superior nation. How can we commit the act of massacring prisoners of war?"

"Besides, massacring prisoners is against the natural order."

"I believe that these Northern Barbarian captives can be used as prisoners and slaves to build roads and canals for our Great Zhou."

"This will not only exempt my Great Zhou from corvée labor, but also save my Great Zhou a lot of expenses."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen nodded. "I have received news from the Eastern Depot that Huo Qubing, with three thousand White Horse Cavalry, launched a lightning-fast attack on the Western Rong capital, killing the Western Rong king. The Western Rong army has also been defeated."

"It won't be long before news of victory from the Western Rong arrives."

"Therefore, burying all the prisoners alive is not feasible."

“The Northern Di had prisoners, and the Western Rong also had prisoners.”

"Next, there will also be prisoners from the Southern Barbarians and the Eastern Barbarians."

"Our Great Zhou Dynasty can't just bury all these prisoners alive!"

Zhou Chen said.

what?
General Huo launched a surprise attack on the Western Rong capital, killing the Western Rong king and causing the Western Rong army to collapse.
Upon hearing Zhou Chen's words, the expressions of the civil and military officials below became excited once again.

They did not expect that Huo Qubing had already killed the Western Rong king and defeated the Western Rong army.

So, it seems that the Great Zhou's expedition to the border region, fighting on two fronts, resulted in great victories on both fronts.

Not only have they conquered the Northern Di, but the Western Rong are also practically a foregone conclusion.

"His Majesty."

“Killing prisoners is inauspicious and also goes against the natural order.” “But the scourge of foreign tribes has been a long-standing problem for the Great Zhou. Whether it is the people on the border or the soldiers on the border, they all have great hatred for foreign tribes.”

"If we don't kill the foreigners, it might cause resentment and dissatisfaction among the border people and soldiers towards the court."

"I suggest that we select a group of foreign tribes who have committed grave crimes against our Great Zhou from among the prisoners and have them buried alive."

"This will both deter and establish authority over other foreign prisoners, and also alleviate the hatred of the border people and soldiers towards foreign tribes."

"As for the lands outside the pass, prefectures and cities can be established there."

Fang Xuanling stepped forward and spoke.

"Your Majesty, I agree with Minister Fang's opinion."

"This alien race has been a scourge to our Great Zhou for a long time, and we cannot let them go easily."

"We can kill some and spare others."

Some ministers agreed with Fang Xuanling's suggestion.

Zhou Chen nodded upon hearing this; "Let's handle the matter of the foreign prisoners like this for now. As for establishing a prefecture and building a city outside the pass..."

At this point, Zhou Chen looked at Xiao He; "Prime Minister, Minister Fang has suggested establishing a prefecture and city outside the pass. What do you think?"

Establishing a prefecture and building a city is no small matter.

The cost can be quite high.

Xiao He pondered for a moment, then stepped forward. "Your Majesty, the land beyond the Great Wall is the best place for grazing horses and raising livestock, which is of great benefit to our Great Zhou."

"However, it would be quite costly to establish a government and build a city on such a large scale."

"Aren't there several existing cities outside the pass?"

"We can establish a government here first, and the construction of the city can be discussed later."

Xiao He cupped his hands and said.

Hearing Xiao He's words, Zhou Chen nodded again; "Alright, then let's arrange things like this for now."

"Left Prime Minister, you and the Six Ministries must come up with a concrete plan as soon as possible to deal with the aftermath of the war outside the Great Wall."

Zhou Chen glanced at Xiao He and the six ministers and said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiao He and the six ministers bowed and said.

……

After leaving court.

Zhou Chen returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After sitting on the dragon throne, Zhou Chen's expression was thoughtful.

The Northern Barbarians were defeated, and news of Huo Qubing's great victory had also arrived from the Eastern Depot in the Western Barbarians.

It can be said that the goal of sending troops through two passes to eliminate the Northern Di and Western Rong has been achieved.

Next up are the Southern Barbarians and the Eastern Barbarians.

Zhou Chen pondered for a moment, then his mind became focused on the sign-in system.

Today's check-in has begun.

"Sign in."

Zhou Chen silently recited it in his mind.

【Ding……】

[Sign-in successful. Congratulations, host, for gaining the loyalty of one hundred Flying Bear Army soldiers.]

The "Flying Bear Army" was an elite cavalry force under Dong Zhuo during the Three Kingdoms period.

