Chapter 10: The Question of the Feudal Prince!

“Surely you’re not suggesting His Majesty confer upon him the title of ‘One-Character Peerless King,’ are you?” Lu Xuan asked with some surprise.

It didn’t quite seem fitting. Although this honorific was a fictional creation from a historical novel, it felt out of place for a civil official. Moreover, given Zhu Yuanzhang’s temperament, how could he possibly be willing to grant Li Shanchang a kingly title?

“That’s the proposal. Why, do you think it’s inappropriate?” Liu Bang inquired.

“Very inappropriate,” Lu Xuan shook his head. “I think titles like Grand Preceptor, Grand Chancellor, or Imperial Advisor would be more suitable.”

Liu Bang felt a pang of stubbornness. From the perspective of later generations, he seemed rather stingy. It was just the title of ‘One-Character Peerless King’—a purely honorary title with no real power. Could the founding emperor of the Great Han really be so reluctant to bestow such a title? Or perhaps Lu Xuan was deliberately saying this because he didn’t want Han Xin to be granted that honor.

Human nature is inscrutable. After some thought, Liu Bang smiled and said, “Very well, then we shall follow Lu Jun’s suggestion and confer upon him the title of Imperial Advisor.”

“We’ll send someone immediately to draft the edict and deliver it to the capital.”

Just as Liu Bang finished speaking, Lu Xuan suddenly grasped his hand. “Ji Shu, is there truly someone within your Central Plains dynasty who can reach the emperor’s ears? Don’t deceive me.”

Lu Xuan had been pondering this the night before. Logically, some of Chen Youliang’s son Chen Li’s subordinates might indeed have the ability to connect with ministers in the Ming court. After Chen Youliang’s defeat, some of his men had defected to Zhu Yuanzhang. Yet even so, it would require Chen Li himself to initiate contact with capable officials in the Ming dynasty. As for Ji Shu and Fang Shu, it was not that Lu Xuan looked down on them, but even the wealthy and influential in the Far East would find it difficult to establish such connections with the Central Plains. He did not want his three months of effort to be in vain.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bang instinctively glanced at Zhang Liang, who wore a solemn expression and said gravely, “Lu Jun, you worry too much. We have our own clan, far within the Central Plains dynasty, with members serving in the court. Rest assured, if you provide more beneficial strategies and counsel for the dynasty, in three months’ time, we guarantee you will meet the current sovereign!”

Zhang Liang’s tone was resolute. Though Lu Xuan could not see his eyes, he sensed sincere conviction in his voice. Fang Shu’s words did not sound like falsehoods; they were confident, indeed.

Very well.

Then he would believe them. It seemed that in three months, he would truly see the sovereign!

Dear Emperor Zhu, Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Chongba! Soon, I will meet you!

With such thoughts, Lu Xuan’s spirits soared. He immediately said, “Upon your return, I will provide you with a proposal absolutely beneficial to the current dynasty.”

“That is the issue of the feudal kings!”

“The problem of the feudal kings is the most severe, yet resolving it at this moment would be the easiest. If this generation fails to settle it, future descendants will find it exceedingly difficult.”

Lu Xuan’s words caused both Zhang Liang and Liu Bang’s expressions to shift.

The feudal king problem? That must mean the issue of the vassal kings. Was this not precisely what they were currently concerned about? Kings sharing the same surname were manageable, but those with different surnames were no trivial matter.

Lu Xuan had a solution for this?

They had secretly deliberated for a long time without a definitive answer; the problems posed by the feudal kings were simply too numerous.

Liu Bang wanted to ask immediately how Lu Xuan intended to solve it, but recalling that they were about to write to their ‘clan members’ in the capital, he refrained. Besides, there was much to attend to today, including having the imperial physician adjust Lu Zhi’s treatment according to Lu Xuan’s prescriptions.

After Liu Bang and Zhang Liang departed, they instructed a palace servant posing as mute to massage Lu Xuan’s shoulders and legs, as lying down for extended periods likely caused discomfort. At least they needed to appear kindly to win Lu Xuan’s favor.

Once outside, Xiao He, Chen Ping, and Zhou Bo prepared to speak, but Zhang Liang made a gesture, signaling them to remain silent. They understood and kept quiet.

Only when some distance away did Zhou Bo comment, “This Lu Xuan indeed seems remarkable. The title ‘One-Character Peerless King’ was never something we would have conceived.”

“Judging by how he casually mentioned later dynasties like Tang and Song, it’s clear he is from the future.”

“What do you make of the honorary title ‘One-Character Peerless King’?”

Everyone agreed that it seemed to suit their present needs. Liu Bang said, “This is not the place for discussion. Let us return to the Linhua Hall.”

Upon returning, several imperial physicians were already waiting outside.

“Your Majesty, our diagnosis of the Empress reveals a hidden ailment that requires treatment,” an elderly physician with trembling white beard reported respectfully to Liu Bang.

“But it is not severe enough to threaten her life,” he added.

Liu Bang narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, “Tell me, can you estimate how much longer the Empress will live?”

The physicians exchanged uneasy glances. This was beyond their capacity. If the Empress had a serious illness, they could estimate based on medical texts and years of experience. But now, she only suffered minor ailments caused by poor diet in earlier years. Since the founding of the Han dynasty, her diet had greatly improved, and these ailments would gradually dissipate.

The Empress was not seriously ill.

How could they predict her lifespan? Even immortals could not do so.

After a long silence, the elder physician bowed deeply, “May the Empress enjoy long life and prosperity.”

The others echoed, “May the Empress enjoy long life and prosperity.”

The meaning was clear: the Empress would live on, until death.

Liu Bang snorted coldly. A group of incompetent doctors, unable to diagnose the Empress’s condition, let alone estimate how long she would live!

Lu Xuan came from the future, where history recorded that the Empress would not live long and would die before the emperor. If you cannot diagnose her condition, what are you but quacks?

“Quacks! Useless fools!” he scolded.

The physicians trembled and immediately knelt.

Liu Bang was about to dismiss them when he suddenly thought of something. Staring at them, he asked, “If the Empress takes the medicine prescribed here, will it harm her body? If taken long-term, could it threaten her life?”

The physicians did not understand why he asked but answered based on their experience, “Your Majesty, these are all tonic medicines aimed at nourishing the body. Even long-term use will not harm her, provided the dosage is controlled.”

“Good. Now leave,” Liu Bang waved them off.

He still needed to confirm whether Lu Xuan’s prescription was harmful. No one would foolishly follow Lu Xuan’s advice without careful consideration and thorough discussion.

After the physicians left, Liu Bang ordered the palace guards outside to remain, dismissed the servants inside, and said, “Discuss among yourselves: how should we regard the title ‘One-Character Peerless King’? What powers, if any, should accompany it for it to be most fitting?”