His current cultivation progress is already close to the peak of the King Realm. He can integrate domineering aura into every move he makes, and his combat power has increased more than tenfold compared to before.
Leaving aside strength, the speed alone is astonishing, reaching 100 meters in two seconds, enough to instantly kill any fragile character.
Of course, Hao Jiu and Xiang Yu's future opponents will also all have systems, what if they encounter an even faster cheat?
Therefore, combat power is like money; you can never have too much. Xiang Yu's primary task now is to break through to the Emperor Realm. With the protection of domineering aura, his safety will be more guaranteed.
Time flies, and the state banquet that Liu Ji had painstakingly prepared finally began...
Chapter 201 The World of Families
In the main hall of Weiyang Palace.
All civil and military officials were present, with those holding titles seated at the front and those without titles at the back, and they sat in order.
Those who could actually sit next to Liu Ji were his empress, concubines, crown prince, and various feudal lords.
Liu Ji sat in the center, Empress Lü and Liu Ying sat at the right, Consort Qi and Liu Ruyi sat on the left, and the other concubines sat with their children. Wu Chen, the Prince of Changsha, sat at his own table.
Since Lu Wan did not come, apart from Wu Chen, the King of Changsha, everyone else was Liu Ji's own family. It can be said that Liu Ji's long-cherished dream of ruling the country as a family had been basically realized.
King Liu Jiao of Chu was Liu Ji's half-brother, but it's possible he wasn't. There's a historical theory that Liu Ji wasn't Liu Taigong's biological son, based on the first section of the Annals of Emperor Gaozu, which states that Liu Taigong witnessed a dragon giving birth to Liu Ji.
During Liu Ji's conquest of the empire, Liu Jiao had made many contributions, making him the most worthy candidate for the title of king.
King Liu Fei of Qi was Liu Ji's illegitimate son born out of wedlock. However, he was low-key and knew how to conduct himself. When he was enfeoffed as a king, he was Liu Ji's only adult son, so it was normal for him to go out and take charge on his own.
The eldest son, Liu Ying, had turned sixteen and was of legal age, but in reality he was still a child, a very obedient and well-behaved boy. He was made crown prince early on in order to appease Lady Lü, but Liu Ji did not like him at all.
The remaining princes, including Prince Zhao Liu Ruyi, Prince Dai Liu Heng, Prince Huainan Liu Chang, Prince Liang Liu Hui, and Prince Huaiyang Liu You, were all only ten years old. The reason they were enfeoffed as princes at such a young age and sent out to take charge was because Liu Ji had purged the princes of different surnames too quickly, and Liu Ji wanted the throne to be his own and did not want to enfeoff the princes to people of different surnames.
But can such a young child really stand on his own? Obviously not.
Liu Ji simply threw these children out to seize the throne for his own ideal of ruling the country. Moreover, none of the children's birth mothers accompanied them. All of them were born before the age of ten and lived a life without parents. It was quite a hardship to be born into an imperial family.
Especially Liu Heng, the King of Dai. The Dai Kingdom bordered the Xiongnu, and the Xiongnu would raid southwards from time to time. How terrifying!
Perhaps it was precisely because he had been trained in such a harsh environment that Liu Heng was able to create the reign of Emperors Wen and Jing, thus extending the life of the Han Dynasty. It can be said that he turned misfortune into blessing.
However, the focus of attention today is not on Liu Heng, but on Crown Prince Liu Ying and Prince Liu Ruyi of Zhao.
"Hahaha... Let's all raise our glasses! Today's state banquet must be a joyous occasion!" Liu Ji was overjoyed. He was certain that the matter of changing the heir apparent would succeed today. Empress Lü's side still had several empty seats, but Consort Qi's side was already full.
For more than a month, Empress Lü and Consort Qi have been trying their best to win over the ministers. Liu Ji claims to be neutral, but in reality, he has done a lot for Consort Qi and Liu Ruyi.
It seems that Empress Lü's side still has Xiao He, Zhou Chang, and Shusun Tong, while Liu Ruyi's side has a slight advantage.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The crowd bowed and then raised their wine cups to drink it all in one gulp.
At this moment, a guard came to report.
"Your Majesty! Marquis Liu and the Four Recluses of Mount Shang have come to attend the banquet!"
Liu Ji was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter, "Quickly, invite them in!"
Soon, Zhang Liang arrived at the main hall with Tang Bing, Duke of Dongyuan; Cui Guang, Duke of Xiahuang; Wu Shi, Ji Li; and Zhou Shu, Mr. Luli.
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!" The five men bowed in unison.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for being late," Zhang Liang said, bowing.
