"Any news of the Overlord?"
Every time scouts returned from searching the mountains and rivers, Liu Ji would anxiously ask. Everyone assumed the King of Han feared that if the King of Chu did not surrender, her dynasty would remain unstable. Thus, no one paid it much mind. On the contrary, every soldier in the Han army was jubilant. Now that the 100,000-strong Chu army had collapsed and the Overlord of Western Chu was a turtle in a jar, once this battle ended, there would be no force left in the land of Huaxia capable of opposing the Great Han. The Great Han Dynasty was about to be established.
And these men were all founding ministers of the new dynasty, certain to receive generous rewards.
"Reporting to the King of Han, there is still no news of the King of Chu. However, according to the cavalrymen captured near the King of Chu's location, he gave them gold and jewels and told them to return to their villages. By now, the King of Chu should have no one left by his side except Yu Meiren."
No one else by his side...
Upon hearing this, Liu Ji was overjoyed. Did this not mean that Roy was finally preparing to surrender?
She immediately ordered, "Quickly, have Han Xin dispatch all troops to search inch by inch. The Overlord of Western Chu must be found! Since he has no one left with him, capture him alive! Whoever captures the Overlord of Western Chu alive shall be rewarded with ten thousand gold and enfeoffed as a marquis!"
After a pause, Liu Ji added, "...Do not harm the Overlord's life. If anyone kills him, they shall not only forfeit their reward but also be punished!"
By the end, her voice had turned icy. Having sat on the throne of the King of Han for many years, she naturally exuded authority. Her phoenix-like gaze swept over the gathered generals and soldiers, causing them all to lower their heads.
Though the order was somewhat excessive, everyone assumed it was due to the King of Han's past relationship with the King of Chu, so no one questioned it.
Besides, the promise of a marquisate was enough to stir excitement. Even men like Fan Kuai, who had followed Liu Ji for so long, would likely only receive a marquisate at best. Capturing the Overlord of Western Chu and immediately being enfeoffed as a marquis was like ascending to heaven in a single step—even if it was a marquisate without real power, it was still a noble title!
The soldiers swiftly relayed the King of Han's orders throughout the army, greatly boosting morale.
Liu Ji returned to her tent in high spirits, already imagining the sight of Roy bound and kneeling before her, head bowed in submission.
Then I'll step on him with my foot, making him suffer and delight at the same time, until he surrenders and begs for mercy. Only then will I let him go.
The thought made Liu Ji burst into laughter.
...
"Long live the King!"
"Long live the King!"
"..."
The 400,000-strong Han army roared in unison as a great force approached from the distance, its banners bearing the character "Han." Wherever the army passed, Han soldiers cheered and danced, their faces alight with joy.
Seeing this, Xiao He knew the Han army must have captured the King of Chu. He hurried forward to meet Han Xin and asked, "...Has the Grand General captured the King of Chu?"
The plump young man on horseback grinned cheerfully. Recognizing Xiao He, he dismounted—after all, Xiao He had once chased him on horseback all night to bring him back to the Han, where he was then appointed Grand General. Naturally, Han Xin held Xiao He in high regard.
At the question, Han Xin hesitated before nodding. "...We have captured the King of Chu."
"Then where is he?"
Xiao He looked around but saw no sign of the Overlord of Western Chu.
Han Xin shook his head in bewilderment and said, "...My soldiers found traces of the King of Chu at Jiuli Mountain. The army pursued him to the Wu River, intending to capture him alive. Who would have thought the King of Chu would draw his sword and take his own life?"
As he spoke, Han Xin wore a puzzled expression, unable to comprehend why the King of Chu would commit suicide. After all, it was the King of Chu who had originally instructed him to seek out the King of Han, which had ultimately brought him honor and glory, earning him a royal title worthy of his talents. The King of Chu had always been meticulous in his calculations—suicide seemed entirely out of character. Especially during the final battle with Chu, the King of Chu had surrendered almost immediately without putting up much of a fight. It was truly bizarre.
But since he couldn't make sense of it, Han Xin decided not to dwell on it further. He simply said to Xiao He, "...I had a past connection with the King of Chu and didn't want his body desecrated by other soldiers, so I brought it back intact. Would you accompany me to see the King of Han, Lord Xiao?"
To his surprise, upon hearing this, Xiao He exclaimed in shock, "...You said the King of Chu took his own life?"
Immediately, Xiao He's expression changed drastically, his face filled with terror as he waved his hands frantically. "...No, no! You go alone to see the King of Han, Great General."
