You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 251 'The Country is of Paramount Importance'

Lingnan.

The main hall of the government office.

Seeing that Cao Zhengchun had walked in unharmed, Zhou Zhan, the Prince of Kao Shan, felt his worry lessen slightly.

"Eunuch Cao, what was the result?"

"What about the four patriarchs?"

King Zhou Zhan looked at Cao Zhengchun with some urgency and asked.

I was very nervous.

King Zhou Zhan never expected that the patriarchs of the other three major clans would come to Lingnan together.

This put considerable pressure on Zhou Zhan, the Prince of Kao Shan.

Fortunately, Cao Zhengchun, the supervisor of the Eastern Depot, was there.

Otherwise, facing the patriarchs of the four great clans, King Zhou Zhan would truly be powerless.

Cao Zhengchun sat down with little change in expression; "Your Highness, rest assured! There are no problems as of now."

"The patriarchs of the other three major clans have all left."

"If nothing unexpected happens, they should know what to do next."

Cao Zhengchun said calmly.

There was not a trace of worry or any other expression on his face.

Everything seemed normal.

But King Zhou Zhan knew that the patriarchs of the other three major clans had come to Lingnan not just to talk to him, King Zhou Zhan, at the government office.

After the patriarchs of the four major clans had a conversation with Zhou Zhan, the Prince of Kao Shan, at the government office, they left together with Cao Zhengchun.

Without needing to think too much, King Zhou Zhan knew that the patriarchs of the four major clans must have clashed with Cao Zhengchun.

As for the specific process, King Zhou Zhan of Kaoshan did not know.

However, Cao Zhengchun has returned unharmed, showing no signs of abnormality, so the outcome should be quite good.

"That's good."

"So, the other three major clans have no objections."

Upon hearing this, King Zhou Zhan of Kao Shan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Originally, when he saw the patriarchs of the other three major clans come to Lingnan together, King Zhou Zhan was a little worried.

They worried that with the arrival of the patriarchs of the other three major clans, the Song family would no longer obey orders.

They worried that the four powerful clans would join forces to defy the imperial decree.

If that's the case, then things will get a bit complicated.

But who would have thought that Cao Zhengchun would even win over the patriarchs of the other three major clans?

It seems that Cao Zhengchun is more powerful than he imagined.

Cao Zhengchun remained noncommittal and said nothing more, nor did he elaborate on what had happened when he left with the four great clan patriarchs.

In Cao Zhengchun's view, there was no need to explain these things to Prince Kaoshan Zhou Zhan in detail; it was enough to just tell Prince Kaoshan Zhou Zhan the result.

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

After reviewing the memorials, Zhou Chen stretched.

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Shaoqin, who was standing beside him, and casually asked, "Cao Shaoqin, how is the progress of Prince Zhou Zhan and the others?"

Which of the four major clans did they visit first?

Upon hearing this, Cao Shaoqin immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Kaoshan and his entourage went to the Song family in Lingnan first."

"Eunuch Cao intimidated the Song family, giving them a warning, which is why the Song family's patriarch finally stepped forward to comply with the imperial decree."

"However, the patriarchs of the other three major clans have also gone to Lingnan, seemingly to confront Cao Cao."

Cao Shaoqin recounted the news from Lingnan.

The Eastern Depot of today is vastly different from what it used to be, and cannot be compared to what it was before.

Anything that happens in Lingnan can be reported back to Luoyang immediately.

Upon hearing Cao Shaoqin's words, Zhou Chen's lips curled into a slight smile; "Oh! It seems that Lingnan is quite lively. I didn't expect that the patriarchs of the other three major clans had also gone to Lingnan."

"So what was the result?"

Zhou Chen asked.

"It should be said that Eunuch Cao has a slight advantage."

"The patriarchs of those three powerful clans have already left Lingnan and returned to their respective families."

Cao Shaoqin bowed and said.

"So, there's no problem with the four major clans."

Zhou Chen smiled slightly, in a very good mood.

Having dealt with the four major clans and made this start, things will be much easier from here on out.

What are the various local powerful families up to?

Zhou Chen asked again.

From the moment Zhou Chen issued the decree to abolish the tax exemption privileges of aristocratic families and to reclaim their private armies, he ordered the Eastern Depot to monitor the aristocratic families in various regions with all its might.

Let's see what the powerful and wealthy families in different places are doing.

Cao Shaoqin bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, after hearing that the court intends to abolish their tax exemption privileges and take back their private armies, the powerful families and clans in various regions are urgently discussing countermeasures."

“In some places, powerful and influential families were secretly plotting and colluding, and some local officials were doing the same.”

Cao Shaoqin gave a general overview of the news he had received from various prominent families and powerful clans in different regions.

Secret meetings and collusion?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen sneered; "Keep a close eye on all the powerful and influential families in various regions. If any of them dare to overstep their bounds, arrest them immediately."

Zhou Chen said with a cold laugh.

