Liu De took Zhang Tang and walked out of the valley where he lived, surrounded by guards. ()
Liu Yan, who was already waiting at the door, immediately came forward to greet him, bowed slightly and said hello: "Brother Emperor..."
Liu De nodded in return, stepped forward to greet him, took Liu Yan's hand, and asked, "Brother, are you ready?"
"Reply to the emperor brother, my brother is ready!" Liu Yan lowered his head slightly and replied.
The status gap has already become apparent.
For Liu Yan, the most obvious example is that Liu Deneng built a hut to guard the mausoleum next to his biological mother's mausoleum, but he had to stay at the royal residence in Chang'an City. He was even not allowed to enter or leave the palace without permission from the emperor or the queen mother.
"That's good!" Liu De nodded and asked, "Have you met the imperial grandmother?"
"Brother, I've already met the emperor's grandmother..." Liu Yan replied cautiously. He and Liu De had only been separated for two months, but the changes in each other were astonishing.
After entering the country, Liu Lang was no longer the prince he used to be in Weiyang Palace.
He is also the king of a country, so naturally he has matured.
Liu De looked around and found that he could not see Liu Rong's shadow, so he asked: "Where is the eldest brother?"
"Replying to the emperor brother, the eldest brother was too sad, so he waited in the king's carriage..." Liu Yan lowered his head and replied.
When Liu De heard this, he waved his hands and said, "Then let's go to meet the eldest brother together first..."
Liu De can understand Liu Rong's cousin.
It's just that they can't adapt to the change in each other's identities, and they can't lose face and surrender to Liu De.
This is normal!
only……
As Liu De walked away, he pretended to sigh and said to Liu Yan: "You and I, the eldest brother, have a temper similar to that of King Wu Ai! Forget it, who calls him the eldest brother?"
When Liu Yan heard this, he bowed his head deeply and did not dare to answer.
King Wu Ai is Liu Bo, the eldest brother of Gao Emperor Liu Bang!
In the beginning, when Liu Bang was still a gangster and gangster, he often brought his friends to his home for fun.
Uncle Liu and his wife looked down upon Liu Bang's behavior, and also hated and despised Liu Bang for fooling around outside, but after all, they did not embarrass Liu Bang out of brotherhood.
However, after Uncle Liu died, the sister-in-law who was in charge of the family, Uncle Liu and his wife, began to look down on him.
Every time Liu Bang brought someone back to eat, she would scrape the bottom of the pot to show that there was no food...
When Liu Bang became emperor, he still respected his eldest brother and named him King Wu Ai. But he disliked his eldest sister-in-law and his eldest brother's sons.
For example, Uncle Liu had a son named Liu Xin. After Liu Bang became emperor and ruled the world, all his relatives basically ascended to heaven and were granted kings and marquises, except for Liu Xin. Later, he could not withstand the urging of the Supreme Emperor Liu Taigong.
I barely made him a Genjiehou. A Genjiehou can only scrape the bottom of the pot with a spoon!
Liu Yan naturally knew these allusions and past events of the Liu family, and he also understood that Liu De was a slanderer. At the same time, he was still cursing Liu Rong for his early death. However, instead of holding any injustice for Liu Rong in his heart, he was actually a little happy!
Why?
Liu Rong is King Wu Ai, then he is King Liu Ji of Chu Yuan!
Liu Ji was Emperor Gao's good brother. He trusted Emperor Gao throughout his life and entrusted him with military and state affairs. Later, he was named King of Chu and sat in the south. When he was still alive, he was honored as Han Bo by Emperor Xiaohui. He was in charge of the princes of Guandong and devoted himself to the court.
of power!
Liu De took Liu Yan to the spacious galloping road, and saw two teams of kings' ceremonial guards lined up quietly on both sides of the road.
Liu De turned around and told Wang Dao: "Call out my carriage and ceremonial guards..."
Today, the father, the Emperor Liu Qi, is about to return to Luan Chang'an. The three brothers gathered together to welcome the Emperor's return to the Wei River in the east of Chang'an City.
Not long after, Liu De's carriage and ceremonial guard drove out from the path beside the valley.
When Liu Yan saw it, his eyes were stunned and he asked: "Brother Emperor, have you always been riding in a carriage like this?"
