The father of Empress Lü was an elderly private tutor. Though not wealthy or of high nobility, he was well-respected in the community. He had two daughters, both exceptionally beautiful, like delicate flower buds. The elder daughter was somewhat unusual—though grown, she refused to let others arrange a marriage for her, insisting on choosing a husband she truly favored herself. The old scholar grew increasingly anxious, and in frustration over his inability to marry off his eldest, he impulsively married his younger daughter to Fan Kuai, a dog butcher.
This day was the old man’s birthday, and guests gathered to offer their congratulations. Just as his son-in-law Fan Kuai had prepared his birthday gifts and was about to leave, Liu Bang suddenly arrived. Fan Kuai quickly asked, “Brother Ji, what brings you here?”
“Hey! I’ve been craving meat lately, and my heart feels unsettled without it!” Liu Bang replied with a grin.
“Oh, my apologies!” Fan Kuai hastily explained. “It’s my father-in-law’s birthday today—I’ve sworn off killing for the occasion!”
“Ah, I see!” Liu Bang paused, then immediately smiled. “We’re brothers as close as one person. Why don’t we go together to pay our respects?”
“This…” Fan Kuai hadn’t expected this, and was momentarily stunned.
“Are you afraid of my being a penniless fellow? Don’t worry—where there’s a road, there’s a way!”
The two brothers arrived at the Lü family home, pushing open the gate to enter the courtyard. It was already noon, and the birthday banquet was about to begin. Fan Kuai quickly set out his gifts, while Liu Bang walked alone to the gift registry table, bowing his hands and announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, greetings to you all!”
The clerk recording the gifts didn’t look up, asking, “Your name, and how much silver are you offering?”
Liu Bang gave his name, thought for a moment, then boldly wrote “Ten Thousand Strings of Silver” after his name. As soon as he finished, he turned to leave. The clerk grabbed Liu Bang’s sleeve: “Wait! Where is this ten thousand strings of silver?”
Liu Bang turned with a smile, snatched the brush from the clerk’s hand, and hastily added the character “欠” (meaning “owing”) beneath the four large characters. Then he tossed the brush aside and strode off.
But with everyone watching, how could he escape? A chorus of voices rose up: “Has anyone ever heard of someone coming to a birthday party owing a gift?”
Liu Bang didn’t seem the least bit bothered. He narrowed his eyes, raised his index finger, and chanted dramatically: “Ten thousand strings, ten thousand strings—gifts from all directions. Sun and moon unite, earthly branches meet heavenly stems. Mountains and rivers join hands—eventually, the debt will be paid.”
Hearing this grand declaration, the clerk wasn’t shy and retorted, “May I ask—can the whole empire serve as collateral?!”
The elder daughter of Mr. Lü, watching from behind a window, saw and heard everything clearly. She thought to herself, “This man has ambition!” In a hurry, she rushed to her father. At that moment, Mr. Lü was arranging seating for the banquet, and his elder daughter couldn’t contain herself. She called out, “Follow the old rule—seating by the amount of the gift!”
“Yes, yes,” Mr. Lü quickly agreed. “Ancient rites demand it, ancient rites demand it!” He then instructed everyone to take their seats according to the value of their gifts. When he saw the bold characters “Ten Thousand Strings of Silver,” his vision blurred and his mind reeled. Without thinking, he shouted loudly, “Liu Bang—take the seat of honor!”
Liu Bang smiled faintly and walked calmly forward. Fan Kuai, completely bewildered, hurriedly followed close behind his elder brother.
Later, when Mr. Lü learned the truth, he could do nothing but accept it. After Fan Kuai explained Liu Bang’s character in great detail, the old scholar actually began to regard him as a remarkable talent. The elder daughter often spoke of the incident. The younger daughter finally realized—why not marry her elder sister to Liu Bang? So Fan Kuai and his wife worked together, skillfully arranging the match. In the end, all ended happily. Later, when Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang) seized the empire, he bestowed rich honors upon the Lü family, finally repaying this “debt owed to the empire.”