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

During the banquet, a group of clan members took turns offering toasts, their clinking of glasses filled with flattery. Liu Hong simply smiled faintly, remained silent, and nodded in acknowledgment. Yet, no one dared to show the slightest disrespect.

With Yang Biao and his family trying to smooth things over and cover up gossip, what should have been a lively banquet was, in Liu Hong's view, utterly bland and tasteless.

As he looked up, he saw a row of courtesans entering from outside. They were all dressed in long, pink gowns, with a hint of joy on their faces and a charming smile on their brows. Their exquisite smiles perfectly complemented their gentle and graceful features.

Each of them was covered in a light fragrance of face powder, with a touch of rouge on their cheeks. They were not heavily made up, but only lightly powdered, which made them look good whether they were wearing light or heavy makeup.

As the music began to play softly, the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments lingered around the beams. Only then did Liu Hong barely register the banquet in his eyes.

The young talents, including Zhao Yun, who had accompanied him, finally relaxed a bit and turned their attention to the singing and dancing.

The entertainment at Grand Tutor Wang Yun's residence was more enjoyable than I had imagined.

Just as everyone had calmed down a little, the singing and dancing ended, but the courtesans did not leave.

To the astonishment of Zhao Yun and the others.

They stood at the sides of the guests, allowing them to tease and play with them at will.

Even in public, as long as one doesn't overstep the bounds, everyone will just laugh it off.

Even Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were each accompanied by a beautiful woman, all of whom looked like respectable ladies.

If anyone dares to do such a despicable and vile thing here, even if Liu Hong is not angry, someone will step forward to embarrass Grand Tutor Wang Yun, which would truly disgrace the aristocratic families.

The most beautiful courtesan among them was led to Liu Hong's side by the others, who understood each other perfectly.

"What's your name?"

Liu Hong looked at the woman in front of him, and his heart stirred slightly.

The courtesan lowered her head and spoke in a voice barely audible: "This humble woman is Diaochan. Please, General, have mercy on me."

Diao Chan bit her lower lip, her eyes revealing a hint of grievance, but she was already prepared.

But when she looked up and saw Liu Hong's calm face, handsome appearance, and natural composure, and then glanced at the sleazy behavior of the old aristocratic officials beside her sisters, the grievances in her heart faded a little.

This principle applies to many things: the problem isn't scarcity but inequality, and this is perfectly illustrated here.

"Diao Chan?"

Liu Hong muttered to himself, a faint smile curving his lips.

This was the first time he had smiled since taking his seat.

Upon seeing this, Wang Yun was secretly delighted, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly: This is the so-called great general. In the end, he is just a dissolute young man from a small border town. A mere courtesan has already made him lose his sense of propriety.

In the future, we only need to create more romantic havens for him, and he will surely become so infatuated with beauty that he will neglect his duties and be overwhelmed by a dazzling array of temptations.

His power as a general will eventually fall into the hands of his powerful subordinates.

Wang Yun thought to himself, but the other guests at the table had already abandoned all restraint, each of them flirting and joking with the women beside them, drinking and eating, indulging in pleasure, creating a scene of jubilation.

Although Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and the others did not do anything frivolous, they did not step forward to stop them either.

This has been the norm for interactions among the aristocratic families for the past hundred years, so it's nothing unusual.

Zhao Yun silently recited the words "Spring and Autumn Annals" to calm his mind; Zhang Fei's dark face turned bright red, almost as red as Guan Yu's beside him; the other young men were even more red-faced and at a loss for what to do.

This banquet, ostensibly a feast, was actually a celebration of pleasure, and it lasted for a whole day.

After Liu Hong and the others bid farewell to Wang Yun and boarded the carriage, the courtesan named Diao Chan was arranged to sit in the back of the carriage so as not to disturb the group's discussion.

Inside the carriage, Liu Hong leaned against the cushions, glancing sideways at Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei opposite him.

Liu Bei did not bring them.

He had long been accustomed to the behavior of wealthy young men in the Guangyang and Zhuojun areas of Youzhou, and would not be surprised like these teenagers, treating it as a common occurrence.

"How do you feel?"

Liu Hong spoke, his tone indifferent.

Faced with this question, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others blushed even more. It was inevitable that young people would feel embarrassed when they encountered such romantic matters.

Guan Yu sat up straight first, his brows furrowed, his face full of disdain: "This is not something a sage would do; it is truly an insult to civilization. It is inappropriate, extremely inappropriate."

Liu Hong raised an eyebrow, offering no comment, and turned his gaze to the people around him.

Zhang Fei, his face dark, replied in a gruff voice, "Why be so demanding, Second Brother?"

These beautiful women were already quite attractive; it's just that the men were acting this way.

Besides, what need is there for a real man to worry about not having a wife?

It's just a joke, why make such a big deal out of it?

Seeing that the two brothers held differing opinions, Liu Hong turned his gaze to Zhao Yun and asked softly, "Zilong, what is your view on this matter?"

Zhao Yun bowed and replied, his expression still dignified, displaying the demeanor of a gentleman: "Beauty is best enjoyed in moderation; if one becomes obsessed with it, it will easily interfere with important matters."

Everyone knows that alcohol leads to trouble, but few realize that beauty can lead to even greater trouble.

These words were almost exactly what Liu Hong had in mind.

Zhao Zilong was an upright and self-disciplined person who always spoke his mind frankly.

Liu Hong looked at the three of them and suddenly chuckled, "Look at you two today, you really are like young men just entering the world for the first time. I guess I haven't seen you often enough."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious: "Over the next few days, you will all be attending banquets hosted by prominent families throughout Luoyang."

"In the future, you will all enter officialdom and wield power. It's impossible for me, your lord and general, to always shield you from harm."

It was a joke, but it contained a very real piece of advice.

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun all lowered their heads and respectfully replied, "As you command."

Back at the General's Mansion, Liu Hong watched the three leave and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Young people haven't seen or experienced these things before, so it's normal for them. It's better than being manipulated and laughed at by powerful families later in life.

Liu Hong's men must not be allowed to end up in such a dire situation.

As night deepened, the candlelight flickered in the mansion.

Cui Yan and Jia Xu strode into the study, their expressions extremely solemn, as if they had received earth-shattering news.

The two men exchanged a glance, both seeing anxiety in each other's eyes. They walked to Liu Hong's desk and spoke in unison, their voices urgent: "General, something terrible has happened! Things are in trouble."

Jia Xu stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "No one could have imagined that His Majesty's condition would deteriorate so quickly."

Cui Yan nodded emphatically, his voice low and each word heavy: "According to the secret report from the palace, His Majesty probably only has a few days left."

"It is only natural for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne, but as long as His Majesty is not gone and the imperial edict is not issued, the political situation of the Han Dynasty will remain in limbo."

When His Majesty passes away and the Crown Prince is enthroned, those hidden thoughts will resurface.

Whether it was the covetousness of powerful families or other unusual movements, they could no longer suppress it.

Please make preparations as soon as possible, General.