You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 142 At worst, we'll rebel.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen reviewed memorials and handled government affairs.

As an emperor, Zhou Chen constantly reminded himself that it is easy to be a tyrant, but difficult to be a wise ruler.

To be a wise ruler, one must never slack off.

Diligence in governance is the most basic requirement.

Without exception, all incompetent rulers throughout history began with laziness and neglect of state affairs.

Zhou Chen did not consider himself a great and ambitious ruler.

Therefore, Zhou Chen could only start with the most basic requirements and strictly demand of himself.

"His Majesty."

"Chief Supervisor Cao requests an audience."

At this moment, the eunuchs and guards came in to report.

"Let him in."

Zhou Chen said something without even looking up.

Since Dian Wei, the commander of the Imperial Guards, came to guard the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Even Cao Zhengchun, a close attendant of the emperor, had to go through the proper channels to enter the Hall of Mental Cultivation when he was not on duty.

Not long after the eunuch left, Cao Zhengchun entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"His Majesty."

"This is news that just came from Sichuan."

Cao Zhengchun entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation and went directly to Zhou Chen's side.

Cao Zhengchun handed a letter to Zhou Chen.

News from Sichuan?

Zhou Chen was visibly taken aback.

It seems he didn't have the Eastern Depot investigate news from Sichuan.

However, when Zhou Chen thought about the duties of the Eastern Depot, he felt that it was only natural.

Zhou Chen looked up and gave Cao Zhengchun a deep look.

Then, Zhou Chen took the letter from Shu from Cao Zhengchun and opened it to read it.

The message contained a lot of information, though not much.

After reading the news from Shu, Zhou Chen frowned slightly.

Zhou Chen tapped rhythmically on the dragon-shaped table with his fingers, his eyes flickering in silence.

After a while.

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Zhengchun; "Anything else? Is that all?"

Cao Zhengchun immediately replied, "Your Majesty, this is all the information the Imperial Guard has gathered so far."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen fell silent again.

"The King of Shu should be arriving in Luoyang soon!"

"At that time, Cao Zhengchun, you will go and greet the King of Shu."

A few minutes later, Zhou Chen calmly glanced at Cao Zhengchun and said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun immediately bowed and said.

"What is the situation in the four northern states?"

"Is Fang Xuanling's progress in the four northern prefectures going smoothly?"

Zhou Chen asked again.

"Your Majesty, the situation in the four northern provinces has gradually stabilized."

"Lord Fang has been doing his best to provide disaster relief and comfort the people. The people affected by the disaster in the four prefectures have been properly resettled."

"However, there are still some small groups of bandits causing trouble in the four states."

"Furthermore, Master Fang has been assassinated several times, likely by those who escaped from the powerful and wealthy families."

"General Lü has already dispatched troops to wipe out these bandits, and Cao Shaoqin is also pursuing those who attempted assassination."

Cao Zhengchun recounted the situation in the four northern prefectures one by one.

After listening, Zhou Chen nodded without saying anything more.

These problems were all within Zhou Chen's expectations. After all, the four northern states had just quelled the chaos, and it was inevitable that some small groups of bandits would still cause trouble.

As for Fang Xuanling being assassinated several times, that goes without saying.

If it were so easy to clean up a powerful and wealthy family without leaving any problems, then it wouldn't be a powerful and wealthy family.

However, in Zhou Chen's view, all of these things will be completely erased over time.

……

Northern Xinjiang.

Zhenbeihou Mansion.

Inside the council chamber.

Marquis Xue Shaowen of Zhenbei sat in the main seat, with an imperial edict placed beside him.

On his left and right sides sat more than a dozen figures dressed in armor.

A solemn atmosphere permeated the air.

Marquis Xue Shaowen, seated in the main seat, glanced at the dozen or so generals sitting below and said calmly, "The imperial court has just issued an edict, which you should all have heard about."

"This is an imperial decree issued to me by the court. Please take a look."

Xue Shaowen picked up the imperial edict beside him and handed it to the dozen or so generals present below.

The dozen or so generals present received the imperial edict and took turns reading it.

Each general frowned slightly after reading the contents of the imperial edict.

After the dozen or so generals present had finished reading the imperial edict, the solemn atmosphere in the hall became even more somber.

His Majesty actually issued an edict ordering Marquis Xue Shaowen of Zhenbei to return to Luoyang to report on matters.

This would be perfectly normal under normal circumstances.

It was quite common for the emperor to summon senior generals from the border regions to discuss matters.

