The Three Great Han Dynasties: Awaken Liu Bei with a scolding; you weave mats and sell sandals.

Sun Jian also knew that this was not the time to talk about loyalty and righteousness.

not to mention.

His relationship with Ho Chun was, from beginning to end, nothing more than a complete transaction.

Even the general in front of them probably already guessed it, but they just lacked evidence of him as an assassin.

"It is... He Jin."

Sun Jian closed his eyes and gave the answer expressionlessly.

Liu Hong didn't need to speak either.

He then volunteered, saying, "Please rest assured, General. Today, I am willing to bear witness for you. Whatever you decide, I will do with all my heart and soul."

At this moment, Sun Jian followed Zhou Yu's instructions and explained all the arrangements they had made.

A strange light flashed in Liu Hong's eyes as he looked around the inner room.

Immediately afterwards, their gaze naturally turned to Zhou Yu.

Sun Ce was brave and Sun Quan was young; both were young men of spirit from Jiangdong.

The entire Sun family is basically composed of brave but reckless individuals.

As for the lady beside her, women in ancient times had little autonomy.

Therefore, Liu Hong didn't need to take her to heart.

Looking around, the only person who could truly capture his attention was Zhou Yu, who was only twenty years old at the time.

"Zhou Gongjin, your great name is so famous in Wu County that even I, a general who came from humble origins, have only heard of it once."

Liu Hong smiled slowly, his tone carrying a hint of approval, "Truly a little prodigy who lives up to his reputation."

The term "child prodigy" was already quite common in the Han Dynasty.

After all, in the secular world, it is perfectly normal for people to create hype to elevate their social status and gain attention.

At this point, there's no need to say more.

True child prodigies, those who leave a significant mark on history, such as Zhou Buyi and later Cao Chong, were all exceptionally gifted.

Unfortunately, almost all child prodigies suffer the fate of "the tragic loss of Zhong Yong".

They either die young or grow up to be just another ordinary person.

Even so, it still couldn't change the spread of the name "child prodigy".

When Zhou Yu's reputation reached Liu Hong's ears, it was indeed true; Liu Hong was not just making things up.

"General, you flatter me."

Zhou Yu quickly bowed and said humbly, but a hint of youthful sharpness could not be hidden between his brows.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong's eyes flickered slightly. How could he not see through Zhou Gongjin's intentions? He immediately saw through him: "You want to protect the entire Sun family, right?"

At this point, how could Zhou Yu possibly give up halfway?

He gave a wry smile, then nodded slightly and said frankly, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from the General."

My uncle is a close friend of mine. I cannot bear to see the Sun family suffer such a great calamity, so I am willing to lend a helping hand.

However, since the General already knows, I, Zhou Gongjin, naturally have nothing to say. Everything is up to the General to handle.

"The Sun family of Wu Commandery is barely doing well."

Liu Hong changed the subject, his gaze falling on Zhou Yu with an undeniable air of authority, "After this matter is settled, you shall return to Wu Commandery and see if your Zhou family is willing to submit to my command."

"If they are willing to submit, the matter of the Sun family may be resolved; if not, we can discuss it another day."

Liu Hong continued speaking, and Zhou Yu, without a second thought or hesitation, immediately replied, "Yes, General."

From beginning to end, on the surface, Liu Hong seemed to be discussing things with Zhou Yu, but in reality, that was not the case.

The gap between the two is simply too great.

One was merely a young man from Wu County, whose entire clan was insufficient to contend with the feudal lords; the other, however, was a great general who held supreme military power and influence.

This was a world of difference; from the very beginning, Zhou Yu had no right to refuse.

"Focus on recovering from your injury first."

Liu Hong glanced one last time at Sun Jian lying on the bed and said indifferently, "The matter of the maternal relatives is not so easy to handle. In the end, it depends on His Majesty's thoughts."

However, your testimony will eventually have to be submitted.

Liu Hong's words served as a psychological preparation for Sun Jian and the rest of the Sun family.

Speaking frankly about the unpleasant aspects beforehand can actually put their minds at ease.

At least, his life was saved.

Then, Liu Hong turned and left.

……

And at this moment, deep within the palace walls, in the Northern Palace.

Emperor Liu Hong, for the first time ever, dismissed his attendants.

All the eunuchs and palace maids in the palace bowed and withdrew, leaving only him and Empress He in the vast palace.

At the same time, Liu Hong's cold words, devoid of any emotion, rang out, each word like an icy blade piercing straight to the heart: "Empress, your brother He Jin, how dare you!"

"His Majesty."

Empress He pursed her lips and bit her lower lip lightly; a hint of nervousness was evident on her face.

She managed to calm herself down and walked up to Liu Hong, but before she could even speak, Liu Hong glared at her angrily again.

"What?"

Now, is the Empress still going to keep it from me?

Do you really think I knew nothing about what the He family has done from beginning to end?

Liu Hong's voice was as cold as ice, each word striking Empress He's heart: "Let me tell you, the Grand General has now captured the assassin. Once this villain wakes up and attends the court assembly, he will testify against the entire court before all the civil and military officials. At that time, I wonder how the Empress will face herself?"

Or is it that you, Empress, were also involved in the assassination attempt on my Great General of the Han Dynasty?

These words startled Empress He so much that she was terrified and turned deathly pale.

But she also knew that if she accepted the offer, she and the entire He family, her maternal relatives, would become like dough to be kneaded by others, with no chance of ever turning things around.

So now.

She stubbornly held on, then knelt down with a thud, her voice trembling with tears: "Your Majesty, I truly do not know what you are saying. I really do not know."

Empress He looked anxious, and in just a few words, she had completely absolved her of any guilt, as if any wrongdoing was the He family's business and had nothing to do with her.

Liu Hong stared intently at her, gave a cold snort, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty had better do so. Otherwise, you might not be able to hold onto your position as Empress in this palace."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Empress He's trembling shoulders, before slowly speaking again. The profound meaning in his words was enough to send shivers down one's spine: "Also, the matter of establishing an heir should be decided."

Liu Hong took a deep breath, turned and left, leaving Empress He paralyzed on the spot, her body ice-cold.

After Liu Hong left, a long time passed, and Empress He remained sitting there, not knowing what to do, and unable to understand the deeper meaning behind Liu Hong's words.

Having exhausted all other options, Empress He had no choice but to summon her elder brother to the palace once again.

And it must be said, this was indeed a stupid move.