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

Chapter 229 Unfilial
It is exactly 3:00 AM.

Luo Shu and Tang Ping walked down from the observatory.

Dong Zhongshu and Wuqiu Shouwang respectfully welcomed the two astrologers back to the Star Chamber.

Liu Che dismissed his attendants, his eyes shining with delight, and asked, "May I ask, wise scholar, what signs does Heaven display?"

Comets are considered the most ominous stars, foretelling great calamities and evils for humanity. Does that mean the Crown Prince is the root cause of the chaos in the Han Dynasty?
Having reigned as emperor for twenty years, Liu Che believed that his reverence for Heaven and his ancestors had finally earned Heaven's favor, so how could he not be excited?

Dong Zhongshu suddenly had a bad feeling. Luo Shu and Tang Ping were highly respected among astrologers, and their character was often described by outsiders as detached and reserved, outspoken, and always calm in the face of changes in the Milky Way. However, the two of them were deeply moved after observing the celestial phenomena tonight and could not calm down.

Luo Shu and Tang Ping watched the Emperor's excited expression, their lips twitching slightly. All the monarchs throughout history have been like this, ignorant of the will of Heaven and proud of their own destiny, completely unaware of the impending disaster.

After exchanging glances, they decided that Luo Shu should speak first, "Your Majesty, tonight's celestial phenomena are extraordinary, and the Han Dynasty is about to undergo a great change."

"The descent of the Broom Star signifies a great calamity for the nation, as I am aware of. Scholars, please feel free to speak your minds," Liu Che nodded.

Since the birth of the Crown Prince, the Han Dynasty has been in constant turmoil, with frequent natural disasters and man-made calamities, and rampant banditry. The real reason is that the Crown Prince is a harbinger of disaster.

Emperor Wu of Han could not imagine the devastating damage that would be done to the Crown Prince's reputation if astrologers claimed he was a harbinger of disaster and the people attributed all their past suffering to him.

The emperor, upholding righteousness, even at the cost of his own family, executed the crown prince on behalf of Heaven to uphold the righteous way of Heaven and Earth and the principle of restoration. Isn't this how it happened?

Luo Shu gently shook her head. "Your Majesty only knows one side of the story. Perhaps in the eyes of a diviner, a comet is just a harbinger of disaster, but in our eyes, it is not necessarily so."

Liu Che's smile froze.

"The heavens move in a constant way, yet within this constant lies change, far beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. This comet, appearing in an extraordinary time with an extraordinary color, carries extremely profound and mysterious meanings. It is not an ordinary calamity. In times of great evil and misfortune, the appearance of a comet is an omen of the removal of the old and the establishment of the new. Wu Xian of the Shang Dynasty said that the appearance of a comet signifies the destruction of injustice. Thus, when King Wu of Zhou attacked King Zhou of Shang, a comet appeared, which was exactly the omen. Yan Zi also said that the appearance of a comet in the sky is to cleanse the world of filth. A comet appearing in a peaceful and prosperous era foretells disaster, but if a comet appears in... an evil era, then there is new life amidst great disaster, a new ruler governing the world, and a new policy emerging. The world will undergo a great transformation. This time, the heavens revealed a comet that stretched across the sky, shimmering with a bluish-gray color, followed by the faint sound of wind and thunder. It stretched across the sky for more than an hour. In the astronomical system, the time corresponds to the sexagenary cycle. The great changes implied within are truly difficult to describe in detail," Luo Shu slowly explained.

Liu Che's smile vanished, his agitation at the cryptic words growing stronger. "Sir, why don't you spell it out more clearly?"

Tang Ping choked on his words, glancing at the pale-faced Dong Zhongshu, his meaning clear: how much more important was it to make things clear?

It is true that comets are usually harbingers of disaster, but not for Your Majesty. Moreover, that comet was specifically targeting Your Majesty!
Your Majesty is a tyrannical ruler, and the world you rule is a wicked one. The new ruler, a demonic star, has descended to earth to change all of this.

