Chapter 1 The Crown Prince

  "Former sages said that those who attack and take first grasp military power, while those who establish foundations value virtue and transformation. Indeed, as you, Sir, have said, in today's chaotic world where many vassals are double-hearted, we should emphasize martial prowess. However, you, Sir, can understand that the fundamental stability of our realm lies in rites and music; if rites and music collapse, even with strong armies and fierce generals, it would be no different from the futile militarism of Shang Zhou."

  "Now that I, the Emperor, am the crown prince and the heir of the great Han dynasty, all of you high-ranking officials, from the Three Dukes to the Nine Ministers, are just staring at me with your eyes, without showing any respect or courtesy. You don't even follow basic etiquette. Isn't this a collapse of propriety and morality? You've forgotten the fundamentals, so how can we talk about promoting martial valor?"

  Liu Feng's face was cold and smiling, his words shocking.

  This was a great embarrassment for Cao Cao. But the words were as swift as arrows, and every sentence was reasonable, leaving no room for refutation.

  It is well known that Crown Prince Liu Feng is a spoiled and arrogant person, but no one expected him to be so spoiled and arrogant.

  Moreover, he is a cultured and refined young master with a good education.

  Is he really blind and cannot see the situation in front of him? Even if it's the Son of Heaven, he has to give way to Cao Cao three points, but he is good, as the crown prince, not yet the Son of Heaven.

  Dare to give Cao Cao a difficult situation.

  The most important thing is that the words are like arrows, and what is said is clear and unmistakable, leaving no room for refutation or argument. It's as if one has hit the nail on the head at once.

  Cao Cao didn't even have a chance to raise his hand to block it.

  Therefore, although many people no longer dare to look Liu Feng straight in the eye because of his words, there are also many people who look at him even more boldly, quite unbelievably.

  His jaw almost dropped to the ground, staring at Liu Feng with extremely shocked eyes. Is this still his illiterate and useless nephew, Da Han's Crown Prince?

  However, soon after finishing the bowing ceremony, he felt tense. Although Liu Feng was able to say such a great truth, the attacker prioritizes military power, while the builder values virtue and education.

  The idea is that in conquering the world, military power is needed, but establishing an eternal and unshakeable foundation requires benevolent governance.

  This is a sentence that has grasped the essence of the emperor's way, and no one has ever heard it before. Therefore, it is not what the predecessors said, but very likely what Liu Feng thought himself.

  This naturally delighted Fu Wan, but what worried him was that Liu Feng was now facing Cao Cao, a formidable opponent. How could someone as weak as Liu Feng possibly contend with Cao Cao?

  Fu Wan's heart was filled with a deep sense of despair and frustration, feeling that this world had gone mad.

  Many people also think Liu Feng is crazy.

  However, some people are not as worried as Fú Wán, and instead put on a solemn expression.

  "The attacker values military strength first, while the defender emphasizes virtue and transformation."

  Jia Xian raised his head and looked at Liu Feng. His eyes had a faint glimmer, although it was quickly covered up, but it did appear.

  "This prince is extraordinary."

  Liu Bei shifted his gaze back from Zhao Yun and looked straight at Liu Feng. Behind him, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were also quite surprised, with Zhang Fei looking at Cao Cao with a playful gaze, waiting to see how he would react.

  Xun Yu's expression didn't change, but he was also quite tense in his heart. The one who takes the initiative to attack first has the power of the military, while the one who establishes the foundation still has the virtue of moral transformation. This is indeed a deep understanding of the way of emperors and kings.

  It made him more certain about Liu Feng in his heart, but also because of this, he would be even more concerned.

  Liu Xie did not expect that Liu Feng would suddenly draw his long sword and rush towards Cao Cao, causing a chill to run down his spine.

  However, immediately afterwards, all of these people noticed Liu Feng's gaze.

  Liu Feng's gaze was haughty and condescending, with a truly imperial demeanor, looking at Cao Cao. It was an expression of high superiority, despising the common people.

  Combining Liu Feng's demeanor and age, those who don't know him can't help but feel a sense of amusement in their hearts. It feels like a child showing off after just learning something.

  Apart from a few people, many think it's ridiculous.

  Even Liu Bei almost lost his smile, because Liu Feng was only eight years old, an ignorant child. Liu Bei had no suspicion in his heart.

  Cao Cao's expression was originally gloomy, but he gradually noticed Liu Feng's expression, which seemed somewhat childish. The doubts in his heart also decreased a lot.

  Moreover, it is not the time to conflict with Liu Xie now. I heard that Liu Xie loves and protects Liu Feng very much. If he speaks to reprimand him, he may make some abnormal moves.

  Moreover, as the current Minister of Works, it seems beneath his dignity to quarrel with an eight-year-old child, and he has lost his composure.

  However, he didn't argue with the eight-year-old child. But since it was said by the child, Cao Cao still had to respond. He raised his fist towards Emperor Xian and said: "The officials have lost their manners, as the Minister of Works, I am responsible for this. Please punish me."

  Liu Xie almost burst out laughing, what kind of person is Liu Feng? He thought he was very clear, using his age as a disguise, taking advantage of Cao Cao in a small way. Refreshing, it's really refreshing.

  However, although he felt relieved in his heart, Liu Xie couldn't behave like Liu Feng, showing a childish attitude and openly despising Cao Cao.

  "Cough."

  Liu Xie first coughed lightly, then said: "The ministers are out of order and look down on the crown prince. Let's deduct half a year's salary for all of you. Cao Ai, as the current Minister of Works, is solely responsible for this, so deduct his salary for a whole year. This will serve as a warning, what do you think, my dear ministers?

  This is a stick that kills everyone. However, no one cares about half a year's salary or anything. It's just a drop in the bucket.

  "We are of no use." Said all the civil and military officials under Cao Cao's leadership.

  In Liu Xie's view, the matter would have ended there. However, Liu Feng suddenly said: "Your Majesty, they offended me. Punishing them for a year's salary seems to have nothing to do with me. I am somewhat dissatisfied."

  Liu Xie originally wanted to glare at Liu Feng to prevent him from making further progress, but after some thought, he realized that this prince was capable of planning and decision-making. He probably had his own set of ideas.

  So he endured it and instead doted on him, saying: "Imperial son, the emperor has already punished you. For all of you beloved officials, half a year's salary is not a small amount."

  The tone of indulgence, even with a slightly pleading attitude, shocked many officials.

  Liu Xie was relatively enlightened, which was a point widely acknowledged by many ministers. However, they also heard that he and Empress Fu were overly indulgent towards the crown prince.

  It can be seen from the last time that the Crown Prince killed the young prince's assistant. However, what is now being witnessed with one's own eyes still shocks many officials.

  "It's been only half a year, and for these fat and oily officials, it's really too trivial. Moreover, I am the crown prince, they directly look at me as if I'm dead, how can they so easily get away with it?"

  Liu Feng said however.

  "This." Liu Xie was really stunned and didn't know what kind of trick Liu Feng had up his sleeve. The many officials also took a cold breath in reverse.

  A capital offense! This eight-year-old child, must this trivial matter be treated as a capital offense for discussion?

  Does he think that with this small reason, he can kill Cao Si?

  This time, almost everyone suspected that Liu Feng had gone mad.