Han Xin found Xiao He's reaction odd but didn't pay it much mind. He simply ordered his soldiers to carry Roy's "corpse" and headed to Liu Ji's tent.
...
Clang!
Liu Ji, who had just warmed wine in anticipation of sharing a ceremonial cup with Roy, staggered as the cup slipped from her hand and crashed to the ground, spilling the warm wine everywhere.
Her face pale, she stared at Han Xin, who was kneeling on one knee before her, then at Roy's "corpse" lying behind him, a deep gash across his neck. The world seemed to spin around her, and she nearly collapsed.
"Your Majesty!"
Attendants rushed to support her, crying out in alarm.
"It's nothing... I'm just... just overjoyed," Liu Ji forced a smile. Her gaze locked onto Han Xin, and seeing the chubby man's flushed face, she asked hoarsely, "...Did the King of Chu take his own life at the Wu River?"
"Yes."
For some reason, Han Xin shuddered, feeling as though the King of Han before him was a vengeful ghost. But being bold by nature, he maintained his composure and answered calmly.
"Did the King of Chu say anything before his death?"
Han Xin thought for a moment. "...I believe I heard him say, 'This is not the fault of battle, but Heaven's will to destroy me. I have no face to see the King of Han, so I choose to end my life.'"
"Heaven's will to destroy him... Heaven's will to destroy him..." Liu Ji murmured, sensing deeper meaning in those words.
"No face to see me? Hah. Yet here you are, seeing me anyway."
Her expression grew distant, her pupils unfocused.
After a long silence, she finally regained her composure, exhaustion weighing on her body and mind. "...What of Lady Yu?"
"The King of Chu was alone when he died. Presumably, he must have killed Lady Yu and buried her body at Jiuli Mountain."
"...I see. Leave the King of Chu's body here. All of you, leave."
No one protested. They filed out one by one. After all, the King of Chu was now nothing more than a "corpse." No matter how invincible he had been in life, could he possibly rise from the dead?
Han Xin was the last to leave. Just before he stepped out, he heard Liu Ji say, "...Upon reflection, I find your title of 'King of Qi' unsuitable. I hereby revoke it and bestow upon you the title of 'King of Chu.'"
Han Xin thought it was merely a change in title, not a revocation of his fiefdom, so he didn't mind and simply cupped his hands before leaving.
"Back then, although Xiao He rode through the night to bring Han Xin back, he also said this man was overly fond of war—a double-edged sword that could bring danger to his master with the slightest misstep. Hah, now that the war has ended, this fine bow is of no more use."
This was precisely the fate of the cunning hare being killed and the hunting dog being cooked, the bow being stored away once the birds are gone!
Han Xin was granted the title of "King of Chu," unaware that this very title was one Liu Ji detested. By bestowing it upon him, she meant to remind herself constantly to seize the first opportunity to eliminate this Military Sage, lest he destroy the hard-won Han Empire.
Liu Ji walked slowly forward, crouching beside Roy's "corpse." Her slender fingers brushed against his pale, lifeless cheeks, her expression caught between weeping and laughter.
"Too ashamed to face me? You truly are. You abandoned us, a widow and orphan, to indulge yourself in Pengcheng. You didn't even lay eyes on our child before you died. Why were you so cruel, choosing death over becoming my prisoner?"
"Why did you take your own life? What right did you have to end it all so easily? Your Yu Meiren is still alive—did you abandon her too? You claimed Heaven willed your downfall, but explain it to me! What hidden truth am I missing? Explain it to me! Speak! Speak!!"
Her pale hands clenched Roy's collar, shaking his body violently as she screamed hoarsely.
But a "corpse" does not speak.
Liu Ji's eyes were bloodshot, tears of dragon's blood slipping from their corners as she whispered sorrowfully, "...You were the one who made me emperor. You were the one who chose death. You were the one who left me with no answers. Don't think I didn't know about your wedding with Yu Meiren in Xianyang Palace. I didn't care for such formalities—I even thought, fine, I'd serve you alongside Yu Meiren if I must. But you told her everything and left me in the dark, driving me to madness in my search for the truth!"
"...Meeting you—was it fortune or misfortune? My entire life, Liu Ji's, has been toyed with in the palm of your hand!"
She released his collar, sinking to her knees, pressing her jade-like face against his chest as if hoping to hear his heartbeat. Tears of blood streamed uncontrollably.
Liu Ji knew Roy had no need to choose death. It wasn't out of unwillingness to endure humiliation—there had to be a reason beyond her understanding, one that left even him helpless.
"Heaven willed your downfall, Heaven willed your downfall—hahahahaha!"
