Chapter 8: Family Banquet (Part 1)

... ...

As merely a biological mother, Su Ji's behavior deeply disappointed Liu De, and in his past life, it had even broken his heart.

Recalling the various versions he had heard in his past life, as well as the character of his cheap old man, Liu De let out a low laugh: "That is most likely my cheap old man's strategy of feigning indifference to lure in his prey..."

like the so-called tyrant Yang Guang in history

In fact, Liu De is also aware that all his words are in vain

In the previous generation, the quality and upbringing of the princes during Liu De's time were quite commendable

For instance, the late Emperor Xiaowen of the Han Dynasty, Liu Heng, when placed in comparison with the so-called aspirations of future generations in the Celestial Empire to gaze at the stars, pales in comparison.

Liu De recalled that at that time there were rumors in the palace that Empress Dowager Dou wanted her younger son, Prince Liu Wu of Liang, to succeed the throne after the Emperor's century of reign, and then return it to the Emperor's son after Liu Wu's death. This matter was fortunately complicated by Dou Ying, the nephew of Empress Dowager Dou, who was part of the Dou clan.

It has always been this way, indeed it has always been this way

Liu De casually glanced at it and found that it was mostly composed of royal family members or relatives by marriage, thus he realized that this gathering was likely a family banquet

However

However, it is precisely because of his lack of high attainment in the realm of acting that he ultimately met with death and the destruction of his country, and he will be condemned in historical records for a thousand years

The Mongol Yuan dynasty, with its barbaric mindset, was solely focused on warfare and violence. As a result, within less than a hundred years, they were driven back to the desert.

After all, Liang Guo is too strong

Su Ji's expression improved slightly as she said, "Please sit down!"

In the eyes of the frugal mother, there has always been only the eldest son, Liu Rong, while Liu De and Liu Yan have remained in a state of being dispensable.

Liu De nodded and said, "Understood..."

If I want to be an emperor, I still need to learn a lot... Liu De sighed inwardly: I should observe the words and actions of the old man more closely...

There are many women like this in the later generations of the Great Heavenly Dynasty

The two brothers then knelt and sat behind Su Ji

A careless remark made after drinking led to the blood and sweat of King Liang, Liu Wu, in his grand strategy of reducing the feudal lords.

Liu De is indeed able to understand Su Ji's actions; after all, Liu Rong, as the crown prince, naturally possesses the qualities required to ascend to the throne. Ultimately, Su Ji is merely a noblewoman with some influence.

Liu De turned his head to look outside and then said: "Your Highness, we princes are destined to establish the state and build the foundation for our great Han dynasty. If we are to be fearful and cautious, offending the court officials, then how can we claim to stand alone and be independent in the future?"

At this moment, a eunuch entered and reported: "This servant pays respects to Your Highnesses. The Son of Heaven has decreed that Your Highnesses are to proceed to the Xuanshi Hall for a meal..."

If it is truly as he thinks, then the old man is indeed very cunning

Liu De twitched the corner of his mouth slightly... he had grown accustomed to this appearance of his cheap mother in his previous life. Although he felt somewhat displeased, he still cared about his dignity and lowered his head, saying: "Son is unfilial, causing the mother to be angry, please forgive me, mother..."

Just ... ...

However, these matters do not need to be explained in too much detail to Liu Yan

Once Liu Wu becomes the so-called Crown Prince, supported by Empress Dowager Dou, it will be virtually impossible to bring him down

Liu Rong reluctantly raised his head and responded when he saw his brother Liu De

Certainly, rashly writing to discuss state affairs is a risky endeavor for all princes

Like Liu Fei, who possesses exceptional military talent, Liu Duan excels in strategies and cunning; Liu Pengzu is not far behind, and even Liu Sheng, who spends his days indulging in wine, meat, and women, has a high level of literary accomplishment, having written some beautiful poems and essays

The so-called major affairs of the heavenly family are naturally related to the crown prince

The Manchu Qing dynasty was certainly more astute than the Mongol Yuan dynasty, at least in terms of public opinion control and self-promotion. They fully absorbed the lessons learned from their predecessors, to the extent that even Kangxi could be lauded as a timeless sage, while Qianlong was celebrated as the "Old Man of Perfection"

Otherwise, let alone Liu De, even Liu Rong and Liu Che can take a break, as the throne will definitely not fall to their brothers

At this time, the power of the feudal lords was even more substantial; they not only commanded armies but also possessed significant financial and administrative authority. States such as Wu and Chu had, in fact, become semi-independent regional powers.

This statement is half true and half false

Therefore, Liu De's words received the approval of Liu Yan

Then he turned to Liu Yan and said: "Let's go, don't keep Father Emperor and Mother Empress waiting for too long"

The experiences of over a decade in a previous life and twenty-seven years in the Celestial Empire have made Liu De deeply understand how important it is for a film emperor, especially for politicians and those in power

With such thoughts in mind, Liu De followed Liu Yan and sat down in front of the seats prepared for them in the hall

Therefore, Liu Decai intends to collaborate with Liu Yan to jointly submit a petition, aiming to minimize the criticisms arising from this aspect to the greatest extent possible

I remember that during my house arrest in my previous life, I heard that there was a major incident at a family banquet ... Liu De was pondering and reminiscing: "It shouldn't be this time!"

Liu De nodded, but the corners of his mouth could not help but curl into a sneer

Mother! Imperial Brother!" Where are you, Liu De saw the still not very good-looking Su Ji and Liu Rong, who was lowering his head and ignoring everything.

Since the time of the self-proclaimed Emperor Liu Bang, the Liu family has been renowned for producing film emperors

In fact, both talent and ability are of the highest caliber

When Liu De and Liu Yan arrived together at the Xuan Shi Hall, the grand hall was already filled to capacity with over a hundred people seated inside

Even after the Wu-Chu Rebellion, the power of the feudal lords was significantly diminished, yet the ordinary feudal lords still possessed their own armies and were able to appoint certain officials of the rank of one thousand stones

If Su Ji had performed slightly better and been less biased, Liu De would not have considered the issue of adopting a son for Empress Bo

After sitting down, Liu Yan softly said to Liu De: "Your Majesty, do not take it too much to heart. Mother has always been like this, and you are not unaware of it..."

Liu Dekan was open-minded, but Liu Yan could not bear it any longer. He looked at the ashen-faced Su Ji and said, "Mother, the Emperor Brother has done nothing wrong, so why must it be like this?"

This is because the Liang Kingdom, ruled by King Liu Wu, is exceedingly important for the current situation

This involves strategic considerations, and it may also be a tactic employed by Cheap Old Man to weaken Liu Wu through the hands of the rebels

If it is truly as he thinks, then Old Man Cheap has indeed put on a splendid performance

Especially now that the crown prince has not been established, it is easy for one to be implicated and be labeled as someone who covets the position of the crown prince

Su Ji, however, wore a stern expression and said softly, "Liu De, do you still have your mother in your eyes?"

The two brothers chatted for a while about everyday matters, reminiscing about past events

At this moment, he finally became convinced that being adopted under Empress Bo's name was his best choice

Upon deeper reflection, during the rebellion of the Seven States of Wu and Chu in the previous life, they besieged the State of Liang, creating chaos and bloodshed. At that time, the armies of Zhou Yafu and Dou Ying remained inactive, only intervening to cut off the retreat and supply routes of the Wu and Chu rebel forces when both sides reached a stalemate

Having spent over a decade in the life of a vassal king in a previous life, Liu De is acutely aware of the significance of the vassal kings in the Han dynasty