After the second snowfall, Emperor Wende suddenly decided to return to the palace.
Traveling in the snow and ice is really miserable.
It took five or six days to reach the capital, a journey that should have taken two or three days.
People were lying on the ground, and everyone looked exhausted.
After returning to the capital, he lay down for two days before recovering his strength.
Just when everyone was cheering up and preparing to have a good winter, Emperor Wende suddenly issued a public edict of succession, announcing to the world that King Qin Liu Zhao would be the crown prince.
When the civil and military officials heard the news, they all burst into tears.
She was not crying for the bedridden Emperor Wende, but was feeling sad for her own experience.
How could the most unsuccessful ministers not cry?
Compared with the predecessors, the struggle for the throne was bloody and violent, and was recorded in great detail in historical books, unofficial histories, and various documents and manuscripts.
My predecessors, whether you leave your name in history or be infamous forever, you all have a place in history books.
Even the princes who competed for the throne, regardless of whether they succeeded or failed, also occupied a place in history books.
For example, the King of Zhao during the time of the previous emperor and the deposed King of Yan.
Both of them are losers, but they will definitely be remembered by future generations and mentioned over and over again.
The court officials looked at the Second Prince Liu Ping, the Third Prince Liu Yan, the Fourth Prince Liu Yi, and others, and considered them the worst-performing princes of the generation. Their names wouldn't even be mentioned in history books.
If future generations want to study this period of history, they will have to check documents and royal genealogy to probably know their names.
Poor thing!
He was a prince, but when the new emperor took over, there was not even a name in the history books.
The ministers wiped their tears and stopped crying.
Because the princes were worse off than them.
The princes all had expressionless faces, unable to cry because their tears had long since dried up.
They listened woodenly as Chang En read out the imperial edict of succession, and woodenly as he listened to the emperor's oral instructions, each with a blank expression and a dead heart.
A few months is enough for the princes to recover from the blow. Those who accept their fate will have to accept it, and those who don't will have to accept it.
According to royal rules, princes are not allowed to command troops.
Except for Liu Zhao who broke this rule, other princes could not even touch the military power.
What's the point of a prince rebelling without military power?
Let the mother's family and the wife's family help in the rebellion?
At a time when rumors are spreading like wildfire, when heavy troops are stationed on the Northwest front, and when the Northwest Marshal's Office controls all border troops except the Northwest Army, no family would seek death on their own initiative.
The most peaceful and least suspenseful succession to the throne in the Great Zhou Dynasty was proceeding smoothly.
No one opposes, no one rebels!
Compared to the time of the previous emperor, when the princes fought to the death and forced the emperor to abdicate, the fight for the throne in this dynasty is like a joke, just like children playing house.
Liu Zhao knelt at the front and kowtowed calmly to express his gratitude.
Chang En took two steps forward and came before Liu Zhao, "Your Majesty summons His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin."
Liu Zhao stood up and said, "Please lead the way, Eunuch Chang."
Chang En led Liu Zhao to the warm room of Xingqing Palace.
After Emperor Wende returned to the palace, he never left the warm room.
He is old, in poor health and afraid of the cold.
The warm room was very warm, and Emperor Wende felt very comfortable staying here.
Liu Zhao walked into the warm room and broke out in a sweat. It was too hot!
"Come on, sit down and talk."
"Your son pays his respects to the emperor." Liu Zhao paid his respects respectfully before sitting down on the round stool.
Emperor Wende leaned on the couch, his hair was gray and he looked listless.
In the summer, Emperor Wende's health improved, but in the winter it took a turn for the worse and became increasingly worse.
Emperor Wende asked, "Have you met Gu Jiu?"
Although Liu Zhao didn't understand his intention, he answered honestly, "We met and had two meals together."
Emperor Wende then asked, "Will you have children in the future?"
Liu Zhao was obviously stunned.
Emperor Wende spoke frankly, "You are in your prime and strong. When you ascend the throne, you can select concubines from all over the country to enrich your harem. That way, you can have many children."
Liu Zhao said calmly, "I will not have any other children. I only have four children with Gu Jiu, and that is enough."
Emperor Wende was not surprised by Liu Zhao's answer. "So you don't plan to enrich your harem?"
Liu Zhao said confidently: "Save money!"
Emperor Wende sneered, he is obviously afraid of his wife!
He didn't expose Liu Zhao, at least to save face for his own son.
"Obviously you've already made up your mind. You and Gu Jiu will only have four children in this life."
"Father is right."
Emperor Wende asked directly, "The choice of crown prince must be made among the three legitimate sons. Who do you prefer?"
Liu Zhao frowned, "Isn't it a little early to discuss this issue now?"
Emperor Wende said frankly: "I prefer Yu Ge'er. He is the eldest son, and his talent is worthy of that position."
Liu Zhao asked, "Father, do you intend to make the decision directly without your son's permission?"
"I am seeking your opinion now. Are you dissatisfied with Yu Ge'er?"
"The children are too young. I don't think it's appropriate to decide on the next crown prince so early."
"Is there anyone better than Yu Ge'er? Heng Ge'er and Xun Ge'er, do you think they can surpass Yu Ge'er?"
Liu Zhao frowned. "Of course, my son knows that Brother Yu is very outstanding, but his concerns are also justified. The children are too young, and it may not be a good thing to determine their status too early."
Emperor Wende was too lazy to waste time talking to him. "I intend to establish the Crown Prince."
puff!
Liu Zhao almost spit out blood.
