While wandering about, a refreshing, delicate fragrance wafted by. Liu Bang looked up and saw an elegantly dressed young woman walking slowly past; the scent undoubtedly emanated from her. In Pei County, a few girls from wealthy families also used perfumed powder, but hardly any had such an invigorating effect.
I. Fright in the Rain
In Pei County, there was a small village called Yangli. The village consisted of several dozen households, with only one family named Liu. The man of the house was named Zhijia, who was over sixty years old and spent his days burning incense and kowtowing. This man was kind-hearted and virtuous—so much so that he would not harm an ant while sweeping and would cover lamps with gauze to protect moths. He was highly regarded among the villagers. Zhijia's wife, Han Shi, was more than ten years younger than him.
Perhaps influenced by the local environment, the petite Han Shi, though over forty, still had delicate, smooth skin and a well-proportioned figure. She hardly looked like a woman who had given birth to two children and could be described as still retaining her charm.
Because of her beautiful and captivating appearance, whenever she went out, she became the focus of unmarried men's attention. However, though her husband was old, Han Shi was quite devoted to her marital duties and had never done anything to disgrace her family.
One day, she went to town to fetch medicine for her husband. Zhijia had been suffering from rheumatism for years, and Han Shi would go to the doctor every two months to get some herbal medicine. On her way back, the sky suddenly darkened, and wind and clouds gathered abruptly. As Han Shi reached a melon field nearby, in her panic, she dashed into a roadside melon shed. No sooner had she entered than rumbling thunder echoed, and a torrential downpour began.
The place was desolate and wild, still some distance from residential areas. With no pedestrians on the road, Han Shi had no choice but to wait quietly for the rain to stop. Through the misty rain, she seemed to see a flash of yellow. Rubbing her eyes, she saw nothing. She couldn't help but sigh to herself, thinking that she was indeed getting older and her eyesight was beginning to fail. Just as she was sighing, she felt something sting her body, and before long, she lost consciousness.
She had no idea how long it had been, feeling only as if she had reached a peak of ecstasy, wanting nothing more than to lie still.
When Han Shi woke, the rain had softened to a faint drizzle, merely speckling down from the sky. She nervously glanced around—just as before, there was no one in sight. She couldn't help but sigh in relief, yet at the memory of the dream she had just experienced, her cheeks flushed like a young girl's.
Seeing that the rain was nearly over, she rose from the ground to head home, but felt a dampness beneath her. Looking around and confirming no one was near, she brought her hand to her nose and inhaled—her mind went blank with a dull roar. It was unmistakably from a man.
Han Shi nearly collapsed to the ground in despair. Her mind went utterly blank, not knowing what to do.
The incident had occurred only a few miles from the Liu home, yet it took Han Shi a long time to make her way back. The moment she stepped inside, Zhijia approached and asked, "Did you get caught in the rain earlier? Come, dry yourself quickly—be careful not to fall ill."
Her husband's concerned expression filled Han Shi with a warmth she had never known. She grasped his hand, choked up and unable to speak. Not knowing what had happened, Zhijia urgently asked, "What's wrong?"
Han Shi glanced at the Buddha statue enshrined on the altar, lowered her head, and softly said, "Something strange happened to me today."
After hearing his wife recount everything in detail—especially her repeated emphasis that she had seen no one around—Zhijia's heart finally settled. He said to Han Shi, "You must never speak of this to anyone. Go rest in your room now!"
The couple had hoped to let the matter fade quietly, but less than three months later, Han Shi went to see a doctor due to physical discomfort and was found to be several months pregnant. This doctor was not the one from town but a local physician who knew the Liu family well—and he was utterly astonished.
Upon hearing this, Han Shi wished she could vanish into the ground. After offering a few vague replies, she hurried home.
As his wife's belly grew day by day, Zhijia's expression grew increasingly somber. In what felt like no time, ten months had passed, and with the help of a midwife, Han Shi gave birth to a boy with great difficulty.
The child was born quite unusual: he had a long neck, a prominent nose, and seventy-two black moles on his left thigh.
The midwife presented the ruddy-cheeked child to Zhijia The midwife held the ruddy child before her, examined him, and said to Han Shi, "This child is rather extraordinary. I have heard it said that if one bears seventy-two black moles on their body, it corresponds to the number of celestial stars. This child is either a true Son of Heaven or destined for great wealth and nobility."
