Yes.
Chen Cheng truly believed that the Emperor wanted to be a sagacious ruler, and that he intended to pass the throne to his younger brother while he was still in his prime, establishing a system of succession where the brother inherits the throne upon the older brother's demise.
Because he knew that the Emperor's health was genuinely deteriorating.
Inside Weiyang Palace.
Chen Cheng sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time, "Your Majesty, your body truly cannot hold on much longer. Please do not continue to overexert yourself like this. If you continue..."
He said in silence, "I fear..."
Liu Ying paid him no mind. He waved his hand and said, "Teacher, you know that before I leave, I need to establish a stable empire for Heng-di. If I were to simply let go now, I fear those old officials in court would be very displeased."
He looked into Chen Cheng's eyes and said, "Moreover... Heng-di appears too naive. Such a person..."
He did not finish his sentence, but Chen Cheng chuckled, "Your Majesty, before this old subject, do you still need to speak like this?"
Liu Ying paused, then burst into laughter. He looked at Chen Cheng and said with some self-mockery, "Praising Heng-di daily in front of those people has become a habit. I'm almost deceiving myself."
He picked up the wine goblet in front of him and took a small sip.
"In the past, when Emperor Gaozu was alive, he often said that Liu Ruyi was most like him, but now it seems that only Heng-di is truly like Emperor Gaozu."
Chen Cheng also nodded slightly in agreement, "Indeed."
"Emperor Xian hunted geese all his life, and only this one time did he misjudge someone."
He pursed his lips, "Zhao Prince Liu Ruyi has the superficial appearance of Emperor Xian, but not his heart. Whereas Dai Prince Liu Heng has Emperor Xian's heart, but not his superficial appearance."
What he said was actually very true.
Zhao Prince Liu Ruyi, in his conduct and style, appeared very similar to Liu Bang—the so-called disregard for minor details, the appearance, the demeanor, and so on. He seemed to be the most similar to Liu Bang, but in reality, they were the most different.
Dai Prince Liu Heng, in his conduct and style, appeared to have no similarities with Liu Bang at all, but in reality, they were the most similar—ruthless, shameless, willing to use any means to achieve his goals, valuing and employing capable individuals, and possessing the ability to discern talent.
Perhaps Liu Bang had realized this point at the very end of his life in this world, but by then it was too late.
Things had come to this, there was no room for reversal.
That is why when Liu Bang passed away, he sighed with a hint of regret.
Perhaps he also regretted why he had not discovered this earlier?
So he decisively sent Zhao Prince Liu Ruyi away, to his fiefdom, both to protect him and because he was disappointed in the Zhao Prince.
Otherwise, according to Liu Bang's character, if he truly loved and doted on this child, how could he not leave him any other contingencies, only a Zhao State Chancellor who had been prepared early?
It doesn't make sense.
Liu Ying narrowed his eyes slightly, his heart filled with a hint of admiration, "Only Guandu Marquis can see the essence of things."
He suddenly looked at Chen Cheng with curiosity, "Guandu Marquis, when you took us three as disciples in the past, was it a random selection? Or did Emperor Gaozu ask you to take us in?"
"Or..."
Liu Ying drew out his words, smiling, even with a hint of playfulness, "Or did Teacher already know of Fourth Brother's talent, which is why you accepted him?"
Chen Cheng's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard Liu Ying's "test." He simply said, "Your Majesty's meaning, this subject doesn't quite understand."
Liu Ying continued to ask, with a hint of playfulness and danger, "Then... what about me?"
He was like a child who wouldn't give up until he got an answer, staring intently into Chen Cheng's eyes, "Teacher, tell me, did you have a premeditated plan and preparation?"
Chen Cheng remained calm. He looked at Liu Ying, but did not directly answer his question. Instead, he said, "Your Majesty, when this subject held the esteemed title of Wei Prince in the past, Emperor Xian once asked me something before his passing."
