You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 296 You really do have your own schemes

Customs.

Several figures fled in a disheveled state.

"Damn it, these mortal ants dared to attack us. When we get back to Tianshan, we will definitely not let them get away with it."

“That’s right. Once we return to Tianshan, we’ll immediately report this to our superiors and have them send experts at the Celestial Realm to suppress these ants.”

"When the time comes, let these ants see what the consequences will be if they dare to disregard the majesty of Tianshan and attack us worldly people."

"Let's not talk about this now, let's go quickly, or we'll be caught by those imperial guards."

As soon as they finished speaking, several figures vanished into the distance beyond the pass.

……

Early morning of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The civil and military officials outside the Golden Palace entered in turn.

In the Golden Palace, after the court officials returned to their seats, they were filled with unease.

The news that all those involved in worldly affairs had been arrested by the imperial court, and that the heads and high-ranking officials of the four major clans had also been taken down, had already spread throughout Luoyang.

The ruling and opposition parties were shocked.

All the civil and military officials had different thoughts.

The four major clans were the top clans of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and they had a significant connection with the Tianshan region. None of the officials expected that the emperor would be so decisive and take action against the four major clans without the slightest hesitation.

However, the officials felt relieved when they thought that even those who were involved in worldly affairs had been arrested by the emperor.

However, the civil and military officials couldn't help but wonder what kind of reaction Tianshan would have after those worldly people were arrested.
You must know that the Tianshan Mountains are a realm beyond the mundane world.

It is incomparable to anything in the mundane world.

The emperor issued an edict to arrest those who had entered the world of politics, which was a slap in the face to the Tianshan Mountains.

As a result, once Tianshan learns of this, they will definitely not let it go.

The emperor's actions were too forceful.

They didn't give Tianshan any face at all; such a fierce act is not a good thing.

Suddenly, undercurrents were running deep within the Golden Palace.

Ministers with even a modicum of insight realized that the Great Zhou Dynasty was likely to face a significant storm.

This storm will bring two possible outcomes to the Great Zhou.

First, it dispelled the clouds and revealed the sun, laying the foundation for unprecedented achievements for the Great Zhou Dynasty, suppressing the world, and from then on, there was no one in the Great Zhou Dynasty who was beyond the jurisdiction of the imperial court.

Secondly, the weather was overcast and rainy. The Great Zhou Dynasty, which had finally shown signs of revival, returned to its original state, or even completely collapsed.

Faced with the existence of the Tianshan Mountains that transcends the mundane world, can the Great Zhou Dynasty dispel the clouds and see the light of day?

Will the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty be one of glorious achievements and domination of the world, or one of returning to its original state and utterly ruined?

None of the court officials present could have predicted this...

……

……

Just as the ministers' thoughts were fluctuating.

Zhou Chen, dressed in a dragon robe, ascended the throne in the imperial court.

Immediately, the civil and military officials calmed their emotions and kowtowed in unison.

"Long live your majesty."

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne and said majestically, "All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The civil and military officials bowed in thanks and rose.

Cao Zhengchun stepped forward; “If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn.”

As soon as Cao Zhengchun finished speaking, the Left Chancellor Xiao He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Zhou Chen looked at Xiao He; "Speak, my dear minister."

Xiao He said loudly, "Your Majesty, since the commercial tax reform, some problems have recently arisen in commerce throughout the Great Zhou."

"His Majesty abolished the checkpoint tax, developed commerce, and shifted the focus of commercial taxation from checkpoint tax to commercial taxation."

"Although the imperial court has increased commercial taxes considerably, commerce in various parts of the Great Zhou has been somewhat chaotic recently."

"Some merchants have driven up the prices of some in-demand, high-quality goods, dominating the market. If this continues, it will likely be detrimental to our Great Zhou..."

Zhou Chen smiled slightly upon hearing Xiao He's words; "That is indeed a problem."

"However, since I dare to reform the commercial tax, I have the means to control those profit-driven merchants."

Zhou Chen had already considered these issues when he was formulating reforms to the commercial tax.

Zhou Chen knew that any decision-making process must be based on the actual situation.

Otherwise, it's just empty talk.

The same applies to governing a country.

This is also why Zhou Chen did not immediately formulate measures to prevent these problems.

Now that problems have arisen, this is the most practical time to formulate relevant measures and systems.

The emperor's words startled the court officials, who looked puzzled.

Zhou Chen didn't keep him in suspense and said directly, "Vice Minister of Revenue."

"The minister is here."