Han Shi later repeated these words to her husband, but Zhijia remained visibly displeased. He said, "Having a child in old age is hardly an honorable matter. If anyone asks about it in the future, tell them you conceived through the embodiment of a divine dragon."
Taking her husband's angry words to heart, Han Shi faithfully repeated this tale to the villagers who came to offer congratulations, sometimes even embellishing the story, leaving people half-believing and half-doubting.
Time flew by, and the infant in swaddling clothes soon grew into a youth of fifteen or sixteen. However, unlike his much older brothers, this child named Liu Bang showed nothing but disdain for farming and agricultural work.
He often said, "What future is there in toiling from dawn till dusk, breaking your back for nothing?"
By now, Zhijia had grown so frail he could barely walk and had no choice but to let Liu Bang idle his days away in leisure.
II. The Lonely Widow
His idle lifestyle led Liu Bang to make many friends, among them a man named Xiao He, who worked as a government clerk. Through Xiao He's recommendation, Liu Bang also became a public servant—the village chief of Sishui Ting.
With a stable job and a government salary, Liu Bang often spent his time drinking at local taverns, living a rather contented life.
Soon, Liu Bang became a regular at the only small tavern in the area. Yangli was a small place, and its residents were mostly hardworking farmers who earned their money through sweat and were careful with every penny. As a result, the tavern's business had always been poor. The owner was a widow known as Third Lady, a sharp-tongued woman who often kicked out ill-intentioned old bachelors.
Strangely enough, Liu Bang's presence seemed to bring prosperity to the tavern. Day by day, more people began to frequent it. Third Lady's face lit up with smiles, and she even began to flirt with some of the familiar patrons—a true miracle.
No one quite knew when it started, but Liu Bang no longer had to worry about paying for his drinks. Whenever he came, everything was taken care of. Third Lady often patted him on the shoulder and said, "Little brother, drink as much as you like. If you're short on money, just put it on tab. We'll settle it at the end of the year."
Liu Bang lived by the motto "drink today's wine today" and never worried about the future, let alone bothered to check Third Lady's account books.
When the end of the year arrived, Third Lady called him over, opened the account book, and pointed, saying, "The New Year is approaching. It's time to settle your tab."
Liu Bang was startled to see how much he owed. He instinctively reached into his pocket—it was empty. Third Lady stared intently at the well-built young man, watching his walnut-sized Adam's apple bob up and down. A flush crept across her face, and she said with a hint of coyness, "How about... you have another jar of wine?"
Liu Bang quickly waved his hands. "No, no, I can't afford it."
Third Lady swallowed and whispered, "It's alright. As long as you're willing to drink with me, I'll wipe out this entire year's tab."
Thrilled by such an offer, Liu Bang eagerly sat down at the table. Third Lady went out to close the shop early, and upon returning, she gently pulled Liu Bang by the hand and said, "Come, let's drink in the back."
The rich aroma of wine filled the warm little room, and under the soft glow of the lamp, Third Lady, though past her prime, looked quite charming.
Liu Bang, now somewhat intoxicated, found his eyes wandering, beads of sweat forming on the tip of his nose. Third Lady noticed his roving gaze and giggled, her delicate hand brushing casually over his leg. "Little brother," she said, "I wouldn't have guessed you're such a mischievous one."
Liu Bang flushed crimson, suddenly flustered and unsure how to respond.
Who would have thought that a handsome young man like Liu Bang would capture the heart of a woman past her youth? Yet many noticed he was spending increasingly longer hours at the tavern, and no one even knew when he left.
On this day, before dusk had even fallen, Liu Bang was already seated in Third Lady's tavern. This time, he was drinking tea and humming a tune.
He looked utterly content and self-satisfied. And why wouldn't he be? In just a year, the once wandering poor boy seemed to have stumbled upon incredible luck: he'd found a steady job, a devoted woman, free food and drinks, and the unique comforts of a tender romance.
But how had all this come about? It was likely all thanks to one person—Xiao He.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Just as Liu Bang wasJust as Liu Bang was squinting his eyes, lost in thought about all that had happened, Xiao He suddenly walked in through the door. Liu Bang quickly stood up, greeting him with a beaming smile. He could afford to offend anyone but this man. Truth be told, he almost regarded Xiao He as his lucky star. And Xiao He did not disappoint—the moment he spoke, it was with news of great fortune.
