Chapter 10 Arrived in Xianyang for the first time

  Liu Shanhe nodded to the foreman and said, "I am Liu Bang from Pei County." Liu Shanhe wisely did not mention his position as a Tingzhang, because although it was a small official position locally, in Xianyang, especially in front of these almost inhumane tomb workers' foremen, it was simply worthless. So Liu Shanhe took the attitude of "not saying". In fact, he was right to do so. Otherwise, even if he had treated this foreman to wine, it would have been useless. From this incident, Liu Shanhe felt that he really had become like Liu Bang after all. It seemed that heaven had given him some insight by letting him cross over here and become Liu Bang. Thinking of this, Liu Shanhe couldn't help but smile again.

  "Oh, it's Lord Liu, I apologize for the disrespect! Haha, haha, Lord Liu, please speak your mind, please speak your mind! As long as it's something I can help with, I'll definitely do my best to assist you, I'll definitely do my best to assist you! Hahaha!" The foreman was also a knowledgeable and reasonable guy, who, while drinking from the wine pouch handed over by Liu Shanhe, chuckled and said to him.

  Liu Shanhe saw that the fire had arrived, and smiled at the guy, saying: "Ah, it's like this, I'm from a small place, and I've never seen what our imperial mausoleum looks like inside, so I want to bask in your glory, go in and take a look, and hope you'll give me some leeway, haha, haha..." Liu Shanhe deliberately said the words "from a small place" very loudly, implying that he was from a small place, and compared to him, the other person was still far inferior. Liu Shanhe knew that this kind of humble approach was often useful in many situations, while being overly arrogant might not necessarily achieve his goals.

  "Please give us a convenience, please give us a convenience!" Liu Shanhe continued.

  "Ah, I see! That's easy, that's easy!" The foreman returned the wine pouch to Liu Shanhe and pointed forward with his hand, saying: "Go on, go on. If anyone asks, just say that Old Man Huang let you in. Then nothing will happen."

  "Ah, ah, then thank you, Master Huang San! Thank you, Master Huang San!" Liu Shanhe bowed his hands again to that Master Huang San.

  Liu Shanhe finally walked into the huge mausoleum. Ah, my god, it's really big inside! At first glance, it was simply a gigantic cave! Countless people were working inside, some digging soil, others wielding pickaxes, and those people looked like a group of ants.

  "What kind of mausoleum is this? An emperor's! Yes, it's an emperor's mausoleum! Emperors can have such a grand mausoleum, but what about ordinary people? They definitely can't afford something like this. Families that are a bit better off might be able to dig a hole and fill it with bricks and tiles, but those who are struggling to make ends meet, how can they afford to build a tomb for the dead? And there are even more extreme cases where people's bodies are abandoned in the wilderness after death, devoured by wild dogs... the scene is simply heartbreaking!" Liu Shanhe gazed at the emperor's mausoleum with its enormous scale, sighing and thinking nonstop.

  Later, Liu Shanhe handed over his official duties and then returned to Xianyang City again. Yesterday, he only saw a corner of Xianyang City, but he knew that this city was very large, very large indeed! Since he had come all the way here, if he didn't take a good look around, wouldn't it be a waste?

  Liu Shanhe walked like this, carrying a bundle on his back, walking while constantly looking around at everything, as if he wanted to take in all of Xiangyang City and bring it back to his poor and remote hometown to appreciate again. Just as he was strolling, suddenly there was a commotion up ahead, and it seemed like there were many more people. Liu Shanhe was startled, then looked intently. He saw dozens of fine horses lined up in four rows, the riders all wearing shining armor that sparkled with metallic luster in the sunlight, looking very dazzling and eye-catching.

  As team after team of people passed by, before long, a nine-bearer chariot finally came. It was obvious that the person sitting in this nine-bearer chariot was not an ordinary person. At this moment, Liu Shanhe only heard the old hundred surnames watching on the side, all fell to the ground, and shouted "Long live, long live, long long live". Until this time, Liu Shanhe knew that his mother's ride in the nine-bearer chariot was actually Qin Shi Huang.

