Deposing the crown prince was no great matter to Liu Heng. Since handling it this way would have the least impact on the realm, then so be it.
Only the realm occupied his heart.
As for the people of Chang'an, they had no interest in who the crown prince was. They only hoped Liu Heng would live to a hundred and remain emperor for many, many years.
Liu Heng set out with a party that included Crown Prince Liu Che, Luo Jing, Jia Yi, Great General Zhou Yafu, and other senior ministers.
Liu Heng walked out of Chang'an, gazing along the broad road at the countless fields on the Three Rivers Plain, where countless farmers could be glimpsed at their work.
When they stopped to rest, Liu Heng's face filled with nostalgia as he asked Liu Che, "Do you know why I brought you here today?"
Liu Che said, "Did you wish to show me the hardships of the people's lives?"
Liu Heng nodded and said with boundless feeling, "You are a child who means to do great things. I know your heart holds countless grand aspirations, that you wish to accomplish feats without precedent. For an emperor, that is only natural. If an emperor had no convictions, would he not simply muddle through his days?
"Decades ago, when I was still young, King Wen of Luo carried me on his back while overseeing all affairs of state. He was my uncle by marriage and also my teacher. King Wen of Luo often took me among the common people to watch the farmers work. When I was a little older, he had me work the fields myself. I was very good at farming. I knew when to fertilize, when to remove pests, and even how to read the weather.
"I