The Orphan of the Liu Family, Part One

Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, rose in rebellion after slaying a serpent and founded the Han Empire. Emperor Wu of Han expanded its borders and extended China's territory. Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han restored the empire and prolonged the Han dynasty's reign. One branch of the Pengcheng lineage of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a relative of the Liu imperial clan, continued down to the Song dynasty. Liu, an official serving the Southern Song court, was caught up in factional strife and his entire family was condemned to death. General Lin, charged with executing the sentence, risked his own life to spare one of the Liu family's orphans and flee with him to a distant land. With pursuers hot on their heels, General Lin entrusted the orphan to Hou, a fellow court official, before taking his own life. The pursuers tracked the orphan to Hou's home and demanded that Hou hand him over. Unable to bear the loss, Hou handed over one of his own grandsons in the orphan's place, protecting the Liu heir. The orphan grew up in the Hou household and joined Hou in resisting the Mongol armies with all their might. In the end, however, fate could not be defied, and their resistance failed. Seeing that all was lost, Hou had no choice but to lead his family, the Liu orphan, and General Lin's descendants south. They eventually disappeared into the rugged mountains of Fujian, ensuring the survival and future of the Hou family, the Liu family, and General Lin's descendants.

This novel is suitable for readers of all ages.