All three of them want him as their teacher?
Chen Cheng was stunned, unsure what Liu Bang was thinking or plotting, but his expression remained as usual: "Your Majesty, I am already overwhelmed as a teacher to one Prince, let alone three?"
However, Liu Bang did not wait for Chen Cheng to continue with formalities; he merely smiled and looked at Chen Cheng, saying, "Le Zhi, I know you want to stay out of it, not get involved in the succession struggle, but can such a thing truly be avoided?"
At this moment, Liu Bang looked at Chen Cheng with great sincerity.
His voice also carried a hint of helplessness: "Among the affairs of the nation, the most important is the matter of the Crown Prince."
"This matter cannot be avoided."
Speaking of this, Liu Bang said with some profound meaning: "In fact, I know your thoughts."
"But the problem is, if you only take that one person as a disciple, isn't that a threat to that person? You still hold the responsibility of Shaoshi (Junior Preceptor) right now. Do you think the other Princes wouldn't find out if you were to teach him alone?"
"Within this deep palace, there are many watchful eyes; sometimes even I have to be careful."
"Let alone the person you are thinking of?"
Liu Bang's expression held some amusement: "Do you think, if it were discovered, whether by Liu Ruyi or by the Empress, could they, mother and son, protect themselves?"
His words made Chen Cheng sigh a little.
Chen Cheng knew that Liu Bang had already figured out who he favored from his previous actions, and also understood that he didn't want to get involved in this matter, wishing to remain aloof.
That's why he laid the facts before him, leaving him no room for rebuttal.
After some thought, Chen Cheng nodded slightly and said, "Very well, then I shall listen to Your Majesty!"
The ancestor "Chen Xi" whom he "descended" upon and controlled was not skilled in such matters, so his descent could only make Chen Xi's strength grow day by day.
This could only apply to martial prowess.
If Chen Cheng wanted to play schemes with someone like Liu Bang, he could only rely on his own wisdom. However, how could those who managed to become Emperor be foolish?
But this was also an unavoidable choice.
To establish a large family at the end of the Qin Dynasty, the simplest way was to possess great martial power and carve out a foundation in this chaotic world.
Which was his current situation.
He secretly thought to himself that for the next descent, he hoped to descend upon an ancestor of the "strategist" type.
That way, as long as it wasn't a chaotic era, he could rely on the increasing "wisdom" after "descending" to become skilled in political maneuvering, which would be more suitable for developing the foundation of a noble family.
And when Liu Bang saw Chen Cheng agree directly, he immediately beamed with joy.
In fact, for Liu Bang, it didn't matter who became Emperor; they were all his sons anyway.
He was a true political animal; let alone sons, even his own father didn't matter—when he was establishing the Han Dynasty, he could kick Liu Ying off the carriage, and he could also ask Xiang Yu for a share when Xiang Yu was about to boil his father. How could such a person care who inherited the throne?
As long as it was his son, it would still be the Liu family's empire.
However... if the Fourth Prince were to ascend the throne, and Le Zhi became the Fourth Prince's teacher... he would need to test that seemingly deeply hidden Fourth Prince.
If the Fourth Prince couldn't control this King of Wei who could save him twice amidst ten thousand soldiers, then he would truly have to consider how to restrain the King of Wei.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
"Book of Han · House of the King of Wei": "In the seventh year of Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Gaozu ordered the King of Wei to be the teacher of the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince. Thus, the King of Wei was appointed Shaoshi (Junior Preceptor). After this, Emperor Gaozu often probed the words of the three, wishing to test which of them would be Emperor. At this time, Emperor Wen, within the deep palace, had little assistance, and thus largely concealed his brilliance, keeping it hidden and not revealing it, showing much of Emperor Gaozu's demeanor."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
In Bo Ji's palace.
Liu Heng had just finished his studies when he saw Liu Bang sitting casually in the palace, letting Bo Ji serve him. A hint of helplessness flashed in his heart. In fact, he didn't know why, but ever since Liu Bang ordered the various Princes to study, he had frequently visited his mother here.
He could even tell that Liu Bang didn't come here because he particularly favored his mother, but simply because he wanted to see him.
This made Liu Heng feel a little flustered. Had his hidden talents been discovered by the Emperor?
Or had he exposed his inner thoughts?
Otherwise, there was no explanation for why his father would frequently come here!
"Your son pays respects to Imperial Father. May Imperial Father's joy be boundless—"
Although Liu Heng had suspicions about this matter in his heart, he showed no trace of abnormality on his face. He simply behaved as honestly and genuinely as usual, respectfully bowing to Liu Bang.
Liu Bang waved his hand, and after merely glancing at Liu Heng, he couldn't help but inwardly chuckle.
Although this boy was indeed very shrewd and astute, knowing to hide all his talents and ambitions, he was still too naive in front of him.
What kind of person was he?
The one who could start from scratch and establish the great Han Dynasty!
Any so-called shrewdness or imperial stratagem, in front of him, was like a naked beauty—he could see through it at a glance.
It's just that.....
Liu Bang couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration.
Over the past two years, he had constantly tested Liu Ruyi, the Crown Prince, and Liu Heng. The first two had indeed revealed some problems, precisely the issues he had worried about. But this person in front of him had never shown any problems.
In fact, up until now, everyone except him thought this Fourth Prince was a simple, honest person with not much talent.
