On February 24, the 16th year of Emperor B, in the palace of Chaoge Emperor in the national capital, after the early dynasty, Emperor Yi of the Great Shang Dynasty returned to the side hall to rest temporarily.

As one of the more virtuous emperors of the Great Shang Dynasty, Di Yi has reigned for 16 years. During the years of his reign, internally, Di Yi lightly paid off his meager endowments, vigorously developed the people's livelihood, and externally, Di Yi fought for many years and quelled many rebellions, so no matter from which aspect, Di Yi can be regarded as a wise monarch. And as a virtuous monarch, Di Yi actually doesn't have much ambition, in fact, he is already very satisfied with the achievements he has made over the years - he didn't think about how to develop the Shang Dynasty during his reign, he felt that everything he had done was enough to make him worthy of his ancestors and ancestors, worthy of the Jiangshan Sheji, therefore, what he wanted to do most now was to choose a virtuous heir to pass on the Jiangshan Sheji.

However, among the several sons, choosing which one to become the heir has now become the most headache for Di Yi.

Born in the emperor's family, cannibalism has been common since Xia Qi, although Di Yi, as a father, naturally doesn't want his children to be like this, but as an emperor, he understands that even he can't stop this kind of thing. Therefore, the most he can do is to choose the most suitable heir while he is still in control of the situation, and minimize the possibility of such a thing happening.

In fact, for the selection of the heir, if possible, Di Yi still wants to observe for a few more years, but, because of the perennial war, even as the emperor, Di Yi will inevitably bear some dark injuries, therefore, to this day, Di Yi has some gray temples, and his physical condition is getting worse every day, therefore, he understands that he must choose an heir while his body is still strong, otherwise once he can't hold it one day, the matter of the heir has not yet settled, then there will inevitably be trouble, and if he chooses the heir now and breaks the thoughts of the rest of his sons, the situation may be better at that time。

However, which son to choose as the heir, to be honest, Di Yi has been difficult to decide until now.

Di Yi has three sons, the eldest son Wei Ziqi, the second son Wei Zhongyan, and the younger son Zishou, all of whom were born to one mother. Among the three sons, the most favored by Di Yi and the most supported are the eldest son Wei Zi Qi and the younger son Zi Shou, as for Wei Zhongyan and mediocre talents, Di Yi is not considered.

Among the three sons, the eldest son Wei Zi Qi has few virtuous names, and is humble and courteous, praised by many ministers, and many ministers in the court are also interested in letting Wei Zi Qi inherit the throne, Di Yi also admires this eldest son with a sage style, but, compared with the young son Zi Shou, the eldest son Wei Zi Qi has a big disadvantage - Di Yi's concubine was still a concubine when she gave birth to Wei Zi Qi and Wei Zhongyan, and she was not transferred to the main room until she gave birth to a son, so strictly speaking, although the three sons were born to the same mother, Wei Zi Qi was only the eldest son.

Correspondingly, the young son of the three sons of Emperor Yi was criticized, although he was criticized by many ministers because of his perverse personality, acting as he pleased, and not sticking to the calendar, but Zishou was smart and brave and different from ordinary people, not to mention, there is also an incomparable advantage of Wei Ziqi - he is a son-in-law. Therefore, no matter how many children are not, just because of this article, there are not a few people who support children and children - this is an era that attaches great importance to the difference between descendants and descendants.

Therefore, for these two sons, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, Di Yi hesitated for a long time, and did not decide who to pass the throne to.

After hesitating for a moment, Di Yi opened his mouth and called, "Uncle Zhong." ”

Zhong Bo is an old servant who served by the side of Emperor Yi of the Great Shang Dynasty, and he was already serving by Di Yi's side when he was not the emperor at the beginning, and later Emperor Yi became the emperor of the Great Shang, and Zhong Bo's identity is naturally rising, but now he is one of the most powerful people in the Great Shang Palace.

"The old slave is here. Hearing this, Uncle Zhong, who was already humble on Di Yi's side, bent down again and answered in a low voice.

Looking at the outside of the main hall in a daze, Di Yi hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Which emperor do you think it is more appropriate for this king to pass on this throne to in the future?"

Hearing this, the two white eyebrows between Zhong Bo's eyebrows couldn't help but tremble slightly, although he is an old servant who has served Di Yi for decades, and Di Yi also trusts him very much, but it is a major issue related to the crown prince, even Zhong Bo does not dare to speak up, therefore, Zhong Bo frowned in embarrassment when he heard Di Yi ask him this question, and replied: "The king, the matter of the crown prince is related to the society and the stakes, the king can discuss with the queen, and he can also discuss with the ministers of the court, the old slave will only serve His Majesty, and he doesn't know the general situation, how dare he talk about such a big thing?"

Hearing Zhong Bo's excuses, Di Yi, who was already a little annoyed by the crown prince's affairs, said impatiently: "The lonely king told you to say that you just say it, and the lonely king forgives you for your innocence." ”

Hearing this, Uncle Zhong couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, although Di Yi said that he was not guilty, but the matter of the crown prince has always been very involved, not only involving several princes, but also involving several supporters behind the prince, so it is not one or two people who offend him if he accidentally says the wrong thing, but Uncle Zhong, who has always known Emperor Yi's character, also knows that since Emperor Yi has already said this, he will only make Emperor Yi angry, so after hesitating for a moment, Uncle Zhong said: " Back to the king, the old slave felt that His Royal Highness Weiziqi was the eldest son of the king, and his wisdom was far away, and His Royal Highness was the son-in-law of the king, and he was also smart and brave and different from ordinary people. ”

Uncle Zhong's words were undoubtedly extremely clever, he didn't say which prince was better to appoint as the prince, he just praised the two princes separately, so that no one could find fault with it, so naturally he would not offend anyone.

And for Zhong Bo's words, Di Yi was naturally dissatisfied, but he did not continue to embarrass Zhong Bo because of this. Because Di Yi also understands that although Uncle Zhong is the old man next to him, but when it comes to talking about the crown prince, the more old he is, the more secretive he is, after all, no matter what time it is, it is taboo to talk about the candidate for the crown prince. And Uncle Zhong, as an old servant who has served Di Yi for many years, will naturally not continue to embarrass him because of this matter.

Therefore, after hesitating for a moment, Di Yi opened his mouth and ordered: "Uncle Zhong, pass on the message of King Gu." Tomorrow morning, before the court, summon all the emperors to Feiyun Pavilion, and the lone king will inspect their knowledge. ”

"Yes, my lord. ”