You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 13 Two Princes
Outside Luoyang City.

Grand Tutor Wen Zhong stood on horseback, his dark gray armor gleaming in the blazing sun.

Not far behind him, 30,000 troops stood ready, their weapons in order.

This army of 30,000 was one of the twelve most elite guards of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The Twelve Divine Guards were the capital that protected Luoyang, the capital of the Zhou Dynasty, and enabled the Zhou Dynasty to suppress the rest of the world.

Each guard had 30,000 men, divided into north and south camps. The six guards of the north camp were under the control of Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, while the six guards of the south camp were under the control of General Wu Jin.

Yesterday in court, Zhou Chen granted Grand Tutor Wen Zhong's request to send one of the Twelve Divine Martial Guards to the four northwestern prefectures to quell the rebellion.

Therefore, after receiving the approval for disaster relief funds from Zhou Chen today, Grand Tutor Wen Zhong immediately took the funds, left the city, and prepared to set off with his troops.

"Grand Tutor, we have been waiting for more than an hour. The situation in the four northwestern prefectures is critical, and the journey is long. If we are delayed, unforeseen changes may occur."

An official who had accompanied the Grand Tutor to provide disaster relief in the four northwestern prefectures looked at the sky and stepped forward to speak to the Grand Tutor, Wen Zhong.

Grand Tutor Wen Zhong gazed intently at the magnificent city of Luoyang; “Wait a little longer, the Emperor has already sent people to invite the two princes.”

Grand Tutor Wen Zhong had just finished speaking.

Two princes' carriages, escorted by dozens of imperial guards, came from a distance.

Grand Tutor Wen Zhong immediately withdrew his gaze and said to the official beside him, "The two princes have arrived. Notify the army to set off immediately without delay."

then.

Grand Tutor Wen Zhong dismounted and went to greet him.

"This old minister greets the two princes." Grand Tutor Wen Zhong walked up to the two princes' carriages and bowed in greeting.

Upon hearing this, Prince Xiaoyao Zhou Qian and Prince Kang Zhou Qi quickly lifted the curtain and came out, saying politely to Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, "Grand Tutor, there's no need for such formalities."

"Next, the two of us will accompany the Grand Tutor to the four northwestern prefectures to provide disaster relief and quell the civil unrest. Grand Tutor, please feel free to give us any instructions."

"We two will definitely do our best to assist the Grand Tutor and follow his orders."

"The carefree king Zhou Qian said with great respect."

This old Grand Tutor is a veteran of three reigns and a pillar of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He wields the Golden Whip of the King, and even the late emperor had to respectfully address him as the old Grand Tutor, let alone the princes who are the sons of the late emperor.

"Then this old minister thanks the two princes in advance," said Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, showing no arrogance despite the favor bestowed upon him.

Despite being a veteran of three reigns, wielding the Golden Whip that could strike down both tyrannical rulers and treacherous officials, he held a highly respected position.

But he knew that a king is a king, and a subject is a subject.

There are some bottom lines that cannot be crossed.

otherwise.

Arrogance and complacency, even for the most meritorious officials, will soon lead to their demise.

The carefree King Zhou Qian smiled and said, "They have all worked for my Great Zhou, so there is no need to thank them. If anyone should thank someone, it should be me, on behalf of the Great Zhou, thanking the Grand Tutor."

indeed.

Without this veteran Grand Tutor who served three dynasties, the Zhou Dynasty would probably have collapsed.

It can be said that Grand Tutor Wen Zhong is currently the pillar supporting half of the Zhou Dynasty.

After speaking, Zhou Qian, the carefree king, turned to look at Lü Bu; "Commander Lü, please escort us out of the city."

"Your mission is complete. You can go back now. Commander Lü doesn't intend to keep escorting us to the four northwestern prefectures, does he?"

Zhou Qian, the carefree king, looked at Lü Bu with a cold smile.

