You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 75 Who could it be?

Upon hearing Zhou Chen say that sending troops was a no-brainer, and that they would also discuss sending troops to the four northwestern prefectures, they were immediately convinced that Zhou Chen was going to send troops.

Marquis Weiwu's expression changed immediately, and he said without hesitation, "Your Majesty, it is our Northern Camp's Six Guards of Divine Might have an inescapable responsibility to send troops to the four northwestern prefectures."

"Whether from a personal or official standpoint, it is my duty to lead the Six Guards of the Northern Camp to the four prefectures in the Northwest to welcome back the Grand Tutor."

"Please grant my request, Your Majesty."

Marquis Weiwu once again requested permission to take the order.

The Twelve Divine Martial Guards are divided into North and South camps. If troops are to be dispatched to the four prefectures in the Northwest, it is impossible for all twelve guards to be mobilized.

Half of the troops must be left to guard the capital.

Marquis Weiwu was worried that Zhou Chen would send out troops from Lü Bu's southern camp, leaving their northern camp behind to guard the capital.

So he asked Zhou Chen for permission again.

After all, the Northern Camp of the Divine Martial Six Guards was the most legitimate force to send troops to the four northwestern prefectures.

Because their commander-in-chief, Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, died in battle in the four northwestern prefectures, their 30,000 Shenwu Guards, also from the Northern Camp, were completely wiped out in the four northwestern prefectures.

Sending them to the Northern Camp of the Six Divine Martial Guards to the four prefectures in the northwest would allow them to avenge the 30,000 Divine Martial Guards and the Grand Tutor, and also bring back the body of their commander.

All of this is perfectly logical.

However, Zhou Chen shook his head at Marquis Weiwu's request, saying, "Marquis Weiwu, the situation in the four northwestern prefectures is currently unclear. Even the Grand Tutor died in battle in the four northwestern prefectures, which shows that the situation in the four northwestern prefectures is no small matter."

"Therefore, whether it is the Northern Camp Divine Martial Guard or the Southern Camp Divine Martial Guard, they shall prepare for war and await orders."

Zhou Chen spoke authoritatively, glancing at Lü Bu.

Upon hearing this, both Lü Bu and Marquis Weiwu bowed and said, "Your humble servants obey your orders."

Zhou Chen then looked at Fang Xuanling, the Minister of War, and the Eighth Prince; "Now, let's discuss these matters concerning the four prefectures in the Northwest."

"Especially regarding the Grand Tutor's death in battle, we must come up with a proper solution to minimize the impact."

"We must not allow the imperial court and the Great Zhou to become unstable."

Zhou Chen looked at Fang Xuanling and the other two with a solemn expression and said.

Zhou Chen knew that Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, as a veteran of three dynasties and a pillar of the Great Zhou, had unparalleled prestige and influence in the Great Zhou.

Once the news of Grand Tutor Wen Zhong's death in battle spreads, it will definitely cause a great upheaval for the Great Zhou Dynasty and the entire court.

Therefore, Zhou Chen wanted Fang Xuanling and the others to come up with a plan to minimize the impact.

To avoid causing any unrest.

Fang Xuanling, the Eighth Prince, and the Minister of War all understood the meaning behind Zhou Chen's words, and their expressions were solemn.

In particular, the Eighth Prince and the Minister of War understood better than anyone the significance of Grand Tutor Wen Zhong to the Great Zhou Dynasty.

If Zhou Rushan of the Imperial Clan Court was the pillar of the royal family, then Grand Tutor Wen Zhong was one of the two pillars that supported half of the Zhou Dynasty.

If Grand Tutor Wen Zhong were to die, it would be as if half of the Zhou dynasty's sky had collapsed.

Undoubtedly, in the eyes of the Eighth Prince and the Minister of War, the sky over the Great Zhou Dynasty had already collapsed by half.

Fang Xuanling, however, was not as pessimistic as the Eighth Prince and the Minister of War. In Fang Xuanling's view, as long as Zhou Chen on the dragon throne was safe, the sky of the Great Zhou would not fall.