In fact, Liu De's carriage was not like the carriages used by the princes of the Han Dynasty at all. It was broken and old, and the wheels had obviously been replaced several times. Not to mention the splendidly decorated carriage of Liu De's.
Compared with the carriage driven by Wang, even the carriage driven by the ordinary Marquis Che was several times stronger than Liu De's carriage.
Basically, if Liu Yan's carriage is considered a Mercedes-Benz, then Liu De's carriage is at most a QQ or a second-hand one.
Liu De raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "What's wrong?"
He looked back at his carriage, which was indeed a bit old and shabby. Mainly because of the trip to Hedong, the entire carriage was almost in ruins.
But what does it matter?
Liu De even specially asked people to carve two lines of words on the left and right doors of the carriage.
Engraved on the left is: Si Shi's humble room.
Engraved on the right side is: Weiwu Dexin.
There is simply nothing more pretentious than this!
Liu De patted Liu Yan on the shoulder and said: "Let me give you a message to the emperor's brother. If the mountain is not high, it will be famous if it has immortals. If the water is not deep, it will be spiritual if it has dragons! That's why Wu Qi said to Wen Hou: The solid foundation of mountains and rivers lies in virtue.
Not in danger!"
Hearing Liu De's words, Liu Rongru, who had been sitting in his carriage, was sitting on a needle blanket. He had no choice but to lift the curtain. With the help of the eunuch, he stepped out of the carriage and bowed slightly to Liu De and Liu Yan.
: "What are the two imperial brothers talking about? Why don't you talk with me..."
Liu De looked back, nodded slightly and returned the greeting, saying: "Brother, if you are willing, Liu Yan and I will never ask for it..."
But in my heart I was filled with contempt.
How many days has it been since Su Ji was buried?
This person has revealed his true colors and regained his true nature.
However, compared to two or three months ago, Liu Rong is at least much more pleasing to the eye now. At least, he no longer pretends that the earth revolves around him.
Liu De raised his head, took Liu Yan's hand, and said: "It's just that it's getting late now. Let's go to welcome our father back to the capital first. Let's talk about the love of brothers later..."
As for Liu Rong, Liu De was too lazy to pay any more courtesy.
However, in front of outsiders, you still have to take care of your face, and at least act like brothers and sisters.
So Liu De reached out and took Liu Rong's hand. He showed a relieved smile and said: "Although my brothers and I are suffering from the loss of our mother, today is the day when our father returns to Beijing, so we should not keep a straight face.
Come on. Let’s all smile..."
"No!" Liu Yan naturally knew that it would be beneficial for him to follow Liu De closely.
But Liu Rong unexpectedly lowered his head and nodded slightly to express his approval, which made Liu De strange.
"It seems that there is someone behind my eldest brother!" Liu De thought to himself, and he couldn't help but become curious. There was no one who could persuade Liu Rong to lower his figure before. Even Su Ji could only threaten and scold him in the past.
, and never really let Liu Rong listen.
Just thinking about it, Liu De can understand.
He suddenly changed from the most favorable candidate for the crown prince position to the king of Changshan. Even his brothers parted ways with him, and now even the last hope Suhime is dead.
If Liu Rong doesn't know how to make changes, then he is an idiot!
But, even so, that person could convince Liu Rong to lower his body and lower his head in front of Liu De. That person's language skills are still very powerful!
"Who is it?" Liu De's eyes glanced at the ministers and attendants accompanying Liu Rong, but he did not see the characteristics of anyone he was familiar with or heard of in his previous life.
"I guess he's a lobbyist or something like that..." Liu De thought in his mind. Lobbyists have been active in the political arena since the Spring and Autumn Period until now. However, most of those people are just good-mouthed. If they really want to do it,
In fact, it is basically not much different from Di Shan, the doctor of the Liu Che Dynasty.
Therefore, Liu De stopped thinking about this issue.
For Liu De, he is now in a great position. As long as he does not make a fatal mistake, no matter how much Liu Rong jumps around, even if there is Zhuge Liang guiding him behind his back, there is nothing he can do about it!
"Let's go!" Liu De said calmly, and then he took Zhang Tang, boarded his carriage, sat down, and took the lead, heading along the galloping road towards the Weihe River ferry in the east of Chang'an City.
Liu Rong, Liu Yan's royal chariot and honor guard followed closely behind.
