Chapter 76: The Fifth: The Founder Emperor of the Great Han—Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang!

Liu Ji plopped down and tugged at his collar.

"This thing really isn't meant for people to wear."

Xiao He smiled: "Your Majesty, you'll get used to it."

"Get used to it?"

Liu Ji shook his head, "Can't get used to it."

"I've been a drifter half my life, and now, finally, I'm an emperor. Who can I reason with about this?"

Xiao He gave no reply, just stared at him quietly.

Liu Ji was silent for a while, then suddenly asked, "Xiao He, you think, how long can I sit on this throne?"

Xiao He was startled: "Your Majesty, why ask such a thing?"

"Just asking."

Liu Ji looked into the distance, his gaze a bit unfocused,

"Qin Shi Huang's empire was mighty, yet it fell in the second generation. How many generations can my empire endure?"

Xiao He pondered a moment, then slowly said, "Qin's laws were harsh, the people could not bear them, so it perished in the second generation. Your Majesty is lenient and rests with the people; it should endure for ages."

"Endure for ages?"

Liu Ji laughed, "Hope so."

He stood up, walked to the edge of the platform, watching the crowd below gradually disperse.

Those people were all in new clothes, smiles on their faces, congratulating each other, full of joy.

Yet he knew that beneath this joy lay countless thoughts and calculations.

Han Xin's achievements eclipsed the ruler, Peng Yue commanded troops with self‑respect, Ying Bu was fickle…

These people now kneel and shout "Long live!" but who knows what they think inside?

He sighed, turned to look at Xiao He,

"Xiao He, you say, what is the hardest part of being emperor?"

Xiao He thought for a moment, then said, "The hardest thing is making everyone obey you."

Liu Ji nodded: "Indeed, making everyone obey you. But how can one make everyone obey? Can mere benevolence and righteousness work?"

Xiao He said nothing.

Liu Ji didn't expect an answer either.

……

195 BC, Chang'an, Longjoy Palace.

Liu Ji lay on the bed, feeling pain all over his body.

The pain wasn't from wounds or bones, but a continuous ache seeping from the cracks in his bones.

He knew he was nearing his end.

The imperial physician had come, shook his head, sighed, and prescribed a heap of bitter medicines that could kill.

He took them, to no avail.

The pain remained, the cough persisted, and the sputum was tinged with blood, looking nauseating.

Lv Zhi sat at the bedside, holding his hand, eyes red, but not crying.

This woman had shared half her life's hardships with him, borne half a life's sins, rising from a modest girl of Pei County to become the Great Han's empress.

She had changed—becoming shrewd, assertive, even a bit terrifying.

"Your Majesty, take the medicine," Lv Zhi lifted the medicine bowl.

Liu Ji shook his head: "No more, it's useless."

"How can I not take it?"

Lv Zhi stubbornly pushed the bowl to his lips.

Liu Ji stared at her for a long time, then laughed,

"A Zhi, do you remember when we first got married?"

Lv Zhi's hand froze, the bowl almost tipped. She lowered her head, voice hoarse: "I remember."

"Those were good times."

Liu Ji gazed at the ceiling, his eyes hazy,

"Your father said marrying me was like a flower in cow dung."

"You, on the other hand, say cow dung is fertile, so the flower blooms well."

"Ha ha ha, cough cough…"

He laughed so hard he started coughing, his face turning bright red.

Lv Zhi quickly set the bowl down and patted his back.

After patting him for a while, he finally recovered, panting heavily.

"A Zhi," he grasped her hand tightly, "I… I have wronged you."

Lv Zhi's tears finally fell: "Your Majesty, stop."

Liu Ji looked at her, suddenly feeling a bit unfamiliar.

This woman who had shared joys and sorrows with him for decades—when did she become so… so ruthless?

"A Zhi," he stared into her eyes, "Promise me, when I die, don't trouble Qi Furen, don't trouble Ruyi."

