Trading Dog Meat for an Empire: Liu Bang's Big Break

Liu Bang Takes Over the Streets: The Top Dog of Pei County’s God-Tier Start

Liu Bang squatted by a dog-meat stall, the words on a bamboo slip still wet.

He spat, his face twisted with irritation. “I’ll never finish the job at this rate, and they’re going to dock my dog-meat pay again!”

The county magistrate narrowed his malicious eyes and sneered. “Trying to sneak off? Finish the job that nearly made you cough up blood last time first!”

Liu Bang snapped, grabbed the bamboo slip, and hurled it into a mud pit.

He snatched up a butcher’s knife, the tip balanced with half a piece of cold dog meat. He looked so cool he was practically flying.

Xiao He adjusted his bronze-rimmed glasses and poured cold water on his enthusiasm. “Xiang Yu has troops and horses in abundance, and his fans are showering him with tips.”

“What have you got?”

Liu Bang took a huge bite of meat, grease running down his sleeves, and boasted with swagger, “I’ve got Fan Kuai!”

“His butcher’s knife is top-notch. We swore brotherhood, and he’ll fight by my side through life and death!”

Cao, the widow who sold wontons, lifted the lid off her pot, and steam shot straight into the sky.

A little white snake went plop and fell into the boiling soup.

Xiao He’s eyes went wide. He jumped to his feet, splattering ink everywhere. “A great omen! This is an auspicious sign!”

“Get it trending! Say the White Emperor has fallen on hard times and Pei County is about to produce the true Son of Heaven!”

That night, the whole internet was flooded with posts. #DivineDragonBoiledInPeiCountyWontonPot shot straight to the top of the trending list.

Chen Sheng was so furious he smashed his wine cup and swore. “You can’t win fair and square, so now you’re chasing clout with this?”

Early the next morning, twenty constables arrived in Pei County in a grand procession, carrying a huge chest.

Four enormous characters on the chest read: Big Shot Cash Drop.

Liu Bang stared at it, palms sweating as he quietly worked out the odds.

Open it, and it might be full of countless treasures in gold and silver.

But if he doesn’t open it...