When news of Yang Cheng's great victory over the thirty-six bandits at Yulong City reached the capital, the entire court breathed a sigh of relief.
The Great Zhou Dynasty has been established for so many years, and it still has a solid foundation. The elite troops on the border can hold their own.
Therefore, neither the Golden Horde nor the Jurchens of the North, despite their ferocity, truly threatened the heartland of the Great Zhou.
However, the Thirty-Six Great Bandits, a group of rebels who rose from within the Great Zhou Dynasty, were different. Their deterrent power was too great, and they almost threatened the capital if we were not careful.
At this time, Yang Cheng wiped out half of the thirty-six major bandits, completely lifting the siege of the Great Zhou. The court immediately held a grand banquet to congratulate Yang Cheng on his triumphant return.
Yang Cheng didn't really care about these empty gestures.
We've been driven to our doorstep, what's there to celebrate?
However, the entire capital was filled with joy and excitement, so Yang Cheng couldn't very well spoil the mood.
Moreover, Yin Wuxie and other leaders of the Zhenwu Hall, as well as Yuwen Du and other generals of the Northern Army, were also present at this banquet.
At the banquet, as usual, the emperor's father-in-law, Zhang Xuansu, arranged a series of praise songs and various song and dance performances, which were quite boring.
Yang Cheng also discovered a problem.
That is, although the current emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Yuan, is still young, he is suspected of being ambitious and eager for quick success.
He probably believed that the preservation of the Great Zhou was all thanks to him, and that it was because of him as emperor that his subordinates were willing to fight to the death to protect his empire.
This is very bad.
Compared to his father Zhou Heng, Zhou Yuan is quite clueless at such a young age.
However, it could also be due to the subtle influence of Empress Dowager Zhang and Zhang Xuansu. In any case, it is not a good habit.
Of course, Yang Cheng didn't intend to correct it.
As a reincarnator, you can intervene in the reincarnation world, but you cannot control it unless you become the world lord.
The state of the Great Zhou Dynasty is already in such a state that it cannot be resolved simply by changing the emperor.
As the banquet was about to end, the Empress Dowager asked Yang Cheng, "The Grand Commander's annihilation of the thirty-six major bandits is truly a cause for celebration."
However, half of the thirty-six major bandits are still remaining. I wonder when the Grand Commander will be able to completely eradicate them and put the court at ease?
Yang Cheng said calmly, "The other half, the Thirty-Six Great Bandits, are in Shanyang County. Why does the Empress Dowager not allow Dugu Cheng to eliminate them?"
Empress Dowager Zhang's expression froze for a moment.
If they weren't incapable of commanding Dugu City, why would they bother sending Yang Cheng?
Yang Cheng didn't embarrass Empress Zhang, but simply said calmly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, everyone, I will definitely wipe out the thirty-six bandits."
"I don't even need to go; the thirty-six bandits will come looking for trouble on their own. Then things will naturally come to a head."
Zuo Yuan claims to be unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness. He could explain away the deaths of two or three people by saying that he was enduring hardship and accumulating strength.
Now that half of the Thirty-Six Great Bandits have died at Yang Cheng's hands, this matter definitely needs an explanation.
So even though Chu Qiu and the others haven't sent any news yet, Yang Cheng is certain that Zuo Yuan and his group will definitely come looking for trouble in the future.
Empress Dowager Zhang forced a smile and said, "That's good. With the Grand Commander here, I can rest assured."
After the banquet, many ministers left.
Zhang Xuansu leaned close to Empress Dowager Zhang and whispered, "Empress Dowager, Yang Cheng is far too arrogant. I don't think he takes you seriously at all!"
Empress Dowager Zhang rolled her eyes at Zhang Xuansu and said, "Do you need to tell me that? But right now, our Great Zhou Dynasty depends on this Grand Commander of the Zhenwu Hall. How could we really turn against him?"
Remember to be careful in the future, and avoid any conflict with Yang Cheng, or you won't get away with it.
Zhou Yuan, who was standing to the side, suddenly said, "Mother, I am the emperor, and the entire Great Zhou empire belongs to me. Why should I have to act according to the whims of these ministers?"
Empress Dowager Zhang hugged Zhou Yuan, her face full of helplessness: "My son, your father passed away early, and we, a widow and orphan, can't control these powerful and ruthless ministers."
If we ignored their pleas, the Great Zhou Dynasty would be on the verge of being overrun by the Thirty-Six Great Bandits.
Remember, as an emperor, you must be patient and wait for the right opportunity to reclaim your rightful rights.
Empress Dowager Zhang was not very educated; after all, she was just the daughter of a merchant.
She was already trying her best to teach Zhou Yuan the strategies and tactics she had heard about in storybooks.
Zhang Xuansu, standing to the side, added fuel to the fire, saying, "Our Great Zhou's previous emperors were right; they shouldn't have let these vulgar warriors take power!"
Look at Dugu Cheng, look at Yang Cheng, didn't they both become arrogant and domineering after they took power?
Our ancestors valued civil affairs over military matters precisely to prevent such things from happening. However, the late emperor was foolish and, on his deathbed, still heavily relied on Dugu Cheng and Yang Cheng.
Of the four regents entrusted with the care of the young emperor, two were military men. What kind of situation is this?
However, Dugu Cheng and Yang Cheng were at odds, and after the elimination of the Thirty-Six Great Bandits, the two would inevitably turn against each other.
When the time comes, we absolutely mustn't take sides; we should just sit back and watch them fight... no! We should watch those two dogs tear each other apart!
Zhou Yuan had a look of half-understanding, but all he knew was that these two people, one his mother and the other his father-in-law, would never harm him.
Yang Cheng was unaware that Zhang Xuansu was making things up about him. He was just about to leave the palace when he bumped into Empress Dowager Wan Chun.
"Your subject greets the Empress Dowager."
Yang Cheng was slightly surprised, seemingly not expecting to run into Empress Dowager Wan Chun here.
Compared to before, Empress Dowager Wanchun still did not look old, but her expression was much more haggard.
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