  Only the First Emperor of Qin was seen, wearing a high crown, and on the front and back of the crown were hanging strings of pearls, looking very dazzling. And around the large carriage he rode in, there were dozens of guards holding flags and long spears, truly majestic and powerful.

  Liu Shanhe couldn't help but feel envious as he watched, his eyes almost popping out. He followed the crowd shouting and cheering, walking forward non-stop, just to get a glimpse of the first true emperor in Chinese history who unified China by conquering six states - Qin Shi Huang. Until, until he could no longer see the figure's shadow, until, until he could no longer see the entourage that followed him, Liu Shanhe couldn't help but sigh: "Wow, this is what it means to be an emperor? It seems that being born into this world as a man should be like this!"

  Yes, it's a great thing! It's the way of life! However, among the countless people in the world, millions and millions of men, for hundreds or even thousands of years, only one person can ascend to the throne and become the ruler of all. Such a person enjoys the privilege of living in luxurious mansions, having three palaces and six courtyards with 72 concubines, and possessing the power to decide life and death... But after all, there is only one such person. When will I, Liu Shanhe, be able to ascend to that throne?

  Yes, it's a great thing! It's the way of life! However, among the millions and millions of people in this world, only one person can ascend to the highest position, becoming the ruler of all under heaven. Such a person enjoys the privilege of living in luxurious mansions, having three palaces, six courtyards, and 72 concubines, possessing the power of life and death over anyone... But, after all, there is only one such person. When will I, Liu Shanhe, be able to ascend to that highest position?

  Later, when Liu Shanhe's travel expenses were almost depleted, he had no choice but to return home from Xianyang. Yes, Xianyang, although it was a great place, but it wasn't his hometown! Especially the Epang Palace, so majestic and luxurious, but he wasn't the owner of that palace, only a spectator. Pitiful? It was indeed very pitiful. In this lifetime, would he have the chance to live in such a luxurious palace? Would he be able to own three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines like Qin Shi Huang? Like being able to sleep with a different woman every night, Liu Shanhe truly yearned for it! But whether this could be achieved was unknown. The harsh reality told him that such things were almost impossible for himself. Because he was just a small, insignificant Tingzhang! Tingzhang! Emperor? The distance was too great, the gap was too large! Alas, looking at Liu Shanhe's current situation, let alone three palaces and seventy-two concubines, even getting an ordinary wife was still an unknown quantity! Thinking of this, Liu Shanhe could only sigh and laugh at himself for being a toad who wanted to eat swan meat.

  Here is the translation:

  It stands to reason that after returning to his hometown, Liu Shanhe should feel a strong sense of familiarity and affection for the place where he was born. However, in reality, he didn't have such feelings at all. The impact of this trip to Xianyang on him was too great, almost to the point of being unbearable. Think about it, Emperor Qin Shi Huang sat in a luxurious carriage pulled by nine horses, surrounded by attendants and guards, with an imposing presence that intimidated everyone who saw him. What kind of life is that? What kind of taste is that? And what about himself? Originally, when he was in Pei County, he thought he was someone important, able to make things happen, especially among the local people and neighbors, where he had a good reputation and could get things done with just a word. But when he finally left that place and arrived in the capital city of Xianyang, he realized that the world was actually so much bigger than he thought! However, what about himself? He could only live in such a poor and remote area, working as a small official, and still feeling quite satisfied with his life. This is truly laughable, truly laughable!

  At first, Liu Shanhe felt very proud of himself for being able to travel through time and space to become the legendary Emperor Liu Bang. However, now he realizes that apart from retaining some physical characteristics of Liu Bang, he doesn't have any other signs or qualities that would make him a king or an emperor. Alas, the difference between a humble villager and an emperor is really too great, almost impossible to measure with the heart.