As for the duration of the comet, one hour represents a 60-year cycle of the new ruler's reign. How long can he rule? Can't you calculate it yourself?
Whether His Majesty was feigning ignorance or genuinely failing to understand, Luo Shu and Tang Ping ceased their detailed explanations, since someone had already grasped the meaning. Dong Zhongshu indeed understood; the Emperor would reign for at least another sixty years!
Before this, the longest-reigning monarch in Chinese history was King Zhaoxiang of Qin, who ruled for 56 years. What is even more remarkable is that King Zhaoxiang of Qin was a wise ruler. The foundation for Qin's unification of the six states was laid by King Zhaoxiang of Qin. If the celestial signs truly predict that the ruler of Jiazi will be wise and virtuous throughout his life, what kind of unification will he want to achieve or what kind of unification will he lay the foundation for?

Is this world enough for a ruler to fight?
So the question is, where can Confucianism survive?

All schools of thought are essentially "disciples." Without disciples, a school of thought is finished. This was the method that Confucianism used to deal with other schools of thought in the past, and now it is happening to Confucianism itself.

Heavens above! Confucian scholars have always respected you, so why are you so heartless, using Confucian methods against Confucian scholars?
Emperor Wu was in a state of turmoil. Looking at the two astrological experts, he couldn't help but have doubts. "May I ask, experts, are you sure you're not mistaken? Why does a comet, which brings calamity for a thousand years, change today?"

Despite the doubts, Luo Shu and Tang Ping showed no dissatisfaction. From ancient times to the present, most Chinese monarchs have been "pragmatic." When there are auspicious omens, they will praise Heaven and make prophecies; when there are inauspicious omens, they will resent Heaven and blame prophecies. There are also quite a few monarchs who have killed people in anger.

However, the astrological prophecy will not change. Astrologers are not just fortune tellers who only flatter the emperor. They will not alter it. Luo Shu smiled indifferently, "The secrets of heaven are far-reaching and cannot be fully understood. Perhaps we have not been able to fully comprehend its mysteries. Your Majesty may listen to it or let it be."

One of the astrologers' survival rules is to avoid arguing with the monarch.

Having gone to great lengths to invite the astrologer, only to receive such words, Liu Che was clearly dissatisfied and asked again, "Furthermore, what advice do these two sages have for me?"

Luo Shu paused for a moment, glanced at Tang Ping, and seeing him nod, turned to Liu Che and said, "Your Majesty, the Purple Star has been dim for a long time, and this is not the sign of tonight. Now, a wise ruler and strong ministers have taken charge of the country, and the new policies are gradually taking root. From now on, the world will experience tremendous military upheaval, and then the disasters of the four seas will be swept away, and the world will return to a unified and prosperous age. In the time of Emperor Gaozu, how did the retired emperor act? If Your Majesty takes this as a model, you will be a true father to the world."

Luo Shu and Tang Ping had lived in the mountains for a long time and were unaware of the changes in the Han Dynasty. However, considering that they had heard more about the Crown Prince than about His Majesty along the way, and in accordance with the celestial signs, it was not difficult for them to guess the truth.

The Crown Prince took power, and His Majesty retired.

Since we can't change it, why not learn from Liu Taigong, who held a broom and respectfully greeted the Emperor Gao at the door while walking backwards, so that he could enjoy endless wealth and honor in the future?

Tang Ping continued, "Your Majesty, in a person's lifetime, there is only one great achievement. Have you not seen the story of Duke Zhuang of Qin?"

Duke Zhuangxiang of Qin, Ying Yiren, or Ying Zichu, reigned for only three years before his son Ying Zheng ascended the throne and established the Qin Dynasty, posthumously honoring him as the Supreme Emperor.

If the Crown Prince were to conquer a great empire in the future, and not lose His Majesty's position, wouldn't that be wonderful?
Liu Che's anger suddenly flared up. He thought, "If that day ever comes, I'd rather he die!"

The dragon's might was overwhelming, and Luo Shu and Tang Ping could both feel its "decline." They stood up in unison, cupped their hands, and said in unison, "That's all we have to say. We hope Your Majesty will take care of things. We take our leave."

(End of this chapter)