Liu Bang, half-reclining, rolled his eyes directly after hearing Chen Cheng's words: "You, don't try to fool me here."
"Do I not know if you are qualified?"
He stroked his chin, looked at the silent Chen Cheng, sighed, and waved his hand for Liu Ying and Liu Ruyi to leave.
Then he again instructed those around him to have everyone in Weiyang Palace leave.
One Inner Attendant was very nervous, fearing that Wei Wang would suddenly attack and injure someone, but Liu Bang didn't care at all: "Le Zhi saved me twice, how could he do such a thing?"
"Besides, judging by Le Zhi's bravery in being able to kill Xiang Yu, even if all of you were together, could you do anything to Le Zhi? It's simply ridiculous."
Liu Bang said rather impatiently: "Alright, alright, go down—"
After everyone gradually left, Liu Bang finally raised his head and looked at Chen Cheng in front of him, his brows showing some fatigue and helplessness. He wiped his face: "Le Zhi, there's no need for us brothers to hide things from each other, is there?"
He said directly: "The Crown Prince doesn't have any of my demeanor. Even with you there, he won't be able to control that group of meritorious officials once he ascends the throne."
"Xiao He is fine; although he harbors ambition, he knows when to advance and retreat. But what about Zhou Bo and that group of people?"
Liu Bang said bitterly and helplessly: "Besides, you are also aware of my health. For all these years, Tai Yi Ling has returned from your residence looking worried."
"I even fear that you won't live longer than me!"
"In that case, I absolutely cannot let the Crown Prince succeed the throne! He can't do it!"
Liu Bang sat there, at this moment not at all like an emperor, but just like an ordinary old father.
"How can parents not consider the long-term gains and losses for their children's future?"
"The Empress, with a single mind, believes that the emperor's position is the best, and thinks that if I don't give the throne to Liu Ying, it means my affection for Liu Ying has lessened. She even believes that I want to change the heir because of Consort Qi's beauty and her persuasive words on the pillow."
"But why doesn't she look at Liu Ying's character?"
Liu Bang did not hide his dissatisfaction with Lü Zhi on this point: "She always thinks that once Ying'er ascends the throne, he will be the emperor, and everyone will have to submit, so there can be no ill intentions."
"This is simply ridiculous."
"Where is there such a saying? Was the Second Emperor not an emperor at that time? But in the end, he was still killed by Zhao Gao, and then a new emperor was installed."
"Le Zhi, I am truly afraid of such a thing happening."
Liu Bang looked at Chen Cheng and said: "I don't care about the gains and losses of this Han Empire. In short, I seized this Han Empire from the Qin King. If others have the ability to seize it back, that's fine too."
"But the Qian Shou of the world have suffered hundreds of years of hardship and war; they cannot continue to endure the pain of dynastic change."
At this time, Liu Bang had already become an emperor, so whether in the palace or at court, there were very few people who could speak freely and confide in him like this.
Or rather, only Chen Cheng remained.
He was full of sorrow: "The world thinks I never care about these things, but who in the world can not care about the Qian Shou? After sitting in this position, one realizes that this position cannot be easily held."
"Pity the suffering of the common people."
After listening to Liu Bang's sighs, Chen Cheng remained silent for a long time. After a long while, he finally sighed helplessly. He looked at Liu Bang and said: "Your Majesty's words are truly heartbreaking. How could this old minister not care about the Qian Shou of the world?"
He understood that Liu Bang's words were actually meant to force him to become the teacher of Zhao Prince Liu Ruyi, thereby escorting Zhao Prince Liu Ruyi.
But... Chen Cheng truly would not, and was unwilling to do such a thing.
However, at this moment, if he truly didn't give an explanation, no one knew what this reckless emperor in front of him might do, so he wiped his face.
"Then this old minister will also give you a clear answer."
Chen Cheng said very solemnly: "This old minister is unwilling to be the teacher of a certain prince, as this would tie the Chen clan to the camp of a certain prince, which is too dangerous."
In front of Liu Bang, Chen Cheng did not hide his intention to consider the entire "Chen clan" family.
He even laid bare his true feelings before Liu Bang: "But since Your Majesty has spoken to this extent, if I refuse again, it would make me seem very ungracious, and as if I don't care about the common people of the world."
He looked at Liu Bang and said: "This old minister is willing to lecture to all the princes, to be a lecturer for all the princes, but not a teacher, but a lecturer."
"What does Your Majesty think?"
Liu Bang stroked his chin, the two tears from the corners of his eyes had long disappeared. He nodded directly: "That's fine. Anyway, you can also help me see which of those princes is promising."
He patted Chen Cheng's shoulder, as if all the bitterness and excitement from before were merely feigned.
"Le Zhi, I trust you, so don't disappoint me!"
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Records of Wei Wang's Family in the Book of Han: "In the winter of the seventh year of Emperor Gaozu, the Emperor wished to appoint Wei Wang as the teacher of Zhao Prince or the Crown Prince. Wei Wang was summoned to Weiyang Palace, but he declined, saying: 'This old minister is without virtue and ability, how can I be a prince's teacher?' Thus, he refused repeatedly."
"At that time, Emperor Gaozu wept bitterly and said: 'The world is in chaos, all resting on one person. Does Le Zhi not wish to save the common people of the world?'"
"Wei Wang hesitated, and finally agreed."
"He said he could lecture to all the princes, but was unwilling to be the teacher of just one. The Emperor gladly assented."
"The next day, a decree was issued in the imperial court: Wei Wang, Prime Minister Chen Xi, was appointed Shaoshi (Junior Preceptor) and was to enter the palace to lecture to all the princes."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Wei Wang's Residence
Chen Cheng sat in his residence, his eyes filled with a hint of helplessness and sighing, and finally he just let out a long sigh.
"In the end, I've still entered this game of chess."
"I just don't know what His Majesty's next move is?"
..... .....
In Weiyang Palace
Liu Bang ordered his attendants to remove his shoes, then sat cross-legged on the bed. Lü Zhi, beside him, had a cautious expression: "How did Your Majesty's probing go?"
"Does Wei Wang harbor rebellious intentions?"
Liu Bang shook his head slightly: "I haven't probed it out yet, so I'll observe him after appointing him as Shaoshi!"