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Chapter 261 Era Name 'Taichu'

Lingnan.

Song family.

After the imperial court investigated the land and revoked the private army, the Song family in Lingnan became more discreet.

The Song family knew that whether the imperial court issued an order to investigate land or to recall private soldiers, it was all aimed at powerful and wealthy families, and to weaken their power.

At this time, it would be counterproductive to act in a high-profile manner.

This day.

Three figures stood outside the Song family mansion. They glanced at the mansion and said arrogantly to the guards at the gate, "Go and call your Song family patriarch to come out and greet them. Tell them that guests from Tianshan have arrived."

These three figures, dressed in fine clothes and exuding an arrogant aura, were clearly not ordinary people.

"How dare you! What do you mean by 'Tianshan and Beishan'? You're here to cause trouble on purpose, aren't you!"

"You three worthless wretches dare to make our Song family patriarch come out to greet us? You're like a toad yawning, but you have quite the nerve."

"Don't you even know where the Song family is? Get out of here!"

"Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite."

The guards at the gate of the Song family mansion rudely reprimanded the three of them.

Despite the unusual attire and imposing manner of the three men, the guards at the Song family's gate paid them no heed.

Even if these three are extraordinary, can they compare to the Lingnan Song Clan?
If it weren't for the actions taken by the imperial court recently, and the orders from above to keep the Song family low-key and well-behaved,

In the past, they wouldn't have been polite to these three people just because they dared to say that the Song family patriarch should come out to greet them.

Don't they even know who the Song family is?
They even wanted the head of the Song family to come out and greet them; what a boastful statement!

You should know that the Lingnan Song Clan is one of the four great clans in the world. Even if people from the other three great clans came, they wouldn't dare to make such a fuss and have their clan leaders come out to greet them.

Moreover, these three so-called visitors from Tianshan are from a place I've never even heard of.

"court death."

One of them turned cold and casually struck out.

boom……

Before the guards at the gate of the Song residence could react, they were all blasted away, smashing the gate.

This unexpected turn of events at the gate of the Song residence immediately alerted the other guards inside.

The other guards inside the Song residence rushed out one by one and surrounded the three figures.

"Who are you?"

"How dare you be so insolent in front of the gates of my Song residence?"

The guards of the Song residence all stared at the three figures with hostile expressions.

They seemed ready to fight at the slightest provocation.

The order came from above, instructing everyone in the Song family to keep a low profile and behave themselves for the time being.

But this does not mean that anyone can act recklessly at the Song family's residence, and that the Song family will remain indifferent.

It should be noted that as one of the four great clans of the Great Zhou Dynasty, no one had ever dared to directly attack the Song family guards in front of the Song family's gate.

"Go tell your Song family patriarch that the Tianshan main family has arrived, and tell him to come out and greet them."

The leader of the three spoke in a cold voice.

He didn't even glance at the Song family's guards, as if they were ants in his eyes and not worth his attention.

Tianshan?

One of the guards' leaders frowned slightly.

As guards of the Song family, they were quite knowledgeable, but they had never heard of any force like Tianshan.

However, judging from their attire and imposing manner, these three people are probably not ordinary individuals.

"Please wait a moment, all three of you."

The leader gave the three of them a deep look, then turned and entered the Song residence.

The leader was quite perceptive and recognized that these three were extraordinary.

Although he had never heard of the Tianshan Mountains that the three men mentioned.

Judging from their demeanor, these three must be quite influential.

He went in first to report to the three men.

If these three people really have powerful connections, then everything is negotiable.

But if these three are bluffing, then he can take them down later and show them why the flowers are so red.

Not long after the leader went inside, a series of hurried footsteps came from inside the mansion.

The guards of the Song family looked up and saw that it was not only their leader who came out, but also the patriarch of the Song family.

Could these three really be so important that the Song family patriarch personally came out to greet them?
At this moment, the Song family guards surrounding the three people changed their gaze towards them.

Who are you three?

After the Song family patriarch came out, he glanced at the three people surrounded and tentatively asked.

The three surrounded individuals glanced indifferently at the Song family patriarch and uttered two words: "Tianshan."

These two words caused the Song family patriarch's expression to change.

"The three of you, please come into my residence first, and then we'll discuss this further."

Upon hearing the words "Tianshan," the Song family patriarch dared not delay and immediately welcomed the three into the Song residence.

