The news of Lin Jiaoyun leaving in tears reached Madam Zhou and her second sister. The weight that had been hanging over them was finally lifted, and they completely believed Zhou Cheng's previous words.
Now we're just waiting for Zhou's father to return home.
I wonder what the outcome of this trip to the palace will be.
Inside the Golden Phoenix Hall, General Zhou, clad in armor stained with sword marks, knelt on one knee with his back ramrod straight. His imposing and unyielding aura as a general was almost overwhelming, directly confronting Emperor Yan on the dragon throne.
Listening to Emperor Yan's grand and righteous words, General Zhou inwardly sneered.
He wanted nothing more than to grab Emperor Yan by the neck and demand an explanation! What had his Zhou family done to offend the royal family that they had fallen to such a state!
On the surface, however, he pretended to be extremely loyal, and every word he spoke was for the sake of His Majesty: "Your Majesty, the ancestors of the Zhou family have taught that if the country is at peace, Your Majesty is at peace; if Your Majesty is at peace, the people are at peace; and if the people are at peace, the Zhou family's illustrious ancestors are at peace."
"The sons of the Zhou family may die in battle, may fight amidst bloodshed, may sacrifice themselves for their country, but they cannot indulge in the allure of fine clothes and glory!"
"Now the western Xiongnu have signed a peace treaty with our Yan Kingdom, and the border is peaceful. But Your Majesty, these are all superficial phenomena. In reality, the eastern Xiongnu are still eyeing our Yan Kingdom covetously, waiting for us to lower our guard before launching a full-scale attack."
"Under these circumstances, how can this humble general have the face to be promoted and granted titles, how dare he enjoy eternal bliss!"
"How can we face our ancestors who died for their country in the afterlife!"
General Zhou raised his head, and this dignified seven-foot-tall man was so excited that his eyes were red and swollen, as if he were willing to give his life for his country.
Emperor Yan sat on the dragon throne with an imposing air, his face obscured by a beaded curtain. He narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold and sharp glint seemingly swirling within them. He stared intently at General Zhou without uttering a word.
The atmosphere in the entire Golden Phoenix Hall was frozen and deathly silent.
Eunuch Ma, who was standing to the side serving, quickly glanced at Emperor Yan's expression.
Sure enough, he didn't look too good.
The sole purpose of summoning General Zhou today is to force him to relinquish control of the 300,000-strong border army.
Emperor Yan has been secretly plotting for so long, forcing the Zhou family to hand over military power as their only option! But what's going on now? Doesn't this old scoundrel understand the situation? He's making all sorts of excuses to refuse!
"Your Majesty!"
With tears glistening in his eyes, General Zhou knelt on the ground and said in a firm and powerful voice, "Please forgive me for being too worried about the people. At this time of national crisis, I have kept in mind the ancestral teachings and dare not covet these riches and honors."
The Emperor Yan's lips curled into a chilling, ruthless smile that sent shivers down one's spine, so cold that even Eunuch Ma's heart trembled: "So, what you mean, my dear minister?"
"This humble general requests permission to go to the border to pacify the eastern Xiongnu and bring lasting peace to the Yan Kingdom!"
"Only by blinding the tiger of the Eastern Xiongnu can this humble general feel at ease, and only then can the illustrious ancestors of the Zhou family feel at ease, Your Majesty."
General Zhou, with tears streaming down his face, expressed his loyalty.
He could no longer stay in the capital. If he stayed any longer, Emperor Yan might not even bother with the pretense anymore, and if he was ruthless, he might even set a trap to kill him.
Emperor Yan stared intently at General Zhou's square face, not missing a single micro-expression.
After a while.
Emperor Yan chuckled, his imperial aura completely dissipating. He said in a gentle yet authoritative tone, "Granted!"
"Since Minister Zhou is so concerned about the people and hates war, I hereby appoint you as the General Who Protects the Nation, and you shall go to the border to pacify the Eastern Xiongnu from this day forward."
"The Zhou family has always had only one son per generation. The border region is extremely dangerous. Considering the continuation of the Zhou family line, I hereby bestow upon your son one hundred taels of gold and ten bolts of Shu brocade, so that he may enjoy peace and comfort in the capital."
On the surface, he was enjoying a peaceful stay in the capital, but in reality, he was under house arrest.
With Zhou Cheng and his family all placed under house arrest in the capital, General Zhou wouldn't even have the guts to rebel!
Unless he's willing to risk the lives of his entire family!
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