The news that the former Marquis of Jiedu had become the emperor quickly spread throughout the entire Hejian region.

Upon hearing the news, the powerful man who had lent money to Liu Hong immediately found the IOU and burned it.

At the same time, he was secretly relieved that he hadn't used any underhanded methods, otherwise he wouldn't even know how he died.

All of Liu Hong's tenants gathered together, preparing to pay homage to their emperor.

One of the middle-aged men looked worried. They were concerned that after Liu Hong ascended the throne, the Marquis of Ting's mansion would be taken back by the government if there was no one to inherit it, and their good days would come to an end.

Upon hearing this, an old man scolded the man, "You're confused! The Marquis is so virtuous and benevolent. He has never looked down on us commoners. Now that he has become the emperor, it is a blessing for all the people. Besides, this place has now become His Majesty's imperial estate. Who would dare to take back the emperor's land at will?"

"I'm just worried!"

The middle-aged man awkwardly fell silent.

"What are you worried about? We're all now the Emperor's people, who would dare to bully us?"

The old man's words reassured everyone. In their view, bullying them was tantamount to bullying the emperor. Now the entire Han Dynasty belonged to the emperor, so who would dare to bully the emperor?

On the other side, although Cao Jie was extremely anxious, Liu Hong did not rush to Luoyang. Firstly, if he rushed to Luoyang, he would truly be like a lamb entering a tiger's den, completely at the mercy of others.

Furthermore, because Cao Jie and his group rushed there, they arrived in four days instead of the usual seven-day journey, giving Liu Hong ample time to prepare.

That night, Liu Hong sent someone to summon Cao Jie to his study.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

"No need for formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Looking at Cao Jie's obsequious expression, Liu Hong said softly:

"Attendant Cao, I know you are a loyal minister, and I very much want to give you an important position. However, with the late emperor recently deceased and the court in a state of flux, my voice carries little weight. Therefore, there are some matters that require your cooperation. Do you... understand?"

After saying that, Liu Hong looked at Cao Jie, a helpless expression on his face.

Upon seeing this, Cao Jie's heart stirred. He thought of how powerful the maternal relatives were now, with the Empress Dowager having the final say inside and Dou Wu wielding unparalleled power outside. It seemed that even the emperor's weight was not very heavy, let alone someone like himself who had no connections.

Cao Jie then respectfully said, "Your Majesty is right. We will certainly do our utmost to assist Your Majesty in restoring order to the court!"

Liu Hong nodded. "That's good. I am very pleased to have such loyal people as you. However... to put their minds at ease, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you for the time being."

Therefore, for the next two days, whatever I do, just pretend it didn't happen and simply observe silently!

"promise!!"

Watching Cao Jie leave, Liu Hong's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

The next day, Liu Hong ordered a two-day stay in Hejian under the pretext of paying respects to his father.

For the past two days, Liu Hong has continued to live in the Marquis's residence. His daily meals are only served to him after being inspected and tasted by the guards and eunuchs.

"Xi Zhicai, a commoner, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Instead of his usual casual manner, Xi Zhicai bowed very respectfully to Liu Hong.

Seeing Xi Zhicai's cautious demeanor, Liu Hong realized that now that he was the emperor, he could no longer interact with anyone as an equal. Xi Zhicai's actions clearly reflected this intention.

No need for formalities.

"What are Your Majesty's instructions in summoning me here?"

Liu Hong glanced at the eunuch beside him, "You may leave now!"

"Your Majesty, this..."

The young eunuch hesitated but made no move, which infuriated Xi Zhicai, who was standing nearby. These eunuchs really thought the young emperor was easy to bully.

"Someone come here!"

Seeing that the little eunuch dared to disobey him, Liu Hong couldn't help but shout loudly.

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

Upon hearing Liu Hong's shout, two guards who were standing at the door immediately entered. They were the young guards from the Marquis's residence.

Liu Hong glanced coldly at the eunuch beside him and said in a deep voice, "Drag this servant girl out and give her twenty strokes of the cane."

"promise!"

Seeing the two boys approaching him with fierce expressions, the little eunuch turned pale with fright and knelt down with a thud.

"Your Majesty, spare my life! I was only serving you on orders. What crime have I committed?"

"Hmph...What crime have you committed?"

Liu Hong couldn't help but sneer, his face cold as he looked at the kneeling eunuch, then at the Imperial Guards soldiers outside who were glancing sideways.

"Take him out and let the Imperial Guards outside beat him. Anyone who obstructs or disobeys will be punished as well."

"promise!"

"Your Majesty...please, for Lord Cao's sake, spare this servant..."

The eunuch, who had been dragged to the doorway, turned deathly pale and immediately brought out Cao Jie.

“Take him out and give him forty strokes of the cane. Beat him severely. Anyone who dares to show leniency will be punished the same way.”

It would have been better if the eunuch hadn't spoken, but as soon as he did, Liu Hong's face instantly darkened, and he was ordered to increase the punishment by twenty strokes.

"promise!"

Without a word, the two guards dragged the eunuch out.

Xi Zhicai couldn't help but look worried: "Your Majesty, you have just been enthroned as the emperor. Won't this arouse suspicion?"

"Heh~, no, doing this will only make them happy..."

"Hmm, Your Majesty is right!"

Xi Zhicai also understood Liu Hong's intention. At present, eunuchs are not tolerated by the imperial relatives and scholars. Now that the imperial relatives are powerful, if the emperor gets too close to the eunuchs, it will inevitably arouse the suspicion of the imperial relatives and alienation of the scholars.

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