Liu Wu the Prince of Liang was the second son of Emperor Wen of Han, the younger son of Empress Dowager Dou, and the only younger brother of Liu Qi, the Emperor of Han Jing. It is precisely because of his special status that Liu Wu has the heart to win the wife.
In the third year of the Han Jing Emperor (154 BC), the Jing Emperor held a court banquet. At the banquet, in addition to Emperor Jing, the participants also included King Liang, Empress Dou and his nephew Dou Bao.
At first, the atmosphere of the banquet was strong, and everyone was very happy. Unexpectedly, while he was drunk, Emperor Jing casually promised Liu Wu, the king of Liang, a sentence that would be passed on to the king after a thousand autumns" ("Records of History"), to the effect that I would one day pass the throne to my brother King Liang.
Although King Liang knew in his heart that this was not the Emperor's intention, he was also very happy in his heart and took this matter to heart. Empress Dowager Dou, who was on the sidelines, naturally agreed.
However, Dou Infant expressed his firm opposition, believing that he could not violate the "Covenant of Han Law" of the former emperor Liu Bang. Although Liu Wu was very disgusted with Dou Bao's words, the succession was actually said by the imperial brother himself, as evidenced by his mother Empress Dou. Empress Dowager Dou was also very angry, and she also formed a bond with Dou Baby.
First of all, let's talk about Empress Dou, who was born in a cold and bitter background, and according to the history books, Empress Dou was a native of Guanjin County, Qinghe County. In his early years, his father fell into the river and died, and his brother Dou Guangguo was separated from Empress Dou at an early age, and at the age of four or five, he was "slightly sold by others, and his family did not know where he was" ("History"). Later, the two sisters and brothers went through hardships before they were reunited.
After being made empress by Emperor Wen, Empress Dou did not receive all the favor of Emperor Wen, of course, this was also difficult to do in feudal society, especially after she was blind in both eyes, "Empress Dou was ill and blind." Emperor Wen was fortunate to have Lady Handan Shen and Yin Ji (尹姬), both of whom were sons" (Records of History).
In the early years, his parents died, his younger brother was abducted and sold, and after marrying Emperor Wen of Han, he was ill and blind in the deep palace, and lost the favor of Emperor Wen of Han... These encounters made Empress Dou attach great importance to her family, and the love and care for her family was taken for granted by her.
In the history books, there are many records that she valued her family. For her parents, who died very early, Empress Dou "posthumously honored Dou Hou's father as Marquis Ancheng, and her mother was Lady Ancheng." Ling Qinghe set up two hundred gardens, and the long beggars kept them, and the Law of the Garden of Biling Wen" (Records of History). To her brother, Empress Dou "made Guangguo the Marquis of Zhangwu." Changjun died before his death, and he made his son Peng Zu the Marquis of Nanpi" (Records of History). For her youngest son Liu Wu (劉武) the Prince of Liang, Empress Dou "loved it and rewarded it with an invincible way" (Records of History). For her daughter Princess Guantao, Empress Dowager Dou "gave the princess a prostitute with all the money and property of the Eastern Palace" (Records of History).
It can be said that it was these experiences that made Empress Dowager Dou develop a personality that valued her family, especially supporting Liu Wu, the King of Liang, to inherit the throne.
In the same year (154 BC), the "Seven-Nation Alliance" led by Liu Tao, the King of Wu, raised the banner of "Qing Jun's Side" and openly rebelled against the imperial court, and King Liang insisted on defending Suiyang against the rebels, making great contributions to the suppression of the Han Dynasty.
For their meritorious efforts in suppressing the rebellion, Emperor Jing and Empress Dowager Dou rewarded The King of Liang, who was even given the same treatment as Emperor Jing, and could enter and leave the Tianzi Palace at will.
In the fourth year of Emperor Jing (153 BC), Emperor Jing made his eldest son Liu Rong crown prince according to the ancestral system, and although King Liang was helpless, the complex of "emperor dream" was difficult to let go.
However, Liu Rong was deposed after only three years of being made crown prince, which once again ignited the "emperor's dream" of The Liang King, who believed that the time had come to inherit the throne, so he took the opportunity to enter the capital and plot with Empress Dou.
Empress Dowager Dou immediately sent a force to Emperor Jing, constantly reminding Emperor Jing to fulfill that promise. Emperor Jing had no choice but to summon his courtiers for consultation, and Yuan Ang and other important ministers moved out the example of the first brother and the last brother, stated the stakes, and advised Emperor Jing that if he was rumored to be the King of Liang, it would be the beginning of the disaster.
Due to the resolute opposition of Yuan Ang and other courtiers, Empress Dou no longer insisted and allowed Liu Wu, the King of Liang, to return to the Liang kingdom. King Liang's "emperor dream" disappeared in a blink of an eye, but his heart was full of hatred for Dou Bao and Yuan Ang.
King Liang's ambitions grew, which ensued a major political storm, and he decided to retaliate against the ministers who had passed on emperor Jing to him.
Once, the King of Liang instructed Yang Sheng, Gongsun Wei and others to carry out assassination activities against Yuan Ang and other ministers. After the incident, Emperor Jing sent someone to investigate the incident, and soon found out that the murderer behind it was Liu Wu, the King of Liang.
Emperor Jing was furious and determined to bring King Liang to justice. Later, under the mediation and protection of Empress Dowager Dou, the King of Liang put the blame on Yang Sheng and Gongsun Wei and ordered them to commit suicide, which was considered to be a disaster.
After this storm, Emperor Jing began to hate and deliberately alienate The King of Liang. A few years later, King Liang saw no hope of succeeding to the throne and was depressed.
In fact, both Empress Dou and Emperor Jing should be responsible for Liu Wu's tragedy. It is precisely because of the empress dowager's favor and the love of the imperial brother that Liu Wu's status has become more and more honorable, and even enjoys the same treatment as the emperor, especially the promise of the emperor's brother, coupled with the thrust of the mother's queen, so that he has an undeserved emperor dream, resulting in Li Lingzhi fainting, and falling deeper and deeper on the road of "emperor dream".
If Liu Wu could keep to himself and not listen to the temptations of Yang Sheng and Gongsun Wei, he would happily live his life as a prince.