You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 253 How does it feel to have an army and be powerful?
The Ministry of War's Office.

The Marquis of Donghuang arrived suddenly, and he left suddenly as well.

It can be said that the Marquis of Donghuang left the Ministry of War's residence in a hurry before he even had a chance to sit down properly.

Watching the departing figure of the Marquis of Donghuang, Minister of War Li Yuan shook his head helplessly.

How could Li Yuan not understand the purpose behind the Eastern Wilderness Marquis's words?

Unfortunately, the Marquis of Donghuang still doesn't understand that the court is no longer the same as before.

The old method is no longer useful.

Gaining His Majesty's trust is the only way out.

If Your Majesty truly intends to deal with the Marquis of Donghuang, even if all the civil and military officials plead for him, it will be of no use.

Perhaps, this will backfire.

It is far more useful to show His Majesty your loyalty to the Great Zhou than to visit these courtiers.

Hopefully, the Marquis of Donghuang can understand this principle!

Li Yuan thought to himself.

……

royal palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen already knew about the Eastern Wilderness Marquis the moment he entered Luoyang.

As the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and with Luoyang being the central capital of the Great Zhou, what kind of news could possibly escape Zhou Chen's notice?

What Zhou Chen didn't expect was that after returning to Luoyang, the Marquis of Donghuang didn't immediately go to the palace to meet the emperor, but instead went to visit the Minister of War first.

Zhou Chen could naturally guess some of the Eastern Wilderness Marquis's intentions.

However, Zhou Chen only sneered inwardly when he found out, and didn't care.

Just after Zhou Chen finished his meal, a palace eunuch came in and reported: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Donghuang has returned to Luoyang and is currently requesting an audience outside the palace."

"Oh!"

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhou Chen's face.

Didn't the Marquis of Donghuang go to the Ministry of War's residence?
So you've come to the palace again?
"Marquis Xuan Donghuang, come in."

The fact that the Marquis of Donghuang entered the palace so quickly is probably because he was reminded by the Minister of War!
Zhou Chen thought to himself and then spoke to the eunuchs and guards.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The eunuchs and guards bowed and withdrew.

moment.

Marquis Donghuang entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, looking travel-worn, with a hint of worry and tension still visible on his face.

"Your subject Song Li greets Your Majesty."

After entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Marquis Donghuang immediately knelt down and bowed to Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

"I returned to Luoyang and did not immediately go to the palace to meet Your Majesty. Please forgive me."

Marquis Donghuang bowed his head to the ground and pleaded guilty.

After being reminded by the Minister of War, Marquis Donghuang realized his mistake and that he had been foolish.

Therefore, Marquis Donghuang had no choice but to apologize first.

Marquis Donghuang knew that this was Luoyang, the central capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and nothing could be hidden from the emperor on the dragon throne.

To pretend that one has never been to the Minister of War's residence and try to deceive the person on the dragon throne is tantamount to cutting off one's own path to survival.

It would be better to apologize first; that way, one can retreat in order to advance.

It must be said that none of those who hold high positions and command large armies on the frontier are simple individuals.

The Marquis of Donghuang was no exception.

This act of proactively apologizing, a strategic retreat, was used perfectly.

After all, one shouldn't hit a smiling face; wouldn't it be better to apologize first?

Even if Emperor Zhou Chen harbored some dissatisfaction, he would likely not pursue the matter further, considering that the Marquis of Donghuang had taken the initiative to plead guilty.

If Zhou Chen were to delve any deeper, it would make him appear as a narrow-minded emperor.

However, Emperor Zhou Chen was different from other emperors.

"Lord of the Eastern Wilderness, how long has it been since you returned to court to report on matters?"

Zhou Chen glanced at the Eastern Wilderness Marquis kneeling on the ground and asked indifferently, without making the Eastern Wilderness Marquis stand up.

Upon hearing this, Marquis Donghuang's heart skipped a beat; "Your Majesty, I...I have not returned to court to report on matters for several years."

The Marquis of Donghuang's hesitant voice faded considerably by the end.

Obviously.

Marquis Donghuang had already understood the purpose of Zhou Chen's question.

This was Zhou Chen's dissatisfaction with his Eastern Wilderness Marquis for not returning to court to report on matters for the past few years.

For a moment, the Marquis of Donghuang felt a little flustered.

"If I remember correctly, I only met you, Marquis of Donghuang, twice when I was a prince."

“Since I ascended the throne, you, Marquis of Donghuang, have not returned to court to report on matters even once.”

“Even when I ascended the throne, you, Marquis of Donghuang, did not return to court; you only sent a general back.”

"What, if I don't issue an edict summoning you back to court to report on matters, do you, Marquis of Donghuang, intend to stay in Donghuang for the rest of your life and never return to court?"

Zhou Chen calmly looked at the Eastern Wilderness Marquis kneeling on the ground.

Although Zhou Chen's gaze was calm, Donghuang Hou felt as if he were being stared at by two sharp swords, making every hair on his body stand on end.

"I am guilty."

Marquis Donghuang hurriedly apologized, his heart sinking.

