#
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chen Cheng nodded.
This was a test for Chen Lang, and equally a test for Chen Yun.
In Chen Cheng's view, if they could pass this test, they would be qualified to become the Chen Clan Head, but if they couldn't pass it... he feared he would have to choose someone else.
Why?
Because Chen Cheng had already sensed it!
He sensed that the 'Xi' body was gradually reaching its end. In other words, this descent was about to conclude. Since he had descended into Chen Xi's body, his descent would naturally end when Chen Xi's lifespan ended.
The effect of the descent was only to 'continuously increase strength'; it did not have the ability to extend life.
Chen Xi's body had endured the torment of war and had suffered many injuries even before Chen Cheng's descent. Although these injuries were suppressed by Chen Cheng's descent, they could not be completely healed.
His wide sleeves covered Chen Cheng's hand, which trembled slightly within the sleeve.
Separating the position of Clan Head and the peerage was a test he had devised.
If both the Clan Head and the peerage were held by one person, it would be too dangerous. This would lead to the 'Chen Clan' potentially collapsing in an instant if the Guandu Marquis, as Clan Head, made any 'faction-standing' move that was incorrect.
This was not what Chen Cheng wanted to see.
So he separated the two, but... this also carried risks.
It required gradual experimentation throughout the long river of history—fortunately, he had continuous opportunities for trial and error, and countless chances to correct mistakes.
Chen Yun sighed softly, looking at Chen Cheng and asking, "Grandfather, then... has Father passed your test?"
Chen Cheng remained silent: "It is not yet over."
"Next, we'll see if your father can be ruthless enough towards his own brother. If he can't... then the position of Clan Head, I'm afraid, cannot be given to him!"
Chen Cheng looked at Chen Yun, speaking word by word, as if hinting at something: "Yun'er, parents always hope that their children are fraternal and harmonious, and that brothers get along."
"But... brotherly harmony does not include shielding!"
"Shielding is something that can never happen."
"Family ties and law must be balanced. Situations where compassion overrides the law must absolutely not occur! Once they do, the law ceases to be law!"
Chen Yun listened to Chen Cheng's words, understanding that these were Chen Cheng's heartfelt thoughts, and immediately nodded slowly: "Grandfather, your grandson understands!"
After Chen Yun left, Chen Cheng returned to his room, sat there, and picked up a silk scroll to write something on it. These were the family precepts he intended to leave behind!
And also... a series of family letters.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
"History of the Wei King's Family": "Wei King, Chen Xi. He was upright and possessed considerable literary talent. He was particularly skilled at raising children, leaving behind numerous family letters, all of which contained mature words of guidance and instruction for his children. Those who obtained his instructional writings would praise them, saying: 'This is a sage of heaven and earth.'"
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
In Weiyang Palace
Liu Ying stood in the grand hall of Weiyang Palace, looking at the person standing below, a smiling expression on his face: "Heng-di, you have finally returned."
Liu Heng bowed slightly, his expression respectful and humble.
"This subject, Dai Prince Heng, greets Your Majesty—May Your Majesty enjoy eternal peace and boundless joy—"
Liu Heng performed the ritual with solemnity and precision, but Liu Ying walked down somewhat helplessly, helped Liu Heng, who was bowing, to his feet, and then said: "We are brothers, why such formality?"
Facing Liu Ying's words, Liu Heng did not yield, but insisted stubbornly: "Your Majesty, this is the great ceremony between ruler and subject; it must not be lightly discarded."
"Your subject is a subject, and you are the ruler. Your subject is a vassal king of Han, and you are the Son of Heaven of Han. You should possess imperial majesty, and your subject dares not overstep for a moment."
Liu Ying looked at the rigid and honest Liu Heng, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
He looked directly at Liu Heng, not even hiding or concealing the purpose of calling him here.
"Heng-di, do you want to sit in that position?"
Liu Ying pointed to the distant position belonging to the Emperor: "That position of the Son of Heaven of Han, revered by tens of thousands?"
"Thump—"
Liu Heng's legs went weak, and he immediately knelt prostrate on the ground.
"Your subject dares not."
Liu Ying walked forward, came before Liu Heng, knelt down, and looked into his eyes, saying: "Is it 'dare not,' or 'do not want to'?"
His tone was solemn, and he spoke word by word: "Heng-di, sometimes, if an opportunity is lost, it will never return."
"When I was young, I already had internal injuries. To have endured until now is already a long persistence. Tai Yi Ling says that I cannot hold on for much longer, and currently, I have no children born. According to the words of the ancient sages, when an elder brother dies, a younger brother succeeds, passing the throne to one of the brothers."
"Among all the brothers, only you make me feel that I can entrust this Han Empire!"
When Liu Heng heard the words about "poor health, cannot hold on," his entire mind felt like it was exploding. How old was the Emperor now? Only six or seven years older than him!
He was in the prime of his life, how could he not hold on?
His mind was in a turmoil, both not wanting this to be true and yet having a faint, dark thought, or rather, ambition, stirring: what if it was true?
If it were true... wouldn't the great throne be within reach?
Thousands of thoughts swirled, but in reality, only a fleeting moment had passed.
Liu Heng did not choose to answer Liu Ying's question directly, but instead spoke in a roundabout way: "Your Majesty is in the prime of his life, how could he suffer from such an illness?!"
He slammed his head to the ground: "Your subject is willing to abandon the position of Dai Prince, and travel the world to find good medicine for Your Majesty's body!"
