Emperor Wen of Han - A Long Historical Novel

Author: Wang Zhanjun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The scorching sun hangs high in the sky, the earth like an open steamer, billowing with heat. The glazed tiles on the palace roofs reflect dazzling light, and the flowers, trees, and grass all seem drowsy, devoid of vitality. In July of the summer of 180 BC, the capital Chang'an of the Han Dynasty was as if placed in the Eight Trigrams Furnace of Laozi, stifling hot and suffocating. A single-horse sedan chair sped swiftly toward Chenggao Palace. The driver, looking his early twenties, though dressed as a subordinate, had a handsome and distinguished appearance, truly worthy of being a guard of the Dai.
As soon as the sedan stopped in front of the palace gate, several swift horses arrived. "Stop!" shouted Lü Lu, Marquis of Wuxin, riding a tall horse. The driver glanced at him: "Why?" "Who is in the carriage?" "Do you want to search?" Lü Lu snorted disdainfully from his horse: "Is it Liu Heng who sneaked into the capital to stage a mother-son reunion?"
The green silk curtain of the sedan was lifted, revealing a middle-aged man in official robes, bowing respectfully: "Your Excellency, I pay my respects." Lü Lu recognized him as Bo Zhao, the uncle of Dai Kingdom, and laughed in the saddle: "Ah, Uncle Bo has come to the capital—truly a rare sight." "Missing your sister, so you came to visit." "No doubt you're carrying something hidden." Bo Zhao lifted the curtain again, revealing the interior: "Your Excellency, there are only two jars of vinegar brought from Dai Kingdom. If you don't mind, I offer one for tasting." "I won't drink your sour vinegar, leave it for your sister Bo Ji to drink."
Lü Lu rode away, followed by his attendants. Bo Zhao and the driver exchanged a knowing glance and quickly drove the sedan into the palace gate. A beautiful middle-aged woman was waiting on the courtyard path inside. When the driver approached, she rushed forward, gripping his hands tightly, her voice choked with emotion, tears brimming: "My Heng!"
The driver was Liu Heng, the Prince of Dai! Seeing his long-awaited mother, he bowed and knelt: "Mother, your son has been unfaithful, not having paid respects for three years—truly deserving of death." "Get up quickly, my child," Bo Ji pulled him up. "It’s not the sorceress Lü Zhi who has separated us."
Bo Zhao stepped forward, asking with concern: "Sister, why did you call us here in such haste? Is there something important? Could Lü Zhi be planning to harm you again?" Liu Heng guessed: "Mother, Lü Zhi still won't let you leave Chang'an, intending to imprison you forever?" "Let's go inside and talk," Bo Ji led the way.
The three entered the inner hall and sat down. Bo Ji sighed first: "Lü Zhi has never given up on harming the widows of the late emperor. Every day, I live in fear—death at her hands seems inevitable." "It’s been seven or eight years since Father passed away, yet Lü Zhi still won’t let you go. She’s truly a viper at heart." Bo Zhao said: "Lü Zhi has long harbored ill intentions toward others. Sister, why did you call us all the way here from a distance?"
"There’s a eunuch in Lü Zhi’s court who has received my favor. Recently, he passed a message saying that Lü Lu and Lü Chan, feeling Lü Zhi is ill, have proposed to her that we be eliminated to prevent future trouble. That’s why you were urgently called here to discuss a plan." Liu Heng felt the danger was imminent: "It seems urgent."
"I see." Bo Zhao was deep in thought. "As for me, death doesn’t matter. If Lü Zhi wants you dead, you won’t be able to live even if you try." Bo Ji’s eyes flashed with fear and sorrow: "I hope I don’t suffer the same fate as Lady Qi—tortured to death, unable to live or die."
Liu Heng fell silent, his mind filled with the miserable image of Lady Qi being humiliated. Lady Qi was one of Emperor Liu Bang’s favored concubines, who was even held in his arms while he handled state affairs in front of ministers. This made Lü Zhi hate her with a passion. After Liu Bang’s death, Lü Zhi subjected Lady Qi to unimaginable cruelty. Lady Qi had her hands and feet cut off, her eyes gouged out, her ears stuffed with cotton to deafen her, and a drug was forced down her throat to mute her. She was then thrown into a toilet and called a "human beast."
Bo Ji wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes: "My child, if one day I meet a terrible end at Lü Zhi’s hands, you must not act rashly—preserve yourself above all. No matter how Lü Zhi issues an edict summoning you, you must not leave Dai Kingdom." Liu Heng was deeply moved: "Mother, when one is under the roof of another, one must bow one’s head. Now that Lü Zhi holds power, we must avoid misfortune and endure humiliation. As long as the green mountain remains, our lives will be preserved."