A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 187 Wang Zhan
In the Xuanshi Palace.

King Liu Pengzu of Zhao seemed puzzled, as if he had no idea why the princes, officials, marquises, and members of the imperial family were all looking at him.

With the King of Huainan committing suicide, the only prince in the world who is born guilty is His Highness the King of Zhao.

But that vague claim of sin has no evidence. Who would dare to say that Liu Pengzu dared to file a lawsuit against the emperor in court? That would be slander!

His title of Prince of Zhao was conferred by Emperor Xiaojing. Was Emperor Xiaojing trying to harm his own son?

Since Liu Pengzu didn't want to maintain decorum, Bian Tong, the Minister of Justice, no longer held back. "Your Highness, Prince Zhao?"

"Ok?"

Liu Pengzu looked at him with suspicion, "What instructions does the Minister of Justice have for me?"

"I dare not presume to offer guidance. I would like to ask Your Highness, what have you done since arriving in the capital, and whom have you met?"

"I have always loved reading, but when I was in the capital, I was too busy with state affairs to enjoy it to my heart's content. Now, in my residence in Chang'an, I read day and night and have no time for anything else. As for seeing people, I have only met with my younger brother and sister a few times. Does the Minister of Justice think it is inappropriate for me to devote myself to reading and meet with my compatriots?"

"I have no objection to this. However, I am very curious about the books that Your Highness reads day and night. I would like to ask Your Highness for guidance."

"...The Huainanzi".

"This is the book of a rebel king..."

"...No, this is a book belonging to my royal family and brothers."

Liu Pengzu interrupted Zhang Tang, “It takes the Dao as its core, integrates the doctrines of Confucianism, Legalism, Yin-Yang, Mohism and other schools of thought, and encompasses everything. It was praised as a treasure by my father, Emperor Xiaojing, and by His Majesty the present. It can be called the first book of our great Han Dynasty. How can we put it on a high shelf because of some misunderstanding? Minister of Justice, don’t you think this is throwing the baby out with the bathwater?”

The Huainanzi was written by Liu An, the deceased King of Huainan, and his retainers. It was completed at the end of Emperor Jing's reign. Before his death, Emperor Jing read some of the chapters and called them a treasure. After Your Majesty ascended the throne, in the second year of the Jianyuan era, Liu An presented the book to the court. It was highly valued by Your Majesty and kept in the imperial archives.

You say this is a book of rebellion against the king, I say it is a national treasure praised by two generations of emperors, so who is wrong?
The princes and nobles all frowned; King Zhao had once again fallen into his habit of using sophistry to hurt people.

Bian Tong did not answer.

Liu Pengzu was even more arrogant, saying, "Not only am I reading it, but I also have everyone in the royal palace recite it day and night, to demonstrate the literary style of our country."

The entire Zhao state palace was in a state of madness, a deliberate act to conceal his true intentions. Only by drawing people's attention elsewhere could he avoid being noticed for his secret dealings with traitors.

But at this time, it also became a manifestation of his love of literature and reading.

"Near the border lived a man skilled in horsemanship. His horse inexplicably ran away and entered the land of the barbarians. Everyone offered their condolences, but his father said, 'How can you be so sure this isn't a blessing in disguise?' Several months later, his horse returned, leading a fine barbarian horse. Everyone congratulated him, but his father said, 'How can you be so sure this isn't a curse in disguise?' The family became wealthy with fine horses, and his son loved riding. One day, he fell and broke his thigh. Everyone offered their condolences, but his father said, 'How can you be so sure this isn't a blessing in disguise?' A year later, the barbarians invaded the border in great force, and all able-bodied men were called to battle. Of the people near the border, nine out of ten died. Only this man, because of his lameness, survived, father and son." Chancellor Gongsun Hong spoke leisurely.

Liu Pengzu looked in the direction of the voice, frowned, and asked, "What did you say?"

All of a sudden.

The main hall fell silent.

“Brother King, the Prime Minister recited the saying, ‘The old man on the frontier lost his horse, but who knows if it was a blessing in disguise’,” King Liu Duan of Jiaoxi said, feeling a pang of pity.

