Chapter 7

After Empress Lü entered, the originally lively family banquet suddenly became somewhat cold. Liu Bang was still loudly boasting about his past experiences, bragging to the children. The Crown Prince sat respectfully to one side, head lowered and body turned sideways, listening very attentively.

Liu Ruyi, on the other hand, stood with his chest out and head held high, his eyes full of admiration for Liu Bang.

"I only regret that I was born ten years too late, unable to follow Father into battle!"

Liu Ruyi said loudly, full of spirit, making even the Crown Prince seem overshadowed by his side.

This flattery made Liu Bang's mouth unable to close, and Lady Qi's eyes sparkled as she moved closer to Liu Bang. Empress Lü, however, remained cold-faced, not even glancing at them.

Liu Hui smiled foolishly, sitting at the end of the table, not getting involved in any of the matters, being particularly honest.

Liu Heng frowned, looking at the sumptuous feast before him, shaking his head slightly, lost in thought.

Liu Chang swallowed a large piece of beef in one bite, then ate an orange, devouring the food like a squirrel, his face becoming round and full with the food.

"Is there something wrong with you? Did the Empress not give you any food?"

Liu Chang's state of hunger made the boastful Liu Bang stop reluctantly, asking somewhat disdainfully.

"What do you mean... Why are you bothering the children?"

Liu Taigong said sternly, and Liu Bang immediately quieted down. Liu Taigong gave him face in front of the ministers, but in private, he sometimes still "threw three punches at the emperor," and Liu Bang didn't dare to contradict this old man.

"Eat, eat, all you do is eat... You're no good..." Liu Bang muttered under his breath.

"You ate a lot when you were young too... And now you're quite successful, aren't you?"

Liu Taigong countered.

Liu Bang seemed to recall the past, grinning, and suddenly asked, "Father, you used to say I had no means of survival, couldn't earn money, and was no good, not as good as my second brother... Now, which of our careers is bigger?"

Liu Taigong was taken aback, turning his head away without looking at him.

Liu Bang burst out laughing.

The banquet continued, and Liu Bang spoke even more animatedly. Perhaps he had drunk too much, he even began to sing loudly. Liu Chang glanced at him disdainfully and quickly left this noise-polluted area. His father's singing could not be called a heavenly voice; it could be called a howl of ghosts and wolves.

The terrifying thing was that this great Han emperor did not correctly realize this problem. He still thought he sang well, and the shameless Liu Ruyi even clapped for him, enjoying it as if it were a great performance. Liu Chang returned to Liu Hui's side, and the two of them ate and chatted.

"Fourth Brother, why aren't you eating?"

Liu Chang looked at the empty utensils in front of Liu Heng, asking curiously.

"I'm not hungry."

"Fourth Brother... Next time before attending a banquet, don't eat anything, from morning to night... Then you'll be able to eat." Liu Chang kindly shared his experience.

Liu Heng smiled and patted Liu Chang's head.

"Don't touch my head!"

"Find a time to apologize to your third brother..."

Liu Chang suddenly asked, "Fourth Brother, can you go out?"

"No."

"Do you have a knife or an axe?"

"No."

"Ah..."

Liu Chang looked at Liu Ruyi helplessly. Could it be that he had to bow to the evil forces?

Liu Bang was singing, and when he turned his head, he suddenly noticed four old men with white beards behind the Crown Prince Liu Ying.

These four old men sat behind the Crown Prince, who was the only prince qualified to bring guests to the banquet. They were all strangers, with snow-white beards, looking older than Liu Taigong. Liu Bang was taken aback, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Who are these four?"

Liu Ying stood up, bowed again, and replied, "Father, these four are guests I have invited. I am humbly learning from them, seeking ways to govern the country."

"Oh?"

After Liu Ying introduced them, the four old men came forward, bowed to the emperor, and stated their names.

"Tang Bing, Cui Guang, Wu Shi, and Zhou Shu, we pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

Liu Bang was greatly surprised, quickly standing up, "It's you!"

"For years, I have sent people to seek you out, wanting you to assist me, but you always avoided me. Why have you come to follow my son now?"

Tang Bing stroked his beard, speaking seriously, "Your Majesty has always been disrespectful to the virtuous. We did not want to disgrace ourselves, but we heard that the Crown Prince is benevolent and filial, respectful and loving to scholars. People all over the world look up to him, hoping to serve him. Therefore, we have come voluntarily, willing to serve the Crown Prince."

