On the night Liu Bang declared himself emperor at Changle Palace, Su Qing’s name was absent from the list of those granted titles and rewards. Yet everyone knew that the thin figure always hiding behind the curtains was the real “architect of Han’s rise.” He had already figured out that Han Xin would demand to be made the acting King of Qi, so he had secretly tucked an imperial decree into Zhang Liang’s carriage, authorizing Han Xin to be made the true King of Qi. He had seen through Empress Lu’s ruthlessness, too, so he had hidden a secret letter in Consort Qi’s cosmetics box warning that the empress planned to kill the Prince of Zhao. When Emperor Wen nervously held the “Plan to Reduce the Feudal Lords” Su Qing had handed him, Su Qing gazed at the eaves of Weiyang Palace and smiled. This realm had never belonged to Liu Bang. It belonged to Su Qing.
