You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 145 You really disappoint me.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Bright lights.

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne, frowning and silent.

Below stood Cao Zhengchun, who looked extremely respectful.

Cao Zhengchun sneaked into the Prime Minister's residence and overheard the secret conversation between Prime Minister Yuan Bo and his entourage. He then went straight to the palace without stopping.

Because the contents of the secret meeting between Prime Minister Yuan Bo and his accomplices were truly earth-shattering.

Even though Cao Zhengchun only heard a few words, he had no choice but to immediately go to the palace to report to Zhou Chen.

"What else did you find out?"

Zhou Chen looked at Cao Zhengchun.

Zhou Chen was about to go to bed when Cao Zhengchun brought him such important news.

It instantly dispelled Zhou Chen's drowsiness.

"Your Majesty, this old servant also heard that they seem to have basically accomplished this in Shu."

"Both the Zheng and Fan families were involved."

"Furthermore, strangers entered the residences of both the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice tonight. This old servant estimates they are from the Fan and Zheng families."

"When this old servant rushed to the Prime Minister's residence, they had basically finished their secret meeting, and this old servant only overheard a few of the contents."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and said.

When Cao Zhengchun sneaked into the Prime Minister's residence, the secret meeting between Prime Minister Yuan Bo and Yuan Ziming was almost over.

Cao Zhengchun had no idea what Chancellor Yuan Bo and his entourage had discussed in secret.

Cao Zhengchun only heard a few words at the end.

But those few words that followed were enough for Cao Zhengchun to find out what Prime Minister Yuan Bo and his group were planning.

Were the Zheng and Fan families also involved?
Zhou Chen's eyes flickered.

Zhou Chen never expected that the Cui family of Boling would so audaciously incite the carefree Prince Zhou Qian to raise a banner of rebellion.

After that, three of the seven great families—the Yuan, Zheng, and Fan families—also rebelled and tried to change the world.

These powerful and wealthy families are truly fearless.

It seems that the actions of this emperor have made these powerful and wealthy families sense danger.

Otherwise, these powerful and wealthy families wouldn't take such a huge risk to do something that could lead to the extermination of their entire clan.

"His Majesty."

"Should this old servant take immediate action, arrest all these people, and ransack their mansions?"

Cao Zhengchun began to speak.

Based on the few words Cao Zhengchun overheard from Prime Minister Yuan Bo's secret conversation, it was enough for the Eastern Depot to confiscate the property and exterminate the entire clan of Prime Minister Yuan Bo and his associates.

Besides, anything involving this kind of thing...

As long as there is even the slightest hint of trouble.

That is, it's better to kill the innocent than to let the guilty go free.

Zhou Chen shook his head; "No need. Since your Eastern Depot has already found out their purpose, there's no rush to take action."

"The medicine was too strong; it could damage your bones and muscles."

"The Prime Minister, the Minister of Revenue, and the Minister of Justice are all powerful ministers in the court, and also representatives of aristocratic families in the court."

"There are countless officials in the imperial court who are implicated with them."

“Once we take action, all these officials in the court will be purged.”

"If there aren't enough officials to fill the vacancies, it will paralyze and destabilize the central government."

Zhou Chen said with a serious expression.

It wasn't that Zhou Chen didn't want to immediately issue an edict to confiscate the property and exterminate the entire clan of these people.

However, Zhou Chen cannot do so for the time being.

The Cui family of Boling and the Minister of Works alone have implicated more than twenty officials in the imperial court.

Zhou Chen dared not imagine how many officials in the court could be implicated by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Revenue, and the Minister of Justice.

This is not even considered a local cleanup.

This is not as simple as dealing with the Cui family of Boling or the faction of the powerful relatives of General Wu Jin; it is about dealing with three of the seven powerful families deeply rooted in the Great Zhou Dynasty at the same time.

These three powerful families are all extraordinary, with deeper roots in the Great Zhou Dynasty than the Cui family of Boling.

Among them, the Yuan family of Runan is the head of the seven great families.

If we can't decide the fate of the world in one battle...

That could really cause a huge uproar.

These are all things Zhou Chen has to consider.

Therefore, Zhou Chen cannot act rashly without sufficient preparation.

Moreover, there's also King Zhou Zhi of Shu, and Zhou Chen also has to consider the Empress Dowager's side.

After a moment of serious contemplation, Zhou Chen said to Cao Zhengchun, "Cao Zhengchun, immediately summon Du Ruhui and Liu Ye to the palace."

For such an important matter, Zhou Chen needed to consult with Du Ruhui and Liu Ye.

As the saying goes, one person's plan is short-sighted, but three people's plans are long-sighted.