This can be said to be the most famous story in the Huainanzi. The fortunes and misfortunes in life are mutually reinforcing and cyclical, so there are misfortunes within fortunes and fortunes within misfortunes, and opposites give rise to each other.

Liu Pengzu didn't even know this, yet he claimed to be extremely obsessed with the Huainanzi. This is simply unbelievable.

Liu Pengzu's expression changed. "Your Highness, Prince Zhao."

Imperial Censor Zhang Tang walked into the center of the hall, smiled at him, and asked, "Your Highness mentioned that you met with several princes and Princess Yangxin. May I ask what you discussed?"

"Remembering the late emperor, expressing gratitude to Your Majesty, and looking forward to the future," Liu Pengzu gave an answer that would never go wrong.

"In a secret room?" Zhang Tang asked with his smile unchanged.

To discuss something perfectly legitimate in a dark and deserted place only proves that what you're talking about isn't as legitimate as it sounds.

Liu Pengzu's body stiffened, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Why not?"

"There is nothing wrong with that, but I don't know if Your Highness's answer was the same as that of the Prince of Jiaoxi, the Prince of Jiaodong, and the Prince of Changshan?"

Zhang Tang looked at the other three princes under Emperor Xiaojing: Liu Duan, Liu Ji, and Liu Shun. "Your Highnesses, was the secret meeting really as simple as Prince Zhao said?"

Faced with the questioning, all three kings showed signs of panic, and the matter was now clear.

Their elder brother colluded with the Xiongnu, sacrificing the Dai region in exchange for the Xiongnu's support to achieve his ulterior motives.

However, misled by the king's elder brother, they created chaos in the vassal state and the surrounding counties, diverting the court's attention and military strength, and nearly bringing the Han Dynasty to its doom.

Although it was not an intentional collusion with the Xiongnu, it was an unintentional cooperation with them. It was truly a "misunderstanding," but can it be explained?
It's completely inexplicable!

Furthermore, what was the "bewitchment" they were subjected to? It was to slander the crown prince and welcome back the emperor.

Throughout history, assassinating the emperor was the most serious crime, while attempting to end the monarch's rule was tantamount to treason, making it the second most serious crime. The punishment imposed by the emperor is exemplified by the Li family of Longxi.

Furthermore, given the principle that "a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions," and considering the Xiongnu's surprise attack, would their eldest nephew possibly have a soft heart?

Prince Liu Duan of Jiaoxi immediately replied, "Yes, it was just casual conversation in the private room, nothing more."

He suffered from paralysis and had no offspring. In the future, there would be no one to offer sacrifices during festivals. He had no need to think about the afterlife, so he had no weakness. If he confessed his guilt, even if he didn't die, he would still be stripped of his title and his fiefdom would be abolished. He would then be confined within high walls for the rest of his life, with no joy in living. If he didn't confess, he would gamble that his nephew and the court had no evidence. If he won, he would still be the powerful and influential King of Jiaoxi of the Han Dynasty.

If Dong Zhongshu were here, he would surely see that the King of Jiaoxi had fallen into his gambling habit again, and he would know that the King of Jiaoxi was going to lose again.

Because His Highness has never won a bet.

Liu Ji, the King of Jiaodong, and Liu Shun, the King of Changshan, were brothers born of the same mother. They shared similar sentiments and were somewhat alike. However, seeing the King of Jiaoxi take a gamble, they also became determined. As direct descendants of Emperor Gao, their status could support their sense of righteousness, and they could not go too far astray.

"Yes!" Liu Ji and Liu Shun said in unison.

On his throne, Liu Ju let out a breath, whether it was a sigh or a sigh of relief, it was hard to tell.

His uncle's choice disappointed him greatly, but it also relieved him of any difficulty.

Zhang Tang smiled broadly, very satisfied with the three kings' answer, and said to the outside of the hall, "Bring them up!"

The traitor Zhong Xingfa, covered in wounds and only able to move his mouth, was carried into the Xuan Shi Hall...

(End of this chapter)