The video takes us to ancient times; Li Er transforms into the Tongtian Emperor of Shu Han.

This round of massacres in Luoyang made one thing clear to all the gentry.

If they fall into Xiang Yu's hands, they will have no chance of survival!

Neither Zhang Jiao's Yellow Turban Rebellion nor Xiang Yu's Yellow Turban Rebellion needed the existence of aristocratic clans.

In order to protect themselves, they had no choice but to place their bets on other feudal lords.

Even though Liu Hong and all his descendants died in Luoyang, there were still quite a few members of the Han imperial family who were left behind!

As soon as Liu Yan and his men fled back to their stronghold, many aristocratic families eagerly came to them, extending olive branches.

They naturally accepted all the overtures from the gentry!

No matter how powerful Xiang Yu was, even if he pushed all the gentry to the opposite side, he would still be defeated and killed!

No one knew better than them the power these aristocratic families could unleash!

As long as we can unite the strength of all the gentry, we will definitely be able to resist Xiang Yu!

Unfortunately, they overlooked one thing.

The aristocratic families are all selfish. Even when disaster strikes, they will only think about how to run faster than others, rather than how to solve the problem.

Moreover, in the eyes of many, the current situation is not a disaster, but an opportunity to rise up and achieve great things!

Xiang Yu only occupied Luoyang and did not control any other cities.

In their view, as long as they could unify the remaining twelve provinces, defeating Xiang Yu would be a piece of cake!

Expecting them to unite is simply wishful thinking!

Within a few short months, the aristocratic families of Yizhou, Jingzhou, Jiangdong, and Jizhou were all divided.

Everyone claimed to be the rightful heir, but at the same time, each aristocratic family sent a small number of capable young people to other forces.

They've taken the principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket and made it into something extraordinary.

Of course, everyone had an unspoken understanding: no one would send their family members to join the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

In their view, the ability to capture Luoyang truly demonstrated Xiang Yu's capabilities and the bravery of the Yellow Turban Army.

However, they did not accept the aristocratic families' overtures, and instead carried out a large-scale massacre of them.

This means they are destined to perish!

No one can resist the aristocratic clans!

During these months, the Han Dynasty was embroiled in fierce battles across the country, but Luoyang, a place of constant warfare, remained as stable as Mount Tai.

No one has put their hand here.

At that moment, Huangfu Song seemed to understand Xiang Yu's deeper meaning.

If the allied forces of the feudal lords had been left outside Luoyang, the gentry would have had little choice and might have joined forces to resist the Yellow Turbans!

But now, the released allied forces of the feudal lords, and the Yellow Turbans who have not expanded outwards, have given the gentry a false hope.

Thus, their primary enemy changed from the Yellow Turbans to the other Han imperial relatives who were vying with them for the throne!

That night, while the north and south were locked in fierce fighting, Xiang Yu stood silently on the city wall, lost in thought.

Cao Cao, Huangfu Song, and Lu Zhi approached each other furtively in a corner.

Before they arrived, the three of them had a heated argument, and in the end, they pointed two fingers at Huangfu Song.

Cao Cao and Lu Zhi both believed that since Huangfu Song was the first to pledge allegiance to the Hegemon, it was only natural that he should be the one to bring up such an important matter!

As Xiang Yu was still in a daze, he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder.

"Your Majesty, it's getting cold, put on another layer of clothing."

Xiang Yu: "?"

I understand that it's cold and I need to put on a coat, but why is this coat yellow?

"You three..."

Xiang Yu was at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

He could understand the three men's thoughts, but wasn't this a bit too hasty?

"Are you in such a hurry?"

Faced with Xiang Yu's question, the three nodded in unison.

“Outsiders like Liu Yan of Yizhou are showing signs of wanting to declare themselves emperor, but the Han Dynasty was destroyed by the Hegemon-King. How can we let them get there first?”

"We must not lag behind others in this matter!"

"Your Majesty, don't take off this garment. No one in the entire city of Luoyang would object!"

"Claim yourself emperor, Overlord! You are the true and rightful worthy ruler!"

The three of them offered their advice in unison.

"To become emperor...?"

There was a hint of melancholy in Xiang Yu's eyes.

He knew that the greatest credit for his ability to get to this point so easily did not belong to him.

But Zhang Jiao!

If Zhang Jiao hadn't built a solid foundation, treated the people well, and held high prestige among them, he wouldn't have achieved such success.

At least this time, the challenge won't be so easy for him.

But now is indeed the time.

"Nowadays, there are constant conflicts between the major powers. Even if a tyrant declares himself emperor, no one will attack him in the short term. They will only follow suit!"

"The conflict between them will only escalate further!"

Xiang Yu's ascension to the throne had little impact on the gentry.

But if they were to declare themselves emperors, it would be a battle for legitimacy!

If nothing unexpected happens, based on Huangfu Song's understanding of them, he'll probably beat the dog's brains out!

"Very well, tomorrow, announce it to the world!"

proclaim oneself emperor!

After the news spread, it did indeed happen as Huangfu Song had predicted.

The world was shaken, yet no one spoke of coming to punish them!

On the contrary, there were quite a few people criticizing it.

One by one, civil officials from aristocratic families pointed their fingers at Xiang Yu and cursed him for his treason, while simultaneously asserting that their side was the legitimate one!

Within just a few days, four or five factions simultaneously announced that they would ascend the throne and declare themselves emperors.

Each side claims that it is the legitimate one.

But the traces of ordinary people cannot be faked!

After Xiang Yu announced this to the world, countless people flocked to Luoyang.

Even if there was no room left in the city, they preferred to sleep outdoors rather than go to the territories of other noble families.

They were not stupid; everyone knew perfectly well how the former aristocratic families had treated them.

Only in Luoyang, the place where the Yellow Turbans lived, were they truly treated as human beings, not slaves!

Time passes day by day.

After the other feudal lords declared themselves emperors, they fought each other incessantly.

On the contrary, Xiang Yu retreated to Luoyang, a place of constant warfare, which greatly expanded his military strength and logistics.

The elite troops that charge into battle have now expanded to 30,000.

As the power between the aristocratic clans and the feudal lords further weakened, Xiang Yu summoned Huangfu Song and others on this day.

"The time has come."

"The soldiers are on high alert every day, and their provisions are plentiful!"

Huangfu Song trembled with excitement.

We've finally waited for this day!

"Your Majesty need not worry about logistics; there will be absolutely no problems!"

Cao Cao was equally excited.

This will be the first step in his becoming a capable minister in governing the world!

The confiscation of the property of the gentry brought with it an enormous amount of wealth!

In terms of supplies, they are absolutely wealthy and powerful!

The land has been ravaged by those aristocratic families for so long, it's time to unify it!

"Send envoys to all the feudal lords and declare war!"

"The gentry of this land have been lording it over everyone for far too long!"

"Furthermore, send someone to bring Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao to Luoyang. I promised them that I would let them witness the arrival of that prosperous era!"