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

Liu Hong looked weak as he slowly spoke to the three people closest to him: "Alright, all of you step back, step back."

Lord Zongzheng, please continue our conversation. You two may leave now.

Remember, this matter must be kept secret. If the news gets out, don't blame me for disregarding our past relationship.

A fierce glint flashed in Liu Hong's eyes as he gave Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong another warning.

The two immediately bowed their heads, not daring to even breathe loudly, let alone do anything out of line. They hurriedly obeyed the order and then, under Liu Hong's watchful gaze, slowly retreated step by step.

The moment after the two men left, Liu Yan, the Imperial Clan Minister, couldn't help but speak up: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this matter cannot be kept secret any longer. Although Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong are loyal to Your Majesty, they are ultimately eunuchs, greedy for wealth and power, and their mouths are not trustworthy. I'm afraid many things..."

The threat of the rumors has been fully stated. There's nothing more to say, not because I don't want to, but because I'm unwilling to. Ultimately, it depends on whether Liu Hong gives me the opportunity to speak.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Liu Hong chuckled again, his laughter carrying a hint of self-mockery and a touch of relief. "It seems that in your eyes, Imperial Uncle, I am not really that incompetent."

Since that's the case, the Imperial Uncle should know something about it.

These two were among the very few people in the palace who could be trusted.

If it were anyone else, I'm afraid I wouldn't have had the good fortune to read their letter.

"Fortunately, Heaven is currently protecting our Han Dynasty. At this critical moment, the Liu family of Youzhou has suddenly risen up and relieved my urgent crisis."

Liu Hong paused, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes, "To be honest, Imperial Uncle, I was even prepared to admit defeat before."

After all, how could the power of the gentry of the world be resisted by a single family or their words?

"I never imagined, truly never imagined, that my Liu family would have such an opportunity. In this way, even if I were to truly depart for the netherworld, upon meeting my ancestors, my life would not have been in vain."

Supporting his weakened body, he tightly grasped Liu Yan's wrist, his gaze earnest: "I hope that if I were to truly pass away one day, then the affairs of the Liu family and the affairs of the world would be entirely entrusted to you, my royal uncle."

Although Liu Hong was not yet terminally ill, he had already begun arranging many matters for his funeral.

It is evident that when a person is about to die, they generally have some premonition in their mind. Although the exact time is unknown, they still want to finish what needs to be done and what needs to be entrusted to others as soon as possible.

"Your humble servant obeys."

The two talked for a long time, but Liu Yan only solemnly replied with this one sentence. These four simple words already indicated that he would do his best.

Meanwhile, in a side hall outside the palace, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong were like ants on a hot pan, pacing around anxiously, unsure of what to do.

"What should we do?"

What do we do now?

Zhang Rang's voice trembled, his words filled with deep resentment, "If His Majesty were gone, what would become of us... Throughout history, each new emperor brings a new court, let alone eunuchs like us. We'd probably be fortunate enough to use the wealth we've accumulated over the years to guard the imperial tombs; we'd be lucky to ever have the power we enjoy today."

He wanted to stop Zhao Zhong in front of him and do something, but then he remembered that the emperor inside the palace had not yet passed away.

Even if those lackeys wanted to rebel, they would never succeed.

The eight colonels of the Western Garden in this palace, as well as all the guards such as the Imperial Guard, are all loyal to His Majesty; not to mention the undecided crown prince, or even the future emperor... there are just too many factors to consider.

These two eunuchs held a certain amount of power in the palace, but it was by no means as great as outsiders might think.

Did they want to use the emperor to command the feudal lords?

It was just a joke.

The principle is that any general could easily subdue them by rushing into the palace under the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials."

"If all else fails... isn't there still the Marquis of Weining?"

Zhao Zhong composed himself and lowered his voice to say, "I have received a lot of kindness from him before. I don't ask for anything else, I only ask to be able to serve him well for the rest of my life and live a carefree life. That would be a great blessing."

Zhang Rang nodded solemnly.

After all, if it really comes to that point, how could they possibly make the decision?

Go with the flow and act accordingly.

That's the maximum they can do right now; there's no other way.

……

The first year of Zhongping ended.

Of the Yellow Turban rebels in the thirteen prefectures of the Han Dynasty, only the main force in Julu County remained. The remaining forces had been repeatedly defeated by the Liu family of Youzhou and were already in complete disarray.

Now, outside Julu County, General Lu Zhi is stationed in the central army, with a large number of vanguard generals gathered. Liu Hong, the lord of the Liu clan of Youzhou, who can now be called a general, is leading a large army of the imperial court as the chief military advisor, along with the elite troops of the Liu clan, all of whom are stationed here.

"After nearly a year, the Yellow Turban Rebellion is finally about to be quelled. Our Great Han Dynasty will once again be at peace."

Inside the military camp, Liu Hong, clad in gleaming silver armor, with a dignified expression and piercing eyes, slowly spoke.

His words elicited complex and unreadable expressions from those around him.

Lu Zhi gave a bitter laugh three times, his heart filled with mixed feelings: If he had known this would happen, he should not have coveted the family's interests and colluded with the gentry. Otherwise, how could he have ended up like this?

After the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled...

His position as a Lieutenant General will certainly be revoked, and thus, his career in government for the rest of his life should come to an end.

Having failed the teachings of sages, they have earned this reputation for being disloyal, unfilial, and disobedient; it is entirely their own fault.

Inside this tent, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, who now hold the positions of the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden, as well as Dong Zhuo from Liangzhou, have all gathered.

All eyes fell on Liu Hong, a complex mix of emotions that defied description. There was envy, jealousy, and a deep, undeniable, heartfelt admiration.

The elite troops of the Liu family of Youzhou were a first-rate army that swept across the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty. Now, they are leading the Han Imperial Guard to surround Julu County with overwhelming force, which can definitively conclude their legacy.

Liu Hong of the Liu family in Youzhou truly made unparalleled contributions. Such achievements naturally left all the gentry families in the world defeated and forced to submit.

After all, if the gentry of the world still refuse to give them any dignity and insist on fighting to the death, then the court and the Liu family of Youzhou will probably have no choice but to kill them without any room for maneuver.

It was truly a helpless situation.