Chapter 1: Emperor Wu of Han Died Early

In the second year of the Yuanfeng era, the autumn wind was bleak and desolate; a guard clad in black armor rode his horse along the imperial road.

Horse hooves kicked up the yellow leaves of the palace locust, sweeping past the solemn, gray-white city walls, filling the Han capital Perpetual Peace with a lethal aura.

Broad Hope Park drew near; the guard dismounted and rushed in.

Inside the park, however, strange flowers and exotic grasses grew in profusion, a scene bursting with vitality.

Liuju carefully planted the seedlings in the greenhouse, treating them as if they were his own child.

"You say the emperor has died?"

Liuju slowly rose, looking at the guard kneeling on one knee before him, clad in black armor, his heart surging.

"Emperor Wu of Han actually died?"

Twenty years ago, Liuju, who was eating hot pot and singing, transmigrated into the namesake crown prince of Emperor Wu of Han, also named Liuju.

He was precisely the historical figure who was framed and drawn into the Witchcraft Persecution, who, in a failed rebellion to save himself, died miserably—the greatest wronged soul in history, the "Cruel Crown Prince".

His death also led to Empress Wei Zifu, filled with resentment, hanging herself; thereafter the Wei clan was exterminated; the great gate erected by the Han's twin pillars, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, collapsed overnight.

Upon confirming his transmigration, Liuju decided to hide his talents and bide his time, even willing to sully himself to avoid Emperor Wu's suspicion.

After waiting for a smooth transition until this historically renowned emperor of all ages truly passed away, it wouldn't matter whether he took over the mess he left behind.

After all, he had been secretly developing his abilities in the wilds for many years, gaining considerable strength, more than enough to protect himself.

Lying low as an idle prince would be fine; failing that, going out to sea to earn some title like "the Whip of So-and-So" would also do.

But unexpectedly, Emperor Wu of Han actually died ahead of schedule—twenty years early!

"Is what you say true?" Liuju still couldn't believe it.

The black-armored guard nodded heavily again and said:

"Your Highness, among our Feathered Forest guards in the palace, a secret report says that three days ago, when His Majesty went to Sweet Spring Palace to worship the spirits, he fell ill the next day."

"Today he has already passed away."

Liuju rose to his full height, his eyes shifting, then ordered: "Summon Zhang Tang and Tian Qianqiu immediately for an audience."

"Yes!"

The black-armored guard received the order and withdrew.

A moment later.

Zhang Tang and Tian Qianqiu hurried over.

Zhang Tang, stern and unsmiling, said in a low voice: "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

The usually steady Tian Qianqiu also wore a solemn expression at this time.

Liuju said: "The secret report has come: the emperor has died!"

Zhang Tang exclaimed in shock: "What? That dog Liu Zhi is dead?"

Tian Qianqiu frowned: "Zhang Gu, watch your words; you must not disrespect the emperor's name."

Zhang Tang snorted, recalling past humiliations, his face darkening as he roared:

"If it weren't for the Crown Prince's strategizing that saved my life back then, I would have long become a wronged soul under Liu Zhi's sword!"

"It's a shame I bore so many black pots for him back then."

"Such an ungrateful, heartless wretch daring to be emperor! Now only the Crown Prince could make me lay down my life."

Zhang Tang and the former Chancellor Zhuang Qingdi had long been at odds; finally, the Chancellor's secretary falsely accused him before the emperor, but fortunately Liuju rescued him, letting him escape disaster.

Whenever he recalled this incident, the usually composed Zhang Tang also felt lingering fear, unable to calm himself.

Liuju chuckled and asked: "Zhang Gu, how can you say that is also my father the emperor? Aren't you afraid I'll blame you?"

Zhang Tang sighed: "Your Highness is different; Your Highness is the crown prince who most understands righteousness—no, you are surely the most sage emperor."

Back then, he once asked Liuju why he saved a cruel official with blood-stained hands, and Liuju declared solemnly:

"Those you killed were all deserving of death; you never harmed a poor commoner, but instead protected them in every way."

"In my mighty Han, I cannot wrong any official who petitions for the people."

Thinking of this, Zhang Tang once again burst into tears, bowing deeply to Liuju.

