You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 351 Mu’s Chamber of Commerce—Mu Yuyan
royal palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

After reviewing the memorials, Zhou Chen got up and walked out of the hall.

Yuwen Chengdu and Huo Qubing have returned to Luoyang and led the Six Guards of the Northern Camp to the Eastern Wilderness.

Zhou Chen didn't know whether Huo Qubing and Yuwen Chengdu, leading their large army, could withstand the Yan army's attack.

So far, Zhou Chen only knows that the Yan army dispatched 50,000 vanguard troops to break through Dongyan Pass, and the strongest among these 50,000 vanguard troops is at the peak of Yin-Yang.

As for the overall strength of the Great Yan's troops against the Great Zhou, how many more troops were behind them, how many powerful individuals were in the army, and what the strongest among them was, Zhou Chen knew nothing about any of these things.

Zhou Chen gazed at the gray sky, his thoughts drifting.

at this time.

Sudden.

Zhou Chen was somewhat uneasy.

Zhou Chen looked towards the direction of southern Xinjiang.

I could only sense that the fortunes of southern Xinjiang were constantly churning.

"Could something have happened in southern Xinjiang as well?"

Zhou Chen frowned deeply.

Zhou Chen has now cultivated the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique to the third level.

Since Zhou Chen cultivated the Emperor's Conferring God Technique to the third level, his perception of the Great Zhou's fortune has become much more acute.

At this moment, Cao Zhengchun came over and reported, "Your Majesty, the people from the Mu Clan Merchant Guild have approached this old servant, saying they wish to pay their respects to Your Majesty. They are currently waiting outside the palace."

"Oh!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed across Zhou Chen's face.

The Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce has been in Da Zhou for quite some time now, but they haven't made any moves.

Now, with the Yan army attacking, the Great Zhou Dynasty not only has to deal with the experts of the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness, but also faces the crisis of the Great Yan. At this time, it is quite interesting that the people of the Mu Clan Merchant Guild want to pay their respects to the Emperor of the Great Zhou.

Speaking of which, after the Great Zhou Dynasty merged into the Wilderness Realm, the first natives of the Great Wilderness to arrive were from the Mu Clan Merchant Guild.

It was also the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce that gave the Great Zhou a copy of the history of the Wilderness, which gave the Great Zhou a basic understanding of the various aspects of the Wilderness.

"Go and bring the people from the Mu Clan Merchant Guild to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

After Zhou Chen finished speaking, he turned around and returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

To be honest, Zhou Chen also wanted to meet the people from the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce. There were some things that the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce knew much more quickly and specifically than what the Eastern Depot and its guards would painstakingly gather.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun turned and left.

……

A few minutes later.

Cao Zhengchun led the young lady from the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce and Steward Yang into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Mu Yuyan of the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce greets Your Majesty."

After the young lady from the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce entered, she bowed slightly to Zhou Chen, who was on the dragon throne.

Mu Yuyan spoke in a calm, neither humble nor arrogant tone, lacking the respect of a subject or the awe of the emperor, displaying only polite courtesy.

As for Steward Yang behind Mu Yuyan, he didn't even lift his eyelids.

To be honest, although the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce is just a chamber of commerce, its strength and status are by no means weak.

Let alone the Great Zhou, a dynasty that had just integrated into the Great Wilderness, the Mu Clan Merchant Guild treated even the Central Plains dynasties like the Great Yan with the same respect.

Zhou Chen, sitting on the dragon throne, glanced at Mu Yuyan and smiled slightly. "Miss Mu, there's no need for such formalities. In fact, I should thank you, Miss Mu. You gave my Great Zhou a book on the history of the barbarians, which has given my Great Zhou a great understanding of the barbarians."

Zhou Chen didn't care about Mu Yuyan's and that Manager Yang's attitude.

This world is ultimately a world where strength reigns supreme, and might makes right.

For ordinary people, imperial power may inspire awe and fear.

But for true power, imperial power is nothing but a joke.

Given the current strength of the Great Zhou, it is indeed difficult to instill awe in the people of the barbarian forces.

Zhou Chen didn't pay any attention to Mu Yuyan's stunning beauty. Having lived two lives, he had seen all kinds of beauties.

Mu Yuyan possessed stunning beauty, but Zhou Chen was not an emperor who could be easily captivated by her appearance.

"Miss Mu, is there something you wish to discuss with me at the palace?"

Zhou Chen asked casually.

Zhou Chen didn't believe that the people from the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce would suddenly come to pay their respects to him, the emperor of the Great Zhou, for no reason.

"Your Majesty, Yu Yan has come to pay her respects because she has some news to convey."

"Oh!"

Zhou Chen raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise appearing on his face.

Before Zhou Chen could even ask, Mu Yuyan continued, "The Great Yan has launched an attack on the Great Zhou. Dongyan Pass has been breached, and the Marquis of Donghuang has been killed in battle. His Majesty should have already received the news."

