Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Liu Ce accompanied and protected him throughout the entire process.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu, along with the Longxiang Camp, guarded the palace like an iron barrel, checking the gender of even a fly that flew by.

The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun mingled with the honor guard, secretly monitoring any suspicious individuals.

A few days later, Liu Hong set off for his hometown, Raoyang County.

The journey was slow. Liu Hong would offer sacrifices to the mountains and rivers and meet with local officials wherever he went. Although these were all formalities, his poor health prevented him from doing so, and he had to stop and go frequently.

Liu Ce accompanied him throughout the process and witnessed firsthand what the "Emperor's Retinue" was all about. It was incredibly complicated; just the process of Liu Hong getting out of the carriage and walking a few steps took half an hour to prepare.

Princess Wannian followed quietly the whole time.

She doesn't talk much, but she has a keen eye for detail.

Liu Ce noticed that she often looked at the equipment of the Youzhou army, which was completely different from the standard equipment of the Imperial Guard.

"Is the princess interested in weapons?" Liu Ce asked casually during a break.

Liu Yue raised her eyes and said calmly, "The Imperial Uncle's soldiers are well-equipped and far superior to the Imperial Guards."

"It was all figured out by the craftsmen," Liu Ce said with a smile. "If the princess is interested, she can visit the military workshop when she arrives in Youzhou."

Liu Yue nodded and said nothing more.

...

We finally arrived in Raoyang County.

The magistrate of Raoyang County had already received the news and cleaned the entire county spotlessly, paving the roads with yellow earth and splashing water on the streets. The people were organized to kneel and welcome him by the roadside, although most of them had "What does this have to do with me?" written all over their faces.

Liu Hong's old house is in the west of the city. It is a three-courtyard house, not large, but kept very tidy.

Over the years, local officials have consistently sent people to maintain order and dare not neglect it.

Liu Hong got out of the car and stood in front of the old house, remaining silent for a long time.

After a long while, he said softly, "Brother, come inside with me."

Liu Ce followed him inside.

There is an old locust tree in the yard, and a well under the tree. The stone platform around the well is worn smooth; that was where Liu Hong played when he was a child.

Liu Hong, leading Liu Ce and Liu Yue, walked slowly through the house, pointing and saying:

"I grew up here. The locust tree I used to climb as a child is still here."

"The water from this well is especially cold in the summer. I often secretly drew water from it to drink, and my wet nurse scolded me for it."

"That room over there is where I study..."

He rarely rambled on like that, reminiscing about his childhood like an ordinary old man.

Liu Yue took her father's arm and responded softly.

Liu Ce followed behind, listening silently.

Liu Hong stroked the rough bark of the locust tree. "The late emperor had no sons, so he chose an heir from the imperial clan. By a twist of fate, he chose me... Ah, I was only twelve years old at the time. I was brought to Luoyang in a daze, put on the dragon robe, and sat on that throne."

His tone was calm, yet it conveyed an overwhelming sense of vicissitude.

"In the blink of an eye, decades have passed."

Liu Ce listened silently.

He could imagine how helpless a twelve-year-old child would feel if suddenly thrown into the treacherous imperial palace, facing the watchful eyes of the empress's relatives, eunuchs, and court officials.

Perhaps Liu Hong's later debauchery and folly were also a form of self-protection?

The ancestral worship ceremony is very simple.

Liu Hong offered incense and kowtowed to the ancestral tablets in the ancestral hall of the old house, and whispered something.

Liu Ce, as the "imperial brother," also bowed.

After the ancestral worship ceremony, Liu Hong said he wanted to go outside the city to take a look.

The group arrived at the wilderness outside Raoyang City.

There's a small river here, and a grove of trees along its banks; the scenery is quite nice.

Liu Hong ordered a simple pavilion to be built on an open space by the river, dismissed all his followers, leaving only Liu Ce, Dian Wei, and Xu Chu to guard him from a distance.

