The Three Great Han Dynasties: Awaken Liu Bei with a scolding; you weave mats and sell sandals.

If the world continues to suffer from years of disaster and constant warfare, perhaps a wise and virtuous ruler or a pioneering leader should be established.

The Imperial Clan Secretary Liu Yan might be willing.

However, all those original troubles had already been quelled by Liu Hong, and the world was at peace, with everything waiting to be rebuilt.

Therefore, it is only natural to establish the eldest son as heir to stabilize the hearts of the people.

In this situation, there is no doubt that establishing a long-term perspective is the general trend and the popular choice.

The matter was settled.

On the second day, at the court assembly, civil and military officials lined up on both sides, creating a solemn atmosphere.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

Zhang Rang stood beside the jade steps, holding the imperial edict in his hand.

His voice wasn't what you'd call a hoarse croak; instead, it was clear and resonant, with a unique accent that echoed throughout the entire hall. "The eldest son, Liu Bian, is gentle, kind, and kind-hearted, with a peaceful temperament and a natural ability to maintain order."

"Today, we hereby appoint him as the Crown Prince of our Great Han Dynasty. We hope that he will cultivate his character and virtue, govern diligently, and not fail to live up to the Emperor's grace and expectations."

"So be it."

As the imperial edict was slowly recited, countless eyes in the court turned to Liu Hong, who stood at the head of all the officials.

This alone is enough to make it clear.

His prestige in the court.

It wouldn't be wrong to say that eight or nine out of ten officials, both civil and military, were his people.

Liu Hong had no objection to this matter whatsoever.

He stepped forward, bowed, and replied in a deep voice, "Your humble servant obeys."

As soon as Liu Hong spoke, a moment later, all the officials in the court followed his gesture, bowing in unison, their voices like a thunderclap echoing throughout the hall: "Your humble servant seconds this proposal."

"Prince Liu Bian is virtuous and capable enough to succeed to the throne. Your Majesty is wise."

"Now that our Great Han has appointed a crown prince, the dynasty will continue and will surely prosper. Your Majesty is a wise and sagacious ruler."

Praises rang out generously, one after another.

But Liu Hong, who sat high on the dragon throne, was not very happy.

His face was as pale as paper, and his eyes stared blankly at the kneeling officials below, as if he were a dead man, with no thought left for anything in the present moment.

"Let him be... let him be..."

Liu Hong murmured softly, his voice so faint it was almost inaudible.

After the court session, Liu Hong followed the crowd and quickly disappeared from the palace.

Emperor Liu Hong had not informed him of the matter of the Crown Prince, yet he was able to discern the other party's intentions.

This was partly due to their considerable fear of him, who had been personally appointed Duke of Weining, and partly to avoid suspicion.

after all.

If he were present, whoever he chose would be subject to criticism.

Since the emperor had not issued a summons, Liu Hong would not deliberately go forward.

after all.

If he were the emperor, even with such powerful ministers at his side when he was about to die, he would not want to see them one last time.

This powerful minister, in particular, has a considerable chance that he will one day wield immense power and influence the young emperor.

Even if it's just a possibility, the emperor's suspicion is already his greatest concern.

Therefore, Liu Hong could understand Liu Hong's psychological changes at this moment and could fully empathize with him, so he didn't have too many complaints.

……

The side hall.

Emperor Liu Hong, after leaving the court, rested here.

At this moment, he remained expressionless, slowly raising his eyelids to look at Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, who stood beside him. His lips twitched slightly, and he spoke softly, his voice carrying an indescribable meaning: "You two tell me, is it the Duke of Weining who is more like the emperor of this court?"

"Or am I, the emperor, more like the Son of Heaven in this court?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong's expressions changed drastically. With a thud, they quickly fell to the ground as if a mountain of gold had been pushed over and a jade pillar had been overturned, their foreheads pressed tightly against the ground, not daring to lift their heads.

"Your Majesty. This servant...this servant dares not."

"What's there to be afraid of?"

Liu Hong chuckled softly, a laugh tinged with self-mockery and desolation. "Could it be that in this great Han dynasty, I can't even utter such words, and am I so afraid of Duke Weining?"

At this moment, Liu Hong's voice rang out again, and just listening to it made people feel uneasy and their spines tingle.

Not to mention Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, who were personally facing this situation, were already terrified, their legs trembling, and they were almost collapsing to the ground.

They murmured, their lips moving, and for a long time, they couldn't utter a single complete sentence.

"What? You're afraid?"

Liu Hong's voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of fierceness, each word like a knife, "Are you the slaves of that Duke Weining, that General, or are you my slaves?"

"So, you're not even listening to me anymore?"

These words were like icy knives, piercing straight into the hearts of Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, forcing them to hold their breath.

How could they dare to tell the truth?

If the fact that "the Duke of Weining wields immense power in the court and is on the verge of surpassing His Majesty's influence" were revealed, the Emperor before him would probably not have passed away yet.

The two of them would have to be executed by slow slicing and torn apart by five horses.

The two men exchanged glances, their eyes darting around rapidly. Then they hurriedly kowtowed, their voices trembling with tears, and quickly explained, "Your Majesty is virtuous in both literature and martial arts."

"Although Duke Weining has pacified the world, if it weren't for Your Majesty's promotion in the past, the current Duke Weining and General would at most be a minor governor of Zhuojun. How could he compare to Your Majesty?"

"Indeed. Your Majesty, please do not worry. Duke Weining has absolutely no intention of rebelling. Our Great Han Dynasty will enjoy peace for ten thousand generations, and nothing will happen."

Upon hearing their words, Liu Hong slowly nodded, a hint of approval flashing across his face, and said slowly, "Indeed. Liu Hong wouldn't do such a thing."

"After all, I have been kind to him, and it was a kindness that I would gladly die for."

He paused, his gaze drifting to the window, a hint of melancholy and worry in his eyes. He then posed a potentially fatal question, word by word: "But in the end, it was I who did him a favor, not my child."

I am alive.

He is a subject of my lineage, but what if I were to die?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong's faces instantly turned as green as could be, their pale faces devoid of any color.

At this moment.

The two of them felt that their lives were so bitter, so bitter that they wanted to cry.

Otherwise, how could they have encountered such a difficult situation where neither side could benefit them? The two opened their mouths, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

But at this moment, silence speaks louder than words.

This silence says it all.

"That's enough, that's enough."

Liu Hong waved his hand, his tone tinged with weariness and self-deprecation, "With you two old servants here, even if Duke Weining takes over in the future, he will still remember some of our past relationship."

"Looking at you old servants, perhaps you will remember the kindness I showed you in the past and show some mercy."

He abruptly waved his sleeve and shouted sternly, "Get out of here now!"