"I know nothing! Nothing!! Only I was kept in the dark—only me!!!"
Her voice was hoarse, her cries filled with grief and accusation.
And so, Liu Ji sat beside Roy, knees drawn to her chest, burying her tear-streaked face in them as if murmuring to herself or speaking to him. "...I want to join you now, but I can't. Ying'er is still young, and with kings like Han Xin and Ying Bu still around, if I follow you, Ying'er would surely suffer at their hands."
"...The nation is newly founded and still requires my efforts, needs me to hold the center. Ha, I suppose this was all part of your calculations—using the entire nation, using Ying'er to tie me down, forcing me to sit on the throne day after day, exhausting myself to coordinate all directions."
"Those who die are free from all burdens, while the living should move forward. But my heart aches, I'm in pain, I'm truly... so very tired."
"Rest assured, I will raise Ying'er to adulthood, make him a good emperor. As for me, in the remaining years of my life, I will cut down all thorns for him and pave his path smooth!"
"...I will ensure our bloodline rules the mightiest dynasty in this world!"
"I just wonder... if you'll be able to see that day..."
"Heh... hahaha... heh... hahaha... wuuuu——"
She wept and laughed in the tent, her demeanor bordering on madness.
...
Outside the Han army camp, atop a high mountain, Yu Meiren leaned weakly against a tree. Her body swayed, her face pale, barely managing to grip the trunk to keep from collapsing.
Her gaze was fixed fiercely on the largest tent in the Han camp.
If—if Liu Ji dared to desecrate the king's 'corpse' in any way, even if it cost her everything, she would transform into a sea of blood and drown these four hundred thousand Han troops beneath her feet!
But fortunately, Liu Ji still loved the king after all. She had done nothing to the king's 'remains.'
"The king said he wronged you. So in these final moments... let you stay with him."
Yu Meiren murmured these words, then staggered away into the depths of the mountains.
Elsewhere, a fox also observed everything. The cheerful expression on her face grew cold, and after watching for a long while, she finally shook her head and left.
She truly disliked tragedies.
...
Three days later, a hand suddenly emerged from an unmarked grave.
Roy pushed aside the earth covering him and climbed out of the tomb.
For the powerful, rising from the coffin was a basic skill.
Before his suicide, Roy had used magic to feign death and invoked the authority of 'Holy Son's Repose.' Even if Liu Ji had truly hated him enough to dismember him, after three days of repose, Roy would have resurrected like the Holy Son.
He looked down at the golden burial shroud he wore and knew Liu Ji had ultimately done nothing to his 'corpse.'
This was an unmarked grave, the tombstone bearing no inscription. Perhaps Liu Ji had hoped he would truly rest forever, undisturbed by grave robbers in the future.
Roy surveyed his surroundings—the outskirts of a small county town. Paths crisscrossed the fields, farmers toiled under the sun, children ran joyfully through the dirt, and an atmosphere of peaceful prosperity filled the air.
The farmers' skin was rough, their bodies drenched in sweat, yet each wore a smile of hope for life.
"Is this... Pei County? In the end, you buried me in your hometown."
Roy's expression softened. With a wave of his hand, the disturbed earth rolled back, restoring the grave to its original state.
Then, Roy's figure gradually faded, as if he had never existed in this world, vanishing into the air.
Epilogue I: "Song of the Great Wind"
In the seventh year of Han, someone accused Han Xin of plotting rebellion. Emperor Gaozu followed Chen Ping's strategy to quell the rebellion, stripping Han Xin of his title 'King of Chu' and demoting him to 'Marquis of Huaiyin.'
In the tenth year of the Han dynasty, Emperor Gaozu left the capital under the pretense of quelling a rebellion, but in truth, he conspired with Xiao He and Zhang Liang to capture Han Xin just as he was about to raise the banner of revolt. Han Xin was executed along with his entire clan—truly, it was Xiao He who made him and Xiao He who destroyed him!
That same year, Zhang Liang, citing illness, resigned from his post and retired to his hometown. Emperor Gaozu tried in vain to persuade him to stay, bestowing upon him vast riches. It was said that after leaving the political center, Zhang Liang went to Huangpao Mountain in search of his master, Huang Shigong, and lived in seclusion, never to be seen again.
Thus, of the three great heroes of early Han, one met his end, and one withdrew from the world. Only Xiao He remained, assisting Emperor Gaozu in eliminating the non-imperial kings like Han Xin and Ying Bu, ~securing his position as Chancellor.
