plumnovel Chapter 17 Emperor Gaozu of Han, Emperor Jin Tong, King Wu, Heavenly King, and Divine King
Chapter 17 Emperor Gaozu of Han, Emperor Jin Tong, King Wu, Heavenly King, and Divine King
[Ding! The first person to achieve balance, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang.]
Liu Bang: Command 96, Martial Prowess 89, Politics 102, Intelligence 99, Charisma 105.
Implanted identity: A local ruffian from Pei County, who by chance gains the favor of the King of Liang and is adopted as his son after undergoing a series of tests.
Carry: Crimson Sky.
Bringing: Liu Tuan, Liu Xi, Liu Jiao, Liu Jia, Liu Ze, Lü Zhi, Fan Kuai, Zhou Bo, Guan Ying, Cao Can, Xiahou Ying, Lu Wan, Wang Ling, Yong Chi, Zhou Ke, Zhou Chang, Xi Juan, Li Shiqi, Zhao Ou, Zhang Ao, Li Shang, Fu Kuan, Jin Xi, Chai Wu, Wang Xi, Xue Ou, Ding Fu, Chong Da.
Let alone the Three Heroes of the early Han Dynasty, even Chen Ping wasn't brought along. Among the people brought along by Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, the only ones who could be considered god-like were Fan Kuai, who was the first to ascend the throne, and Empress Lü, who held absolute power.
Liu Bang is a figure who fell from grace due to being vilified in film and television dramas a few years ago. In recent years, he has made a comeback and become a standard test of historical illiteracy.
In fact, emperors throughout history have held extremely contradictory opinions about Liu Bang. Shi Le once frankly stated, "If I were to meet Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang), I would serve him with utmost respect, competing with Han Xin and Peng Yue for the lead." Li Shimin admired his ability to appoint virtuous ministers, while Zhu Yuanzhang praised Liu Bang for "eliminating Ying Bu and Xiang Yu, displaying magnanimity and benevolence, and commanding respect throughout the land." Emperor Kangxi listed Liu Bang as a model of "legitimate succession throughout history." A great leader paid particular attention to Liu Bang, commenting on him multiple times and praising him as a brilliant statesman.
However, Liu Bang's cold-blooded and ruthless side also drew criticism. When he was being chased by Xiang Yu, he abandoned his father, brothers, wife, and children along the way. When Xiang Yu was about to boil Liu Taigong alive, he shamelessly asked for a share of the broth. In his later years, he favored Lady Qi and indiscriminately killed meritorious officials. After establishing the Song Dynasty, Emperor Taizu vigorously promoted the national policy of "emphasizing civil affairs and de-emphasizing military affairs." When some ministers compared him to Liu Bang, Zhao Kuangyin was furious and turned against him on the spot. He often used Liu Bang's brutal killing of meritorious officials to highlight his own cleverness and benevolence in releasing military power over a cup of wine.
He rose up to overthrow the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, gained the empire in seven years, selected virtuous and capable officials, and established three laws. Overall, Liu Bang was quite capable. Liu Bang and the King of Liang were both shameless and unscrupulous; the thought of them together sent chills down Liu Xiao's spine.
[Ding! Emperor Jin Tong, General Chongtian, Huang Chao Huang Jutian.]
Huang Chao: Command 82, Strength 104, Politics 83, Intelligence 81, Charisma 55.
Implanted identity: General of the Dayi Dynasty. His ugly appearance offended the imperial concubine, enraging the emperor. He was rescued by his subordinates just before his execution and has now fled to the mountains, preparing to rebel against Dayi.
Bringing: Peng Baihu, Ban Fanlang, Meng Juehai, Zhang Churang, Zhang Guiba, Zhang Guihou, Zhang Guibian, Geng Biao, Zhang Long, Li Hu, Cui Shou, Pang Shigu, Ge Congzhou, Zhu Wen, Shang Rang, Huang Gui, Huang Qiu, Huang Hao, Huang Bao, Huang Biao, Huang Mian, Zhang Kai, Zheng Cundang, Zheng Cunhui, Han Zhong, Deng Tianwang.
Huang Chao was truly unlucky. In his previous life, he was expelled from the court for being too ugly after winning the top score in the imperial examination. In this life, he didn't even pass the imperial examination, and was almost stripped of his household registration because of his low charm and poor character model.
Emperor Huang Chao of the Jin Dynasty, also known as Huang Jutian, was said to have been born after his mother carried him for 25 months. From a young age, he studied under Zhang Churang, the "King of the Northern Spear," learning the art of the Plum Blossom Spear. After winning the title of Martial Arts Champion, he was dismissed due to his ugly appearance, which fueled his resentment and led him to rebel against the Tang Dynasty. Initially, Huang Chao's elite troops amassed a formidable army known as the "Starving Men's Army," stormed Chang'an, and established the Great Qi Dynasty. Things should have gone smoothly until the appearance of a cowherd named Li Cunxiao. Li Cunxiao fought his way through the enemy lines, leading eighteen horsemen into Chang'an, smashing down the Wu Chao Gate, and finally committing suicide by sword in Ya'er Valley of Miechao Mountain (some say he had his head removed by Huang Mian).
