Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, was sixteen years old when he succeeded to the throne. A sixteen-year-old man was still a minor even in ancient times.At that time, the legal age of marriage was fifteen for women and twenty for men.Therefore, the coming-of-age ceremony for aristocratic boys is held when they reach their twentieth year. They need to tie their hair, add a crown, wear a sword, take their characters, and promise marriage. Liu Che's coronation ceremony was brought forward.Perhaps, this is because his father, Emperor Han Jing, is about to die.In fact, within a few days of Liu Che's coronation, Emperor Jing drove west of Hexi, and Liu Che became the fifth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty.

This is a young emperor. However, Han Wu is not the first person to ascend to the big position before reaching the weak crown.The earliest little emperor was Ji Song, King Cheng of Zhou, and the earliest little emperor was Liu Ying, Emperor Hui of Han. Liu Ying's life experience is suspicious. As the second emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Ying did not leave much behind.Judging from the available information, he seems to be a bitter child who grew up in the chaos of war and was displaced since he was a child.Even on the way to escape from the defeat of Pengcheng, he was pushed out of the car by Liu Bang several times.Only with Xia Houying's rescue did he save his life.

This year, Liu Ying was six years old. It is not difficult to imagine what kind of shadow this incident will leave in the heart of a six-year-old child.Fortunately, two months after the defeat of Pengcheng, Liu Ying was established as the prince.This is of course because although he is not the eldest son (the eldest son is Qi Wang Liu Fei who was born by a concubine), he is a descendant, the only son of Liu Bangzheng's wife Lu Hou. It's a pity that Liu Bang doesn't seem to be optimistic about the only son, and has repeatedly tried to abolish Liu Ying and replace Mrs. Qi's son, Zhao Wang Ruyi.It is said that Liu Bang's attitude became more and more firm, and even Zhang Liang and Shu Suntong were unable to turn the tide.

However, things have changed dramatically. The change happened in the year of Liu Bang's death.At a certain banquet, the crown prince Liu Ying came to serve his father, but there were four old people standing behind him.They were all over eighty years old, with snow-white beards and hair, and magnificent clothes, which made Liu Bang dumbfounded. So the four of them stepped forward and reported their families. First place, Duke Dongyuan. Second place, Mr. Luli. The third place is Qili Ji. Fourth place, Duke Xia Huang. This is the so-called "Shangshan Sihao".They are world-renowned experts who have lived in seclusion in the mountains since the end of Qin Dynasty and are famous all over the world. They are also admired by Liu Bang for a long time.

Liu Bang asked: I have been begging you for many years, why did you follow my son? Shangshan Sihao saluted and said: Your majesty is arrogant and rude, and the prince is benevolent, filial and respectful, so all scholars in the world are willing to go through fire and water for the prince. After the ceremony, the four old people drifted away. Liu Bang watched Shangshan Sihao leave the table, then called Mrs. Qi and said: Have you seen it all?The status of the crown prince is unshakable, and Empress Lu is your real master. Madam Qi cried. Liu Bang said he was helpless.He said: You dance for me, let me sing for you!So Liu Bang generously sang, again and again.After the song was over, she also left the table, leaving Madam Qi crying on the ground.

From then on, Liu Bang no longer proposed to change the prince. This is really a scene only found in new martial arts novels.The names of the four old men also resembled the martial arts masters in the novel.It is said that they were specially invited by Zhang Liang to advise Empress Lu to support Prince Liu Ying.Therefore, this matter is like Zhang Liang's adventure with Huang Shigong back then, which is very unreliable. But what is even more unreliable is still behind. According to "Historical Records", "Hanshu" and "Historical Records", Liu Ying succeeded to the throne in May of the twelfth year of Han Gaozu, at the age of seventeen.Seven months later, in December of the first year of Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty, Empress Lu murdered King Ruyi of Zhao.