When the imperial edict was issued to abolish the tax exemption privileges of aristocratic families and to recall their private armies, Zhou Chen was already mentally prepared for this.

He was not afraid of local powerful families joining forces to rebel against the imperial decree.

If anyone dares to stand up and rebel against the imperial court, he will directly send troops to wipe them out.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Shaoqin bowed and said.

Just then, a palace eunuch came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Minister Xun is requesting an audience outside the palace."

"Summon Minister Xun to come in."

Zhou Chen spoke to the eunuchs and guards.

The eunuchs and guards bowed and withdrew.

moment.

Xun Yu then entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your subject Xun Yu greets Your Majesty." Xun Yu entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation and bowed to Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

Zhou Chen looked at Xun Yu and asked, "What brings you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, my dear minister?"

"What is the progress of the investigation into the illegal seizure of land?"

Zhou Chen knew that Xun Yu had been investigating the cases of powerful families in Luoyang and Sili County who had seized land from ordinary people through trickery and coercion.

"Your Majesty, I have come here to report on this matter."

"I have completed the investigation of the lands within the jurisdiction of Luoyang that were seized and annexed by the people through trickery and force."

"More than 10% of these transactions are normal transactions by ordinary people, while more than 30% are malicious mergers and forced seizures by powerful families."

"Furthermore, of these more than 30% of the land acquired through malicious mergers, 20% are the most serious offenses, many of which involve murder cases."

"This is the result of my investigation. Please take a look, Your Majesty."

Xun Yu took out a thick memorial from his sleeve and said loudly.

The reason Xun Yu was able to quickly investigate the land grabbing and plundering by powerful families in Luoyang and Sili was not only due to the cooperation of the Eastern Depot, but also because he already had a clear understanding of the situation when he measured and counted the land in Luoyang and Sili beforehand.

That's why Xun Yu's investigation went so smoothly and quickly.

Cao Shaoqin, who was standing nearby, stepped forward, took the memorial from Xun Yu, and presented it to Zhou Chen.

Without saying a word, Zhou Chen opened it and started reading.

Looking at the contents of the memorial, Zhou Chen frowned and his face darkened.

Zhou Chen never imagined that these powerful and wealthy families would do so many heinous things in order to seize and annex more land.

They have absolutely no bottom line and are guilty of countless crimes.

Xun Yu, who was standing below, felt the temperature around him drop a few degrees. He couldn't help but steal a glance at Zhou Chen's expression on the dragon throne.

Seeing Zhou Chen's face gradually darken, Xun Yu understood.

Zhou Chen's performance was exactly as Xun Yu had predicted.

To be honest, Xun Yu was furious when he discovered that some powerful families had killed so many people in their quest to acquire more land.

After Zhou Chen finished reading the contents of the memorial, his face turned ashen.

Zhou Chen looked up at Xun Yu; "How were these powerful families who were found to have maliciously seized land from ordinary people dealt with?"

Xun Yu immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, those with minor offenses shall not only have to pay back the taxes owed for the land that was seized, but also compensate the people whose land was seized." "Those with serious offenses shall be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for judgment according to law."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen said coldly, "Tell the Ministry of Justice to severely punish any cases involving human lives."

The heavens of this Great Zhou Dynasty do not belong to the powerful and wealthy families.

Zhou Chen wanted to tell everyone in the world that even though the sky of the Great Zhou Dynasty was murky, there was still a patch of clear sky.

As the saying goes, good and evil are rewarded accordingly, and there is always reincarnation.

It’s not that I don’t want to report it, it’s that the time has not come yet.

The time has come; those who are gravely guilty and have taken lives should be punished.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xun Yu bowed and said.

Zhou Chen closed the memorial and looked at Xun Yu, saying, "Now that the investigation within the jurisdiction of Luoyang is complete, let's investigate the other regions!"

"The minister obeys the order."

Xun Yu bowed again to accept the order.

As soon as Xun Yu finished speaking, a series of loud bell tolls rang out, echoing into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Both Cao Shaoqin and Xun Yu's expressions changed.

Even Zhou Chen's expression darkened.

"what happened?"

"Cao Shaoqin, go and see who tolled the death knell."

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Shaoqin and said in a gloomy tone.

Originally, Zhou Chen was in a bad mood because of the contents of the memorial Xun Yu had submitted.

Now, the sound of death knells rang out again, causing Zhou Chen's face to darken completely.

That's right, this bell isn't your average bell.

It is a death knell.

This death knell only tolls when a member of the royal family, someone of high status and position, dies.

Just as when an emperor dies, his death knell is tolled, and it tolls nine times in a row.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."

After Cao Shaoqin left, Xun Yu bowed and said.

The tolling of the death knell clearly indicates the death of an important member of the royal family.

Xun Yu had basically finished reporting what needed to be reported.

Therefore, Xun Yu wisely offered to take his leave.

"Go!"

Zhou Chen waved his hand.

Zhou Chen originally had some questions for Xun Yu, but now that the death knell had sounded, Zhou Chen was no longer in the mood for them.

