You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 3.003: When the Emperor is Wrathful, Corpses Float for Miles
"This old servant greets Your Majesty."

Inside the palace, Zhou Chen had already put on a dragon robe.

Looking at Zhao Gao and Jin He bowing below, he waved his hand expressionlessly; "No need for formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhao Gao and Jin He stood up and saw that Emperor Zhou Chen was full of energy and had a ruddy complexion, so they couldn't help but feel a little doubtful.

Wasn't it said that the Emperor was seriously ill and unable to get out of bed?

It doesn't look like it at all.

Is it a last gasp?
The thought sent a shiver down their spines.

If this is truly a last gasp before death, then the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty is truly about to change.

No one knew the current situation in the palace better than the two of them.

Once Emperor Zhou Chen passes away, the Great Zhou Dynasty will definitely change hands.

"You two must already know about Zhang De's poisoning of me!" Zhou Chen looked down at Zhao Gao and Jin He.

He knew that there were practically no secrets within the deep palace.

Especially since he was the emperor, there were countless eyes watching him.

The fact that Zhang De poisoned the emperor and was subsequently executed was a serious matter that could not be hidden from some people's eyes.

Anyone with inside information in the palace would probably know.

"Your Majesty, this old servant is utterly loyal to you!"

Zhao Gao knelt on the ground, his face deathly pale.

He was Zhou Chen's other personal eunuch, the second most important person in the inner court, second only to Zhang De.

He already knew about Zhang De's poisoning of the emperor and subsequent execution when he arrived, and he was shocked and filled with fear.

If the Emperor investigates further, their entire inner court will be implicated.

Zhou Chen stared coldly at Zhao Gao. He was the last person he believed in such blatant acts of loyalty. He roared, "If you're so loyal, then go and investigate. Find out who wants my life. No matter who's involved, don't let a single one get away with it."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao nodded hurriedly; "Yes, Your Majesty, this old servant will investigate immediately."

When an emperor is enraged, corpses float for miles.

This is not a joke.

Zhao Gao had already sensed the malevolent aura emanating from Emperor Zhou Chen.

It's much heavier than before.

After Zhao Gao left, Zhou Chen looked at Jin He again.

At this moment, Jin He also knelt on the ground. As one of the three commanders of the Imperial Guard, he would also be implicated if the emperor was poisoned.

"Jinhe, do you know why I summoned only you?" Zhou Chen asked.

"This humble general does not know," Jinhe shook his head worriedly.

He was also puzzled, because in terms of closeness, the other two commanders of the Imperial Guards were the emperor's confidants.

The emperor did not summon his confidants, but instead summoned only himself.

Is this going to involve assigning blame?

"Because you are a loyal subject."

That's right. The reason Zhou Chen only called Jin He, the commander of the Imperial Guards, was because Jin He only recognized the imperial decree and not anything else.

He wouldn't even obey the orders of Empress Wu Ying, the emperor who ruled with two emperors.

This is the real reason why Zhou Chen only calls him commander.

Upon hearing Zhou Chen's words, Jin He's worry vanished, replaced by excitement.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."

For a subject to receive such a compliment from the emperor is the greatest honor.

"Jinhe, from this moment on, take command of the Imperial Guards. No one may mobilize the Imperial Guards without my decree. Anyone who disobeys will be executed."

A cold killing intent flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes as he spoke.

"besides."

"Immediately replace the guards in the palace, especially those around me, replace them all."

"I do not wish for a repeat of what happened today, do you understand?"

Zhou Chen looked at Jin He.

A glint flashed in Jin He's eyes, and he immediately understood Zhou Chen's intention.

"This subordinate understands," Jin He replied knowingly.

Zhou Chen nodded in satisfaction; "Go!"

"This humble general takes his leave." Jinhe left the palace, feeling that his back was already wet.

As a late-stage Grandmaster of the First Rank, he had just sensed a deadly danger from the general guarding Emperor Zhou Chen in his bedchamber.

He was certain that if he had hesitated even for a moment, he would never have been able to leave this palace.

This general must be a stronger person than him.

But as one of the three commanders of the Imperial Guard, he had never heard of such a powerful military commander in the army, whether inside or outside the palace.
So where do such powerful military commanders come from?

Jin He glanced around again at the unfamiliar but elite Bingzhou wolf cavalry, then left with his questions.

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

This was the place where the emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty handled government affairs and reviewed memorials on a daily basis.

at this time.

Inside the palace.

A woman of striking beauty and heroic bearing sat in the seat that should have belonged to the emperor, flipping through the memorials in her hands.

Dozens of memorials that had already been reviewed were piled up beside her, leaving only this last one in her hand.

She was Empress Wu Ying, the proud daughter of the Great Zhou Dynasty, who ruled under two emperors and controlled half of the country.

Wu Ying finished reviewing the last memorial in her hand and was about to put it down when her personal maid, Wan'er, rushed in.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

As soon as Wan'er walked in, she said impatiently.

Seeing this, Wu Ying frowned and scolded with displeasure, "As a palace maid of this palace, what kind of behavior is this, rushing around like this?"

The palace maid Wan'er quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Wan'er was impetuous."

Wu Ying then put down the memorial and asked, "What happened? Tell me!"

"Your Majesty, Zhang De is dead. He was executed by the Emperor," said the palace maid Wan'er in a low voice.

Uh?
Is Zhang De dead?

Wu Ying raised her beautiful phoenix eyebrows, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Then what!"

Wu Ying remained expressionless; she didn't care whether Zhang De lived or died.

What she cared about was why Zhang De was executed by the emperor.

In his memory, Emperor Zhou Chen was not a decisive and swift person who could punish and execute.

He is a sentimental, indecisive, gentle, and filial person.

Such people are generally not likely to easily kill those around them.

"His Majesty summoned Zhao Gao and Commander Jinhe," Wan'er said again in a low voice.

Wu Ying's expression shifted slightly, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

Wan'er was a maid who had grown up with her since childhood, and there were some things between them that didn't need to be said too clearly.

With just a glance, one can understand what the other person means.

Clearly, Wu Ying had understood the meaning behind Wan'er's words.

Golden Crane?

Wu Ying fell into deep thought.

Jin He was one of the most senior commanders among the three commanders of the Imperial Guards. He had been in charge of the Imperial Guards for more than 30 years and had a very high prestige within them.

Most importantly, the Golden Crane only obeys the Emperor's orders and does not recognize any others.

The emperor did not summon the other two trusted commanders, but instead summoned Jin He, a commander who was not a trusted confidant.

Its purpose is thought-provoking.

Is this to guard against me?

Wu Ying's eyes flickered, and he said to Wan'er beside him, "Have our people act according to the situation and clean up all the traces that need to be cleaned up."

Wan'er nodded in understanding; "Yes, Your Majesty."

Wu Ying stood up.

"Let's go! We haven't visited the Emperor yet today."

Since Emperor Zhou Chen fell seriously ill and was bedridden, Wu Ying has visited him once a day.

No exceptions.

……

(End of this chapter)