More than a decade later, in the Changle Palace of Chang'an—
After Liu Ji declared himself emperor, he established the capital in Chang'an and built the first formal palace of the Han dynasty on the foundation of the Qin dynasty's Xingle Palace. This was the Changle Palace, its name meaning "eternal joy." From then on, Emperor Gaozu resided in the Changle Palace, the heart of the empire.
Seated high upon the dragon throne of Changle Palace, she wore imperial robes—black on top and vermilion below—with a twelve-beaded crown upon her head. The crown was deep black, adorned with jade hairpins, and pearls dangled near her ears, tinkling with every movement to remind the emperor not to heed slander.
The Changle Palace was empty, all eunuchs and palace maids dismissed by Emperor Gaozu. Only she reigned supreme in solitude!
Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the palace. Liu Ji, who had been sitting on the throne with her head bowed in deep thought, looked up to see a woman gracefully approaching from the palace gates. She moved as if unhindered, treating the imperial palace as her own private garden, unseen by the guards stationed every five or ten paces.
Then, the woman stood at the foot of the emperor's dais and raised her head to meet Liu Ji's gaze.
She did not kneel in homage, yet Liu Ji showed no anger.
"Since the Feast at Hongmen, over twenty years have passed. This is our first meeting since then, Lady Yu."
Through the curtain of beads on her crown, Liu Ji studied the woman below the dais. Time had left no mark on Lady Yu; she remained as beautiful as ever, like a blooming poppy, captivating the hearts of men.
Lady Yu still wore her black cloak, its collar lined with white fox fur. Though the garment was loose, it accentuated her slender figure. The only difference from over twenty years ago was that she had tied her long, straight black hair into a high ponytail.
Roy had once said he loved her most with her hair down. Since his departure, Lady Yu had never again let her hair flow freely. She vowed only to untie her ponytail when she saw her king again, to show him the sight he loved most.
After sweeping her gaze over Lady Yu, Liu Ji's eyes settled on a single silver strand amidst her raven locks, starkly conspicuous.
As Liu Ji observed Lady Yu, Lady Yu in turn studied her. Over twenty years as emperor had endowed Liu Ji with imperial majesty. To Lady Yu, she now rivaled the First Emperor she had once met. Merely sitting upon the dragon throne and casting her gaze about was enough to stir awe in those who beheld her, her dignity heaven-sent.
But what surprised Yu Ji was that through the layers of ceremonial headdress, she could see Liu Ji's appearance remained that of a twenty-year-old, with skin still tender and smooth, as if the passage of twenty years had left no trace on her. This was truly unbelievable, because Yu Ji knew that even though Liu Ji possessed the bloodline of the Red Dragon, she was still an ordinary mortal.
Yet Yu Ji was certain that the Great Ancestor Emperor before her was already at the end of her life.
Perhaps sensing Yu Ji's confusion, Liu Ji smiled and said, "...I did not wish to meet him in this frail, aging body. So after ascending the throne, I sought out the many methods of immortality once pursued by the First Emperor. Through alchemy, I preserved my youthful appearance—at the cost of my vitality!"
"...Back then, I took shortcuts to swiftly unify the land, enfeoffing many kings of different surnames. After my coronation, I did nothing but wage war after war, suppressing those kings. Now that they have mostly been dealt with, I can feel my time is running short. But this is enough. At the very least, I have left a stable empire for Ying'er!"
"You knew you were dying, so you ordered your subordinates to search the land for me?"
After a moment of silence, Yu Ji finally asked.
"I believed you would come to see me!"
"Now that you've seen me, what do you wish to say?"
"I have a question. If I do not get the answer from you, I fear I will die with regrets. And I have one request—no, a demand for you to fulfill!"
Liu Ji's tone brooked no refusal, compelling absolute obedience—such was the authority of the "Imperial Majesty"!
"I know what you wish to ask..."
Yu Ji sighed. She had long been prepared to tell Liu Ji the answer.
"The reason the Great King chose to take his own life was because of the 'Pruning of Human Order'..."
Slowly, Yu Ji explained the concept of "Pruning of Human Order" to Liu Ji—to this founding emperor who had agonized over the question for twenty years without finding an answer.
The expression behind the imperial crown of the Great Ancestor Emperor remained unreadable. After so many years on the throne, she had become inscrutable. Yet Yu Ji could clearly see the longing and sorrow in those crimson dragon-like eyes.
"So that's it... So that's why he said 'Heaven wills my destruction'..."
Leaning back on the dragon throne, Liu Ji gazed up at the ceiling of the Eternal Joy Palace, murmuring to herself.
