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

Chapter 151 Zhu Jun's Only Hope

"That's all there is to it. General, what should we do now? Are we just going to stand here and watch as this general's power grows stronger day by day?"

"If that's the case, we might as well just surrender; that would probably be much better than what we're doing now."

Many people are discussing it.

The Liu family of Youzhou today can be said to have the advantage of favorable timing, location, and popular support.

Kong Rong of Donghai County had already surrendered, and the Kong family of Donghai had become his family. Even the Yang family, the three dukes and grand marshals in the court, whose name was glorious with four generations of dukes, had also submitted to him. Even Yang Xiu, one of his subordinates, joined the Hall of Recruiting Talents and became one of its members.

Not to mention the other clans, who had all made arrangements for their future long ago. Now, only these people remain. Even if they wanted to join them, the General's Mansion simply wouldn't accept them.

"General, we're all risking our lives to do this, we can't keep doing this for you forever."

The group began to pour out their grievances. They had originally thought that by following Zhu Jun, they could at least gain some military power and elevate their status in Luoyang, but the result was a huge disappointment.

Not to mention the other major clans, even their relatives and other factions within the same clan changed their expressions very quickly after learning that they actually intended to be enemies with Duke Weining and the Grand General.

If it weren't for the Imperial Guards of the Great Han Dynasty acting as a safety net, they would probably have all been expelled from the family. This was truly frightening for everyone.

At this moment, Zhu Jun looked at the group of generals in front of him, his face darkened, and he said in a deep voice: "How could His Majesty's arrangements be wrong? There are also the Empress Dowager and the Emperor here. After all, we are loyal to the Emperor and are working together for the great cause."

Not to mention the eunuchs in the palace; we might be able to make good use of them.

At this moment, Zhu still mentioned all the other forces that could be won over, which barely reassured the generals around him and prevented them from continuing to pester him.

Otherwise, the entire Imperial Guard of the Han Dynasty wouldn't need anyone else to do anything.

They themselves will likely disrupt their foundations before they are truly finished.

"Lu Zhi, we're counting on you now."

Zhu Jun was both amused and exasperated, watching as the many generals left.

He knew in his heart that although he could rely on these people for the time being, they were not people he could trust. The only one who could truly lend a helping hand was this old friend.

Lu Zhi shook his head and smiled faintly: "If even I, your friend, don't think highly of you, then you really have no one else to rely on."

As he spoke, Lu Zhi revealed the news that had just arrived: "Just now, news came from the palace about the affair between the Three Dukes and the current Empress Dowager."

Now, in the inner palace, Empress Dowager Dong is only concerned with enjoying her old age, while Empress Dowager He seems to have a rather unfriendly conversation with the Three Dukes.

Under these circumstances, even if it were possible to win over the inner court, without the help of the aristocratic families, they would still likely be at a disadvantage.

Moreover, since the Duke of Weining has already arrived, if nothing goes wrong...

He won't just stand by and do nothing.

The Liu family of Youzhou is a member of the Liu clan's imperial family. This level of righteousness is second only to the emperor who ascends the throne and the empress dowager.

One voice after another fell, and at this moment, the pressure on Zhu Jun came in waves.

He seemed to regret taking on this task before the emperor's death.

Could it be that something bad is really going to happen to the Zhu family as well?

Upon reflection, Zhu Jun felt a renewed sense of unease.

Elsewhere, Liu Hong let out a cold laugh.

He did not go straight to the General's Mansion, but instead came to a manor outside Luoyang City. This was the Liu family's Liu Garden in Luoyang, where salt-making equipment and many other rare and wonderful things from all over the world were kept.

Xu Shu looked at him expressionlessly.

"Among the many retainers recruited by the Liu family, there is the spear master Tong Yuan, his disciple Shi Taici, and many other wandering knights. It's time for them to put their skills to use."

From this day forward, everything that needs to be done regarding the Zhu family will be done.

After Liu Hong gave his instructions, the many wandering knights responded in unison.

At that very moment, a figure suddenly rushed in, his face showing deep displeasure, as if he wanted to argue with Liu Hong: "Father, this is absolutely unacceptable, utterly unacceptable. A chivalrous knight is one who acts for the sake of the people, how can he do something for personal gain?"

If we start this today, what about tomorrow and the day after?

I urge Father to reconsider his actions.

It was Liu Bei.

His good son has appeared here again, it seems he didn't heed Liu Hong's instructions last time.

Unfortunately, back in Zhuo County, these wandering knights might have obeyed Liu Xuande, but now that they've arrived in the imperial city of Luoyang, they already understand who the true master of the Liu family is.

"You can go down now."

Liu Hong slowly gave the order, and the many wandering knights immediately nodded in response, their actions swift and decisive.

As for Liu Bei standing beside him, that was not something these retainers could get involved in. It was a family matter of their lord and a major event for the future of the Liu family, and it had nothing to do with them.

"You can't go."

Liu Bei shouted urgently.

Tong Yuan spoke slowly, "I hope that the young master will not hinder our future plans."

Liu Bei was speechless for a moment, and could only stand there blankly, watching these wandering knights go one by one to do what he did not want to see.

This was not his original intention when he first met the wandering knight.

"Father."

Liu Bei spoke eagerly.

Liu Hong glanced at him indifferently, his eyes filled with deep disappointment: "I am your father. Others may not understand me, but you should."

How could you have learned the ways of that pedantic scholar, becoming so stupid and dull as a pig?

Would I ever harm you?

"The Liu clan of Youzhou now has a formidable enemy. If this enemy cannot be defeated, the Liu clan of Youzhou will inevitably retreat. One step back leads to another, and in the end, the entire Liu clan may be in danger of collapse. Is this the situation you wish to see?"

Liu Hong spoke coldly, leaving Liu Bei speechless. He could only bow slightly.

Even so, Liu Hong was not reassured.

He then spoke again, his tone resolute: "From today onwards, you will no longer be required to hold the position of Commandant of the Western Garden."

When you get home, reflect on your actions and stay home; do not receive any guests.

I will have Yide and Yunchang take good care of you. You can come back whenever you've figured everything out; if you still can't figure it out, then you don't need to come out at all.