The Great Han Dynasty: From Crown Prince Li to Emperor of All Ages!

"The sunflowers in the green garden await the morning dew to dry in the sun. The warm spring spreads its blessings, and all things shine with glory."

"I often fear the arrival of autumn, when the leaves turn yellow and wither. All rivers flow east to the sea; when will they return west?"

The melodious singing echoed in the main hall of Ganquan Palace, as musicians struck the chime bells, or played the flute, sheng, and yu, or played the qin and se.

Inside the hall, female musicians danced gracefully, their elegant figures displayed to the fullest.

"His Majesty."

"Let's have another drink!"

The beauty on the imperial bed raised her wine cup and brought it to the lips of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che.

"As you wish, my beauty, I shall drink this cup to the brim."

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, sat leaning on his couch, his cloudy old eyes half-closed, dark and deep, awe-inspiring. His aged body was still tall and upright, his temperament dignified and solemn, and the wrinkles on his face told the story of the years.

Even at the advanced age of 46, this emperor was still the only true dragon hovering over the Han Empire, high above and invincible!

"Tap tap!"

A sudden sound of footsteps interrupted the singing and dancing in the hall, and Su Wen, the Yellow Gate Attendant, rushed into the hall in a panic.

"His Majesty!"

Su Wen knelt down on the ground with a thud, trembling all over, not daring to utter a single word.

"Why are you behaving like this, you dog slave?"

Liu Che glanced at it with his dragon eyes, completely unconcerned.

"Pu...pu..."

Before Su Wen could speak, the Commandant of Ganquan Guard entered, fully armored.

"Your Majesty, this is my report."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is requesting an audience!"

The Commandant of Ganquan stepped forward, bowed, and said solemnly.

"The Crown Prince?"

Liu Che frowned, a flash of surprise crossing his dragon eyes.

Crown Prince Liu Ju has always been gentle and mild-mannered, never fighting with anyone, and he is extremely afraid of his father, the Emperor. He would never travel all the way to Ganquan Palace to pay his respects, and he has never taken the initiative to request an audience even on days when there is no court session.

"His Majesty."

"The Crown Prince drew his blade and killed Jiang Chong, the Imperial Censor in Embroidered Robes."

"I am Su Wen, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat," he said tremblingly.

'???'

Liu Che pushed aside the beautiful woman serving him, sat up from the couch, wearing a tall crown and a black imperial robe with red trim. His aged face was full of shock: "Does the Crown Prince have such audacity?"

"His Majesty."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting outside the palace."

The Commandant of Ganquan added meticulously.

"What did Jiang Chong do to make the Crown Prince so furious?"

Instead of immediately holding Liu Ju accountable for the murder, Emperor Wu of Han focused his attention on Jiang Chong, the Imperial Censor.

He was more surprised than surprised. His eldest son had always been weak and incompetent, but this time he had personally killed the embroidered-robe censor he had appointed. Although Jiang Chong's official position was small, he was still a confidant of the emperor and represented his imperial authority.

Huangmen Shilang Su Wen glanced at Liu Che tentatively, then lowered his head and cautiously replied, "The Crown Prince's tutor Shen Yu was caught traveling on the imperial road, and Imperial Censor Jiang has detained him in accordance with the law."

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, the Commandant of Ganquan's expression changed drastically.

Huangmen Shilang Su Wen first explained that the Crown Prince's guests were allowed to travel on the imperial road, and then recounted Jiang Chong's actions. In this way, it became clear that Crown Prince Liu Ju had killed the Embroidered-Robe Censor in anger because of his family's servant, and the nature of the matter was completely changed.

As expected, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, on the bed, showed a look of anger on his face and said with disappointment, "Summon the Crown Prince!"

"promise."

The eunuchs who were serving on either side withdrew in response.

"hehe!"

Huangmen Shilang Su Wen was secretly pleased, wondering how the Crown Prince would escape His Majesty's punishment this time.

A moment later, a tall and imposing figure slowly appeared at the entrance of the main hall. He wore a scholar's cap, a dark black robe, a leather belt, and flat shoes. He had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and his features were sharp and distinct, just like Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, on the imperial bed.

However, their temperaments were completely different. Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, exuded the indifference of a superior in every gesture, showing disdain for life, as well as confidence and domineering power to control everything. Crown Prince Liu Ju, on the other hand, gave people the feeling of a warm spring breeze, being kind, generous, gentle, and cautious.

"Your Highness!"

"What are you going to do?"

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, stood up and looked down at his eldest son.

"What does Father want to do?"

Liu Ju faced the ruler of the Han Empire directly; beneath his tall frame lay an undeniable weariness, a mixture of solemnity and despondency.

Clearly, this great emperor had entered the twilight of his life, embodying glory, loneliness, and unwavering determination.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

The Commandant of Ganquan, Su Wen, the Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, and the eunuchs serving in the palace were all astonished by Liu Ju's actions.

"The Embroidered-Robe Censor is an official appointed by me to supervise and inspect, wearing embroidered robes and carrying a staff and tiger tally, and exercising imperial power on my behalf."

"Responsible for monitoring illegal activities by officials."

"By killing him, are you provoking me?"

Standing with his hands behind his back, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, was breathing heavily, showing that his anger had reached its peak.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Liu Ju chuckled and said disdainfully, "Jiang Chong, Imperial Censor in Embroidered Robes."

"He's nothing but a dog that Father Emperor keeps."

"As the crown prince, do I need to explain myself to my subjects after killing a disobedient dog?"

Boom!

The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall was astonished.

At this moment, the Crown Prince's domineering attitude was terrifying. He was facing the Emperor; how dare he?!

Do you know what you're saying?

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, stared expressionlessly at the young man before him.

"Isn't this what Father Emperor wanted?"

Liu Ju did not dodge or avoid the question, but spoke frankly: "The Crown Prince's Guest is my personal retainer. Even if he violates the law, it is up to me to decide his fate."

"When did it become the place for the Embroidered-Robe Censor to interfere?"

"Wei Weiwei"

"Your Highness!"

The Commandant of Ganquan was taken aback for a moment, then immediately responded.

"By order of the Crown Prince, those who prepare their carriages and horses and approach the imperial road are guilty of an unforgivable offense!"

"The guards of Ganquan are to carry out the execution immediately, and the death by flogging is to be carefully considered."

Liu Ju's cold, sharp voice rang out in the hall, chilling and murderous, sending shivers down everyone's spine.

"this..."

The Commandant of Ganquan dared not agree and could only look towards Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, on the high platform.

"Didn't you hear the Crown Prince's order?"

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, never showed any emotion.

"promise."

The Commandant of Ganquan readily accepted the order and turned to leave.

Before long, Crown Prince's guest Shen Yu was escorted to the front of the palace by the guards of Ganquan Palace and knelt down on both knees.

"Your Majesty, spare my life!"

"Your Highness, please save me."

The mournful wails continued to ring out, attracting the attention of countless people.

However, Crown Prince Liu Ju's eyes were indifferent, as if Shen Yu had not called him.

"Execute!"

With a wave of his hand, the Commandant of Ganquan sent two guards to grab thick wooden staffs and bring them down heavily.

"Smack!!!"

"Ah! Ah! Ah?!"

The staff struck Shen Yu, the Crown Prince's guest, again and again, until his clothes were soaked in blood and he lost all breath. Two guards dragged his body away, leaving a pool of scarlet blood on the ground, strikingly beautiful.

PS: The average lifespan of ordinary people in the Han Dynasty was approximately 42 years.