Zhou Chen ignored the Eastern Wilderness Marquis's apology and continued, "Commanding hundreds of thousands of Eastern Wilderness troops, far from the court, if it were me, I wouldn't want to return to the court either."

"You are free in the Eastern Wilderness, and no one can suppress you, Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness."

"How does it feel to have an army and be self-important, Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness?"

Zhou Chen's words seemed to come out unintentionally, and his voice remained calm.

However, upon hearing these words, the Marquis of Donghuang's face turned deathly pale.

Having an army and wielding considerable power has always been a major taboo for emperors.

But now, the emperor has uttered such a taboo, and placed it on the Marquis of Donghuang.

How could the Marquis of Donghuang not be alarmed?
It's important to understand that what any emperor finds most intolerable is having his generals wield excessive power and become too influential...

"Your Majesty, I am guilty."

Marquis Donghuang slammed his head to the ground, his voice trembling slightly.

In the eyes of the Marquis of Donghuang, if the emperor determined that he was using his military power to gain influence, then there was only one outcome for him.

That is 'death'!
No matter how noble he was, the Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness, with his high position and great power.

Let him guard the border for the Great Zhou.

With just a single word from the emperor, he could wipe out everything and bring about utter ruin for the emperor...

But aside from apologizing, the Marquis of Donghuang didn't know how to defend himself.

Putting everything else aside, just considering this matter of reporting to the court, Marquis Donghuang cannot escape the suspicion of harboring too much power and relying on his military strength.

As a marquis guarding the border and commanding an army of hundreds of thousands, he has not returned to court to report on matters for several years.

Even after the new emperor ascended the throne, the Marquis of Donghuang did not return, which is indeed something no emperor could tolerate or accept.

What other explanation could there be besides this being a powerful military force?
Marquis Donghuang bowed his head to the ground, his heart filled with fear.

In the Eastern Wilderness, the Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness was a powerful and influential feudal official whose word carried immense weight.

Yet in this Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Marquis of Donghuang was as insignificant as an ant.

Marquis Donghuang was well aware that the current imperial court was no longer what it used to be and could not be compared with the past.

If the emperor wanted to deal with him, the Marquis of Donghuang, it would be easier than stepping on an ant.

Zhou Chen rested his right hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, looked at the trembling Marquis of Donghuang who was bowing his head on the ground, and slowly said, "Marquis of Donghuang has been stationed in Donghuang for many years, guarding this region for our Great Zhou, protecting the borders and ensuring the safety of the people. What crime has he committed?"

As soon as Zhou Chen finished speaking, the Marquis of Donghuang seemed to have grasped a lifeline and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I dare not take credit. As the Marquis of Donghuang of the Great Zhou, it is my duty to guard Donghuang and protect the people."

Even as he finished speaking, the Marquis of Donghuang still dared not raise his head, bowing to the ground and gritting his teeth as he said, "But I have not returned to court to report on matters for several years. I am guilty and hope Your Majesty will punish me."

"Punishment?"

"If I were to punish a meritorious official, wouldn't that discourage the soldiers on the border and the soldiers of the Great Zhou?"

"Guards, the Marquis of Donghuang has guarded the borders of our Great Zhou, protecting the people and ensuring their safety. He has rendered great service and deserves a cup of wine." As soon as Zhou Chen said this, the eunuchs immediately brought over a pot of wine, poured a cup, and placed it in front of the Marquis of Donghuang.

Marquis Donghuang looked at the full wine cup in front of him, his face ashen.

This wine may be from the palace.

But it could also be a cup of poison.

The Eastern Wilderness Marquis's face was completely bloodless.

Although the emperor said that Marquis Donghuang had made great contributions in guarding the border for the Great Zhou Dynasty, he wanted to bestow upon him a cup of wine.

But no matter how the Marquis of Donghuang listened, he felt that the emperor was speaking ironically.

This cup of wine is very likely a poisoned wine bestowed by the emperor.

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne, observing the reaction of the Marquis of Donghuang, and said calmly, "Marquis of Donghuang, this is fine wine that I have specially prepared for you. I cannot bear to part with it for anyone else."

"I thank Your Majesty for your grace."

A bitter feeling welled up in the heart of the Marquis of Donghuang.

He knew that this return to the capital was fraught with uncertainty, with both good and bad fortune uncertain.

But the Marquis of Donghuang still held high hopes.

Because he, the Marquis of Donghuang, had just led a large army to exterminate the Dongyi barbarians, at this critical juncture, the emperor was unlikely to target him, the Marquis of Donghuang.

But now it seems that he, the Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness, had been too idealistic.

Marquis Donghuang took a deep breath, raised his wine cup, and drank it all in one gulp without hesitation.

Regardless of whether the wine was poisoned or not, the Marquis of Donghuang had no choice.

If he dared not drink this cup of wine, he probably wouldn't even be able to leave behind a complete corpse.

As the wine entered his throat, Donghuang Hou could not taste it at all; his mind went completely blank.

Marquis Donghuang is waiting.

Waiting for the moment the poison takes effect.

Waiting for the moment when the abdominal cramps begin.

