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

The Han emperors were generally well-behaved, maintaining harmony between ruler and subject; this was the foundation for their rule.

There are always rules and regulations governing this; it's not something I can simply do as others do.

The hearts of the people in this world are not something that can be won over by anyone who wants to submit.

Take Liu Hong, for example; if he weren't a member of the Liu family clan...

If he dared to overstep his authority even slightly, he would probably end up like Cao Cao in Xuchang in the original historical timeline: Hua Tuo's assassination attempt, Xun Yu's disloyalty, and other bloodshed and troubles, including those involving other members of the Han imperial family. All sorts of troubles would naturally come immediately. How could things possibly turn out like they are now?

While not everyone knew Liu Hong's true intentions, they could all guess at most of them.

However, the royal families and various forces within the imperial city all maintained a tacit attitude, and even the clans themselves chose to turn a blind eye to this.

This is because if Liu Bian were to truly ascend to the throne in the future, virtually nothing would change for any party in the land, which aligns perfectly with the thinking of the old ruling class.

That's why the Liu family of Youzhou has such a glorious system now, and it's hard to make a mistake if they follow the old rules.

In the midst of this situation, within the inner palace of Empress Dowager Dong, a series of voices rang out: "They are all His Majesty's sons, so how could His Highness not sit on the throne?"

Given the current situation in Luoyang and even the entire realm, if Your Highness could persuade the Grand General, perhaps even those opportunists would submit.

Within this palace, there were eunuchs loyal to Liu Hong, and there were also those utterly devoted to Liu Xie, the current Prince of Chenliu.

After all, the saying "when one rises from the ashes, all the boats float on the water" and "when one attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven" has existed throughout history, and it is perfectly reasonable for it to happen now.

But the eunuch's words immediately drew a severe rebuke from Liu Xie: "If this throne is truly obtained, it will likely bring more disaster than fortune. If you dare to say such a thing again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

A cold glint flashed in Liu Xie's eyes. Judging from his words and actions, he was truly unmoved by Liu Bian's ascension to the throne. His eyes were filled with complex emotions.

Because he could roughly guess that Liu Hong, this imperial uncle, probably also coveted the throne.

Rather than waiting for him to seize the throne and then be deposed, it would be better for him to obediently do what the Prince of Chenliu should do, thus enjoying wealth and honor, and being remembered in the history books of later generations.

He was a virtuous prince.

A wise king is far better than an emperor who is almost certain to be deposed in the future, otherwise...

Liu Xie himself was not immune to being tempted.

"You're quite perceptive, kid."

Liu Xie shared his thoughts with Empress Dowager Dong, who had raised him in the palace since childhood.

A hint of relief flashed in Empress Dowager Dong's eyes. As a member of the Liu family, and possessing power over the world, his actions, though resembling those of a powerful minister, were not as simple as those of a powerful minister, so no one could stop him.

Even if we can stop it for a while, it will probably only last for a short time.

"It's quite nice to be a prince who is idle. In time, you can come to the palace more often to keep this old woman company, and I won't end up like a black-haired person sending off an white-haired person."

Moreover, given the current dire situation, the previous Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the wolves and tigers lurking everywhere, coupled with your illness, how can two children possibly protect the entire Han Dynasty?

"Only a rare and extraordinary person like General Weining, and as loyal and devoted as Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu of the past, could be able to hold onto the land of the Nine Provinces."

Therefore, you must not let power blind you, otherwise you will likely only end up dead.

Empress Dowager Dong clearly still had a desire to protect Liu Xie; the fact that she could say such things shows that she had seen a lot about the world.

"Your Majesty, I will be extremely vigilant."

No matter what, I will always stand by my uncle, the Grand General of Kunning Palace. Anyone who dares to oppose my uncle will be an enemy of me, the Prince of Chenliu.

No matter what, I will always stand by my uncle's side. Only in this way can my uncle be invincible throughout the world, and only then can I gain some power and perhaps one day be able to govern a region like my uncle.

As Liu Xie spoke, he straightened his chest and raised his head, a hint of smugness showing on his face.

Since Liu Hong and his clansmen, including Liu Biao and Liu Yu, could all serve as the highest governors in one place, why couldn't Liu Xie do the same?

He was the son of the late emperor, which made him different from others.

However, things may change in the future.

In addition, given his consistently sensible nature, his imperial uncle would likely be generous enough to grant him a position of real power. He could have his fill of a sinecure and now make Liu Xie, the Prince of Chenliu, a prince with real authority.

Within this great Han clan, his status was probably quite high.

Hearing Liu Xie's words, Empress Dowager Dong's eyes flashed with deep satisfaction. She gently patted his little hand and said with a contented expression, "This is the path my child should take in the future, and he will surely walk the right path."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Liu Xie answered again, "It is visible to the naked eye."

He was quite satisfied with the path he had chosen for himself, at least it was far better than being humiliated by the Empress in the palace.

With this in mind, Liu Xie would intentionally or unintentionally reveal his attitude whenever Liu Hong entered the palace.

It must be said that he really did make the various captains and eunuchs in the palace who had submitted to the Liu family of Youzhou much more friendly towards him.

In this situation, especially after Liu Hong also expressed his affection for Liu Xie, Liu Xie's status in the palace was subtly higher than that of the soon-to-be-ascended emperor Liu Bian.

Now we are inside this palace.

Anyone with eyes can see that even if Crown Prince Liu Bian ascends the throne, so what?

He will likely be nothing more than a puppet emperor at best, with absolutely no real power.

There are already many examples recorded in the past that a country with a young ruler and a suspicious ruler is the most dangerous.

Since the young master and the emperor are both young, the great power in their hands is either held by important officials in the court or by the empress dowager who rules from behind the curtain.

But how could this Empress He possibly be a match for that great general?

They were probably all following the general's orders; almost everyone in the palace thought so.

"Second brother, did you see that?"

Look at these lowly brats in the palace, each one so lawless, do they even have any respect for me, the Empress, or for Bian'er, the Crown Prince?

Inside the Kunning Palace, listening to her sister Empress He's tirade, He Miao barely suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, inwardly groaning with misery.