However, before that, the emperor in the palace issued an edict to the Zhenbei Army, ordering them to go south to quell the rebellion.

Their Marquis of Zhenbei, Xue Shaowen, did not obey the imperial decree, but instead used other excuses to evade it.

This made the generals present wonder if the emperor had other motives in issuing an edict ordering Marquis Xue Shaowen of Zhenbei to return to Luoyang to report on matters.

Seeing that the dozen or so generals present had all read the imperial edict, Xue Shaowen, who was in the main seat, looked at the dozen or so generals below him again: "You have all read the imperial edict issued to me by the court."

"His Majesty has decreed that I return to Luoyang to report on matters."

"What do you think?"

"Do you think I should accept the imperial decree and return to Luoyang to report on matters as instructed?"

Xue Shaowen scanned the dozen or so generals present and asked.

The dozen or so generals present were all Xue Shaowen's confidants, which was one of the reasons why Xue Shaowen was able to control the Zhenbei Army.

Therefore, Xue Shaowen went straight to the point with these generals without much hesitation.

Upon hearing Xue Shaowen's question, the dozen or so generals present exchanged glances.

One of the burly men couldn't help but stand up first and said, "My lord, this decree must not be obeyed."

“Our Zhenbei Army did not follow the imperial decree to send troops south to quell the rebellion, which must have aroused His Majesty’s suspicion.”

"His Majesty's order for the Marquis to return to Luoyang to report on matters is definitely not well-intentioned."

The burly man's voice was deafening, echoing in everyone's ears.

The other generals had solemn expressions and furrowed brows, but none of them spoke up easily.

They all knew that the burly man was very likely to be right.

This is exactly what they are worried about.

But if you disobey the imperial decree and return to Luoyang to report on matters, that would be defying the imperial decree and would be considered treason.

The consequences of treason are clear to all the generals present.

Those who plot rebellion will be executed, and their entire families will be exterminated.

This is a blatant conspiracy by His Majesty in the palace; anyone with a discerning eye can see it.

Besides, they had already failed to obey the imperial decree to send troops south to quell the rebellion once before, thus appeasing His Majesty in the palace.

If I disobey the imperial decree again this time and try to appease His Majesty in the palace, I will definitely be labeled a traitor by him.

What will become of the Zhenbei Army then?
What should these generals do?
Do you know what the consequences will be if you disobey orders?

Marquis Xue Shaowen of Zhenbei glanced indifferently at the burly man.

The burly man's expression changed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "My lord, the worst consequence is that you will be labeled as disobeying the imperial decree. This is no different from the possibility that you would also be punished for disobeying the imperial decree if you returned to Luoyang to report on matters."

"At worst, the Marquis can lead us in rebellion."

"With 300,000 Zhenbei Army soldiers at your command, what can the imperial court do to you, Marquis?"

"With the strength of my Zhenbei Army, we will march straight into Luoyang. Along the way, no local military force can stop us."

"At that time, taking Luoyang will be a piece of cake."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the council chamber slightly changed their expressions.

No one expected that this burly man would dare to utter such outrageous words.

Xue Shaowen, sitting in the main seat, frowned and shouted at the burly man, "Shut up!"

Do you know what you're saying?

"How dare you utter such treasonous words?"

"Although the Great Zhou Dynasty is in decline, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse."

"Do you think you can contend with the imperial court with just 300,000 Zhenbei Army soldiers?"

"Leaving aside the imperial army stationed in other places, even the Shenwu Guard stationed in Luoyang is not something my Zhenbei Army can handle."

"If your words get out, do you know what kind of consequences it will have on the Zhenbei Army?"

"Go and receive thirty strokes of the military rod as punishment."

Xue Shaowen looked at the burly man and said sternly.

These kinds of words can't be said casually.

Although Xue Shaowen didn't have much respect for the imperial court, he didn't dare to openly utter such treasonous words.

Xue Shaowen knew that no matter what, the imperial court was still the legitimate successor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and even a starved camel is bigger than a horse.

He could find excuses to evade imperial edicts, disregard the court's orders, and obey orders but not commands.

But he was not yet qualified to openly challenge the imperial court.

Especially the recent events in the imperial court have made Xue Shaowen, the Marquis of Zhenbei, realize that the imperial court is still a very powerful force.

The rebellion in the four northern prefectures was easily quelled by the imperial court. Even the powerful and influential Cui family of Boling, one of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty, had their entire clan wiped out in an instant.

