Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Seeing the exaggerated reactions of the two people opposite him, Liu Bang felt a little embarrassed. He tugged at his collar, which was making his neck feel stuffy, and couldn't help but stubbornly mutter to himself to make amends:

"It's just that the clothes are a bit tight, it's not that bad."

In fact, he knew perfectly well that just by the uncomfortable feeling of being wrapped up, he knew that this outfit would look strange and out of place on him, and would not be presentable.

But while he was fiddling with his belt in the back, he was still somewhat unwilling to give up and secretly harbored a little unrealistic expectation—what if?

If I were to put on this simple blue robe, I could replicate Mr. Zhou's demeanor and bearing, and shamelessly "borrow" his folding fan to wave it a couple of times, or leisurely pick up my cup and sip a couple of sips of tea. At least I could use this outfit to pretend to be a scholar and have some fun.

Let's be cultured for once!

Thinking of this, Liu Bang deliberately straightened his back, sucked in his stomach as if to shrink himself, then forced a dignified expression onto his face, and with a hint of expectation, turned to look at Fan Kuai, tentatively asking again:

"If the size were a bit better, it would fit me better, and I think I could still wear it out, right?"

He stared at Fan Kuai expectantly, hoping that the other party would say a few kind words, or even just nod, to save face for him. However, Fan Kuai was not tactful at all and shattered his dream on the spot.

"No, no, we absolutely can't get through!" Fan Kuai's tone was resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

His gaze was fixed on Liu Bang's waist, where the belt, tied crookedly due to his deliberate pose, had slipped slightly, revealing a section of his inner garment. He couldn't help but shiver, his fists clenched tighter, his knuckles aching slightly, and he shook his head like a rattle drum.

"Brother Ji, you should go back and change quickly. There's no need to alter the size; you really can't wear it out."

Seemingly worried that his words lacked persuasiveness and that Liu Bang might not yet grasp reality and embarrass himself by wearing such an outfit, Fan Kuai racked his brains for a moment and then sincerely added:

"You look a bit like that guy surnamed Zhao from the east end of the street in that outfit. Really, you look a lot like him. If you don't believe me, go back and ask Lu Wan."

The last vestige of expectation on Liu Bang's face vanished instantly, and his face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

The reason is simple: that guy surnamed Zhao on East Street is his old rival on the streets of Pei County. Like him, he often loafs around aimlessly in the city, and is simply a hoodlum—of course, Zhao himself will not admit it.

He always used the few miscellaneous books he had read intermittently in his early years as capital, and he would always talk about his family's decline and his unfulfilled talents.

He only owned two old, patched long gowns, which he wore in rotation, one today and another tomorrow. He deliberately slowed his pace and swayed his head as he walked, thinking himself elegant and refined, but in reality, he was shifty-eyed and had a sleazy figure.

This man usually uses his long gown as a cover, using smooth talk and affected manners to charm the women in the neighborhood, pretending to be a refined gentleman, hoping to win their hearts and use the help of his wife's family to "make a comeback".

However, no decent girls paid him any attention.

But Liu Bang's eyes would ache whenever he saw him. If the fellow happened to be flirting with a passing woman, he would beat him up before he could think.

In his words: "I hate these pretentious people the most; they're an eyesore!"

When Fan Kuai said that he looked like that Zhao guy in this outfit, Liu Bang felt like he had been doused with a bucket of swill.

I'm not clean anymore!