"The Great King made that choice... to ensure that I—and you—could live."
Yu Ji couldn't help but add.
"I know... That's just the kind of man he was. He was always so domineering, so arbitrary, never giving anyone a choice, never explaining himself to anyone. That's why he was the 'Hegemon-King of Western Chu'..."
Liu Ji's voice gradually grew pained.
"You no longer resent the Great King?"
"I never hated him. The moment his 'corpse' appeared before me, I knew he must have had his reasons. I only resented him for not telling me those reasons!"
"The Great King knew your defiant nature. Had you learned the truth, you would have disrupted his plans—perhaps even resorted to suicide to defy fate. In truth... you and the Great King were the same."
"He understood me... That truly makes me happy."
"..."
Silence fell once more in the Eternal Joy Palace. After a long while, Liu Ji finally spoke again, her voice distant: "...Now that I have my answer, half my purpose in meeting you is fulfilled. The remaining half... is my demand."
"Why should I obey you?"
"You will obey me."
Liu Ji looked at Yu Ji with a half-smile. Though the Lady Yu was an immortal fairy, how could she compare to the Great Ancestor Emperor in schemes and imperial stratagems?
Yu Ji opened her mouth slightly before pressing her lips together and saying, "...You're becoming more and more like an emperor."
"I AM the emperor!!"
Liu Ji laughed heartily, his voice resounding like a heavenly decree.
Then he continued, "...Back then, to ensure I could have heirs, I married Lady Lü. For over twenty years, she's been confined in the deep palace, living as a widow in all but name. Her temperament has long since changed, her personality twisted. Yet I wronged her and couldn't bring myself to kill her with my own hands."
"...After my death, Lady Lü will surely resent me. She's long prepared various schemes to replace the Liu clan with the Lü family. My request is this: if she truly attempts this, I hope you, Lady Yu, will help transmit my final edict to eradicate them. I trust you wouldn't allow my bloodline—and his—to be deprived of the throne."
With an expression of absolute confidence, Liu Ji tossed the bamboo scroll toward Yu Ji.
Catching it, Yu Ji realized she truly couldn't refuse Liu Ji's request. Ensuring the bloodline of her king became emperor—she would have done this even without Liu Ji saying so.
"You have so many subordinates. Why ask me?"
"Because you, Lady Yu, are the one I trust most."
Silence fell between them again.
This time, Yu Ji spoke first: "...It seems you've had other children?"
"Yes. It couldn't be helped. An emperor cannot have just one heir."
"Did you... adopt them from elsewhere?"
"Of course not. They're of my bloodline too."
"Don't tell me you and another man—"
Lady Yu stared at Liu Ji in shock, though upon reflection, it made sense. Who said Liu Ji had to remain chaste for her king?
Liu Ji grinned slyly. "...At Jiuli Mountain, did you think I left him completely untouched? I preserved some of his essence. Later, as emperor, I summoned alchemists and used the immortal arts left by the First Emperor to combine his blood with mine, creating these children through mystic means."
Yu Ji understood now.
Liu Ji had kept Roy's genetic material, then used immortal arts instead of science to create test-tube babies!
"Enough. I'm tired now. You may leave."
Liu Ji waved dismissively, treating Lady Yu like nothing more than a tool.
Unperturbed, Yu Ji turned and left the Eternal Joy Palace with the bamboo scroll.
As she walked through the palace, she faintly heard singing from the palace halls:
"The great wind rises, clouds scatter and fly! With power over all within the seas, I return to my homeland. Where shall I find brave warriors to guard the four quarters?!"
...
The great wind rises, clouds scatter and fly...
It seemed the cruelest mockery of "My strength plucked mountains, my spirit overawed the world."
That same year, the Great Ancestor Emperor passed away, and the nation mourned.
Lady Lü seized power, attempting to depose the rightful heir. However, Chen Ping and Zhou Bo, aided by a mysterious figure, used the late emperor's final edict to exterminate the Lü clan. Liu Ying ascended the throne, implementing benevolent policies, reducing taxes, and appointing Cao Can as chancellor. Following Xiao He's precedents, his rule brought clean governance and prosperity—earning him the posthumous title Emperor Hui of Han!
...
Another hundred years passed, and in the land of Western Chu, a man traveled far and wide, seeking the truths of history.
It was now the era of Emperor Wu, barely over a century since the conflict between Chu and Han. Many tales from that time were still passed down among the people by word of mouth.
After visiting yet another local scholar, the man paused to rest before a field of poppies, reflecting on the stories he had gathered that day and comparing them with the history he knew, searching for the truth hidden within the mists of time.