Liu Bang was overjoyed, laughing, "Then I will entrust you to assist the Crown Prince in the future!"

The four men toasted Liu Bang and then sat down politely in their seats.

Liu Bang looked at them from time to time, then at his Crown Prince. He whispered to Lady Qi, "Look at them. I originally wanted to replace the Crown Prince, but I didn't expect that such scholars would be willing to follow him. Now that the Crown Prince has their assistance, it seems his position is secure, and it will be difficult to move him..."

"From now on, don't anger Lü Zhi anymore. Treat her respectfully; she will truly become your master."

Lady Qi suddenly burst into tears.

The guests at the banquet were surprised and looked at her. She then covered her mouth and sobbed softly.

Liu Bang laughed loudly, shouting, "Why are you crying? Get up and dance for me!"

Liu Bang sang again, "The swan flies high, soaring a thousand miles~~ Its wings are fully grown, spanning the four seas~~ Spanning the four seas, what can be done~~ Even with arrows, where can they be used~~"

Liu Ying, hearing this song, became visibly moved, his face flushed. He had finally made his father proud, finally gained his father's recognition! At this moment, he was at a loss, fumbling, and smiling brightly.

Liu Ruyi, looking at his mother's face, felt somewhat dejected for some reason. He no longer approached Liu Bang, and in the midst of Liu Bang's singing, he silently returned to his brothers, eating with his head down, looking very depressed.

Empress Lü was currently chatting with the old man, completely ignoring what was happening at the banquet.

When Liu Bang had the idea of replacing the Crown Prince, she found her brother Lü Shizhi and asked him to find Zhang Liang to think of a way. Lü Shizhi was hesitant, but Empress Lü, wiping away tears, said, "If my brother were here, he wouldn't let you do such a dangerous thing."

This provoked Lü Shizhi, who immediately agreed and set out to find the Marquis of Liu. Why did she choose the Marquis of Liu instead of the Chancellor or other important ministers? Because Empress Lü believed that the only person who could easily solve this problem was the unparalleled Marquis of Liu.

Of course, getting the Marquis of Liu to speak was not easy. Lü Shizhi almost had to resort to physical persuasion. After various acts of stubbornness, threats, and coercion, Zhang Liang reluctantly told him: invite the Four Elders of Shangshan to assist the Crown Prince, and this problem would be solved.

Lü Shizhi originally did not know if these four great men, whom even the emperor could not invite, would be willing to come out of retirement to assist the Crown Prince. However, when he found these four people, they were very enthusiastic. The Crown Prince's reputation among the people was indeed good, and these people were willing to assist the Crown Prince, even though they were unwilling to assist Liu Bang.

The Crown Prince was very happy when he met them, consulting them on state affairs every day, treating them as his teachers, and getting along well with them. The four men always followed the Crown Prince, supervising his words and actions, and constantly advising him, leading to today's scene.

Who would have thought that a song in the palace was actually composed by the Marquis of Liu, who was a thousand miles away?

Perhaps this was the art of winning battles from a thousand miles away, planning from the tent.

Liu Chang slowly moved and secretly sat next to Liu Ruyi.

"Cough... Cough..."

Liu Chang cleared his throat, trying to get his attention.

"Cough! Cough!"

Liu Ruyi kept his eyes fixed, eating attentively, not even glancing at his younger brother.

Helplessly, Liu Chang reached out and poked Liu Ruyi's arm.

No response.

When Liu Chang's finger started poking his own face, Liu Ruyi finally couldn't take it anymore.

"What are you doing?!"

Faced with the furious Liu Ruyi, Liu Chang was actually not afraid, because Liu Ruyi couldn't beat him and didn't dare to. Raised by Empress Lü, in the entire palace, no one except Empress Lü and Liu Bang dared to lay a hand on him. However, since he had a request, Liu Chang could only smile awkwardly, ignoring Liu Ruyi's anger.

"I just wanted to ask... Can you go out of the palace normally?"

"No, only the Crown Prince can. Why are you asking this?"

"Then, can I borrow your sword?"

The atmosphere suddenly became silent. Liu Ruyi narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Liu Chang.

"Not to use against you..."