After leaving Yiyang, Liu Yan finally understood what Liu De meant when he said, "If the mountain is not high, it will be famous if it has immortals."
I saw that as soon as Liu De's carriage passed the Yiyang County border, a group of Southern Army cavalry that was patrolling near the county border immediately followed Liu De's convoy and closely guarded it until it entered the Chang'an city defense range. Another group of Southern Army cavalry was patrolling near the county line.
The army cavalry took over their work.
From the beginning to the end, Liu De didn't even show up, nor did he give any orders. These guards acted completely independently.
What's even more frightening is that Liu Yan recalled that when he came here before, he saw many patrolling troops along the way, but none of them ever stopped for his king, and not a single general guarded him.
this means……
"My imperial brother, in just two months, he has gained prestige and worship not only in the court, but also in the army..." Liu Yan was shocked by the fact he discovered.
In this way, if this world and the crown prince's position is not Liu De's, who else could it be?
Power comes from the barrel of a gun and the military's silent support is Liu De's greatest advantage.
but……
"How did the emperor do it?" Liu Yan was puzzled.
Not to mention his status as a prince, even when his father was the current emperor, the Southern Army did not show him such dignity!
In another carriage, Liu Rong watched all this with cold hands and feet, almost desperate.
"How did Liu De do it?" Liu Rong was not stupid. Since the founding of the country, the only person who could get the support and support of the army even when he was a prince was Emperor Xiaohui.
But Emperor Xiaohui had the support of Empress Lu, and the support and loyalty of the veteran heroes.
How did his younger brother, Liu De, a young and immature prince who was only sixteen years old and not yet seventeen years old, do it?
Next to Liu Rong, a young scholar bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, I have inquired about it. It is said that when he was in Hedong, His Highness Liu De talked with the generals and suggested that the generals write a book and promised strong support. Therefore,
The Marquis of Qu Zhou, the Marquis of Gong Gao, General Luan Bu, and even the Marquis of Tiao, all told the confidants of the generals on the left and right: The emperor's second son is Ming Zhu, so these people began to speak kindly and praise His Highness Liu De in the army... In addition, according to the investigation of the ministers
We know that the officers of the Southern Army and the Northern Army, including the captain and below, all thought that His Highness Liu De was the successor appointed by Emperor Taizong Xiaowen... Therefore, the guards of the Southern Army and the Imperial Guards of the Northern Army, from the rank of soldiers to the guards, all regarded him as
His Highness Liu De treated him as the crown prince, and his treatment was not surprising..."
"That's it?" Liu Rong felt incredible. He had regained the army's heart just like that. Let the middle and lower-level military officers be willing to do the hard work?
"Yes..." The man lowered his head slightly and said: "Your Majesty, the requirements of the military are actually very simple. A prince who knows the military. A prince who is diligent in learning and not ashamed to ask questions is the wise prince in their eyes!"
"As for the lower-level soldiers, everyone regards Emperor Taizong Xiaowen as a saint. There are rumors that His Highness Liu De is the successor designated by Emperor Taizong Xiaowen..." The man bowed his head and said: "Although I don't want to admit it, I still want to say it.
Your Majesty, unless a miracle happens, His Highness Liu De's position is already unshakable. The chance of what Your Majesty wants is very slim. Therefore, I think it is best for Your Majesty to wait and see what happens. Otherwise, I am afraid that the story of King Li of Huainan will happen again...
…”
Liu Rong felt extremely irritable after hearing this.
Looking at Liu De's dilapidated carriage again, he felt angry.
Su Ji died. The cause of death was unclear. There was only an excuse for a sudden illness that was obviously full of flaws.
Liu Rong refused to believe that Su Ji died of illness.
Because Liu Rong remembered very clearly that when he left Beijing, Su Ji was still very healthy. She could even throw bottles and smash flower plates. How could she die suddenly in two months?
But he knows, so what?
As soon as he arrived in Chang'an, he was called into Changle Palace by Empress Dowager Dou. It was for comfort, but in reality it was to monitor and warn him.
When Su Ji was buried, his eldest son actually knelt behind Liu De!
This is obviously to let him serve as a foil for Liu De.
After entering the Pass, everyone from the north of Han Valley was praising the emperor's second son for his filial piety and how he grieved for his mother's death.
But Liu Rong, who knew the inside story, knew that all this was just a show!
The real filial son should be him!
