Time Travel: The Useless Prince, First Destroy the Princess

Liu Yan has been a little upset these past two days. The solar eclipse on New Year's Day has always been a thorn in his heart.

Although he didn't believe in the theory of divine punishment in his heart, he had to believe it on the surface.

We are not worried about the visions in the sky, but we are worried about human nature.

The ministers also wrote many memorials, most of which mentioned the solar eclipse. To a greater or lesser extent, someone was bound to make a big fuss about it.

Fortunately, it was still the first month of the year, and according to convention, the court meeting would have to wait until after the fifteenth day.

But it has been customary throughout history to offer sacrifices to heaven during solar and lunar eclipses. Only by offering sacrifices to heaven can the gossips of the people be silenced.

However, some people apparently can't wait.

Just after lunch, Liu Zhi was asked to go and see Liu Zhao reading the scriptures. Zhang Hong came and reported that his uncle, Prince Zhenbei Liu Shuo, was waiting in Hanzhang Palace.

It finally came!

Liu Yan knew in his heart what Liu Shuo’s purpose was!

Obviously, although he did not participate in the King of Song’s banquet that Yang Ke mentioned, he was probably the mastermind behind it!

But I have to see it.

Liu Shuo was the younger brother of Liu Yan's father. When he was young, he led an expedition to the north. After the establishment of the Jing Dynasty, he was named King of Zhenbei and commanded an army of 200,000 to guard the northern border.

As soon as Liu Yan sat down, Liu Shuo walked in under the guidance of Zhang Hong.

Liu Shuo is in his sixties and is tall. Despite his age, he is still strong and vigorous.

He walked with great energy, his clothes fluttering in the wind, and the stones made crackling sounds as his feet stepped on them.

"See Your Majesty!"

Liu Shuo knelt on one knee as a greeting.

This is also a privilege of not having to kneel.

There were many people in the court who received this treatment, most of whom were Liu Yan's elders.

"No need to be polite!" Liu Yan nodded, "Please take a seat!"

Zhang Hong had already moved the stool forward: "Your Highness, please sit down!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Liu Shuo was not polite and sat down on the stool with a calm attitude.

Zhang Hong hurriedly served tea.

"Uncle, I haven't seen you for several months. How are you?" Liu Yan asked casually.

"Thanks to the great blessing of His Majesty and the grace of our ancestors, I am still in good health!"

Liu Shuo's body is not just in good condition, he is very strong.

"The Emperor's uncle is in good health, which is a blessing for our Jing Dynasty. With the Emperor's uncle in the north, the Hu people dare not cross the line even a step!"

"Thanks to the late emperor's grace, I was allowed to guard the north. Over the years, the northern border has been relatively peaceful. I am fortunate to have lived up to the late emperor's trust!"

Liu Shuo kept calling Liu Yan the late emperor, which made Liu Yan feel helpless.

This is my father’s younger brother!

When the Jing Dynasty was established, he made great military achievements.

If Liu Shuo had a son, the founding emperor of the Jing Dynasty would probably have been replaced by someone else.

"I will always remember the contributions of my uncle. Zhang Hong, give the 500 kilograms of silk presented by the south to my uncle as a reward!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhang Hong said, and ran to prepare.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Shuo was not polite. "But I didn't come here to ask Your Majesty for a few pounds of silk!"

"Oh?" Liu Yan pretended to be surprised. "Then does the emperor have anything else to say? Just tell me."

But my heart sank. It must be about the succession to the throne again!

Last year when he was seriously ill, he was the one who took the lead in establishing Prince Song as emperor and also won over Sima Bei.

If I hadn't survived, the throne would probably have belonged to King Song.

"Your Majesty, when the late emperor passed away, he told you that you and the King of Song would never betray each other. Do you remember?"

"Of course I remember! The King of Song is now second only to the emperor and is rich and powerful, unmatched by anyone. The emperor's uncle has asked this question several times. Is there anything else the King of Song lacks?" Liu Yan was mentally prepared, so he asked back.

"Your Majesty, you're asking this despite knowing the truth. According to the late Emperor's will, after a hundred years, the Jing Dynasty should naturally pass to Prince Song! Why hasn't Your Majesty appointed Prince Song as the heir yet?"