We need to come up with a feasible plan for this.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After Cao Zhengchun left, Zhou Chen's face was somewhat gloomy, and he muttered to himself with disappointment, "Ninth Prince, you really disappoint me."

"For the sake of the Empress Dowager, I have already given you a chance, hoping that you can see the current situation clearly, but you just don't know how to cherish it and are thinking of courting death."

"Do you think I don't know that you were involved in Zhang De's poisoning of me?"

"Do you think I don't know that you are the biggest player behind the scenes?"

"Now, you've actually gotten involved with powerful and wealthy families. You really don't know what 'death' means."

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes.

Previously, Zhou Chen had already discovered that Shu King Zhou Zhi was behind Zhang De's poisoning of him.

However, due to the Empress Dowager's influence, Zhou Chen temporarily suppressed the matter and did not take action against Zhou Zhi.

Zhou Chen gave Zhou Zhi a chance, hoping that Zhou Zhi could see the situation clearly, be a peaceful and stable King of Shu, and not have any more crooked thoughts.

Unfortunately, it seems that Zhou Zhi did not cherish this opportunity given to Zhou Chen.

Not only did they harbor wicked intentions, but they also went even further, associating with powerful and wealthy families in an attempt to change the world.

This greatly disappointed Zhou Chen.

"Ninth Prince, since you're still not giving up, then let me see what tricks you have up your sleeve and how much trouble you can cause."

Zhou Chen's eyes flickered.

……

Half an hour later.

Liu Ye and Du Ruhui, led by Cao Zhengchun, entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your subject, Liu Ye."

"Your subject, Du Ruhui."

"I have met His Majesty."

After Liu Ye and Du Ruhui entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, they bowed respectfully to Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

Liu Ye and Du Ruhui had no idea why Zhou Chen had summoned them to the palace so late at night and what important matter he wanted to discuss.

On the way here, they asked Cao Zhengchun about it, but Cao Zhengchun remained tight-lipped and didn't give a clear answer.

This made Liu Ye and Du Ruhui suspect that something serious must have happened.

Otherwise, Zhou Chen wouldn't have summoned them in the middle of the night, and Cao Zhengchun wouldn't have looked so hesitant and unwilling to say more. Zhou Chen glanced at Du Ruhui and Liu Ye and said, "Keming, Ziyang, no need for formalities, get up!"

"The reason I summoned you to the palace so late is because there is something I need to discuss with you."

"Someone has their eye on the chair I'm sitting on, and wants to change the world!"

As soon as Zhou Chen said this...

Du Ruhui and Liu Ye's expressions changed slightly.

They've got their eyes on the chair His Majesty sits on, and they want to change the world?

Isn't this just someone trying to sit on the dragon throne and commit regicide and rebellion?

Just as they guessed, something truly extraordinary has happened.

Judging from this, His Majesty knows who it is and has found out the information.

Du Ruhui and Liu Ye were deep in thought.

"Cao Zhengchun, tell Keming and the others what's going on."

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Zhengchun again and said.

Zhou Chen believed that Cao Zhengchun was tight-lipped and would not reveal any information to Du Ruhui and Liu Ye on the way here.

This is one of the main reasons why Cao Zhengchun was able to become the head of the Eastern Depot and a trusted henchman of the emperor.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun nodded and immediately began to tell Du Ruhui and Liu Ye the news he had gleaned from the Prime Minister's residence.

After hearing the information that Cao Zhengchun had gathered at the Prime Minister's residence, Du Ruhui and Liu Ye both became serious.

The three great families and the prime minister are relatively easy to deal with. Although they are somewhat troublesome, as long as the plan is proper, they can't cause any major trouble.

What truly made Du Ruhui and Liu Ye take the matter seriously was King Zhou Zhi of Shu.

Royal affairs have never been easy to handle, and court officials are even less willing to get involved.

Du Ruhui and Liu Ye were no exception.

This King Zhou Zhi of Shu was Zhou Chen's ninth emperor.

There was also an empress dowager behind her.

This will be even more troublesome than dealing with the three great families and the prime minister.

Seeing that Du Ruhui and Liu Ye had both heard the news that Cao Zhengchun had gathered, Zhou Chen said directly, "You have both heard the news that Cao Zhengchun gathered at the Prime Minister's residence."

"What do you think?"

"What do you think is the best way to handle this matter so that it doesn't cause too much turmoil in the court?"

Zhou Chen looked at Du Ruhui and Liu Ye.

One of these two men was Du Du, the man of Fang Xuanling's strategic planning and Du Du's decisive action; the other was a man of exceptional talent who could assist the world during the Three Kingdoms period.

Zhou Chen wanted to see if these two had any good ideas or suggestions on how to handle the current situation.