Not the shameless Liu De who was disobedient to his mother and concubine, took matters into his own hands, ignored human ethics, and corrupted morals for the sake of the crown prince position!
But no one dared to say these words...
Even the counselor next to him didn't dare to say it.
If you say so, you will die!
Su Ji's death made Liu Rong understand that his father would kill anyone who blocked his father's way, even if it was his wife or son!
It was precisely because of knowing this that Liu Rong bowed to Liu De just now.
Not because of other people's persuasion, let alone other people's words, but because of his own fear!
………………………………………………………………
An hour later, the three Liu De brothers arrived at the Weihe Ferry.
At this time, the entire Weihe River ferry was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Countless Chang'an residents, as long as they could spare time, rushed to both sides of the ferry to watch. In some places, even the trees and mountains were covered with crowds. There were at least two to three hundred thousand people in the dense crowd!
Liu De got off the carriage, and immediately officials from Zongzheng and Taipu came to greet him.
"Your Highness, look, on such a festive day, can you and the two kings temporarily take off their filial piety?" an official said with a smile.
Liu De glanced at these people, then looked at Liu Rong and Liu Yan behind him.
After thinking about it, Liu De said: "It is human nature to mourn the loss of a mother, please don't make things difficult for our brothers!"
"Nuo..." These officials didn't necessarily ask Liu De and the others to change their clothes. It was just out of their bureaucratic nature. Now that Liu De had spoken, they naturally stopped being verbose.
Anyway, if the higher-ups investigate, Liu De will be there to support them, so they won’t be able to hurt a few of them!
Liu De was like an eldest brother, leading Liu Rong and Liu Yan forward, asking as he walked: "Is the Imperial Grandmother here?"
"Back to Your Highness, the Queen Mother is waiting in the woods at the ferry..." An official accompanied him and said with a smile.
Another official immediately said: "I will take His Highness and the two kings to see the Queen Mother immediately!"
So, under the leadership of these officials, the three Liu De brothers walked through the human walls and passages composed of numerous guards and forbidden troops, and came to a small forest to the west of the ferry. There, Liu De saw Empress Dowager Dou's face.
Ceremony guard and phoenix carriage.
So, Liu De turned back to Liu Rong and Liu Huan said: "When you see the imperial grandmother, be happy and don't let her worry about us..."
Liu De sighed with compassion and said: "Although we are sad, we can just keep our sorrow in our hearts. How dare we make the emperor's grandmother, father and others worry again? If my mother and concubine were here, I would definitely not agree to our doing this!"
Liu Yan immediately said: "Brother Huang taught me, and I know it..."
When Liu Rong heard Liu Yan's words, his heart became twisted.
"My brother...my brother..." This shows that Liu Yan has bowed his head and is willing to accept Liu De as his lord!
"Then what should I do? Should I be an obedient minister like Liu Yan? Or..." Liu Rong felt like his heart was in a mess.
Liu De now had no time to care about Liu Rong's thoughts.
A little person walked over from Queen Mother Dou's carriage. As soon as she saw him, a cute smile suddenly appeared on her face. She jumped all the way and ran over. Then she opened her little hands and looked waxy.
Said: "Cousin Liu De, Gillian misses you so much..."
Liu De knelt down, gently picked up Chen Ajiao's small body, and kissed her tender little face. He asked, "My cousin misses Gillian too..."
To be honest, it was really cruel to leave Ajiao Chen to her father.
Liu De still remembers the way Chen Ajiao was dragging herself to the ground, rolling around and crying.
However, Liu De couldn't help it. He couldn't bring his female relatives with him when going to a funeral.
Now seeing Ajiao Chen again, Liu De felt a little warm and indebted in his heart, so he hugged her and asked, "Does Ajiao still hate her cousin?"
Chen Ajiao shook her head vigorously, pointed behind her and said: "Sister Yinuo said that my cousin is someone who wants to do big things, and Gillian must be obedient. Only then will my cousin like her, so Gillian will be very obedient."
…”
Liu De followed Chen Ajiao's line of sight and saw Yi Nu's charming figure appearing under a willow tree, smiling at him, just like a beautiful landscape painting. Liu De had been following Liu De
As soon as Yi Zong saw his sister, he immediately went up to greet her.
But Liu De couldn't do this. He could only smile back and then hug Chen Ajiao and walk towards the location of Queen Mother Dou.
