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

But if it's tomorrow—

If the matter is brought to court and discussed publicly, based on Liu Yan's experience, it is likely that the aristocratic officials will drag it out again and again, and it may even come to nothing.

This is by no means what the current royal family wants to see.

Then, a resolute look flashed in Liu Yan's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, trust those you employ, and do not employ those you distrust."

Now that we have chosen to completely trust Liu Hong, let's continue to trust him.

perhaps.

He will give us a huge surprise.

Liu Yan spoke slowly, his tone steady and persuasive.

Liu Hong took a deep breath, and at this moment, a hint of determination appeared between his brows.

After exhaling a breath of stale air.

He nodded emphatically: "In that case, I will make a good bet with Liu Hong today. Let's see how many things in this world are truly beyond my control."

Liu Hong spoke heavily, his tone carrying the majesty of an emperor.

Thus, the decree to persuade Zhang Jiao to surrender was finalized.

The news of the imperial decree spread quietly, but the major clans in Luoyang remained completely unaware of it.

However, not long after, some rumors from the front lines caused the entire city of Luoyang to boil over.

Some of the gentry's sons began to shout and clamor in front of the Honglu Temple, their words fierce and full of indignation.

"Your Majesty favors virtuous ministers and keeps away from treacherous men. Now, eunuchs hold sway in the court; the Han dynasty is doomed. Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty must not do such a perverse thing. If you do, how can the world continue to be peaceful and stable?"

I hope Your Majesty understands this. Your Majesty. Your Majesty.

A series of hysterical voices rose up, and gradually, they reached the depths of the palace.

But no matter how Liu Hong listened, all he heard was dissent.

His eyes were filled with gloom, and a cold smile played on his lips. He wondered to himself: Was it truly for the sake of the Han Dynasty, or for the sake of their own aristocratic clans?

Is it truly for the sake of the Han Dynasty, or for their own personal wealth and glory?

"Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, you two, please speak."

Liu Hong spoke in a cold voice, but Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong did not dare to respond casually.

They both instinctively lowered their heads, behaving meekly and submissively, unaware that their timid behavior had instilled in Emperor Liu Hong a hint of disappointment in his gaze.

Without a doubt, this disappointment is capable of killing.

"Never mind, never mind."

Liu Hong waved his hand, his tone full of impatience, "Perhaps I shouldn't have asked you. If I had known this would happen, I would have been better off bringing my imperial uncle here. If all else fails, other members of the Han imperial family should still be given important positions."

With Liu Hong's excellent example as a precedent, Liu Hong was naturally more willing to try it on these members of the Han imperial family.

If it really works out, the potential for him and the Liu family's future will be limitless.

Eunuchs were still needed, of course, but their power could be shared among the clans.

At this moment, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong were unaware of the turbulent plans Liu Hong was harboring.

How could an ordinary person easily perceive or fathom the thoughts of the emperor?

Therefore, the task of dispersing the troublemakers in front of the Court of State Ceremonial was assigned to Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong.

On that day, in front of the Honglu Temple, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong led a group of eunuchs, each holding a wooden stick, looking fierce and menacing.

For those scholars kneeling on the ground, whether they had fainted, fled in panic, or fought back, they were all treated without mercy, beaten with sticks and with ruthless cruelty.

In an instant, cries and screams rose and fell.

The aristocratic gentry behind the scholar sneered repeatedly, their eyes turning cold and full of mockery: With such an emperor and such actions, how could the Han Dynasty not be in trouble?

It's no wonder that there were Yellow Turban rebels and that the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty were thrown into chaos.

……

The Yuan family!

The patriarch, Yuan Wei, stood on a high building in the mansion, looking at the chaos in the distance, and sneered repeatedly. It was clear that...

His dissatisfaction with the current situation was so profound that it was almost unbearable for his entire Yuan family.

"Uncle, what should the Yuan family do next?"

Yuan Shu stood beside Yuan Kui and asked in a deep voice, "After all, the name of the Han imperial clan is still extremely prominent at present."

If my Yuan family were to openly oppose them in court now, I'm afraid we wouldn't gain anything either.

Even the Yuan family, which held the highest positions in the government, had no intention of rebelling at this moment.

After all, the Liu family is far from collapsing.

Their intentions were no different from those of the previous dynasty: to control the emperor and seize power.

In the eyes of the masses, the Han Dynasty was still far from its end, so there was no need to go through such great trouble and take such great risks.

"There will be an explanation to give in court tomorrow."

Yuan Wei stroked his beard, a fierce glint in his eyes. "Otherwise, wouldn't our reputation be completely ruined?"

"Given time, when the name of the aristocratic families is no longer feared by the people, we will truly become a colossal joke."

Yuan Wei continued speaking, his tone resolute.

And so, in the dead of night.

He had already begun secretly contacting various aristocratic forces and quietly making arrangements, determined not to give the enemy even the slightest chance to breathe.

This point, however, was a consensus among all the members of their aristocratic families.

Seeing this, Yuan Shu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.

Seeing his uncle's strategic planning, he, as the eldest son of the Yuan family, couldn't help but start to fantasize: what if one day...

What kind of situation would it be for him to become the head of the Yuan family?

Could it be that, like the uncle in front of him, he would lead the entire Yuan family to fight against the imperial clan and eunuchs?

Just imagining it, Yuan Shu already felt his mind stir and his blood boil.

If only that day ever came, how wonderful that would be. Yuan Shu's thoughts shifted, and he inevitably thought of Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu.

"How dare a mere illegitimate son compete with me, the legitimate son?"

Nonsense.

Yuan Shu sneered inwardly, thinking, "Even if you add three more points to the reputation of the entire Yuan family, you still don't think things through properly."

My Yuan family has been known for four generations of high-ranking officials, so why would I care about your meager achievements?

What a ridiculous joke. Only someone like that would be so self-righteous, believing they can achieve anything through their own efforts.

Little do people know that many things in this world are either present or absent at birth.

The so-called striving for self-improvement is nothing more than a self-deceiving excuse.