You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 161 I don't care about the process, I only care about the result.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen stretched.

He glanced at the pile of memorials that had already been processed beside him and couldn't help but sigh.

The throne of the dragon is wonderful, but the hard work and toil that come with it are equally arduous.

With great power comes great responsibility and hardship.

That's absolutely true.

Just as Zhou Chen was sighing, the eunuchs and guards who were on duty outside the hall walked in.

"Your Majesty, Commander Cao Shaoqin requests an audience."

The eunuch and guards entered and reported.

"Let him in."

Zhou Chen said calmly.

The eunuchs and guards bowed and withdrew.

A moment later, Cao Shaoqin strode into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Shu secretly went to the Prime Minister's residence last night."

"Even outside the Prime Minister's residence, I sensed a rather subtle atmosphere inside."

"One of the subtle auras made even I sense a hint of danger."

After Cao Shaoqin walked in, he bowed and reported what he had discovered the night before.

"Oh!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen's spirits lifted.

Zhou Zhi secretly went to the Prime Minister's residence, which did not surprise Zhou Chen.

To Zhou Chen's surprise, the Prime Minister's residence had become much more subdued.

One of the subtle auras even made Cao Shaoqin sense a hint of danger.

It should be noted that Cao Shaoqin is a Grandmaster at the peak, and his combat strength is comparable to that of a half-step Celestial.

If Cao Shaoqin could sense a hint of danger from this person, then this person with the concealed aura must be a master at the half-step Celestial Realm.

Those who could make Cao Shaoqin sense a hidden aura were certainly not ordinary people.

Could it be that the Yuan family's people have already arrived?

Thinking of this, Zhou Chen looked at Cao Shaoqin; "Doesn't your Eastern Depot have any definite news?"

"Has any news come back from the Imperial Guards in Runan?"

According to Zhou Chen's estimation, the subtle presence of the Prime Minister's residence must be the arrival of the Yuan family's forces.

Furthermore, the Yuan family's ancestor, who was at the half-step Celestial level, should also be here.

Zhou Chen knew that the Yuan family had an ancestor who was half a step into the Celestial Realm, which was the biggest reason why the Yuan family was able to maintain its position as the head of the seven great families.

Of the entire Yuan family, the only one who could pose a threat to Cao Shaoqin was probably that ancestor who was half a step into the Celestial Realm.

"Your Majesty, the hidden presence of these people from the Prime Minister's residence indicates their extraordinary strength. The Eastern Depot has no definite information about them."

"If these subtle presences within the Prime Minister's residence truly belong to the Yuan family, then even with the strength of the Runan Depot and the Imperial Guard, it would be difficult to obtain accurate information about them."

Cao Shaoqin understood Zhou Chen's meaning and immediately explained.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen knew that Cao Shaoqin was right.

The Yuan family of Runan is the head of the seven great families of the Great Zhou Dynasty. If these people from the Yuan family of Runan were to secretly enter Luoyang...

It wasn't so easy for the Eastern Depot to find out accurate information.

Moreover, Prime Minister Yuan Bo has been operating in Luoyang for many years and is the Prime Minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

It would be easy for Prime Minister Yuan Bo to conceal the whereabouts of the Yuan family and evade the eyes and ears of the Eastern Depot.

If Chancellor Yuan Bo cannot even do this, then he is truly unworthy of his position as Chancellor, the head of all officials.

It seems their plan is about to be put into action.

Zhou Chen's eyes flickered, and he looked at Cao Shaoqin before asking, "Any other news?"

"Your Majesty, there has been no news from the Imperial Guards sent to Shu by the Grand Supervisor for three days."

"I suspect that something may have happened to them."

Previously, Zhou Chen ordered Cao Zhengchun to send more imperial guards to Shu to investigate everything about King Zhou Zhi of Shu.

However, there has been no news from the imperial guards sent to Shu for three days.

Therefore, Cao Shaoqin had no choice but to report to Emperor Zhou Chen and speculate that the imperial guards sent to Shu had all met with misfortune.

Uh?
"No news for three days?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen frowned slightly.

The Eastern Depot's messages weren't delivered solely by human messengers; they were relayed by specialized hawks.

The fact that there has been no news from the imperial guards sent to Shu for three days is enough to show that something has gone wrong with them.

"It seems that my ninth brother has considerable power in Shu. Even the Imperial Guard was defeated and never returned."

Zhou Chen narrowed his eyes slightly and said to Cao Shaoqin, "Immediately inform Jia Xu of this news and tell him that I am entrusting the affairs of Shu to him as well."

"I entrust him with all matters outside Luoyang to make overall decisions."

"He can mobilize the Eastern Depot's personnel outside the region, as well as the pacification armies of Lü Bu and Zhang Liao."

"I don't care about the process, I only care about the result."

“If he cannot satisfy me, or if something goes wrong, then there is no need for him to return to Luoyang.”