However, after drinking the wine, the Marquis of Donghuang did not feel any abdominal cramps.

This made Marquis Donghuang wonder if the poison was slow-acting.

After a while.

It was only then that Marquis Donghuang realized what was happening.

He's not dead.

This is not poisoned wine.

The poisoned wine bestowed by the emperor could not have been slow-acting.

If the emperor had bestowed poisoned wine upon him, he would have died instantly the moment he drank it.

Just as the Marquis of Donghuang had figured this out, Zhou Chen's calm voice rang in his ears: "This is my reward for your leadership in annihilating the Dongyi."

"You, Marquis of Donghuang, led your army to wipe out the Eastern Yi for the Great Zhou, and you deserve credit for that."

"But you, Marquis of Donghuang, are a marquis and hold great power over the Donghuang army. You can be said to have a high position and great power."

"Whether it's power, official rank, or gold and silver, you, Marquis of Donghuang, should have no shortage of anything."

"Therefore, after much consideration, I think it is appropriate to reward you with a cup of imperial wine."

"Lord of the Eastern Wilderness, you don't think I'm stingy, do you?"

Zhou Chen looked at the Marquis of Donghuang and said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Donghuang almost wept with joy.

Originally, the Marquis of Donghuang was prepared to die, but unexpectedly, things took an unexpected turn for the better.

This gave the Marquis of Donghuang a feeling of surviving a catastrophe.

Marquis Donghuang immediately bowed his head and said, "Your subject dares not."

"Your Majesty, I am very grateful for your reward."

Marquis of Donghuang is not stupid.

Although the emperor's words sounded nice, the Marquis of Donghuang knew that he had truly walked through the gates of hell.

This was a warning from the emperor to him.

It was also a warning from the emperor to him, the Marquis of Donghuang.

The emperor wanted to tell this Marquis of Donghuang that everything he had was given to him by the emperor, and that the emperor could give him everything, but could also take everything back.

Even your life.

"Lord of the Eastern Wilderness, I hope you will remember this cup of wine I have bestowed upon you, and do not disappoint me."

"In the future, if you disappoint me, I will not give you a cup of wine like this."

Zhou Chen looked at the Marquis of Donghuang, who was bowing his head to the ground, and said.

This was Zhou Chen's way of giving a warning to the Marquis of Donghuang.

He wanted to make the Marquis of Donghuang understand that a ruler is a ruler, and a subject is a subject.

No matter how high your position or how great your power, in the eyes of the emperor, a single decree can make you vanish into thin air, and everything will turn to nothing.

"I understand."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will dedicate myself to the Great Zhou until my dying breath."

Marquis of Donghuang immediately pledged his loyalty.

The Marquis of Donghuang understood Zhou Chen's meaning perfectly well.

The emperor can forgive and forget what happened in the past.

However, if this Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness were to overstep his bounds again in the future, the reward he would receive might truly be a cup of poisoned wine.

"Get up!"

Zhou Chen glanced at Donghuang Hou indifferently.

The Marquis of Donghuang and the Marquis of Zhenbei are different from the Marquis of Xiliang.

Although the Marquis of Donghuang did not return to court to report on matters, he did not dare to directly defy the imperial decree or collude with foreign tribes like the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang.

Furthermore, the Marquis of Donghuang previously guarded Dongyan Pass, resisting the attack of the Dongyi army.

Then, the Marquis of Donghuang led his army to destroy the Dongyi, and also took the initiative to cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue of the court to measure and count the land.

These are the reasons why the Marquis of Donghuang is still alive.

If it weren't for the fact that the Marquis of Donghuang didn't defy the imperial decree and collude with foreign tribes like the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang, he wouldn't have had these lifelines to rely on.

Zhou Chen had already taken down the Marquis of Donghuang.

It's impossible to keep the Marquis of Donghuang alive until now.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Marquis Donghuang carefully stood up.

Even now, Donghuang Hou's face was still somewhat pale, and there were beads of sweat on his forehead.

Just now, Emperor Zhou Chen's cup of wine greatly frightened Marquis Donghuang.

Even now, the Marquis of Donghuang still feels lingering fear.

It wasn't that the Marquis of Donghuang was cowardly, but rather that no one can remain calm and fearful in the face of impending death.

Even a marquis like the Marquis of Donghuang was no exception.

Fortunately, it was a false alarm.

Marquis Donghuang knew that from this moment on, he had passed the test.

There's nothing to worry about anymore.

The outcome of this trip back to Luoyang is uncertain, but the word "misfortune" has been removed.

To be safe and sound is a blessing.

"Tell me about the Eastern Wilderness!"

After the Marquis of Donghuang stood up, Zhou Chen glanced at him and said.

Upon hearing this, Marquis Donghuang immediately bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Immediately afterwards, the Marquis of Donghuang began to report to Zhou Chen, bit by bit, everything about Donghuang.

Marquis Donghuang knew that now was the time for him to gain the emperor's trust.

Therefore, whether it was matters concerning the people's livelihood or the Eastern Wilderness Army, the Marquis of Eastern Wilderness reported everything in great detail.

(End of this chapter)