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

After saying this last sentence, a barely perceptible hint of weariness flashed in Cheng Pu's eyes.

He could already foresee his fate.

What happened before could perhaps be overlooked, but if the secrets of the Liu family were revealed in the end, Cheng might still be able to stay under the Liu family's command, but Cheng Pu would inevitably be transferred away from the central government and would no longer be a core member of the Liu family's ranks.

But there was nothing he could do.

after all.

He once owed Sun Jian a life, and now he considers it repayment.

Lian Po is old, can he still have food?

But Cheng Pu, in the end, still held onto that old affection.

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu immediately realized the implications.

The two men looked distressed, exchanged a glance, and finally put down their weapons, bowing deeply to Cheng Pu as a small way of making amends.

"Alright, pack your things, let's go to the General's Mansion together."

Cheng Pu waved his hand, his voice still calm, "Perhaps, with the credit for capturing you, I might still be given a place."

last night.

If they voluntarily go to the General's Mansion, that would be surrendering themselves; it was early this morning.

Now that Cheng Pu has come, the situation is different.

He captured the assassin.

"Yes, Uncle Cheng."

Sun Ce replied in a hoarse voice.

The Sun family members began to quietly pack their bags.

Along this journey.

They did not walk on two feet.

That would be too conspicuous.

Riding in a horse-drawn carriage is a good way to conceal oneself.

After all, it's almost time for the morning court session.

Normally, the emperor in the Northern Palace does not need to attend court sessions, but last night such a major event occurred that shook the entire country.

If he continues to skip court meetings, there will be no reasoning behind his actions, and it will inevitably draw criticism from both the court and the public.

So at this moment, the bustling streets and alleys are filled with all kinds of horse-drawn carriages, coming and going in an endless stream.

Although their carriage was traveling in the wrong direction, it wasn't particularly conspicuous.

After all, the General's Mansion was only near the Imperial Palace, just a short turn away.

Outside the front hall of the General's Mansion.

Cheng Pu led the Sun family members to a stop at the foot of the steps and bowed to the guards inside the mansion, saying, "The assassin has been captured. Please inform the lord that I, Cheng Pu, have brought all the members of the Sun family here."

He lowered his head, cupped his hands slightly, and looked full of guilt.

In this day and age, integrity and reputation are of utmost importance.

Although Cheng Pu's actions were understandable, the label of "betrayal" will ultimately be despised by the majority of people in this era.

"This matter should be decided by our lord."

Cui Yan came over upon hearing the sound, giving Cheng Pu a complicated look.

If the other party had truly helped the Sun family escape, then he would be a complete traitor; but as he is now, having both repaid old favors and fulfilled his duty, the label of "traitor" might not be entirely accurate.

Ultimately, the decision rests with Liu Hong.

The inner quarters.

Wu, Xu, and Cai Yan were all present. Seeing that Liu Hong was safe and sound, the three of them were slightly relieved.

Wu patted Liu Hong's chest and scolded him, "Why did you only tell me about something so important now? You should have told me last night. If something had happened to you, how would we women survive?"

"My sister is right."

Madam Xu echoed, her eyes reddening, "Does my husband not consider us as one of his own?"

Finally, even Cai Yan, who was usually the most gentle and unassuming, had tears in her eyes. She quoted the principles from the classics and gave Liu Hong a stern lecture, every word of which was full of concern.

Liu Hong was rendered speechless and could only apologize repeatedly, saying all sorts of nice things, before he was able to properly appease the three women in front of him.

Just then, a servant rushed in to report that Cheng Pu had arrived with the assassins.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong got up and went to the front hall.

The three women beside them naturally followed suit.

Liu Hong had no choice but to agree.

Otherwise, this house will likely be in turmoil again.

"Then please, ladies, come along."

Liu Hong smiled helplessly.

Then, the group gradually moved to the front hall.

……

The atmosphere inside the council chamber was tense and somber.

"My lord, I am guilty."

Cheng Pu bowed deeply, his face expressionless, and shouted in a loud voice.

In the small courtyard outside the hall, the Sun family, who had been brought along, were already surrounded by Liu's guards.

On the left is Dian Wei, a fierce and menacing figure; on the right is Xu Chu, glaring menacingly; in front is Zhao Yun, his eyes sharp as an eagle's; behind him is Gan Ning, wielding a sharp blade, exuding murderous intent.

No matter how renowned Sun Ce, the Little Conqueror, was, he would have no chance of escaping this inescapable trap.

not to mention.

He was accompanied by his family, including the young Sun Quan, his frail mother, and his seriously injured and comatose father, Sun Jian.

Faced with this scene, Liu Hong sat calmly in the main seat, with several ladies standing beside him.

"What crime did you commit?"

Liu Hong raised an eyebrow, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

Cheng Pu gave a wry smile, and then recounted in detail what he had done in the Sun family's courtyard, without any attempt to deny it.

After all, he was biased. Although he tried to leave some room for the Sun family by being roundabout, he had already violated the rules of the Liu family.

"Considering your meritorious service in atonement, you may be spared the death penalty, but you will not escape punishment."

Liu Hong spoke calmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "From today onwards, you will serve as an ordinary guard in the Liu Family Guard Camp. If you achieve further merit in the future, you will be promoted."

Do you have any objections?

Liu Hong was not troubled at all by this matter.

After all, over the years, the Liu family had already developed various rules for dealing with ministers who made mistakes.

And Cheng Pu's case is not the first of its kind.

In particular, Liu Hong had previously recruited gentry and heroes from all over the country, and many of his ministers were former generals who had surrendered. This kind of treatment had long been the norm.

"Thank you, my lord, for sparing my life."

Cheng Pu nodded emphatically, a relieved smile appearing on his face.

Although he only became a lowly guard, at least he was still in Luoyang, and had another chance to make a contribution.

In this way, sooner or later...

He has a very high chance of regaining his high position.

If one were exiled to a remote frontier, there one would likely be no chance left for the rest of their life.

"Someone come here."

Liu Hong changed the subject, his gaze falling on the Sun family below the steps. He did not deliberately make things difficult for them. "According to Cheng Pu, the rest of the Sun family did not know about Sun Jian's affairs."

Even if Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Zhou Yu, and others took actions to protect their families, our Han Dynasty governed the world with filial piety, so such actions were not wrong, but rather very easy to appreciate.

If it were another time, this general would be willing to recruit a few young men like them, but unfortunately…”