Zhou Chen's expression turned colder.

Jia Xu has already left Luoyang by imperial decree.

Zhou Chen's order to Jia Xu was that Jia Xu be responsible for eliminating the Yuan and Zheng families' forces outside the region.

Zhou Chen could not allow the Yuan and Zheng families to enter Luoyang with most of their forces.

Zhou Chen would never allow his private soldiers to gather near the five passes of Sili.

Therefore, Zhou Chen entrusted all of this to Jia Xu.

Now, Zhou Chen has also handed over the affairs of Shu to Jia Xu to handle.

Zhou Chen believed that, given Jia Xu's reputation as a ruthless strategist, handling these matters should not be a problem.

Jia Xu was also the most suitable person to deal with the power of aristocratic families and powerful clans.

However, Jia Xu was too adept at self-preservation.

If Zhou Chen hadn't put some pressure on Jia Xu, Jia Xu wouldn't have been able to act so boldly.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Shaoqin bowed and said.

"besides."

"These next few days, you will personally keep an eye on the Prime Minister's residence."

"Now that the Yuan family's men have arrived, I estimate that the Zheng and Fan families' men should arrive soon as well."

Zhou Chen continued.

"The minister obeys the order."

Cao Shaoqin bowed again and said.

"Go!"

Zhou Chen waved his hand.

Cao Shaoqin withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After Cao Shaoqin left, Zhou Chen's eyes became deep.

"Yuan family?"

"Zheng family?"

"Hehe, I've been waiting for you all."

Zhou Chen sneered repeatedly.

"And the Fan family too."

"You think that by breaking up into smaller units and scattering, you can avoid the court's thunderous strike."

"Then, you'll slip away unnoticed, secretly gather in Luoyang, and act in concert with the other two families. No one will be able to see through your scheme, right?"

"Little do you know, your little schemes could not possibly escape the notice of the brilliant minds around me."

"I have already laid out a wide net, waiting for you to crawl into it."

Zhou Chen muttered to himself.

……

The Palace of the King of Shu.

Meeting hall.

King Zhou Zhi of Shu greeted the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, who had just entered, with a beaming smile. "Eighth Imperial Uncle, what brings you to my Shu King's residence?"

"You little rascal, you've even learned to tease your Eighth Imperial Uncle now."

“You’ve been back from Shu for a few days now, but I haven’t seen you go to see your Eighth Imperial Uncle.”

"Since you won't go to see your Eighth Imperial Uncle, then your Eighth Imperial Uncle will have no choice but to come and see you in person."

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, entered the council hall, smiling as he spoke. The two seemed quite at ease with each other.

On the contrary, they were very casual and approachable.

"Eighth Imperial Uncle, you have wronged me."

"I originally planned to visit my Eighth Imperial Uncle, but my mother reminded me that things are not peaceful in Luoyang these days and told me to stay home as much as possible."

"I've also heard that things are going strangely in the imperial court lately, so I haven't been going out for the time being."

"I was thinking of visiting the Eighth Prince in a few days."

"I didn't expect that the Eighth Imperial Uncle would come to my Shu Prince's Mansion first."

As Zhou Zhi spoke, he welcomed the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, into the hall.

Then, the two sat down facing each other.

"Your mother is right to remind you; things are indeed not peaceful inside or outside the court right now."

"Try to stay home as little as possible unless absolutely necessary, and it's best to avoid visiting those court officials."

"To avoid accidentally getting involved."

After sitting down, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian spoke to Zhou Zhi.

"Eighth Imperial Uncle, you're just like my mother, telling me to stay home and not get involved with those officials in the court."

"You weren't sent by my mother to keep an eye on me, were you?"

Zhou Zhi looked at the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian and said half-jokingly.

The Eighth Prince Zhou Xian nodded noncommittally; "You guessed right, your Eighth Imperial Uncle was entrusted by your mother to look after you."

"Your mother is doing this for your own good."

"You should also know what has happened in the court over the past two months, and quite a few people in our royal family have been implicated."

"Even your Eighth Imperial Uncle almost..."

At this point, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian stopped speaking and sighed.

Although the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian did not continue speaking, Zhou Zhi understood why the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian was sighing.

"Eighth Imperial Uncle, I know everything about Junxian."

"I never expected that Jun Xian would be harmed because of that vixen Wu Ying. She deserves to die."

Zhou Zhi said with a hateful voice.

Upon hearing this, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian sighed again: "Alas, this is perhaps Jun Xian's fate. He can't blame anyone but himself for being so useless."

"He chose this path himself, and he has to bear the consequences."

The Eighth Prince Zhou Xian looked somewhat dejected.

For him, Zhou Junxian's matter was always an indelible scar.

This was his most outstanding son, yet he was ruined because of a woman. How helpless and tragic this is.

It almost implicated everyone in their lineage.