Suddenly, a woman stood before him, blocking the sunlight.
Startled, the man looked up and, upon seeing her face, instinctively exclaimed, "...A fairy maiden?"
The woman showed no expression, her face cold as ice. "...I heard you are searching for the past?"
"Yes, might the fairy maiden have any guidance to offer?" the man asked cautiously.
"Guidance is too strong a word. But when you write about the Great King—no, about the Hegemon-King of Western Chu—add one more line."
Her slip of the tongue seemed to betray her identity, and the man's expression shifted to sudden understanding.
"What line would the fairy maiden have me add?"
"The Han troops have seized the land, the songs of Chu rise on all sides. The Great King's spirit is spent—how could this lowly concubine bear to live on?"
After hearing her words, the man's face twisted slightly. The simple five-character verse was, to be honest, rather plain, lacking any profound meaning—hardly a testament to literary refinement.
The woman's cheeks flushed faintly. Of course, she knew why the man looked so odd. But this simple verse had taken her over a hundred years to compose. Was it her fault she wasn't a poet?
Her expression darkened as she glared at the man, as if daring him to utter a single unnecessary word—lest she relieve him of his manhood then and there.
The man shuddered and immediately lowered his head, unrolling a bamboo scroll to record the verse without another word.
"Fairy maiden, see here..."
When he looked up again, the woman was already gone. Only the poppies swayed gently in the breeze.
"That must have been Lady Yu. Truly as beautiful as the legends say," the man murmured to himself before rising to his feet. His grand chronicle had only just begun.
Epilogue II: The Son of Destiny (End of Volume)
(Image: Liu Xiu and Yin Lihua)
(Resting today. New volume tomorrow.)
In the late Western Han Dynasty, Wang Mang usurped the throne, deposed the young emperor, and established the Xin Dynasty.
During Emperor Wu's reign, the Decree of Enfeoffment was implemented to strengthen central authority. By the end of the Western Han, the lineage of Liu Fa, Prince Ding of Changsha and son of Emperor Jing, had dwindled to minor officials like the magistrate of Jiyang County—though they still carried the imperial bloodline.
Liu Qin, magistrate of Jiyang, was the eighth-generation descendant of Emperor Gaozu. Married for years with several concubines, he had yet to produce an heir.
Since Emperor Wu's policy of "Dismissing the Hundred Schools, Honoring Only Confucianism," Confucianism had become dominant. Among the three unfilial acts, having no heir was the gravest—especially for a man of imperial lineage like Liu Qin, who fretted over it daily.
Then one night, he dreamed of a goddess descending from heaven. Within days, his wife was with child. Ten months later, she gave birth to a daughter named Liu Xiu.
At nine years old, Liu Xiu was orphaned by the deaths of her parents. Amid Wang Mang's usurpation, her imperial lineage became a liability. Thereafter, she was raised by her uncle as an ordinary peasant.
Because Liu Xiu was born with delicate and handsome features that made it hard to distinguish her gender, everyone assumed she was male, and her uncle raised her as a boy.
Since the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty, the court's governance had grown increasingly corrupt. By the time of Emperor Cheng, the situation had deteriorated further into utter incompetence. After Emperor Ai's death, Wang Mang usurped power ("910"). However, Wang Mang's reforms were too radical, affecting the interests of everyone from the powerful elites down to the common people. Coupled with the constant floods and droughts in the late Western Han Dynasty, the people suffered immensely, plunging the land of Huaxia into turmoil once again.
Wang Kuang and Wang Feng of Xinshi in Jingzhou gathered a rebel force, operating in the Lülin Mountains, and became known as the "Lülin Army." To legitimize their cause and establish rightful authority, the Lülin Army decided to select a Liu clan descendant of the Han imperial family as emperor.
At this time, Liu Xiu happened to be found. The Lülin Army believed this imperial relative was just a peasant, timid by nature, and thus the perfect candidate for a puppet emperor. So, they proclaimed Liu Xiu as emperor. This young woman, who had previously been farming in her hometown, completely unaware of anything, inexplicably became the Lülin Army's emperor—her luck was nothing short of miraculous.
...
In Kunyang City, the winds of change were blowing.
Upon hearing that the Lülin Army had enthroned a Liu descendant as emperor, Wang Mang was shocked and hastily dispatched Grand Minister over the Masses Wang Xun with an army of 420,000 to Nanyang Commandery to crush the Lülin Army. At the time, Liu Xiu had just helped the Lülin Army capture Kunyang but found herself trapped in the city by Wang Mang's massive force, with no way to escape.