Liu Shuo's words were not at all subtle.

"Uncle, a country has its laws, and a family has its rules. Since ancient times, the heir to the throne has always been the eldest son. I already have a legitimate son, so why should I pass the throne to the King of Song? Uncle, you should be clear about such an important etiquette!"

"Of course I understand, but etiquette and laws are dead, and people are alive. According to your majesty, everything must be done according to etiquette and laws. That means Wei Hao cannot abdicate the throne, and the Jing Dynasty cannot be established!"

Liu Yan frowned and said coldly, "Uncle, you're wrong. Dynasties change, and those with virtue take over. The previous dynasty, Wei Hao, was tyrannical and levied heavy taxes, causing chaos under heaven. Five to six out of ten people died. The Jing Dynasty replaced the Zhou Dynasty, and it was the will of heaven! It's not comparable to appointing a crown prince!"

"I think if the Jing Dynasty doesn't change its crown prince, chaos will soon break out in the world!"

Liu Shuo raised his voice.

"Uncle, you're exaggerating! Does appointing Prince Song as the crown prince mean the Jing Dynasty will be secure? Then, to whom will Prince Song pass the throne in the future? Are we going to restore the ancient practice of abdication and nominate a talented successor?"

Liu Yan was very unhappy and asked several questions in a row.

Because the Prince of Zhenbei had no children, Prince Song was adopted by the Prince of Zhenbei since he was young.

Of course it's closer.

Liu Shuo hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, what you said does make sense. Originally, passing the throne to the legitimate son was in accordance with etiquette and law. But now that the legitimate son is stupid and foolish, does Your Majesty think he can rule the country? Wouldn't that lead to chaos and suffering for all?"

"Although the prince is a little stupid, he is still young. With time, he will be able to handle government affairs!"

"Back then, just after Your Majesty turned twenty, he led his troops into Qiyang to quell the rebellion. Two years later, he was appointed governor of Qiyang. The Crown Prince may be eighteen now, but his mind is that of a three-year-old. How can he inherit the throne?"

"The ancients once said that great things are achieved early, while great things are achieved late. Uncle, you don't have to worry too much! The important thing is to guard the north with peace of mind and prevent the Hu people from invading our land!" Liu Yan suppressed his anger.

"Your Majesty, the world is abuzz with rumors that the Crown Prince is unwise and will cause a solar eclipse, which will surely bring disaster!"

Liu Shuo was obviously a little excited and completely ignored Liu Yan's words.

"If benevolent government is not practiced, the moon will be eclipsed; if virtuous government is not practiced, the sun will be eclipsed. Hasn't the emperor's uncle heard of this? What does this have to do with the crown prince?"

"Of course I know this, but it's hard to hide the gossip of the world!"

"Then let them talk!" Liu Yan took a sip of water.

"Your Majesty, don't you know that if the people are uneasy, the world will be uneasy, and if the world is uneasy, the Jing Dynasty will be in danger. The matter of appointing a crown prince is small, but the matter of the country is huge!"

As Liu Shuo spoke, his hands were already pressing on the armrests of the chair in excitement.

"So, Uncle Emperor is saying that if I don't make Prince Song the crown prince, the Jing Dynasty will be destroyed?"

Liu Yan asked back coldly.

"If Your Majesty appoints Prince Song as the crown prince, the people will be at peace and diligent in their work. The country will be strong and the people will be prosperous. The foreign tribes will not dare to rebel, and the whole country will be united. This is truly a hundred benefits with no harm!"

"Uncle, is this what you think alone? Or are there other people who think the same as you?" Liu Yan had to come clean.

"Your Majesty is wise and wise. Before this audience, I, this old minister, did indeed discuss this matter with Liu Lu, Prince of Langya; Liu Zheng, Prince of Nanqing; Liu Xun, Prince of Dongping; Liu Xing, Prince of Shanyin; Liu Chang, Prince of Hejian; and Liu Fu, Prince of Xinyang."

"Do they all think the Crown Prince should be deposed? And Prince Song should be made the heir?"

"Yes, this is the memorial from Prince Song requesting a new crown prince. Your Majesty, please review it!"

As Liu Shuo spoke, he stood up and handed over a memorial with both hands.

Liu Yan was very angry and took it stiffly.