"Gu, there's no need for excessive ceremony between us."

Liuju slightly supported himself, nodded at Zhang Tang, then turned to Tian Qianqiu and said:

"Zhuang, this matter is of great importance; we cannot but plan ahead."

Tian Qianqiu said: "Your Highness, now that the emperor has died, you, as crown prince, inheriting the Han realm, is in accordance with heavenly principle."

Zhang Tang said: "Whoever dares to oppose, ask my sword whether it will comply."

Liuju shook his head; back when Emperor Wu Liuche, in his vigorous middle age, obtained a son, he was initially overjoyed.

At seven, he appointed Liuju as crown prince, summoning renowned teachers to instruct him thoroughly.

When Liuju just came of age, he had Broad Hope Park built for him and granted him the privilege of establishing a mansion; it could be said to exemplify filial piety and paternal affection, a model of the time.

But as Emperor Wu Liuche gradually aged and weakened, fond of grand achievements and becoming increasingly muddled, and with Empress Wei Zifu no longer as beautiful as before, his old lust shifted elsewhere;

thereafter he constantly suspected and guarded against the illustrious external clans Wei and Huo;

toward Liuju he was hot and cold, even rebuking him in front of civil and military officials;

furthermore, petty individuals around him ceaselessly slandered him, and rumors of deposing the crown prince spread throughout court and countryside.

Now the father-son relationship between Liuju and Liuche has sunk to freezing point!

"The heavens and earth are not yet set; sudden changes arise; the outcome remains unknown."

Liuju gazed deeply at the distant Perpetual Peace city walls.

From this moment, the pillar of the stream, Emperor Wu of Han, has collapsed; swords and blades will surely flash again.

Tian Qianqiu confidently smiled and said:

"Your Highness, you can rest assured; our three thousand Feathered Forest armored soldiers each wear refined iron light armor, equipped with the newly developed firearms, capable of holding off a hundred thousand."

Zhang Tang also said arrogantly: "Your Highness, the Feather Forest Army has already infiltrated the Southern and Northern Armies, spreading to every key department in Chang'an."

"As long as you give the order, from now on not a single bird can fly out of Chang'an."

Tian Qianqiu continued to add: "Your Highness's wealth is now enough to rival a country; as soon as hostilities begin, provisions and supplies will be sufficient to support your pacification of the realm."

"After years of plotting, finally our wings have grown full!"

Tian Qianqiu once again felt admiration for Liu Ju.

No matter how shrewd and forceful Liuche is, he never imagined that the timid, unlearned Crown Prince Ju he saw would now have grown into an immovable colossus.

"Your Highness's Great Han Media has successfully entered Chang'an, firmly occupying the high ground of public opinion, known to every household, reaching everywhere."

Zhang Tang secretly thought that even which beauty the emperor favored on any given day, Great Han Media could recount in detail; this Chang'an had been infiltrated like a sieve.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, joyous news, joyous news!"

As they spoke, a disheveled middle-aged man rushed in, his hands tightly clutching a ceramic jar as if protecting a priceless treasure.

"Ziqing, have you grown it?"

Liu Ju also hurried forward, taking the ceramic jar from Su Wu's hands and looking at the yellow, round object inside, still covered with soil.

For a moment, the matter of Emperor Wu of Han's death was cast from his mind.

Su Wu nodded excitedly, eyes moist: "With this, my Great Han will have no more starving corpses; the well-fed should always remember Your Highness."

"Good, Ziqing, what is the yield per mu?"

Liu Ju looked at the excited Su Wu; at this historical juncture, he had not yet been sent on a mission to the Xiongnu, nor had he been imprisoned herding sheep in the North Sea.

Instead, Liu Ju had lured him to a more distant place, bringing back the potato.

Su Wu exclaimed with vigor: "After my careful cultivation, it yields fifteen dan per mu!"

"What?"

Tian Qianqiu and Zhang Tang exclaimed in shock, then both knelt and shouted loudly: "Your Highness will be remembered for a thousand years!"

"I haven't died yet!"

Liu Ju chuckled, then grew more confident about the future, slowly scanning the surroundings and speaking loudly:

"Our soldiers, can they don armor?"

