Tong Yuan and Tuo Lu, who were training, rushed to Deyang Palace without even changing their armor after receiving the order.

After exchanging greetings, Liu Hong looked at the two men and said with a smile, "I didn't enjoy watching you two compete in the Martial Arts Hall last time. Could you demonstrate for me again today?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Tong Yuan and Tuo Lu responded loudly.

The group arrived outside the hall. Tong Yuan and Tuo Lu each held a large spear and stood facing each other in the square in front of the hall.

Then, Tuo Lu launched the first attack, a spear flashed and stabbed straight at Tong Yuan's left shoulder.

Tong Yuan dodged and raised his spear to block. With a clang, the two spears clashed, buzzing and reverberating. Before the sound subsided, the spear blades flashed with cold light. In a short while, the two had exchanged three blows.

The two men were swift with their marksmen and fought with all their might.

Before long, Tong Yuan and Tuo Lu had fought for thirty rounds, and neither had gained the upper hand.

Liu Hong, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but nod.

This Tuo Lu is indeed extraordinary. In the past year or so, under Tong Yuan's tutelage and training, his martial arts skills have improved by leaps and bounds. His strength is now comparable to that of Wen Chou, Zhang Xiu, and others.

Such strength is enough to ensure that Tuolü can run rampant on the grasslands.

By the fortieth round, Tong Yuan thrust out with his spear, his wrist twitching rapidly as he unleashed the Divine Phoenix Three Nods.

Tuolü was immediately overwhelmed and retreated. Tong Yuan pursued closely, and after two exchanges, the tip of his spear was pressed against Tuolü's throat, ending the fight.

"Clap clap~ Great, absolutely brilliant!"

Liu Hong clapped his hands and stepped forward.

The two men quickly holstered their guns and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty!"

Liu Hong smiled and looked at Tuolü, "I heard that your wife recently gave birth to a son?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, that boy weighed over seven pounds at birth!"

Speaking of his son, Tuolü's face also showed a happy smile.

Liu Hong smiled and then asked, "Is there anything else your family needs, my dear minister?"

Tuolu shook his head and said earnestly, "Without Your Majesty, my family lacks nothing!"

"That's good!"

Liu Hong nodded, then said in a deep voice, "I have summoned you here today because there is something I wish to discuss with you!"

"Your Majesty, please give your orders. I will gladly go through fire and water, even at the cost of my life!"

Tuolu said decisively, at this moment, he vaguely understood the emperor's intention.

Then, Liu Hong looked at Tuolü with a solemn expression: "Now that you are capable of shouldering great responsibilities, I have decided to send you back to the grasslands to rescue the herders who are still suffering."

This mission is dangerous and arduous. Are you willing to go?

Tuolü replied without hesitation, "Your subject is willing!"

Liu Hong let out a soft breath: "Alright, go back and say goodbye to your wife and children, then set off immediately!"

"yes!!"

Tuolü respectfully accepted the order and then turned to walk outside.

After Tuolü left, Liu Hong looked at Zhang Rang beside him and instructed, "Go and inform the Ministry of War that Tuolü's status as a member of the Imperial Guard should be preserved, and his monthly rations and pay should be delivered to his wife on time!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After resting for a short while, Zhang Rang's face fell, and he ran out again at a rapid pace.

Before long, Tuolü returned home, where his wife was holding their several-month-old baby and taking a walk in the yard.

"Husband, are you not training today?"

Seeing her husband's sudden return, Tuolü's wife couldn't help but ask,

Tuolü smiled and said, "Zhu'er, your husband is going to the palace today!"

Are you leaving?

Upon hearing this, Pearl's expression changed, and she lowered her head to look at their son.

Tuolu nodded. "Our people are waiting for me. Even if His Majesty hadn't said anything, I would still have left!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu'er trembled slightly, then said softly, "Go in peace, I will take good care of our child."

She knew that her husband was going to do something great, and although she was extremely reluctant to let him go, she did not feel any unwillingness at all.

Seeing this, Tuolü's eyes welled up with tears. He immediately stepped forward and gently embraced his wife and child, savoring their last moments of tenderness...

That night, inside Weiyang Palace, Liu Hong lay on his side on the bed, resting his head on Song Yue's legs, his eyes slightly closed, silent.

Song Yue looked down at her lover, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.

After a long silence, Liu Hong slowly opened his eyes and looked at Song Yue. "Empress, do you think it was too inhumane of me to send Tuolu to the grasslands?"

His voice carried a hint of sadness, which reminded me of Li Ru, who was still on the grassland.

Two people who were loyal to him were willing to abandon everything and go to a place with no future and no certainty of life or death because of his plan. Such loyalty really made Liu Hong feel a little heartbroken.

Song Yue smiled and said, "Why do you say that, Your Majesty? You sent him to the grasslands to rescue his people, which is giving him the opportunity to realize his ideals. How can it be considered heartless?"

I believe that his wife and children also deeply desire that he can lead his suffering people to a peaceful and happy life free from war and hunger. Isn't this also your shared wish, and that of all the soldiers?

Looking at Song Yue, who was speaking eloquently, Liu Hong's eyes revealed a hint of infatuation. She was becoming more and more like an empress.

"What's wrong, Your Majesty? Did I say something wrong?"

Looking at her lover staring intently at her, Song Yue blushed slightly, looking especially alluring under the lamplight.

Liu Hong rolled over and, taking advantage of Song Yue's momentary lapse in attention, pinned her down.

Looking down at Song Yue, who was facing him, Liu Hong said softly, "What the Empress said was right, but you missed one point!"

"Which...which point?"

Lying beneath Liu Hong, Song Yue felt her lover's breathing gradually quicken and asked shyly.

Liu Hong laughed and said, "A peaceful and happy life is not only the hope of me and my soldiers, but also the hope of future generations. Therefore, the Empress and I must work together to ensure the continuation of our lineage..."

Upon hearing this, Song Yue's face flushed red to the roots of her neck, and she closed her eyes and nodded gently.

Upon seeing this, Liu Hong's heart also raced, and he immediately dismissed the palace servants who were attending to him.

The curtains fell, and in the quiet of the night, the lights within the Weiyang Palace shone exceptionally brightly...

The next day.

Tuolü then bid farewell to his wife and children, said goodbye to Liu Hong, and left Luoyang alone.

According to Liu Hong's arrangement, Tuolü needed to go to Liaozhou first to select a group of reliable people from among the Xianbei slaves before heading to the grasslands.

As he galloped along the official road, feeling the warm atmosphere around him, Tuolü's heart couldn't help but surge with excitement.

The road ahead is long, but he firmly believes that one day he will be able to reach the end and see the light.