Within two months, he would request to have his King title removed?
After listening to Liu Bang, Lü Zhi didn't doubt him; instead, she fell into deep thought, her entire being focused on this answer as the foundation to trace back the origin and find a reason that could explain it.
Because she knew very well that Liu Bang was a typical political animal; his political intuition was almost astonishing and frightening.
Precisely for this reason, most of the time, what he said would not be wrong.
Suddenly, Lü Zhi thought of a possibility.
She looked at Liu Bang and asked in surprise, "Could it be that Han Xin didn't want to be the King of Qi long ago? Does he feel that the position of King of Qi is too conspicuous?"
Liu Bang burst into laughter, then clapped his hands in admiration, "That's right, Han Xin, after asking me for the position of King of Qi back then, he regretted it. He discovered that Xiao He didn't have a King title, Zhang Liang didn't have a King title, and even the Guandu Marquis, who had previously saved my life, didn't have a King title. He alone was honored as the King of Qi."
"Han Xin is intelligent and cautious. He had long discovered that his King title at this time was not only not a source of his power, unable to make him more noble or gain more benefits, but instead would cause him to lose many things."
Liu Bang pouted, "Chen Cheng has followed me since my humble beginnings, and even performed the meritorious act of saving my life. He doesn't even have a King title, so why should Han Xin?"
"He will be ostracized from the circle of meritorious officials because he is too greedy!"
"Originally, if Han Xin had truly succeeded in saving my life and relieved my siege in Yingyang, perhaps it would have been difficult for me to remove his King title at this time."
Liu Bang sighed at this point, "But Le Zhi saved my life twice. Is it an act of burning bridges to throw him into such deep trouble now?"
"I really don't want to do such a thing!"
Lü Zhi was much smarter than Liu Bang on this point. She looked at Liu Bang and said softly, "Why not ask the Guandu Marquis?"
"The Guandu Marquis is cautious and cultivates himself, brave yet not lacking in shrewdness. You can directly ask him about this matter."
"If he is willing to bear the risks that come with a King title, then grant him the title of King of Qin, or King of Han, or King of Wei. If he truly declines repeatedly, then continue to treat him with the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households."
"But there are also differences among the Marquises of Ten Thousand Households, aren't there?"
"Incorporate Shangdang, or another commandery next to Guandu, into Guandu. The stipend could reach over fifty thousand households, and then completely bestow these stipends upon the Guandu Marquis, and that would be it."
"In this way, the Guandu Marquis would still be a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households, but in reality, he would possess the substance of a King."
Liu Bang, at this moment, hesitated again.
"But doing so, wouldn't it mean ceding a small part of the Central Plains to him? It's fine while you and I are still alive, but what if in the future, the Guandu Marquis and you and I have passed away, will our descendants be able to control his descendants?"
This point also made Lü Zhi quite hesitant.
After all, the next emperor would soon be her son. To leave such a difficult person for her son at this time...
However, Lü Hou was Lü Hou after all. She merely smiled and said, "What's there to it?"
"For now, let's just focus on the present matters!"
Only then did Liu Bang make up his mind. Since that was the case, he would go to the Guandu Marquis Residence in plain clothes to see and ask.
.... ....
Inside the Guandu Marquis Residence
Chen Cheng sat leisurely in the courtyard, his expression not as outwardly flamboyant and proud as the outside world might imagine, but rather with a hint of worry and helpless melancholy.
In fact, after he returned from saving the Emperor this time, when the imperial decree of reward from the palace was delayed, he had already speculated.
He feared that the Emperor was having a headache over his reward.
Chen Lang stood by, serving, and while scattering fish food into the pond, he softly asked, "What is Father worrying about? Is it perhaps about this reward?"
Compared to "Chen Cheng's" modern way of thinking, Chen Lang's thinking was more like that of an ancient "strategist," or rather, like the heir of a prominent family.
He was extremely intelligent and deeply cunning.
Especially in recent years, as he spent more time managing affairs in the capital, he understood the capital's matters better and better, and handled many things with increasing ease, yet everything always went as he wished.
Chen Cheng did not hide anything from his good eldest son. He immediately looked at him and expressed all his worries.
"Now that your father has once again performed a great service, yet there is no imperial decree of reward from the palace. According to my guess, perhaps this time His Majesty wants to... elevate me to the dignity of a King."
He looked at Chen Lang, for this was his next generation, and also a crucial generation in the development of the Chen clan.
This was a generation that "connected the past and the future."
If problems arose in the fifth or sixth generation, then perhaps there was still hope for salvation, but if problems arose in the second generation, then the Chen clan would truly be beyond remedy, and one could only choose the time of his next descent to restore the Chen clan.
Chen Lang only pondered for a moment before realizing the full extent of Chen Cheng's true worries at this time.
"Father is worried that the King of Qi will submit a memorial requesting to have his King title removed? At that time, the Chen clan would be the only non-imperial King in the world. Father is worried that such a situation would be like adding fuel to the fire, or adding flowers to brocade?"