If it weren't for the fact that he, the Eighth Prince, still had a little bit of fame and prestige...

Perhaps their entire lineage will be implicated and executed because of Zhou Junxian's actions.

"Eighth Imperial Uncle, what do you mean by fate? In my opinion, it was that woman Wu Ying who caused it."

"Your Majesty is really something. Junxian is a genius that appears only once in a century in our royal family. Why don't you give him a break?"

Everyone makes a mistake sometimes.

"Moreover, there's your reputation, Eighth Imperial Uncle."

"If it were me, I would definitely give Junxian a break."

Zhou Zhi said with a complaining look on his face.

These seemingly unintentional words, however, caused the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian to pause in surprise.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, looked at Zhou Zhi with a serious expression; "Little Ninth, don't say such things again."

"Although you and His Majesty are both born to the Empress Dowager, in the eyes of an emperor there are no family matters. There are some things that are taboo and cannot be touched."

"This is a reminder from the Eighth Imperial Uncle to you, and also a warning from the Eighth Imperial Uncle as the head of the Imperial Clan Court."

"Besides, His Majesty has already been lenient with your Eighth Imperial Uncle."

"Otherwise, do you think your Eighth Imperial Uncle would still come to the Shu Prince's Mansion to see you?"

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, looked at Zhou Zhi and said very seriously.

Zhou Zhi's words just now touched on some taboos and were offensive.

This was also heard by the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian.

If it were a guard from the Eastern Depot who heard this, they might have drawn their crescent blades and captured Zhou Zhi.

Seeing the serious attitude of the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, Zhou Zhi immediately stood up and bowed to the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian; "Eighth Imperial Uncle, it was Xiao Jiu who spoke without thinking and misspoke."

"Thank you for the reminder, Eighth Imperial Uncle."

"From now on, Xiao Jiu will be more careful with her words and actions."

Zhou Zhi said seriously.

The Eighth Prince Zhou Xian waved his hand impatiently; "Alright, stop pretending with your Eighth Imperial Uncle."

"Just keep it in mind in the future."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhi sat down again with a smile.

Then, the two chatted for a while longer before the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian got up to take his leave and departed from the Shu Prince's residence.

After the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian left, Zhou Zhi's expression became thoughtful, and his eyes flickered uncertainly.

The taboo words that Zhou Zhi just said were intended to test the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian.

Unfortunately, Zhou Zhi did not get the answer he wanted from the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian.

Zhou Zhi didn't know whether the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian was aware of his probing intentions, or whether he thought it was just a careless remark.

If the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian realizes this, then things will be in trouble.

Zhou Zhi thought to himself.

……

Outside the Shu King's Palace.

The brows of the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian were also tightly furrowed.

The taboo words Zhou Zhi had just spoken left the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian somewhat unsure of what to do.

Logically speaking, princes who grew up in the palace and were granted the title of prince should not be unaware of the gravity of their actions, let alone speak recklessly.

Especially such sensitive and taboo words, it is impossible to say them easily.

But Zhou Zhi just casually uttered a taboo word. Was it unintentional?
The Eighth Prince Zhou Xian's gaze was somewhat uncertain.

"No wonder the Empress Dowager summoned me to the palace and asked me to keep an eye on this King of Shu."

"It seems that the Empress Dowager has also figured something out, which is why she is worried about the Prince of Shu and asked me to keep an eye on him."

King Zhou Xian thought to himself.

Zhou Zhi's probing words had already been seen through by the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian.

Also.

People like Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, stood tall in the court and were called the Wise King by everyone.

If you didn't have this skill, if you couldn't even see this, you would probably have been played to death countless times by now.

How could he then be hailed as a wise king by the masses?

"Little Jiu, I hope you can understand the Empress Dowager's good intentions."

"Eighth Imperial Uncle does not want you to follow in Jun Xian's footsteps, just like the carefree Prince Zhou Qian."

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, glanced back at the Shu Prince's Mansion and muttered to himself.

"Someone is coming."

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, called out.

"Your Majesty."

A figure appeared beside Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince.

Looking at the figure, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian said directly, "From now on, send people to keep a close eye on the Shu Prince's residence."

"If the King of Shu takes any action, inform me immediately."

Since the Empress Dowager asked the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian to look after Zhou Zhi, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian naturally had to comply.

During the time that King Zhou Zhi of Shu was in Luoyang, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian had to spend more time keeping an eye on him.

I just hope Zhou Zhi won't cause any trouble or really make a mess of things.

Otherwise, it wouldn't just be the Empress Dowager who would be in a difficult position.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The figure responded and disappeared again before the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian.

"Return to the Imperial Clan Court."

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, boarded a carriage and headed towards the Imperial Clan Court.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, was unaware of what would happen after he left.

In an inconspicuous corner outside the Shu King's mansion, a pair of eyes were constantly watching his carriage.

(End of this chapter)