This was also a major asset that enabled Dong Zhuo to control Luoyang and gain power in the early stages.

These past few days, Zhou Chen has been checking in with Flying Bear Army every day.

However, the number of Flying Bear Army members who sign in each time is not large, ranging from as few as ten to as many as fifty.

One hundred people checked in today, which is the largest number ever.

After the Flying Bear Army appeared, Zhou Chen ordered his men to take them to the military camp outside the city.

Once all three thousand Flying Bear soldiers have signed in, Zhou Chen will have another special type of soldier under his command.

……

Beidi Royal City.

In the palace.

Lü Bu sat in the main seat.

Sitting below were several generals, including Jia Xu, Gao Shun, and Pan Feng.

Since the Battle of Luofengpo, when Lü Bu led his army to defeat the Northern Di army and killed the Northern Di king, Lü Bu divided his forces into four routes to begin sweeping through the entire Northern Di territory.

Without the Northern Di King, the Northern Di army suffered another crushing defeat.

In just over ten days, the entire Northern Di were swept away by Lü Bu's four armies like autumn leaves being swept away by the wind.

All those who dared to resist were slaughtered without exception.

Even the capital of the Northern Barbarians was no exception, as it was directly breached by Lü Bu.

It can be said that the entire Northern Di tribe has now been basically taken over by Lü Bu, and all the Northern Di tribes that are still alive have become Lü Bu's prisoners.

Lu Bu glanced at Jia Xu, Gao Shun, and the other generals and said, "Now that the Northern Di have been defeated by us, there are only a few escapees who have escaped, but they are no longer a threat."

"Cao Xing, Hao Meng, you two are responsible for pursuing and capturing those fleeing Northern Di barbarians."

Lu Bu looked at Cao Xing and Hao Meng and said.

"Yes, General."

Despite both Cao Xing and Hao Meng being seriously injured, they still stood up, bowed, and accepted the order.

Lu Bu then looked at Pan Feng; “General Pan, the situation on the Northern Di side is settled, and the Northern Di have been destroyed. The Western Liang army is sufficient to guard the prisoners.”

"As His Majesty previously instructed, you should immediately return to Luoyang with the Divine Martial Guard!"

Lu Bu said to Pan Feng.

"Follow the order."

Pan Feng also stood up to accept the order.

Now that the Northern Barbarians have been defeated, the mission of the Divine Martial Guard has indeed been completed, and we must return to Luoyang immediately.

Lu Bu's gaze left Pan Feng and landed on Jia Xu; "Jia, His Majesty has sent word that some prisoners should be selected, some should be killed, and some should be spared."

"Furthermore, the establishment of a government in the Northern Di capital will require your assistance."

Jia Xu was a strategist, so it was most appropriate to entrust him with the task of selecting prisoners and preparing for the establishment of a government.

"General Lü, did His Majesty say how the prisoners are selected?" Jia Xu asked.

Lu Bu shook his head; "His Majesty only said to first identify those who have committed grave sins against our Great Zhou. The specific details will need to be discussed by the court before a decision can be made."

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu nodded in understanding.

Then, Lü Bu scanned the crowd and said, "The Southern Barbarians are attacking the South Gate Pass. According to the court's previous plan, after destroying the Northern Barbarians, I will immediately lead the Wolf Cavalry to launch a direct attack on the Southern Barbarians' rear from beyond the Great Wall."

"Next, Ben will leave."

"After I leave, Gao Shun will temporarily take command of the Xiliang army. You must assist General Gao in keeping a close eye on those Northern Di prisoners."

"Kill anyone who dares to make any unusual moves."

"We must not allow those Northern Barbarian prisoners to cause any trouble."

Lu Bu said solemnly.

Lü Bu knew that the Northern Barbarians had captured quite a few prisoners.

Once Pan Feng leaves with the Divine Martial Guards and Lü Bu also leaves, it will be very difficult for the Western Liang army to suppress any uprising by the Northern Di prisoners.

Therefore, Lü Bu had to carefully remind everyone.

"Yes, General."

Gao Shun and Cao Xing both bowed and accepted the order.

"Very well, all of you, go and do as I have instructed!"

Lu Bu said nothing more, waved his hand, and let Gao Shun and the others leave.

Then, after exchanging a few words with Jia Xu, Lü Bu led his wolf cavalry away from the Northern Di capital.

(End of this chapter)