The Great Han Dynasty: From Crown Prince Li to Emperor of All Ages!

September 15th, the sixth year of Yuanding (111 BC).

At 3:45 AM, just as the sky began to lighten, the first rays of golden sunlight shone through gaps in the clouds onto the earth.

In Chang'an, the gates of Weiyang Palace had been opened, and figures filed in one after another.

"My lords!"

In front of the Xuan Shi Hall, a tall and slender figure looked down at the assembled officials, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Upon hearing the sound, the civil and military officials looked over and saw Liu Ju standing atop the steps.

Wearing a traveler's hat, a red robe, and a blue sash, his handsome face radiated an innate nobility. This was the crown prince of the Han Dynasty, the eldest son of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che.

Almost everyone knew what had happened at the Crown Prince's palace in the past few days, and this very fact stirred up even more turmoil in the hearts of the court officials.

"His Highness seems to have changed!"

Prime Minister Shi Qing was the first to notice the change in Liu Ju's demeanor.

Liu Ju was once perceived as gentle and refined, a gentleman straight out of an ancient book.

Liu Ju now exudes an aura of authority that commands respect, like a sharp sword with its edge fully revealed.

If we really have to say who Liu Ju's transformation resembles, it's very much like the Han Dynasty Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che.

"Your Highness!"

The Imperial Censor Er Kuan, the Grand Master of Ceremonies Gongsun He, the Grand Master of Ceremonies Du Xiang, the Grand Minister of Agriculture Sang Hongyang, the Chief Commandant of the Imperial Household Ji Ren, the Chief Justice Du Zhou, the Commandant of the Palace Attendants Yin Qi, the Palace Attendant Xu Ziwei, the Grand Master of Ceremonies Li Xi, and the Junior Steward Wang Wenshu all noticed Liu Ju's extraordinary abilities today.

The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers were the people closest to the center of power. No one understood the emperor better than them. They had already seen the shadow of Emperor Wu of Han in the crown prince, which was not necessarily a good thing.

"Squeak! Squeak!"

The main gate of Xuanshi Hall slowly opened from both sides, with eunuchs waiting on either side, and the lamps on the candlesticks shining as brightly as ever.

"Tap tap!"

Crown Prince Liu Ju still insisted on walking at the front and was the first to enter the Xuan Shi Hall.

Following closely behind were Chancellor Shi Qing, Imperial Censor Er Kuan, and then the Nine Ministers, who entered the hall in order of their rank.

According to the Han system, apart from the grand court assembly held at the beginning of the year (the first day of the tenth month), a regular court was held every five days. Only officials with a salary of 10 shi or above could participate. Officials could take a day off every five days, depending on the regular court schedule, and at least four days off per month.

"Your Majesty, you have arrived!"

As the civil and military officials entered the hall one by one, a sharp shout resounded throughout the entire Xuan Shi Hall.

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, emerged surrounded by palace maids. He wore a crown that reached the heavens, a black gauze robe over a black-lined inner garment, crimson trousers and socks, and carried a seven-foot snake-slaying sword and a yellow and red ribbon. He walked with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, his movements swift and graceful.

When he appeared before the emperor's bed, facing the assembled officials, his dragon eyes shone with an incomparably sharp light, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

All the civil and military officials in the hall bowed in respect, except for Liu Ju, who faced Liu Che directly without flinching. The father and son stared at each other for a long while.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Su Wen, the Yellow Gate Attendant standing below the imperial platform, was overjoyed to see this scene.

In his view, the increasingly fierce confrontation between the emperor and the crown prince was precisely the most favorable condition for him to overthrow the crown prince.

"All of you, rise!"

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, slowly sat on his imperial couch and spoke calmly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The courtiers rose in turn, facing the emperor of the Han Dynasty who had reigned for twenty-nine years.

"His Majesty!"

The Grand Master of the Palace, Gongsun Qing, suddenly stepped forward: "Your subject has a report to submit."

"allow!!!"

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, slightly twitched his eyelids and uttered a single word.

"hehe!"

Seeing this, Liu Ju sneered inwardly.

The ministers had different expressions. Gongsun Qing, the Grand Master of the Palace, was the only alchemist still active in the court. He had tricked Emperor Wu of Han into building palaces and temples to welcome the immortals, which was extremely wasteful. Now that he had stepped forward again, he was only doing something that wasted the people's resources.

"Heaven ordained him to be king, to govern all living beings, to announce peace to Heaven, and to repay the merits of all the gods."

