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

Thus, Dong Zhuo seized the opportunity and first used the emperor's name to control the Han Imperial Guards and the Imperial Guards in Luoyang. He then brought hundreds of thousands of troops under his control. With this military power, he was able to obtain the titles of Grand Tutor Dong and Chancellor Dong, which held immense power in the court.

Otherwise, before that.

Dong Zhuo was merely a former prefect, at most a lackey of the Yuan family.

However, now that he had become Liu Hong's retainer, Dong Zhuo felt a great weight lifted from his heart and breathed a sigh of relief.

Hua Xiong and his son-in-law Niu Fu, who were behind him, also breathed a sigh of relief.

I've finally survived.

"Um."

Liu Hong responded indifferently, which was taken as an admission of Dong Zhuo's allegiance.

He then turned his gaze to Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, and said calmly, "The rest are your Yuan family."

Shouldn't they at least show some sincerity?

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting, before speaking in unison, their voices strained: "When we return, we will certainly inform our uncle."

In the future, the Yuan family will surely give the General a respectable explanation.

Ultimately, neither of them could bring themselves to abandon their fierce general, so they had no choice but to pass the problem on to their uncle, Yuan Wei.

"Then it's signed."

Liu Hong waved his hand again, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Yuan Shu couldn't help but blurt out, "What Dong Zhuo just signed was a pledge of allegiance."

Liu Hong glanced at him indifferently, his gaze icy and piercing. Yuan Shu couldn't help but lower his head, daring not to speak again.

"What was just signed was an alliance to join the Liu family of Youzhou."

What we're signing now is a piece of evidence.

This is evidence proving that you broke into the General's mansion tonight with the intention of assassinating witnesses.

Liu Hong's voice became somewhat indifferent, "What, you have a problem with that?"

Yuan Shu quickly bowed and said, "This humble general dares not."

The two of them then stepped forward, gritted their teeth, and signed the confession, feeling as if the pen and ink weighed a ton.

After going around in circles, only Cao Cao remained.

The wisest course of action for Cao Cao, of course, was to do the same as Dong Zhuo beside him and sign the document of surrender.

After all, the Cao family was far less powerful than the Yuan family. They only gained some fame because their grandfather Cao Teng was a eunuch who donated money to obtain the title of one of the Three Dukes, and because they were close friends with Yuan Shao and others when they were young.

But for some reason, Cao Cao felt a sense of resentment.

After all, before that.

The Cao family had never submitted to any aristocratic clan, yet now they were to submit to the Liu family.

Although everything seemed reasonable, Cao Cao had his own ambitions.

"It seems they're unwilling."

Liu Hong didn't find this scene particularly surprising; his gaze was fixed on Cao Cao, and the three people behind him, Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren.

"Then hand it over to the Court of Justice. Tomorrow at court, say that someone broke into the General's mansion at night with the intention of assassinating me."

As for the charge, we'll see how the officials decide it tomorrow.

Liu Hong's words, neither too loud nor too soft, fell slowly.

Cao Cao was still able to remain calm, but Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren behind him felt that life was bleak and hopeless.

If this charge is proven true, the Cao and Xiahou clans, both powerful families, could be wiped out in an instant. "Mengde, do not let a small matter cause you to lose a greater one."

"Mengde, submitting to the Liu family of Youzhou is a wise move for us. In the future, both our families will surely receive the General's assistance. Moreover, how could Lord Liu possibly harm us?"

Look at Cheng Pu of Youbeiping Commandery. He actually protected the Sun family before. The General found out, but he only demoted him. He was still kept in Luoyang, leaving him a chance to be reinstated. This is enough to show the General's magnanimity.

The two men tried to persuade him from both sides, their voices urgent.

Cao Cao closed his eyes, feeling the resentment in his heart gradually dissipate under the threat of his family's extermination.

Finally, he nodded heavily, his voice slightly hoarse: "This humble general... is willing to sign."

"Then let's sign off on the Xiahou family as well."

Liu Hong chuckled and added, "Consider it compensation for your hesitation earlier."

This general is deeply wounded.

This requirement, however, bound the Cao and Xiahou families together.

But this time, Cao Cao dared not have the slightest objection.

Besides, the Cao and Xiahou families had been intermarried for generations and shared weal and woe, so Liu Hong's request wasn't as excessive as one might imagine.

"Yes, General."

Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, and Cao Ren nodded emphatically and stepped forward to sign their pledge of allegiance.

After signing the contract, those who should leave should leave, and those who should stay should stay.

Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Dong Zhuo, and others left, all dejected and in a sorry state.

As for He Miao, Liu Hong kept him behind.

Of course, there are other things to instruct me on.

"I shouldn't have come tonight."

Outside the General's mansion, the night was deep.

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu exchanged a bitter smile and left first.

It was obvious to the naked eye that he would be severely punished by his uncle Yuan Kui upon returning home.

Fortunately, it's alright.

Both of them survived, so it won't have a significant impact on their future status in the Yuan family.

Dong Zhuo, however, was relaxed and even smug. He laughed at Hua Xiong and Niu Fu, saying, "With such a haul tonight, I'm afraid my position as prefect will soon become that of governor of Liang Province."

"Even in Luoyang, one might be able to occupy one of the Nine Ministers positions."

"Wonderful. Wonderful."

Dong Zhuo was a hero in his youth, and now that he has such an opportunity, his ambition has begun to grow.

Therefore, he can now be considered a powerful and ruthless figure.

Hua Xiong and Niu Fu behind him nodded frequently, their faces beaming with joy.

It can be said that fortune may be a harbinger of misfortune, and misfortune may be a harbinger

This time, they received a tremendous benefit, and were naturally extremely satisfied.

Only Cao Cao remained deeply troubled.

Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren continued to persuade him: "Mengde, you should be content. You have always been loyal to the Han Dynasty. Now that you have submitted to Lord Liu, you will surely have people to help you in the court, and you will be no less capable than the two sons of the Yuan family. In addition, Lord Liu has always acted fairly, as evidenced by the matter of Cheng Pu. How could the General treat us unfairly?"

Moreover, given our defeat today, this outcome is already a stroke of good fortune amidst misfortune. How could we dare to demand anything more?

Cao Cao listened to his two cousins' words, opened his mouth, but could only nod silently in agreement: "My two cousins ​​are indeed very thoughtful."

At this moment, He Miao stood trembling in the central courtyard of the General's Mansion.

There were a large number of people just now.

He managed to maintain his composure.

Now, the fact that he didn't kneel down when facing Liu Hong alone shows how strong his heart is.