The murder was deliberate, because it is said that Liu Ying already felt that her brother was not safe.Therefore, when Ruyi came to Chang'an from Zhao State, Liu Ying went to Bashang to greet her personally, and after taking her back to the palace, they ate and lived together, guarding Ruyi like Uncle Xiang protected Liu Bang at the Hongmen Banquet, but Empress Lu couldn't do anything. It's a pity that the hundred secrets are inevitably neglected.One morning, Liu Ying went out to hunt, and Ruyi stayed in the palace.When Empress Lu heard the news, she immediately poisoned Ruyi to death.

At this point in the story, the flaws are revealed. May I ask: Why didn't Ruyi go hunting with Liu Ying? The explanation is: King Zhao was young and couldn't get up early. very good!A child who is too young to "get up (early)", why does Liu Bang say that he is "like me" (like himself)?Isn't it nonsense to say that Liu Ying is "not like me" but "like me if you wish" so she needs to be replaced? That's right, Liu Ying is indeed not like her parents, neither her father's cruelty nor her mother's resoluteness and determination.He is soft-hearted, timid, possibly sentimental and self-defeating.Of course, you can't rest assured that you will hand over the country and the country to such a person.But, is it reliable to give it to the person who can't get up early?

They are all unreliable. Liu Bang's establishment of the reserve can no longer focus on the successor himself. What are you looking at? look at mother.Whether it is Liu Ying or Ruyi, I am afraid that after he succeeds to the throne, he will have to rely on the support of the Queen Mother, and even rely on the Queen Mother to attend the court. So, Madam Qi or Empress Lu, which one is more reliable? Empress Lu. In fact, Empress Lu is not only Liu Bang's first wife, but also his close comrade-in-arms.Liu Bang's country was actually brought down by him and Empress Lu together.This was the consensus of public opinion at the time.Some people even said that Empress Lu and her family pushed Liu Bang to the throne like a cart.

Obviously, Empress Lu will cherish Liu Bang's country more than Madam Qi. What's more, she can do a lot more. Therefore, as a man, or in bed, Liu Bang may prefer Mrs. Qi.But as a politician, in the imperial court, he definitely believed in Empress Lu more. More importantly, the heroes also voted for Empress Lu. Liu Bang's heroes and generals, Han Xin, Peng Yue, and Ying Bu are dead, and Fan Kuai is Empress Lu's brother-in-law.As for civil servants, Xiao He was already on the side of Empress Lu when Han Xin was destroyed, Zhang Liang and Shusun Tong both supported Liu Ying, and Chen Ping also supported Empress Lu later.Does anyone support Mrs. Qi's mother and son?No.

The situation is so clear, what can Madam Qi have to contend with? Indeed, Liu Bang and Empress Lu are more of a political relationship than love.During Liu Bang's southern and northern wars, Empress Lu often stayed behind to be busy with government affairs, and Mrs. Qi stayed by Liu Bang's side all year round.It is not impossible for Liu Bang to promise to abolish his wife and establish love.It's just that this kind of promise may be on a whim, or it may be to make the beauty happy, which is unreliable. Politicians don't love first. Therefore, the "Shangshan Sihao" and the Chuge Chuwu are just fabricated stories, or a performance at that time, colluding with each other to show Madam Qi.And the chief director might be Liu Bang himself. It's not impossible.Back then, before Liu Bang made his fortune, Empress Lu created public opinion, saying that she often saw clouds above Liu Bang's head, and as a result, all the punks followed Liu Bang.This is actually a double reed performed by the couple in collusion. Of course, this time it may also be the director Zhang Liang and the producer of Empress Lu. In any case, it is certain that Zhang Liang is on the side of Empress Lu.Zhao Wang Ruyi and Mrs. Qi were killed by Queen Lu, which is generally certain.At least, there is no evidence that she did not kill.Empress Lu dared to kill even Han Xin.Killing those unarmed orphans and widows is nothing! However, the cruel Empress Lu may not be unjust.

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Notes: Volume XII.