"Not too late, not too late, it's just the beginning. I'm very pleased that Marquis Liu has come. I've long wanted to have a few drinks with the famous Four Sages of Mount Shang, but I've invited you several times, and you've all avoided me. This time you've come at just the right time! Hahaha... Men, quickly add a few more tables over here." Liu Ji pointed to Lady Qi's side.
"Your Majesty need not trouble yourself. We can sit over there; there are empty seats. When Your Majesty sought out talented individuals, we avoided meeting you because Your Majesty looked down on scholars and enjoyed scolding people. We value righteousness and did not wish to be humiliated, so we fled in fear," Tang Bing said, bowing.
“We have heard in private that the Crown Prince is benevolent, filial, humble, and courteous, and that he loves scholars. There is no one in the world who wouldn’t want to serve him to the death. That is why we have come. Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. We will sit with the Crown Prince,” Cui Guang said, bowing.
"Lord Liu, please come along too. There are plenty of seats available." Qi Liji Wu Shi extended his hand in invitation.
“Yes, yes, Marquis Liu is coming too. I was just about to ask Marquis Liu to keep me company.” Zhou Shu pulled Zhang Liang and walked toward the empty seat next to the Crown Prince.
Zhang Liang turned to look at Liu Ji, "Your Majesty, this..."
"Hahaha, since the Four Recluses of Mount Shang want Marquis Liu to keep them company, then let them go. It doesn't matter where they sit." Liu Ji said with a forced smile, inwardly cursing these four old geezers to the bone. Just because they're over eighty years old, does that make them so great? How dare they expose my shortcomings in public? They're tired of living!
However, even with the assistance of Zhang Liang and the Four Sages of Mount Shang, Liu Ji was not worried at all, because the competition that Liu Ruyi was preparing to compete with the Crown Prince was something that these five people could not help with.
Empress Lü, that tigress, went to great lengths to find Zhang Liang and the Four Sages of Mount Shang for the crown prince, but she still couldn't stop the change of crown prince. Just thinking about it makes one feel happy.
Upon thinking of this, Liu Ji felt much better and watched with a smile as Zhang Liang and the others walked over to Lü Zhi.
Zhang Liang smiled slightly, nodded gently to Lü Zhi, and then sat down with the Four Sages of Mount Shang.
The civil and military officials whispered among themselves, saying that the Crown Prince had truly matured by being able to persuade Marquis Liu and the Four Sages of Mount Shang to come out of seclusion, and that re-establishing a Crown Prince might lead to political chaos.
The banquet continued, and everyone ate and drank for a while, creating a fairly pleasant atmosphere.
When the wine was flowing freely, Prince Zhao, Liu Ruyi, rose and bowed to Liu Ji, saying, "Your Majesty, I would like to present to Your Majesty and all of you the most beautiful poem in the world."
"Oh? The most beautiful song in the world? Sing it quickly!" Liu Ji was curious, and many court officials were also pondering which song could be considered the most beautiful song in the world.
"Yes." Liu Ruyi bowed and then picked up a zither from the side and went to the center of the venue.
Thump...
"A strong wind rises, and the clouds fly high..."
As soon as Liu Ruyi spoke, everyone laughed and praised him for being a clever fellow who had come up with this way to amuse His Majesty.
"Hahaha..." Liu Ji laughed from ear to ear, enjoying the flattery.
Thump.
Where can I find brave warriors to guard the four directions?
After finishing the song, Liu Ruyi put down his zither and bowed to Liu Ji again, asking, "Father, how did I sing?"
"Great, that's wonderful! Hahaha..." Liu Ji clapped his hands and laughed.
"May I ask Father Emperor for a request?" Liu Ruyi smiled innocently.
"Of course! I'm in a good mood today, so please speak freely!" Liu Ji waved his hand, feeling extremely pleased.
My son Ruyi is as clever as I am!
Chapter 202 Children's Words Are Innocent
If a child wins his father's favor, his requests will likely be limited to things like food, drink, and entertainment.
But at this critical juncture, what demands will Liu Ruyi, the protagonist who has changed the crown prince three times, make?
Even the most mindless statement, "I want to be the crown prince," would give Liu Ji the opportunity to bring up the issue of changing the heir apparent again.
Of course, now that Marquis Liu Zhang Liang and the Four Sages of Mount Shang have come to support the Crown Prince, Liu Ji's hopes of changing the heir apparent are slim. Logically speaking, he certainly can't win against the Crown Prince.
Everyone held their breath, and Liu Ruyi's childish voice echoed throughout every corner of the hall.
“I heard someone say a month ago that my elder brother is more suitable to be the crown prince than I am because Her Majesty the Empress can help him. I believe that a crown prince’s own abilities are more important. I humbly request that Father allow me to compete with my elder brother to see who is more wise and powerful than Father.”
Lady Qi's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. "Yi'er! What nonsense are you spouting! Quickly apologize to the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Empress Lü smiled slightly, "Children speak without thinking, and I would not take it to heart. The Crown Prince also likes his younger brother very much and will not take it to heart."
