Chapter 9: Family Banquet (Part 2)

However

After all, he is the crown prince and the center of attention

As someone who has been through it, Liu De couldn't help but shake his head

Liu De, Liu Rong, and Liu Yan quickly got up and headed towards the rear hall

After a moment of contemplation, Empress Dowager Dou said softly: "You must have all heard the rumors about the Emperor's intention to reduce the power of the feudal lords!"

Liu ... ... Liu ... ... Yu ... ... has met ... ... the three ... ... '' Liu Yu hurriedly greeted the three elder brothers upon seeing them, but he spoke in a stammering manner

After a while, a fourth person entered the sleeping chamber where the three brothers were waiting

Liu De lowered his head, the corners of his mouth slightly curling upwards, and began to smile

"Alright, I am tired now. You brothers should prepare for the emperor's inquiry shortly..." After saying this, Empress Dowager Dou rose and, supported by two maidservants, headed towards the inner chamber

Even the meals of a wealthy merchant, who is as rich as a nation, consist of just a few repeated dishes, merely prepared with a bit more refinement than those of the common people

Liu De nodded and said: "It is probably because they are testing our studies..."

Throughout the entire process of suppressing the rebellion, the only one who truly aligned with the central authority was King Liang, Liu Wu

"No!" The four naturally responded with a loud echo.

It is no wonder that later Liu De, the uncle of the King of Huainan, Liu An, chose not to be a good ruler but instead went on to invent tofu

Liu De looked at him and said with concern, "Your Highness, we understand your meaning..."

It is indeed the fourth brother, Liu Yu

Once the four individuals were seated and the maid had reported back, Empress Dowager Dou continued, "This time, the Emperor has specifically instructed me to convey to you four brothers that this examination is extraordinary. You must all demonstrate your true abilities and serve the state and the nation!"

Empress Dowager Dou has already spoken to this extent

Just ... ...

Liu De turned around and saw Liu Rong, who was resting with his eyes closed. He felt a stir in his heart and deliberately asked, "It seems that Your Majesty has a well-thought-out plan, doesn't it?"

If not so, how can my proposal for the policy of promoting meritocracy appear impressive

From the words of Empress Dowager Dou alone, it is evident that both the cheap old man and Chao Cuo anticipated that Wu and Chu would rebel, yet they clearly underestimated the scale of the uprising

In fact, Liu De remembers very clearly that aside from the seven states that rebelled in the Wu and Chu uprising, there were also many other lords preparing to rise up, with even more sitting on the fence and observing.

The four brothers dared not refuse and replied in unison: "Yes, we will faithfully obey the command of our grandmother, the Empress Dowager"

The sons and subjects inquire about the well-being of the Empress Dowager! Upon seeing Empress Dowager Dou, Liu Rong leading the way, the four brothers quickly knelt down to pay their respects.

It now appears that the Cheap Old Man believed the words of Chao Cuo, thinking that at most there would only be a rebellion from Wu and Chu, or even just the state of Wu rising in arms

On the surface, he appeared to be listening seriously to Empress Dowager Dou's admonitions.

Hehe... Liu De chuckled softly, fully aware that Liu Rong had come prepared. Perhaps, several days in advance, his father had already given him a heads-up.

Liu Yu finally calmed down

This will lead to the reduction of the feudal lords, and the powerful eastern lords will certainly be dissatisfied. Wang Bi of Wu, relying on his high status, had already dared to disregard the court in Chang'an during the reign of the late emperor. Once the knife of reduction falls, I foresee that Wang will definitely rebel... Dou Taihou continued: "Let him rebel if he wants; the Liu family's empire cannot be shaken by just one Wang of Wu... However, the other lords must be stabilized, and we will deal with the states of Wu and Chu after the emperor has settled them!" Dou Taihou continued: "Let him rebel if he wants; the Liu family's empire cannot be shaken by just one Wang of Wu... However, the other lords must be stabilized, and we will deal with the states of Wu and Chu after the emperor has settled them!"

Liu De observed that his inexpensive father gave a glance to the eunuchs on either side.

This time, the Empress Dowager has passed away, and Prince Liu Jianglu has come to Chang'an to mourn. At least he still remembers the grace of the late emperor and the Empress Dowager. The Dowager Dou continued, Since he has come, the emperor's intention is to let him see the methods of the Han family's direct lineage, so that he will not be misled by Wu and Chu when he returns to Linzi.