Having just experienced the incident at the Prince's Mansion, Prince Zhou Qian harbored extreme resentment towards Lü Bu.

A mere commander of the Imperial Guard actually dared to issue an order to massacre the royal palace.

That's really great.

He will definitely get his revenge if given the chance.

Lu Bu glanced at the Prince of Xiaoyao indifferently, then turned and led the Imperial Guards back to Luoyang without saying a word.

They didn't care at all about the little bit of resentment held by the Carefree King.

Who is Lü Bu?
The fiercest general of the Three Kingdoms, a war god who regarded all heroes as mere weeds.

Aside from his lord Zhou Chen, who else in the world could Lu Bu take seriously?
……

After Lü Bu left, Grand Tutor Wen Zhong and his entourage immediately set off for the four northwestern prefectures.

Inside the carriage, the carefree Prince Zhou Qian no longer had the indignant expression he had just shown; instead, his face was deep and thoughtful.

Lu Bu?

Lü Bu?
This is getting interesting. It seems the fifth brother does have some tricks up his sleeve.

The carefree King Zhou Qian's lips curled into a slight smile, his eyes gleaming.

I have no idea what I'm thinking.

Meanwhile, in another carriage, Prince Kang, Zhou Qi, also appeared calm, showing no trace of the tension or fear he had shown earlier.

"Ugh."

"I don't know whether this trip to the four northwestern prefectures will be a blessing or a curse."

"I hope I'm just overthinking it!"

King Kang, Zhou Qi, sighed, his face full of worry.

Compared to the emperor who never left the palace, these princes had a clearer understanding of the current state of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

The clearer they saw things, the more powerless they felt.

It was a deep sense of helplessness.

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

A crackling sound came from Zhou Chen's body.

Then, a sharp light flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes, and he looked even more solemn and dignified.

"Rank nine."

"The cultivation of this Emperor's Conferring of Gods technique is indeed related to the Emperor's fortune."

Zhou Chen felt the terrifying power emanating from his body, and his eyes gleamed.

He never expected that simply stripping Empress Wu Ying of her dual imperial power and removing Grand Tutor Yan Hua would allow his imperial fortune to allow him to cultivate the Divine Conferment Technique so quickly.

It seems that his next step is to find a way to accelerate the consolidation of imperial power and improve the emperor's fortune.

At this moment, a palace eunuch bowed and walked in.

"Your Majesty, Commander Jinhe requests an audience," the eunuch reported.

"Ok!"

"Let him in!"

Zhou Chen's eyes flashed as he spoke.

"As you command." The eunuch bowed and withdrew.

A moment later, the golden crane, clad in armor, entered.

"This humble general pays his respects to Your Majesty." Upon seeing Zhou Chen, Jin He immediately knelt down and bowed.

Zhou Chen calmly glanced at Jin He; "Get up! How are the Imperial Guards?"

"Your Majesty, I have dealt with all those who dared to object, a total of twenty-eight people. I have also replaced all the guards in the palace," Jin He said respectfully as he stood up.

Zhou Chen nodded upon hearing this; "That's right."

"Keep a close eye on the Imperial Guards these next few days and strengthen the palace's defenses. Deal with anyone who makes any unusual moves immediately," Zhou Chen said coldly.

The Imperial Guards were crucial to the safety of the entire palace.

Zhou Chen would not allow any dissenting voices to emerge.

"This subordinate obeys the order." Jin He nodded in understanding.

Zhou Chen waved his hand; "Step down!"

Jinhe bowed and withdrew.

After Jin He left, Zhou Chen's eyes became somewhat unfocused.

Twenty-eight people?

Of the 30,000 Imperial Guards, are only 28 men disloyal?

Zhou Chen didn't believe it.

Even the Imperial Guards had their hands halfway in, let alone the Imperial Guards within the palace.

"It seems these rats have sensed danger and have temporarily hidden themselves."

Zhou Chen gave a cold laugh.

(End of this chapter)