Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 572 Grandparents and Grandchildren
"grandmother."

"Are you feeling better?"

In the seventh year of the Yuan Dynasty,

Liu Bao, who had just returned from the academy, went to the Empress Dowager's palace to inquire about his grandmother's health.

He is only five years old, but he has already learned a lot of manners and is very sensible.

However, having been raised by the Empress Dowager since childhood, he inevitably felt closer to her.

"Fortunately."

Deng Sui waved to him, the incense on her body still carrying the lingering smell of medicine, and her face showing signs of exhaustion.

"Are you getting used to life at the academy?"

She hugged her grandson who had come closer and asked him with a smile.

To demonstrate her emphasis on the study of natural philosophy and to cultivate an interest in this field in future emperors, Deng Sui...
After Liu Bao was made crown prince and turned five, he was sent to study.

The emperor did not object.

After all, he had never liked this child.

Liu Bao's future was not among his considerations.

Once Deng Sui outlives him and Liu Bao regains power, he will not be able to retain his position as crown prince.

He had already made a promise to Empress Yan while they were on the bed!
in this way,

Where Liu Bao studied, where he acquired knowledge, and what does it have to do with him?

"Fortunately."

Liu Bao nodded, a smile spreading across his chubby face.

In the academy where children gather, although there are some who are precocious and intelligent to the point of being almost supernatural, most are still innocent.

For many children,
"Crown Prince" is just another name for Liu Bao; it's neither something to play with nor something to eat.

There were even cases where students cried and made a fuss because teachers and elders paid more attention to Liu Bao, a new student.

"I think they are better than those in the palace."

Liu Bao told his grandmother about the conflict that happened between him and his classmates not long after he started school, his little eyebrows furrowed.

Children's likes and dislikes are always so straightforward; they won't hide or suppress them for the sake of adults' interests.

The academy, where the sounds of reading and children playing mingled, exuded a vitality far surpassing that of the imperial city.

This was a novel experience for Liu Bao, who was not favored by the emperor but held the position of crown prince.

But he was too young to clearly describe his thoughts and feelings, so he could only tell his grandmother, "I still want to go to the academy to study."

Deng Sui smiled and patted the little tuft of hair on his head, saying, "I'm glad you like it."

then,

Deng Sui had him change into some comfortable clothes and eat some food, then put the child beside her to play with the Luban lock that Wang Jing had made for his great-grandson.

This stuff is very good for children, so when Deng Sui visited Wang Jing's home to see this old minister, he unceremoniously brought back a few for his grandson to play with.

Liu Bao obediently assembled the Luban lock on the side. Somehow, a wooden ball that should have been round was pieced together into a square in his hands.

As Liu Bao proudly held up his achievement to show off, several lonely wooden blocks lay piled at his feet.

Deng Sui didn't point this out, but just watched with a smile.

The white hair at his temples and the lines at the corners of his eyes were quite dazzling in the cool autumn sunlight.

Looking at his grandmother, Liu Bao suddenly seemed to remember something and cautiously leaned closer to say:
"I heard that His Majesty wants to use a new era name, is that true?"

Era name

It is a "name" given for a period of time.

Liu Bao was born in the "early Yuan Dynasty" and still feels a bit reluctant to leave it.

For Empress Dowager Deng...
There was a deeper meaning behind the emperor's decision to change the era name.

She's old.

Even the emperor, who was in his prime, no longer had the strength to pull him along.

No matter how conflicted and worried he was, the day he was to return power to the emperor was visibly drawing near.

The emperor clearly wanted to use a new era name to usher in a new beginning.

That truly belonged to the era he ruled.

"That's true."

Deng Sui seemed to have just received a reminder from her grandson, and with a look of sudden realization, she said "Oh," and then asked, "Don't you like it?"

Liu Bao shook his head and said, "I don't like it."

"When I was playing football in the palace, I heard the palace servants say that it was because his grandmother was dying and His Majesty wanted to use a new reign title to express his joy."

He cried out and snuggled into Deng Sui's arms, tears welling up in his eyes.

"I don't want my grandmother to die!"

A torrential rain at the turn of summer and autumn dispelled the lingering summer heat and brought with it the cold winds from the north.

Deng Sui, already exhausted and mentally drained, fell ill after being blown by that wind, and her condition has been intermittent until today.

This allowed the emperor to quickly consolidate his power, enjoy the prestige of being the Son of Heaven, and await his final release.

But how can that be?
Liu Bao is five years old and is a child who can write and calculate.

he knows,
Deng Sui is only forty years old now, an age when she should be far from death.

Why did it start with her father, but some of the palace servants below all hoped that she would close her eyes?

Deng Sui was amused by the child's words and laughed heartily, quickly replying:
"Good good."

"Grandma tried to live a little longer."

"Grandma still wants to see you grow up and shoulder the responsibility of the Han Dynasty!"

Looking at the child in front of her, she seemed to see the young version of herself that the Emperor had once described to her.

But young Liu Zhao had his older brother by his side.

What else does Liu Bao have?

Empress Yan's pregnancy still hasn't yielded any good news, and she certainly won't let anyone else spread the good news before her.