After a moment of contemplation, Du Ruhui bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have some doubts."

“Even in the struggle for the throne among the princes, the powerful families like the Yuan family of Runan, the Fan family of Jiexiu, and the Zheng family of Rongyang would never bet their entire family on such a large sum.”

"Not to mention this risky move of colluding with a prince to change the world, which is not in the interest of aristocratic families."

"I wonder what could have prompted these powerful families among the seven great clans to take such a risky step?"

Du Ruhui's words made Zhou Chen frown.

Yes!

Under normal circumstances, powerful and wealthy families would not gamble with the fate of their entire clan; this is their way of survival.

But why would the powerful and influential families like the Yuan family of Runan place such a heavy bet on the King of Shu this time?
Zhou Chen hadn't thought about this question before, but now that Du Ruhui had mentioned it, Zhou Chen also felt it was a bit strange.

Logically speaking, Zhou Chen's actions during this period should have been somewhat provocative to the powerful and wealthy families.

But it's not enough to make powerful families like the Yuan family of Runan, one of the seven great clans, directly risk colluding with the King of Shu to rebel!
That doesn't make sense.

This kind of choice only occurs when there is no other option but to be forced into a corner.

So, what makes powerful and influential families like the Yuan family of Runan so willing to risk the fate of their entire clan to do something like this?

Zhou Chen frowned as he thought.

Unless the powerful families like the Yuan family of Runan have committed some heinous crime, like the Cui family of Boling, which would warrant the extermination of nine generations of their clan.

Wait, the Cui family of Boling?
Zhou Chen's eyes flickered, and he suddenly realized something.
“What a fine family the Yuan family of Runan, the Zheng family of Rongyang, and the Fan family of Jiexiu are.”

"So you were also involved in the upheaval in the four northwestern prefectures."

A cold glint flashed across Zhou Chen's face.

Zhou Chen had long known that the upheaval in the four northwestern prefectures was not solely the work of the Cui family of Boling.

There must be other powerful families or forces involved.

However, Zhou Chen couldn't determine which of the seven great families and other forces were involved.

Now, after Du Ruhui's explanation, Zhou Chen suddenly understood everything that had happened before.

These three are definitely going to be included.

Zhou Chen gave Du Ruhui a deep look; "Kemin, did you already guess this?"

Du Ruhui shook his head; "Your Majesty, I was just a little confused. After Your Majesty explained, I understand now."

"hehe."

Zhou Chen sneered.

“Kemin, it doesn’t matter whether the three families are related to the affairs of the four prefectures in the Northwest.”

"What I'm asking now is, what do you think should be done about what Cao Zhengchun found out at the Prime Minister's residence?"

Zhou Chen looked at Du Ruhui with a cold smile.

They dare to try and fool the emperor? Do they really think he's an easy emperor to talk to?
Du Ruhui felt a chill run down his spine at Zhou Chen's cold smile.

Du Ruhui knew that if he couldn't come up with a good solution, he would be in deep trouble.

"Your Majesty, since they are all related to the affairs of the four northwestern prefectures..."

"Then, as your subjects, we should start from this point and defeat them one by one."

"There were problems with the disaster relief funds in the four northwestern prefectures before, and His Majesty has not thoroughly investigated them."

"Your Majesty has just presented this as a reason to start with the Ministry of Revenue."

"In this way, we can temporarily mislead others, stabilize the situation, and slowly use this to purge officials without causing too much turmoil."

Du Ruhui pondered for a moment and then said.

In Du Ruhui's view, if this matter were handled as a rebellious act of colluding with the King of Shu to overthrow the old order, it would immediately provoke resistance from the three great families.

Even if the three great families are wiped out, it will still cause turmoil in the imperial court and the local areas.

It would be safer to use other pretexts to first target the officials in the imperial court and gradually spread the problem.

Upon hearing Du Ruhui's words, Zhou Chen immediately understood what Du Ruhui meant.

Starting with the Ministry of Revenue was a point of agreement with Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen's plan was to take action against the Minister of Revenue first, because he had already laid the groundwork beforehand.

Zhou Chen had previously used the silver obtained from confiscating property and exterminating families as bait, and he had the Eastern Depot keep an eye on it without taking any action.

It's time to get rid of the rats inside.

This would be a good opportunity to take down the Minister of Revenue without arousing too much suspicion from the three powerful families and Prime Minister Yuan Bo.

The advantage of doing this is that it can temporarily stabilize these people.

"Any more?"

Zhou Chen then looked at Du Ruhui.

Du Ruhui then offered several more suggestions.

After hearing this, Zhou Chen's expression didn't change much, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.

(End of this chapter)