  The former grand ambitions, the former high-sounding words, the former heroic speeches, have all become fleeting clouds. Now, what he faces is only the dilapidated streets, the desolate land, and the rustic villagers. And there's the monotonous official business, the flavorless life. Therefore, whenever he thinks of this, Liu Shanhe will inexplicably feel anxious and disordered, and will suddenly vent his anger at anyone for no reason. Moreover, whenever he has a chance, he goes to some hotels he used to frequent to drink wine, although his own capacity is not great, but he always gets drunk every time he drinks, never returning until he's had enough. Borrowing wine to drown his sorrows. But can wine really wash away his sorrows?

  These days, Xiao He and the others haven't come over frequently, it seems like there are too many things going on at the county government office. However, that day, just as Liu Shanhe was drinking wine as usual in Wu Fu's hotel, a loud shouting voice came from outside the door again. As soon as Liu Shanhe heard the voice, he found it very familiar, haha, it was actually Old Xiao and the others! These bastards, why did they come so late? Damn it, they almost gave me a heart attack!

  "Old Xiao, Old Xia, Old Cao, you three bastards, how could you forget about me, Liu Bang, to the point of being in a distant land? Ah? For so many days, not even coming to visit me! Hmph, it's really not considerate enough! It's really not considerate enough!" Liu Shanhe said to them with an intentionally angry tone.

  "Hey, look at this guy getting angry! However, I'm telling you, Liu Bang, there have been too many things going on in the county government these past few days. That's why we haven't had a chance to come visit you here at Si Shui Pavilion." Xiao He chuckled and patted Liu Shanhe's shoulder, laughing "heh heh".

  "Oh, what's going on in the county town recently? How did it make you, the main official, so busy? In my impression, you, Xiao He, are rarely busy to the point of being unhappy. Tell me, tell me, what's going on? I'd like to gain some insight.

  County town has recently had something happen, how did it make you, the main official, so busy? In my impression, you, Xiao He, are rarely busy to the point of being unhappy. Tell me, tell me, what's going on? I'd like to gain some insight.

  Anyway, I think that in the county government office, something big must have happened, otherwise, Old Xiao would not be so busy." Liu Shanhe was very confident in his judgment. It was because he understood Xiao He too well. This guy really had some talent, not only could he speak and persuade, but also his ability to handle matters was particularly strong. No matter what the task was, as long as it fell into his hands, it would naturally be handled perfectly.

  So Liu Shanhe said that earlier. Obviously, Liu Shanhe's words were very powerful, because they proved that he acknowledged Xiao He's exceptional talent."

  "Alright, this matter is nothing to hide from you. Actually, it's about our county magistrate, who has a good friend named Lü, also known as Lü Gong. This Lü Gong is not actually from our county, but an outsider. However, due to a feud with the Chou family, he later came to our county to escape their pursuit and seek refuge with our county magistrate. Because our county magistrate and Lü Gong are exceptionally close friends! Now that he has taken refuge with our county magistrate, even if the Chou family were to come looking for him, they wouldn't dare be reckless on our county magistrate's turf." Xiao He said this while drinking wine with everyone, savoring the story he knew.

  "Oh, so that's how it is! But I still don't understand one thing. Even if that's the case, shouldn't you be making Old Xiao busy like this? You've come, after all, and there's no need for Old Xiao to personally attend to you." Liu Shanhe had drunk quite a bit of wine, but his mind was still very clear. That's why he said it in such a way.

  "Alas, you don't know! After Lü Gong arrived, the county magistrate gave him a very spacious mansion. And to show off his prestige, the county magistrate organized some prominent figures to go and congratulate Lü Gong. Look, with things like this, how could I possibly get away from handling it? These past few days, I've been busy dealing with this too. Alas, it's exhausting me!" Xiang Yu said with a hint of complaint.

  "Is that so! However, there is one thing I really don't quite understand. This Lü Gong, although he says he has a very good friend relationship with the county magistrate, but generally speaking, the county magistrate doesn't have to be so meticulous for Lü Gong's sake? Being able to take him in is already very good, but also preparing a luxurious courtyard for him and even wanting to congratulate him, this is really not common, this is really not common!" Liu Shanhe said thoughtfully while drinking with them.