Zhang Tang said: "Always ready."

"Only the command of Your Highness!"

Tian Qianqiu and Su Wu also responded excitedly.

Liu Ju gripped the sword in his hand, his eyes dark and cold.

He had endured for many years, planning ahead; not only because he faced the suspicion and suppression of Emperor Wu of Han, the strongest carbon-based lifeform of humanity, seeking self-preservation;

Also because of the kind and benevolent Empress Wei Zifu, and the undiminished glory of the two national heroes recorded in history, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, whose peerless achievements were his maternal uncle and cousin;

Also because of Emperor Wu of Han, who in his early years repelled the barbarians and expanded territory, causing the Han's prestige to spread far and wide, inaugurating a prosperous age, the one-of-a-kind emperor of all ages;

Also a foolish monarch in his later years, who indulged in endless warfare, believed in spirits, imposed harsh levies on the people, causing them to live in dire straits;

He was also Liu Ju's biological father, whom Liu Ju both respected and feared, loved and hated!

Now Emperor Wu of Han died early; Liu Ju felt grief in his heart, but more so he was preoccupied with his current plans.

And he harbored limitless yearning for the future!

Clang~~

A loud noise came from outside, and Liu Ju raised his brow.

Zhang Tang shouted: "Who dares to act recklessly in the Crown Prince's residence?"

Several people hurried out, only to see a file of Embroidered Uniform Guards entering; at the front, a middle-aged man in scarlet armor, his expression sinister and vicious, coldly smirked as he walked toward the four of them.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Jiang Chong appeared respectful on the surface, but his cold gaze upon the four of them was like looking at four corpses, full of arrogance and contempt,

The title "Your Highness the Crown Prince" sounded strange and sarcastic coming from his mouth.

Zhang Tang stepped forward, shielding Liu Ju behind him, and said in a low voice: "Embroidered Uniform Envoy, you are not outside carrying out your orders; what are you doing here?"

The one who came was none other than the infamous Embroidered Uniform Envoy of the Great Han; the leading middle-aged man was precisely the Embroidered Uniform Envoy, Jiang Chong.

He was precisely the mastermind who framed Liu Ju in his previous life!

Liu Ju waved his hand, signaling Zhang Tang to step back, and said calmly:

"Jiang Chong, you have trespassed the Crown Prince's residence and damaged the treasures of the imperial kin and nobles; this is a grave offense of disrespect."

"Aren't you afraid that this palace will have you executed on the spot and exterminate your nine clans?"

Jiang Chong said gloomily: "By order of His Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Envoy has discovered today that the Crown Prince's palace hides filthy objects, plotting to curse the current emperor."

"Crown Prince Liu Ju, your conduct is corrupt, your schemes treasonous; you have actually used yin-yang sorcery to commit regicide and patricide—your crime deserves death. Seize him!"

He has long had a grudge against Liu Ju; now that the emperor has died, we must absolutely not let him ascend the throne, otherwise there will be nothing good for him.

All the Embroidered Uniform Envoys drew their swords, staring tiger-like at Liu Ju and his three companions.

"Zhang Tang!"

Liu Ju waved his hand and said coldly: "Kill."

Zhang Tang bellowed: "Not a single one shall be left!"

Only to see hundreds of guards in fine iron light armor, wielding fire lances, appear like ghosts, surrounding Jiang Chong and his men completely.

Jiang Chong exclaimed in shock: "Crown Prince Liu Ju, are you plotting rebellion?"

"Move quickly."

Liu Ju gave an order, then turned and walked lightly back into the hall.

Bang bang bang~~

Soon from outside the hall came the blasting of fire lances and the anguished cries of the Embroidered Uniform Envoys.

Zhang Tang quickly reported back, saying, "Your Highness, I have not failed my mission; this traitor Jiang Chong has been executed."

Liu Ju looked with contempt at Jiang Chong's wide-eyed, unwilling, blood-soaked head, his heart turning cold.

My life, Liu Ju's, shall be written by myself; in history there will no longer be the epithet "Rebellious Crown Prince".

They immediately said in a low voice, "Enter the palace!"

"Yes!"

All responded in unison, obeying the order.