Chen Cheng nodded slightly, "Indeed."
He looked at Chen Lang and said, "You are the inheritor of the Guandu Marquis title in the next generation, so I naturally won't hide anything from you."
"Neither I nor the Chen clan can harbor ambitions to ascend to the highest position."
"From the history of the King of Bang Zhou, I have seen that there has never been a thousand-year or ten-thousand-year imperial dynasty in this world. The First Emperor of yesteryear vainly imagined that the Great Qin would be passed down for ten thousand generations and be immortal, but in the end, it turned into a handful of yellow earth with the guarantee of the Second Emperor."
"The hundred-year foundation of the Ying clan turned into mournful dust, scattered by the wind in the tumultuous dust of history."
"But in the past, those prominent aristocratic families that stood among the Seven Kingdoms still exist today—for example, the Zhang clan represented by the current Marquis of Liu. The Zhang clan was formerly the Prime Minister of Han and a prominent aristocratic family within the state of Han."
"Now, the Seven Kingdoms have turned into smoke, but the Marquis of Liu's family still endures."
Chen Cheng said earnestly, "I do not wish for the Chen clan to become mournful dust in history. I only wish for the Chen clan to be a thousand-year aristocratic family that, though its reputation may not be prominent and its power moderate, produces noble figures in every generation and retains talented individuals in every generation."
"Lang'er, do you understand?"
Chen Lang's expression became even more solemn. He knew that his father telling him these things at this moment was equivalent to directly informing him that he would be the next head of the Chen clan.
It was also telling him what the head of the Chen clan needed to accomplish.
From this, many emotions arose in his heart, but in the end, they all turned into contemplation.
He softly responded, "Father, rest assured, your son understands."
Chen Lang looked at Chen Cheng and said, "Then what are Father's plans for this matter? Is it to accept this King title?"
Hearing Chen Lang's question, Chen Cheng smiled freely, "How much longer does your father have to live? If I accept this King title, it would only be a few years of enjoyment."
"You will need to stay in this position for a longer time, and therefore, you need to think about this matter even more."
Chen Lang laughed directly upon hearing this, "If that's the case, then Father doesn't need to worry."
He stood there with a straight posture, his eyes smiling, truly like a refined young master.
"Father, just accept this King title, and if any trouble arises in the future, your son will resolve it."
Chen Cheng nodded slightly.
In fact, he had long decided to accept the King title from Liu Bang, but... he still wanted to test his eldest son's courage.
Normally, he saw that this child was refined and steady enough, but lacked a bit of sharpness.
This time, however, Chen Cheng saw clearly: what 'lacked a bit of sharpness'? This child clearly hid his sharpness within his heart, and then handled matters with magnanimity.
This made Chen Cheng even more relieved.
With his second-generation ancestor being so promising, it wouldn't matter even if he couldn't descend upon him then.
The second generation's inheritance would certainly proceed in an orderly manner.
At that time, it would also be a bit of stability.
Just as the father and son were discussing, footsteps were heard outside the courtyard, and then the servant's voice sounded: "Marquis, Young Master, His Majesty has arrived."
His Majesty?
Chen Cheng and his son, who had just been laughing and talking, paused, then exchanged a glance, and their smiles disappeared, replaced by expressions of ease, respect, and humility.
Chen Cheng even hurried forward, walking to Liu Bang's front.
"Why has Your Majesty come here? Is there something urgent? If there is, just send a servant to relay the message. Why trouble Your Majesty to make this trip personally?"
Liu Bang looked at the elegant courtyard, pointed at Chen Cheng's nose, and laughed mockingly, "You, a rough and reckless man who wields spears and sticks, now you're also appreciating flowers and the moon."
Then he looked at Chen Lang and sighed, "You rascal, you've really gotten a good deal, producing such a pure and refined child with an extraordinary demeanor, a thousand times better than that fool in my family."
The Emperor could be so unrestrained and act as he pleased, but Chen Cheng knew he couldn't.
This was the difference between those in high positions and those in low positions.
For those in high positions to be so unrestrained and act as they please, it's seen as being down-to-earth and close to the people; but if you also act so unrestrained and as you please, mistakenly thinking that doing so is favored by those in high positions, and thus become arrogant, then you are courting death.
He had always taught this to his descendants by word and example.
So at this moment, he remained as humble as ever, without the slightest arrogance due to his two meritorious acts of saving the Emperor.
"Your Majesty jests. The Crown Prince is benevolent and virtuous, kind and noble, truly resembling Your Majesty's style of employing people."
"My worthless son has merely read a few more books. How can he be compared to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? You humble me and my worthless son."
Liu Bang looked at the Guandu Marquis, who remained respectful, humble, and polite, and felt even more satisfied in his heart, his face showing a hint of closeness: "You scoundrel, you've saved me twice, why are you still so reserved in front of me?"
"In this regard, you're not as good as the Marquis of Wuyang and the others."
