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

Zhang Rang spoke slowly, his tone tinged with emotion, clearly now standing on Liu Hong's side.

For Zhang Changshi, who had done so much, Liu Hong was already satisfied; anything more would be too much.

He won't force it.

Immediately.

Their group then set off, heading towards Luoyang in a grand procession.

……

In the third month of the second year of Zhongping, the spring breeze was like scissors, cutting the branches along the way green.

Along the way, the spring rain was continuous, and the air was somewhat damp, which seemed like an auspicious sign of the new year and the new dynasty.

At least that's what the people at the Imperial Observatory said.

Liu Hong was pleased to hear this, and the people at the Imperial Observatory were also relieved. So the news spread.

The entire city of Luoyang was immersed in celebration and prosperity, as if the Yellow Turban rebels who swept across the world had never existed, and it was all just a phantom nightmare.

"What Yellow Turban rebels?"

There has never been such a person.

Have you heard?

General Liu is about to return to Luoyang in triumph. This is truly a blessing for the people of Luoyang, and a blessing for the entire nation.

"That's for sure. Rumor has it that this General Liu is as handsome as Pan An, and his love is as steadfast as gold. His wives are so beautiful that they put all women in the world to shame. Otherwise, why would the women of Luoyang be so enamored with him, regarding him as their dream lover?"

"Haha, you all don't know that this General Liu already has a virtuous wife at home."

His son, Liu Bei, was one of the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden and held the official title of General Renyi. This trip was to assess the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Wherever he went, he carried on his grandfather's spirit, treating the people with the warmth and kindness of a gentle spring breeze.

"It is truly a blessing for us common people that our great Han Dynasty has such a great general and such a virtuous son."

"General Liu now commands the military forces of the realm, and we common people naturally yearn for him."

This claim, coupled with the numerous discussions among the people, has been circulating in the imperial city of Luoyang for more than half a month now, and it has not stopped yet, as if this craze has only just begun.

The rumors spread throughout Luoyang, in countless teahouses, taverns, and streets. Some even turned these stories into folk songs and performed them in opera troupes.

Such praise is so widespread that it's practically common knowledge.

When Liu Hong and his troops returned to the capital and arrived at the gates of Luoyang, they naturally heard these words.

However, Liu Hong's mood was far from good.

"What does this mean?"

Are you trying to find me a burial place?

He rode his warhorse, gripping the reins tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white.

Hearing these overwhelming praises, I felt no joy whatsoever; instead, I felt a chill run through my body, as if I had fallen into an ice cave.

As Cui Yan followed beside him, listening to these words and looking at the people's burning, almost fanatical gazes, a chill involuntarily crept into his heart.

He pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly, his voice extremely low: "Throughout history, those whose achievements overshadow their rulers have rarely met a good end."

In this day and age, in Luoyang, this action is likely a deliberate act by someone.

The purpose was to sow discord between the Grand General and His Majesty.

After all, the power of the royal family has now won a great victory, and even if the aristocratic clans join forces, they are no match for them.

They probably only have this tactic of sowing discord to have any influence and to buy themselves a chance to survive.

"snort."

Without a second thought, Liu Hong snorted coldly, his voice suddenly rising and echoing around, "How could His Majesty, so wise and valiant, possibly believe such nonsense from the common people?"

Once we enter the palace, we will explain everything to His Majesty.

Liu Hong spoke frankly at this moment, presenting a truly upright, honest, loyal, and patriotic image.

These words were insightful and to the point, and they were very eloquent.

If someone unaware of the situation witnessed this scene, they might very well be moved by his sincerity.

Upon hearing Liu Hong's words, Cui Yan simply rolled her eyes silently and then pretended that nothing had happened.

Regarding Liu Hong.

He knew it all too well.

These words are just for show; taking them too seriously is a recipe for disaster.

Throughout history, loyal ministers have not necessarily met a good end, and treacherous ministers have not necessarily met a bad end, but treacherous ministers can enjoy lasting good fortune.

The gentry, in particular, have always liked to put their eggs in different baskets so that their descendants can benefit from them.

On the contrary, those mediocre ministers often lived to a ripe old age and died peacefully in their sleep.

It is precisely for this reason that the gentry of the world would not have any so-called "unwavering loyalty" to the monarch.

When loyalty doesn't lead to a good end, self-preservation is the true path.

However, most people wouldn't say these things, and they certainly wouldn't dare to.

Soon, the group arrived inside the palace.

With Zhang Rang, a court attendant, leading the way, the journey was surprisingly peaceful, as if the rumors and gossip within the imperial city of Luoyang had not affected the tranquility deep within the palace.

But when Liu Hong looked at the Imperial Guards and Imperial Guards standing everywhere, his heart sank slightly.

Even though he now leads a large army with many fierce generals under his command, if His Majesty were to turn his back on him in this palace and send in eight hundred axemen, accusing him of plotting rebellion.

Can he really break through?

Perhaps, but to escape unscathed is basically wishful thinking.

Although I genuinely didn't think Liu Hong would do something so foolish, it's always good to be cautious and keep a few things in mind.

Liu Hong subtly gave a wink to Cui Yan, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei beside him.

This tacit understanding over the years didn't come for nothing.

In the blink of an eye, the group understood each other and quietly tensed up, protecting Liu Hong in the middle without making a sound.

Then, with everyone on edge, they arrived at the main hall of the North Palace.

Upon arriving at this place and seeing the people inside the hall with their own eyes, everyone finally felt relieved.

This place is not only home to Emperor Liu Hong, but also to the Imperial Clan Minister Liu Yan.

Upon seeing Liu Yan, Liu Bei secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and Liu Hong also felt much more at ease.

Liu Hong had heard a great deal about the help this Imperial Uncle had given to the Liu family of Youzhou during the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Putting everything else aside, if it weren't for the other party's recommendation, it would have been much more difficult for Liu Bei to become one of the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden, let alone the fact that the three brothers together occupied three of the eight colonels.

It can be said that the power of the royal family directly accounts for half of it.

Coupled with the power of the eunuchs, the aristocratic families' arrangements within the court were once again severely suppressed.

For a moment, Liu Hong even began to understand why those aristocratic families would resort to desperate measures and spread rumors of "overshadowing the emperor's achievements" throughout Luoyang.

That's all.

They probably don't have any other good solutions for the time being, so they can only try this as a last resort.

What if Liu Hong really loses his mind and kills the meritorious officials?

At that time.

They can still use this excuse to lift the ban on the party.

Who says Liu Hong wasn't a member of the gentry?

He was a legitimate candidate for the civil service examination, and according to official standards, he was considered a member of the gentry class.

However, even among the aristocratic families, there are still factions, so specific issues still need to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.