You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 266 The mystery of life experience
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, recounted all the information he knew about 'Tianshan' in great detail.

Before Emperor Zhou Chen, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian dared not hide anything.

In fact, even Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, didn't know much about the Tianshan Mountains.

After all, Mount Tianshan is a realm beyond the mundane world, something that a prince of the mortal realm cannot touch.

Previously, Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, had only heard some news about Tianshan from his ancestor and from those in his family who had entered the world for experience. Apart from that, Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, was just like everyone else, completely ignorant about the situation of 'Tianshan'.

Upon hearing Zhou Xian's words, Zhou Chen raised an eyebrow and said, "What do you mean? My Great Zhou royal family is just an outer branch, and there's a main family above us?"

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, nodded; "Yes, Your Majesty."

"It's not just our royal family; the other four great clans of the Great Zhou are also just an outlying branch, with a master above them."

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, spoke.

"However, although our royal family is an offshoot of the main family, in fact, after so many years, our relationship with the main family has become as thin as paper. It is no exaggeration to say that we are two separate families."

"It's just a superficial reputation; we don't have any real interaction with the master's family."

“We are nothing in the eyes of our master, and the master has no affection for us. We are only maintained by a relationship based on reputation.”

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, explained it very clearly.

The so-called "master" relationship is merely a nominal one, without any real emotional connection.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen's eyes flickered.

He hadn't expected that the Great Zhou royal family was just an outer branch, with a master family above them.

Furthermore, the same applies to the four major clans of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Now Zhou Chen understood why the four great clans of the Great Zhou Dynasty, who did not enter officialdom or wield military power, were able to overpower the seven great families and become the four most powerful clans in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

It turns out that above them all exists a master who transcends worldly affairs.

That explains everything.

Previously, Zhou Chen had some doubts about the four major clans. He couldn't understand why the people of the four major clans, who did not hold high positions in the imperial court, could surpass the seven great families and become the top clans of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Is it simply because one of the four great clans has an ancestor who is half a step into the Celestial Realm?
Now, Zhou Chen understood.

The fact that the four great clans could surpass the seven great families and become the top clans in the Great Zhou Dynasty was only one of the reasons why their ancestor, who was at the half-step Celestial Realm, was the only one.

The more important reason is that the four major clans, like their royal families, all have connections with the 'Tianshan' region.

Zhou Chen's eyes flickered for a moment before he looked at the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian and said, "Eighth Imperial Uncle, the Imperial Uncle once told me that I am not the son of the Empress Dowager."

"Originally, I did not believe in these things, but there is no smoke without fire, and I believe that no one would dare to talk about such things casually."

"I want to know the truth. Can Eighth Imperial Uncle enlighten me?"

Zhou Chen stared straight at the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian.

Originally, Zhou Chen wanted Cao Zhengchun to investigate the matter secretly, but he didn't want to openly question the Empress Dowager or the Eighth Prince like this.

That would appear too rigid, which wouldn't be good for his relationship with the Empress Dowager.

But now, the appearance of those worldly people has made Zhou Chen lose the will to continue investigating slowly.

Since he had already summoned the Eighth Prince to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and asked him about the news of 'Tianshan', Zhou Chen might as well ask about this matter as well.

When Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, learned that Cao Zhengchun was secretly investigating Consort Zhen's past, he had already thought that Zhou Chen would one day summon him, the Eighth Prince, to inquire about this matter.

King Zhou Xian was already mentally prepared.

However, now that the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian was actually facing Zhou Chen's question about this matter, he couldn't help but slightly change his expression.

"Your Majesty, I am afraid I do not know how to bring this up."

"As a subject, I have no right to speak on matters concerning Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

"This is a memorial I prepared regarding Your Majesty's question. Your Majesty can take a look; it should be able to resolve Your Majesty's doubts."

Instead of speaking directly, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian took out a memorial from his sleeve.

This memorial was prepared long ago by the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian.

After all, it concerned His Majesty's lineage, and Zhou Xian, as a subject, even though he was the Eighth Prince and the head of the Imperial Clan Court, was very reluctant to speak out.

Therefore, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian had prepared this memorial in advance, just in order to deal with an inquiry like that from Zhou Chen one day.

Upon seeing this, Cao Zhengchun, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and took the memorial from the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, and respectfully presented it to Zhou Chen.