Liu Ying cupped his hands and said, "Please, Father, do not blame my third brother."
Liu Ji curled his lip, "Since the Empress and the Crown Prince have pleaded for me, I naturally won't blame them. However, since I have already agreed to this matter, let Ying'er and Yi'er have a competition, consider it a performance for everyone."
"Ying'er, you are the elder brother and the Crown Prince, so you should yield a little. But while you may yield, you cannot lose. I will not entrust this empire to a good-for-nothing who cannot even beat a ten-year-old child!"
"Yes," Liu Ying replied weakly.
Empress Lü frowned. "I wonder what Your Majesty intends for the Crown Prince and the Prince of Zhao to compete in?"
Liu Ji pointed at Liu Ruyi and asked, "What does Yi'er plan to compete with Ying'er in?"
Liu Ruyi cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Father Emperor, the Great Wind Song I just sang perfectly showcased Father Emperor's unparalleled style. I admire emperors like Father Emperor who personally lead troops to quell rebellions. The Han Dynasty established and defended the world through military force. Therefore, I wish to compete with the Crown Prince in archery. Each of us will have three arrows, and whoever hits the bullseye the most times will win!"
"Hahaha...Good! As expected of my prince! To conquer the world with force, and to defend the world with force, well said! Men! Quickly prepare bows and arrows and targets. I want to see which of my two princes can match my glory in my prime!"
Liu Ji laughed heartily. What was Liu Ying's weakest point? Without a doubt, it was martial arts. He couldn't even wield a sword properly, let alone a bow and arrow. Meanwhile, Liu Ruyi, as the King of Zhao, had been practicing archery for quite some time.
Empress Lü's expression changed slightly. "Your Majesty! The Crown Prince has only studied how to govern the country and is not proficient in martial arts. Isn't leading troops into battle and killing enemies what a military general should do?"
"Hehe, what if the generals the Crown Prince relies on rebel? Are we just going to sit here and wait to die? Ever since Zang Tu, when have I not quelled rebellions myself? Recently, when Ying Bu rebelled, didn't Empress Lü cry to me that I should personally lead the expedition?"
"While an emperor doesn't need to be as battle-hardened as a military general, he can't be completely powerless, or even lack the courage to show his face. How can I entrust the empire to such a weak crown prince?" Liu Ji sneered.
Upon hearing this, the generals' faces darkened immediately. Was Liu Ji implying that they might all be plotting a rebellion? This was something everyone should know in their hearts; how could he say it out loud in public?
Empress Lü's face was grim. Liu Ji had abandoned all sense of shame in order to establish a new crown prince. Ying'er was his own flesh and blood, so how could he be so heartless to him?
However, some things cannot be accomplished simply by being shameless and ruthless!
"Your Majesty is right. The Crown Prince should not abandon martial arts while studying the way of governing the country. So let's have a competition. Just as Your Majesty said, let's have some fun together."
If the Crown Prince loses, I will hire another martial arts tutor for him to improve his martial arts skills as soon as possible. His Majesty is in good health, and I think there will still be time to satisfy His Majesty before passing the throne to the Crown Prince.
"If King Zhao is exceptionally skilled in martial arts, it proves he has the talent to be a military general. If he is properly trained, the future crown prince will have a reliable assistant, which would be a blessing for the Han Dynasty!" Lü Zhi said through gritted teeth.
"What?" Liu Ji was dumbfounded. Did this mean that even if he won, it would be for nothing? Was he going to say that Liu Ruyi might rebel in the future?
However, Empress Lü could only rely on her words. As long as her son Ruyi could defeat the Crown Prince, everything would be fine!
At this moment, Lang Wei had already brought up the target and bow and arrows.
Because the space in the main hall was limited, and it was a contest between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Zhao, the target was not placed too far away.
Even if you can't hit the bullseye, hitting the target is still okay and not too embarrassing.
Of course, if you still can't hit the target even after all that, there's nothing you can do about the embarrassment.
Liu Ruyi's bow and arrows were specially made, one size smaller than usual, while Liu Ying's bow was clearly not a strong bow, and it shouldn't be difficult to draw.
In fact, Liu Ying had tried archery, but it was just for fun; he never put in the effort to practice.
Crown Prince Liu Ying cupped his hands and said, "My father taught me to let my third brother have the first shot, so please let my third brother shoot first."
Liu Ruyi smiled slightly, "Brother has already let me pass. If the target were placed further away, beyond my reach, you would have a sure win. Therefore, you should shoot first, so that you won't be afraid to shoot after seeing my score."
"Thank you for your kindness, King Zhao." Liu Ying said, then picked up his bow and arrows, stood at the marked line, and took a deep breath.