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

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They scrambled to their feet and ran out of the hall without looking back, as if they were being chased by evil spirits.

If we don't leave now...

Whether the two of them can escape is really uncertain.

Perhaps when I wake up tomorrow morning, there will be two more eunuch corpses outside the North Palace.

the other side.

Inside the General's Mansion, however, the scene was quite different.

"His Majesty did not even consult with his father about the matter of the Crown Prince. It seems he has forgotten who is truly protecting this Han Dynasty."

"That's right. If it weren't for Father's heroic efforts in quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Han Dynasty would have fallen apart long ago. His Majesty's actions have truly chilled the hearts of the people."

A series of indignant voices suddenly rang out, one after another, filling the hall with anger.

It wasn't just a few strategists complaining; even Dian Wei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, who were standing nearby, couldn't help but chime in, their faces full of resentment.

Zhang Fei, his voice rough, shouted, "Your Majesty, what's going on? If it weren't for my adoptive father's selflessness and courage, who knows how many people would have declared themselves emperors or kings in this Han Dynasty, and it would probably have been swallowed up by the rebel army long ago."

At this moment, Cui Yan stood beside Liu Hong, opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.

The worst-case scenario did not occur.

His Majesty's failure to establish Liu Xie as emperor caused turmoil in the court and among the people, but a slightly worrying situation still emerged.

Liu Hong himself was not swayed by these words, but his civil and military officials all became arrogant.

after all.

They were all young and successful, and now they have risen to prominence and become local heroes, praised by everyone around them.

Having had a smooth and successful journey with almost no significant hardships or setbacks, he was directly pushed to his current position by the vast resources of the Liu family of Youzhou. It is understandable that he would develop some arrogance.

However, everyone's words were all for the sake of the entire Liu family of Youzhou.

Therefore, Cui Yan could not possibly say something as simple and crude as "boosting the morale of others while diminishing our own prestige." Even if he did say it, no one in this mansion would listen to him. Perhaps, in a more serious case, many people would turn around and cause trouble for him, a member of the Cui family of Qinghe.

Cui Yan sighed helplessly. This was a change in people's hearts, and even he could not easily reverse it.

Liu Hong glanced indifferently at the people in the hall, then raised his hand and pressed it down.

The once noisy hall suddenly fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.

"Have you already forgotten who promoted us in the first place?"

Liu Hong's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority: "If it weren't for His Majesty's trust and promotion, how could we have such a position today?"

His gaze swept over the crowd, his words ringing out firmly: "No matter what happens, never forget that we are all subjects of the Han Dynasty. If we forget even this, will we one day all set up our own factions and abandon even this General's Mansion?"

Liu Hong's words were like a thunderclap, causing everyone to lower their heads in shock.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Gan Ning, Xu Chu, and the others who had been shouting just moments before all lowered their heads. Although their faces still showed resentment, they ultimately dared not speak again due to Liu Hong's imposing presence.

Looking at the scene before him, Liu Hong gave a bitter smile.

This is the hidden danger that arises from the rapid development of power.

The saying goes that governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. Speed ​​is good, but if you only seek speed and not stability, it will eventually cause a lot of trouble.

Fortunately, it was discovered in time, and it's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost.

"Get them all out of here and lock them up for three days."

Liu Hong coldly shouted, his gaze sharp as an eagle, "If you still do not repent after three days and continue to spout nonsense, you will be dealt with according to military law."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu's personal guards from the manor quickly came over. On his orders, they ruthlessly "invited" Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Xu Chu, who had previously led their own armies, to leave.

Ultimately, within the entire Liu family army, there was only one master, and that was Liu Hong.

There can only be one voice, and it is still Liu Hong.

Everyone else except him could only have the power to give orders, but could never truly establish absolute power.

This is the Liu family's rule, and also Liu Hong's bottom line.

Anyone who dares to break the rules, even Guan Yu or Zhang Fei, will be punished without mercy according to the Liu family's rules.

……

"Master, are you serious?"

As soon as the door to the solitary confinement cell closed, Zhang Fei's hoarse voice echoed throughout the room. His rugged face was full of astonishment, and his round eyes were wide open.

Cui Yan rolled her eyes in annoyance, reached out and closed the small black door, plunging the room into darkness.

He paused, but ultimately couldn't bear it. He turned around and pushed the window shutter open a little, letting in a few rays of sunlight so that the inside wouldn't become a completely airtight prison.

"Thank you, Master."

Zhang Fei's voice instantly softened, his tone full of flattery.

Cui Yan was even more furious upon hearing this, and shouted through the door, "Stop causing trouble, that's better than anything else. You're all just troublemakers."

After cursing.

He turned and walked towards Guan Yu, who was standing under the corridor, then looked at the several strategists with different expressions on their faces, sighed softly, and then walked towards Liu Hong, who was not far away.

What he feared didn't happen, but what he didn't fear actually happened.

Upon closer reflection, it makes perfect sense.

Which of those boys isn't arrogant and proud?

Fortunately, with him and Liu Hong above them keeping things under control, they can't cause any major trouble.

"The most important thing is the person who is at the helm."

Cui Yan walked to Liu Hong's side and whispered, "As long as the direction you're steering is generally correct, even if the people below cause a huge uproar, they won't be able to stir up any trouble."

This is the truly crucial point.

"Look at these rascals."

Liu Hong stared in the direction of the confinement cell, cursing with exasperation, "Anyone of them is so arrogant! If they continue to act so impulsively, they'll surely bring great disaster upon the Liu family in the future."

Upon hearing this, Cui Yan was not worried at all. Instead, he smiled slightly and said, "After all, with our lord here, Yun Chang and Yi De will not encounter any major hardships."

With their lord taking care of them, and given that Lord Xuande has always prioritized the Han dynasty, their lord's abilities likely hold a higher place in their hearts than even those of the Han emperor.

That was definitely flattery.

Liu Hong glanced at him indifferently, didn't reply, and then waved his hand: "Alright, you, Cui Jigui, always trying to defend them."

Fortunately, there are still some capable people in the manor. We'll release Zhou Yu, Sun Ce, and the others for now, and entrust the affairs of the manor to them for the time being.

"it is good."

Cui Yan laughed loudly, responding decisively.

Don't use people with suspicion, don't use people who are suspicious.

Moreover, it was only a matter of entrusting them with some of the power within the mansion, which was considered a test.

If they can get through this hurdle, that would be the best outcome; but if they can't, not only Zhou Yu and Sun Ce, but their families might also be implicated.

The Liu family of Youzhou has been able to dominate many other aristocratic families for so many years, and this is not solely due to their benevolence.

More than anything, it was the overwhelming authority and the iron-fisted methods that were put into practice.