The two sat in the pavilion, and after the eunuch served them tea and snacks, he also retreated to a distance.

The early summer breeze swept across the river, bringing a touch of coolness.

In the distance, the fields are green, and farmers are working, creating a picturesque rural scene.

Liu Hong took a sip of tea, looked at the river, and suddenly spoke, his tone casual as if chatting with someone: "Brother, I see that you and Bian'er get along quite well?"

Liu Ce's heart skipped a beat.

Here it comes! A sensitive topic!

He remained expressionless, put down his teacup, and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, General He previously asked me to teach the First Prince riding and archery. The First Prince is honest and diligent in learning, so I naturally took extra care of him. They became familiar with each other after a while."

There's nothing wrong with that statement; he did indeed teach Liu Bian horseback riding and archery, and He Jin was quite pleased at the time.

Liu Hong smiled, tapping his teacup with his fingertips, and then posed an even more poignant question: "Bian'er or Xie'er, in your heart, who do you support more, Your Highness?"

What the hell!

Liu Ce almost lost his composure.

Establishing an heir apparent! Is this something that can be said so casually?

He immediately sat up straight, his mind racing, and his tone became exceptionally serious as he said:

"Your Majesty, the selection of an heir is fundamental to the nation, and it rests entirely on Your Majesty's sagacious decision. In my life, I will only acknowledge Your Majesty as my sovereign. My duty is to safeguard the northern borders, quell rebellions, and bring peace to the realm. As for the two princes… they are both sons and grandsons of the emperor, and I will treat them equally, without the slightest favoritism. I only hope that Your Majesty will choose a virtuous and capable successor, one who can shoulder great responsibilities and stabilize the Han dynasty. Whoever Your Majesty ultimately decides, I will surely support your decision, even unto death!"

These words not only expressed loyalty (I only recognize you), but also distanced myself from the situation (I don't take sides), and left room for maneuver (I support whoever you choose), making them watertight.

After listening, Liu Hong stared at Liu Ce for a long time, then suddenly laughed.

He laughed with some difficulty, his voice trembling with coughing, but his eyes held a complex and unreadable expression.

There was relief, there was emotion, there was helplessness, and... a sense of relief?

The two drank tea in silence for a while.

Birdsong could be heard in the distance, and farmers in the fields began to sing folk songs. The melodies were simple, yet they were full of life.

After a long while, Liu Hong put down his teacup, took a deep breath, and said in a more solemn tone than ever before:

"Brother, I know what a mess the Han Dynasty is in now."

Liu Ce's heart skipped a beat, and he put down his teacup: "Brother..."

"Let me finish."

Liu Hong waved his hand, his tone calm yet each word heavy: "Although the Yellow Turban Rebellion has been quelled, the lingering troubles remain. Rebellions are erupting everywhere. Ma Xiang of Yizhou dares to declare himself emperor, Han Sui of Liangzhou establishes a separatist regime, and the Xiongnu of Bingzhou are invading southward... And the court? The treasury is empty, and the army is exhausted. In the court, eunuchs, imperial relatives, and powerful families are locked in a life-or-death struggle. In the provinces, powerful clans are growing stronger, building fortified villages, amassing private armies, and controlling land and population. The people are displaced, forced to either join the army or become outlaws..."

These are all true words, but when spoken by the emperor himself, they carry a completely different weight.

"My two sons," Liu Hong said with a wry smile, "Bian'er is weak-willed and easily manipulated by He Jin; Xie'er is smarter, but too young and is also controlled by Empress Dowager Dong and the eunuchs. No matter which of them sits on the throne... they will not be able to control the situation or suppress the empire."

He looked at Liu Ce with a complicated expression and said, "This throne is not a blessing for them, but a curse."

Liu Ce opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself speechless.

Then, Liu Ce looked up at Liu Hong.

The emperor's eyes were clear at this moment, showing no sign of being muddleheaded.