  "Hey, I'm telling you, Liu Bang, this is really true. If it were just about friendship, humph, then the county magistrate wouldn't be so generous! Hehe, why is he being so attentive to Lü Gong? Isn't it because, isn't it because Lü Gong has two precious daughters? And our county magistrate, I'm afraid he's got his eyes on Lü Gong's eldest daughter! That's why he's being so generous towards Lü Gong. Now, do you all finally understand?" Xiao He said with a smile after taking a sip of wine, narrowing his eyes as he spoke to everyone.

  "Oh, I see! So that's how it is! My god, this county magistrate is really something else! He already has seven or eight concubines, but he still wants to get a few more! My god, he's almost as extravagant as the emperor himself! Almost as extravagant as the emperor himself!" Cao Shen also chimed in.

  "Does this Lord have two thousand pieces of gold? Is that true?" Liu Shanhe said with a seemingly careless tone while drinking his wine.

  "Haha, is that fake? Is that fake? No mistake, and Lü Gong's two daughters, I've seen them too. They're really beautiful, like flowers and jade. Truly top-notch beauties! Not me bragging, but even in our county of Pei, it's almost impossible to find another woman as lovely as them. If someone marries a wife like that, their life will be truly worthwhile!" Xiang Yu continued to say.

  "Oh, I see!" Liu Shanhe said as he listened to Xiao He's words. In fact, his mind had already begun to make calculations.

  "I'm asking Old Xiao, when does that Lord Lü's banquet start?" Liu Shanhe raised a cup of wine and clinked it with everyone else before turning to Xiao He.

  "Ah, this... should be later. Yes, it's later. I've been busy preparing for this matter these past few days! Alas, now that I've received the congratulatory gifts, they've already exceeded over 5,000 taels of silver! I estimate there are still many wealthy households that haven't arrived yet! This time, it can be seen that our county magistrate has indeed put in a lot of thought for that Lord Lü! Indeed, he's put in a lot of thought!"

  Xiang Yu finished his cup of wine and stood up with Cao Shen and Xiahou Ying to bid farewell to Liu Shanhe. Only Liu Shanhe was left standing alone at the entrance of Wu Fu's hotel, watching them leave into the distance. In his heart, however, a bold plan had already taken shape.

  Liu Shanhe's first thought was to make his own Liu-style hat. Although he had made a few before, he didn't think much of those styles and felt they hadn't met his requirements. Since returning from Xianyang, Liu Shanhe had been thinking about making his treasured Liu-style hat and already had countless ideas in mind.

  After returning from Xianyang, Liu Shanhe's mood had been extremely depressed. He thought about Qin Shi Huang's great prestige, the nine horses pulling a large chariot, the stern guards, the sharp knives and guns of the escorts, and the high crown - all these things had deeply stimulated the 35-year-old Liu Shanhe. However, when he returned to his hometown and saw its desolation and devastation, thinking again about Xianyang's boundless prosperity, Liu Shanhe's ambition to stand out from the crowd was once again stirred up.

  One of the actions that reveals his inner heart is to make a hat like Qin Shi Huang's with his own hands.

  "Damn it, if Qin Shi Huang can wear such a tall hat, why can't I, Liu Shanhe? Although I haven't accomplished anything yet, heaven shouldn't deny me opportunities just because I'm from the 21st century, right? Haha, one day I'll sit in Qin Shi Huang's seat too~~~" As he gritted his teeth and thought, Liu Shanhe began to make his own high crown.

  Originally, Liu Shanhe also wanted to get some money as a gift to visit his friend Lü Gong, the county magistrate. After all, not spending a single penny was unacceptable no matter what. However, his salary was meager to begin with, and apart from his fondness for good wine, he also had a habit of frequenting brothels, so naturally, he didn't have much money saved up. But since he wanted to visit Lü Gong, not bringing a gift would be truly unacceptable. After some thought, Liu Shanhe suddenly remembered someone - Fan Kuai.

  Fan Chou was a very famous butcher in the whole city of Pei, who killed dogs and sold dog meat. He made excellent pork and his business was also very good.