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

"This is an era where even dying is unaffordable..."

After hearing Zhu Di's description, most people dared not imagine what kind of life the old Zhu had in his childhood.

He watched helplessly as his family members starved to death and buried them with his own hands.

I have to rely on the charity of kind people to survive.

But in that era, how many truly kind-hearted people were there?

Most of the time, they were probably hungry.

"So later my father saw that begging had no future, so he simply changed careers."

Zhu Di sighed.

"Change careers? If he can't even make a living begging, what else can he do?"

As soon as Li Er asked the question, the words on the sky provided the answer.

Being a beggar isn't so easy.

Especially during famine years.

At that time, most people couldn't even fill their stomachs, and even if they wanted to, they were powerless to do so.

However, landlords and gentry were not so kind as to be willing to give alms.

More often than not, Zhu Yuanzhang could only rummage through garbage and snatch the swill poured out of the homes of landlords and gentry.

When he was too weak to compete with other beggars, he could only gnaw on tree bark.

Later, more and more beggars who competed with him for garbage starved to death on the streets. If he didn't make changes, he could become the next one to starve to death at any time.

He realized that he couldn't survive by doing this.

So he changed his mind.

He noticed that many wealthy and influential people were Buddhists, and when they occasionally went to temples to offer incense, they would always donate some money as incense oil.

So, on a whim, he decided to shave his head and become a monk, finding a temple to prepare for his ordination!

"Fuck!"

Liu Bang couldn't help but swear.

That's quite an idea!

To go to such lengths just to make a living, Old Zhu is truly a talent!

"First Emperor, do you want to relive Zhu Yuanzhang's life?"

"I'm actually quite looking forward to it!"

Ying Zheng: “…”

I do not wish to speak right now!

Cowherd, beggar, monk?

What the hell is all this garbage?!

Is there even one profession that can be associated with conquering the world?

Li Si, standing to the side, was also completely baffled.

"Logically speaking, someone with such a background has the potential to become a powerful figure who dominates a region, but if they want to conquer the world..."

"The difference in cultural foundation is too great."

Comparatively speaking, it's not that difficult for a powerful local force to become one.

If Ying Zheng hadn't refused to bring 500 elite soldiers into the challenge, they could have immediately become powerful clans.

Not only did they not have to worry about their next meal, but the surrounding landlords and gentry would also offer them large sums of money, whether willingly or unwillingly.

After all, everyone understands the principle that if the neighbor hoards grain, I hoard guns; the neighbor is my granary.

But conquering the world is not so simple.

We need people, money, grain, a good reputation, support from established families, and enough prestige to attract a large number of heroes to join us.

These conditions were inherently conflicting for the rebel army, which consisted of people of humble origins.

If you have people, where will the money and supplies come from?

They either robbed wealthy and powerful families or attacked the government offices.

If you do the former, your reputation will be ruined. If you show any signs of wanting to dominate the world afterward, not to mention the imperial court, the powerful gentry of the country will be a huge obstacle.

As for the latter.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down first.

Bai Qi nodded in agreement with Li Si's opinion.

"Such a background naturally puts the wealthy and powerful families on the opposite side."

"Even if the dynasty is in turmoil, they will never support a poor peasant who rose from humble beginnings to conquer the world."

They can't even tell stories!

After all, Old Zhu's surname is Zhu, not Zhao!

"Li Er, if you were in this challenge, what would you do?"

Liu Bang suddenly asked.

Upon seeing this question, Li Er fell into deep thought.

If he succeeds in this challenge...

uprising?

There was no man, no money, no food, no reputation, and no status.

To become an outlaw?

There's still no one here. You can't even become a small leader. You're probably just cannon fodder with no chance of ever getting ahead!

What else can we do?

Go and become a monk!

The primary goal, of course, is to avoid starving to death!

But saying this is somewhat embarrassing.

So he thought for a moment and decided to ask a question in return first.

"And you, Emperor Gaozu, do you have any good ideas in this situation?"

"No good ideas, but some bad ones."

"Tell me, if that temple is really rich, why bother becoming a monk? Why not just go and ask them for money?"

Liu Bang didn't really understand what monks and temples were, and could only guess that they were places similar to Taoist temples.

His impression of Taoist temples was still based on the image of the great virtuous teacher of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

"Your Majesty, you're overthinking it. You don't really believe that all monks grow up to look like virtuous teachers, do you?"

Li Er said with a hint of helplessness.

“Buddhism and Taoism are different. Moreover, in this challenge, most people can’t afford to eat. How much surplus food can the temples possibly have, relying solely on the occasional interest of the gentry and wealthy families?”

In short, let alone money, even if you just want to eat, you have to convert to Buddhism first.

If there were any other options, Lao Zhu would not have resorted to such a drastic measure!

"What else can you do? Just obediently become a monk."

"Although robbing temples is a possibility, you have to distinguish between having a full meal once and having a full meal every day. Being a monk means you don't have to worry about starving to death for at least a short period of time!"

Since I've already been a beggar, being a monk isn't any more shameful.

In this situation, survival is the most important thing!

"Emperor Gaozu, Emperor Taizong, you're both overthinking it. Even if you become monks, you won't get to eat your fill for many days."

"If you don't believe me, just keep reading."

"In fact, after becoming a monk, one is just a beggar with the title of monk. He goes from begging to asking for alms. There is no difference in essence."

Zhu Di said irritably.

Most monks in temples are also struggling to take care of themselves, so how can you expect them to support idlers?

"That's true. If becoming a monk really guaranteed you a full stomach, then the temples would probably have gone bankrupt long ago."

Liu Bang nodded.

During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, believers of the Way of Peace were everywhere, from ordinary people to the Ten Attendants around the emperor. Even they could not withstand Zhang Jiao's unbridled charity, let alone ordinary temples.

"No matter how you look at it, they can't possibly survive like this!"

Almost all roads are blocked, and it's difficult to even survive in this situation. You're telling me he can become emperor?

Li Er still couldn't believe it.

He still couldn't understand how Zhu Yuanzhang, with such a background and such circumstances, could turn his life around and become emperor.

Anyway, he figured that if he were to put himself in this challenge, he would probably still be struggling to find a way to eat and survive!

He believed that if Ying Zheng were in anyone's situation, they would not have a good way to deal with it.

Make bricks without straw.

There's nothing there, just a broken bowl at the start, what can you do with it?

Ying Zheng didn't curse out on the spot, which shows he has good manners!

"It's a pity that Old Zhu isn't here, otherwise we could have asked him to tell us in detail what he went through during that time, how he survived, and... how he transformed from a beggar into an emperor."

Zhao Kuangyin began to miss Zhu Yuanzhang.

He was eager to verify it.

If what the immortal said is true, and Old Zhu has never eaten at the imperial court's table, then he can say something.

Throughout history, no dynasty has ever been more legitimate in its acquisition of power than the Ming Dynasty!