During his two-day stay in Hejian, Liu Hong made no further moves and maintained a distant attitude towards Cao Jie and others, seemingly having no intention of eliminating the eunuchs.

This immediately put Cao Jie at ease.

The news of Liu Hong's beating of the eunuchs had spread far and wide, and everyone saw it as a signal from the emperor.

All the scholars who heard the news were extremely excited.

For the past two days, Liu Hong has welcomed all scholars and literati who have come to see him, whether from the local area or the surrounding area. Seeing the emperor's close relationship with scholars, Cao Jie's suspicions were further confirmed.

Liu Hong's wisdom and magnanimity truly impressed these young students. After they left, they traveled far and wide, spreading the word about how wise and brilliant this young emperor was. In their view, with an emperor like Liu Hong, the revival of the Han Dynasty was just around the corner.

"Zhicai, are you really not willing to accompany me to Luoyang?"

Early this morning, Xi Zhicai came to bid farewell to Liu Hong, wanting to return to Yingchuan. Xi Zhicai's decision surprised Liu Hong.

"Your Majesty, it seems that Zhicai is of no benefit to you at present!"

Xi Zhicai knew that he came from a poor family. At present, apart from offering some advice to the emperor, he feared that if he rashly appeared by the emperor's side, it would bring criticism to both himself and the emperor.

"Very well, I'll wait for you in Luoyang."

Watching Xi Zhicai's departing figure, Liu Hong sighed deeply. Some things need to be done slowly and cannot be rushed. Xi Zhicai understood this, and Liu Hong understood it even better.

Outside Hejian City

The long welcoming procession left Hejian and headed towards Luoyang.

Countless ordinary people, gentry, and students along the way watched the emperor's carriage with hope in their eyes.

A new emperor represents a new beginning for the country. Although the actions of the previous emperors were unsatisfactory, this did not diminish their hopes for the future.

Because their new emperor is a wise and virtuous ruler, he will surely be able to lead them to restore the glory of the Han Dynasty.

"May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, may the Han Dynasty live ten thousand years."

When the emperor's chariot appeared before the crowd, everyone bowed and shouted "May he live ten thousand years!"

Feeling the enthusiastic cheers of the people outside, Liu Hong stepped out of the car and looked at the enthusiastic people and scholars on both sides of the road. Liu Hong smiled slightly, realizing that the conditions for creating momentum for Xi Zhicai's first suggestion had been met.

He then focused his energy in his dantian and shouted loudly, "Everyone, no need for formalities!"

Although his voice was still young, it reached the ears of everyone around him clearly. Everyone stood up and looked at the young emperor with great interest.

More than a hundred teenagers, now dressed in the uniforms of the Imperial Guards accompanying Liu Hong, stood guard around his carriage with tense expressions.

Liu Hong's appearance caused a stir. For many common people, not to mention them, even many high-ranking officials and scholars might never have the chance to see the emperor in person in their lifetime.

Under the influence of Confucianism, the emperor at this time had become the spokesperson of Heaven in the hearts of the people.

Outside the carriage, Liu Hong, dressed in the emperor's robes, was small in stature and had a childlike face, but the majesty he exuded was unforgettable.

For a moment, the surrounding people were somewhat dazed, and many couldn't help but feel that the Han Dynasty might be about to usher in a great emperor, an emperor no less than Emperors Wen and Jing, or even Emperor Guangwu.

Seeing the emperor's actions and hearing the cries of the people along the way, Cao Jie, who was following behind the carriage, felt a sense of loss.

Only then did Cao Jie realize that, in the past few days, the emperor seemed to have done nothing, but invisibly he had accomplished a great deal. This made Cao Jie, who had been immersed in the inner palace for many years, feel a chill. This emperor not only possessed the benevolence and wisdom of Emperors Wen and Jing, but also the strength and methods of Emperor Wu.

Although the emperor was still young, Cao Jie suddenly realized that such a young emperor was not someone he and Wang Fu, along with other eunuchs, could deceive, since the eunuchs' wealth and status depended entirely on the emperor's existence.

As for the idea of ​​a cornered dog resorting to desperate measures, Cao Jie glanced at the group of young men beside Liu Hong, the Imperial Guards, the Tiger Guards, and the cheering crowds along the way, and secretly shook his head. If something were to happen to the emperor, he feared that he and his family would be the first to suffer.

Through yesterday's events, Cao Jie understood that seizing power was impossible, but preserving his life and wealth might still be possible, since the emperor needed their help to maintain his position.

"Hmph~ Now that our family has lost power, you, Dou Wu, and those hypocritical people are certainly no match for the Emperor."

Thinking of this, Cao Jie finally felt a little comforted.

Because Empress Dowager Dou was already in the palace, Liu Hong's birth mother, Lady Dong, did not accompany Liu Hong to Luoyang to avoid any taboos, but instead stayed in Hejian.

Inside the carriage, Liu Hong gently stroked the Emperor's Sword in his hand, his mind constantly planning what he was about to face.

After several days of travel, the procession to welcome the emperor finally arrived in Luoyang.

At this moment, the area outside Luoyang was bustling with activity, as countless students from the Imperial Academy and sons of noble families eagerly awaited the arrival of their emperor.

News of Liu Hong's actions in Hejian had reached here. Although the emperor only punished a minor eunuch with a cane, it still allowed them to vent their anger.

Moreover, thanks to the propaganda of Chen Fan and Li Ying's followers, the image of the emperor as wise and virtuous had become deeply ingrained in people's hearts, and at this moment they were eager to offer their loyalty to the emperor.

Outside Luoyang, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, as well as all officials of all ranks, gathered to await the emperor. The five battalions of the Northern Army, which were responsible for welcoming and protecting the emperor, were all elite troops, guarding both sides of the road.

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