Cao Zhengchun was originally preparing to leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After all, matters concerning the emperor's lineage and involving royal secrets are no small matter, and the fewer people who know about them, the better.

As the saying goes, the more you know, the more dangerous it is.

Cao Zhengchun knew this better than anyone else.

Even Cao Zhengchun, as the head of the Eastern Depot, was very afraid of these things.

But to everyone's surprise, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian did not speak directly, but instead submitted a memorial.

In that case, Cao Zhengchun would no longer need to retreat.

After presenting the memorial to Zhou Chen, Cao Zhengchun stepped aside and pretended to be deaf and dumb, becoming invisible.

Zhou Chen opened the memorial and began to read it.

The memorial contained a considerable number of words.

Zhou Chen turned the pages one by one, quietly reading the contents of the memorial.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, who was standing below, had been secretly observing the changes in Zhou Chen's expression.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, hoped to deduce Zhou Chen's attitude and views on the matter from the changes in his expression as he read the memorial.

Unfortunately, this disappointed Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince.

Zhou Chen's expression remained calm throughout.

Even after Zhou Chen had read through all the contents of the memorial, his expression remained completely unchanged.

This made Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, sigh inwardly, "The heart of an emperor is indeed immeasurable."

After reading the memorial, Zhou Chen glanced at the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian and said, "Eighth Imperial Uncle, you may leave now!"

Zhou Chen's voice was calm, just like his expression, without the slightest unusual fluctuation.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I will take my leave now."

Unable to discern anything from Zhou Chen's expression, the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian felt somewhat disappointed.

King Zhou Xian knew that His Majesty had truly grown up and remained unchanged in his actions, which was the most important manifestation of an emperor.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, bowed and withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

After the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian left, Zhou Chen fell silent.

To be honest, Zhou Chen's heart was not as calm as it appeared on the surface.

Even though Zhou Chen was a transmigrator, he still felt uneasy after seeing these things about his past in this body.

Perhaps, during this period of time, Zhou Chen has truly integrated himself into it and has come to see himself as himself.

Zhou Chen had always been puzzled as to why a prince as weak and sickly as himself was able to inherit the throne and succeed to the throne.

Of the late emperor's nine sons, this fifth prince was arguably the most mediocre, and also frail and sickly. If things had proceeded normally, he would have been the first to be excluded from the throne, and would never have been able to ascend to the throne.

Throughout history, emperors have always chosen the best candidates to inherit the throne, and they would never choose a mediocre prince who has been sickly since childhood.

However, the late emperor chose Zhou Chen, a mediocre and sickly prince, to inherit the throne and cleared the obstacles for Zhou Chen to ascend the throne.

Why is that?
Previously, Zhou Chen had never been able to understand this question.

However, after reading the memorial submitted by the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian, all of Zhou Chen's doubts were resolved one by one.

The reason Zhou Chen was chosen by the late emperor to ascend the throne was not because the late emperor thought Zhou Chen was worthy of the throne, but because of Zhou Chen's mother.

For over twenty years, the palace was stained with blood, and seventy percent of the royal family's top warriors perished in battle. In the end, Consort Zhen committed suicide in the Golden Palace to uphold the dignity of the royal family.

The Grand Tutor's mansion, with its four sons, also perished in this battle.

The Grand Tutor's Mansion was also severely damaged in a bloodbath.

This is what the late emperor owed to Consort Zhen, and to the entire Grand Tutor's family.

This is also the biggest reason why Zhou Chen was able to ascend to the throne.

Zhou Chen closed the memorial and handed it to Cao Zhengchun, who was standing beside him. "Put this memorial in the royal archives. No one can make my Great Zhou erase the traces of these things."

"Even the members of the Tianshan main family are no exception."

Zhou Chen's voice was filled with a strong sense of domineering.

This happened more than 20 years ago. The royal family was worried and afraid of involving those people, so they erased some traces related to Consort Zhen.

But Zhou Chen wasn't afraid.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun bowed and accepted the memorial.

Cao Zhengchun could sense that Zhou Chen's heart was not as calm as it appeared after reading the memorial submitted by the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian.

Although Cao Zhengchun was curious about the contents of the memorial, he wondered what could have caused His Majesty such unease.

However, Cao Zhengchun had no intention of reading the contents of the memorial.

It's best to know as little as possible about matters involving the emperor.

This is the most important principle that a eunuch serving the emperor needs to understand.