"Your Majesty must be wondering why the Great Yan would send troops to attack the Great Zhou without any reason?"

Mu Yuyan looked at Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

Zhou Chen's eyes flickered.

Indeed, Zhou Chen found it very strange that the Great Yan would suddenly send troops to attack his Great Zhou territory without any apparent reason.

Even if the Great Yan wanted to expand its territory, after reading the history of the barbarians, Zhou Chen knew that the Central Plains Imperial Court had stipulated that the major dynasties of the Central Plains could not arbitrarily start wars.

Because the greatest enemies of the human race in the wild world are wild beasts, demons, and monsters.

If the human dynasties wage war against each other, it will only give wild beasts or demons an opportunity to take advantage.

But now, the Great Yan has sent troops to attack the territory of the Great Zhou without any reason, which is already a violation of the imperial court's orders.

Zhou Chen looked at Mu Yuyan; "Miss Mu, do you know the reason?"

Mu Yuyan said without hesitation, "According to the information obtained by my Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce, someone ordered Da Yan to send troops to attack Da Zhou. In addition, Da Zhou has just been integrated into the Great Wilderness and has considerable interests, so Da Yan will naturally not let it go."

"Furthermore, it's not just the Great Yan. According to information obtained by my Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce, the Great Yue has also sent troops, and the South Gate Pass of the Great Zhou is probably in danger as well."

As soon as Mu Yuyan finished speaking, Zhou Chen's expression changed drastically.

"what?"

"Miss Mu, is the news you're telling us true? Da Yue has also sent troops against our Great Zhou?"

Zhou Chen stared straight at Mu Yuyan, his usually calm expression losing its composure.

To be honest, Zhou Chen was genuinely shocked by Mu Yuyan's news.

Mu Yuyan nodded noncommittally; "The information from my Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce is always very accurate and never wrong."

"This is some information that my Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce has gathered regarding the military expeditions of Great Yan and Great Yue. Your Majesty may wish to take a look."

As Mu Yuyan spoke, she took out a letter.

Upon seeing this, Cao Zhengchun, who was standing nearby, immediately stepped forward, took the message, and presented it to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen immediately took the message from Cao Zhengchun's hand, opened it, and glanced at it.

That one glance made Zhou Chen's expression turn serious.

After reading the message, Zhou Chen's expression changed several times.

Just outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhou Chen sensed the turbulent energy of the Southern Frontier and wondered if something had happened there.

Now, after seeing the message sent by Mu Yuyan, Zhou Chen is certain that something has really happened in Southern Xinjiang.

Zhou Chen calmed himself down and looked up at Mu Yuyan; "Miss Mu, you didn't come to see me just to deliver a message, did you?"

"As far as I know, the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce never interferes in the struggles between different forces."

Zhou Chen looked at Mu Yuyan with wisdom.

Even when faced with the most shocking events, Zhou Chen never lost his wisdom. He knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.

Zhou Chen didn't believe that Mu Yuyan would be so kind as to send him a message.

He and the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce did not have any deep interaction.

To be precise, the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce have never had any interaction.

Mu Yuyan giving him such important news, it's definitely not a free lunch.

Moreover, Zhou Chen knew from the information gathered by the Eastern Depot that the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce only engaged in business and did not interfere in the struggles between various forces.

Mu Yuyan's current behavior has clearly exceeded the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce's usual guidelines.

“Your Majesty, Yu Yan knows that providing help in times of need is far better than adding to someone’s existing success. Yu Yan values ​​the potential of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”

"Therefore, before the Great Zhou has gained a firm foothold and fully matured, Yu Yan wishes to establish a good relationship with His Majesty and the Great Zhou."

Mu Yuyan parted her red lips slightly and spoke slowly.

Good karma?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen narrowed his eyes.

To be honest, Zhou Chen never believed in such nonsense as "good karma".

So-called good karma is nothing more than an exchange with a certain purpose or benefit.

Besides, why would a power like the Mu Clan Chamber of Commerce need to form a good relationship with the Great Zhou Dynasty, which has just integrated into the Great Wilderness and is constantly in danger of collapsing?

"Miss Mu, I am very grateful for the message you sent."

"But I also know that when you offer a gift, you must expect something in return. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

"Miss Mu, please speak frankly. I prefer to be straightforward."

Zhou Chen looked at Mu Yuyan and said very directly.

"Your Majesty should first think of a way to deal with the attacks from the Yan and Yue armies!"

“If Your Majesty cannot even stop the Yan and Yue armies, then even if Yu Yan has any requests, Your Majesty cannot help her with anything.”

Mu Yuyan said quietly.

"I have already delivered the message to His Majesty. I will now take my leave."

After Mu Yuyan finished speaking, she turned and left.

Manager Yang also turned and left with Mu Yuyan.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Steward Yang did not utter a single word.

……

Donghuang.

Eastern Wilderness City.

At this moment, the city walls of Donghuang City were already stained red with blood.

