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

"Of course, they are complementary and supportive of each other."

Zhang Rang lowered his voice, a ruthless glint in his eyes, "How long do you think this emperor can last?"

"Crown Prince, can you truly secure your position as Emperor?"

Zhang Rang spoke again, each word like a heavy hammer blow to Zhao Zhong's heart.

Zhao Zhong's eyes were full of sharp light. At this moment, a seemingly unbelievable but actually quite reasonable guess gradually surfaced in his mind.

If Duke Weining were the emperor, they might at least be able to save their lives, and Zhang Rang might at least have a peaceful end.

Zhao Zhong nodded again, the hesitation in his eyes completely gone.

This is the end.

Only when the collaboration between the two of them was it truly achieved.

For the next period of time, Liu Hong found it much more convenient to enter and leave the palace.

Although Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong's defection was carried out in secret, it was still quite evident.

The Liu family of Youzhou, and his current prestige and virtue as a great general, are far beyond what ordinary people can match.

This is to be expected.

Several days later, outside the small dark room of the General's Mansion.

With a creak, the door was pushed open, and blinding sunlight streamed in.

Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, Xu Shu, and others slowly walked out from inside, looking at the bright blue sky outside, each of them somewhat dazed.

"We're finally out."

Zhang Fei stretched, his voice still booming, "Staying in there is so stifling, it's almost unbearable..."

He spoke loudly and boisterously, his face full of bitterness and resentment. It was clear that life inside was far from easy, otherwise he wouldn't have complained so much.

"Yide, we are brothers, this time we have indeed gone a bit too far."

Guan Yu held a scroll of the Spring and Autumn Annals in his hands, his voice steady, "Fortunately, this little dark room is not completely dark; there is still food and tea. Otherwise, we would probably be pale and emaciated right now, and our spirits would be tormented."

"alright."

Xu Shu stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group, and said solemnly, "In the future, you should know in your heart what you should and shouldn't say in front of your lord."

Otherwise, if we commit the same mistake again, even if our lord is willing to let us off, he will likely find himself in a difficult position.

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both nodded in agreement.

This lesson has been truly profound.

They absolutely did not want to do it again.

When Liu Hong learned that they had been released, he simply nodded slightly and did not ask any further questions.

It wasn't a big deal to begin with. If he kept harping on it, it would only make him seem petty as an elder, and might even cause some unrest among the Liu family of Youzhou.

Liu Hong was unwilling to see such a scene.

On this day, inside the study of the General's mansion.

Looking at Cui Yan in front of him, Liu Hong suddenly smiled and said, "In the future, I will still have to trouble you a lot, sir."

Look at the students taught by the teacher; in the past ten days, they have almost never made a mistake. It's truly enviable.

Seeing Liu Hong praise him for the first time ever, Cui Yan couldn't help but look up at him, and even took a half step back tactically. Then he smiled slightly and said in a teasing tone, "Could it be that the sun has risen in the west?"

You, the dignified General Weining, actually know how to praise people?

It seems they need something from me.

Cui Yan's words hit the nail on the head.

Liu Hong was immediately dumbfounded, but then he pretended to be harmless and quickly said, "Sir, you are very wrong. Do you think that, given the friendship between us, we have to do something to praise each other?"

It's truly heartbreaking to hear you say that, sir. There really is nothing wrong.

Cui Yan wouldn't be so easily fooled. She raised an eyebrow at him but remained silent.

Liu Hong shook his head again, his face full of certainty, as stubborn as could be: "Absolutely not."

"it is good."

Cui Yan laughed loudly, as if he had breathed a huge sigh of relief. "That would be best if it weren't there."

"In that case, I should take my leave."

As he spoke, he actually got up to leave.

After all, he currently holds the position of one of the Nine Ministers, so it is not appropriate for him to stay in the General's Mansion for too long. If someone finds a handle against him, it would be a loss for him.

Just as Cui Yan was about to step out of the study, Liu Hong called out to him at the last minute, took a few steps forward, and blocked Cui Yan's way with his burly body.

Completely sealed off, not even a crack: "Want to leave? No problem. But first, see if I allow it."

Cui Yan adjusted his sleeves, a knowing smile on his face: "It seems there is still something going on."

Seeing this, Liu Hong could only sigh and stop beating around the bush, speaking the truth directly: "Of course there is something, but it certainly won't be difficult for you, sir."

Upon hearing Liu Hong's words, Cui Yan quickly shook his head and chuckled, "Lord Weining, please don't say such things. As your teacher, I'm truly terrified."

The more polite you are, the more troublesome this matter is.

"It would be better to put it directly on the table. If it can be done, I will do my best; if it cannot be done, General, please don't make things difficult for your subordinate."

What is the General's opinion?

Seeing that Cui Yan had already said all that, Liu Hong immediately stopped hiding his true intentions and started arguing with him without saying a word.

"Actually, it's not that difficult."

Liu Hong touched his nose, his tone somewhat matter-of-fact, "It's nothing more than that in the current court, the military generals are mostly like us. Although Lord Lu Zhi came to pay his respects before, unfortunately he was not accepted by the gentry of Luoyang in the end."

There's no need to worry about the military generals for now, but the civil officials, although many have joined the Liu family of Youzhou, are ultimately still weak.

He changed the subject, his gaze falling on Cui Yan, a broad smile on his face: "Why not have the entire Qinghe Cui clan, behind you, move to this imperial city of Luoyang?"

Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?

Liu Hong's words can be said to have brought the essence of Thick Black Theory to its extreme.

As Cui Yan watched Liu Hong utter such "shameless" words without changing his expression, although he had prepared himself mentally, the corners of his mouth still twitched involuntarily.

He was silent for a moment, then silently gave Liu Hong a thumbs up, his tone full of admiration: "Hahaha. As expected of the Duke of Weining and the Grand General of the current dynasty. To be able to speak such words, such 'shameless' words, and make them sound so reasonable, I'm afraid only the Grand General could do it. As his subject, I am completely convinced."

"So... Master Cui has agreed?"

Liu Hong's face instantly lit up with surprise, his eyes shining brightly.

Cui Yan couldn't help but laugh out loud at his "acting".

can only say.

He underestimated Liu Hong's shamelessness.

Otherwise, he should have refused immediately and firmly, leaving Liu Hong no chance whatsoever.

That would be the wisest choice.