This is enough to show that even though the sick tiger of the imperial court is in its twilight years, its remaining power still exists.

This forced Xue Shaowen, the Marquis of Zhenbei, to be cautious.

Faced with Xue Shaowen's cold rebuke, the burly man sat down with a look of resentment on his face.

He found it strange; hadn't he just spoken what the Marquis was thinking?
Why did the Marquis scold him instead?

Could it be that the Marquis will actually obey the imperial decree and go to Luoyang to report on matters?

After the burly man's words, the atmosphere in the council chamber became even more oppressive.

Xue Shaowen, seated at the head of the table, took out another letter and looked at the crowd below. "Here is another letter from the Prime Minister to me. Take a look."

A letter from the Prime Minister?

The dozen or so generals present were stunned for a moment, and then took turns reading the Prime Minister's letter.

After more than ten generals had finished reading the Prime Minister's letter, the general on the right looked directly at Xue Shaowen in the main seat and said, "My lord, the Prime Minister's letter has already made the implications very clear."

"His Majesty has taken a liking to the Marquis."

"His Majesty has issued an edict summoning the Marquis back to Luoyang to report on matters, which is not good news for the Marquis."

"What is your next course of action, Lord Marquis?"

"How should we solve the problem of the Zhenbei Army's military pay?"

The general said with a solemn expression.

"Yes, my lord."

"Military pay is of paramount importance; the pay for 300,000 troops is a considerable sum."

"If the imperial court doesn't approve the military pay for my Zhenbei Army, what will happen to my 300,000-strong Zhenbei Army?"

"They've all been waiting for their paychecks!"

The general at the head of the left also spoke with a solemn expression.

The letter from Chancellor Yuan Bo had already made it very clear that His Majesty had become suspicious of the Zhenbei Army.

If His Majesty does not pay the Zhenbei Army, what will happen to the 300,000 Zhenbei Army soldiers?
We can't just sit here and starve!
Hearing the two generals' concerns, Xue Shaowen calmly replied, "Don't worry! I'm certain that His Majesty in the palace won't refuse to pay my Zhenbei Army's military pay."

"Judging from what His Majesty has done recently, our Majesty is not a short-sighted person."

"Your Majesty should be aware that without military pay, the morale of the Zhenbei Army will be unstable."

"Your Majesty understands better than anyone what the consequences would be if the morale of the Zhenbei Army were to waver."

"Therefore, His Majesty will not allow chaos to break out in the northern frontier."

Xue Shaowen said with certainty.

Xue Shaowen's words acted like a tranquilizer, calming the minds of the dozen or so generals present.

As long as there is military pay, things are fine.

Without military pay, that would be a real problem.

"My lord, His Majesty has summoned you to Luoyang to report on matters. Will you go or not?"

The burly man spoke again.

The other generals also looked at Xue Shaowen, who was in the main seat.

None of them dared to speak on this matter lightly; they still needed to see what Marquis Xue Shaowen of Zhenbei thought.

"My old wounds have relapsed, and I am bedridden with a serious illness. Do you think I am still capable of traveling far back to Luoyang to report on matters?"

Xue Shaowen glanced at the burly man and said calmly.

Upon hearing Xue Shaowen's words, the burly man immediately laughed; "I knew it! The Marquis wouldn't return to Luoyang to report as ordered."

The other generals understood Xue Shaowen's meaning and said nothing more.

Only Xue Shaowen, the Marquis of Zhenbei, could make such a decision.

Xue Shaowen ignored the burly man and instead surveyed the dozen or so generals present with an air of authority, saying, "You have all read the imperial edict and the Prime Minister's letter."

"You should all be aware that our current situation is very bad."

"Therefore, you must manage the Zhenbei Army well and prevent any mishaps."

"Especially some of the generals below, keep a close eye on them."

"The Zhenbei Army is our lifeline."

"I understand everything."

Xue Shaowen surveyed the dozen or so generals below with a serious expression.

"Rest assured, my lord."

"I'll wait to understand."

The dozen or so generals below stood up and bowed in unison.

"As long as you know."

"Everyone, go about your business now!"

Xue Shaowen waved his hand.

Then, the dozen or so generals present all left the Zhenbei Marquis's residence.

After more than ten generals left, Xue Shaowen remained silent for a moment before summoning the steward of the Marquis's residence. "Steward, send someone to Xiliang to pay a visit to the Marquis of Xiliang."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

The butler nodded, immediately understanding Xue Shaowen's meaning.

(End of this chapter)