The Vice Minister of Revenue stepped forward and bowed.

"I hereby order your Ministry of Revenue to formulate a series of price standards based on the local conditions. Any goods that merchants buy or sell must be within these standards. There may be fluctuations, but they must never exceed them. Anyone who disobeys will have their merchant status revoked and will be severely punished according to the law."

"I hereby order your Ministry of Revenue to constantly monitor the behavior of merchants. Any merchants who disrupt the market or drive up prices shall be dealt with severely."

"I hereby order your Ministry of Revenue to control any large-scale transactions and prevent any transactions that could harm the court. The relevant commercial laws and regulations should also be improved as soon as possible."

……

The emperor's decrees resounded throughout the Golden Palace.

Upon hearing this, the Vice Minister of Revenue's expression turned solemn.

As the Vice Minister of Revenue, he immediately understood the advantages and disadvantages of the series of decrees issued by His Majesty.

It can be said that as long as he implements these decrees according to His Majesty's wishes, the merchants of the Great Zhou will be confined to a certain range and there will be no more chaos.

A hint of surprise flashed across the face of the Left Chancellor, Xiao He.

With Xiao He's abilities, he naturally knew the benefits of His Majesty's policies.

With these decrees issued by His Majesty, the problems he just mentioned will be properly resolved.

After issuing these decrees, Zhou Chen looked at Xiao He and said, "Xiao He, with Xun Yu not here, you need to oversee the implementation of these decrees."

Xun Yu has not yet returned to the capital. Although the Vice Minister of Revenue is a veteran official, his abilities are limited.

Zhou Chen could only ask Xiao He to keep a closer eye on the matters of the Ministry of Revenue.

"The minister obeys the order."

Xiao He and the Vice Minister of Revenue bowed in unison to receive the imperial decree.

Then, Xiao He and the Vice Minister of Revenue returned to their original positions.

Zhou Chen looked at the civil and military officials and asked, "Does any other minister have something to report?"

"I have something to report."

Wang Yangming, the Minister of Justice, stepped out of the line.

"Your Majesty, Doctor Jia has uncovered many guilty individuals from the four major clans and other aristocratic families. How should these people be dealt with?"

The Minister of Justice bowed and said.

Jia Xu left Luoyang on imperial orders, and following Zhou Chen's instructions, used the incriminating evidence against those involved in worldly affairs to weaken the powerful and influential families as much as possible.

Therefore, Jia Xu took the opportunity to investigate the four major clans and other aristocratic families. Those found guilty were handed over to the Ministry of Justice.

However, Jia Xu uncovered a considerable number of people, including the patriarchs and elders of the four major clans, who were all transferred to the Ministry of Justice. Wang Yangming, the Minister of Justice, dared not make a decision on his own and could only submit a memorial to the throne.

Zhou Chen looked at Wang Yangming and said, "Wang Yangming, you are the Minister of Justice. Since these people are all guilty, do I need to teach you how to deal with them?" "Kill those who deserve to die, and imprison those who deserve to go to jail."

"It can be handled in accordance with the law."

Zhou Chen said.

"The minister obeys the order."

Wang Yangming shivered and immediately bowed and returned to his place in the ranks.

All the civil and military officials exchanged glances.

They knew in their hearts that once His Majesty uttered these words, the fate of the patriarchs and elders of the four great clans was sealed.

The morning court session continues.

……

Prison Department of Punishment.

The Song family patriarch, the Song family patriarch, the Dugu family patriarch, and others are imprisoned here.

"I never imagined that we would end up like this. I wonder how His Majesty the Emperor will deal with us."

"I doubt we'll ever leave this prison alive, and our clan will likely be investigated by the imperial court."

"Impossible! That emperor really dares to kill us? We are all offshoots of the Tianshan main family. If that emperor really dares to touch us, he knows the consequences."

"Ha, the consequences?"

"That emperor dares to arrest and crush even those who have entered the world, what consequences would he be afraid of?"

"Not to mention us, those worldly people from the main family will probably also be in grave danger this time."

The Song family patriarch and the others spoke up.

As the patriarch of one of the four great clans, he stands at the pinnacle of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

They never imagined that one day they would fall from grace and become prisoners of the imperial court.

They knew that this time, they would probably have a hard time getting out of the Ministry of Justice prison.

To take action against someone who carries out imperial decrees is already considered a blatant act of defiance against the imperial court.

No emperor could tolerate such a thing, even if they were the heads of the four great clans; the end result would be the same.

They no longer care much about life and death.