"When a king receives the mandate of heaven and rises to power, he must perform the Feng and Shan sacrifices at Mount Tai. Why? It is to announce the mandate of heaven. When he first receives the mandate of heaven, he reforms the system to accord with the heavens. When the world is at peace, he performs the Feng and Shan sacrifices to announce the peace."

"Your Majesty, I received the imperial edict and was entrusted with the task of carrying the imperial staff. I saw immortals in Goushi City, encountered gods on Donglai Mountain, and witnessed a giant roaring at night. All of these events demonstrate that Your Majesty's mandate of heaven has been restored."

"Now the four barbarian tribes are subdued, and the foundation of the Han Dynasty far surpasses that of the Former Qin Dynasty. Your Majesty's virtue is higher than that of the Three Sovereigns and your achievements surpass those of the Five Emperors." Your benevolence extends even to cattle and horses.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully request that you make an eastern tour and perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, so as to establish a great achievement for all ages."

Gongsun Qing's resounding words echoed throughout the Xuan Shi Hall, sparking discussion among the court officials.

The country is so exhausted and the people are suffering unbearably. At this time, the emperor still wants to make an eastern tour and perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. Isn't this an act that will lead to the downfall of the country?

"Crown Prince."

What do you think?

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, did not immediately express his opinion, but instead turned his gaze to Liu Ju, who was sitting to the lower left.

"Your subject agrees with the Fengshan ceremony!"

What?

Liu Ju's answer caused a great uproar, and all the civil and military officials were shocked.

"Your Highness!"

Prime Minister Shi Qing could hardly believe that this was the Crown Prince's answer.

"Do any of you have any objections to what the Crown Prince has said?"

Liu Che then turned his gaze to the assembled officials in the hall.

"promise."

None of the ministers dared to offer any advice; they could only respond.

"Your Highness, do you understand?"

Liu Che looked Liu Ju over with a mocking expression.

Liu Ju remained calm throughout, showing no surprise whatsoever.

Once upon a time, he, as the crown prince, was a banner against the emperor in the imperial court.

Humans are inherently selfish. Without the crown prince as their leader, how could the civil and military officials dare to oppose the emperor?

"Issue an imperial edict."

"The Crown Prince is wise and virtuous, a fact known to everyone in the court and among the people."

"The Marquis of Champion, Huo Shan, is intelligent and quick-witted. From this day forward, he shall enter the Crown Prince's Palace for further education."

"promise."

Liu Ju, of noble birth, received the imperial edict.

"I see!"

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials suddenly realized why the Crown Prince had unusually supported the Emperor's Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai; it turned out it was for the sake of the young Marquis of Champion.

With the Marquis of Xiao Champion in his grasp, the legacy of the Wei and Huo families was concentrated in the Crown Prince's palace, making the Crown Prince's position even more secure.

"His Majesty."

"Your subject has a report to submit!"

Just then, Prime Minister Shi Qing, who had been staying at home and acting as a nobody in the court, stepped forward.

'???'

Not only were the courtiers stunned, but Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, also narrowed his eyes and gently waved his left hand: "Granted."

"I am old and frail, and the affairs of the Prime Minister's office are numerous. I am not capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of educating the Crown Prince."

"Lord Guannei Bu Shi was loyal to the emperor and loved his country; he was of simple and honest nature."

"Your subject humbly requests that you promote Bu Shi, the Marquis of Guannei, to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, to assist the Crown Prince."

Shi Qing's voice echoed continuously within the hall.

"I request to resign as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince; the position will be concurrently held by Bu Shi!"

In an instant, everyone present was drawn to this proposal.

It should be noted that Bu Shi was once the Imperial Censor, and was dismissed precisely because he angered Emperor Wu of Han.

But when they saw Crown Prince Liu Ju's expression, everyone seemed to understand something. The Crown Prince was still the same Crown Prince, never having changed.

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that proposal!"

"..."

One official after another stepped forward to support Prime Minister Shi Qing's move.

"call!!!"

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, narrowed his eyes. Shi Qing had served as the Crown Prince's tutor for so many years, and had never expressed his opinion when he was the prime minister. Yet now he was recommending Bu Shi to succeed him as the Crown Prince's tutor. Clearly, this was not his intention.

Thinking of this, Liu Che looked at Liu Ju on the lower left again. Liu Ju's calm and composed appearance made the emperor of the Han Dynasty feel a surge of anger.

Winning over officials who oppose him is Crown Prince Liu Ju's consistent way of doing things—what a rebellious son!

"Draft an imperial edict!"

"Qian Bu Shi was appointed as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain).

Liu Che ultimately granted Shi Qing's request, wanting to see if the Crown Prince and Bu Shi could turn the tide.