The city walls were piled high with corpses, and severed limbs were everywhere. The large flag embroidered with the character "Zhou" on the city wall was also incomplete.

Zhao Yun, holding a silver spear, stood proudly atop the city wall, his face pale.

Zhao Yun was covered in wounds, and his white armor was stained with bright red blood.

The Eastern Wilderness Army soldiers all around were also covered in blood and exhausted.

In the Battle of Dongyan Pass, the Marquis of Donghuang was killed in battle, Zhao Yun was seriously injured and fell into a coma, but escaped. Almost all of the 200,000 Donghuang soldiers guarding the pass were also killed in battle.

However, the Yan army's 50,000-strong vanguard also suffered heavy losses. Of the 50,000 soldiers, less than 10,000 remained after the desperate resistance of the Guandong Wilderness Army.

For this reason, after the vanguard of the Yan army broke through Dongyan Pass, they did not send more imperial guards, but instead stayed at Dongyan Pass to wait for the main force of the Yan army to arrive.

This gave Zhao Yun some time.

After Zhao Yun awoke, he learned that the Marquis of Donghuang had died in battle and that Dongyan Pass had fallen. He immediately took over the Marquis of Donghuang's power, gathered the remaining 300,000 Donghuang troops, set up defenses, and resisted the coming Yan army, buying time for the imperial reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun also took this time to recover from his injuries.

However, the main force of the Yan army was too strong.

Once the main force of the Yan army arrived, the defensive line set up by Zhao Yun collapsed completely in just one day.

Even though Zhao Yun led the Eastern Wilderness Army in a desperate fight and resistance, they ultimately could not stop the Yan army's advance.

Now, only the Eastern Wilderness City remains as the last line of defense, struggling to hold on.

Once Donghuang City falls and is breached by the Yan army, there will be no more obstacles in Donghuang to hold back the Yan army's advance.

"Zhao Yun, the entire Eastern Wilderness is now under the iron cavalry of my Great Yan, with only the Eastern Wilderness City remaining."

"Given the current situation, you should know better than anyone else that this Eastern Wilderness City can be breached in an instant and cannot stop the army of my Great Yan."

"Our commander-in-chief thinks you are a talented person. As long as you surrender, our Yan army will spare your life."

Outside Donghuang City, the commander of the Yan army's vanguard looked up at Zhao Yun on the city wall and shouted loudly.

Zhao Yun escaped from his grasp twice. The commander of the Yan army's vanguard originally intended to kill Zhao Yun directly and never thought of persuading him to surrender.

However, the commander of the Yan army saw Zhao Yun as a talented individual and ordered the vanguard general to try to persuade Zhao Yun to surrender.

If Zhao Yun were to surrender, the Yan army would gain another formidable general.

Therefore, the commander of the Yan army's vanguard had no choice but to persuade Zhao Yun to surrender.

Of course, this vanguard general of the Yan army did not want Zhao Yun to surrender.

As long as Zhao Yun doesn't surrender, he can directly kill this guy who escaped from him twice and even injured him while he was in the Nirvana Realm.

Upon hearing the words of the Yan army's vanguard commander, Zhao Yun calmly looked at the Yan army outside the city; "Enough with the nonsense, I, Zhao Yun, have never been one to compromise my principles. If you have the ability, then attack."

“As long as I, Zhao Yun, have a breath left, you will not be able to break through this Eastern Wilderness City.”

Zhao Yun said decisively.

To expect Zhao Yun to surrender is simply wishful thinking.

Zhao Yun, a subject who would never serve two masters, would never surrender.

Donghuang City is currently the only force left to hold back the Yan army, and Zhao Yun is prepared to live and die with Donghuang City.

Just as the Marquis of Donghuang shed his blood to defend Dongyan Pass, Zhao Yun was equally willing to shed his blood on the battlefield to guard the last line of defense of Donghuang City.

"Alright, Zhao Yun."

"Since you refuse to listen to reason and are looking for death, then I will grant your wish."

The commander of the Yan army's vanguard waved his hand.

"attack."

"Let's take Donghuang City in one fell swoop."

As soon as he finished speaking, the vanguard commander of the Yan army had already taken the lead and soared into the sky.

Since Zhao Yun refused to surrender, there was nothing left for him to hesitate about.

He wanted Zhao Yun dead.

at this time.

A figure fell from the sky.

The terrifying aura overwhelmed the entire area, and all the Yan soldiers who charged ahead were swept away by the aura of this terrifying general.

The Yan army, which was originally on the offensive, also stopped in its tracks as the general with this terrifying figure appeared.

The Yan army vanguard commander, who had soared into the sky, saw the sudden appearance of this general and his gaze sharpened; "Who are you?"

"Yuwen Chengdu, Commander of the Imperial Guards of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

That's right.

The figure that descended from the sky was none other than Yuwen Chengdu, who had come by imperial decree to support the Eastern Wilderness.

(End of this chapter)