"Does Your Majesty wish to know what it was?"
Liu Ying seemed interested, forgetting his previous question. He looked at Chen Cheng and asked, "What did Emperor Gaozu ask?"
Chen Cheng seemed to be recalling the situation of that day, and also organizing his words.
He slowly began, "That day, Emperor Xian asked this old subject, that the honor of Wei Prince gained from saving his life could be forgone, the power gained from founding the nation could be forgone, what exactly did I want?"
Hearing this question, Liu Ying couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration.
It had to be his Emperor Gaozu; he could directly ask such a question.
He was curious about the answer to the question, "Then... Teacher, what did you answer Emperor Gaozu?"
At this moment, Liu Ying had no worries at all, because on this matter, Chen Cheng did not need to lie—and since his ruthless father did not take him with him before he left, it meant that this person's answer had greatly satisfied his father.
Chen Cheng leisurely repeated the words from that day, then looked at Liu Ying and said, "Your Majesty, no matter what this subject is for, it is merely to allow the Chen Clan to continue to exist and become a prominent clan."
"The Chen Clan is unwilling, and will not become kings, nor will it become the ruler of the world."
"The Chen Clan is willing to be subjects who assist the ruler, assisting enlightened rulers to achieve peace under heaven."
"These are this subject's words today, and also the ancestral teachings of the Guandu Chen Clan. In the future, the Chen Clan will be like this for generations, not interfering with imperial power, not engaging in factional disputes, only serving the people and the monarch."
"For the peace of the world."
In Chen Cheng's eyes, his expression carried a look of determination and conviction, which made Liu Ying feel a slight warmth upon seeing it. He whispered, "So... that's how it is."
Then he sighed, "No wonder Emperor Gaozu gave such instructions before his death, saying that among all the civil and military officials in the court, except for Teacher, no one else could be trusted, but only Teacher could be trusted."
Liu Ying smiled slightly, "Then Teacher... let's make preparations for the affairs of state early!"
Chen Cheng nodded slightly, his expression serene.
"Make preparations early!"
.... .....
Fifth year of Emperor Hui.
The world was peaceful and prosperous. Due to the benevolent governance of the current Emperor Hui, the world gradually began to recover, and even the speed of recovery was faster than in the era of Emperor Gaozu.
There were no more wars in the world.
Because of "Guandu Marquis Chen Xi," the Xiongnu also dared not rashly invade the borders. Although they believed that the Guandu Marquis was old and perhaps no longer able to lead an army, what if?
What if the Guandu Marquis was still as valiant?
It was not that the Central Plains had never seen generals who were still formidable in their later years; wasn't Wang Jian of Qin one such example? He became more and more capable in his later years, even more so than when he was young.
Moreover...
The Xiongnu were not without spies in Chang'an City; they did have spies.
The Guandu Marquis could still drink and make merry daily, and enjoy the company of several women at night. With such a body, how could he be unable to fight? What a joke.
Therefore, the Xiongnu also dared not attack and invade the borders.
Thus, the borders of the Great Han also got a respite and gradually recovered their former prosperity.
But along with the prosperity of the Great Han, came the decline of the "Golden Age."
The "Golden Age" here did not refer to the prosperous era of the Great Han empire, but rather to the "Golden Age" of those who had followed Liu Bang to conquer the empire.
Those talented individuals... were gradually fading away.
In the spring of the fifth year of Emperor Hui, the former Huaiyin Marquis, Han Xin, fell seriously ill at home and died, which could be considered a peaceful end compared to his historical fate.
Both the officials and the Emperor were deeply saddened upon hearing this news.
The Guandu Marquis even personally went to offer sacrifices.
Fifth year of Emperor Hui, summer.
This summer brought endless, lingering rain, as if heaven itself was mourning the fading of the Great Han's golden age of officials, for in this summer, many of the Great Han's meritorious subjects passed away.