Lv Zhi said nothing, only looked at him, her gaze complicated.

Liu Ji knew she hadn't promised.

This woman hated Qi Furen to the bone.

He lives, and can still press her down; when he dies, no one can press her down.

He sighed, released his grip, and closed his eyes.

I'm tired, really tired.

He fought wars all his life, killed people all his life, schemed against people all his life, and in the end, he still cannot escape death.

He suddenly recalled the year he slew the white snake, the torrential downpour, and the dozen‑plus men who followed him, calling him "Liu San Ge".

Those were the good old days, without so much scheming, without so many scruples, just thinking of surviving, of living like a proper person.

But now, he has become a proper person, even became emperor, yet somehow feels that it's not as carefree as watching dogs fight back in Pei County.

He was lost in wild thoughts when, suddenly, a commotion arose outside the hall.

Immediately after, eunuchs scrambled in, their voices all altered in tone,

"Your… Your Majesty! The… the Heavenly Curtain! The Heavenly Curtain has appeared again!"

Liu Ji jerked his eyes open.

The Heavenly Curtain appeared again; it tickled his heart, and he also wanted to make the list.

He, Liu Bang, who rose in rebellion by slaying the white snake, lifted a three‑foot sword to settle the world, founded the Great Han, should not have a place on this "Eternal Emperor" ranking?

He struggled to sit up, but his body lacked strength; after several attempts, he still failed.

Lv Zhi hurried to support him, placing a few pillows behind his back so he could lie half‑upright.

"Quick! Carry me out! I want to see!" Liu Ji shouted impatiently.

Lv Zhi couldn't resist him, so she summoned a few eunuchs to carry him and his couch out of the hall.

The sky had already darkened; the night was pitch black, with only a few sparse stars hanging.

Then, without any warning, the night sky lit up.

Liu Ji held his breath, his heart pounding wildly.

It's here! Finally, it's here!

He stared fixedly at the Heavenly Curtain, his fists clenched white.

In mid‑air, golden light flowed slowly, coalescing into several ancient, simple large characters:

【Counting History's Top Ten Eternal Emperors – Fifth Position】

The ink faded, and the image emerged:

A middle‑aged man lounged under the village's big locust tree, crossing his legs, a stalk of grass clenched between his teeth, his eyes half‑closed, watching a few children in the distance chase a stray dog wildly.

Below the image, a line of small text appeared:

【Great Han Founding Emperor – Founding Emperor of the Han, Liu Bang】

Liu Bang: "！！！"

His whole body went rigid, his eyes bulged, his mouth opened and closed repeatedly, unable to utter a sound for ages.

It's me! I'm on the list! The fifth Eternal Emperor.

Fifth! One rank higher than that kid Liu Xiu!

An indescribable surge of heat rushed from his soles to the top of his head, making his eyes sting and his nose congested.

He inhaled deeply, trying to steady his emotions, but his hands still trembled violently.

He stared fixedly at the Heavenly Curtain, his ears perked up, fearing to miss a single character.

The Heavenly Curtain began.

【Ladies and gentlemen of the audience, welcome back to the "Top Ten Eternal Emperors of China" grand historical talk‑show stage! I am the host.】

【Today's fifth pick can be called the most "comeback" contestant in Chinese history's later years.】

He was still watching dogs fight at forty‑eight, yet at fifty‑four he seized the throne; his own father scolded him as a "rascal", yet later generations honored him as the "Great Han Founding Emperor".

Some call him the "strongest old rogue in history", others dub him the "Pei County top boss", and still others give him the nickname "Red Emperor's Son – Snake‑Slaying Maniac".】

【He is the Great Han Founding Emperor – Founding Emperor of the Han, Liu Bang!】

Liu Bang: "……"

Comeback? Old rogue? Pei County top boss? Snake‑Slaying Maniac???

His old face flushed bright red in an instant, half from excitement, half from embarrassed anger.