Thus, Liu Bao was the only child in the palace.

If you want to interact with normal peers, you have to go to the Yuan Chu Academy.

If I die, this child will probably lose even the freedom to play.
Deng Sui thought to herself.

but,

Empress Dowager Deng never expected that while she was still alive, the emperor would so eagerly demonstrate his authority to her.

Autumn is not over yet.
The Empress Dowager is still ill.

The emperor then used the excuse of "teaching the crown prince martial arts" to take Liu Bao away from Deng Sui and have him live alone in the "crown prince's palace".

The so-called "Crown Prince's Palace" was not the Eastern Palace where the crown prince resided, but rather the palace that Liu Jiang, Liu Zhuang, and Liu Da had visited since the founding of the Han Dynasty.
It was a small corner palace that the emperor ordered to be built at the beginning of the year.

He said:
"The Eastern Palace is far away, and the Crown Prince is too young to live in a large palace. Therefore, a small palace was built in the Imperial City, which is just right for his residence."

Obviously,

The emperor overlooked the issue of how a five-year-old child could live independently in the palace.

Liu Bao refused to accept it, so he started crying and making a scene.

But the emperor said:
"The Empress Dowager has been ill for a long time, how can you keep disturbing her while she recuperates?"

"Don't act like you've never learned manners!"

Deng Sui tried to stop him, but the emperor used this reason to stop her.

that's it,
Liu Bao began to live like an adult.

His palace was far from where his grandmother lived, and it took a long time to get there each time.

Going to the academy to study also took a long time, and there were still assignments to complete after school.

His emperor father also said to him in a very serious and cold manner:
"Should I bother my elders before I've finished my studies?"

"How dare you, the Crown Prince, be so disrespectful! Those who taught you before are truly wicked!"

Liu Bao was so moved by what he said that he secretly wiped away tears under the covers in the middle of the night, feeling that his father was scolding him on the surface, but actually scolding his grandmother.

After all, his classmates also knew about the officials outside the palace.
He was raised by his grandmother from a young age.

His wet nurse, Wang Nan, came to check on the prince to see if he was sleeping soundly. Hearing him crying, she said:
"It's alright, it's alright. This servant can help the Crown Prince and the Empress Dowager pass on a message."

Both she and Bing Ji, who took care of Liu Bao's meals, were elders carefully selected by Empress Dowager Deng, and they always treated Liu Bao with great care.

"The Crown Prince is young and his legs aren't long, so he rides slowly in the carriage... But I can run and jump, and I can deliver messages very quickly!"

After daybreak, Bing Ji came to deliver food to Liu Bao. After hearing what Wang Nan had said about the night before, he laughed and said, "If Wang Mu can't run anymore, I'm here!" With the two of them running in relay, how could they possibly not reach the Empress Dowager?

He comforted her like this.

Bing Ji also urged the Crown Prince to have his meal early.

Wang Nan hummed and said, "Did you try it?"

Bing Ji said, "I already tasted it; it was only sent over because I was still alive!"

Because the Crown Prince's birth mother, Lady Li, was poisoned, and many concubines in the harem were also given special drugs by the Empress,
Those around Liu Bao were very careful about food; they would always check it themselves before giving it to Liu Bao to eat.

The young prince, not understanding the deeper meaning, asked his wet nurse and the food supervisor why they didn't eat more, which made them laugh non-stop.

"Remember to tell your grandmother that I've been very well-behaved lately."

The two nodded, indicating that they would certainly not let him down.

……

"This child is much better than his father."

"Indeed, it resembles the bloodline of the late emperor."

Deng Sui smiled and said after receiving the report from Wang Nan and the others.

Then she became worried and said to the prince's wet nurse in front of her, "After I leave, you will have to work hard."

Liu Bao was young and had no officials of his own, and his subjects did not have much recognition of him.

After all, the emperor was in his prime, and no one would express their loyalty to the crown prince so early.

The early deaths of Emperor Zhang and Emperor He cannot continue indefinitely, can they?

Moreover, all the ministers were at the beck and call of the emperor.

The concept of "filial piety" also weighs on the shoulders of every child.

Who could stop the emperor from doing anything to the young crown prince?

Li, a mere palace maid, couldn't even bring Liu Bao a powerful maternal clan.

Wang Nan immediately wiped away his tears and said, "Why does the Empress Dowager say such a thing? She will surely live a long and worry-free life!"

Deng Sui waved her hand without saying a word.

Wang Nan then left, and on her way back to the Crown Prince's Palace, she encountered the Emperor's wet nurse, Wang Sheng, and her daughter.

After the emperor seized power
Wang Sheng and his family also rose in status and became prominent figures in the court.

The mother and daughter, who enjoyed countless privileges, walked through the palace with only slightly less grandeur than the Empress.

As the crown prince's wet nurse, Wang Nan naturally felt a little envious of him.

But she quickly shook her head, banishing the inappropriate thoughts.

Watching the noisy procession of the Holy Mother and her daughter depart, she couldn't help but mutter to herself:
"He can't even tell which mother treats him better; no wonder the Crown Prince isn't close to his father!"

