In people’s eyes, emperors are born sacred, revered by all, and utterly supreme.
But there are always a few unlucky emperors who have no power to control their own fate.
Liu Hong is one of them. At this very moment, in 180 BCE, he sits on the imperial couch in the rear hall of Weiyang Palace in Chang’an, gazing helplessly and bitterly at the wine cup before him, unsure what to do.
Just one wall away, in Weiyang Palace’s main hall, Grand Commandant Zhou Bo, who should have been Liu Hong’s most loyal minister, stands triumphantly on the imperial steps that ought to be his. He is discussing with the court officials who should become the new emperor after Liu Hong “passes away.”
Liu Hong should have had the greatest say in choosing his own “successor,” but he isn’t even allowed to attend the discussion. He can’t even refuse to drink the poisoned wine before him...
“Though Zhou was once Son of Heaven, in death he was no better than a commoner...”
With a sigh, Liu Hong resolutely lifts the wine cup and drains it.
“If I am granted another life, I will never again be a child emperor!”
His dying wish becomes reality when Liu Hong opens his eyes once more...
