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

"Therefore, the entire Liu clan had no choice."

Even if the general really raises an army.

They will become our strongest support.

Cui Yan was steady and methodical, while Jia Xu took an unconventional approach. The two had completely different perspectives on things, and their words were naturally worlds apart.

Fortunately, Jia Xu was a versatile person and got along very well with Cui Yan. In addition, he did not seek great wealth or power, but only stability and peace. Although he had extraordinary talent, he was able to keep his sharp edge hidden and focus on assisting Cui Yan. Such a genius was truly admirable.

"Rebellion? Not yet."

Looking out at the deep night, Liu Hong let out a long breath and slowly spoke, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable determination.

Immediately.

His gaze sharpened, and he ordered in a deep voice: "Depart with a large force, assemble the Western Garden Commandants, enter the palace, and protect His Majesty's well-being."

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu and Cui Yan exchanged a glance, both smiling slightly, and bowed in unison, replying, "Yes, sir."

The two understood and strongly agreed with Liu Hong's approach.

At midnight that night, the moonlight shone brightly on the earth, and the palace walls and halls were covered with a thin layer of frost, as if they were dressed in silver.

Suddenly, the central gates of the imperial city burst open. The troops under the command of the Western Garden Commandant and the Imperial Guards of the Great Han were all ordered to move. A few hesitated and wanted to resist, but under the persuasion of their comrades and Liu Hong's strict orders, they did not dare to disobey and obeyed the order.

Immediately afterwards, the personal guards of Liu Bei's family in Youzhou, together with the guards led by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Liu Bei, quickly set up defenses and guarded all the main roads inside and outside the palace. Everyone entering and leaving the palace had to be checked and verified. For a time, the entire imperial city was under martial law, and the atmosphere was solemn.

Liu Hong, accompanied by his entourage, headed straight for the North Palace.

Halfway there, Zhang Rang was already waiting with bows.

Knowing the urgency of the matter, he dared not delay for a moment. Upon seeing Liu Hong arrive, he quickly said, "General, His Majesty already has many doubts about you."

I have already informed the Grand General of everything I know about the palace's defenses and the other attendants and officers who are loyal to Your Majesty.

As for whether Your Majesty has any other contingency plans, I truly have no idea at this moment.

Zhang Rang spoke earnestly, revealing everything he knew about the emperor's thoughts and the inner workings of the palace, without daring to conceal anything.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong nodded slightly, his expression calm and without the slightest fear.

Since he dared to send troops into the palace, he had already anticipated all sorts of unforeseen events.

In the blink of an eye, the group arrived at the North Palace.

At this moment, the North Palace was still surrounded by palace servants and eunuchs, with beautiful palace maids moving about and countless people attending to them. However, within this vast palace, there was a sense of oppressive stillness.

On the dragon bed, Liu Hong had already woken up. His eyes were cloudy as he looked at the graceful figure of the palace maid beside him. He felt a sense of helplessness and frustration, and only a bitter smile remained on his face. He sighed softly.

Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps could be heard outside the palace, and the faint sound of armor plates clashing could be heard. The noise was so loud that it seemed to penetrate into the palace.

Liu Hong's heart tightened, and he instinctively shouted sharply, "Who goes there?"

Outside the palace, Liu Hong's voice rang out slowly, calm and measured, coming through the palace door: "Your Majesty's health has been damaged, and there may be disturbances within the palace. Today, I have been ordered by the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan to lead troops into the palace to protect Your Majesty. All this is for Your Majesty's safety, so please rest assured."

Liu Hong did not rush into the palace, but his arrival meant that the Liu family of Youzhou and the general's mansion had already made their moves in the imperial city and were in control of the whole situation.

On the dragon throne, Liu Hong remained silent.

He never imagined that a serious illness would lead to this situation; it was truly beyond his expectations.

Liu Hong's use of the name of Liu Yan, the Minister of the Imperial Clan, left him with no way to refute.

He paused to think for a moment.

He then roughly understood Liu Yan's intentions.

On the surface, Liu Hong's power is immense, seemingly the biggest "threat." But in reality, which of the powerful families in the court, the hidden dangers from all sides, and the members of the collateral branches of the imperial family isn't eyeing him covetously?

Liu Yan did this not for his own sake, but for the survival of the entire Liu imperial family.

Having figured this out, a chill flashed in Liu Hong's eyes, and a bitter smile appeared on his face. He finally understood that this arrangement was the safest choice for the time being.

"In that case, I'll leave everything to the General."

"I would gladly die for Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured and recuperate. With me here, no one in the palace can harm Your Majesty's health in the slightest."

Liu Hong's voice came again, still respectful.

Liu Hong nodded and said nothing more, letting the Youzhou troops outside control the inner palace.

He knew in his heart that if he were in good health, he would never allow Liu Hong to do such an overstepping of his authority in the name of the emperor alone; but now he was dying and nearing the end of his life, and his golden words had long lost their weight. Even Liu Yan, the Minister of the Imperial Clan, would only make the most practical decision for the sake of the Liu family's empire.

Even now, he is lying on the dragon bed.

He could roughly guess that within the imperial city, in the inner court, Empress Dowager Dong, Empress He, and those eunuchs, palace maids, attendants, and female officials, eight or nine out of ten had already secretly pledged allegiance to Liu Hong.

Since ancient times, the saying "when people leave, tea grows cold" has been a profound truth, and even the emperor could not escape this worldly law.

Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, Liu Hong closed his eyes and suddenly shouted sharply, "Get out. All of you get out!"

Upon hearing this, the eunuchs and palace maids serving in the palace were all greatly alarmed. They dared not linger for even a moment and bowed as they withdrew. In an instant, the vast bedchamber was left with only Liu Hong, lonely and desolate.

In the following days, the imperial physicians continued to come to examine the patient and administer medicine on time every day, without any delay.

But as he looked at the bowl of dark medicine that the imperial physician brought over, Liu Hong subconsciously felt a sense of doubt.

He stared intently at the imperial physician before him, then glanced at Zhao Zhong standing beside him, and spoke slowly, his tone full of probing: "Whose man are you, exactly?"

Could it be that he is one of the Great General's men?

"Your Majesty is wise."

Upon hearing this, the imperial physician immediately knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Your Majesty, I am but a humble imperial physician, belonging to no one. From beginning to end, I have always been Your Majesty's man. I only pray for Your Majesty's good health; all other matters are insignificant to me."

He knew in his heart that even though Liu Hong was on his last legs, the emperor's words were law, and taking his life would still be as easy as turning his hand.

Even the current Grand General Liu Hong, and the powerful families in the court, would give this dying emperor a final act of respect.

If you talk nonsense and act recklessly at this moment, you will surely face a terrible death.