"Good brother," Xiao He said, "you're about to make it big."
Liu Bang's eyes lit up, though he replied modestly, "Elder brother, don't tease me. How could someone like me ever make it big?"
"Why would I joke about something like this?" Xiao He responded earnestly. "Recently, the First Emperor has ordered all regions to send tributes to the court—rare and precious treasures meant to please the immortals and seek the elixir of immortality. The magistrate of Pei County naturally wouldn't miss this chance to curry favor with the emperor. He's squeezed the local wealthy families dry, demanding they hand over their family heirlooms. These treasures will soon be transported to the capital, but there's fear of bandits along the way. That's when I thought of you."
Pausing here, Xiao He accepted a cup of tea from Third Lady, took a sip, and continued, "I told the magistrate that these treasures are extraordinarily valuable and must be well protected. Among the county officials, if there's anyone who excels in both civil and martial arts, it's you, Liu Bang. I suggested you be put in charge of the escort mission."
Liu Bang listened in confusion and asked, "Is this really a good thing? It sounds more like you're sending me to my death."
Xiao He laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "We're as close as brothers—why would I ever harm you? Don't you see? For us subjects, having the chance to meet the emperor even once is worth risking our lives. I truly envy you."
I'd rather you be the one risking your life, Liu Bang thought to himself. I've always been lucky—nothing bad will happen to me.
Though he thought this way, Liu Bang remained cautious and nervous throughout the journey escorting the treasures. Yet, he was indeed fortunate—they reached Xianyang without encountering a single bandit. However, there was also misfortune: not only did he not get to see the emperor, he didn't even catch a glimpse of any high-ranking officials. The treasures they had painstakingly brought were merely registered at the state treasury and then taken away.
For a moment, Liu Bang felt empty-handed, but the anxiety that had been weighing on him finally eased. Seeing no hope of an audience with the emperor, he discussed with the other guards, and they decided to disband on the spot, enjoy a few days in the capital, and then return together to Pei County.
Walking through the streets, Liu Bang couldn't help but marvel every now and then. Xianyang was, after all, the capital—its grandeur and prosperity were beyond comparison with their humble Pei County,Every inch of the land seemed meticulously crafted. In comparison, the Pei County town he had always held in high regard could only be described as shabby and dilapidated. Beyond the broad, smooth roads and the majestic, grand palaces, even the endless stream of pedestrians was a sight to behold. The people here dressed in ways that sought to be novel and unique, rarely wearing the same combinations.
While wandering, a refreshing and delightful fragrance wafted by. Liu Bang looked up and saw an elegantly dressed young woman walking slowly past. The scent undoubtedly came from her. In Pei County, a few girls from wealthy families also used perfumed powder, but none had such an invigorating effect. In Liu Bang's memory, even Third Lady had used perfumed powder, which she had bought at a high price from a customer.
This unique fragrance unsettled Liu Bang, and he quickened his pace to follow the girl. They walked like this for several streets, almost as if they were companions, except that one led and the other followed. Eventually, they reached the vicinity of a large estate. Suddenly, the girl broke into a light run, turned past the courtyard wall, and disappeared.
Liu Bang, growing even more curious, hurried after her. Unexpectedly, the girl was waiting around the corner. As soon as he approached, she shouted, "Hey!"
Liu Bang, caught off guard while walking hurriedly with his head down, was startled by the sudden voice and trembled all over. The girl laughed until tears streamed down her face, clutching her waist as she said, "Oh no, my stomach hurts from laughing!"
Liu Bang blushed crimson, utterly flustered. The girl took a while to compose herself before asking, "Why have you been following me?"
Only then did Liu Bang snap out of his daze and take a closer look at her. She was young, with delicate and beautiful features, and most strikingly, her skin was rosy and tender, as if it could be bruised with a touch.
Seeing that he didn't answer, the girl urged, "Speak up! If you don't, I'll call for help!"
Now nervous, Liu Bang stammered, "D-don't! I... I just like the scent on you." His voice grew softer toward the end. The girl's bell-like laughter rang out again. Without another word, she turned and walked into the estate.
Over the next few days, Liu Bang lingered around the estate a few more times but never encountered the girl again. Soon, the day arrived for him to return to Pei County, and he had no choice but to leave grudgingly. Little did he know that this brief encounter would eventually lead to a destined marriage.