Lu Wan, Zan Marquis Xiao He, Cao Can, Fan Kuai, and others, one by one, like autumn leaves, slowly drifted to the ground, carried away by the autumn wind!
This was the sorrow of the Great Han.
This was also the curtain call for a generation!
As more and more old friends passed away, Chen Cheng also grew increasingly sorrowful, for he could feel his own body slowly deteriorating, though he did not know how much longer it could hold on.
But.....
What Chen Cheng had never expected was that the Emperor would be the one to give out before him.
Inside Weiyang Palace.
Emperor Hui Liu Ying lay on his bed, with Liu Heng kneeling before him. All the other numerous court officials and meritorious subjects stood there; they understood that these were the Emperor's final days.
Yet, in this year, the Emperor still had no male heir born.
Then...
Chen Ping and Zhou Bo, in the crowd, glanced at Liu Heng, who was kneeling there, their eyes carrying a hint of melancholy. They hadn't expected that this unremarkable, pale-faced young man would actually gain this benefit.
However... their hearts were not particularly saddened.
After all... the meritorious official group was gradually dwindling, leaving only their descendants. Such people were naturally below them, and they had finally reached the age where they could act like respected elders.
Thinking of this, both Chen Ping and Zhou Bo subconsciously looked at the person standing at the head of the officials, secretly gritting their teeth.
Why isn't this old man dead yet?!
Chen Cheng was roughly the same age as Xiao He; he was significantly older than both Zhou Bo and Chen Ping. Yet, standing there now, though showing a hint of aging, he was still healthy, like an insurmountable mountain!
This made Chen Ping and Zhou Bo somewhat unable to suppress the helplessness and sorrow in their hearts.
They even had a somewhat embarrassing thought.
Could they outlive this person?
However, at this moment, they no longer had the strength or inclination to think about such things, because the Son of Heaven of the Great Han, lying on the bed, slowly began to speak.
They heard him say, "I have no sons, so I shall follow the example of ancient sages, and the brother shall inherit the throne upon the older brother's demise."
"Emperor Gaozu, before his passing, left an imperial decree."
He waved his hand, instructing the Inner Attendant to bring out Liu Bang's imperial will for the many officials to see, "This cannot be taken as a precedent! Because Emperor Gaozu had already discovered the injuries to my body back then, he gave me instructions."
"If, in the future, I truly have no male heirs and wish to choose one from among my many brothers, then consider Heng-di."
Liu Ying was very candid.
And his words were simple and easy to understand, which was, "This cannot be taken as an example! Because this is not me following the tradition of brother inheriting the throne upon the older brother's demise, but rather Emperor Xian having given instructions, and I am willing."
Therefore, if the tradition of "brother inheriting the throne upon the older brother's demise" was to continue in the future, three conditions had to be met.
First, there must be a will from the previous king.
Second, the Emperor himself must have no sons.
Third, the Emperor himself must be willing.
These three conditions were indispensable, and it also served as a patch for future emperors.
Liu Ying was unwilling to leave a major problem for future emperors because of himself—whether or not to adopt the system of brother inheriting the throne upon the older brother's demise? His example was having no children, but what if there were children?
So he left such words.
After speaking the words of transferring the throne to Dai Prince Liu Heng, Liu Ying slowly closed his eyes and left this cage that made him nauseous.
In the fifth year of Emperor Hui, the Emperor died.
The throne was passed to Emperor Xian's fourth son, Dai Prince Liu Heng, who was ordered to ascend the throne as Emperor.
The fading of one generation, the curtain call of one era, brought about the emergence of a new generation...
——————
"Records of the Grand Historian, Annals of Emperor Xiaohui": "In the fifth year of Emperor Hui, the Emperor passed away, and the throne was passed to Dai Prince Heng, who was ordered to ascend the throne. Before Emperor Hui's passing, he said: The world has not rested for long, and it is not advisable to overexert ourselves."
"My funeral arrangements should prioritize simplici