Zhou Chen didn't believe that anyone would dare to ring the death knell so easily.

……

It didn't take a while.

Cao Shaoqin returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Accompanying Cao Shaoqin into the Hall of Mental Cultivation was Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince.

At this moment, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian looked sad and dejected.

"I have met His Majesty."

After entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian bowed to Zhou Chen.

Despite his sorrowful expression, King Zhou Xian of the Eighth Prince did not forget the proper etiquette between ruler and subject.

Zhou Chen looked at the grieving Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, and his eyes flickered inexplicably.

"Zhou Rushan is dead?" Zhou Chen asked, looking at the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian.

In an instant, Zhou Chen had already guessed what was going on.

There are only a handful of important figures in the royal family.

The only one who could cause such grief to the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, and to make the death knell to toll, without a doubt, was the royal patriarch Zhou Rushan, who had always been in charge of the Imperial Clan Court.

Furthermore, Zhou Rushan didn't have many days left to live anyway.

Adding to the recent major battles, Zhou Rushan's time to die is just around the corner.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, nodded; "Your Majesty, Ancestor Rushan has departed."

"Ancestor Rushan has always been stationed in the capital, supporting the Great Zhou and the royal family."

"But now that Ancestor Rushan is gone, the only ancestor of our Great Zhou royal family is gone."

"The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, said sadly."

For the royal family, Zhou Rushan was not just an ancestor, but also a pillar that had always stood firm, holding extraordinary significance for the royal family.

Now that Zhou Rushan is dead, the blow to the Great Zhou royal family is immense.

Upon hearing the words of the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, Zhou Chen fell silent.

At first, Zhou Chen didn't like Zhou Rushan very much.

Zhou Chen believed that the reason why the imperial power of the Great Zhou Dynasty had fallen into the wrong hands and powerful ministers had run rampant was because Zhou Rushan, the ancestor of the royal family, did not protect the imperial lineage.

If Zhou Rushan had protected their imperial lineage, the situation inside and outside the court wouldn't have deteriorated to such a state.

However, through his experiences over this period, Zhou Chen realized that it wasn't that Zhou Rushan didn't protect the imperial lineage, change the political landscape, and consolidate power.

However, Zhou Rushan was powerless to help.

The Great Zhou Dynasty had too many flaws, and they were too deep-seated.

It can be said that the Great Zhou Dynasty was already terminally ill.

Even Zhou Rushan, the royal ancestor who was half a step into the Celestial Realm, could only barely keep the Great Zhou from collapsing for the time being, but he was powerless to change it.

Even with the help of so many outstanding people, Zhou Chen was only able to turn the situation around.

Zhou Chen then understood the predicament of Zhou Rushan, the royal ancestor.

It's already quite an achievement that he's managed to keep the Great Zhou Dynasty going until now, so what else is there to say?

"Did he leave any message?"

After a moment of silence, Zhou Chen looked at the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, and asked.

After composing himself, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian said, "Before his death, Ancestor Rushan only said four words: 'The country is of utmost importance.'"

"The nation's stability is of paramount importance!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen murmured something to himself, his expression somewhat enigmatic.

Zhou Chen knew that the four words left by Zhou Rushan were not for anyone else, but probably for him, the emperor of the Great Zhou.

"The country is of utmost importance."

"Zhou Rushan has lived up to the name of the royal ancestor."

Zhou Chen sighed silently to himself.

It was a bit dull.

These four words may be short, but they carry great weight.

Zhou Chen never expected that Zhou Rushan would leave him with these four words before his death.

Zhou Rushan played a crucial role in both the continuation of the Zhou Dynasty and the preservation of the imperial family.

Zhou Chen was very clear about this.
It's hard to say whether the Great Zhou Dynasty could have survived to this day without Zhou Rushan.

Thinking of this, Zhou Chen looked at the sorrowful Eighth Prince Zhou Xian and said, "Issue the decree that Zhou Rushan be buried in the imperial mausoleum with great honors."

"All members of the royal family wore mourning clothes for Zhou Rushan for three days."

Zhou Chen issued the decree.

As the patriarch of the royal family and the one who has always supported the royal family and the Great Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Rushan deserves to wear mourning clothes as all members of the royal family.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

King Zhou Xian bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"Go!"

“Properly arrange the funeral for Ancestor Rushan.”

Zhou Chen waved his hand.

This was the first time Zhou Chen hadn't addressed Zhou Rushan directly, but instead called him 'Ancestor Rushan'.

Clearly, Zhou Chen had already accepted Zhou Rushan in his heart.

"My minister retire."

The Eighth Prince Zhou Xian also noticed the change in how Zhou Chen addressed Zhou Rushan, and felt both saddened and somewhat relieved.

It is a relief that Patriarch Rushan was addressed as "Patriarch Rushan" by His Majesty after his death.

After thinking to himself, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian took his leave and departed from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

(End of this chapter)