Inside Kunyang, the Lülin Army numbered fewer than 10,000, while outside, Wang Mang's forces stood at 420,000. Any rational person could see this was a hopeless battle. Wang Kuang, Wang Feng, and other Lülin leaders considered surrender, but to their surprise, Grand Minister Wang Xun refused and vowed to massacre the city once Kunyang fell. Filled with despair, the soldiers and civilians of Kunyang had no choice but to fight to the death.
The Kunyang city governor's residence had temporarily become the dwelling of the "false emperor" Liu Xiu. This puppet ruler, installed by the Lülin Army, paced anxiously inside the residence.
Liu Xiu wore a fiery red robe, her crimson dragon-like eyes gleaming. Her jet-black hair was streaked with blood-red at the bangs, and at her waist hung the Chixiao Sword of Emperor Gaozu of Han. Her tall, graceful figure made her an unparalleled beauty.
Had someone from the Chu-Han era been present, they would have been astonished to see how much Liu Xiu resembled Emperor Gaozu Liu Ji—nearly identical, despite being his ninth-generation descendant. The only difference was that Liu Xiu did not wear the jade pendant that had once adorned Emperor Gaozu's waist.
She was born with an extraordinary appearance—neither distinctly male nor female, neither wholly saintly nor prisoner. Though female, when she claimed to be a man, others believed her.
Liu Xiu knew the truth of her origins. Before her father, Liu Qin, died, he revealed everything to her.
It turned out Liu Qin had been incapable of fathering children. He once encountered a celestial maiden who called herself "Yu," who bestowed upon him a method of bloodline and immortal cultivation. She also left behind Emperor Gaozu's Chixiao Sword, instructing him to pass it on to the child who would be born.
Thus, Liu Xiu was essentially a "test-tube baby" created through immortal arts. Outwardly, she was Emperor Gaozu's ninth-generation descendant, but in truth, she was more like his daughter.
The Great Ancestor Emperor Gaozu was a woman, a secret she only revealed to her son Liu Ying, Emperor Hui of Han, on her deathbed. It was then that Emperor Hui learned he was not the child of Emperor Gaozu and Empress Lü, but rather the offspring of Emperor Gaozu and the Hegemon-King of Western Chu. No one could have imagined that the Hegemon-King, who should have been the greatest enemy of the Han dynasty's Liu clan, shared such a relationship with Emperor Gaozu.
This secret was passed down exclusively among the emperors of the Han dynasty, with each ruler disclosing it only to their successor upon their death. Thus, when the Grand Historian Sima Qian wrote Records of the Grand Historian during Emperor Wu's reign, his portrayal of the Hegemon-King was tinged with tragedy. Yet, the Han imperial family turned a blind eye—after all, he was their ancestor, and a few words of praise mattered little.
Liu Xiu, a distant branch of the imperial clan, had no right to know this secret. However, due to the extraordinary circumstances of his birth, he eventually learned the truth about his ancestors.
No—strictly speaking, in terms of bloodline, he was a clone born from the union of Emperor Gaozu and the Hegemon-King. He should have addressed them as "Imperial Father" and "Imperial Mother."
"Xiu'er, don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll stay by your side."
Just as Liu Xiu was agonizing over the 420,000-strong army of Wang Mang outside Kunyang City, a gentle, melodious voice spoke beside him.
Liu Xiu turned to see his 'wife'—or rather, his 'elder sister'—Yin Lihua.
Yin Lihua was graceful and elegant, with a beauty that could topple cities. She stood there quietly, her eyes reflecting both youthful vivacity and tender compassion.
At the sight of her, Liu Xiu's heart ached even more.
In the past, Liu Xiu had been nothing more than a fallen imperial clansman, a commoner, while Yin Lihua was a descendant of Guan Zhong, the famed chancellor of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period. Her beauty was renowned throughout Nanyang. Despite the vast difference in their statuses, fate had brought them together.
Yin Lihua knew Liu Xiu's true identity as a woman and, being eight years his senior, had always cared for him like an elder sister. This led Liu Xiu to utter his famous words: "A man should aspire to be the Commandant of the Capital Guards, and take Yin Lihua as his wife!"
At the time, Yin Lihua was already of marriageable age, and in those days, she was expected to wed and bear children. Though Liu Xiu knew she had no desire to marry, she could not defy her family.
Liu Xiu vowed then to rescue her from this plight. Once he gained a modicum of power in the chaotic times, he forced the Yin family to marry Yin Lihua to him.