Emperor Wende added, "It can be kept secret, but I want to determine the status of Yu Ge'er during my lifetime."
Liu Zhao asked, "Does Father really have to do this?"
Emperor Wende snorted twice, "You have objections to my decision? I should have discussed this matter with Gu Jiu earlier. She is definitely more insightful than you. You are just stubborn in front of her."
Liu Zhao looked upset.
Is he his biological son?
Is there anyone who treats his own son like this?
"It's settled!" Emperor Wende said in a resounding voice.
Liu Zhao admitted his mistake and said, "I want to discuss this with Xiao Jiu. We can talk about this matter after we have made a decision."
Emperor Wende looked at Liu Zhao with a half-smile, and he was indeed afraid of his wife.
Promise!
He waved his hands in disdain, "Hurry up and discuss it with Gu Jiu."
"I'll take my leave."
Liu Zhao did not go to the Weiyang Palace, but went straight out of the palace and returned to the palace.
When Empress Pei found out, she was furious.
"You bastard, you just forgot about me after being appointed as the crown prince. You are such a heartless ungrateful person."
Liu Yi's mind was a little confused, his face was blank, and he had no reaction to Queen Pei's anger.
Empress Pei scolded Liu Yi and later realized that he had emotional problems.
"Old Four, are you okay? Don't scare me!"
Liu Yi came back to his senses and said, "I'm fine, just very tired. If your Majesty has no other instructions, I will take my leave."
Empress Pei burst into tears. "Your father is blind. He made Liu Zhao the crown prince but not you. He is biased."
"Mother, please stop talking. Now that things have come to this, what's the point of saying this? I'm leaving!"
Liu Yi left Weiyang Palace with heavy steps.
Empress Pei lay on the Arhat couch and burst into tears.
…
Liu Zhao returned to the Prince of Qin's Palace.
It's rare for the whole family to be here.
I have forgotten the last time the whole family got together.
"Daddy is back!"
Niuniu excitedly threw herself into Liu Zhao's arms like a happy little bird. She was wearing a red fox cloak, which made her face look white as snow.
The girl is pretty and delicate, and has a naughty personality like a boy.
Liu Zhao picked up Niuniu and scratched her nose. "Did you listen to Madam today?"
Niuniu nodded heavily, "I did listen to Madam, and Madam even praised my daughter for learning the rules well."
Liu Zhao laughed and said, "Niuniu is awesome, keep up the good work."
"Then Daddy, will you play snowballs with me? I can't beat my second brother."
"Let the eldest brother help you beat the second brother, okay?"
"Okay! Okay! But my elder brother is doing his homework in the study and won't pay any attention to me."
"Once big brother finishes his homework, he'll have time to play snowballs with you."
Liu Zhao played with Niuniu for a while before putting her down and letting her play with Ge'er.
Then, Liu Zhao came to the small study.
There is floor heating in the study, which is warm and comfortable.
Gu Jiu was looking through the account book.
It's the end of the year again, and there are so many places to spend money.
With so many shareholders, dividends are a big problem.
Liu Zhao stepped forward and took away the abacus. "I have something to discuss with you!"
Gu Jiu put down the account book and asked, "Just came back from the palace?"
Liu Zhao nodded, "Father officially appointed me as the crown prince and announced it to the world."
"Congratulations, Your Highness!" Gu Jiu teased.
Liu Zhao hugged her, "Congratulations, Princess!"
Gu Jiu punched him and said, "Let me go. Don't hold me so tightly. I can't breathe."
Liu Zhao pulled her to sit on the couch and said, "There is something else I want to discuss with you."
Gu Jiu listened attentively, "You say!"
Liu Zhao pondered for a moment, "Father wanted to make Yu Ge'er the crown prince, but I refused. But Father was very determined, fearing that I would mistreat Yu Ge'er and pass the throne to Heng Ge'er or Xun Ge'er. I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Gu Jiu was surprised. He knew that Emperor Wende liked Yu Ge'er, but he didn't expect that Emperor Wende liked Yu Ge'er so much that he wanted to make him the crown prince.
"Why do you object?" Gu Jiu asked.
Liu Zhao said, "The children are still too young. It's too early to decide their status. We're afraid of accidents."
Gu Jiu nodded, Liu Zhao’s worries were justified.
Of course, everything has its pros and cons.
"If it were you, and the situation came to the point where you had to appoint a crown prince, who would you choose?" Gu Jiu asked again.
Liu Zhao considered it for a moment, "Maybe it's still Brother Yu."
Gu Jiu laughed, "In that case, if His Majesty wants to make Yu Ge'er the Crown Prince, then let him do as he wishes. I have no objection."
Liu Zhao was surprised. "Aren't you worried that the children will have their own ideas when they grow up and cause conflicts?"
Gu Jiu said, "The succession of the throne in this dynasty is fundamentally based on the primogeniture system. Of course, before you, every eldest prince had a bad ending, so this rule is useless. Now that Your Majesty wants to re-establish the primogeniture system, I have no objection. However, I request that the decree to appoint a crown prince be kept secret, as a promise to Your Majesty and a guarantee to Yu Ge'er."
"We have the same idea. I also suggest keeping it secret."
Gu Jiu laughed, "From now on, Yu Ge'er will be more courageous. Have you thought about how to train him?"
Liu Zhao asked, "Shouldn't we first consider Yu Ge'er's lifelong affairs?"
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
On the way back, I was exhausted.
Next time I go out to play, I must save enough manuscripts.
Crying!
Keep typing!
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