He said with a hint of emotion in his voice, "In the past, we all started from humble beginnings, barely surviving in this chaotic world. Now, we have actually established such a vast empire; it truly makes one sigh."
Liu Bang looked at Chen Cheng and very frankly and earnestly stated the reason for his visit.
"I originally intended to enfeoff you as a King of a different surname. I've already thought of the title for you; it will be 'Wei,' taken from the 'Wei' among the seven powerful states of yesteryear. Guandu was also once the hunting ground of the King of Wei, so enfeoffing you as the King of Wei is quite fitting."
Seeing Chen Cheng about to say something, Liu Bang waved his hand, "No need to say more. You saved my life twice. The first time, I could still pretend ignorance and get away with it, but if I do so again this second time, I'll become an incompetent ruler who doesn't reward meritorious deeds."
He chuckled at himself, "I don't want to be called an incompetent ruler by later generations."
Liu Bang looked at Chen Cheng very seriously: "However, you also know the current situation. If I enfeoff you as a King of a different surname, Han Xin will certainly submit a memorial, using you as an example, stating that he was not granted a King title for saving my life, and that his request that day was merely to temporarily govern the Qi region as the King of Qi. Now that the world is peaceful, he should voluntarily request to have his title removed, and so on."
"At that time, you will be the only King of a different surname in the world."
Liu Bang sighed, "This is also not a good thing for you."
"I don't want you to resent me in the future, so today I've simply come to ask you directly, to get a clear answer."
Liu Bang's eyes rarely showed such sincerity.
"Do you want the King title, or do you want the Hedong Commandery to be incorporated into Guandu, and then for Guandu to be a stipend of fifty thousand households?"
For a moment, the wind stirred and hearts moved, the surroundings filled with uncertainty.
Chen Lang and Chen Cheng sat there, facing the extremely frank Emperor, many thoughts surfacing in their minds.
.... ....
The sixth year of Emperor Gaozu's reign.
Autumn.
Inside the King of Qi's Residence
Han Xin burst into laughter, then immediately leaned over the desk and wrote something. In just a few sentences, he clearly explained the origin of his King title and the current situation, then ordered someone to quickly send it to Weiyang Palace to be delivered to the Emperor.
His child watched him so happy, feeling a bit confused: "Father has been looking melancholic for a long time these past years, why is he suddenly smiling today?"
"Did something rare and good happen?"
Han Xin's brows were curved in a smile, and his voice was even uncontrollably joyful: "Of course, it's a good thing."
He pointed to the servant in the distance, and the memorial in the servant's hand: "Now that His Majesty is going to enfeoff the Guandu Marquis as the King of Wei, this is a golden opportunity. Your father can finally shake off this King title."
"Isn't this a good thing?"
Han Xin's voice carried a hint of sarcasm: "In the past, I thought that the position of King of Qi was no different from the positions of other Kings, but when His Majesty extensively enfeoffed Kings of the same surname, I finally understood."
"All other Kings have King titles and are permitted to establish states and fiefdoms, but my King title, being that of a King of a different surname, only has a reputation but no power; I am not permitted to establish a state or fiefdom."
"How is this King title different from poison?"
"It's merely an ant before the Emperor's eyes that can be killed at will."
"If I had gained benefits, I could naturally bear this risk, but now that I haven't gained any benefits, why should I bear this risk?"
"It's just that there was no good reason to request its removal before."
"Now that the Chen clan has saved my life twice and been enfeoffed as the King of Wei, I can use this reason to explain that I did not perform the meritorious act of saving the Emperor, and therefore should not be enfeoffed as a King. I will remove this King of Qi title and return to being the Huaiyin Marquis!"
Only then did Han Xin's son understand, and he immediately smiled and said, "Congratulations, Father, for being freed from your cage!"
There was a hint of hesitation in his eyes: "It's just... the Guandu Marquis is not a foolish person, why would he accept this King of Wei title?"
Han Xin shook his head slightly: "This person is extremely cunning. Even though I am skilled at discerning and employing people, I have always been unable to see what he thinks and feels in his heart. He seems to have no great desire for power, yet he is rather fond of certain empty titles."
"It's truly strange."
Han Xin sighed, but then became joyful: "However... our Han clan is finally no longer an eyesore or a thorn in others' sides!"
... .....
The sixth year of Emperor Gaozu's reign.
Emperor Gaozu issued an imperial decree, enfeoffing the Guandu Marquis as "King of Wei," and incorporating Hedong Commandery into Guandu as the King of Wei's fiefdom.
However, the King of Wei still held the position of "Grand Marshal" at this time, so he was not permitted to establish a state or fiefdom, but he still enjoyed the high position of King of Wei, and like all other Kings, he was exempted from bowing by name.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
"Records of the Grand Historian: Hereditary House of the King of Wei": "In the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu's reign, the King of Wei, by virtue of his meritorious service in saving the Emperor, was enfeoffed with the esteemed position of King of Wei. Although he did not establish a state, all his honors were identical to those of other Kings."