AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
In the winter of the fifth year of Emperor Hui's reign, this vast empire welcomed its third emperor.
Compared to the previous two emperors, this emperor had both strengths and weaknesses. His strength, in the eyes of his officials, was that he was relatively easy to manipulate—with the exception of Guandu Marquis, whose name was Chen Xi.
His weakness, however, was that this emperor had a sufficiently outstanding teacher—precisely the Guandu Marquis who would not consider him easy to manipulate.
In the winter of the fifth year of Emperor Hui's reign, Liu Heng ascended the throne as emperor.
This time, he did not poison all of his wives—due to the presence of his teacher, and because Liu Bang had valued him more than in the original history, he had not married a daughter of the Lü Clan as his Dai Prince Consort.
It was precisely because of this that Emperor Wen's throne was more stable after his ascension this time.
He did not need to consider a "Queen" forced upon him by others, nor did he need to consider how to refuse these meritorious officials from sending their daughters into his harem, thereby attempting to control his bloodline and descendants.
The only problem Liu Heng needed to consider was one.
How... could he make his teacher, Guandu Marquis, live longer?
.... .....
Guandu Marquis Residence
"Cough, cough, cough, cough—cough, cough, cough—"
A series of coughs erupted, Chen Cheng's cheeks had turned red, and it felt as if something viscous was blocking his throat, or perhaps as if a slight flame was scorching it.
Ever since a severe illness in the winter of last year, Chen Cheng's body had begun to feel unwell. Although he remained as robust as before, he knew in his heart.
He didn't have much time left to live.
However, at this moment, Chen Cheng was already quite content.
Just look at the family fortune he had built for himself over these past ten-odd years!
His highest title had reached that of a "King," specifically the esteemed title of "King of Wei."
Since ancient times, the conferment of titles rarely involved "original" or unique "honorifics." More often, they were inherited from powerful great nation titles found in the dust of history, or they held special significance.
There were three categories of great nation titles recognized by the world: first, Xia, Shang, Zhou; second, "Qi," "Jin," "Chu," "Wu," "Yue"; and third, "Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, Qin."
Excluding duplicate titles, what remained were "Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qi, Jin, Chu, Wu, Yue, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, Qin."
The first category consisted of dynasties founded by ancient sages. Among these three dynasties, apart from "Zhou," the others were not frequently used by later generations, but they were undoubtedly great nation titles.
"Qi, Jin, Chu, Wu, Yue" were the five hegemons during the Spring and Autumn period. Among these five hegemons, the hegemonic status of Wu and Yue was questionable, so they were not considered top-tier among the numerous great nation titles.
"Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, Qin" were the names of several of the relatively powerful states during the Warring States period's seven strong states. Among them, "Qin" was the most esteemed because the Qin state eventually swept through the six states and unified the realm.
The strength of "Wei" was not weak among the Seven Warring States, so no matter how it was categorized, this conferred title could be considered second-tier.
The third tier consisted of titles conferred from remote regions like Han, Yue, and Yan.
As for those of an even lower rank?
They were two-character titles like "King of Huanan."
That is why in many ancient opera lyrics, the promises made by those ambitious heroes mostly involved "granting you a one-character parallel King."
The meaning of a one-character parallel King is not that the five characters "one-character parallel King" are the title; "one-character" means the title has only one character, and "parallel King" means promising that person power equal to the emperor's.
It is utterly laughable that some books directly bestow the five-character title of "one-character parallel King" upon meritorious officials.
And Chen Xi, the one Chen Cheng had descended into, was a one-character King like "King of Wei."
And let's look at the family fortune now.
The eldest son, Chen Lang, and others managed the family business in Guandu. Among the many children, all except the fourth were quite accomplished. Guandu was very well-managed by them, and the family even had a reputation for "integrity."
After the current emperor ascended the throne, his grandson, Chen Yun, was promoted to "Lang Zhong Ling," demonstrating the emperor's trust in him and his reliance on Guandu Marquis.
What is Lang Zhong Ling?
He is in charge of the emperor's attendants, guards, and conveying the emperor's decrees. This is the most intimate of confidants.
And what about "Chen Xi" himself?
"Chen Xi" himself had become the "Prime Minister" of the current court, unshakeable by anyone.
Not to mention that many meritorious officials have now passed away one by one; even if that group of people had not passed away, "Chen Xi" still held the highest official position and the greatest achievements!
Xiao He, before his death, even sighed repeatedly.
"I've been suppressed by this Chen Xi my entire life! I have regrets in this life; I cannot rest in peace!"
What kind of resentful words were these?
Of course, Chen Xi did not pay attention to this matter. He felt that it was merely Xiao He's helpless words before his death, after all, he had truly suppressed Xiao He in both merit and official position for his entire life.
Couldn't others curse a bit before they died?
He simply came to Xiao He's funeral in a grand manner, and as an elder, instructed and advised Xiao He's children, widow, and others, telling them that if they encountered any problems they couldn't solve, they could come to him.
That was all, he did nothing else.
A demeanor of a grandmaster.
.... ....
In the third year of Emperor Wen's reign, after three years, the officials of Emperor Wen's court finally sadly discovered something.
Liu Heng was truly not someone to be trifled with....
Zhou Bo and Chen Ping even sighed, saying that it was fortunate for the existence of Guandu Marquis; otherwise, if they had harbored any ulterior motives, they would have probably been dealt with by this dark-hearted emperor long ago.
Zhou Bo's evaluation of Liu Heng was: "How is this kid even more dark-hearted than his father!"
And Chen Ping's evaluation of Liu Heng was equally simple: "Was this kid a sack in his previous life? He's so good at pretending!"
But no matter what opinions and views the courtiers had of the emperor, Emperor Wen had already been on the throne for three years.
This also meant something else.
Guandu Marquis had been seriously ill for three years.
.... ....
Weiyang Palace
"What?"
Liu Heng instinctively stood up, his eyes filled with terror.
He didn't even have time to feign composure, nor did he have time to say anything else. He looked directly at the Inner Attendant beside him and said, "Prepare my horse! Quickly!"
The attendant, upon hearing the news, was equally startled.
But he quickly gave orders for the emperor's imperial horse to be prepared.
Because the news was too shocking!
Guandu Marquis was critically ill, already at the brink of death!
.... ....
Guandu Marquis Residence
"Father."
Chen Lang had already rushed back from his old home in Guandu, his face filled with sorrow. "Chen Xi" lay on the bed, barely able to open his eyes.
"Has Your Majesty... arrived?"