Punishing corrupt officials and curbing land annexation are not problems that can be solved overnight, but they are two issues that urgently need to be addressed at present.

"I wish to appoint Yuan Li as the Commandant of the Capital Region once again. I wonder if Yuan Li would be willing?"

Liu Hong looked intently at Li Ying. Li Ying was a proud and upright man whose character and conduct were deeply respected by scholars throughout the land. Liu Hong believed that it was most appropriate for him to take charge of the anti-corruption campaign.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to serve you."

Feeling the emperor's earnest gaze, Li Ying did not refuse and immediately agreed. Chen Fan, who was standing beside him, was also sincerely happy that his friend could serve in office again.

"Your Majesty, during the reign of the late Emperor, he favored eunuchs, which led to their abuse of power and chaos in the court. Countless upright and loyal men were forced to live in obscurity in the countryside due to the Party Prohibition. I beseech Your Majesty to execute the eunuchs, lift the Party Prohibition, and recruit virtuous and capable men."

After discussing for a long time, Chen Fan saw that the emperor still had no intention of punishing the eunuchs, and finally couldn't help but speak up to Liu Hong to offer his advice.

Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, Zhang Rang, who was standing to the side, trembled in fear. If Liu Hong adopted Chen Fan's advice, not only would Cao Jie and Wang Fu be doomed, but he himself would likely not escape disaster either. Zhang Rang glanced nervously at Liu Hong, only to find that Liu Hong's gaze had also swept towards him. Zhang Rang quickly lowered his head.

Liu Hong shook his head slightly: "Punishing the eunuchs is not something that can be done right now; let's talk about it another day."

Liu Hong rejected Chen Fan's proposal. He had only just ascended the throne, and the various factions in the court and the inner palace were intricately intertwined, mutually restraining and balancing each other. If he dealt with it rashly, it would inevitably lead to an imbalance of power in the court and eventually result in one faction becoming the dominant power.

"His Majesty..."

Just as Chen Fan was about to offer another remonstrance, Li Ying pulled him aside, and he fell silent.

"I understand the Grand Tutor's intentions. Although the eunuchs cannot be dealt with, the partisan purge must be lifted. As for recruiting virtuous and capable people, we cannot accept them all. After all, the Han Dynasty needs some practical talents right now, and they must pass the assessment!"

"Your Majesty is wise."

Chen Fan nodded. Although the expected goal had not been achieved, the emperor's agreement to lift the ban on partisans and to accept virtuous and capable officials was a good start.

After Chen Fan and Li Ying left, only Liu Hong and Zhang Rang remained in the Deyang Palace.

Liu Hong knelt before the table, closed his eyes and pondered, while Zhang Rang stood cautiously to the side, not daring to speak.

"Thump. Thump. Thump..."

The only sound in the empty hall was Liu Hong lightly tapping the table.

"Zhang Rang".

After a long while, Liu Hong suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Rang.

"This servant...this servant is here."

Liu Hong's sudden outburst left Zhang Rang somewhat bewildered.

"Tell Wang Fu the truth about what happened today, especially those corrupt officials from powerful and influential families. Pay special attention to them."

"This servant understands!"

Zhang Rang then left the main hall and quietly walked out of the palace.

Along the way, Zhang Rang carefully recalled the conversation between the emperor and Chen Fan. The emperor's meaning was very direct, and Zhang Rang understood it without thinking. However, Zhang Rang always felt that the emperor seemed to have a deeper meaning.

Suddenly Zhang Rang realized what was happening and hurriedly headed home.

"Master? Why have you suddenly returned?"

The gatekeeper of Zhang Rang's residence was somewhat surprised to see Zhang Rang suddenly return in the middle of the night.

"It's alright, just keep an eye on the gate."

Without saying much, Zhang Rang hurried towards his study, opened a hidden compartment, and took out a wooden box.

Zhang Rang opened the wooden box, which was filled with all kinds of land deeds and house deeds. This was the wealth that Zhang Rang had amassed over the years. Although he rarely felt the pain of losing it, he put these land deeds and house deeds into his pocket for the sake of his life and future wealth.

"Remember this: do not let anyone know that we have been back, understand?"

"Don't worry, Master, I understand."

This gatekeeper had served Zhang Rang for many years, so his loyalty was not an issue. After giving his instructions, Zhang Rang walked towards Wang Fu's residence.

After meeting Wang Fu, Zhang Rang truthfully told Wang Fu about the conversation between Liu Hong and Chen Fan and Li Ying.

"You mean the Emperor rejected Chen Fan's suggestion?" Wang Fu looked at Zhang Rang with a pleased expression.

Zhang Rang nodded and laughed, "That's right! Moreover, His Majesty did not hesitate and directly refused!"

"Phew...that's good!"

Wang Fu breathed a long sigh of relief, finally at ease. It seemed his guess was right; the emperor still needed to keep them around to deal with Dou Wu and the others, and had no intention of eliminating them.

Remembering the Emperor's instructions, Zhang Rang spoke up, "Your Highness, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

"Oh? What is it?"

Zhang Rang was a person who served the emperor closely, and his opinions carried considerable weight. Even though Wang Fu was a high-ranking official, he dared not underestimate him.

“From Your Majesty’s conversation with Chen Fan and Li Ying, I sensed that Your Majesty seemed determined to curb land annexation and punish corrupt officials.”

"What should we do...?"

Wang Fu frowned. Whether it was annexing land or embezzling money, these people had done it all. If the emperor really wanted to solve these two problems, then they would find it difficult to escape.

Zhang Rang smiled slightly, "We have lived in the palace for a long time and do not know much about what is happening outside. Besides, as long as we hand over those tributes as soon as possible, we will surely win His Majesty's favor."

Even if we are caught, with His Majesty's protection, the worst that can happen is that we were negligent.

"Hmm, that makes sense..."

Wang Fu nodded, agreeing with Zhang Rang's statement.

Zhang Rang continued, "I'm sure you know that His Majesty kept us here mainly to counterbalance and deal with Dou Wu and those aristocratic people. As long as we can share His Majesty's burdens, how can we not win back His Majesty's favor?"

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