March is not peaceful for most people in Luoyang City.

Ye Zhao led a group of palace maids out of the city to train troops, which did cause a lot of sensation. However, as time passed, after the initial enthusiasm passed, few people paid attention to Ye Zhao's movements again.

As a capital of a country, Luoyang has never lacked fresh topics and interesting stories, but what is being talked about by everyone now is the situation in the war in Xiliang.

At the beginning of the year, Bian Zhang and Han Sui colluded with the Qiang leader Beigong Boyu to rebel. The court took Zhang Wen as the general of the chariots and cavalry, and joined more than 100,000 local troops in Xiliang to attack. He thought it would be a joyful victory, but who would have thought that it would be almost a year later. The court even sent a famous general Huangfu Song, not only failed to suppress the rebellion of Xiliang, but also made the rebels more and more interesting.

As the age of years passed, the news that Xiliang sent back was not good news. For the people, this was just a topic of conversation after dinner, but for Liu Hong and the civil and military officials of the court, this slap was very loud.

"Your Majesty is worried about the Xiliang incident?" Liu Hong returned to the palace in a depressed mood. Empress Dowager Dong was playing with Liu Xie. Seeing that Liu Hong looked depressed, he couldn't help but care.

"Yes, right?" Liu Hong sighed, sat down and hugged Liu Xie and said, "It's a pity that the court is not an unscrupulous general, but it's not allowed to use it."

"Your Majesty is talking about Ye Zhao?" Queen Mother Dong asked with a smile.

"My mother also thinks this person is reusable?" Liu Hong looked at Empress Dong and smiled.

"A woman doesn't know any major military and national affairs." Empress Dowager Dong smiled and said, "But Your Majesty is the king of a country. If you really feel that this person is available, you can use it. Who dares to stop him? Where did Your Majesty go against the public and promote the courage of the Tu family?"

"It is precisely because of this that I am worried." A trace of worry flashed in Liu Hong's eyes. He had to resist the opposition and supported He Jin to check and balance the growing power of the scholars. Unexpectedly, He Jin turned around and walked with the scholars. Looking at the general's mansion, he was worried that if he promoted Ye Zhao, it would be another He Jin, which would make the political situation in the court even more chaotic, and the balance that he had finally formed was broken again.

"From the Ai family, Ye Zhao is much better than the Tu family's son." Empress Dowager Dong didn't like He Jin, not only because of her background, but also because of her dissatisfaction with Empress He, and even Liu Bian was affected. As the saying goes, "Love the house and the mistress, and vice versa."

"This is not bad." Liu Hong nodded in agreement. He Jin was almost forced to push him from a butcher to a high position in the general. Ye Zhao's current status was earned by real merits. If it were not limited by his background, even if Ye Zhao's previous achievements could not be ranked as the Nine Ministers, he could still get a similar official title. Although the Luoyang Order is not low, he is still a county magistrate after all. This platform cannot fully utilize Ye Zhao's talents.

Especially now that the war in Xiliang is in a tight situation, Liu Hong hopes that more talents can share his worries. Unfortunately, even if he sends Ye Zhao, what can he do? With Zhang Wen and Huangfu Song here, Ye Zhao cannot be the leader, and he doesn't even have the right to lead troops independently when the Yellow Turbans. If he only listens to the order under their command, how much can Ye Zhao play out his abilities?

Another thing is also what Liu Hong is worried about. Ye Zhao is not bad at all, and he can still control it now, but if he is gone one day, will there be someone in the royal family be able to control this person?

Liu Bian has a cowardly personality. Even though there seems to be some changes in recent times, he still shows cowardice when facing Liu Hong. This is one of the reasons why Liu Hong dislikes Liu Bian. An emperor should have the dignity of emperors, but Liu Bian's temperament is really not suitable to be an emperor.

He couldn't help but look at Liu Xie in his arms and murmured: "I hope Xie can grow up soon and share my worries."

Although the imperial physicians were all filled with comfort, they knew his body. Liu Hong could feel that his energy was getting worse day by day. Even though he had already been restrained this year, his body was empty. The feeling that something seemed to be passing in his body made Liu Hong feel frightened.

It’s not that they are afraid of death, but that they are afraid that their two sons will not be able to withstand this great cause after their death.

Although Empress Dowager Dong was not very clear about Liu Hong’s concerns, she couldn’t help but speak, “Have you ever thought about Weier’s marriage?”

"Ten Nian?" Liu Hong was stunned, then smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I originally wanted her to marry the Yuan family, and the Yuan family was matched with my royal family, and I could win over the Yuan family even more. Unfortunately... the mother also knew about what happened later. Now that Yuan Shu already has a wife, Weier could not be a concubine for him."

Empress Dong shook her head and said, "Your Majesty hasn't seen through so many years? Even if Weier married Yuan Shu, let alone the Yuan family, even Yuan Shu may not be united with Your Majesty."

