Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Chapter 1410 The powerful prince!

It was late at night, the candles in the meeting hall of the East Palace gradually went out, and several important officials left one after another.

Chu Ning stood in the corridor outside the hall, took a deep breath of the cool night breeze, as if he wanted to spit out all the depression in his chest.

"Your Highness." A gentle voice came from behind.

Chu Ning turned around and saw Crown Princess Shen Wanying walking slowly towards them holding the hand of a delicate little boy.

The child was only three years old, but he already had beautiful features and a pair of bright black eyes sparkling with intelligence. He was his eldest son - Prince Chu Tian.

"Father!"

As soon as Chu Tian saw Chu Ning, he immediately broke free from his mother's hand and ran over with his short legs.

Chu Ning's originally stern face softened instantly. He leaned over and picked up his son, smiling:

"Why are you still not sleeping so late?"

Although Chu Tian was already three years old, he had been fighting outside in recent years and had not spent much time with Chu Tian.

This time when he finally had some time, he of course wanted to spend time with his son.

Chu Tian hugged his father's neck and said in a baby voice, "I heard that father has recovered, so I came to see you specially!"

Shen Wanying came forward, gently straightened Chu Tian's collar, and said with a hint of reproach:

"Tian'er, my father has important matters to attend to. Please do not disturb him."

Although the poison in Chu Ning's body was removed, she was worried that Chu Ning was overworked and wanted Chu Ning to rest early.

It was always not good to have the child around, so she wanted to send Chu Tian down to rest so as not to disturb Chu Ning.

Chu Tian curled his lips and said seriously, "Mother, I also have something important to tell Father!"

Chu Ning was amused by his appearance. He pinched his little face and asked, "Oh? What's the important matter, Tian'er?"

Chu Tian straightened his body and said solemnly: "Father, next time you go to the battle, can you take me with you to the front line?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Wanying's face changed slightly, and she immediately scolded him, "Nonsense! The battlefield is a place where swords are merciless, how can you go there?"

"Besides, you are still so young. If you go to the battlefield, you will only become a burden."

Chu Tian was unconvinced and said with his face raised, "Father is invincible. How can I be in danger if I follow him?"

"Besides, I'm just going there to see the world, not to fight on the battlefield. Mother, there's no need to worry so much."

Although he is only nearly three years old, Chu Tian has inherited Chu Ning's eloquence due to the training of many ministers in the court.

Chu Ning laughed and looked at his son's stubborn look, feeling both relieved and helpless.

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Tian'er, if you really want to go to the front, your father can agree to it, but there is one condition."

Chu Tian's eyes lit up and he couldn't wait to ask, "What are the conditions?"

Chu Ning smiled slightly and said, "As long as you can answer my father's three questions, I will take you there."

If you want to deal with this guy, you can't use conventional methods, you can only use some tricks.

Although it is wrong to lie to children, this is his only son and he doesn't want him to go to the battlefield.

But Chu Tian nodded confidently: "Father, just ask!"

This guy is quite confident!

Chu Ning thought for a moment and then asked about an allusion from the Analects:

"The Analects of Confucius says in the chapter "On Government": 'Govern by laws and punishments, and the people escape punishment but lack shame. Govern by virtue and rituals, and they will have shame and be upright.' What does this sentence mean?"

Chu Tian answered without hesitation, "This means that if we use government decrees to guide the people and use punishments to restrain them, they will avoid committing crimes but will not feel shame. If we use morality to guide them and rituals to restrain them, they will have a sense of shame and abide by the rules."

Then he asked about a famous quote from Mencius:

"Mencius, Gongsun Chou, Part Two, says: 'The weather is not as important as the location, and the location is not as important as the people.' What is the meaning of this sentence?"

"This means that favorable weather is not as important as favorable terrain, and favorable terrain is not as important as people's wishes."

Chu Tian answered fluently: "Just like when my father went to war, he not only considered the weather and terrain, but also made sure that the soldiers worked together."

Shen Wanying stood aside, her eyes full of pride at seeing her son so smart, but she couldn't help but worry when she thought that he actually wanted to go to the battlefield.

She secretly winked at Chu Ning, indicating that he should give a difficult question so that Chu Tian would give up.

Chu Ning understood, raised his lips slightly, and then raised a difficult question:

"Mencius, Gaozi Part 2, says: 'When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it will first test his mind and will, exhaust his muscles and bones, starve his body, deprive him of all want, and frustrate his actions.' This statement should not only explain its meaning, but also why it is necessary to test a man's mind and will."

Chu Tian was young after all. He frowned and thought for a long time, his face flushed red. Finally, he shook his head in frustration:

"Father, this question...I can't answer it."

Chu Ning rubbed his head and said with a smile: "It's okay, when you are older, your father will test you again."

Shen Wanying breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "Tian'er, it's getting late. Let Xiaoqing take you back to rest."

The maid Xiaoqing stepped forward and was about to take Chu Tian's hand, but Chu Tian suddenly broke free, looked up at Chu Ning, and said seriously:

"Father, although I can't answer the question, perhaps... I can help you find the person who poisoned you!"

Shen Wanying's face changed and she shouted, "Tian'er! Don't talk nonsense!"

Chu Ning was slightly stunned.

He didn't believe that a three-year-old child could have any insights, but looking at Chu Tian's clear and determined eyes, his heart inexplicably moved.

He raised his hand to signal Shen Wanying not to stop him, squatted down and looked Chu Tian in the eye, and asked gently:

"Tian'er, tell me why you think you can help father find the murderer?"

Chu Tian blinked, his childish voice revealed a calmness beyond his age:

"Father, the person who poisoned you wanted to harm you and must have a deep hatred for you."

"However, although those royal relatives and noble families in Kyoto are dissatisfied with you, they are now afraid of your power and may not dare to actually take action."

"Anyone who dares to poison you must hate you to the core, to the point of not caring about your own life or death."

Chu Ning's pupils suddenly shrank, and it was as if a bolt of lightning struck his mind.

Someone who doesn't care about life or death?

His expression instantly became solemn, and a figure he had almost forgotten suddenly appeared before his eyes.

"Could it be this person?" He murmured in a low voice, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Shen Wanying noticed the change in her husband's expression and asked worriedly, "Your Highness, what have you thought of?"

Chu Ning slowly stood up, his eyes as cold as a knife: "Tian'er is right, some people are really not afraid of death anymore."

He looked down at Chu Tian, a hint of admiration and complexity flashed in his eyes, and he said softly: "Tian'er, you have helped father a lot."

Chu Tian blinked in confusion, as if he didn't understand what the hell he had said.

Chu Ning had already turned and looked towards the dark night sky, his voice low and cold:

"Come here, prepare the horses."

"Also, have Zhao Yu mobilize the white horse cavalry to accompany me out of the palace!"