Chapter 1 The Crown Prince

  Liu Feng, who had long since passed away, was of course unaware that Dong Gao would clash with Cao Pi for his sake.

  Even if one knows, it's just a sigh. A true loyal minister indeed.

  That's all there is.

  Because of the current situation, Cao's position is extremely stable, what significance do these children's struggles have? Do they need to rely on them to maintain the Han dynasty's orthodoxy?

  It's completely impossible.

  Only by using unconventional strategies can one stabilize and preserve the Han dynasty.

  Liu Feng closed his eyes on the sedan chair, letting it slowly move towards the Yongde Hall under the control of the sedan bearers. However, halfway through, an imperial attendant hastily came over and blocked Liu Feng's path.

  "Your Imperial Highness, His Majesty has summoned you to an audience in the Pepper Chamber." The eunuch reported.

  "Oh." Liu Feng opened his eyes and let out a soft "oh", then nonchalantly said, "Let's go, to see the Emperor."

  "Yes." Dong Xi responded with a "yes" and had the soldiers turn the carts around to head towards the Pepper Chamber.

  Soon, the carriage carried Liu Feng to the outside of the Pepper House. Liu Feng lazily got off the carriage and walked in with Dong Xi.

  Just as they reached the entrance of the palace, an imperial attendant led Liu Feng into the Pepper Chamber. Dong Xi naturally had no qualifications to enter and waited outside.

  Inside the Pepper Chamber, there were only two people sitting.

  One was a man, looking around twenty years old, wearing a coronation robe and coronet, with a long sword at his waist, truly dignified in every way.

  This man is Liu Xie, the Emperor of Han Dynasty today.

  At this moment, Liu Xie raised his head and looked at Liu Feng who walked in from outside, with a somewhat fierce gaze.

  It's the Son of Heaven, and not everyone can withstand this piercing gaze. In history, because Emperor Xian of Han was angry at Cao Cao's usurpation of power, he said: "If you can assist me, then be generous; otherwise, I'll be lucky to have your mercy."

  It means if you can assist me, be more lenient. If you cannot assist me, then show mercy and let me leave.

  A simple sentence made Cao Cao lose his composure and feel uneasy, and he never came to pay respects to Liu Xie again. It can be seen that Liu Xie had a very imperial aura about him.

  It's just that I was born at the wrong time.

  But Liu Feng didn't feel anything because beside him was a very kind and gentle Empress Fu, who was looking at him with doting eyes.

  Empress Fu came from the Fu family, a renowned and respected clan. She was well-versed in literature and reason, elegant and refined. Her relationship with Emperor Liu Xie could be described as extremely loving. The only shortcoming might be that she spoiled Liu Feng too much.

  At least in Liu Xie's eyes, Empress Fu indeed spoiled Liu Feng too much.

  At this moment, Empress Fu was casting a glance at Liu Feng, meaning that today's matter is somewhat big, be careful.

  After receiving a glance from the Empress, Liu Feng only then noticed that today in the palace there were only the Emperor and the Empress, these two supreme rulers, but no eunuchs or palace maidens serving them.

  Obviously, Liu Xie had paid off those people in advance and left him alone.

  That's a lesson learned.

  Liu Feng muttered a sentence in his heart and felt somewhat unwell.

  "The child has seen the Emperor and Empress Dowager." Liu Feng bowed his head towards Liu Xie, paying respects.

  "Hmm." Liu Xie responded with a slight hum, which was taken as an answer.

  Liu Xie then said: "I heard that when you were studying in the Eastern Palace, Chen Feng was lecturing above, but you were sleeping below. Is this true?"

  This matter, Liu Xie had known for a long time, but never said anything. Because Empress Fu was doting on Liu Feng, she repeatedly pleaded for him several times. Moreover, Empress Fu guaranteed that she would be able to instruct Liu Feng well, so this matter has been dragging on.

  But seeing that Liu Feng was already eight years old and still so obstinate, Emperor Xian flew into a rage. He personally interrogated him.

  So, Empress Fu just used a gaze at Liu Feng when he entered the door earlier, indicating that today's matter is important and requires caution.

  Originally, Liu Feng wanted to obediently surrender.

  After all, it was the Emperor himself who taught him. If things went wrong and he was deposed as Crown Prince, that would be disastrous. With this position of Crown Prince, he at least had some chance, if he were to be demoted to King.

  Then it's really crippled, and for the rest of his life, he'll probably be confined to the Wang Fu.

  No big deal, just pretend to be a bookworm from now on. Anyway, he's already been pretending to be a useless person for eight years. The impression is deeply ingrained and really hard to shake off.

  But Liu Feng thought about it and felt that something was wrong. What he had done was too right, not only had he saved himself, but also helped the Han dynasty plan for the future, it was really too right.

  Why apologize.

  All along, Liu Feng has been thinking of a countermeasure by himself. However, he couldn't think of any countermeasures because there was no one to cover him and no one to discuss with.

  In addition, Liu Feng himself was only eight years old. Although he had the status of a crown prince as a guarantee, who would be his confidant and who could listen to him and carry out his orders?

  Without a confidant, without someone who can die for him, there is no sufficient opportunity to recruit and buy horses. There is no power to overthrow Cao Cao.

  It is almost impossible to overthrow Cao Cao for the time being. However, there may be opportunities to get rid of him. In the near future, a battle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao will take place at Guandu.

  There is a saying called "the snipe and the clam contend, the fisherman benefits".

  In Liu Feng's view, it was a good opportunity. All along, Liu Feng had been thinking about how to take advantage of the opportunity during the Battle of Guandu.

  Isn't this exactly the perfect opportunity to find allies and executors?

  Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, although powerless and without influence, was still a golden signboard, able to recruit some ministers, and thus could take secret actions.

  To resort to some underhanded tactics against Cao Cao.

  After eight years of planning, nothing was achieved. He only managed to save his own skin, which filled Liu Feng's heart with resentment. Moreover, he saw that Liu Xie not only couldn't understand, but also spoke hurtful words.

  Liu Feng resolutely raised his head and said, "I dare to ask Your Majesty, although the world today is nominally under my Liu family's rule, how many cities and counties can actually obey your orders and respect the Son of Heaven?"

  This.

  Liu Xie's originally sharp eyes suddenly became dull. Many words he wanted to use to scold others were stuck in his heart, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

  At the same time, a huge doubt and distrust rose in Liu Xie's heart. Was this still that unrepentant and unruly crown prince he had taught many times?

  As for Liu Feng, to be honest, if it weren't for Cao Cao holding the power now and Emperor Xian being in love with Empress Fu Shou, he would have been deposed long ago. I've seen many obstinate people before, but never one as stubborn as him.

  Eight years.

  Liu Xie's impression of Liu Feng had almost taken shape in his mind. Stubborn and unbearable.

  But today, Liu Feng suddenly spoke out this clear and thought-provoking words, how could it not make Liu Xie feel suspicious? Unbelievable?

  At the same time, a surge of great joy also rose up in Liu Xie's heart.

  Liu Feng's words are indeed thought-provoking, a few sentences that are simple yet profound in meaning. He knows the current situation is not under his control and understands the difficulties of the imperial family.

  There is no land in the world that belongs to the Liu family.

  This is powerful evidence that his crown prince is not a useless waste but an intelligent person who cannot be underestimated.

  Because he is only eight years old and can speak like this at the age of eight, isn't he clever?

  He underestimated this son of his.