When Liu Hong heard this, he couldn't help but nodded in agreement. On the surface, He Jin is now a general, ranks above the Three Dukes, holding the power of the world's troops and horses. It can be said that he is powerful, but Liu Hong is very clear that He Jin is just a piece of his own. It is easy for him to take him off as long as he needs it. This is a false right. Once Liu Hong no longer needs him, He Jin cannot actually cause too much harm. Not to mention the people in the world, even the army cannot listen to him.

But the Yuan family is different. Four generations and three ministers, with disciples and former officials all over the world. This is the real power of the court and the country. It is impossible for the Yuan family to give up the interests of their family and completely tie themselves to the royal family just because they have made a marriage with the royal family.

"My mother means..." Liu Hong suddenly reacted and looked up at Empress Dowager Dong. Why did he mention Liu Wei's marriage?

"Look at the Ai family... Ye Zhao is good, capable, loyal to Your Majesty, and Wannian seems to have some feelings for him. The Ye family is not as difficult as the Yuan family. Have you ever thought of letting him be the son-in-law? Your Majesty can feel more at ease with him?" Queen Mother Dong asked with a smile.

Liu Hong couldn't help but remain silent when he heard this. If it were before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he wouldn't even think about such a thing. Although he married the daughter of the Tu family and even made him the queen, this does not mean that Liu Hong is willing to marry Liu Wei into a poor family. These are two different things.

It was just that the game of the Yellow Turban Rebellion was difficult to tell the outcome, but from the result, Liu Hong lost, and the situation of family separatist had already appeared. The aristocratic family had begun to usurp, which made Liu Hong more careful in employed people and more cautious about the scholars.

Ye Zhao's rise first was an adversarial strategy, which quickly stabilized the places that were still under absolute control of the court after the war, and even reduced some financial pressure, giving Liu Hong a chance to breathe. Then Ye Zhao's new version of papermaking and printing technology presented him gave Liu Hong the hope of breaking the current monopoly pattern of aristocratic families.

This also made Liu Hong deeply realize the importance of an outstanding talent to the royal family, not to mention Ye Zhao’s ability to be both literary and military. The only thing that worried Liu Hong was Ye Zhao’s loyalty, which made him dare not let go of Ye Zhao.

If Ye Zhao can be recruited into the royal family, he will become the son-in-law of the Han Dynasty...

Liu Hong frowned and thought about the feasibility of this matter, and after a long time, he shook his head and said, "This matter is of great importance, and... it's hard to say whether Ye Zhao can pass this level. Let's discuss it after he takes the position of Weiwei."

Ye Zhao is now at the forefront. Not to mention whether he can win the same number of elite troops as Yuan Shu with 500 palace maids, even if he wins, Ye Zhao will not be able to take the position of Guard. Wherever He Jin, the scholars may have to instigate He Jin to blame him again.

Although the war in Xiliang was chaotic, it was a desolate place after all. Even if Xiliang fell and was fought back, the power struggle, imperial power, and game between scholars in the court were the real headache for Liu Hong. At this time, if you marry a princess again, it would be like adding fuel to the fire. It would be equivalent to making up for the shortcomings of Ye Zhao's background, and there would probably be many people to stop him.

"The Ai family is just mentioning this matter. As for how to decide, Your Majesty does not have to worry about the Ai family. After all, it is a woman. The Ai family doesn't understand this major event in the court." Empress Dowager Dong frowned when she saw Liu Hong, feeling a little sorry for her son, and said warmly.

"My mother is so serious." Liu Hong smiled quickly and said, "This matter is not impossible. How can I not see Weier's intention? It's just that this person is lucky and unfortunate. Whether Ye Zhao is qualified to be my son-in-law depends on whether he has this fate. If this battle fails, don't say anything unfair, it can only be said that his fate is not strong enough and he can't bear this blessing."

"Your Majesty knows it." Empress Dowager Dong smiled and said, "About this March period is coming soon, right?"

"There are ten days left. The general has cleaned up the West Garden. Ten days later, this bet will be held in the West Garden." Liu Hong nodded and smiled, "This is a time when it is really fast."

...

Luoyang, northern suburbs, Beimangshan, Ye Zhao's camp.

As the March period approaches, several groups of the imperial guards responsible for martial law outside the camp have been replaced. In the huge military camp, the military tents that were originally built look much more neat and are full of tricks and different heights, but they can take care of every corner of the camp. The camp is arranged according to the gossip and looking at it from the sky, it is easy to be dazzling after watching it for a long time.

Only at this moment did the entire camp truly have the appearance that the military camp should have, solemn and majestic, with murderous intent.

Ye Zhao stood on the general stage, watching the group of female soldiers rushing past him in neat steps, without the delicate appearance of three months ago, with a rigorous and steady pace, and faintly revealing the style that soldiers should have.

"Lord, the time for breakfast is here." Zhang Yue came to Ye Zhao in light armor and bowed.

"Eat!" Ye Zhao looked at the sun and nodded.
Chapter completed!