"I have only just taken the reins of government, holding Yin-Yang in my hands and ruling all beneath heaven. The rank, fortune, calamity, life, and death of countless people all lie in my hands. The responsibility is immense.
The Late Emperor and King Wen of Luo entrusted the realm to me. Thus, not a moment passes when I am not trembling with apprehension, as though treading on thin ice, afraid of betraying their charge and tarnishing the virtue they left behind.
I have reflected that, since ancient times, I have never heard of a state flourishing without valuing worthy men.
Now the realm is flourishing, its rise far from spent. This is precisely the time for sovereign and ministers to devote themselves with one heart. Hundreds or thousands of years from now, when I enter the annals as a sage king, could your names possibly remain unknown?"
Liu Heng gazed at them with shining eyes and stated his ultimate ambition outright. This was what Luo Xin had always taught him, setting out from every angle the conditions he needed to fulfill to become a sage king.
Everyone present was stunned by Liu Heng's words. Since ancient times, how many sovereigns had existed in the lands of All Xia?
But how many could be called sage kings?
Only Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang.
Yet these sage kings lived almost entirely in legends passed from mouth to mouth. Even the truth of many of their deeds was unknown. The most recent sage king whose deeds were clearly recorded was the Sage King.
Even King Wu, who had slain King Zhou, did not qualify. Although he had received the Mandate of Heaven, he had died shortly after unifying the realm.
Now Liu Heng said he wanted to become a sage king. He meant