Rong'er is not wrong..." Empress Dowager Dou, leaning on her cane and supported by two maidservants, walked out from the inner hall, saying as she walked: "However, this time is somewhat different..."

Liu De, seeing him in a state of anxiety, could not bear it and advised, "Your Highness, do not panic. Our father is aware of your situation and will not make things difficult for you. At most, he will ask you to write some essays, which will only cause hardship for the three of us..."

Liu Rong chuckled lightly and said somewhat indifferently, "I have read some books these days, so I am somewhat prepared"

In their youth, a maidservant brought in seats and a table, allowing Liu De and the others to take their seats.

For instance, Liu An, the King of Huainan, actually participated in the rebellion; however, as a mere scholar, his uprising failed after three years. Before his literary-inclined uncle Liu De could raise his troops, the news had already leaked, resulting in him being placed under house arrest by his chancellor

As soon as Empress Dowager Dou left, Liu Yu stood up, anxiously looking at his three elder brothers, scratching his head and covering his ears, clearly troubled about the upcoming matter

During the period of national mourning, the consumption of meat and alcohol is out of the question. A bowl of corn rice, two dishes of pickled vegetables, along with some seasonal fruits and vegetables, constitute the entirety of this family banquet

In conclusion, this family banquet gradually came to an end amidst Liu De's endless grievances

Liu De smiled inwardly with a chuckle

Seated at the head of the table, Empress Dowager Dou has already set down her chopsticks and, supported by two maidservants, retreated into the inner hall

In the end, Cheap Old Man only reigned as emperor for a little over a year, and his experience is far too immature compared to that of the late emperor

It is not only because of the quarrel with Su Ji, but more so because the food is truly not up to par

There is no need to mention Chao Cuo; as a staunch advocate for the reduction of feudal domains, he will undoubtedly employ various arguments and methods to mitigate the potential dangers of such reductions

Liu De let out a long sigh, and he finally understood why in the previous life the Seven States of Wu and Chu waged war together, causing all of Chang'an to descend into chaos

This can be considered a fine tradition of the Liu royal family. The emperor must attend to the major affairs of the state and does not have much time to supervise the education of the princes. Therefore, this examination is used to motivate the princes, ensuring that they do not become too incompetent

Upon entering the sleeping quarters of the Xuanshi Hall, a eunuch came to convey Empress Dowager Dou's decree to the three brothers: "The Empress Dowager has commanded that the three princes wait here for the time being"

A eunuch nodded slightly, taking small steps down the stairs, approaching the seats of Liu De and the other princes

There is also King Qi, Liu Jianglu, who, while sending memorials to Chang'an to express his loyalty, is secretly colluding with the states of Jiaoxi and Jinan. Fortunately, the military power of the State of Qi is held by the pro-court Chancellor and the Grand Commandant; otherwise, the rebellion of the Seven States would have turned into that of the Eight States.

However, Liu De also knows that a meal like this can already be considered a delicacy in this era

This meal was quite uninteresting for Liu De

"Everyone, rise..." Empress Dowager Dou, with the assistance of her maidservants, groped her way to the main seat at the top, while simultaneously instructing, "Come, grant seats to the four princes!"

Liu Rong also said: "It is probably like this..." He was somewhat older and knew more, so he explained: "During the time of the late emperor, whenever feudal lords came to pay their respects, the late emperor would always summon the princes who had not yet been conferred titles in the capital to examine their studies and inquire about matters concerning the world!

However, it is inevitable to have some doubts after fulfilling the obligation

As the eldest brother, Liu Rong rose and said: "May I respectfully request guidance from Your Imperial Grandmother"

Your Majesty has decreed that the princes Liu Rong, Liu De, and Liu Yan shall enter the rear hall to listen to the Empress Dowager's instructions. The eunuch first approached the three brothers Liu Rong, Liu De, and Liu Yan to convey the Emperor's edict

If only I could have a bowl of beef noodles, sprinkled with a bit of chili oil, ah... the flavor is simply indescribable... Liu De put down his chopsticks and sighed, reminiscing about the delicacies of the future

To seize the position of the crown prince, tonight's examination is undoubtedly a crucial moment

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... Brother..." Liu Yu diligently bit his words and asked, "Do you know... why Father Emperor... summoned us here...?"

In an ordinary well-off household, throughout the year, they may not even have the opportunity to eat meat more than a few times