"Please grant Your Majesty's permission!"
Abandon the position of Dai Prince!
This was a conclusion Liu Heng had pondered for a long time. He believed that Liu Ying was in his prime, and he had never heard of the Emperor having any illness before. So why was Liu Ying saying this now?
Liu Heng put himself in Liu Ying's shoes and, thinking as Liu Ying, could only come to one conclusion.
The Emperor wanted to strengthen central authority, the Emperor wanted to... reduce the power of the vassal states!
This seemed to be the most correct answer Liu Heng could come up with, so in a matter of a few brief moments, a few breaths, he gave the most correct answer.
"I am willing to abandon the position of Dai Prince, and travel the world to find good medicine for Your Majesty's body!"
What did these words mean?
It was almost like putting oneself in a desperate situation to find a way out!
Abandon the position of Dai Prince—this was equivalent to agreeing to the reduction of vassal states' power, and doing so voluntarily.
Travel the world to find good medicine for Your Majesty's body—this was equivalent to providing a way out for both parties, allowing both to save face, and even giving the Emperor a hint.
I am merely fish on your chopping block, ready to be slaughtered at any moment!
Why?
Because when searching for good medicine throughout the world, it would naturally be impossible to stay in one fixed place. Communication and transportation were not so developed at that time, and it was normal for there to be no news for three or five years.
Thus... wouldn't one die without anyone knowing?
Liu Heng knelt there, his body unmoving, but his back and palms were already drenched in sweat, beads of sweat slowly trickling down his body.
He didn't know if he would make the right gamble this time, or if he would be able to obtain... a chance to live!
But Liu Heng was not afraid.
Back in the palace, when Emperor Xian and Lu Hou were watching like tigers, he and his mother were able to carve out a life, let alone now?
The current Emperor had a reputation for benevolence. Whether this benevolence was real or fake, Liu Ying would not easily damage this hard-won reputation for righteousness.
He had been so proactive, would the Emperor still kill him?
Then all the kings of the realm would surely rebel immediately! Why? Because if you kill such an honest and self-aware younger brother, then wouldn't you be even more inclined to kill us disobedient uncles and fierce younger brothers?
Then it's better to rebel quickly!
Either way, it's death.
Therefore, Liu Heng's seemingly dangerous action was actually the most correct one.
As long as Liu Ying had a shred of rationality, as long as the entire court of civil and military officials had a shred of rationality, then Liu Heng would absolutely not die!
Listening to Liu Heng's answer, and seeing Liu Heng's "honest and simple" appearance, a smile suddenly bloomed on Liu Ying's face. He laughed heartily, walked forward, and patted Liu Heng's shoulder.
"Heng-di, why are you so nervous?"
He said meaningfully: "I never said I wanted to reduce the power of the vassal states, how did you think of that?"
Liu Ying waved his hand: "The reason I called you back was simply because I missed you and wanted to see you."
"Go rest. The palace where you used to live, I have kept it for you."
Only then did Liu Heng thank him and depart.
After Liu Heng left, Liu Ying smiled slightly, looking at his retreating back, and slowly said: "This fourth brother of mine... is indeed no ordinary person."
.... .....
Liu Heng, walking out of Weiyang Palace, was drenched in sweat. He had almost thought he wouldn't be able to leave Weiyang Palace just now!
He didn't even dare to look back at this moment, or even speak, still walking tremblingly towards his own palace.
That palace still stood there, unchanged from when he had left.
Entering the palace, Liu Heng caressed the unchanged desk and furnishings, slowly closing his eyes. Everything here was as it used to be, as if reminding him that even if he thought he had left the capital, he was still an ant.
Imperial power!
Never had Liu Heng desired imperial power more than at this moment.
But the reason Liu Heng was Liu Heng was because even when desire erupted, he could still forcibly restrain it.
He didn't know if the Emperor's severe illness was real or fake, but he understood that if it was real—his eagerness at this moment would put him at a disadvantage; the Emperor would not want to see a vassal king so eager for imperial power.
If it was fake—then his eagerness at this moment would fall into the Emperor's trap.
After understanding this, Liu Heng closed his eyes, took deep breaths according to the method his teacher had taught him, then opened his eyes and began to tidy his belongings within the palace.
.... .....
Chen Cheng was compiling the Chen clan's ancestral precepts and other writings in his study, also leaving behind a part of his own thoughts.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to introduce technology to change this world, but rather that the Han Dynasty at this time was not capable of withstanding such changes.
All technology, and all culture, appears step by step, and changes step by step.
Just like building blocks.
You cannot suddenly and inexplicably install a block in one place that is completely different from the others; this would cause the entire block house to collapse.
He looked in the distance, narrowing his eyes: "I wonder if my disciple can pass His Majesty's test?"
Thinking of this, he suddenly smiled again: "However, if Emperor Wen cannot pass the test, then there is probably no one else in this world who can pass His Majesty's test."
As he said this, a hint of relief softened Chen Cheng's brow.
.... .....
The fourth year of Emperor Hui's reign.
Spring.
Dai Prince had been in the capital for almost a year.
The nobles in the capital were almost accustomed to this—they were not unaware of the Dai Prince's purpose in coming, it was just... they found it somewhat unbelievable.
Would the Emperor really do that?
While still in the prime of his life, engage in the so-called ancient sage's practice of a younger brother succeeding an elder brother?
Yes.
Everyone understood the Emperor's plan, but they dared not believe it.
Only one person believed.
Guandu Marquis, Chen Cheng.