A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

"Alright, but I'm naturally strong and not very good at teaching disciples, so I can't guarantee the results."

Wei Ping eventually agreed to Liu Bang's request.

He didn't want to arouse suspicion from Liu Bang in his later years.

"Okay," Liu Bang smiled slightly and patted Liu Ying's head.

"Hurry up and call me master."

Liu Ying stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Wei Ping, addressing him as "Master."

Then Liu Bang waved his hand, signaling for the gifts of tuition to be presented.

"In that case, Your Highness, you shall stay here and begin your studies with Zi'an. We shall take our leave now."

After saying this, Liu Bang left with Lü Zhi, Liu Ruyi, and Lady Qi.

Wei Ping could clearly see the sinister look in Liu Ruyi's and Lady Qi's eyes.

He knew that two people were eyeing him, and it seemed that he needed to push these two people back to their fiefdoms as soon as possible.

Once Liu Bang dies, Empress Lü will deal with them properly.

With the news that Liu Bang had made Wei Ping his teacher, almost everyone knew that the crown prince's position as heir apparent was secure and would not change.

Liu Ruyi has no hope left.

Upon returning to the palace, Lady Qi smashed everything she could see.

She wasn't stupid; she could naturally understand what Liu Bang meant.

Her son was ineligible for the throne, and she could no longer become Empress Dowager.

Will Empress Lü let her go?

impossible!

Just like her, if Liu Ruyi becomes emperor, she will not let Lü Zhi off the hook either.

But what could he do? Her family didn't have much influence.

He only attained his high position because of Liu Bang's favor.

All I can do is rage helplessly here.

But she was still unwilling to give up. If she couldn't deal with Liu Bang, Liu Ying, and Lü Zhi, how could she not deal with a mere Marquis of Pingcheng like you?

Yes, you are the strongest in the world in terms of martial arts, but you are still just a mortal.

I don't believe you're not afraid of poison.

Over the years, relying on her favor with Liu Bang, she helped Liu Ruyi accumulate considerable wealth and power.

After all, Liu Ruyi was Liu Bang's most favored prince, and many people attached themselves to him, hoping to gain merit by following in his footsteps.

At this point, they were all in the same boat; there was no way for them to escape.

Thinking of this, Lady Qi secretly sent a palace maid out of the palace to carry a letter out for her.

......

On the other side, Wei Ping first examined the Crown Prince's bones and confirmed that the Crown Prince was indeed not cut out for martial arts.

Physically weak and frail.

It is simply impossible for them to achieve anything in terms of military force.

But since I've already become his disciple, I can't just ignore him.

Then let's teach him Tai Chi.

This kind of health-preserving boxing style is indeed suitable for Liu Ying now.

Practice a bit first to recover your energy.

After Liu Ying returned to the palace, he was immediately summoned by Liu Bang.

Xiao He and Zhang Liang happened to be with him.

"Your Highness, what did your master teach you?"

Liu Ying said, "My master taught me a set of boxing techniques called Tai Chi."

"Tai Chi?"

Liu Bang, Xiao He, and Zhang Liang looked at each other, bewildered; they had never heard of this kind of boxing technique.

"Let me show you how to do it."

Liu Bang asked curiously.

Liu Ying demonstrated Tai Chi for them.

Liu Bang frowned as he watched.

"If Wei Ping doesn't want to teach, then he shouldn't. What kind of stuff is this? It's so weak and powerless."

Zhang Liang noticed something amiss; this set of boxing techniques was actually deeply versed in the Taoist principles of Yin and Yang, combining Yin and Yang, and balancing strength and gentleness.

"Your Majesty, this set of fist techniques is quite extraordinary."

"It's not simple. What's so simple about something that's all soft and weak?" Liu Bang said skeptically.

Seeing Liu Ying practicing his fist techniques, Liu Bang went over and knocked his son down with a single punch.

However, when Liu Bang struck, he happened to hit Liu Ying's arm.

Liu Ying subconsciously used the feint step and palm strike.

However, his strength was too weak, and Liu Bang was a veteran of countless battles. Even though he was old now, he was still no match for him.