Then, Zhou Chen, Fang Xuanling, the Minister of War, and the other three discussed the matter together.

After discussing the matters concerning the four prefectures in the northwest, the Minister of War and the others immediately left the Hall of Mental Cultivation to make preparations.

However, Fang Xuanling was kept behind by Zhou Chen alone.

"Fang Xuanling, what's your opinion on the situation in the four northwestern prefectures?"

"Just now I noticed you looked like you wanted to say something but hesitated. Is there something you want to say to me?" Zhou Chen asked Fang Xuanling after the Minister of War and the others left.

While they were discussing matters, Zhou Chen noticed that Fang Xuanling seemed hesitant to speak several times.

Therefore, Zhou Chen deliberately kept Fang Xuanling behind, wanting to see what Fang Xuanling wanted to say to him.

Most importantly, Zhou Chen also wanted to hear Fang Xuanling's views on the affairs of the four northwestern prefectures.

It's important to understand that the strategies of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were not just empty words.

Fang Xuanling helped the Tang emperor orchestrate the Xuanwu Coup, enabling him to ascend to the throne and usher in a golden age.

This demonstrates Fang Xuanling's strategies and methods.

"Your Majesty, from beginning to end, regarding the affairs of the four northwestern prefectures, didn't Your Majesty sense anything amiss?"

Zhou Chen's eyes flickered, and he frowned.

What's wrong?
Is there anything else that's not right?

The Grand Tutor died in battle, and the entire 30,000 Divine Martial Guards were wiped out. Isn't that what's wrong?
However, Zhou Chen knew that since Fang Xuanling asked this question, he was definitely not referring to these inappropriate points.

"Your Majesty, if I am not mistaken, the entire Northwest Four Prefectures region has been part of a scheme from beginning to end, a scheme to deal with the Grand Tutor."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen's expression changed, and he stared directly at Fang Xuanling, saying, "You mean the so-called civil unrest in the four northwestern prefectures is fake, and that someone is setting a trap to deal with the Grand Tutor?"

"If that's the case, how can we guarantee that the Grand Tutor will definitely go to the Northwest...?"

Before he could finish the last two words, Zhou Chen stopped, unable to continue.

Zhou Chen's expression changed several times. How could he ask such a stupid question?

Since someone set a trap for Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, how could they not know him?

With such a major event occurring in the four northwestern prefectures, the person who orchestrated this must have estimated that Grand Tutor Wen Zhong would personally go to the four northwestern prefectures.

Even if Grand Tutor Wen Zhong doesn't go, the other party will find a way to get him to go.

Fang Xuanling shook his head; "Your Majesty, the unrest in the four northwestern prefectures is real, but that does not prevent someone from setting up a trap."

"The person who set this up must be quite powerful, capable of wiping out 30,000 Divine Martial Guards and even killing the Grand Tutor. They must be no ordinary person."

"Didn't His Majesty just discover the problems with the Prince of Xiaoyao's residence? The Prince of Xiaoyao is also assisting the Grand Tutor in disaster relief efforts in the four northwestern prefectures."

Fang Xuanling said meaningfully.

Zhou Chen naturally understood Fang Xuanling's meaning.

However, Zhou Chen shook his head and said, "You don't understand the significance of the Grand Tutor to the Great Zhou. Whether it's the Prince of Xiaoyao or my other brothers, they can plot against anyone for power and profit, including me, but they will not touch the Grand Tutor."

"Because the Grand Tutor was one of the two pillars that supported half of the Zhou Dynasty."

"To offend the Grand Tutor is to offend the very foundation of the Great Zhou."

"They're not that stupid; they wouldn't do something that would destroy their own Great Wall."

"Moreover, the Grand Tutor is not only loyal to one person, but to the Great Zhou."

"If any one of them were to sit on the dragon throne, the Grand Tutor would still protect them."

Zhou Chen dismissed Fang Xuanling's suspicions, his eyes darting around.

It was neither the carefree prince, nor a member of the royal family, nor most likely Empress Wu Ying or General Wu Jin.

Because they are all dead now.

Who could that be?

(End of this chapter)