Don't ruin the great empire left by the late Emperor Han and Empress Dowager Deng!
After she finished speaking, she covered her mouth, looked around warily, and then stepped back into the Crown Prince's palace.

Autumn is fading, and winter snow is falling.
Deng Sui did not make it through the year-end; her condition worsened.

Even the fiercest fire couldn't dispel the cold from her body.
Even the tightest blanket couldn't fill the emptiness inside her.

So while they still had energy,

Deng Sui summoned several ministers and close confidants and entrusted them with her final instructions.

For others,

Deng Sui basically instructed them to wholeheartedly assist the emperor.

But Deng Sui couldn't help but say a few more words to Zhang Heng:
“Wang Jing passed away last winter, which is something I envy.”

“But he is the leader of the science of natural science today. You, as the younger generation, have not yet grown up in time, and the public’s recognition of this discipline has not yet been established. I am very worried about the future of this seedling.”

Zhang Heng said to her with tears in his eyes, "The world is bustling with activity, and most people are driven by profit."

"The study of things can make the iron plow more resilient and the swords for expanding territory sharper, and it can always continue."

"Your Majesty, I will not fail your trust!"

Deng Sui nodded and said to him, "I originally intended to support you to become Grand Minister of Works, but unfortunately Wang Jing is too old and cannot wait until you have enough qualifications."

"But with your abilities, you will surely be able to hold a high position in the imperial court and become a key minister in the central government in the future."

"I hope you can help the Crown Prince so that this child can grow up safely."

Zhang Heng had heard about the affairs of the royal family, but he still agreed to the Empress Dowager's request.

He was promoted by Emperor He and Empress Dowager Deng, so Zhang Heng naturally had to repay them.

Subsequently,

Deng Sui then approached the emperor, asking him to continue the existence of the Yuan Dynasty's academy.

"There are mostly children in there. You, the emperor, would not go against them."

The emperor outwardly agreed, but inwardly he was thinking of Liu Yi, who was still studying in the academy.

Humph,
He's just waiting for Empress Dowager Deng to die so he can drive Liu Yi away!
The thought of that guy being in Luoyang is so annoying!
Seeing his displeasure, Deng Sui knew that the emperor had not taken her request to heart, and could only sigh.

At last,
Deng Sui had someone help her to go to the Crown Prince's Palace to visit Liu Bao.

"The wind outside is still a bit cold; there's no need to let the Crown Prince be exposed to it."

"But what about your health?" the servant asked worriedly.

Deng Sui then laughed and said, "What's there to pity about a body like mine?"

"While I still have some health, it wouldn't hurt to see the spring of the Han Dynasty!"

that's it,
She arrived at the Crown Prince's Palace, much to the delight of Liu Bao, who had just returned from school.

"Is your illness almost cured?"

The young prince looked up at his grandmother's slightly flushed face and asked expectantly.

Deng Sui smiled without saying anything, but asked him about his recent studies.

Liu Bao proudly stuck out his belly and told his grandmother about the praise he received from his teacher. He even raised his hand to let his grandmother witness his "strong arms".

The body is the foundation of everything.

The Yuan Chu Academy also taught students physical exercises.

Deng Sui gently squeezed his arm, feeling the child's unique energy.

She was immediately filled with excitement.

This child will surely live as long as Emperor Guangwu!

"Take good care of yourself, and don't go against your father, understand?"

Liu Bao pouted and said, "I'm afraid of him, I'd rather stay away from him than risk making him angry."

The emperor did not show paternal affection for his eldest son.

Empress Yan, his nominal mother, never hid her disgust for him.

With Liu Bao's intelligence, he had long understood the principle of "seeking advantage and avoiding harm".

"And isn't Grandma there too?"

"Grandma will help me!"

Liu Bao said with a smile, holding Deng Sui's hand, feeling the heat in his palm getting higher and higher.

Ok,
It's definitely a sign that you're getting better soon!
Deng Sui smiled and touched his face. "Yes, your grandmother and the ancestors of the Han Dynasty will help you."

Afterwards, the grandfather and grandson chatted and laughed for a while.
Feeling utterly exhausted, Deng Sui then returned to her palace by carriage.

The next two days,

She then died.
He passed away at the age of forty-one.

If this female ruler who ruled the world for sixteen years is included among the emperors of the Han Dynasty, then her achievements are no less than those of Emperor Guangwu and Emperor Mingzhang.

She continued the prosperous reign of Emperor He, and led the Han Dynasty through years of frequent natural disasters, leaving Emperor Liu Hu with a rich treasury, bountiful farmland, and a relatively stable group of powerful clans.

The historians therefore lamented:
Among all women in the world, whose achievements can surpass those of this female ruler?

unfortunately,

The emperor did not appreciate Deng Sui's hard work.

After seeing off the Empress Dowager
He granted more power to the family of his wet nurse, Wang, and vigorously promoted his own maternal relatives, as well as the Yan family, sharing his power and prestige as the monarch with them.

As for Liu Bao

This occurred shortly after Deng Sui's death.

Using the pretext of "making it convenient for the Crown Prince to travel to and from the academy," they moved it out of the palace and placed it in Wang Sheng's home.

(End of this chapter)