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

Chapter 178 The Imperial Guards of the Han Dynasty, Tiger Tally Acquired

Liu Hong gently grasped the tiger tally, turned around, and casually placed it in his bosom, hiding it in his wide sleeves, making the uninvited guest's scheme disappear in an instant.

Who comes here?

What is intended?

"Anyone who dares to steal this in this day and age is a damned bastard."

Liu Hong immediately started cursing. No matter who the person was, he believed that political power came from the barrel of a gun, and anyone who dared to seize his military power was courting death.

"What? Does the General intend to exterminate me as well?"

The voice fell heavily, and when he looked up, he realized that the person in front of him was none other than Empress Dowager He.

She barged in at this very moment.

Seeing that Liu Hong remained silent, Empress Dowager He stopped trying to snatch the tiger tally with her delicate hands, ultimately retaining a sliver of reason.

She realized that the tiger tally was not something she could actually use just because she had it now.

"What does the Empress Dowager mean by this?"

"The Imperial Guards of the Han Dynasty—this was entrusted to us, a widow and her orphan, by the late Emperor. Now, the Empress Dowager, without uttering a word, intends to hand it over to someone else. Isn't that going too far?"

Empress Dowager He's gaze was sinister, and her words were directed at Empress Dowager Dong, without daring to point a finger at Liu Hong.

She knew it in her heart.

At this point, Liu Hong was someone she couldn't afford to offend. If she insisted on going her own way, she would be the one who suffered in the end.

If Liu Hong is truly pushed to the limit, to the point where he disregards his past reputation, then...

For them, a widow and her child, there was no way out but certain death.

Liu Hong already possesses the strength to ascend the throne, but the reason he has been delaying it is simply because doing so would be too detrimental to his own vitality. If Empress Dowager He continues to press him, even Liu Hong himself would not dare to guarantee it.

What he might do.

In the end, even a rabbit will bite when cornered.

"This tiger tally was originally given by His Majesty to General Zhu Jun, but General Zhu felt he could not control it, so he handed it over to me. Now, in accordance with the laws of the court, I am handing it over to the person who commands the military power of the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty. What is wrong with that?"

If the Empress Dowager feels it is inappropriate, she should talk to the General herself about it. Why bother asking me?

Perhaps you've asked the wrong person.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Dong was no longer the weak and compromising woman she used to be in the inner court. She immediately chose to confront Empress Dowager He head-on, and her demeanor was one of complete assertiveness.

"Okay, okay."

Empress Dowager He stared at the scene before her, her teeth grinding together. "Empress Dowager Dong, are you determined to force me today? You show no mercy whatsoever. It seems my deceased child should never have trusted you in the first place."

"It's utterly laughable that they don't even understand this basic rule."

Having been in the inner palace for many years, Empress Dowager Dong was far superior to a mere Empress Dowager He. At this moment, her words revealed who the expert truly was.

She directly pointed out the other person's grammatical errors and pressed them relentlessly.

Empress Dowager He retreated repeatedly, her face showing helplessness, and for a moment she was at a loss.

"Guards, hurry up and escort the Empress Dowager back to Kunning Palace so she can calm down."

With the help of Liu Hong's power and the influence of the two court officials Zhu Jun and Lu Zhi, Empress Dowager Dong unleashed all the prestige she had accumulated in the inner court over the years.

When all these things are combined at this moment, the power they unleash is naturally extraordinary. Even the guards in Yongshou Palace subconsciously chose to obey.

"Your Majesty, I'm so sorry."

The guards stepped forward and bowed. Empress Dowager He's phoenix eyebrows stood up straight, and she exuded the majesty of an empress dowager. She shouted sternly, "Let's see who dares!"

"Send the Empress Dowager away."

Just as the game was at a stalemate, Liu Hongping's calm voice rang out, his tone completely flat, yet at that moment, it decided everything.

The guards who had been hesitant just moments before changed their expressions upon hearing Liu Hong's words. They then acted rashly and without regard for the consequences.

They would rather offend Empress Dowager He than offend Liu Hong.

Offending Empress Dowager He might allow one to survive in the future.

At worst, they could leave this deep palace; the world is vast, and there would always be a glimmer of hope for them. But if they offended Liu Hong, no matter how vast the world was, there would be no place for them to hide. This was the biggest difference between the two.

As soon as Liu Hong gave the order, the guards took action.

To preserve her last shred of dignity, Empress Dowager He had no choice but to obey. She turned and left, seething with resentment, not daring to utter a single harsh word before departing.

She could naturally sense that Liu Hong's imposing presence here was not something ordinary people could approach.

"I have caused you trouble, Empress Dowager Dong. Please rest assured, the Commandant of the Western Garden will be here in the palace to protect your safety, and no one will dare to interfere with you."

Liu Hong clutched the tiger tally tightly to his chest, feeling its heavy weight, and at this moment, he couldn't help but reciprocate.

Since Empress Dowager Dong was happy to act as a peacemaker and mediator, Liu Hong was naturally happy to oblige and give her a peaceful and comfortable old age.

"Then thank you very much, General."

Empress Dowager Dong smiled slightly, not at all using her age to assert herself. At most, she simply adhered to some palace rules. There was no complicated entanglement between the two of them.

Soon, Liu Hong left the palace.

And Lu Zhi was officially added to the position of Lieutenant General of the Imperial Guards of the Han Dynasty.

Lu Zhi has become the true power holder of the Imperial Guards, while Zhu Jun has been relegated to the second line.

This also reflects the tacit understanding between Liu Hong and Empress Dowager Dong. Many things were one thing before, but naturally became another afterward.

There are just too many intricacies involved in this.

"Congratulations to Lord Lu on your return to the court. Now that you hold military power, you will surely be able to advance our Han Dynasty even further in the future."

Liu Hong nodded.

"In the end, it was all thanks to the General."

Lu Zhi appeared humble, showing none of the arrogance expected of someone in charge of the Han Imperial Guard. His words and actions remained subservient, which at least pleased Liu Hong.

At least this proves that the other party is still following the rules.

Liu Hong turned around, boarded the carriage, and drove away.

Outside the Chongzhi Gate west of the palace, Zhu Reng did not feel the slightest envy towards Lu Zhi. This plan was originally proposed by him, and it was better to give this benefit to an outsider.

It's better to keep the benefits within the family and let our own people take over properly.

Just at this moment.

He stared at Liu Hong's departing figure, but his heart was not as relaxed as he had imagined. Instead, it grew heavier and heavier.

"Brother Lu, it seems that this general doesn't trust you as much as I thought."

-

Lu Zhi smiled slightly and then explained, "This general has never trusted anyone from the very beginning, and that is the key to his success today."

Throughout history, it has been a great taboo for powerful and ruthless individuals to be too trusting of others.

,

Lu Zhi spoke slowly and deliberately, and Zhu Jun nodded slightly in agreement.