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

When the day comes that all the powerful official positions inside and outside the palace and throughout the country are occupied by the gentry, the Han dynasty will probably be completely overthrown.

Therefore, Liu Hongcai took those actions to suppress the aristocratic families. Although it seemed that he was persecuting the aristocratic families all over the country, in reality he greatly consolidated the imperial power and solidified his position as emperor.

It is also because the gentry have become so arrogant that even the emperor can hardly control them. Therefore, the court has no choice but to support these members of the Han imperial family as much as possible.

This led to the scene where members of the Han imperial family from various places appeared and took power.

His imperial mindset was just like that of the Ming Dynasty in later times: even if the world was going to rot, he would still make sure that the "meat" rotted in the Liu family's pot.

"Now that my Liu family has moved to Zhuojun, the number of followers is far from enough."

Liu Hong stated his purpose for coming: "The sooner the better, the better."

Upon hearing this, Liu Wen glanced at Liu Hong and asked directly, "How many do you want?"

Liu Hong held up one finger.

"The number of a thousand?"

Liu Wen raised an eyebrow.

Liu Hong shook his head.

"hehe."

Liu Wen immediately laughed, "Your Excellency would be better off taking a hemp rope and hanging me, the Prefect of Zhuojun, from the roof beam of this pavilion."

"If the Marquis were to recruit ten thousand men on his own, even if he had the title of a member of the Han imperial family, and the Emperor of the court did not care, it would be quite troublesome if the governor blamed him."

"Five thousand is the limit that I, a mere prefect of a prefecture, can do."

"Fine."

Liu Hong feigned a sigh, his face showing resentment.

But who could have imagined it?

All he wanted was three thousand; the extra two thousand would be made up by the wandering knights and their guards.

Anyway, they weren't eating the government's rations, otherwise the prefect in front of him would never have been able to just open his mouth like that.

It's just a formality between the two sides. When the governor and the higher-ups investigate in the future, having such a procedure means they can't find any fault with it from a legal standpoint.

After some further bargaining, Liu Hong used his unique authority to request official positions in several prefectures and counties.

Jian Yong was appointed to a post in the prefecture as a candidate for the civil service examination, and Liu Hong also had to make arrangements for the other two of the three talents in Zhuojun.

As for Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, although they had only recently entered Liu's private school, they were considered to be of excellent talent, and most importantly, they had already sworn brotherhood with Liu Bei, the son of Liu Hong, in the Peach Garden, so they were considered family.

Family members can set this precedent.

"The Prefect is indeed very generous."

Liu Hong waved his hand, and the guards beside him stepped forward.

He took out the Liu family's finished wine from the food box, saying, "This is for the Prefect."

As Liu Hong spoke, he gently poured a little bit of light wine from the wine pot.

"Such a rich aroma of wine."

Liu Wen's eyes lit up.

He's quite the drinker.

Despite his civil post as governor, he had served as a military commander on the border in his early years, making him a true example of someone who excels in both civil and military affairs.

Liu Hong didn't give him the wine for nothing.

The Liu family can still hold on for a few bottles of wine today, but if they can't hold on in the future, this old fox in front of them is indeed a reliable partner.

In addition, both were members of the Han imperial family and descendants of Prince Jing of Zhongshan.

This relationship was naturally much closer and more reliable than that of other aristocratic families.

……

Back at the Liu family home.

Liu Hong did not go to the mansion in the city, but instead came to a manor outside Zhuojun.

Although this place is not as heavily armed as the fortresses and manors outside Zhuoxian, the security lines set up nearby, including the sentry posts established by Liu Jiayi, have been largely completed in just half a day.

Liu Hong also temporarily settled the hundreds of refugees who had followed him earlier here.

The family members were to be brought into Zhuojun City, while the able-bodied men who remained would join the militia and be trained there so that they could become a vital force to protect the Liu family.

However, when Liu Hong arrived here, he was surprised to find that Cui Yan, who was to serve as a teacher at the Liu family's private school in Zhuojun the next day, had unexpectedly come to this place.

Liu Hong kept only a few things from Cui Yan, such as the hundred-forged steel and the complete set of military training methods. Cui Yan knew almost everything else about the Liu family.

What are you doing here?

Liu Hong asked.

"Why can't I be here?"

Cui Yan countered, "Besides, I just accepted a new student."

"Although his talent cannot compare to that of Xuande, Yuanzhi, Yunchang, and Yide, he was able to fight Jian Yong to a standstill. In particular, his innate talent in military strategy is very much to my liking."

"Why can't I come? Why can't I come?"

As Cui Yan spoke, a tall and handsome young man stood beside him, hands behind his back, chest out and head held high.

After several days of rest, he no longer has the sallow complexion he used to have. Although he is not yet full of energy, he can be described as a rough gem.

"Student Bo Cai greets Lord Liu."

Since Bo Cai had already entered the Liu family's private school, he was freed from the indenture contract with the Liu family. Even his only family member, his mother-in-law, was no longer bound by such a servant's bond.

Therefore, there was no need to call him "Lord" at this time, and Liu Hong was happy to accept it.

For truly talented people, how can a mere contract bind them?

Do you not know the principle that great kindness can be like great enmity?

The best approach is to treat truly talented people with respect.

Moreover, the day they joined the Liu family's private school, they were already members of the Liu family. The existence of that contract was merely a means to reassure people.

"That's just right."

When Liu Hong saw Bo Cai appear here, and looked at the two of them, teacher and student, an idea came to his mind. "Bo Cai, you shall select the strongest men from the refugees in Zhuojun to serve as the new generation of volunteers for my Liu family."

"I wonder if Bo Cai is willing to accept the order?"

Liu Hong shouted loudly, his voice rising and falling in intonation.

Upon hearing this, Bo Cai's eyes lit up immediately: "Bo Cai obeys."

"You, as the teacher, aren't you going to follow along? Aren't you afraid that something bad will happen to your student, and then it will be too late to regret it?"

Seeing Bo leave, Liu Hong looked at Cui Yan, who was standing motionless in front of him, and began to threaten him in a blatant and unintentional manner.

Cui Yan then realized what was happening, his eyes wide with astonishment. He bowed slightly to Liu Hong, saying, "Well done, Lord Liu. You've used your strength to deceive me and tested my mind. What a skillful tactic you are."

"So, are you going or not?"

Liu Hong's Machiavellian tactics had long been ingrained in his bones, making him as thick-skinned as a rock, and he remained completely unaffected by such ridicule.

"go."

Seeing Liu Hong's reaction, Cui Yan had no choice but to squeeze out a single word through his back teeth before quickly following after him.

Having finally found a student whose martial arts were perfectly aligned with his own, how could Cui Yan possibly just let him do as he pleased?

A discerning eye seeks a fine horse, and a fine horse also longs to meet a discerning eye.

The two sides are complementary and indispensable.

"Ha ha ha ha."

Upon seeing this, Liu Hong immediately burst into laughter, "The Cui family of Qinghe is nothing special."

"Brother Cui Yan, I'm waiting for you in Zhuojun."