The news of the Wei King being enfeoffed as a King and the Qi King being stripped of his title quickly spread throughout the capital, but most people did not express any attitude towards the matter.
After all, the Wei King had saved the Emperor twice, so being enfeoffed as a King was normal.
Zhang Residence
The Marquis of Liu, Zhang Liang, sat there, a hint of melancholy in his brows, pondering something.
Should he, like Fan Li, a meritorious minister during the time of King Goujian of Yue, retire to the mountains and forests?
For Zhang Liang at this moment, he found danger gradually approaching.....
"That's enough."
A sharp glint flashed in Zhang Liang's eyes: "Go find the Guandu Marquis. If I am to leave this time, I must leave completely. And after I leave, whether it's Xiao He or Han Xin, these people will probably not have peace."
"In the entire Han Dynasty, only the Guandu Marquis can be entrusted!"
At the very beginning, Zhang Liang wanted to restore the Han Dynasty, which was to restore the glory of the Zhang Clan. The Zhang Clan had been prime ministers for three generations in the Han Dynasty, making them a first-class noble family.
Later, Zhang Liang's desire gradually developed towards wanting peace in the world.
He had seen too much turmoil in chaotic times, too many people dying and suffering. A heart that was only for fame and fortune gradually calmed down and began to strive for peace in the world.
Now, he had achieved this.
That is why he could make such a decisive decision with such candor, to leave while he still had fame and fortune, so as to avoid gradually losing control of his ambition in the future, leading to mutual dislike with the Emperor, and ultimately ending up with his death and the extermination of his clan.
As a scholar from a prominent family, Zhang Liang's greatest advantage was that he had seen too many Kings and too many rulers.
When their interests were not touched, their friendship could indeed last forever — but as time gradually passed, the interests between the monarch and his subjects would inevitably clash.
Because there is only so much interest in this world. What the Emperor wants, they also want, and so conflicts will arise.
Zhang Liang shook his head slightly and sighed softly.
It's better to retire early while there's still time!
According to the current situation, even without him, Zhang Liang, the Zhang Clan would not decline too much. The Emperor might even feel a little guilty towards him for leaving at this time and treat the Zhang Clan better.
And without him, the Zhang Clan would not be able to contend with the top noble families within the 'meritorious minister' group.
Because all the other 'first-generation meritorious ministers' were still there.
The Zhang Clan would thus fall from one end of the 'top meritorious ministers' to the second, or even third, tier.
This was the true 'legacy' Zhang Liang left for his family.
To exchange his status as a meritorious minister for the low-key and long-lasting existence of his family.
.... .....
Wei King's Residence
Chen Cheng was also discussing the current situation with Chen Lang, stating that Zhang Liang would definitely retire directly, but the Zhang Clan would remain in the capital. Zhang Liang's children would not hold overly high positions but would be able to remain in the imperial court.
Upon hearing this, Chen Lang's face showed admiration: "Father, the Marquis of Liu is truly unparalleled! To be able to come up with such a method, and most importantly, to be able to make such a decision and actually do it!"
He shook his head slightly: "If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn't understand the principle of 'knowing when to retreat' and would gradually decline."
Chen Lang looked at Chen Cheng with some concern: "Father, our Chen Clan....."
Chen Cheng gazed far into the distance. If he could not 'descend' upon the people of the Chen Clan and control his ancestors, he would also make a decision similar to Zhang Liang's at this time.
He would let the Chen Clan live in seclusion behind the scenes, at most leaving behind numerous legacies, guiding the subsequent Chen Clan heads to grasp the 'right to annotate scriptures' during the Han Wu period, and then waiting for the opportune moment during the Guangwu period.
But now, he could descend upon the Chen Clan's ancestors, doing these things from their identities and perspectives, traversing the long river of time. His ambitions were naturally much greater.
Frying in hot oil, not knowing when to advance or retreat?
Simply ridiculous.
He held the correct answer in his hand, so how could he truly retreat at this moment?
Chen Cheng knew in his heart that Zhang Liang's choice seemed correct, but in reality, he had walked into a huge trap — the next Emperor would not be Emperor Hui, Liu Ying!
The true 'Dragon' was currently in the palace, acting honestly, feigning to be a harmless lamb!
Once he had bet correctly, once he knew the Emperor's character, he could 'pull chestnuts from the fire'.
Of course, he still had to 'know when to advance and retreat' and 'understand honor and disgrace'.
Otherwise, a large aristocratic family would probably collapse in an instant.
Chen Cheng's eyes were deep. He looked towards Guandu from afar and sighed softly.
Zhang Liang would definitely come to find him before leaving, perhaps to entrust something, or to say something, or perhaps to advise him to retreat while he was still at his peak.
But no matter what, Zhang Liang would definitely come to see him once.
After a long sigh, Chen Cheng sat there silently, waiting.
The last time he led troops to rescue Liu Bang, Chen Lang handled matters very properly at home, so under these circumstances, he could also rest assured much more, letting Chen Lang take the family's disciples to Guandu to establish their home.