From then on, the two lived together as 'husband and wife' in name, but in truth as 'sisters.'
Biting her lip, Liu Xiu gazed at his beautiful elder sister, his hands trembling and tears welling in his eyes. He knew that if Wang Mang's army breached Kunyang City, Yin Lihua—with her widely celebrated beauty—would surely suffer disgrace. He might have to kill her himself to spare her from such humiliation.
Yin Lihua seemed to foresee her fate. Gently cradling Liu Xiu's hands, she shook her head softly, her eyes already filled with resignation.
This empress, later revered as the epitome of a virtuous wife and a model of maternal grace, was truly gentle and beautiful.
"Report!!"
Just as the two of them stood hand in hand, gazing at each other with tearful eyes, a voice cried out in excitement from outside, followed by the rapid footsteps of someone running in...
A soldier rushed into the room, knelt on the ground, and wept with emotion: "…Your Majesty! Last night, a meteor shower fell from the heavens! The false emperor Wang Mang's army of 420,000 was completely—utterly annihilated beneath that rain of meteors!! This is truly divine favor upon Your Majesty!!!"
Liu Xiu stood frozen in place, utterly dumbfounded.
Though she had always known she was extraordinarily lucky—so much so that it could be described as "wishing makes it so"—this was beyond anything she could have imagined.
As a child, left alone and uncared for, she had wished for a kind elder sister to look after her. Within days, she met Yin Lihua, who indeed cared for her like an elder sister.
When she learned of Yin Lihua's sorrows, she hoped Yin Lihua would never marry. Soon after, the Yin family, for various reasons, never arranged a marriage for her.
When Liu Xiu grew older and felt she could marry Yin Lihua, she was frustrated by her lowly status, which prevented a proper betrothal. Then, the Green Forest Army sought her out and made her emperor outright—removing all obstacles to marrying Yin Lihua.
As a puppet emperor under the Green Forest Army, Liu Xiu had no real power. She wished for authority—and soon after, the faction's true leaders, Wang Kuang and Wang Feng, lost their prestige when their attempt to surrender was rejected by the Grand Minister over the Masses. As the emperor of the resistance faction, she gained the full support of the Green Forest Army.
Just yesterday, she had been racking her brains on how to escape the encirclement of 420,000 troops. And today… today, a meteor shower had fallen from the sky and wiped them all out?
Liu Xiu felt dizzy, as if the sheer absurdity of her luck might kill her on the spot.
"Xiu'er…"
Yin Lihua, though equally stunned by the news, was the first to regain her composure. She tugged lightly at Liu Xiu's sleeve.
Liu Xiu snapped back to attention and immediately ordered, "…Mobilize the troops! We march out of the city at once!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
The soldier's gaze was filled with awe. People of ancient times believed in such signs—this was proof that Liu Xiu was truly the Son of Heaven.
Soon after, Liu Xiu led her forces out of the city. While the claim that the entire 420,000-strong army had been wiped out by the meteor shower was slightly exaggerated (0.9, to be precise), Wang Mang's forces had indeed been crippled. Liu Xiu pursued them, and that very night, a torrential downpour caused the rivers to swell, trapping Wang Mang's army. With fewer than 10,000 troops and almost no casualties, Liu Xiu annihilated Wang Mang's 420,000-strong force.
From then on, Liu Xiu displayed military and leadership talents surpassing even those of Emperor Gaozu of Han. Combined with her heaven-defying luck, she swept through every battle, conquering all in her path. Wang Mang's forces retreated in defeat. The Bronze Horse Army, still over 100,000 strong, and the Red Eyebrows, with 200,000 troops, knelt in submission upon meeting Liu Xiu. Without lifting a finger, she gained another 400,000 soldiers under her banner.
In the end, Liu Xiu ascended as emperor, establishing the Later Han Dynasty, historically known as the Eastern Han. Yin Lihua was enshrined as empress, and the two used immortal cultivation methods to bear descendants, extending the Great Han's reign for several more centuries.
Liu Xiu ruled for thirty-three years, establishing Luoyang as the capital. Politically, he was diligent and innovative, reforming the bureaucratic system, rectifying official conduct, and treating meritorious officials generously. Economically, he promoted recovery and lightened taxes. Culturally, he revitalized Confucianism and upheld moral integrity, founding a dynasty later praised as "the most refined in customs and the most flourishing in Confucianism" in Chinese history.
After his passing, his temple name was Shizu, and his posthumous title was Emperor Guangwu.
Of course, later generations often jokingly referred to him as the "Child of the Plane."