Liu Bang sighed deeply, fully expressing the helplessness and exhaustion in his heart: "Actually, I don't believe Le Zhi would conspire against me. I don't see any ambition in his eyes."
He looked at Lü Zhi and said, "My body is growing weaker and weaker. I probably only have a few more years left."
"But the Great Han has only just been established, and I must think for the sake of the Great Han."
Because of Chen Cheng's presence, Liu Bang at this time was different from his historical counterpart. Although he had the idea of replacing the Crown Prince, he never actually implemented it.
In Liu Bang's view, as long as Chen Cheng was still around, neither the so-called meritorious officials nor anyone else with ulterior motives could ever hope to threaten the Liu clan's rule.
But... after his health deteriorated, he began to ponder another question.
With Chen Cheng present, others indeed had no way or possibility of threatening the Liu clan, but what if Chen Cheng himself harbored rebellious intentions?
Therefore, Liu Bang began to want to test Chen Cheng.
A trace of worry also flashed across Lü Zhi's face. She sighed softly, looked at Liu Bang, and spoke with a hint of complaint in her tone: "You, ah, if only you had followed the Tai Yi Ling's words, perhaps you could have lived a few more years."
"Are you really heartless enough to abandon our mother and son to be all alone?"
"Among all the civil and military officials in the court, how many can we truly entrust ourselves to with peace of mind?"
Liu Bang leaned back, listening to Lü Zhi's voice, which was filled with both complaint and worry, and felt quite helpless.
Was it that he didn't want to listen to the Tai Yi Ling and live a few more years?
In life, destiny is always ordained by Heaven, and no one can change it.
Now that Heaven had decreed his fate, what could he do to change it?
Shaking his head, Liu Bang said nothing more: "Let's wait and see!"
.... ....
Morning
Early in the morning, many Imperial Princes had already tidied their clothes and, under the service of the Inner Attendants, proceeded to the palace's academy.
In fact, initially, there was no such thing as an academy in the palace. The teachers of the Imperial Princes were all found by the Emperor and taught them individually.
Only Chen Cheng's appearance became an exception.
Although he was granted the title of Shaoshi (Junior Preceptor), he was not a "Crown Prince's Shaoshi (Junior Preceptor)". Or rather, the position of "Crown Prince's Shaoshi (Junior Preceptor)" had not yet appeared. The Shaoshi (Junior Preceptor) title Liu Bang bestowed upon Chen Cheng was simply a position established in comparison to the "Grand Preceptor."
In the early Han Dynasty, many official positions had not yet been finalized.
The overall framework only consisted of the "Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers," and many other positions were established by either the Emperor or powerful officials during the continuous changes of history.
Liu Heng, dressed in his clothes, lowered his head and obediently allowed the attendant beside the Emperor to lead him to the academy.
Because the academy was newly established, guidance was needed, and these individuals were all transferred from the Emperor's side.
Besides escorting the Imperial Princes to school, they had two other tasks.
First, to "supervise" or "monitor" the Imperial Princes and observe their daily conduct.
Second, to "supervise" or "monitor" Chen Cheng, to see if the King of Wei had any overstepping actions, and then report them to the Emperor.
... ....
Inside the academy
Chen Cheng looked at the many Imperial Princes before him, his gaze unconsciously drifting among the crowd, finally settling on the inconspicuous Imperial Prince hiding at the very back.
Then he sighed deeply.
Is this "Emperor Wen" Liu Heng?
A hint of contemplation flashed in Chen Cheng's eyes. On the surface, he was observing the Imperial Princes, but in reality, his gaze was fixed on two individuals.
One was the Crown Prince, and the other was Liu Heng.
Observing Liu Ying was because Chen Cheng was considering whether, if he could change Liu Ying, he could help him secure the throne? After all, Liu Ying was the eldest legitimate son, and compared to other Imperial Princes, he had some inherent status advantage.
Second, he was thinking about whether Liu Ying could truly be changed? Or rather, whether Liu Ying had the value to be changed?
This point was crucial.
In original history, Lü Zhi did not lack the intention or idea to change Liu Ying, but Liu Ying's performance could only be described as a "rotten mud that cannot be supported by the wall."
Was such a person really worth changing?
Thinking this, Chen Cheng's gaze turned more towards Liu Heng, with a hint of contemplation in his eyes.
Now, for the Chen clan to continue its glory, it must achieve "Three Generations of Grace" and prosperity, meaning the Chen clan must be continuously prosperous for three generations to truly lay a foundation that can last for a thousand years.
Only through the diligent efforts of three generations will this wealth not become a castle in the air and fleeting.
This is also why later generations have the saying "a good holy grandson prospers three generations," because only continuous "excellence" for three generations can ensure that a family or a country, even if it suffers a major blow in the future, will have the foundation to recover.
And to achieve "Three Generations of Grace and prosperity," the second generation is the most crucial link, serving as a "bridge between past and future."
Currently, the Chen clan has two paths forward.
First, support Liu Ying.
Second, support Liu Heng.
After only a brief deliberation, Chen Cheng made his decision directly.
Putting aside what happened to Xiao He after he supported Liu Ying and Lü Zhi, based purely on the current performance of these two individuals, Chen Cheng would not choose Liu Ying.
A person can be foolish, but absolutely not a "saintly mother."
A foolish person might still make correct choices, but a "saintly mother" would only be a hindrance.
According to historical records of Liu Ying, he could even oppose his own mother, who thought for his well-being, for the sake of a so-called brother who wanted to seize his throne, and completely fail to understand his mother's actions.
He was even... so foolish that he couldn't even fathom his own father's behavior.
When Lü Zhi turned Consort Qi into a "human pig," did Liu Bang truly not foresee it? In fact, he did foresee it. Consort Qi was someone he left for Lü Zhi to vent her anger on, and the purpose was to protect Zhao Prince Liu Ruyi.
But... no matter how clever Liu Bang was, he never imagined that Liu Ying's cowardly behavior and his disgust for Lü Zhi would ignite Lü Zhi's "evil intentions," leading to Zhao Prince Liu Ruyi's inability to be saved no matter what.
If Liu Bang knew this in the afterlife, he would surely curse his incompetent teammates.
Thinking of this, Chen Cheng slowly smiled. He looked at the many students, a calm expression on his face, and began today's lesson.
.... ...
In Weiyang Palace
Liu Bang listened with a strange expression as the Inner Attendant relayed the day's events from the academy.
With Lü Zhi absent, he murmured softly, "This... could it be that Le Zhi has taken a liking to him?"