The foundation of the Chen Clan must absolutely not be placed in the capital, because it was truly too much of a gathering place for power and influence.
When everything, whether it was the family or the foundation, was established in the capital, this family would inevitably decline and would definitely not last long.
Because imperial power changes were never stable!
To pass down, opportunism was never the right path.
That is why there is the saying 'passing down family through poetry and books'. In this feudal era where knowledge was not widely circulated, knowledge was the most important thing.
Or rather — knowledge that could bring power was the most important thing!
.... ....
Sixth year of Emperor Gaozu, winter.
Large snowflakes drifted down to the ground, then swept across the entire Chang'an City. Chang'an City was covered in silver, appearing exceptionally enchanting.
After the Marquis of Liu, Zhang Liang, visited the Wei King, he directly submitted a memorial requesting to retire and return to his hometown.
Liu Bang naturally would not allow it. After all, after Zhang Liang left, one of the positions of Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty became vacant, which made him very passive — both Xiao He and Han Xin needed this person to balance them!
But when the Marquis of Liu went to Weiyang Palace and discussed something with the Emperor, the Emperor suddenly changed his attitude. Although he was still trying to persuade him to stay, it was no longer the attitude of refusing to let him go even if it meant death.
All the civil and military officials in the court could see that the Emperor's attitude had softened.
.... ....
Xiao He's Residence
"Alas, why did Zifang suddenly want to leave?"
Xiao He looked at Cao Can and Chen Ping beside him, his face showing a hint of helplessness and fatigue. Zhang Liang's sudden move had disrupted all his plans. He had originally wanted to use schemes to balance Zhang Liang, but now it all came to naught.
Cao Can's expression was equally grim. Then he looked at Xiao He and said, "Although Zifang has left, in my opinion, this is not a bad thing. It's just... who will His Majesty appoint to the position?"
He frowned in thought: "I see His Majesty seems to have no intention of setting up two Prime Ministers anymore. At that time, wouldn't Brother Xiao monopolize all the power?"
Cao Can's brows flickered, and he said softly: "Will His Majesty tolerate such a thing from happening?"
"This point, Brother Xiao, you must pay attention to."
Xiao He, however, sneered: "No, His Majesty will absolutely not set up only one Prime Minister — if there were no Chen Xi, His Majesty might have no choice but to do so, because the only people in court who can be Prime Minister now are me, Brother Cao, Brother Chen, and Brother Zhou."
"But coincidentally, all these people make His Majesty extremely wary."
He narrowed his eyes: "But... Chen Xi is here."
"If he becomes Prime Minister, no one will have an opinion, and no one can have an opinion!"
"This person is exceptionally talented and intelligent. The matter of the Qi King in the past was his scheme, which left the Qi King in a precarious position; besides that, most of the military generals also greatly admire him."
"Whether it was resisting Xiang Yu or single-handedly killing Xiang Yu, these are all symbols of strength."
"As for merit...."
Xiao He sighed again.
"Since ancient times, no merit has been greater than saving the Emperor, and he saved him twice! Who can compare to that? No one in the entire court, civil or military, can compare to him!"
"Currently, my fief is only ten thousand households, but his fief has already exceeded twenty thousand! And he even has the honor of the Wei King!"
"What's more...."
"His Majesty will not allow him to establish a separate state, otherwise that state will certainly become a major concern for the Han Dynasty. Under such circumstances, to compensate Chen Xi and prevent him from feeling resentment, His Majesty can only give him the position of Prime Minister."
"With the honor of the Wei King plus the position of Prime Minister, how can I contend then?"
Cao Can and the others looked at each other, all with a hint of silence.
Yes.
This was the situation at present.
With the honor of the Wei King plus the power of the Prime Minister, who could contend?
Xiao He even had a vague thought in his heart that perhaps even the high and mighty Emperor would find it difficult to contend.....
.... .....
In any case, the winter of the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu finally passed, and spring of the seventh year of Emperor Gaozu arrived.
In front of the Wei King's Residence
Chen Cheng looked at Chen Lang standing there, his face showing a hint of concern: "Be careful on your journey. In Guandu, pay attention to the clan disciples."
"Remember the family rules, and do not allow the clan disciples to cause trouble in the local area."
He held Chen Lang's hand, gently giving instructions.
Long before leaving, Chen Cheng had already told Chen Lang about the Chen Clan's desire for stability and a thousand years of prosperity.
Chen Lang was also a clever person and naturally understood.
For a family to be passed down for a thousand years, rules must be clearly 'established' from the very beginning, without the slightest wavering.
Inheritance is difficult, continuation is even more difficult, but collapse is only a matter of an instant.
.... .....
Wind all the way, snow all the way.
Seventh year of Emperor Gaozu, autumn.
Chen Lang, accompanied by the clan disciples and several of Chen Xi's sons, finally returned to their fief, "Guandu."
From then on, it could be proclaimed.
"The Guandu Chen Clan is hereby established."