The Dayi Dynasty was far too complacent. To the west, the Dayu Dynasty shielded them from the incursions of the southern barbarians, while to the east, the Wu and Yue kingdoms of the Dayu Dynasty were locked in a bitter struggle. Both the south and east bordered the sea, allowing Emperor Yi to easily send ships out for sea voyages when things were peaceful, and to send troops and supplies to aid the Dayu warriors when they were in dire need. He could also profit from the wars between the Wu, Chu, and Yue kingdoms, leading a rather comfortable life. If a diligent and ambitious emperor had been in power, the Dayi Dynasty would undoubtedly have been the best choice among the ten dynasties to unify the country. It wouldn't have needed to defend against foreign invasions like the northern dynasties, nor would it have suffered the harsh climates of the Great Cang and Great Xuan dynasties. Unfortunately, the current Emperor Yi, in his quest for the throne, actively courted powerful families, and after becoming emperor, he favored sycophants, alienated virtuous ministers, and indulged in debauchery in the harem. He was a textbook example of a tyrannical ruler.
[Ding! Balancing the third party, the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms, King Liu Bi of Wu.]
Liu Bi: Command 87, Martial Prowess 91, Politics 93, Intelligence 86, Charisma 79.
Implanted identity: A member of the Liu clan, and the adopted son newly taken in by King You after learning of his son's tragic death.
Accompanying: Liu Xian, Liu Zihua, Liu Ziju, Zhou Qiu, Liu Wu, Liu Sui, Liu Ang, Liu Piguang, Liu Xiongqu, Yuan Ang, Ying Gao, Tian Lubo, Zhang Shang, Yue Yiwu.
After King You learned of his son's tragic death, he angrily said, "The world is one family. If he died in Chang'an, he should be buried in Chang'an. Why send him to Wu for burial?" He then wanted to send someone to return Liu Yuan's body. However, Liu Yu eventually dissuaded him.
The world thought that Liu Bi was a prince who enjoyed wealth and honor from birth, and that the Rebellion of the Seven States was basically quelled in just three months.
But that's not actually the case. At the age of 21, Liu Bi followed Liu Bang in defeating the rebel army of Ying Bu. Because the people of Kuaiji in Wu were frivolous and fierce, Liu Bang wanted to send a brave and strong king to suppress them, so he chose Liu Bi. In the mineral-rich southeast, Liu Bi secretly minted coins and produced salt from seawater. Because he did not have to pay taxes, the national strength of Wu became increasingly powerful.
What followed was the well-known story of the Great Han Chess Saint's two reductions of the power of the vassal states, the Wu King's alliance with the other six states to launch a rebellion, the starving ghost Zhou Yafu's appearance, and the rebellion being quelled in three months.
[Ding! The third person to balance the situation is Chao Gai, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.]
Chao Gai: Command 72, Martial Prowess 91, Politics 60, Intelligence 63, Charisma 76.
Implanted identity: After the failed attempt to seize the birthday gifts, he was forced to flee to Liangshan Marsh and seek refuge with the white-robed scholar Wang Lun.
Bringing: Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, Liu Tang, Ruan Xiaoer, Ruan Xiaowu, Ruan Xiaoqi, Bai Sheng, Zhu Tong, Lei Heng, Chai Jin, Li Ying, Li Jun, Li Li, Zhang Heng, Zhang Shun, Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, Shi Qian, Duan Jingzhu, Yu Baosi, Wang Dingliu.
It seems that Wang Lun, the scholar in white, is one of the twelve random interviewees. "Just another group of cannon fodder, it won't have much impact," Liu Xiao thought to himself.
Chao Gai was originally the head of Dongxi Village. He never married and spent his days practicing martial arts. Rumor had it that Xixi Village was haunted, so a monk taught the villagers to carve a blue stone pagoda and place it by the stream, driving the ghosts away to Dongxi Village. Upon hearing this, Chao Gai was furious and seized the blue stone pagoda by himself, thus earning the nickname "Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King."
Chao Gai was a man who valued loyalty over wealth and enjoyed making friends. He had very good relationships with everyone, from the righteous Zhu Tong and Lei Heng to the underworld Liu Tang.
However, prioritizing righteousness and repaying kindness was not necessarily a good thing for the leaders of Liangshan. After Lin Chong annihilated Wang Lun, Chao Gai took the top position at Liangshan. But in the end, he also succumbed to his own volatile temper and was killed by a poisoned arrow from Shi Wengong.
[Ding! The five Balance Emperors, the God King...]
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