He was still knocked down with a single punch.

Hey, this boxing style actually seems to have some skill.

Liu Bang felt the strength in Liu Ying's hand and muttered to himself.

He knew perfectly well what kind of wretched his son was, and that force just now was clearly due to that punching technique.

"What's the name of Zifang's boxing style?"

"The Book of Changes says, 'The Great Ultimate (Taiji) gives rise to the Two Forms (Yin and Yang).' This set of boxing techniques is named Taiji, which should be derived from this statement."

"The techniques are deeply rooted in the principle of mutual support and harmony, the combination of yin and yang, and the balance of strength and gentleness. They use gentleness to overcome strength, avoid the strong and attack the weak, and use stillness to control movement."

"This is a master-level boxing style that is deeply rooted in Taoist philosophy."

"I didn't expect Zian to have such insights into Taoist thought. I just don't know if this boxing technique can be passed on to outsiders."

"This set of boxing techniques conforms to the principles of heaven and earth, cultivating form, intention, relaxation, breath, energy, strength, and spirit. It progresses from simple to complex, nourishing and strengthening the body's spirit, blood, internal organs, muscles, and bones, achieving a balanced state of 'yin and yang harmony.'"

"If one can diligently cultivate oneself, one's lifespan will also be extended."

"Hiss, this is good for health and longevity."

Liu Bang was itching to try it.

"Did your master ever say that this style of boxing was not allowed to be taught to your father?"

Liu Ying honestly shook her head.

"It doesn't mean you can't teach; it means you can teach."

"Quickly, quickly, teach your father how to throw this punch!"

After saying that, he started having Liu Ying teach him.

Xiao He and Zhang Liang didn't leave either, intending to follow along and learn from them.

Anyway, if there's any blame, it'll be Liu Bang, the leader, who will take the fall.

This winter was exceptionally cold, but after learning this boxing style, Liu Bang felt that his back no longer ached and his legs no longer hurt.

Her overall complexion has improved a lot.

Unfortunately, his good days didn't last long. During a grand court assembly, an urgent message from the north, arriving 800 li in a single day, shattered his peaceful life.

The Xiongnu moved south again.

This was a total of 60 troops assembled by the Xiongnu, including 30 elite troops from the Xiongnu main force and the remaining 30 were Xiongnu servants.

They were transferred from other Hu ethnic groups in the surrounding area and from the Western Regions.

Due to the weather, many of the Xiongnu's cattle, horses, and sheep froze to death that year.

In addition, the Xiongnu were internally divided due to the death of Modu Chanyu.

No one obeys anyone.

Although Modu's son became the Chanyu, his control over the Xiongnu was far inferior to that of his father.

He encountered a bad harvest due to bad weather shortly after taking power, so he had no choice but to lead his army south.

Not surrendering means certain death.

Even if the southward march ends in defeat, many people will die, and with fewer people, the need for food will also decrease.

The court was in an uproar over whether to fight or make peace.

It almost turned into a full-blown brawl.

It's not that those people don't want to fight, it's just that the Han Dynasty's harvest this year is not good.

Although there have been fewer rebellions compared to previous historical events, there were still rebellions in the first half of this year.

The suppression of the rebellion consumed most of the imperial court's provisions, leaving the court with very little food.

Interestingly, ministers who were loyal to Liu Ruyi all volunteered to fight in the court.

They also elected Wei Ping as the commander-in-chief.

Without a doubt, this was Lady Qi and Liu Ruyi's idea.

Having grown up deep within the palace, they believed those rumors were false, mere hearsay.

It's impossible for anyone to be that brave.

This time, the Xiongnu sent an army of 60. If Wei Ping were to be sent to the front lines, he would die whether he advanced or retreated.

Even if there's only a 1 in 10000 chance of victory, it would definitely be considered an achievement that overshadows the ruler.

Liu Bang absolutely could not tolerate it; it was still a dead end for him.

Attacking means death, retreating means death, winning means death, losing means death.

In his view, Wei Ping was doomed.