The guards from the Song family mansion who witnessed this were all shocked.

Who is the head of the Song family?

This was the head of one of the four great clans of the Song family. The guards of the Song family had never seen their clan patriarch greet anyone with such courtesy and hospitality.

Even the head of the Song family had never done this before, not even for the other four major clans or the royal family.

Who exactly are these three people?

The guards of the Song family couldn't help but speculate.

……

royal palace.

Jinluan Palace.

Early morning of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Civil and military officials stood in front of the Golden Palace, and according to their official rank, they walked in order along both sides of the imperial road into the Golden Palace.

During this process, civil and military officials were not allowed to whisper or make noise, and there were special officials to record the words and actions of the officials.

After all the civil and military officials had taken their places, Emperor Zhou Chen walked out from the special imperial road and sat on the dragon throne.

"Long live your majesty."

Upon seeing Zhou Chen seated on the dragon throne, all the civil and military officials knelt down and shouted in unison, paying their respects.

Zhou Chen rested his right hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, looking down at the civil and military officials; "All of you, rise."

Because everything in the imperial court has been progressing smoothly recently, and the Great Zhou is developing in a prosperous direction, Zhou Chen is in a good mood.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Only then did the civil and military officials dare to stand up.

It was only then that the officials realized that there was someone they had never seen before in the court.

Not only that, this person was standing on the right side, quite far forward.

According to the rules, those who can stand in such a prominent position are all important officials in the court, such as the Ministers of the Six Ministries.

In an instant, all the civil and military officials had the same thought: to guess Jia Xu's identity.

Indeed, a new person has appeared in the court, someone none other than Jia Xu, who returned to Luoyang from beyond the Great Wall and has yet to make an appearance in court.

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

Cao Zhengchun's shrill voice rang out in the Golden Palace as usual.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

As soon as Cao Zhengchun finished speaking, Xiao He stepped forward.

"Oh!"

"What does the Left Prime Minister have to report?"

Zhou Chen looked at Xiao He.

Xiao He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, now our Great Zhou has annihilated the foreign tribes outside the pass and eliminated internal problems. The entire Great Zhou can be described as thriving."

"However, since His Majesty ascended the throne, the reign title has not yet been determined."

"I believe it is time to determine Your Majesty's reign title." As soon as Xiao He finished speaking, all the civil and military officials in the court nodded in unison: "We second that proposal."

The reign title represented the emperor's prestige.

Generally speaking, each new emperor would abandon the old reign title and choose a completely new one to represent the beginning of all things.

Previously, after Zhou Chen ascended the throne, he was often bedridden due to illness.

Therefore, the reign title was never determined.

Zhou Chen leaned back on the dragon throne, listening calmly to the ministers' advice.

He did consider the era name.

However, Zhou Chen felt that it would not be too late to set an era name after the drawbacks of the Great Zhou Dynasty had been eliminated and everything was on the right track.

Furthermore, the matter of the reign title must not be taken lightly.

Because some reign titles would accompany an emperor throughout his life.

If a reign title is chosen arbitrarily and announced to the world, some problems may be discovered.

At that time, it will be him, the emperor, who will lose face.

But now that Xiao He, the Left Chancellor, has brought it up, Zhou Chen has no choice but to decide on the reign title first.

In any case, the issue of the reign title will have to be resolved sooner or later.

Zhou Chen turned his gaze to the assembled officials and asked, "What suggestions do you have for a reign title, my esteemed ministers?"

Zhou Chen's words caused all the civil and military officials in the court to fall into deep thought.

The reign title represented the emperor's prestige.

Therefore, one must have sufficient authority.

Furthermore, it must be easily recognizable and distinguishable from the reign titles of different dynasties.

This is a difficult choice.

Zhou Chen glanced around the court and his gaze fell on the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian. "What are your opinions, Eighth Imperial Uncle?"

Zhou Chen's words startled Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince.

If Zhou Chen had asked Fang Xuanling and the others first, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian would not have been taken aback.

But Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, did not expect that Zhou Chen would ask him first.

"Your Majesty, I believe that since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have first purged powerful ministers in the court and quelled local rebellions, and then wiped out foreign tribes beyond the Great Wall and expanded the territory. You can be described as a man of both literary and military prowess. You are the only ruler of the Great Zhou who can restore it. It would be better to use 'Restoration' as the reign title."