………………………………
"Royal Grandmother... Imperial Grandma... Look who's coming..." Chen Ajiao shouted happily as soon as she approached the camp where Queen Mother Dou was.
Hearing Chen Ajiao's voice, Empress Dowager Dou, supported by the eunuchs and leaning on a cane, came out with a smile to greet Liu De.
It's not that Liu De has a big face, nor is Chen Ajiao's face, it's Mr. Cang who has a big face!
Since Liu De returned from Hedong and offered Cang Gong to Queen Mother Dou, under the care of Cang Gong Chun Yuyi, Queen Mother Dou's eye disease has not improved much, but the soreness and numbness of her eyes have been greatly relieved.
For Queen Mother Dou, nothing made her happier than making her eyes comfortable.
What's even more rare is that Cang Gong himself is a literary scholar with profound attainments in Huang Laoxue. The two are similar in age and have similar ideas and concepts. Therefore, Cang Gong Chunyuyi is now the most popular person around Empress Dowager Dou.
It is for this reason that Empress Dowager Dou personally went out to welcome Liu De and build momentum for Liu De.
When Liu De saw that Empress Dowager Dou actually came out to see him in person, he was immediately flattered. He knelt down and said, "How dare you bother the emperor's mother to welcome her? Your grandson will be punished by death!"
"How dare you work to welcome the emperor's mother? I will be punished by death!" Liu Rong, who was already the king of Changshan, and Liu Yan, the king of Hejian, immediately knelt down.
The gap appeared again. Liu Den could claim to be his grandson, but they could only claim to be his vassal.
In this hierarchical world, especially the royal family, once the hierarchy is established, it is difficult to change.
"Liu De, get up..." Empress Dowager Dou smiled slightly, and then said: "King Changshan and King Hejian are here too... Let's go into the tent with the Aijia and wait for the emperor to cross the river..."
"Nuo..." Liu De kowtowed and stood up, and then Liu Rong and Liu Yan dared to follow him.
It wasn't that Liu Rong didn't want to get up with Liu De, but that there was an inexplicable force that made him kneel on the ground at that moment, and he didn't dare to get up before or even at the same time as Liu De.
Liu Rong was shocked: "Is it the way of heaven?"
But in fact, it is nothing more than order, convention, and the power of order buried deep in people's hearts, making everyone who lives within the rules automatically and consciously abide by them. The higher the level, the greater the influence and the stronger the binding force.
Although Liu Rong was unwilling, the education and values he received since childhood made him dare not rebel against the rules.
After Liu Rong stood up, he saw a scene that stunned him - his imperial grandmother, the empress dowager who had always been unsmiling and not inclined to any of the emperor's grandchildren, was actually holding Chen Ajiao with one hand and placing her other hand on his younger brother.
Liu De's hand was supported by Liu De's bow, and he walked towards the camp gate in front.
"This..." Liu Rong felt that every cell in his body had solidified.
He fell into deep despair.
He has the support of the military, the hearts of the people, the approval of his father, and the support of the Eastern Palace.
Whether he wants to admit it or not, his younger brother is actually the legitimate Crown Prince of the Han Dynasty, His Highness the Crown Prince.
The only thing he owed was a canonization edict, a palace for the prince, a palace for the prince, a bodyguard for the prince, and an official system for the prince.
"Is it possible that I will have to look up to him all my life, live under his shadow, and still have to bow my head and worship him?" Liu Rong closed his eyes, and a picture appeared in his mind: his younger brother was wearing the emperor's crown on his head, and his body was
Wearing a dragon robe, lying high on the imperial couch, surrounded by halberds and armor in the hall, he threw himself at Liu De's feet, shouting long live, calling himself the guilty minister.
"I never want this ending!" Liu Rong roared in his heart.
But, he himself also knows that whether he likes it or not, this is the inevitable future! (To be continued...)
ps: Today is truly a tragic day.
Originally I had already written 4,000 words at 4pm, but I accidentally deleted that chapter when copying it, and then I couldn’t restore it no matter how I tried to restore it. What a shame~
There’s no way to rewrite~ Well, I finally wrote 6,000 words, let’s post them first~
Then, there are at least 4,000 words left in the evening ~ counting as compensation for yesterday, tomorrow will be almost 1,000 words
