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

Chapter 48: The Fooled King of Wu

"Immediately block the news."

The act of Crown Prince Liu Qi killing the heirs of the vassal kings who came to pay homage was extremely heinous.

It could easily lead to a rebellion by the Liu clan princes.

Even if the imperial court isn't afraid, these are disgusting people.

It will also leave a stain on history books.

This was something Emperor Wen of Han absolutely could not accept.

He aspired to be a model emperor for all ages, and could not afford to have any blemishes. This was the reason why he delayed implementing the Edict of Grace.

They were afraid of provoking their brothers to rebel.

But now his good son has blown things up, and all the Liu clan princes have been provoked. He is now in a difficult situation.

If he dares to push forward the Edict of Grace at this time, the existing feudal lords will definitely rebel under the leadership of his brothers.

When war breaks out, years of recuperation and development will be destroyed in an instant.

The prosperous era he had envisioned was also destroyed in an instant!

"Quickly summon the Prime Minister to the palace."

Wei Ping soon arrived at the palace and, after learning the whole story, asked Emperor Wen a question.

"This matter cannot be covered up. What consequences does Your Majesty intend to achieve?"

"Should we seize this opportunity to forcefully weaken the power of the vassal states, or appease them and ensure stability throughout the land?"

Wei Ping hoped it was the latter. Emperor Wen of Han had not implemented the Edict of Grace in recent years, but that did not mean he had done nothing.

For years, Emperor Wen of Han had been using the strategy of arrogance to lull the vassal kings into complacency, allowing them to commit serious mistakes so that he could punish them under a legitimate pretext. When sentencing them, he would be lenient and not let them die out. The punished vassal kings and other members of the Liu clan would even praise him for being benevolent, kind on the outside but ruthless on the inside, having learned Liu Bang's Machiavellian tactics perfectly.

In this way, the imperial court will become stronger and stronger, while the power of the vassal kings will become weaker and weaker, and then the goal of weakening the vassal states without resorting to force can be achieved.

Better to be a dog in times of peace than a human in times of chaos.

Once war breaks out, it will inevitably engulf the Han Dynasty, disrupting the stable lives of ordinary people, which is something Wei Ping does not want to see.

"Let's ensure stability throughout the land."

Liu Heng chose the second option, which suited Wei Ping's wishes perfectly.

"Now that the imperial court is powerful, after the states of Qi and Huainan were divided into three, the state of Wu is the largest of the vassal states."

"The Kingdom of Wu is also worried that His Majesty will take action against him."

"King Wu was clear about the fate of the state and the life or death of his son."

"Your Majesty may summon the Lieutenant and other generals, and then invite the King of Wu to the palace to recount the entire incident to him."

"King Wu will surely realize that the death of the crown prince was the result of the crown prince's inability to control his tongue."

"To insult His Majesty is a capital offense. The Crown Prince's act of killing in anger is an act of loyalty and filial piety."

"The King of Wu is a pragmatic man; he will understand."

"It should be the King of Wu who is worried."

Liu Heng then realized that although most of the founding heroes of the current dynasty had died, there was still Wei Ping, the only surviving veteran general.

A formidable figure who rivals the entire group of founding heroes.

He feared that the feudal lords would rebel, not because he couldn't defeat them, but because he was afraid of ruining the prosperous era he had created.

Liu Heng hoped that the King of Wu would be pragmatic enough, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

Soon, many generals and the King of Wu entered the palace.

Having learned all this from Empress Dou, Prince Liu Wu of Liang also came to Weiyang Palace under Dou Yifang's arrangement.

Liu Wu remembered his mother's words vividly: "Your elder brother, the Crown Prince, has dared to offend the Prince of Wu's heir. How can someone so unruly be entrusted with great responsibilities?"

"His Majesty is extremely angry right now and has summoned the Prime Minister to the palace. They must be discussing the matter of deposing the Crown Prince. You must go there and make a good impression on him, and reprimand your elder brother. This way, His Majesty will discover your talent and make you the Crown Prince."

Liu Wu's heart was pounding.

Although his mother always favored him over her brothers, his father had long ago designated Liu Qi as the heir to the throne.

He always felt he had no hope.

Now that I've discovered there's still hope for him, I feel like the sun is shining brightly and the world is so beautiful.

"King Liang has arrived as well. Please stand aside for now."

When Liu Heng saw Liu Wu, he was somewhat puzzled by Liu Wu's purpose in coming. The more important matter now was the matter of the heir apparent of the King of Wu, so he asked the King of Liang to wait aside for the time being.

"Brother, please sit down."

Liu Heng respectfully invited Liu Bi to sit down.

Liu Bi felt a little flustered. Liu Heng was such a cunning guy, why was he suddenly being so nice to him? There must be something fishy going on!

"No, no, Your Majesty, please speak freely."

"Brother, please sit down. I have something I'd like to ask you."

Liu Heng forcefully pushed Liu Bi down into the seat. He had been learning martial arts from Wei Ping all these years, and it was no joke.

"Your Majesty, please ask."

Liu Bi felt restless, as if there were thorns on his buttocks. This feeling of being at the mercy of life and death was truly awful. If he could, he really wanted to sit on the dragon throne that Liu Heng was sitting on.

"Then I will ask."

"Brother, do you want to be the emperor?"

Liu Heng's words made Liu Bi jump up from his chair. He suspected that Liu Heng had mind-reading abilities and even had evidence.

Liu Wu, standing to the side, also felt a jolt in his heart. He looked at King Wu, Liu Bi, with hostile eyes. "You with thick eyebrows and big eyes, you're not even a descendant of Emperor Taizu Gao, yet you dare to covet his throne!"

"Why do you say this, Your Majesty? Is someone trying to sow discord between us brothers?"

"I am utterly loyal to Your Majesty, Your Majesty is wise!"

Liu Bi trembled with anger and coldness. He now felt that Liu Heng not only wanted to divide his fiefdom, but also wanted his life.

Is this something I can even talk about?!

"I know my brother's loyalty."

"But I can't help but hear people making hurtful remarks!"

"Someone told the Crown Prince that the Prince of Wu looks down on me and the Crown Prince, and has repeatedly expressed resentment towards me in private, and even plots to rebel."

Liu Heng sighed deeply, put his arm around Liu Bi's shoulder, and pretended to be a close brother.

"Your Majesty, this treacherous minister deserves to be executed!"

Liu Bi hated the person who had slandered him so much that he wished he could skin him alive. The court's strength was declining, and it was giving resources to the common people under the guise of "enriching the people."

But as long as Wei Ping, this god of death, lives, the feudal lords will not dare to rebel.

Those feudal lords had all witnessed Wei Ping's bravery.

No one dared to face Wei Ping on the battlefield.

"Does your elder brother think this man should be executed?"

"He should be executed!"

"really?"

"really!"

Liu Bi said firmly.

"Your Majesty, could you tell me who this person is?"

"Let me execute him!"

"Brother King Wu, there's no need to be agitated. The Crown Prince has already executed this man for you."

Liu Heng chuckled and pointed at the Crown Prince.