After a moment of contemplation, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian spoke.

The Great Zhou Dynasty had been declining for a long time, until Emperor Zhou Chen ascended the throne, which brought about a change and a period of prosperity.

Therefore, in the eyes of the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, the reign title 'Zhongxing' was very suitable for Zhou Chen.

ZTE?

Zhou Chen frowned slightly.

In Zhou Chen's view, this reign title was too direct and too ordinary...

As the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Chen's ambitions extend far beyond mere revival.

Zhou Chen didn't like it very much.

Next, Zhou Chen asked the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, and several loyal and virtuous veteran officials.

However, the reign titles they received were nothing more than names like "Daye", "Jianyuan", and "Xingguang".

These reign titles sounded good, but none of them satisfied Zhou Chen.

at this time.

Left Chancellor Xiao He stepped forward again; “Your Majesty, I have a year’s reign title.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen's eyes lit up; "Speak quickly, my dear minister."

Zhou Chen's gaze fell on Xiao He.

Xiao He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, why not use 'Taichu' as the name of our Great Anniversary?"

Xiao He's voice echoed throughout the Golden Palace.

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials of the court seemed to be deep in thought.

"In the beginning" means before heaven and earth were separated.

The beginning of a golden age for all things in heaven and earth.

It also signifies outstanding achievements, pioneering spirit, and being the first emperor in all of history.

In an instant, all the civil and military officials looked on in agreement.

Clearly, Xiao He's reign title was unanimously approved by civil and military officials.

"The beginning?"

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

This reign title suited Zhou Chen's mind perfectly.

Zhou Chen is determined to create an unprecedented and glorious era for the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"Very well, the reign title of my Great Zhou Dynasty shall be Taichu."

At this point, Zhou Chen looked at Du Ruhui, the Minister of Rites; "Du Ruhui, you are the Minister of Rites, so choose an auspicious day, set the reign title, and announce it to the whole country."

The emperor's reign title was not something that could be decided arbitrarily.

This requires choosing an auspicious day.

"The minister obeys the order."

Du Ruhui bowed and accepted the imperial decree.

After discussing the reign title, the morning court session continued.

Ministers who had important matters to report stepped forward one by one.

Half an hour later.

The morning court session was drawing to a close.

Zhou Chen glanced at the civil and military officials and said, "Do any of you gentlemen have anything to report?"

The civil and military officials exchanged glances and shook their heads; "We have nothing more to say."

"Since you ministers have nothing more to report, I have something to announce."

Zhou Chen's gaze fell on Jia Xu; "Jia Xu, none of you ministers may have met him, but you must have all heard of his great name!"

Jia Xu?

Jia Wenhe?
Upon hearing Zhou Chen's words, the eyes of all the civil and military officials flashed.

They never expected that the stranger who suddenly appeared in the court was actually Jia Xu.

Although Jia Xu never appeared in court, during this period, whether it was eliminating the Shu King's rebellious faction or taking down the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang, all the officials knew that Jia Xu had been involved.

It can be said that the officials had never met Jia Xu, yet they had heard of him before.

"I'm sure you all know about Jia Xu's contributions, so I don't need to elaborate!"

"Whether it was quelling the rebellion of the King of Shu and the aristocratic families, or capturing the two rebels, the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang, Jia Xu made invaluable contributions."

"Therefore, I hereby announce the appointment of Jia Xu as Imperial Censor to oversee all officials."

Zhou Chen loudly announced Jia Xu's appointment.

After much deliberation, Zhou Chen decided that it would be more appropriate to temporarily place Jia Xu, a cunning and ruthless strategist, in the position of Imperial Censor.

Investigating all officials is best suited for a ruthless strategist like Jia Xu, who can complement the Eastern Depot.

Of course, if there were war, Jia Xu's most suitable position would be in the army.

No official objected to Emperor Zhou Chen's order, nor did any official dare to object.

Given Jia Xu's achievements, he was qualified to serve as the Imperial Censor.

"Your subject thanks you for your great favor."

Jia Xu stepped forward and bowed to thank the imperial decree.

Jia Xu was not surprised by Zhou Chen's appointment.

Jia Xu had already received this information from Emperor Zhou Chen when he entered the palace.

"Retreat from the court..."

After announcing Jia Xu's appointment, Zhou Chen got up and left.

……

(End of this chapter)