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

"Mother, did you do this?"

Liu Ying asked in a trembling voice.

"That's right. His hands and feet were severed, his eyes were gouged out, his ears were deafened by fumes, and his throat was made mute by drugs before he was thrown into the latrine and tortured to death."

Empress Lü's cold voice rang out again, making Liu Ying feel weak all over and almost fall over.

Leaning against the doorframe, Liu Ying asked again in a hoarse voice, "Did you kill Ruyi too?"

"That's right, daring to challenge you for the throne, you deserve to die!"

Empress Lü's voice completely disoriented Liu Ying. His mother had killed his half-brother and turned his father's concubine into a human pig for his amusement.

Such ruthlessness is unprecedented in history.

But this person turned out to be his mother!

"To treat someone like a human pig is an act of inhumanity. Consort Qi served the late emperor for many years; how could she be subjected to such misery? I am the son of the Empress Dowager, yet I am ultimately incapable of governing the empire!"

Liu Ying left in a daze, locking himself in the palace and refusing to eat or drink.

Even when Empress Lü arrived, she was nowhere to be seen.

Finally, it was the old and frail Xiao He who, after being carried into the palace, came up with an idea: to bring Wei Ping into the palace.

"master?"

Liu Ying finally snapped out of her daze upon hearing Wei Ping's voice. "Master, please come in. Come in alone."

"it is good."

Wei Ping gave Empress Lü and the Three Dukes a look before entering Chang Le Palace.

"Master, do you know? My mother killed my younger brother and turned my father's concubine into a human pig."

Do you know what a human pig is?

"A human pig is..."

"I already know."

Wei Ping interrupted, saying he didn't want Liu Ying to continue recalling those unpleasant things.

"Got it?"

Liu Ying murmured.

Wei Ping looked at Liu Ying, who was pale-faced, with some pity. If she had been born into an ordinary wealthy family, Liu Ying's life would have been very happy.

"Master, tell me, how could Mother do such a cruel thing?"

Liu Ying looked at Wei Ping with hopeful eyes.

Wei Ping felt a chill run down his spine; how could he, as a subject, possibly explain such a matter?

But looking into Liu Ying's eyes, his heart softened.

"For power."

Wei Ping explained the deeper reasons behind Empress Lü's actions to Liu Ying, leaving Liu Ying even more confused.

He couldn't understand why someone would do such a horrific thing for power.

"Master, what should I do?"

"Should my mother be punished?"

Liu Ying said blankly.

"I have explained the whole story to Your Majesty. How to handle it is entirely up to Your Majesty."

Wei Ping said calmly, he was also very curious whether Liu Ying, who knew everything, would do something different from what was done in history.

"I understand, Master. Please let me have some peace and quiet."

Liu Ying remained silent.

Wei Ping nodded, got up and left the main hall.

"Master, tell the court officials that tomorrow's grand court assembly will proceed as scheduled."

"I obey your decree."

"Would Your Majesty like a meal served?"

"Pass it on."

Wei Ping walked out of the room and looked at Empress Lü, Xiao He, and the others.

"His Majesty said he wanted to be alone, and the daily grand court assembly will continue as normal."

"In addition, arrange for the imperial chefs to deliver the food."

Empress Lü and Xiao He, among others, breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao He, having experienced such dramatic ups and downs, couldn't hold on any longer and died.

Another flurry of activity erupted in the palace.

Another old minister of Emperor Taizu Gao passed away; there weren't many people left from that era.

The next day there will be a large court meeting.

Liu Ying's face finally regained some color.

At this grand court assembly, Liu Ying announced several important matters:

The first event was the death of Chancellor Xiao He. After discussion among the ministers, he was given the posthumous title of Wen Zhong.

Literature is the ability to understand the universe, to be virtuous and knowledgeable, and to be diligent in learning and asking questions.

The day of death marks the perfect end to a life of accomplishments.

This is a great affirmation of Xiao He.

The second thing is that Cao Can succeeded Xiao He as prime minister;

The third thing was to appoint Wei Ping as the concurrently serving as the Imperial Physician and commander of the Imperial Guards.

The last event was the sudden death of Prince Zhao, Liu Ruyi, from a serious illness. Lady Qi, overcome with grief, also fell ill and followed the Prince in death.

Liu Ying was allowed to make the final judgment on this matter, thus saving face for Empress Lü.

However, Empress Lü was not grateful at all. Instead, after hearing that the court officials had agreed to the matter after the court meeting, she became even more demanding.

On this day, she approached Liu Ying and tried to appeal to her emotions.

It is hoped that Liu Ying will appoint someone from the Lü family as a marquis.

"Now, the old ministers of the Emperor Gao are very powerful in the court. Only your own people can be your support."

"What does Mother mean?"

"Let Lü Tai control the Southern Army, Lü Chan control the Northern Army, Lü Lu control the Imperial Guards, and let Lü Zhong and Lü Ping control the northern and southern border prefectures respectively. With all the armies under Your Majesty's control, Your Majesty will naturally have nothing to worry about."

Empress Lü advised.

"This matter is of great importance, and I need to discuss it with the Grand Tutor, the General-in-Chief, and the Grand Commandant."

Liu Ying said in a deep voice.

Empress Lü revealed her displeasure, "Does this empire truly belong to Your Majesty or to these old ministers?"

"When your father was alive, he could appoint whomever he wanted, without needing to consider the opinions of his ministers. Even Han Xin and Wei Ping could only accept the imperial decree!"

Liu Ying remained silent, refusing to divulge any information.

"Hmph! Then go ask me!"

Empress Lü stormed off in a rage.

Liu Ying then summoned the Grand Tutor, the General-in-Chief, and the Grand Commandant to the palace.

After the three entered the palace, Liu Ying told them about the rewards Empress Lü wanted.

The three people were immediately horrified.

The Imperial Guards, the Northern and Southern Border Armies, and the Northern and Southern Armies were the most elite forces of the Han Dynasty. It can be said that 9% of the Han Dynasty's fighting power came from these forces.

If the Lü family were to control everything, they would truly hold absolute power, and changing dynasties would be no difficult task for them.

"No way! Those idiots and morons are utter trash; how dare they command such a large army!"

You can tell it's Han Xin just by hearing his name.

"We must not hand over the entire army to the Lü family, or the fate of the King of Zhao might repeat itself."

Zhou Bo used the story of Prince Zhao, Liu Ruyi, to imply to Liu Ying that if he handed over all the troops, Liu Ying's life and death would be in Empress Lü's hands.

Wei Ping glanced at Emperor Hui, Liu Ying, and he had a feeling that something was wrong with Liu Ying.

It gave him a sense of Liu Bang.

"The most important matters of state are sacrifice and war."

Wei Ping spoke concisely, then probed slightly, "Does Your Majesty have any concerns?"

"After all, the Empress Dowager is my mother, and I really cannot bear to refuse her."

Liu Ying couldn't bear it.

Wei Ping and Zhou Bo exchanged a glance and understood.

Han Xin was furious, "A woman like her dares to interfere in politics!"

"I'm going to find her right now!"

After saying this, Han Xin angrily went to find Lü Zhi.

Zhou Bo and Wei Ping quickly followed. Having played mind games with Liu Bang countless times, they already understood Liu Ying's meaning.

He couldn't bear to refuse, but since the matter couldn't be done, the only option was for them, as his subjects, to refuse.

It wasn't that Liu Ying refused to serve Empress Lü; it was simply that the three military ministers wouldn't allow it.

Empress Lü's hatred would be directed at these three people, and Liu Ying stepped out from among them.