Just as General Zhou was about to accept the imperial decree and express his gratitude, the emperor, who was above all others, spoke again. His words shocked General Zhou so much that his face turned pale: "I remember that Minister Zhou has three daughters. The eldest daughter, Zhou Shiying, is already married."
"The third daughter, Zhou Qianyan, is studying away from home."
"Only the second daughter, Zhou Baiyun, is still unmarried, is that right?"
General Zhou's heart skipped a beat.
His three daughters were all stunningly beautiful.
The eldest daughter, Shiying, has long been married and now lives with her husband.
The third daughter, Qianyan, has been away learning her craft for many years and has not yet returned.
Only the second daughter, Baiyun... What does Emperor Yan mean by this?
General Zhou's palms were sweating, and his fists were slightly clenched. He had a vague idea of what Emperor Yan was planning, but he could only suppress his emotions and reply, "Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."
"Very well! I have heard that Miss Zhou is intelligent, kind-hearted, and beautiful. Therefore, I bestow upon her the title of Consort Yun, ranking her first among the four consorts. When Minister Zhou sets out with his troops, I will welcome her into the palace as a consort, so that she may enjoy the Emperor's favor forever. Does Minister Zhou have any objections?"
Just as I expected.
General Zhou was so angry that his gums were practically shattering. He took a deep breath, knelt down, and kowtowed: "This humble general has no objection, this humble general obeys the order!!"
Only after General Zhou rose and left the hall with a stern face did Emperor Yan, who was sitting on the throne in the Golden Phoenix Hall, slowly raise his head.
Those sharp, ruthless black eyes swept over General Zhou's departing figure.
A murderous intent began to rise in his eyes, showing no sign of mercy.
Greed can cloud judgment.
People who wield too much power inevitably develop greater ambitions!
Zhou Zhenguang, do you think you can keep your power just because you've gone to the border?!
"Your Majesty," Eunuch Ma bowed respectfully and cautiously inquired, "General Zhou, though he has a carefree personality, is meticulous in his thinking and is not a dull person."
"When I went to the Zhou residence yesterday to deliver the imperial edict, he was prepared to hand over his military power. Why is he making excuses now and even requesting to go to the border?"
"Could something unexpected happen?"
Eunuch Ma has served Emperor Yan since he was a child, and it has been more than 20 years now.
Only he dared to ask a few questions about such confidential matters.
Emperor Yan did not understand General Zhou's intentions. With the Crown Prince's maternal clan's 500,000-strong army demonstrating their power and the threat of the imperial court's grain supply looming behind them, Zhou Zhenguang should have relinquished his military power.
After all, he had no way out.
But... but not only did he not hand it in, he even volunteered to fight again?
It's truly baffling why.
Emperor Yan suppressed the ominous feeling that came from nowhere, and sneered coldly, his eyes filled with a chilling aura: "The Zhou family has only had one son for generations, and the entire Zhou family is under house arrest in the capital. He has no food and no resources. Even if he goes to the border, he won't be able to cause any trouble!"
"not to mention........"
"Does he think that Zhou Zhenguang still has the final say in commanding the 300,000 troops on the border?"
Eunuch Ma looked up in surprise: "Could it be that His Majesty has already...?"
Emperor Yan withdrew his gaze, his eyes deep and unfathomable. He rose, uttered a single sentence, and left the hall: "How much influence can an old general who has been back in the capital for three years still have in the army? After three years, can he still call the shots on the border alone?!"
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