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

At this moment, Prefect Liu Wen avoided answering.

Liu Hong smiled slightly, and he already knew what the man was thinking.

Unable to place a bet immediately, they chose to step back and observe, seeking a safer option.

This was exactly what Liu Hong had expected.

After all, as the other party said.

He has reached the age of fifty, and it is unrealistic to seek further advancement. Being able to preserve his current small plot of land and build a solid foundation is enough to comfort him for the rest of his life.

But this governor didn't know that ambition doesn't discriminate based on age.

Once ignited, they will only forge ahead without ever retreating, for retreating even a step would mean falling into an abyss.

"What about Jian Yong? He is the chief clerk by my side, but now he has been ordered by you, the Inspector, to disappear without a trace. If he does not return soon, there are many matters in the prefectural office that require his attention."

Feeling guilty under Liu Hong's smiling gaze, Liu Wen deliberately changed the subject.

At this point, Liu Hong stopped beating around the bush and spoke frankly: "Jian Yong is no longer in Youzhou."

"Where is it?"

Liu Wen frowned.

Liu Hong spoke quickly and chuckled softly: "The capital of the emperor, Luoyang."

……

Now that it is the height of summer, there are even more disaster victims on the official road from Youzhou to Luoyang.

In particular, those prefectures and counties ruled by aristocratic families took the disaster victims as slaves.

Among them, the strong and healthy and the beautiful women still have a glimmer of hope, but the old, weak, women and children are basically doomed.

Jian Yong, adhering to his principles, offered some relief wherever he could, which delayed his journey somewhat.

However, he has now arrived at the foot of the city wall at the main gate of Luoyang.

"This is Luoyang, the capital of my great Han Dynasty. It is truly magnificent and dazzling, a sight to behold."

Jian Yong stood there, one hand behind his back, looking up at the capital city that had stood for hundreds of years, and felt such emotions.

After a long while, he finally focused his mind, entered the city, and began to do the important things that Liu Hong had entrusted to him.

……

Inside the West Garden residence, a young eunuch scrutinized Jian Yong, his gaze filled with suspicion, but he finally spoke, asking, "Are you truly a man of the Marquis of Weining?"

"Look at your attire, it's all the style of a gentry. This scholarly air can't be cultivated by ordinary gentry."

Upon hearing this, Jian Yong immediately gave a wry smile.

In Youzhou, and even in other states, his scholarly air and aristocratic attire brought him many advantages, but he never expected that he would encounter some difficulties in this West Garden.

If it weren't for mentioning Liu Hong's name, I probably wouldn't even have seen this little eunuch in front of me.

The young eunuch glanced at Jian Yong, then at the letter of recommendation in his hand, before nodding slightly and saying, "Wait!"

"This matter is of great importance, and with the Marquis of Weining's involvement, I, a mere servant, am truly unable to bear the responsibility. I must go to the palace to consult with the Attendant."

"I will do whatever my father-in-law says."

Jian Yong said with a smile.

As the eunuch left, he stepped forward, gathered his wide sleeves, and the gold and silver in his palm flowed smoothly into the eunuch's sleeve.

Upon seeing this action, Xiao Huangmen's eyes lit up with surprise.

Many people have given him money, but this is the first time they've given him so much.

Then, when he looked at Jian Yong again, his eyes were even more amiable. He nodded to him repeatedly and said with emotion, "Now, I believe you are not that pedantic aristocrat. You are indeed in the style of the Marquis of Weining."

"Your Excellency is wise."

Jian Yong laughed loudly and bowed again, not feeling at all that it was a lowly thing for someone dressed in worldly clothes to bow to a eunuch; on the contrary, he felt it was only natural.

As a result, the task was carried out more quickly.

Before noon, in just over half an hour, Zhang Rang, a powerful eunuch in the palace with extensive connections and immense influence, arrived and appeared before Jian Yong.

Therefore, Jian Yong also developed a more favorable impression of the young eunuch.

They know how to get things done for money.

At this time, the recommendation letter also came into Zhang Rang's hands.

It bears the seal of the Inspector of Zhuojun, so it cannot be faked.

Moreover, the money that followed was definitely not a joke.

This time, however, Zhang Rang reacted exactly like his godson, the eunuch.

His scrutinizing gaze fell on Jian Yong, and he subconsciously frowned, asking, "Who are you from?"

Without hesitation, Jian Yong replied, "Like Zhang Gong, we are all members of the Liu family."

These words were a double entendre, subtly placing Jian Yong and the entire Liu family of Zhuojun into the same faction and camp as the powerful eunuch before them, within the confines of the palace.

Although there are some risks, Jian Yong has never been afraid.

Zhang Rang's face brightened slightly, then he let out a soft snort, his expression turning serious again, and said, "What a sharp tongue you have."

then.

His gaze fell on the contents of the recommendation letter, and he spoke again, his tone tinged with anger, "And your Lord Liu, the dignified Marquis of Weining, has certainly made quite a show of it this time. What exactly is Liu Ziguang trying to do? Is he perhaps planning a rebellion?"

"Youzhou, Zhuojun, Guangyangjun, Youbeipingjun, Liaoxijun, Liaodongjun, and the Huaiwu region, and even Jingzhou, Xuzhou, and Yizhou."

Why doesn't Liu Ziguang just take all thirteen prefectures of my Great Han Dynasty?

"This confirms his reputation as a rebel."

At this moment, Zhang Rang was furious, seemingly irritable, but in reality, it was just a test.

Because Liu Hong would never leave such a flaw in his actions.

Although Zhang Rang's words were spoken in anger, the official positions that Liu Hong purchased, while possessing real power, were mostly county magistrates, county assistants, or even just minor positions like the archery officer in a certain prefecture, just like Liu Bei's military officer and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's agricultural and household officers.

Although they held power, it was extremely limited.

The connection to the word "rebellion" is far-fetched and no one would believe it.

"Master Zhang is joking."

Jian Yong smiled, not at all surprised by Zhang Rang's words. Instead, he chose a practical angle and asked softly, "You should know that anyone who does not have the surname Liu and claims to be king will be attacked by all under heaven."

"My lord is a member of the Liu family of Zhuojun, a legitimate member of the Han imperial family recorded in the family genealogy. Even if the whole world rebels, my lord will never do so."

"What does Master Zhang think?"

Gradually, Zhang Rang started talking to Jian Yong, and soon found him more and more pleasing to the eye.

This person is truly gifted with a silver tongue, and his demeanor lacks the haughty arrogance typical of aristocratic families.

In the end, when Zhang Rang left the West Garden, he looked at him a few more times with some reluctance, and said with regret, "It's a pity he's not from the palace, otherwise we would have another godson today."

Jian Yong dared not accept such a statement.

The eunuch standing to the side felt a sense of urgency and his gaze toward Jian Yong became inexplicably hostile.

"This gentleman has worked hard."

Upon seeing this, Jian Yong handed over another handful of gold and silver.

The eunuch felt instantly relieved, and when he looked at Jian Yong again, he felt even more that this man was upright and honest, and was one of the best people in the world.

Just now, he was indeed a little jealous of the virtuous and capable.

Thinking about it carefully, this person in front of me will neither enter the palace nor become my godfather's godson.

What does he have to be afraid of?