Liu Bang sighed deeply in his heart. He used to think Liu Ruyi was very much like him, but in fact, the Fourth Prince was the most like him!
He could pretend, was shameless, looked honest and simple, but was actually a silent, biting dog.
Liu Bang didn't feel that there was anything wrong with comparing his son to a dog, comparing himself to a dog, or even saying he was shameless. He himself was just such a person.
His eyes darted around, and he was thinking about other things.
That fellow Le Zhi seemed to be better at judging people than him. Something he hadn't even noticed, Le Zhi had discovered.
Should he change the Crown Prince?
But this thought, as soon as it appeared, was instantly dismissed by Liu Bang himself.
Over the past two years, he had actually tried countless times, but Lü Zhi, Xiao He, and a large number of Confucian scholars had consistently opposed his changing the position of Crown Prince—though they didn't know who he wanted to replace him with.
That Lü Zhi even thought he wanted Liu Ruyi to be the Crown Prince because of his favoritism towards Consort Qi!
He pressed his forehead, his vexation growing even more intense.
How could he legitimately change the Crown Prince?
This was a problem.
..... ...
The ninth year of Emperor Gaozu, winter.
Heavy snow fell.
Chen Cheng sat in his residence, looking at Chen Yun, who was gradually growing into an adult, with a hint of admiration on his face.
Chen Yun was now six or seven years old, and his intelligence was gradually becoming apparent. An ordinary child at this age could at most read some simple texts, but Chen Yun could already read through poetry and classical texts, and was very knowledgeable about the Analects, the Great Learning, and many Confucian classics.
He was even called a prodigy by some Confucian scholars in the imperial court, comparing Chen Yun to the "Gan Luo" of yesteryear.
Chen Cheng disliked this greatly, even refuting the scholars' remarks multiple times.
Why?
Because he saw that this was the Confucian scholars' method of "praising to kill." Who was Gan Luo? He was a person who could become a prime minister at the age of twelve.
The honor of the King of Wei's residence had already reached its peak, to the point where there was no more to bestow.
For such a King's residence to produce another prime minister in the next generation, to what extent would its power reach?
In short, to an extent that the Emperor would absolutely not tolerate.
Unless "Chen Xi" died at this time; once he died, all the glory would become a thing of the past. At that point, if Chen Yun became prime minister through his own abilities, that would be acceptable.
But it would still make the Emperor wary.
After pressing his forehead, Chen Cheng felt a little emotional.
They all say that establishing a millennium-long dynasty is impossible, but establishing a millennium-long noble family is also extremely difficult! A slight mistake could lead to failure, especially when the family's foundation is just being established.
"What is Grandfather worried about?"
A clear voice sounded, it was Chen Yun.
Chen Yun stood there, a slight smile on his cheeks. He softly said, "Yun sees the worry on Grandfather's brow and wishes to resolve it for Grandfather. Does Grandfather have anything troubling him?"
Chen Cheng looked at Chen Yun, not treating him as a child.
He simply smiled and spoke of his inner worries, then looked at Chen Yun and asked, "If it were you, could you give up the honor of a King? If not, then do not fall for the schemes of those Confucian scholars and become a prime minister."
"Being a prime minister is not an easy job!"
Chen Yun chuckled. He looked at Chen Cheng and said, "Grandfather, so-called fame, titles, and ranks are like dust. If one is capable, why care about the position of King?"
"In those years, the King of Qi could abandon the honor of a King and in return gain long-term survival in the world. Cannot your grandson see the problem within that?"
He said with a smile, "Moreover, Grandfather need not worry."
"I see that His Majesty's affection for Grandfather is very deep; perhaps he will resolve this problem for Grandfather in the future?"
Chen Cheng listened and found it somewhat reasonable. Although he couldn't trust the Emperor's affection, he could believe that Liu Bang would absolutely not allow an alien King like himself to exist for long.
And given the current power of the King of Wei's residence, as well as his own handling of the family, plus Liu Bang's personality, it was highly probable that he would seek him out before his death, then ask him to find a solution or compensation.
And then abolish the King title.
Moreover... the famous idiom "Alliance of the Golden Knife" has not yet been established, so Liu Bang must be thinking of a way.
Thinking this, he relaxed a lot: "Still, Yun'er is intelligent; Grandfather is not as good as you."
Chen Cheng sighed, and with a hint of probing in his tone, he asked, "Yun'er, among the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince, which one do you think will become the next Emperor?"
Chen Yun said without hesitation: "The Crown Prince!"
The Crown Prince?
Hearing this answer, Chen Cheng was a little surprised. He looked at Chen Yun and said, "In recent years, the Crown Prince has become increasingly disliked by His Majesty, while Zhao Prince Liu Ruyi is greatly favored by His Majesty, who has repeatedly tried to change the Crown Prince in court."
"Why does Yun'er think His Majesty will fail?"
Chen Yun chuckled: "In fact, His Majesty does not have a firm intention to change the Crown Prince."
"And—"
He looked at Chen Cheng, speaking like a little adult: "Although your grandson does not understand matters of love between men and women, His Majesty has love for the Empress. Otherwise, he would not allow the Empress to obstruct him from changing the Crown Prince multiple times."
"Given His Majesty's esteemed martial prowess and his character of establishing the Han Dynasty amidst chaos, if he truly wanted to change the Crown Prince, no one could obstruct him."