Tuolü listened quietly to Liu Hong, Tong Yuan, and the others discussing how to deal with the grasslands, without the slightest ripple in his heart.

After giving instructions on how to form a heavy cavalry, Liu Hong then looked at Tuolü.

"What do you think of our Han Dynasty compared to the Xianbei?"

Tuolü paused for a moment, then said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I was born on the grasslands. When I was just old enough to understand things, my parents told me that I was born to be a slave of those noble leaders, to herd cattle and horses for them, and to risk my life for them."

I used to think that way too, so I worked hard herding cattle and horses, and fought desperately. But no matter how hard I tried, I still watched helplessly as my parents starved to death right before my eyes.

At this point, Tuolü couldn't help but pause, his eyes reddening slightly, and a hint of resentment on his face.

Then Tuolu continued, "Later, I was captured by the Han and made into a slave in a factory. When I heard that as long as I worked, I could eat my fill, so I worked desperately in order to be able to eat my fill."

One day, the factory manager came to the little man with a string of coins and handed it to him, saying that it was what he deserved.

The petty man couldn't believe it was real, thinking he was dreaming. He had toiled and fought his whole life on the grasslands, but had never received anything that truly belonged to him.

It wasn't until all the slaves, just like the little man, received their wages that the little man realized it wasn't all a dream.

It wasn't until later, when our teacher taught us to recognize Chinese characters and speak Chinese, that we children realized we were human beings, not animals.

We could have lived the life we ​​wanted through our own efforts, but those damned noble leaders deceived us, making us shed our last drop of blood for their wealth like animals, only to gain nothing in return.

But the situation in the Han Dynasty is completely different. Here, as long as you are willing to work, you can eat your fill and earn money to support your family. As long as you are willing to join the army and fight the enemy, you can make merit and stand out from the crowd.

I love it here, and I hope to live here forever. I also hope that people like me can live this kind of life.

Although Tuolü was a Xianbei, having been influenced by Han culture, he had little affection for the Xianbei and instead hated the noble leaders on the grasslands.

As Tuolü recounted his experiences, both Liu Hong and the surrounding officers remained silent.

Only now did Lü Bu, Huang Zhong, and others realize that no matter where they lived, the people's demands were very simple: they just wanted to survive. The enemy of the Han Dynasty was not those people, but that group of greedy and ambitious noble leaders.

Then Liu Hong looked at Tuolu and said earnestly, "What you said has touched me deeply. As the emperor of the Han Dynasty and the father of all people, I have a responsibility to ensure that all people live a good life."

However, there are always those who obstruct and exploit the people, stripping them of everything they deserve; therefore, they are my enemies.

Then Liu Hong looked at Tuolü with a solemn expression: "Would you be willing to help me eliminate those enemies, and then help those herdsmen like you to live a happy and fulfilling life?"

Upon hearing this, Tuolu immediately knelt down in front of Liu Hong with a thud.

"Your Majesty is magnanimous and as benevolent as a god. I hereby swear to Heaven that I will do everything in my power to serve Your Majesty!"

Having said that, Tuolü touched his head to the ground and swore allegiance to Liu Hong.

“Alright,” Liu Hong said solemnly as he helped Tuolu up. “Right now, the Great Han is also going through a difficult time and is temporarily unable to go and rescue those suffering herdsmen.”

Therefore, I intend to send you back to the grasslands first to tell the herders and common people that the Han Dynasty stands with them, and to organize them to join forces with the Han Dynasty to deal with those hateful noble leaders.”

Upon hearing this, Tuolü hesitated only slightly before nodding heavily, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"

Liu Hong smiled and said, "Before you go to the grasslands, you should stay in the Imperial Guard and train with the instructors and officers for a while!"

Tuolü: "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Afterwards, Tuolü bid farewell to the emperor and returned home.

As soon as he pushed open the door, Tuo Lu was stunned.

Inside the courtyard, red cloths were hung everywhere, and several tables were neatly arranged in the center.

On the table were silk, imperial wine, fine salt, fresh meat, melons and fruits, and various other valuable items.

Behind the table was a woman dressed in a red silk wedding gown; this woman was the one that Tuolu deeply loved.

"You're back!"

Seeing Tuolü standing there dumbfounded at the door, the woman smiled happily and slowly walked up to him.

"You...this...?"

Looking at the woman he had been longing for day and night, and at the precious things and decorations in the courtyard, Tuolü's mind went blank.

Just then, a hearty laugh came from inside the house:

"Haha~, don't be surprised, all of this was prepared for you by His Majesty. Now that you have become a member of the Imperial Guard by His Majesty's side, you can no longer be as shabby as before!"

Tuolü looked up and saw two figures walking out of the room. One was the teacher who taught Tuolü to speak Chinese and read Chinese characters when he worked in the factory, and the other was Chu Qian, the head of the Foreign Affairs Department.

"Greetings, gentlemen!"

Upon seeing this, Tuolü hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to the two of them.

Chu Qian laughed and said, "No need for formalities. His Majesty knows about your situation, so he specially ordered us to redeem your lover and bestow a marriage upon you. The two of us will preside over your wedding ceremony!"

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