Having spent a long time by the emperor's side, Cao Zhengchun naturally knew that among all the officials in the court, the emperor probably trusted them the most—the eunuchs from the Eastern Depot.

Because they were all rootless people, living off the emperor, they could only be loyal to the emperor.

However, Cao Zhengchun also understood that no matter how much the emperor trusted them, there were some things the emperor did not want too many people to know.

This also includes those who are rootless.

If one day these people know too much, then they won't be far from death.

Even if the emperor trusted them, he would not keep them.

This is Cao Zhengchun's greatest insight after serving the emperor for so many years.

After handing the memorial to Cao Zhengchun, Zhou Chen got up and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Looking at the azure sky, Zhou Chen's emotions finally calmed down.

Zhou Chen walked slowly through the palace, looking at the surrounding palaces and digesting the information he had just learned.

The Great Zhou Imperial Palace contains many palaces, and at intervals there is a magnificent palace.

Cao Zhengchun followed silently behind Zhou Chen, not daring to disturb him.

Inside the palace, the imperial guards were in large groups, but when they saw Zhou Chen, they all bowed and saluted.

Zhou Chen didn't pay much attention and continued walking slowly.

"Your Majesty, although the weather is getting warmer, you are not dressed warmly enough. Please be careful not to catch a cold..."

Cao Zhengchun couldn't help but whisper.

As a close eunuch serving the emperor, Cao Zhengchun's primary responsibility was to take care of the emperor's daily life.

"Caught a cold?"

Zhou Chen remained noncommittal.

He was operating the Emperor's Conferring of Gods Technique, and every moment he was in harmony with the vast national fortune of the Great Zhou Dynasty. How could he possibly catch a cold?
With Zhou Chen's current physical condition, he wouldn't catch a cold even if the weather were freezing cold in the dead of winter, let alone now that it's getting warmer.

However, Cao Zhengchun was unaware of Zhou Chen's special cultivation of the Emperor's Conferment of Gods Technique, nor did he know that Zhou Chen's current strength was probably no weaker than his own as the head of the Eastern Depot.

If Cao Zhengchun had known all this, he probably wouldn't have reminded Zhou Chen to catch a cold.

Zhou Chen didn't pay attention to Cao Zhengchun's reminder.

He knew that this was something Cao Zhengchun, as a close eunuch serving the emperor, was basically obligated to do.

As an emperor, he was waited on hand and foot. When the weather turned cold, someone would remind him; when the weather turned warm, someone would remind him as well.

This is perhaps the greatest benefit an emperor can enjoy besides power!
"How's the situation with the Prince of Kao Shan?"

Zhou Chen asked.

"Your Majesty, the matter of Prince Kao Shan collecting private soldiers from powerful families has been concluded, and he is now returning to Luoyang."

Cao Zhengchun replied.

"Oh!"

Zhou Chen nodded and said nothing more, slowly walking through the palace.

……

Palace entrance.

The Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian, left the palace, his mind heavy with worries.

He originally went to the Cining Palace to discuss with the Empress Dowager the matter of those people being admitted to aristocratic families ahead of time, but he did not expect that after leaving the Cining Palace, before he even stepped out of the palace gate, he was taken to the Yangxin Hall by Cao Zhengchun.

I told His Majesty everything.

Prince Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, had no idea what Emperor Zhou Chen's reaction was after learning about these things.

However, the news about Beidu that Zhou Chen showed him in the Hall of Mental Cultivation made the Eighth Prince Zhou Xian feel worried.

Those worldly people actually killed the prefect of Beidu Prefecture. What exactly did those worldly people want to do?
Also, what are those worldly people doing visiting various forces?
These questions lingered in the mind of the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xian.

Generally speaking, those who are involved in worldly affairs do not easily meddle in secular matters, nor do they visit various powerful forces.

But this time, things seem a little different.

Those who were already involved in worldly affairs not only entered the world prematurely, but also visited various local powers, which greatly worried Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince.

Of course, what worried Zhou Xian, the Eighth Prince, the most was whether Emperor Zhou Chen would take action against those who broke the rules and entered the world.

If we take action, things will get really complicated.

Even with powerful figures like Lü Bu and Cao Zhengchun, the Great Zhou Dynasty is no match for those outside the secular world.

Those people could easily send out just one Celestial Realm expert, and that would be enough to give the Great Zhou a hard time.

With a heavy heart, Prince Zhou Xian walked out of the palace gates and left the palace.

(End of this chapter)