Their only worry was whether the emperor in the palace would take this opportunity to completely eradicate the four major clans.

If that were the case, then all four major clans would be finished.

“You’re thinking too simply. Those worldly people in the main family are not as simple as they seem.”

"They are no match for Cao Zhengchun and his group, but that doesn't mean the court can necessarily kill them."

"The Song family patriarch said quietly."

“That’s right. If those worldly people from the main family were so easy to kill, they would have died countless times already.”

The patriarch of the Dugu family also nodded in agreement.

As the patriarchs, their shrewdness and experience far surpassed that of the clan leaders of other families.

They didn't believe that those from the main family who were involved in worldly affairs wouldn't have any trump cards to protect themselves.

When the Song family patriarch and the others heard what the patriarchs of each family said, their eyes flickered for some inexplicable reason.

Obviously.

They all understood the meaning of their respective patriarchs.

indeed.

As a genius who transcends worldly affairs and yet engages in them, it would be unreasonable for him not to have any trump cards to protect himself.

Perhaps not everyone has this, but there are definitely one or two people who have a trump card to save their lives.

……

East Factory.

Prison.

Zhou Qian looked at Zhou Wudao and said, "Zhou Wudao, what are you waiting for?"

"Now, all of us have been interrogated one by one."

“If nothing unexpected happens, we are basically useless to them. If you wait any longer, we will all be going to the guillotine together.”

Although Zhou Qian was a bit arrogant, as a genius, he was naturally not a brainless person.

The previous emperor kept them alive in order to pry them open and get the information he wanted from them.

Now that they have all been interrogated one by one, their fate is obvious to everyone.

Zhou Wudao remained silent, ignoring Zhou Qian's words.

"Zhou Wudao, at a time like this, are you still concerned about the outcome of that mission failing?"

"Look at this, all the worldly people are imprisoned here, so the mission is meaningless now."

"If you don't use your trump card soon, you'll miss your chance."

Zhou Qian spoke again.

Zhou Wudao glanced at Zhou Qian indifferently; "Why are you so sure I have a trump card?"

"Ah."

Zhou Qian sneered, "Zhou Wudao, we're all sensible people, so there's no need to hide or conceal anything."

"Song Xingyu and the others should all have trump cards to protect themselves, and now everyone is waiting."

"If we wait any longer, we'll miss our chance. You few might be able to escape, but the rest of us will all be stuck in this prison."

Zhou Qian truly had no trump cards to save his life.

If Zhou Qian had a trump card to save his life, he wouldn't have let Cao Zhengchun lose his martial arts skills and become a cripple.

"escape?"

Zhou Wudao shook his head; "We all entered this world with missions. If we just run back like this, how will we explain it to our families?"

"Now, all those who have entered the world are imprisoned in this Eastern Depot's prison. Although everyone has been tortured and their strength has been sealed, as long as Cao Zhengchun's method of sealing everyone's strength is broken, everyone's strength will be restored immediately."

"With so many worldly people joining forces to attack the palace, do you think we can continue our mission?"

Zhou Wudao looked at Zhou Qian.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qian's eyes immediately lit up; "Zhou Wudao, you really do have your own schemes."

"But don't forget, there are experts guarding the palace. You've seen their strength; they're not just ordinary."

"Moreover, there are tens of thousands of imperial guards in the palace. We have all been tortured, and it is impossible for our strength to immediately return to its peak."

"And how can you be sure that the others will follow your lead and attack the palace together?"

Zhou Qian looked at Zhou Wudao.

Zhou Wudao's plan was sound. If these worldly people in the prison regained their strength and attacked the palace together, they would indeed have a chance to turn the tide and continue their mission.

However, the risks involved are not insignificant.

If they fail, they will have no chance of escape and will all be buried in the palace.

“They have all been tortured, and they probably can’t wait to wash away this unprecedented humiliation. Do you think they will let this opportunity pass them by?”

Zhou Wudao stood up, and the restriction that Cao Zhengchun had placed on his strength was instantly broken.

A powerful aura emanated from Zhou Wudao.

Zhou Wudao's strength was restored in an instant.

"As for the experts in the palace, no matter how strong they are, can they hold off a few people, a few dozen people, or even a few hundred people?"

Zhou Wudao glanced at Zhou Qian and stretched his shinbone.

With a single palm strike, he broke the chains of the cell and vanished from the cell.

Immediately afterwards, muffled groans echoed from the cell as the guards on duty collapsed to the ground.

(End of this chapter)